9/7/10 Launceston to Devonport

This morning started with packing up and loading the car and a leisurely drive out of Devonport. We had all day to fill before boarding the boat early evening. So our first planned stop was the small town of Chudleigh, on the Mole Creek Rd, some 60 kms from Launceston. This is the location of Melita Honey shop and museum display. We got to taste a range of honeys - the range was staggering really. Some we liked, some were way to sickly sweet when combined with other ingredients such as lime or strawberry. There were some odd flavours such as chilli honey which was an unusual combination. We settled for some local stringy-bark honey that was from a nearby mountain. The display included the process of the bees producing the honey - there was even a perspex hive to view them hard at work - interesting!

Next we drove to Elizabeth Town where we had lunch at the ETC (Elizabeth Town Cafe) which was a large place on the highway that used to be an old country pub. A little overpriced and our sweet chilli chicken wraps didn't live up to expectations.

Just a few km's up the road is Ashgrove Cheese, somewhere Jet had been looking forward to visiting the whole time we'd been in Tassie. She missed out on this last trip (in 2004) when the car broke down and we were stranded in Sheffield most of the day on our way back to Devonport. We tasted a range of cheeses, then looked at the huge racks of cheese in the maturing room. This room had little effect on our own maturity fortunately. So we went outside and photographed some of the colourful fibreglass cows... a bit like the ones in Shepparton's 'Mooving Art' display.

Took some back roads while the kids snoozed in the back seat. Drove through Railton which is the 'Topiary Town' - with heaps of oddly shaped plants, sculptured into place with wiring. Jet wandered and photographed.

The next town we passed through was Latrobe. Home of the Axeman's Hall of Fame. We didn't stop as everyone was still sleeping. We headed for the coast, Port Sorrell. At the end of the road we came across a wide sweeping beach, with the rugged tree covered hills of Narawntapu National Park across the estuary. With dark clouds over the National Park and sun to the north west it made for dramatic colours. We enjoyed a walk along the beach to a jetty and back which ran off some of the kids energy. Got a family portrait of late afternoon shadows...

It was only a short drive into Devonport and we went straight to Macca's for an early dinner. We then drove across the river to check in for the boat. After a short wait in the queue we drove on and found ourselves driving deep, down into the ships bilge... G1 was the car deck - you don't get any lower! Caught the lift up to level 8, to our room 8087, right next to the room we had on the journey over...

A reasonably smooth journey, it did rock a little in the middle of the night according to Jet, but the rest of the family didn't notice. Awoke to the lights of Melbourne's bayside suburbs drifting by the window, a flock of seagulls following along beside, ever hopeful of snacks.

Found our way out of the ship's dungeons and were home by 7:30am...

Minus one was the overnight forecast for Launceston – we were warm and cosy, but the car was again covered in ice. Clear morning – another good day to be out exploring. We drove into the CBD and parked the car down by the water front at Kings Park. Enjoyed a walk along the River Edge Trail. Mirror perfect reflections of the hills and homes on the other side. Where the path was still in the shade it was icy which the boys thought would be fun… until Ethan slipped over!

We wandered down to the well known ‘Penny Royal’ historic buildings – but the tourist attraction bit was closed for renovation and the rest was just pricey accommodation. The old windmill looked a little worse for wear.

Then we spent some time looking around the CBD area, including Civic Square which had some great little statues of Tassie Tigers, a Wedge Tailed Eagle and a couple of Currawongs. A plaque called it the ‘Tasmanian Tableau’ and read:

‘Tasmanian Tiger-wolf-hyena-thylacine. Slaughtered for bounty, endangered, extinct? The elusive marsupial. Heraldic thylacines now survive as supporters for the coat of arms of Launceston and Tasmania. The Wedge-Tailed Eagle lives – our most noble bird. Pied Currawongs, the larrikin observers.

Over the road the clock tower struck 11am. Found our way to the shopping precinct… well Daz tried to guide us there… as he was walking and glancing at the map a park bench jumped out in front of him… into the middle of the footpath and brought him to a sudden halt. Shins and knees took the full force of it… as did the camera which swung from his shoulder… cracked the Polariser filter… better than damaging the actual lens though… ‘only’ $120 rather than many hundreds more for a new lens.

We did find our way to Brisbane Street which has an attractive mall and some great old architecture. Quadrant Mall is a quarter circle street that stands out against the grid pattern of all other streets. It was there that we found out about another piece of Tasmania that was closed for winter… Mount Elephant Pancakes, which we’d seen advertised and decided to go to for lunch… change of plans so we ended up at Bon Appetit’s café down the road.

After lunch we walked back down towards the waterfront, then over Kings Bridge and along the 15 minute walk along Cataract Gorge to the First Basin and suspension bridge we’d visited on Monday. Found a small ‘Inclinator’ which was an 8 person funicular tramway that rode up the hill, stopping at various levels from the carpark, to the café, to the chairlift… seemed like a very expensive piece of engineering for such a small ride. There was no charge for it and it was much like an elevator, press the button, get inside and press the level you want to go to. The kids thought it was a hoot though!

Ethan napped in the pram on the walk into the gorge area… he awoke with the phrase ‘Are we going up a george to see the flying chair?’ (gorge to see the chairlift)!!

Next destination was back to the car, retracing our steps down the gorge and across Kings Bridge and around the River Edge Trail.

Six kilometres away from where we were parked was a place that allows you to go hang gliding… cable hang gliding actually… a bit like a glorified flying fox, but different. It was only $20, so Jet suggested that Daz should have a go. Daz was up for it, so that’s where we went. It was only a 200m journey, but he had to run off a wooden ramp and then soar off a cliff edge. For the $20 he got two goes. Jet and the kids watched from the bottom… shrieking excitedly as Daddy soared over their heads!

Drove back to our motel suite and the kids had a play in the playground while Jet got a couple of things for dinner from the supermarket next door. Showers and an early night for the kids. We began the pack up ready to leave tomorrow and then for the overnight journey back on the boat, arriving in Melbourne early Saturday morning.

Zac's portrait of himself and Ethan:

7/7/10 Evandale & Longford

A freezing night outside – down to around zero degrees. The car was icy, the sky was blue this morning. We were reasonably cosy in our comfy digs! After such a busy day yesterday we decided on a slower pace today. Jet had looked at the map and decided on a triangular outing, to Evandale, Longford and back again. So after breakfast we set the GPS for Evandale… driving down the hill towards Launceston city centre to join the highway we entered a thick fog that sat in the valley. Once on the freeway and back up to higher ground it became clear and blue again.

It was only a short 20 kms or so to Evandale. We parked the car and went for a walk. The town was named after an explorer and surveyor, George William Evans – whom I have not heard of… couldn’t of discovered or surveyed anything of significance… apologies to any Evans descendants.

The town’s own historic walk brochure describes it as a village of irregular streets, authentic hostelries and quaint architecture. So it sounded like a good place to wander around. Rugged up in coats, beanies and gloves we set off. We soon warmed up, Gemma so cosy that she fell asleep in the pram.

We visited the old Evandale state school which is now the tourist info office and small museum of things aeronautical. We read that a Rev Robert Russell was the first Presbyterian minster in town and he had one of the main streets named after him, as well as oversee the construction of some of the towns significant buildings including Marlborough House, the mausoleum like St Andrews Uniting and its 1840 manse.

Evandale holds a penny farthing festival each February and we came across a few references to these odd bicycles, including the ‘Time Traveller’ sculpture outside the Clarendon Arms Hotel.

Just outside Evandale is the ‘Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Co.’ where we called in for some tasting. After a warm greeting from Maddy the very overweight Labrador we went inside where the most wonderful aroma caught our attention. Gemma and Ethan loved the Valhalla Tasmanian ice-cream with chocolate topping, Zac enjoyed the raspberry sauce. Jet and Daz relished the tomato relish. After some shopping we hit the road again, to Longford via Perth.

First stop in Longford was the bakery which was in the old Emerald Mill Complex. This old mill used to be steam powered, and began operations in 1834. We enjoyed yummy pies and sausage rolls.

We enjoyed a walk through the expansive grounds of Christ Church. The imposing church in the middle was built in 1839. The wintery looking bare trees, the church old street facades and blue skies made for some great contrasts for photos. Ended up in the park where the kids played on the playground. We then drove back to Launceston to give the kids a nap.

6/7/10 Tasmania Zoo & Beaconsfield

Last week sometime Jet promised that the kids would see Tasmanian Devils on this trip, so just as well for the Tasmania Zoo complex, just 20 minutes from Launceston. Excitedly that is where set off for this morning. Once we bought our tickets we looked in the large aquarium tanks in the main building. They had everything from catfish to clownfish and seahorses. There were excited shrieks from three very enthralled children. We then took those three children, who happened to be ours to the Devil enclosures for the 10:30 feeding session. A brave keeper got in with three of them and gave us a talk about Tassie Devils, while holding a bucket of road-kill for them to munch on. They were literally nipping at his heals as he informed us their bite pressure wise was like that of a salt water crocodile, but because they knew he would feed them they were only giving him minor ‘love bites’…

Once they were fed he got out a young female devil and we all had a pat of her… that was something none of us had ever done before. Her fur was quite coarse and wiry.

The rest of the zoo consisted of a few breeds of monkeys, other Australian animals such as roos, wallabies, echidnas, wombats and a koala. There were a couple of very graceful looking wedge tailed eagles who enjoyed a home out on the lake. They had been saved from being stuffed and mounted in the 1990’s as one had been shot, the other electrocuted on power lines and had lived at the park since.

At one of the monkey enclosures we were able to get up and close while one sat on the wire fence. Problem was he took a pee which came our way – just missing Daz unlike the llama lurgy that Jet copped as we walked by them a few moments later…

The kids enjoyed feeding the wallabies, a tiny pony and a tubby goat. We had our picnic lunch in the sun which was nice. The park has many species of colourful birds, both Australian and from overseas. We took heaps of photos of these. Ethan in particular found it very amusing when a cockatoo kept saying hello to him!

As we left the zoo all three kids fell asleep so we decided to keep driving up the Tamar Valley towards Beaconsfield. Got some terrific views of the river and surrounding hills, particularly at Brady’s Lookout. In Beaconsfield we visited the now very famous mine and did the mine and heritage tour. It was very interesting, they had heaps of hands on stuff for the kids. Everytime they saw the ‘big yellow hand sign’ it was a fight about who would have the first go! They got to turn old pump flywheels, talk on ancient telephones, try on old hats, operate model mine shaft lifts and even crank the big old waterwheel and get one of the pumps pumping! There was a terrific exhibition on the mining tragedy in 2006, that claimed miner Larry Knight and saw the miraculous rescue of the other two. Although, I did think somewhat pessimistically that the mine was cashing in on this by charging people to see the exhibition. I’m sure tourism has quadrupled since the incident… then I guess we wouldn’t have come if it wasn’t so infamous either.

It got dark as we drove back to Launceston. This took just under an hour, so it had been a full day out and overall the kids handled it all very well. They certainly had a fun time of it! Dinner in our unit, then showers and bed early for the crumpets.

5/7/10 Burnie to Launceston

Our four nights in Burnie went quickly and this morning it was time to repack the car and head off again. We said our goodbyes to Kirsty and Henry as they headed off to school and work respectively. Then to QLD Nanna and Allan once we were ready to head off. Our destination today was Launceston where we had another 4 nights before getting the boat home on Friday night.

Took the turn-off to Turner’s Beach as Jet’s parents had raved about staying there in the past. It was a nice looking area, with camping along the waterfront and some lovely homes with lovely views.

Back on the Bass Hwy and we skirted around Devonport and continued on towards Latrobe. We were then tempted to call in at Anvers Chocolates for some tastings and purchases. The free samples were very nice – especially the white chocolate. We looked in the viewing windows and saw tubs of chocolate that looked good enough to bathe in! The kids enjoyed playing on the playground chocolate truck that was on four large springs and wibbled and wobbled quite dramatically!

For lunch we got off the highway and drove through the pretty town of Deloraine. The Frog Bakery made us some yummy sandwiches. We all had salady type ones, but Ethan insisted on honey, so that’s what he got. A local old couple in for their weekly toasted cheese sandwiches found the kids very amusing!

Nearing Launceston we drove into a tremendously thick fog which was a bit bizarre for middle of the day we thought. We emerged from it and left the freeway to find our booked accommodation at the ‘Olde Tudor Inn’ in Prospect. Right next to a supermarket and just a few minutes from town it was ideally placed. They advertise as ‘kids stay free’, so for a 2 bedroom, full kitchen apartment we got a pretty good deal – and not much more than a standard motel room. It had been thoroughly modernised with a great little kitchen, large living area and a bathroom that has a huge shower, heated floor and heated towel rack. This would do us just nicely!

After settling in we went in search of Cataract Gorge. For the first time in several years of faithful service, ‘Tommy’ our GPS got us thoroughly lost on some very steep and narrow suburban streets that he seemed unaware were either one way or were no through roads. We ended up just heading for the CBD of Launceston and finding another way to the gorge. Never-the-less, we did get some splendid views of the city from out lofty lost-ness.

Once we got to Cataract Gorge we went for a walk to the café where the peacocks gather. The kids loved feeding them. We then went for a walk over the suspension bridge and down to the river before heading back to the car, heading ‘home’ for dinner.

4/7/10 Penguin & Burnie

Sunday morning and off to the weekly Penguin Markets… not like a cattle market where you might expect to purchase cattle, no penguins on sale… except for plastic or knitted ones that is. It is an indoor market with a range of stalls including plants, 2nd hand stuff, local artists and food. Walking into the little shop that sold wood carved items was great – the smell of Huon Pine is just wonderful!

In another wood shop, the kids were each given small cut out wooden animals to ‘go home and decorate’ said the lady running the stall. Her partner sat at a saw with a very thin blade and cut the animals out as we watched. Had a nice chunky chicken pie for early lunch before walking along the esplanade of Penguin where we came across numerous penguin rubbish bins, several fibreglass penguins including the ‘Big Penguin’ we’d photographed at sunrise the morning we’d arrived in Tassie.

The kids had a play in the playground before we drove back to Burnie. Kirsty, Nanna and Henry headed home, while we visited the visitor’s centre which is also known as ‘The Makers Workshop’ where we saw some intricately detailed papier-mache statues made by local artists, some paper products made from wombat and roo poo, an Elphinstone R1500 RHD loader which the kids loved to climb on, and a bunch of other locally made stuff!

We all enjoyed a lovely roast pork dinner followed by apple crumble at Kirsty’s tonight.

3/7/10 Tasmazia and Sheffield

Yesterday was a lazy day in Burnie with Kirsty and Nanna. It was a drizzly day so it was just as well. We had a short walk around the lake and park just down the road from their Burnie house.

Today was bright and sunny again, although cold of course. We all headed towards Sheffield to an amazing place called Tasmazia. Drove through some great countryside on the way and a few towns with rather odd names... such as 'Nowhere Else' and 'Promised Land'! It was just over an hour to Tasmazia.... which is a series of terrific mazes, a miniature village called Lower Crackpot and a pancake restaurant.

We spent the morning mostly in the largest of the mazes, discovering all sorts of oddities, such as the tribute to the inventor of the flush toilet, Thomas Crapper, the 3 little pigs village, the 3 bears house, full of papa bear, mama bear and baby bears belongings... just like in the famous story! Found a secret tunnel that we all scrambled through on hands and knees. Then there was the Crackpot Correction Centre, full of replica devices of torture. Cubby town was a row of cubby houses decked out as various businesses such as Dr Phil Cavity the dentist...

We had lunch in the pancake restaurant which was very nice. Jet and Daz split a pizza pancake for main course and a jaffa stack pancake for dessert. Yum! The kids had hot dogs and icecream... not together though. They were delighted when the cook came around and gave them extra sprinkles!

Back into the maze for a further explore... the main maze is said to be the largest in the world. A back drop to the complex is the imposing Mt Roland - a rocky mountain that is very picturesque.

After the 2 youngest showed signs of being warn out we decided to get out of the maze and return to the car for the short drive into Sheffield. It is known as the mural town and has an annual 'Muralfest' each year. We looked at the entrants in this years competition and as it turned out the 2 we liked were this years winners.

We wanted to visit a shop we'd seen advertised, called World of Marbles - a place where artists actually make marbles - many quite expensive. We had a ball playing with drop marble games, watching them meander through different levels and make different sounds. Zac bought some colourful marbles.

Nearby was an old 2nd hand shop with a piano out front that was a little worse for wear... a sign said 'please play' so Ethan had a ball sitting making all manner of noises on it for a few minutes!

1/7/10 To Burnie

This morning we packed the car up with all our luggage, with the ultimate destination, Burnie where we are spending another 4 nights with Darrin's mum, sister and her family. There would be nobody home till after 3:30pm, so we visited a couple of other places on the way.

Our first stop was Dip Falls, just 24 or so km's off the Bass Hwy. Magnificent falls, flowing quite strongly after plenty of recent rain. The noise of the torrent was rather intense too! Looked at the falls from a lookout. Then we went on another very short walk up another path where we found the rusty moss covered ruins of an old boiler - from the early logging days in the area. The thing that is different about these Tasmanian forests is the amount of different mosses, lichen and mushrooms in all the dampness.

The boys then took the steep steps down to the base of the falls for another view of the cascading water. The girls stayed in the car and got warm. We figured it was a bit too steep and slippery for Gemma. Zac has been loving having his own digital camera and he again took some great shots of the falls.

Once we climbed back up the steps we drove a further km along the dirt road to the 'Big Tree'. A short walk through the dense forest and we found the 400 year old eucalyptus tree, said to be 62 metres tall and a staggering 16 metres around its girth at the base. The three kids enjoyed clambering on the various knobbly bits of the base for photos!

Drove back to the first picnic area and enjoyed a picnic lunch in the picnic shelter. Making a thermos and having hot cuppa soup has been the norm this week, which has been nice in the cold! We've been very fortunate with the weater, although cold we have not been caught out in rain yet.

On the road again, back to the Bass Hwy and about 50 km's to Boat Harbour Beach. This was a short detour off the highway, down a windy road to the base of a steep hill where a small town clung to the rocks and hillside overlooking a pleasant little sweeping bay. Jolly Roger's cafe was at the end of the road. It was right on the beach and had a playground outide it. We enjoyed some afternoon tea and a play in the playground. Jet said the hot chocolate was one of the best she'd ever had. We walked along the beach and back before getting in the car for the remaining 40 minute drive to Burnie.

It was nice to catch up with family members again, and to hear about their recent trip to England. They got home on Saturday, the day we left for Tassie. Zac was given a 'Bite me' shark t-shirt, Ethan a cuddly stingray and Gemma a cuddly starfish from the London Aquarium. Jet and Daz got a London Double Decker fridge magnet!

Zac got to sleep in cousin Henry's room on the lower bunk. The rest of us were in the garage which has been converted to a living area and is joined to the house via the kitchen. Ethan and Gemma shared a futon and thought that was great!