Campania to Port Arthur

 

Apparently there was a 100 carriage goods train that went rumbling by our camp at some unfortunate hour, but 4 out of the 5 of us did not hear it at all!  We had a leisurely beginning to the day, although we were still ready to move on by 9:30 am.  The kids played some more at the park, continuing the friendships they'd made with 3 kids from a neighbouring caravan yesterday afternoon, then we left around 10am.  First stop was Sorrel, just twenty minutes away.  Stocked up at the supermarket.  There were literally hundreds of car loads of teenagers looking like they were on their way somewhere - we hoped not to the same place as us!  Turned out they were off to a New Years Falls Festival far enough away from Port Arthur!

 

It was a windy road into Port Arthur, and being quite gusty it made for a challenging drive.  Set up at the Port Arthur Caravan Park, which is a lovely park, with large sites, individually surrounded by shrubbery and plenty of room between neighbours. It is also on a hill, so sites are terraced.

 

After lunch and a load of washing we went for a walk to the beach behind the caravan park.  Nice spot, great views, but quite fresh and windy. Today was only 19 degrees, and the wind made it feel cooler.  The kids had a blast playing on the sand. 

 

 

At dinner time we lit up a camp fire in the fireplace on our site - another great feature of this park is that everyone has a firepit.  The kids thought this was a real buzz!  Ethan wanted to sing campfire songs, because that is what is meant to happen around campfires!  He didn't want to lead us off, so we didn't sing!

 

Tomorrow we're booked in to go to the Port Arthur historic site.  Darrin is also booked on tomorrow evening's Ghost Tour! 

Ross to Campania

Friday 28th December

 

Last night we were able to see some of Ross' landmarks floodlit - the bridge looked particularly stunning.  In the distance we were treated to a bit of a thunderstorm, but it didn't rain or come any closer to where we were. 

 

This morning, the river was still and gave great reflections of the bridge, so more photos were taken!

We spent the morning wandereing around some more of historic Ross, including the impressive church up on the hill which we were also able to go inside of.   Just a short walk from the church was the remains of the 'female factory' - jail for convict women. 

 



Some good friends heard we were in Ross, so messaged us to say don't miss Somercoates Cherry Farm.  So we took their advice and visited where we indulged in a kilo of very nice cherries and wandered around the pretty property which had a historic homestead and outbuildings.  It has been owned by the same family for generations.

It was well after lunch when we finally left Ross, for a short drive of around 83 km's further south, and along the road towards Richmond.  Stopped short of Richmond to stay at a free camp site in the small town of Campania.  Well set up spot alongside an old flour mill, with kids playground, toilet block, spotless (and free) gas bbq.  Aptly called 'Flour Mill Park'... Our first 'free camp' experience.  About 6 other lots camped here too.



Tomorrow we head for Port Arthur, where we will be for 4 nights. 

Burnie to Ross

Thursday 27th

 

Left Somerset around 9:30am after marvelling at a flock of black cockatoos crunching up pine cones in the trees above us.  Today's drive was just over 200 km's - one of the longest stretches of this whole holiday.  Distances in Tassie are easy compared with mainland travel. 

 

Had a quick stop at Anvers Choclate in Latrobe... one of the kids needed a toilet stop - convenient really as we were near the chocolates and knew they had free taste testing... couldn't just use their toilets could we!!

 

Stopped for an hour or two in the historic village of Westbury - complete with its lovely grassy village green... supposedly the only 'authentic' village green in the Southern Hemisphere.  Enjoyed lunch on the green before having a short walk around town. 

 

Westbury was just over halfway through our journey - the second half was just under 100 km's, to the even more historic town of Ross, which is south, on the road to Hobart.  The small caravan park is right on the river, near the well known bridge.  Everything is within walking distance of our camp site.  Bordering the park is a well constructed stone wall. 

Set up, wandered around the town, spent some time down by the river before having dinner.  Once the kids were in bed, we took turns to wander around after dark to see some of the historic landmarks lit up.

 

What old village is complete without an old red phone box, or two?  Ross is a very pretty town to wander around in. 







Boxing Day

December 26th

 

A bit of an easy day - met up with the rest of Darrin's family for a bbq lunch at a scenic spot in Burnie - Fernglade Reserve.  It's a well known habitat for platypus, although we didn't see any of the elusive creatures.  Three ducks and a very young duckling were about it.  Went for a short walk after the bbq.  Set up the camera on timer to get a whole family shot... 

 

 



Tomorrow we leave Burnie and head towards Ross in central Tasmania.

Christmas Day

 

Ethan, Gemma & Zac were most excited that Santa did in fact find them in the caravan, here in the north of Tasmania!  Santa even thought very well about it all and ensured the pressies were caravan size ones! 

Biggest 'Wall' christmas in many years, with cousin Melissa and family out from England as well as Darrin's sister and her family.  Spent most of the day at Kirsty's.  A sunny day, cool breeze, but nice to be outside. 

The kids crashed out after a busy couple of days!

Gunns Plains

December 23rd

Drove about 50 minutes inland from Burnie, through pretty rolling hills to Gunns Plains.  Spent most of the day exploring at Wings Wildlife Park.  Plenty of Aussie animals, plus a few others.  Got to get up close and personal with a couple of koalas and a wombat - allowed into their enclosure during feeding time and able to pat them.  Witnessed the aggressive feeding of the Tassie Devils - patted an 8 month old baby one - that was orphaned and completely blind.  The kids also enjoyed feeding the very placid kangaroos.

 

 

                                           Bandicoots

 After dinner we ventured out into the cool of the evening and checked out the penguins coming ashore near the Burnie Visitor Information Centre.  Nothing like the Phillip Island parade, but nothing like the crowds or costs either!  The kids were excited by yet another wildlife experience for the day!

  

Off to Tasmania

Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd December 2012

 

Didn't take long to pack the van. Left home at 3:15pm for the drive to Port Melbourne.  Picked up some D'Lish Fish take-away before driving onto Station Pier.  The fish and chips was delicious and helped pass the time waiting in the boarding queue.  Once onboard, found our cabin then went exploring the Spirit of Tasmania II.  Spent some time up on deck as we left the port, with the city skyline getting smaller by the minute.  The sun setting across the bay, the sea breeze in our hair... contemplating 32 days away! 

It was a calm night - by Bass Straight standards.  Having said that, none of us slept particularly well, the whole cabin seemed to vibrate to the dronning of the ships engine.  Gemma slept the best out of all of us. 

A wake up call came at 5:10am, with our ETA in Devonport 5:50am.  Spectacular sunrise made the early awakening worthwhile. 

Had some breakfast at McDonalds before driving for just under an hour to Somerset, west of Devonport, near Burnie.  Checked into the caravan park - it was mid morning by the time we had completely set up - including tinsel and Christmas lights under the awning! Four nights here, Christmas with Darrin's sister, mum and cousin, who is visiting from the UK with her family. 

Met up with all the family for lunch at the Cafe out the front of the Somerset Beachside Caravan Park.  They all joined us back at the van for most of the afternoon.  Good to catch up again.

An early dinner and bed for the kids - they'd been dragged out of bed early and were very tired.  Tomorrow we've promised them some Tassie Devils, tonight they were bordering on BEING Tassie devils, that's how past it they were!