8th Week - Thursday - Dover

Still drizzling this morning but by the time we had breakfast and made lunch the sun was peaking out so off we set.  We headed for Ida Bay where there is a steam engine train ride.  Seeing as we had only just done the train trip in Queenstown elected not to do this one.  The only town further south is Cockle Bay.  We have no idea if there is anything there or just fishing shacks we so decided not to drive down the muddy dirt road.  We could have gone to Hasting Caves and did a tour of the caves but again chose not to do that one.  Next stop was Southport which boasts the southern most pub of Australia.  The pub and a caravan park is about all there is apart from the fishing shacks lining the coast.  Still the Bay was very pretty with its white sandy beach.  There wasn't much else to see so back to the van for a quiet afternoon.  If the weather stays fine we may go and drop a line in off a jetty.

Southport

Southport

8th Week - Wednesday - Dover

Set off this morning heading for Dover in the Huontrail area .  We had to pass through Hobart and came to within 3 km of the CBD.  Traffic, no idea where you are going and 2.5 tonne behind you made an interesting drive but we made it through and replaced the traffic with the winding road climbing up and down the hills.  Set up in Dover and after lunch went out for a scenic drive.  We had seen a sign pointing to Police Point so decided to see what was there.  Well apart from the coastline of an inlet there was nothing not even a sign.  No matter it was a pretty drive along the coast.  We also saw the fish farms for Huon Salmon.  Back to the van where it poured all night.

Police Point

Salmon farms

8th Week - Tuesday - New Norfolk

 Packed lunch and set off this morning to go back into the wilderness area.  We are going to chain ourselves to a tree (be it a number of years late).  We are heading for the Gordon Dam.  Drove along the Derwent River which just looked spectacular with the trees and autumn leaves on display.  Back into the pines and ferns with the first stop being the village of Strathgordon.  There is a cafe and a wilderness lodge there.  Nothing of interest for us.  Drove further on to a lookout taking in Lake Gordon which is huge.  It was a fantastic view with the mountains in the background.  Could have sat there for ages just soaking it up.  Drove up to Gordon Dam next.  It is so empty, would look so different full.  The dam wall is high and there is a company that does parasailing down it.  Definitely not for me.  I was hanging onto the railing of the fence just looking at it!   Back in the car and to a walk we noticed on the way up.  The Creepy Crawly Walk - 20 minutes.  Better not be any snakes in here.  It was a boardwalk and it went through trees and ferns and was very dark and narrow path (creepy).  You also nearly had to go on hands and knees to pass some of the tree branches (crawly).  Not a bad walk.   Back in the car and we see a sign for Junee Caves so off we go.  Park the car and follow the sign pointing up a path.  No distance or time was mentioned so we didn't know if it was 10 minutes or 10 days.  Probably ended up being 20 minutes.  You could only look in the cave as it was fenced. The Junee River runs through the cave.  Further on to our Next stop at Russell Falls.  There are actually 3 walks that start from this point but we did Russell Falls.  It was a nice walk but the falls had nowhere near the amount of water falling over them as the picture on the brochure.  With tired feet we finished our day and headed back to the van.

Lake Gordon

Gordon Dam

Creepy Crawly walk

Junee Cave

Russell Falls

8th Week - Monday - New Norfolk

Moving day - about 100 km down the road.  Drive out of the ferns and trees of the wilderness area to farming land.  It was quite a contrast as it appears very dry here.  No lush green paddocks to be seen, looks more like central Vic.  Arrive at New Norfolk our home for the next couple of nights.  The trees here are still loosing their leaves so are yellow, gold and red, very pretty.  Set the van up and after lunch we were going to take advantage of the glorious sunshine and having the Derwent River next to us to set off for a paddle in the kayak, but on closer inspection there were too many speed boats.  Instead we did the grocery shopping and then went for a stroll along the side if the river.  

7th Week - Saturday/Sunday - Tarraleah

Another short trip on Saturday and we are set up at Tarraleah.  Not sure if this town has made the mainland news but the whole town is up for sale for $11 mil.   Just a caravan park, holiday units, cafe, church, old school made into accommodation, pub, golf course and a few houses.  Not sure what you would do with it other than try to attract tourists.  You have to turn off the highway so it doesn't even get passing traffic.  We are here for 2 nights.  As we had 2 wet days then campsites without water there is a pile of washing so we are just going to sit here to catch up and hope it doesn't become crowded because of the long weekend and last weekend of school holidays.  Only thing we have done is go for a drive to look at Tungatinah Hydro Power Station and across the Nive River the Tarraleah Hydro Power Station.  We did a drive around town and found a lookout.  It is a balcony on the side of another building for Tarraleah Hydro Power Station and overlooks the pipes running down to the Station we had just driven from.  10 minutes and everything was covered, although this is a good place to stay if you are marking time or need to catch up on washing.  There were us and 2 other vans plus 3 tents here the first night.  (Probably 20 powered sites and 30 tent sites).  Sunday night there are us and 3 vans and 1 tent.   Extremely quiet.

Tarraleah Hydro Power Station

7th Week - Friday - Lake St Clair

Set off this morning for Derwent Bridge.  There is camping behind the pub here but because we need power for the fridge we won't be stopping there but will stop to look at the wall.  It is 75km to Derwent Bridge and the first 6km out of Queenstown is up, round a bend, still going up and another bend and another.  This I think is the worst section but it was windy and up and down the whole way.  One guy we met said he could read the number plate on his caravan while travelling round the bends.  Luckily there was little traffic the whole way.  We pulled up at "The Wall" which is made up of hand carved timber panels 3 metres high 1 metre wide.  When finished the wall will be 100 metres long.  The panels are mostly Huon Pine and are in various stages of completion.  This enables you to see how the carvings are formed from drawings to the finished product.  The work is amazing in each panel.  Unfortunately no cameras are allowed but I presume there are some pictures on the website.  (www.thewalltasmania.com).  I can't check as we currently have no internet.   Back in the car and we drive down to Lake St Clair which is in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.  We discover they have powered sites so here we are (not where we intended to be tonight but we will head there tomorrow).  Set up camp and after lunch as we are in a National Park, what do you do,  go for a walk.   We did the 1.5 hour walk.  Leaving from the visitors centre we headed to Watersmeet which is the junction of the Cuvier and Hugel Rivers.  In the brochure it highlights what wildlife you can see, one being the tiger snake, hope not!  Crossing the river and onto the Platypus Bay Circuit with views of Lake St Clair (deepest fresh water lake in Australia) and the mouth of the Cuvier River.  The wreck of an old barge is on the beach of Platypus Bay and if lucky you may see platypuses, but we didn't.   Next we went on the Larmairremener tabelti Aboriginal cultural walk who are the indigenous people of the region.  We then doubled back to walk back to the visitors centre around the edge of the lake to Cynthia Bay instead of the direct route.  Looking out over the lake you could see Mounts Olympus, Rufus, Ida, Hugel and the Traveller Range in the background.  This is one end of the overlander track.  Walkers can start here or at Cradle Mountain and it is approximately 80 km and takes around 7 days to arrive at the other end.  You must carry everything you need and bring all rubbish back out with you.  While walking today Ian was keeping an eye out for the 2 ladies he was talking to at Cradle Mountain who were just setting off.  They should be arriving today or tomorrow, but we didn't see them.    A very enjoyable walk.  Only needed to stop in one uphill section, although huffing and puffing in a couple of other sections.  Back to the van to put the feet up for a well earned rest. 

Lake St Clair

Watersmeet

 

7th Week - Thursday - Queenstown

Up today and into town to catch the West Coast Wilderness Railway.  We had wanted to do the full day trip from Strahan but as it was booked out we chose the half day one from Queenstown.  The railway was built in the late 1800's  and transverses some of the steepest grades in the world using the rack and pinion system and was repaired and opened to tourist in 2000's.  They have 3 steam trains that rotate to pull the refurbished carriages.  The trip stops at Rinadeena Saddle where you get out and walk on the bridge over the track to look down on the train.  Next station is Dubbil Barril where you get off for a 15 minute rainforest walk.  Back on the train for the return trip to Queenstown.  On the return trip you stop at Lynchford Station where you get off and pan for gold.  Unfortunately we didn't find any.   The train passes through rainforests and runs beside the Queen River and then to King River Gorge.  An enjoyable trip although now glad we didn't do the full day as rattling around for half the day was enough.  After lunch we went to the train workshops and had a tour around where they do the engines and carriages up.   Grabbed a coffee and then some groceries before back to the van for the night.

7th Week - Wednesday - Queenstown

Set off this morning having been warned that the road is up and down and round and round.  We actually didn't think it that bad.  We thought the road near Branxholm worse.   Anyway got here in good time so went for a cuppa and walk around town.  Headed out the caravan park to set up.  This is where I had a seniors moment.  We have two bubble levels, one for side to side and one for front to back.  Unfortunately I was, incorrectly, looking up the front to back one while trying to get it level side to side.  We got the wheel levelers out but they weren't high enough to make us level.  So we moved to a different site.  Once again we couldn't get high enough to level the van but decided it would have to do.   Ian then started to unhook the van.  Just before he jacked the van up I realised my mistake.  So back in the car Ian goes and it wouldn't start.  Great now what.  I went off to the amenities and a little chat with another lady here.  When I got back the car was going (no idea why it just started when Ian tried it).  We then leveled the van using the correct bubble level and after receiving my lecture on which bubble level is which, we finished setting up.   (First time I had ever got in wrong but still had to get a lecture).  After lunch we set off for a drive.  First stop was Mt Huxley lookout which gave you a view over the mountain range.  Further up the hill we came to Mt Jukes Lookout with views down into the valley and over Lake Burbury.  Very beautiful.  We travelled down towards the lake but the main road into the lake was closed.  We found a dirt road down to the shoreline but the water level was extremely low.  Returned to Queenstown and drove out on the Hobart Road to the lookout that side of town with views back over the town.   We drove back to town and to the football ground.  It is called The Gravel Football Oval and is the only silica gravel oval in the world.  Because of heavy rain, it makes grass or turf impractical to use and maintain.  It is now heritage listed so even if they found a way to change it's surface they can't.  The local junior team was training while we were there.  I don't know how they can play competitive football on it.  All you could see was rocks and stones.  Plenty of gravel rash for the trainers to fix.  Back to the van for the night.  (PS.  The car started first go each time during the afternoon)

Lake Burbury

Gravel Oval

7th Week - Tuesday - Strahan

Awake at 5 am.  Why you ask.  Because we have a family in a motor home next to us and that is what time they got up!  Dozed until 6.30 when we got up to be down at the dock by 8.  Our vessel was Lady Jane II and we were heading up the Gordon River but first we headed to  Hells Gates which is where the bay joins the ocean.  The bay is the second largest bay in Australia behind Port Phillip Bay.  We went out on the ocean turned around and back into the bay towards the Gordon River.  We stopped and looked at some fish farms and then headed into the heritage area.  We moored at Heritage Landing which is a boardwalk where we left the boat for a 400 metre walk through the rainforest.  Unfortunately everyone from the ship was also there so it was not peaceful but still enjoyable.  Back on the ship where we lunched on chicken, salmon and salads.  Next stop was Sarah Island, one of the oldest convict settlements in Australia.  We had a guided tour and heard how the inmates turned the island into one of the largest ship building yards in Australia.  Back on board we returned to Strahan.  Enjoyable day although we have decided if we return we will do the Franklin River on a sail boat to reduce the number of people and hopefully you will be able to appreciate the wilderness and peacefulness of the area.

Hells Gate

Entering the heritage area

Sarah Island ruins

7th Week - Monday - Strahan

Another short drive and we are parked in Strahan.  Too early to go to the caravan park so we stroll around town and visit the information centre.  We were stopping here to do a cruise and an all day train trip but unfortunately the train is booked out this week so we only have the cruise here.  Set up at the park and after lunch we drove to Ocean Beach which is Tasmania's longest beach (40 miles).  There are no facilities here and it is not patrolled.  Back through town and up to Water Tower Hill Lookout looking back over the town and pier.  Next up was a 45 minute return walk to Hogarth Falls.  Pretty good falls considering it was a very gentle walk.  Apart from the cruise tomorrow that about covers what we want to do here so back to the van to laze about.

Strahan

Hogarth Falls

7th Week - Sunday - Zeehan

Oh no, over half way through.  Having a great time although missing our little girl heaps.  (Oh and of course our kids).  Caught up on some household chores and then headed back to the Heritage Centre where we spent another 1.5 hours.  Today we watched a film (or part of one) which of course was silent with the piano playing to add the excitement.  We also went into the police station, court house, masonic lodge, underground mine simulation and looked at various cars, machinery and trains.  This is an excellent museum  and well worth the visit.

Heritage Centre

6th Week - Saturday - Zeehan

Sad to leave such a beautiful place as Cradle Mountain but been there seen that.  Next stop was Rosebery.  We pulled up and walked around the town.  There is a mine in the township and 2 on the outskirts.  Each one a different company.   If the mines weren't here, nothing would be.  The houses all looked run down and in need of some TLC.  There was a 3 hour gentle walk to a waterfall but the legs protested too much at the thought, so back in the car and on to Zeehan.  Once again a mining town (although no working mine here now) and in much need of a face lift.  Set up at the caravan park and had some lunch.  We had been told the West Coast Heritage Centre was a must see so when we were handed a 25% off voucher from the caravan park decided to head there.  This has a vast array of local history and includes access to the historic Gaiety Theatre, Masonic Lodge, Police Station and Court House.  You can also see an underground mine simulation, blacksmith shop, mining machinery, locomotives, a miner's hut and Pioneer Women's Gallery.  We spent just over 2 hours there and had not even covered half of the exhibits so got a pass out and will return tomorrow.  We mainly covered the historic photos, memorabilia and mining equipment today.   An excellent museum although this really is the only thing to do here apart from a couple of drives to fishing villages (which we don't feel the need to do).

Zeehan

6th Week - Friday - Cradle Mountain

Caught the shuttle bus and once again headed for Dove Lake but to do a different walk.  Turned the corner and there was Cradle Mountain with no clouds covering it.   A view not that often seen out of summer.  Set off and after about 1km of rocky path and tree roots arrived at Lake Lilla where our paths separate.  Ian went up to Wombat Pool and Crater Lake then up to Marions Lookout (1223m).  This involved a lot of up hill climbing and at one point using a chain to help pull yourself up.  Not for me.  I elected to do the 3.5 km to Ronny Creek.  This started with having to cross over water and mud, then rocks and tree roots before it became a boardwalk.  I never encountered another person for about 3km of this walk and it was just so peaceful.  Back at Ronny Creek I caught the shuttle bus and walked back to the van.  Ian meanwhile completes his 6km to end up at Ronny Creek.  He had messaged me when he thought he would be arriving at Ronny Creek so I walked back and caught the shuttle up to him and we then walked 5.5 km down to the Interpretation Centre and Rangers Station.  This was along a boardwalk track although did go up and down the hills.   That was it the feet and knees were not going to do the last 2km to the visitors centre so decided to get the shuttle.  We had filled in a log of our walk so had to sign in that we had returned from it and that there was no need to send out a search party.  While doing this we missed the shuttle so had a look around the Rangers Station and Interpretation Centre before standing at the bus stop.  The next shuttle was full so passed us by.  Ian then decided he was walking the final 2km to the Visitors Centre because it could be ages before a bus with seats comes by.  So off he goes.  About 2 minutes later a wombat decides to cross the car park and bus stop so I watch him until the next shuttle pulls up.  It was full but luckily 4 people got off so the 3 of us waiting get on and waved to Ian (who was about half way) as we went by.  Back at the Visitors Centre I wait until Ian arrives and we walk the final leg back to the van.  We have completed the walks we wanted to do.  This is a really beautiful place and worth the visit but boy are the legs and feet aching now.

A walker on the way up to Marions Lookout

Marions Lookout views

Crater Falls

Cradle Valley Boardwalk

Cradle Mountain (Thursday)

Cradle Mountain (Friday) - What a difference a day makes

6th Week - Thursday - Cradle Mountain

Slow pack up today.  We are heading to Cradle Mountain which is an hour away and we can't get on the site until 11:30 so no need to rush as there is nothing in between.  A lot of people choose to stay at Waratah and drive in and out each day as they think the site fee at Cradle Mountain is too high.  We prefer to save ourselves 2 hours of driving.  Drama free drive in, and set up in time for lunch.  The site is narrow but we have trees between us and the neighbours.   Seems very pleasant, not that we will be here much during the day.  After lunch we walked the 500 metres (from our van) down to the visitor centre and car park.  Included in your Parks Pass is a ticket for the shuttle bus.  They are trying to cut down the number of cars travelling through the park, especially during the busy season, so provide shuttle buses that run every 10 minutes to the 4 different points the walks start from all day long.  I have no idea why people still drove their cars around.  Anyway we jumped on the bus and travelled 20 minutes up to Dove Lake car park.  There are 3 or 4 walks starting from here.  We elected to do the Dove Lake circuit walk which is 6km and Cradle Mountain's most popular walk (according to the brochure).  The walk weaves through rainforest, past quartzite beaches, Glacier Rock and the historic boat shed while circumnavigating Dove Lake.   About 50% of the walk is extremely easy on a boardwalk with the rest being over rocky terrain and tree roots.  There are 3 up hill places with each one testing me out but I made it.  A beautiful area, the views were spectacular (even though it was cloudy and you couldn't see the mountain peaks).  Well worth the effort.  Jumped on the shuttle bus and went down 2 stops.  As we are driving along the bus driver slammed on his brakes and I was waiting for the bang which didn't come.  He had seen a wombat on the side of the road so was stopping for us to have a look.  Jumped off at our stop and did the Pencil Pine Falls and rainforest walk which is wheelchair friendly so easy peasy.  My kind of walk.  Strolled 300 metres to the start of the Enchanted Walk. This is a 1.1 km walk past a cascading river, through the rainforest and is said to be the home of quite a few wombats.  Another easy stroll along the boardwalk and as we rounded a corner there was a wombat sitting there.  Don't know who got the biggest fright me or the wombat.  He snorted at us and started to go into his burrow.  We had stopped walking so he turned around and looked at us looking at him.  When Ian went to get his camera the wombat snorted at us again and disappeared into his burrow.  We continued back to the bus stop and caught the shuttle bus back to the visitor centre before walking back to the van.  A very enjoyable day but boy are the legs aching now.

Dove Lake

Dove Lake boat shed

6th Week - Wednesday - Waratah

Packed up this morning we are actually going to be in a different town tonight, although only 70km down the road.  Arrived at Waratah at 11 and set up.  It is a council ran park with the sites being extra cosy.  Although at the moment we are on a double site with no-one next to us so could be lucky.  We had been told there was a waterfall nearby so jumped in the car and about 250 metres away is the start of the walk to the waterfall.  We didn't realise it was just there.  The waterfall was quite good and the walk down to it and back up wasn't too taxing.  There is also a viewing site from the top of it and they light it up at night.  We drove to Hellyer Gorge next (half way back to where we were this morning but on a different road to what we travelled).  Did the 15 minute walk along the river.  There is also a free camp here.  Back to the van and a stroll around the lake which is just behind us.  Apparently there are platypuses in it but we didn't see any.  There is a sign up on the bridge that crosses the river to watch out for the platypus.  Why they want to cross a road I don't  know.   We don't expect to have wi-fi or phone coverage for a few days so there may not be an update for 3 to 4 days.

Philosopher Falls - Waratah

6th Week - Tuesday - Wynyard

Up at 6 and after breakfast we packed up and hooked the car up.  Drove the 20 km to Burnie with the error flashing up on the brake controller. Left the car and van at the auto electrician at 7:45 with him saying he would ring when finished.  We walked the 1.5km into town but of course nothing was open yet, so we walked to the beach and just sat watching the waves roll in.  When the shops opened we went to KMart and wandered aimlessly around.  Jake rang and said he had changed the plug and we could come and get the car and van.  Back the 1.5km we walk pay the bill and leave.  Travel 100 metres and the fault appears again so back we go.  Now to cut a long story short we walked down the street and back again 3 times, drove around the block testing things out 5 times and finally left the auto electrician at 3.30 with, fingers crossed, the problem fixed.  So our last night at Wynyard before we continue on.  

5th Week - Wednesday - Wynyard

Packed up and hooked the car up.  The caravan stabiliser unit turned red, it is meant to go green.  Okay we will travel without the stabiliser.  Plugged the caravan brakes in and the controller in the car shows a fault.  Great now what.  Pulled the van out of the site and tapped the brakes a few times and the controller resets.  Off we go.  Drove for about 20 minutes and the controller indicates the the caravan brakes aren't connected and various other errors.  Decided not to go to Cradle Mountain without brakes.  Found a spot to turn around and headed towards Burnie.  Once in mobile range we rang RACT.  Half an hour later a guy turns up and recommends we go to an auto electrician and gives us the name of two places.  Ring the first one and they can fit us in next Tuesday.  Rang the second one and he said this afternoon.  Got a park in Burnie to wait the 3 hours until we could get the van looked at.  While waiting we rang Cradle Mountain and were very lucky as they could cancel tonight and move it to Friday so we will have Thursday / Friday there (if the brakes can be fixed).  Rang where we stayed the last 3 nights and said we would be back.  Finally it was time to take the car and van to the auto electrician and the car wouldn't start.  We had left the fridge on battery because it won't work on gas but the fridge was meant to be set up so it would run off the second battery and not the car battery.  We couldn't even jump start the car from the second battery.  We turned the fridge off and we had only just filled it with food!  Ian walked down to the auto electrician who said he would send someone to jump start us.  Ian arrived back and decided to try and start the car from the second battery again and it started just as the auto electrician pulled up.  We followed him back to the yard and 1 1/2  hours later they have done everything they can think of so we set off.  Unfortunately 5 minutes down the road it started playing up again so we have decided to stay put for a week and take it to the first auto electrician and hope they can fix it.  This is the one the RACT person had recommended in the first place so we are booked in for next Tuesday.  So here we are back in Wynyard for the next week so don't expect any posts for awhile as nothing will be happening.  (Luckily the food survived so one good thing for the day)

5th Week - Tuesday - Wynyard

Drove to Somerset  (about 10 km) where there is a caravan sales place and shop.  Our fridge did not enjoy the trip over and had decided not to work on gas.  It was working before we left home but will now not light so we thought we would see if it could be fixed as we can't free camp without it.  Anyway this place does not do repairs so we will have to stick with powered sites.  Back at Wynyard we stocked up on groceries and got the washing up to date as we are off to Cradle Mountain tomorrow

5th Week - Monday - Wynyard

Off on the scenic tour.  Drove to Boat Harbour township and then down to Boat Harbour beach.  A lovely little beach.  There is also a free camp site on the shores of the beach.  There was 1 tent, 1 van and 1 combi type bus set up there.  Another 2 vans would have made it extremely cosy.  While we were strolling along the beach 5 vans turned up and all got out to survey the site.  We drove off and passed another 2 vans heading to the camp site.  Hope they all had a fun night.   Next stop was Sister Beach, also a very pretty and child friendly beach with shallow water.  We then headed towards the Table Cape Tulip Farm, of course it is the wrong time of year, but would look spectacular if the tulips were flowering.  Stopped at the Table Cape Lighthouse before heading to Table Cape Lookout giving views of the coastline.  There is also a 30 minute walk along the coastline back to the lighthouse passing a spectacular waterfall (according to the sign).  We got to the waterfall which had a trickle of water and I turned back and returned to the lookout.  Ian continued the walk to the lighthouse and then returned to the lookout.   Final stop Fossil Cliff and lookout.   Back to the van for a swim and spa.

Boat Harbour

Boat Harbour

Wynyard

5th Week - Sunday - Wynyard

Only going a short distance this morning so slowly packed up and still arrived at Wynyard by 10.30 so went and had coffee and visited the information centre to kill enough time to go to the park.  Set up and are having a quiet day, getting the blog and photos up to date and talking with our neighbours.   Can't believe that a month has gone by already.

4th Week - Saturday - Tarkine Drive

Packed lunch and set off on the Tarkine drive which is a loop track taking you through the Tarkine Region.  We probably covered 180 km for the day.  We went through the towns of Marrawah, Arthur River, Edith Creek, Irishtown and Smithton.  We stopped at Bluff Hill Point and Edge of the World lookouts, Nelson Bay, Couta Rocks, Kannunah Bridge overlooking the rapids of Arthur River, Sumac Lookout overlooking Arthur River and rainforest, Julius River, Dempster Plains Lookout with views of buttongrass plains leading up to the hills, Sinkhole, Tayatea Bridge and Trowutta Arch.   A few of the stops required a walk to the viewing area.  All, bar one, were extremely easy.  The last was a bit harder because you were climbing over tree roots and rocks so the ground was uneven and slippery.  The whole area is a conservation area and was one of the many bushfires Tasmania had about 5 weeks ago.  Of the area we saw about 80% of it was burnt.  In one of the little hamlets we drove through, one house had aluminium cladding which was melted.  You could smell smoke as there were areas still smouldering.  Some of the roads were still closed.  A very enjoyable (but tiring) day.

 

 

Arthur River coastline

 

Sinkhole

 

Arthur river

Trowutta Arch

Trowutta Arch

 

4th Week - Friday - Stanley

Drove the short distance to Stanley and set up.  The town is at the bottom of "The Nut" which is 143 metres high.  13 million years ago lava shot through the earth's surface, cooled and formed basalt and formed The Nut.  You can either walk up to the top or take the chairlift.  I am sure you won't be surprised to hear we took the chairlift.    There is a 2km walk around the Nut plateau which gives you great views.  We also came down on the chairlift.  We then strolled around the historic village of Stanley looking at the old buildings.  We ended the day with an ice cream.  Ian had the lavender flavoured one.  The taste wasn't very strong but the colour was a beautiful purple.    Started blowing a gale and rained during the night.  Few people putting their awnings up during the night.

Chairlift view of Stanley

The Nut

4th Week - Thursday - Burnie

First stop the Information Centre which is also the maker's workshop.  They have artists and craftsmen who demonstrate their skills (and also sell their products).  After looking around here and deciding to skip the museum and art gallery we chose a tourist drive.   First stop was Fernglade Platypus Reserve.  There is a walk along the river bank through ferns.  Fernglade has a reputation for being one of the most reliable places to see a platypus in the wild.  The best time being early morning or evening.  Here we are arriving mid morning so what would our chances be.   We parked and while Ian got his camera out, I wandered to the river where a platypus was swimming about 10 metres from me.  It went underwater so I tried to get Ian's attention without scaring it.  When the platypus surfaced I stood still and watched him.  Each time he went under Ian moved closer to the side of the river and we watched him until he went under the trees on the opposite side of the river.  Off to do the walk, which was very pleasant and then returned to the river but no sign of the platypus.  Couldn't believe our luck at managing to arrive at the time we did.  Back in the car and we drove past the Hellyers Road Distillery which is the largest boutique whiskey distillery in the Southern Hemisphere and on to Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden.  This garden has 20,000 plants and is the only known place where the entire range of the world's rhododendrons can be grown in the same garden.  Unfortunately wrong time of the year so we didn't go in.   Finished the tourist loop by parking back at the information centre and strolled along the boardwalk that runs along the beach into the city centre.  Looked around the shops, grabbed lunch and then strolled back to the car and drove to Roundhill Lookout.    There are 3 different viewing platforms but unfortunately the clouds and mist were rolling in so not quite as spectacular as could have been.  Stocked up on some supplies and back to the van.

Fernglade Platypus Reserve

Fernglade Platypus Reserve