We've been to Tasmania once before (well, in reality only to Hobart for 3 days then), and decided to go back for a longer stay and a more extensive discovery of some Tassie highlights. Last December (2015) we went there for nearly two weeks, visiting Hobart, Cradle Mountain, Launceston (and Hobart again). The overall impression in three words: "GREEN and BLUE"...
Flying from Perth to Hobart always means two flights. We flew from Perth to Melbourne and then through to Hobart with our favorite Red Kangaroo flyers. Here's a shot taken from the Melbourne airport:
One of our outings in the first stay at Hobart was the Tree Top walk better known as the Tahune AirWalk. This AirWalk is a good hour and half - 2 hours drive from Hobart. Here is an impression:
Besides walking in the treetops, there were also two 'hanging' bridges crossing the Huon River (which features in a number of above and below photos:-)) in this area. Not high at all, but because of the 'flexibility' of the briges somewhat scary for some.. :-)
Post-walk refreshments in the restaurant / café:
Our next destination was Cradle Mountain. We had booked a cottage at the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village. This is high up in the mountain. Luckily we had checked the weather forecast for the region before packing our bags. We were somewhat surprised to see that the day temperatures up there would not be much above 10 degrees.. and that in December!!
We took the road on the West side of Tasmania (fastest would have been taking the freeway/highway road on the East side), allowing most of the day for the travel. Here are some photos from our trip:
Of course (being Tasmania) the weather was a bit ... variable:
After a couple of hours drive AND a long, winding drive over wet roads up the mountain, we arrived at our cottage. We were greeted by one of local wildlife 'pets':
The next day we took our first walk, the Cradle Valley board walk. Have a good look at the board walk itself, you should see the chicken fence wire as a preparation for wintery circumstances. This walk is one of the reasons behind the "BLUE and GREEN" comment at the start of this post:
As you can see not the warmest weather, however great for walking!
We also had a look at the local wild life centre:
The next day we did the Dove Lake Circuit walk. A couple of hours walking around the big mountain lake at the foot of Cradle Mountain... This walk (and the views!) was probably one of the best / beautiful that we have done for years (maybe ever?). Watch and enjoy:
After the very enjoyable stay at Cradle Mountain (and yes very likely we'll be going back there some time for more...) we travelled to Launceston. Not too far a drive this time (about 2 hours). Having arrived only just in our hotel/apartment, we hear a helicopter flying over very low.. and yes it was on its way to the river below to load water. On the other side (behind us - seen from this photo - and our apartment) was a ridge with a nature park (The Zig Zag Reserve). On the other side of the ridge there was a bushfire going on .. (more on that one later):
Our apartment was the top floor in the second 'round' tower from the right:
These are a few shots from the area around our apartment:
The next day we decided to drive along the river (Tamar river) to the ocean (green beach). On the way to the we visited the Tamar Island Wetlands, just outside Launceston. A very bird rich area and also a nice little walk to be done :-)
This was the view from a little café along the way (halfway maybe?):
Only two photos from the 'destination' Green Beach. The view on the ocean and a shot of one of the thousands of 'noisy buggers' (can you see it in the tree - it is very well camouflaged) called chicades:
Next day was December 25th (Yes, Christmas Day:-)). With our apartment being so close to the Zig Zag Reserve, we decide to walk the Zig Zag Trail on this side of the Cataract Gorge (starting point only half a minute from our apartment) and then back on the other side taking the Cataract Walk
Near the end of the Zig Zag trail we found there was actually a swimming pool.. Great way for families to enjoy Christmas day don't you think? :-):-).
This was the bridge crossing over from the end of the Zig Zag track to the other side of the Gorge to the start of the Cataract walk.
And here - besides the same peacock again - is where the Cataract Track starts .... Alas... remember the comment on the bush fire earlier? the bush fire took place along that walk, so out of safety reasons it was now closed for public... Which meant for us we just had to go back along the Zig Zag track again..
Boxing Day (Tweede Kerstdag for our Dutch friends and family:-)) the weather was not too good (grey sky and possible rain) so we decided to do a little walk from our apartment again to a little green area along (or parallel to) the Tamar River
This little house is just across the Gorge from our apartment:
The next day we drove back to Hobart for our final two days before flying back to Perth. We did know that the Sydney to Hobart was taking place of course and ships should arrive at Hobart in the next day or two. We stayed in the Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel.
Here are some photos of Hobart (the harbour area) as well as some specific close ups of some 'historic' close ups providing details of the Dutch Heritage in Tasmania
Another destination just outside of Hobart is (the top of) mount Wellington. Only a good half hour drive from Hobart CBD. Quite high, therefore beautiful views on the city of Hobart and far around. Of course being so high also means: PRETTY DARN COLD :-):-)
Unfortunately the contestants (the first arrivals at least) of the Sydney to Hobart were arriving at night (after 9pm) and we were already pretty much already sleeping by then. So we did not actually see them arriving in the harbour. We did however have a walk around the harbour the next morning (the morning of our last day in Tassie) to have a look at the (first 3) arrivals. If you have followed the race you would know the winner to be the Comanche (after almost having to give up with a broken side sword), followed by the Rambler and the Ragamuffin..:
After checking out the boats, we decided to finish of the Tassie stay with a quick visit of Port Arthur where for many years the English criminals were sent to. A few shots taken during the trip there, and then some shots of the actual 'heritage' location Port Arthur
A picture says more than a 1000 words?? :-):-)
Finally a maquette overview of Port Arthur as it would have been in the mid 1800s
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