Amazing Tasmania

We know it’s been weeks since the last posting, but Tasmania has had so much to offer; that between being out of range and being busy we haven’t had a chance to keep up the blog. We have now decided to alter our plans since our 4 weeks in Tasmania is far too short. We have only completed 1/3 of the island and we know there is so much more to explore; so we intend to spend at least another 4 weeks here and discover more of what this beautiful and interesting island has to offer.

We left Bruny Island and headed north for Hobart, via some interesting 4WD drive tracks. A single night in Hobart and we headed north knowing that we would be back there in a couple of weeks. We visited New Norfolk and headed out to Mt Field National Park and Russell Falls. We camped the night beside a creek and saw our first wild platypus…unfortunately all the creatures we want to see come out at night and pictures and videos are not forthcoming. We decided to explore this region a bit and headed out to Adamsfield an old mining town now overtaken by the bush. Again a bit of 4WDing, but mostly along forestry tracks. We passed a “hippie” camp (protesting/blocking logging in the region) and Doug popped in, then quickly left after reading one of the banners "Wash as least as possible". We also ventured out to Strathgordon and Lake Pedder; all part of the protests of the 70s and 80s for damming the Gordon and Franklin Rivers.

We moved on to Ellendale where Sue tried to track down some family history. Sue’s grandmother and greatgrandparents owned a farm in the region and after chatting to a very lovely lady at the local shop we were soon part of the
community. We were invited in for a cuppa and lamington and she had Sue on the phone chatting to one of the old locals about some of the local history. We were invited to a local wedding the next day to see if any of the other locals may turn up with knowledge of the family and farm. Anyway after being told where the farm was and being told to go through a cherry orchard where we could help ourselves (and we did), we took some photos and left details to see if any further local history could be discovered.

Since we were heading north and the weather was still fantastically warm we decided to head into the wild north west and get off the beaten track (well sought of). We stopped at Queenstown for a couple of days as the weather didn’t hold, so we did our first hotel stay which refreshed us. Queenstown is an old gold mining town that has fallen into disrepair and the environment surrounding the town is barren from acid rain. So not a pretty place to stop. However, we found a track to follow called the Bird River track that followed an old railway line. It was really beautiful as it followed the river and traversed old rainforest with tall ferns and gums. From there we travelled to Strahan on the mouth of the Gordon River and then on to Zeehan (also an old mining town falling into disrepair). Yet again we found a track to follow and found ourselves in the glorious seaside village of Trial Harbour where we had beachfront camping with a pounding ocean for a view.

Our next adventures are best described by Doug, as Sue has now vowed never to 4WD again (well nothing as treacherous as the Trial Harbour to Granville Harbour Track). The track we took was extremely difficult and at one stage we had to unhook the camper trailer and winch it up out of a creek bed that was covered with large boulders and a sandy base. It took about 3 hours and when we got out we camped in sight of a memorial plaque to 3 young men who had been killed when the bridge that had been there had washed away. We crossed several creeks with washed out bridges and a 16 km track took 11 hours to complete.

We continued to travel the Western Explorer Route and passed through some amazing scenery that is not on the usual tourist route. We free camped for about 5 days and in the last 2 days we have travelled a considerable distance from Arthur River to Smithton and on to Stanley. Finally we have a night in a cabin not far from Stanley and a wonderful spa bath has renewed us no end. So finally a blog to catch everyone up with our travels and to let all know we are alive (amazingly) and well.








1. Map of our travels so far, 2. Adventure Bay, Bruny Island (taken from the front of our tent), 3. Snow gum after rain and wind Mt Field National Park, 4. Storm over catchment dam, Mt Field, 5. Lake Pedder, Gordon Dam, 6. Old Fencing on Cooper Farm, Ellendale, 7. Oast House for drying hops, Cooper Farm, 8. Cooper Farm, 9. Tree Ferns on Bird River Track, 10. Lindsay River in Arthur Pieman Conservation Area.

Tasmania the Summer State!

Since our last post we have moved on from Melbourne but only after catching up with an old Brisbane friend Jacqui & her son Lachlan. We left our campsite very early with what seemed plenty of time to catch the ship to Tassie but got caught in EXTREMELY slow traffic snarls all the way to the pier. It was very frustrating being stopped in traffic within sight of our ship, even with our intimidating bull-bar not being able to move the Melbourne traffic out of our way. Lucky for us the departure of our ship was delayed due to an incoming cruise ship blocking their way, so all turned out OK.

Tasmania Travels
It’s been a week since we travelled on the Spirit of Tasmania from Melbourne to Devonport and we have had a great time exploring the Apple Isle. We left Devonport as soon as we got off the ship and travelled as far south as we could to catch up with friends who are also travelling in Tas. at the moment. We didn’t catch up with them for a few days, so spent some time south of Hobart and ended up camping at a beautiful spot on Garden Island Creek. We had a great fire (our first since leaving, as every other state is in total fire ban), and we enjoyed some lovely meals cooked on the open flame.

We then travelled to Bruny Island to meet Brian and Regina from the Gold Coast. We have spent the last week just camping by the beach in beautiful summer weather. Walking, 4WDing and eating have been our main occupations. At present we are staying at Adventure Bay on Bruny Island and have seen a plethora of native (and some feral) animals. During a short dusk walk it became difficult NOT to step on a critter, with roos, ducks, rabbits, water birds, echidnas, possums, brown and many (apparently rare) white wallabies all out for a feed and to get under foot.

Since I was preparing to post this blog yesterday we have had a very exciting day exploring Bruny Island by jet boat. So sorry for the very long blog. We travelled south down the island from Adventure Bay via the Tasman Sea and actually crossed into the Southern Ocean. We saw some amazing sea caves, sea cliffs, a breathing rock and an abundance of sea-life including friendly dolphins and seals. A must do trip for anyone in southern Tasmania. Attached are some photos and hopefully Doug will get some video edited for posting soon.













1. Spirit of Tasmania, 2. Garden Island Creek, 3. Doug making campfire, 4. Doug  awaiting meal on campfire, 5. Bruny Is. 6. Bruny Is. Lighthouse, 7. Echidna, 8. White Wallaby, 9. Seacliffs, 10. Jet Boat, 11. Seals in Southern Ocean

More Blog

After not writing anything for weeks, here we are getting something together everyday. We spent a couple of days in Warrnambool by the beach and started our trek along the Great Ocean Road, by visiting a cheese factory…yum!yum! And now our second BIG photo, the Big Milkshake. Of course we had both cheese and a chocolate milkshake at this stop.

Our travels along the Great Ocean Road were very windy and we have a couple of windswept glamour photos (NOT!). We stopped for one night and then continued on through Appollo Bay, Lorne and then to Queenscliffe. We thought we would take the ferry across the bay to Sorrento, but it would have cost $115, so we thought better of that and drove to Geelong and then up to Melbourne.

We will spend a couple of days in Melbourne, once again some car servicing and trying to get the GPS working. We thought going through Melbourne at 7pm would not be so bad…but we did the usual trick of getting stuck on toll roads for which we didn’t have an e-tag. Anyway a massive fight, blood pressure overload and finally a kebab to calm us we made our way to a caravan park outside of town….we don’t really know where.

Our next travels should be on the ferry to Tasmania…will keep you all posted.




1. Map of travels, 2. The Big Milkshake, 3. Great Ocean Road around the Twelve Apostles, 4. Sue on Great Ocean Road, 5. Beach stop of GOR, 6. Doug at beach

SA/Vic Travels

After leaving Kingston we headed for Mt Gambier on the SA/Vic border and passed on through to camp at the Princess Margaret Rose Caves. These beautiful limestone caves were formed due to the Glenelg River passing through limestone. The slow seepage of water through the limestone has formed some strange stalagmites and stalactites. We enjoyed the cave tour and then spent the evening on wombat watch. To our delight a lovely slow, fat wombat was just feeding in the picnic ground. Slow enough for Doug to get some video, however too dark for Sue to get a photo. They come out at dusk which in Victoria is about 9pm. We still haven’t got used to the twilight here and often feel that it is dinner time when in fact it is 8pm.

We followed bush tracks along the Glenelg River and then rejoined the coastal road to Cape Bridgewater and Portland. They call this area the Shipwreck Coast due to many lost vessels in the past. It is also extremely windy and we have passed quite a few wind farms on the way. We spent the night in a bush camp just out of Portland and then headed for the lovely old coastal town of Port Fairy. Lots of lovely old cottages and a lovely little seaside town. Since we had some car servicing to do, we decided to head on to Warrnambool which is a large service town on the coast. We have spent a couple of days relaxing by the beach. It is very warm and sunny during the day (we both have a bit of sunburn), but at night it is freezing. We have been in winter clothes and beanies, then back to shorts and t-shirts.

We will head off tomorrow on the Great Ocean Road to view the Twelve Apostles, before heading toward Melbourne.

Happy Australia Day! On the Move Again!

Here’s a new blog at last, our apologies to those watching and waiting to see what we have been up to. After a fantastic 3 weeks in Adelaide, Doug finally pulled himself away from living it up with his sister Terri, who spoiled him rotten. No more of that for awhile.

We left Adelaide on Saturday and travelled south to explore the Fleurieu Peninsula, travelling along the coastal route. Exciting places we visited included Normanville (for a duck pie), Wirrina Cove for an overnight stay, then down to Cape Jervis. Cape Jervis is the jump off point to Kangaroo Island to which we didn’t go to, but may fit it in later on our return trip to Adelaide. We crossed the peninsula to Victor Harbour where the penguins can be seen coming home to their nests in the evening. Then travelling north around Lake Alexandrina (the mouth of the Murray River before going out to sea) we crossed the Murray River a couple of times on ferries. There is a big stretch of sand that protects the lake called The Coorong. This is a bird sanctuary and wetland where driving along the beach is allowed…of course we took the opportunity to 4WD.

After leaving the beach we headed for Kingston and our fist BIG photo…the Big Lobster! We also splurged on some lobster for dinner…very delicious, very expensive.




1. Map of Travels, 2. Cape Jervis looking to Kangaroo Island, 3. Cape Jervis Lighthouse, 4. Wind Farm Cape Jervis, 5. Big Lobster Kingston (SA)

Awesome Adelaide

We made it to Adelaide yesterday evening only 48 hours after we left Brisbane. While the trip was fast and long, there were some eventful moments. Our first night's stop was just outside Tamworth. Little did we know there was flooding rain heading our way. Lots of rain to fog up the windscreen (no aircon) and at Gunedah it looked like there was going to be some water to stop our adventures...but we got through without any worries at all. Of course we got bogged in mud after going off road to take some pictures and video. Lucky for us a very kind passer-by pulled us out quickly, without us having to go through the rigamarole of getting ourselves out.

Our second night's stop was just outside Hay...the long, boring, flat plains were hard to drive without drifting off to sleep, but a beautiful sunset and fantastic stars were our reward. It wasn't until we got closer to South Australia that we saw some different scenery, and now we have swapped rain for heat...39 deg. C today!

We had a lovely, even if belated, family Christmas dinner last night! After a sick and depressing Christmas Day in Brisbane...all is now happy and good with Doug & Sue.

On the road at last ?????

Well the best laid plans and the worst laid plans didn't happen. Christmas was not spent in Adelaide as planned, but a rather miserable one at home. After the landlord decided she wanted to do an inspection of the house and a massive clean up operation took place. She never turned up! So time spent cleaning was time not spent packing for a year. However, the house looks lovely for the first time in ages. Our lounge room looks so much better than in the last post.

Then a 48 hour virus struck! First Doug, then Sue. We are both just getting over it slowly, with organising and packing not the highest priority....being no more than 10 metres from a bathroom was!

Anyway it looks like the time has come at last....the trailer is packed....the troopy is packed....and I'm on the computer! The adventure begins!