We are looking for our last Tassie experience before heading back home, and decide Mole Creek is it. The location to The Walls of Jerusalem and the condition our legs are in, we set ourselves up in a quaint campground, on Sassafras Creek, ready for an exciting day tomorrow.

An hour drive to the car park, situated outside the National Park, we set off for our 3hr hike – uphill to a central plateau filled with alpine tarns and pine trees.

After an hour walking, over a rocky steep incline we arrive at the milestone of Trappers Hut. This time the kids packed their tunes to get them up the mountain.

The weather was perfect, a warm day with brilliant blue sky and views that go on, (a place that gets rain every 2nd day) we picked a beauty.

A further 1.5hrs (making the climb 600m elevation above the car park), we called lunch, and perched on a rock between the Soloman Jewel Lakes. Our rice paper rolls were a hit, just what we all needed to recharge. And the dining room was stunning.

We were all so happy to have reached this far. You could literally spend days up here, as most hikers do. But we didn’t carry the gear up, and the Mole Creek’s Tassie Tiger Inn was calling us! So we start the long walk back down to the car park. Still amazed at what we have seen up here today on this stunning plateau.

Good night…..

After spending 2 days in Bicheno in the comfort of a motel room, catching up on the winter Olympics and watching the rain fall outside, it was a short drive to Douglas Apsley National Park, thinking we would camp the night here to escape the gusty winds- but getting out in the car park we could hear the air escaping from our back tyre. So the kids walked in to see the camp ground while we had to use all our MacGyver skills to jack up the heavy truck on the slippery granite ground. After a few anxious moments we were back on board to return to Bicheno to try our luck in getting a replacement tyre. The roads are to dodgy to not have one, and the size of our tyres are not std issue.

No luck in Bicheno – but the local knowledge pointed us north to Scamander where we found two 2nd hand tyres fitted for $80. SWEEET!!!

Camped  that night by Trout Creek just west of Scamander – couldn’t avoid the wind gusts though. I think all the East Coast is copping them.

A new day dawns and we hit St Helens for food, diesel and water the head for Mt Williams – Stumpys Bay camp site.

The water was so inviting and it was worth going that bit further north to avoid the busy tourist mecca of Bay of Fires. We had this bay mostly to ourselves for the weekend.

The locals were friendly and hopped into camp often.

The flora & fauna is unique here. We were lucky enough to spot a massive ray close in around the rocks, almost reaching 2m across its wings, and it just swept on through the shallow waters in front of us.

Leni with her Ab’s, unfortunately we didn’t get to eat any.

A long walk south along the beach,  tucked in just behind the sand dunes, we found a large dried up lagoon, with huge areas of middens. It was surreal – a luna landscape like nothing we have ever seen.

The vista from the lichen covered granite boulders was a stark contrast. So colourful and a perfect spot for lunch.

After travelling for months we have finally experienced what feels like summer (with exception to Wallaroo!) A fantastic spot to spend our last weekend here.

Enticed by the view, full of enthusiasm and up for a challenge, we pack camp and prepare our backpacks (mainly Gazza’s!) to head off to a campsite at the southern end of Wineglass Bay.

Its a 3hr hike, with the first 40min the same track we took yesterday to the lookout, then descending toward the beach. The further we went the less tourists we passed.

The last kilometre across the beach was tough going in the soft sand. But the kids ran ahead eagerly, the marshmallows had kicked in!

The campsite, near a creek on a dune, was fairly dirty – from previous campers, but we managed to tuck ourselves in, away from the foreign backpackers and their rubbish.

The best part was the beach and its stunning white sand wrapping around the crystal clear water. It was so inviting, and magical to be experiencing it’s beauty.

Fresh from our swim, todays wine time was simply a pleasure. We had carried this bottle from our favourite Clare Valley’s ‘Shut the Gate’ cellar door, and stained the white sands with a few precious drops.

Yet another glorious day! It was hard to pull ourselves away from this amazing vista, but its warming up and we’ve got a big mountain to climb up and over.

Some sights are saved for those who go past the well trodden lookout track, this all adds to an amazing experience.

I’m so proud of the kids for going for it! No complaints – just keen to have a new adventure, but mostly – Great Job Gaz! – for taking the family load to make it happen. A night we will never forget. much luv H xo

Prior to driving through Swansea today, we realise there is a National Triathlon on in Coles Bay this weekend, unsure of how busy the Freycinet National Park will be, we drive alongside the bike leg, however the finish line was in Coles Bay and a little further along the National Park was relatively quiet, our campsite on Richardson Beach was nestled into the dunes with a great backdrop of The Hazards.

The Hazards were soon covered in low cloud, with some rain and very strong winds developing overnight. Next day by late morning it had cleared to a stunning day, still windy – especially at Tourville Lighthouse.

A more sheltered nearby spot was Sleepy Bay, an easy, 10 min walk from the car park to a beautiful bay of granite boulders, orange lichen and coarse sand. The views were stunning and the water a cool clear green.

The track was a bit snakey…. another tiger basking in the sun.

On to another amazing bay for lunch. Honeymoon Bay is tucked into the sheltered side of the peninsula.

With a sunny afternoon, we’re off on the 1.5hr walk to the stunning Wineglass Bay lookout. The busy, well built granite track leads between the Hazards to a stunning view of the bay below.

Along the way were a few stylish, comfy seats…

Some were hard to find, hidden behind boulders.

Way Cool!

Back to camp for some beach fun as the suns last rays shone upon us. Very special!

Our arrival to the Bay brought the sunshine, so we setup camp at the Captain Cook Caravan Park. All in need of a shower again!

Little did we know we were about to see some amazing displays of nature.

First was a giant Jelly Fish… grose!

Then the hundred or so dolphins feeding in the bay… magnificent!

Not to be outdone, the tiger snakes mating on Grassy Point – Fluted Cape walk…. to close for comfort!

UPDATE: comment from a professional – The snakes are actually a Lowlands Copperhead (Austrelaps superbus) and they are actually engaged in ritualistic male combat

All that just added to the stunning scenery – Adventure Bay lived up to its name. The kids rock hopped to Penguin Island – a little island, off an island, off an island, off an island.

We needed some re-fuelling after such a big hike… Tassie pepperberry icecream rocks! So do the cakes and scones with jam & cream…

It’s Valentines day, and Adventure Bay has shown us the love…

Our fridge is empty, and it’s battery running low, with more rain predicted and time running out- unfortunately we need to get off this island…. but not before more delights from the ‘Made on Bruny’ providores.

Brunch at the cheese shop… then the best feed of Oysters we have ever had at ‘Get Shucked’ for lunch. After our divine dozen & wonton oysters, a crew here filming for ch 9 offered us their platters of food to finish, as they rushed off to film some more on the island. Another Steven Bradbury moment!

WE LOVE BRUNY!!!

Fridge & Esky are packed, water tanks full, we make the short journey south from Hobart, bound for Kettering, to board the Mirambeena.. Off to our fave Island – off and Island off an Island –  Bruny Island.  We did a Steven Bradbury – and arrived at the ferry with precision timing for immediate boarding.

Our first stop is BISH, (Bruny Island Smoke House) for a delicious lunch platter of smoked salmon, ocean trout, mussels and local produce. Filled to the brim and so happy to be here we head for the far south of the island. The South Bruny National Park campground at Jetty Beach is simply stunning, we camped here in 2001 and loved it, then I was back in 2012 with mum & kids for a picnic lunch. This time we aim to stay for a few days.

We drive though heat whilst watching the clouds build. With rain greeting us at the campsite, our setup was wet- (first time all trip). The usually calm Jetty Beach had waves rolling in even after the storm had past, but it was short lived and the evening was stunning.

The popular campsite emptied on this Regatta Day Monday morning (a long weekend in Tassie), and we had the beach to ourselves for most of the day. It was a cracker – little did we know Hobart had been hit the day before with severe winds. But it might explain the number of Jelly in the bay. Eewww!

Gazza’s vicious bowling spell was almost equal to any of Mitchell Johnson’s.

In such divine surroundings – we needed a delicious lunch…. our market finds came through….. yum yum!

With a beach to themselves the kids spent most of the day & evening there – making castles, piling up jelly & riding from end to end…..

After three fantastic days and nights exploring here its time to move on, light rain arrives just as we pack up, but nearby Cloudy Bay Lagoon channel is still stunning, even in drizzle

Driving across the island is a pleasure – rain or shine.

Well in need of a shower and to do some washing, we decide on a hotel in Hobart, and head for New Town, a suburb we stayed in 2 years ago, its close to city and easy to head west from, with great views out our window to Mt Wellington.

Friday morning and after a few chores we were off to the Cadbury Factory visitor centre. Thanks to the fun police there are no more factory floor tours allowed, but they have an informative presentation and DVD showing the making of filled giant bears, the kids we amazed to see how quick they were made and packaged. Then there was some tastings and off to the shop…..

We filled our basket with some discounted Cadbury products, but couldn’t convince the family this 4.5 kg Toblerone was worth the $75 price tag!

A fun visit to Joyville!!! So now we had to work off some of that chocy…. Picnic lunch at the Chalet near the top of Mt Wellington, then we head for the Organ Pipes, the track is stunning. Very rocky in places but amazing scenery and views.

Saturday morning its off to the Salamanca Markets. So we ride – a gentle coast down hill to the city.

Even though we get here early – the market is so busy, but its a beautiful day and we stock up on some great produce and a few special treats.

Over at the wharf there is a party going on, The HMAS Tobruk is in town for the Hobart Regatta, and they have a great family day happening, with the Navy Rock band getting everyone dancing and a very easy – non crowded like home – tour on board.

It was great to experience this laid back look around the ship – before it heads home for maintenance period, then off to protect our boarders up north!

After our great day in Salamanca its back to the bikes for that ride home….

This morning we have a quick look around Pine Tier Lagoon – for a possible camp site and we stumbled across an interesting quarry…. it looked like it once hosted a smash up derby… no luck with a camp site – it was all a bit cowee around here…

We head further through this Great Lakes country, past many fly fishing lodges and lagoons and settle for Penstock Lagoon. A nice campsite, amongst some very old gnarly eucalypts, and beautiful alpine vegetation, we are 1000m above sea level here, and settle in for 2 nights.

It was fun and games here, exploring the surrounding woods and lagoon – good old fashioned bush camping.

With another Echidna thrown in – this time it was a big beauty….

We arrive at Lake St Clair on a hot afternoon, after setting up camp for a couple of nights we decide to test the usually icy waters for a dip. It was just beautiful – views as well as temperature.

Our first night here was the hottest night we’ve had in Tassie. Keeping our eyes peeled for wombats…. but we didn’t see any.

Next day we take an afternoon walk to Platypus Bay, this tall browntop stringybark had fallen – possibly during the last day or so. It fell straight across the main (overland) walking track, it was 5-6 ft Ø and had a section cut out today for hikers to pass thru….. the weather had changed dramatically – its getting cold with sleet developing as we walked, what a change from the heat yesterday! The temperature dropped even more overnight – we had our coldest night since leaving home….just one day after one of our hottest!

We didn’t find any platypus at the bay, however just as we arrived back near the campground we stumbled across…..

Back in Arthur River Ranger Fi told us that an Echidna has 1757 quills ( a piece of info the kids have eagerly hung onto) – this one was just a younger one, but still great to get up close to.

Our visit to ‘the WALL’ nearby was one we will remember as one of our most amazing sights. Sculptor, Greg Duncan is hand carving 100 meters of Huon Pine panels, each 1m wide and 3m high and 4 inches thick. They depict the history of Tasmania and its flora and fauna, and is still a work in progress.

The detail in the images on the panels is amazing, they are carved in bas relief, the style of images on coins. It was incredible, and the purpose built gallery was like nothing we have seen anywhere in Tassie. Its a project that he has self funded, and is still 2 years off completion. Then he is hoping to start an exciting metal project – we loved his eagles around the car park, so it is bound to be great too.

The bar within the gallery was made from a section of old timber Hydro deviation pipe. We were told we could see them nearby, so when we leave Lake St Clair we hunted it down.

Still works – just leaks a bit……

Captain John of Arcadia II gave us a tip for the drive to Zeehan, The Heemskirk River, being a really hot day we were glad for the heads up!

BOMBS AWAY!!

Gas refill and lunch stop at the Zeehan Hardware store – nice & cool under the verandah.

The campground we were heading to is closed due to the fires in the area, so we find a camp on the side of the road near the Bradshaw bridge over Lake Burbury. the smoke is over the hill, and the nights have been very calm, we decide we will be safe here. Not knowing exactly how far away this fire is.

We woke to a smokey but very still,dawn.  Still a beautiful spot, but a very quick packup this morning and we are on the road by 8:30am – a record for us!

We drive only 5 minutes and find we are surrounded by burnt out forests.

It was amazing to see the small creek – still trickling with all the tree ferns around it burnt.

Still smouldering – we head off to find a rainforest, and get some fresh air to clear our lungs. Donaghy Hill Lookout walk was just what we needed. With superb views of Frenchmans Cap and surrounding ranges.

Schools Back ! Now the kids have to do a bit of work along the way!!

Or search for fairy homes along or rainforest walks….. its a bit dry, but there are still some about.