Greendale around Australia - Tasmania 2012

HEADING TO TASMANIA - OCTOBER 2012

 5 October 2012.

Left home bound for our longest trip yet to Tasmania.  Arrived at the Newmarket Caravan Park in Brisbane for a two night stay.  Had tea at the Newmarket Hotel with Anita and Scott, then the next morrning Neil and Cathy called in as they were passing through Brisbane on their way to Toowoomba.  Helped blow up balloons and set up for the engagement party at the Enoggera Bowls Club.  A good time was had by all and it was great to see Anita and Scott so happy.

7 October 2012.

Left the big smoke behind and travelled to Yelarbon via Warwick.  Found a nice spot at the Rec. Grounds and went for a walk around the town which didn't take very long.  Quite hot and windy.

8th October 2012.

Travelled to Moree via Goondiwindi through the paddocks of ripening wheat.  Enjoyed a dip in the hot artesian pool but it was too cool to go in the cold pool.  Went for a drive around Moree and admired the many parks and gardens and the very impressive golf course as well as the buildings in the commercial centre of town - most of which have been rebuilt after floods and the fire of 1928.  Also took a short drive out to Pallamallawa through some prime agricultural land along the Gwydir River (cotton, wheat, chick peas, canola, olives, pecans etc. are all grown here).  Met up with Ray and Helen Warren from Gympie in the park who I haven't seem for many years.

10th October 2012.

Today's trip was to Yarrie Lake which is about 25 km from Narrabri.  A top spot and we had one day of good weather before it changed to cold, windy and a little bit of rain.  Russ got a yabby trap off the caretaker and was surprised to catch about 9 good sized blue claws overnight which we gave away.  Went for a couple of good walks around the lake with the binoculars doing some bird watching.

12th October 2012.

The weather was cold and windy when we left Yarrie Lake but we called in at the Australia Telescope Compact Array near Narrabri and had a look at the five telescopes that sit on train tracks and can be moved into different configurations.  There is also a sixth one which is fixed into position and we found it all very interesting.  Then travelled from Narrabri to Coonabarabran (not a great deal to see) and out to the Warrumbungle National Park.  The weather was still cold, windy and drizzly so the views weren't great on the first day.  However, things improved over the next two days and we enjoyed some great walks up to Spirey View, Burbie Canyon, White Gum Lookout and the Wombelong Nature Track.  We had some terrific views of Belougery Spire, the Breadknife, Split Rock and Mt Exmouth although we weren't inspired to do any rock climbing.

 15th October 2012.

Left the Warrumbungles and travelled through some small towns including Gilgandra into Dubbo.  Stayed at a caravan park in town (inside a compound) and did some touristy things.  Visited the Japanese Gardens (very nice) and the old Dubbo jail which was quite interesting.  Then spent a whole day at the zoo and got our exercise by walking around it.  Enjoyed the day and the animals which all seemed to be healthy and happy.  The meerkats were the most entertaining and kept us amused for some time.  One of the giraffes was an accomplished pickpocket and stole a camera off a lady who was feeding another giraffe and had her camera in her back pocket.  Don't know if she got it back as it landed on the ground inside the fence and the staff didn't seem inclined to retrieve it.  Enjoyed happy hour with Ray and Helen who had also made their way to Dubbo.

18th October 2012.

Packed up and left Dubbo and travelled via Peak Hill to the Radio Telescope near Parkes.  Spent some time admiring "the Dish" and reading all the info about the moon landing.  The movie was part fact and part fiction.  There was a storm on the day with winds of 125 k/p/h and normally when the winds reach 35 k/p/h the dish is laid flat and locked into position.  Continued on by way of Parkes, Forbes and West Wyalong through more grain fields to the small settlement of Mirrool (a big day of travel for us).  Called in at the pub which together with the silos and the railway and 27 people makes up the village.  A lovely free camp with great amenities.  Had just missed their big event for the year which is the silo kick.  Hasn't been won for a couple of years and when you see the size of the silos you can understand why.

19th October 2012.

Left Mirrool and travelled via Narrandera (over the Murrumbidgee), Jerilderie, Finley and Deniliquin to Echuca (another big day).  Passed rice, wheat and canola crops, dairy farms and irrigation channels until we reached the mighty (or muddy) Murray.  Set up camp and went for a walk along the river in front of the park.  Saturday we went to the Port of Echuca where all the paddlesteamers are moored and which is being restored and refurbished.  Lovely to see a lot of old buildings - a lot of which have been renovated and still being used.  A very interesting town to wander around.  Enjoyed a paddlesteamer trip down the river on the PS Canberra and saw how much damage has been done to the riverbanks and the red gums by the floods.  Lots of house boats moored along the river and the river is well used by canoeists, speed boats and fishermen.

22nd October 2012.

Travelled all the way from Echuca via Rochester to Ayson's Reserve which is on the banks of the Campaspe River near Elmore.  A lovely spot and we didn't do much other than go walking and a spot of bird watching.

23rd October 2012.

Another short trip as we left Ayson's Reserve for Epsom which is the northern outskirts of Bendigo.  Went in to  Bendigo and enjoyed a ride on the "talking" tram which takes you on an hour ride through the tree lined streets of Bendigo pointing out the historical buildings and landmarks.  Also went walking through the main part of town which was very enjoyable as most of the old buildings are quite magnificent - the old Post Office, Law Courts, Town Hall, Hotel Shamrock, Soldiers Memoral Hall etc.  Visited the Sacred Heart Cathedral and Rosalind Park including the Poppet Head Tower although I didn't make it quite to the top but further than Russell.  Took a couple of day trips, one out through Castlemaine to Maldon which is an historic old gold mining town and has been classified by the National Trust as Australia's first Notable Town.  Went up to Anzac Hill and then visited the remains of the North British Mine which in the 1880's was one of the richest gold mines in the world.  It finally closed in 1928.  Walked to the Beehive Mine Chimney and also walked down the historic main street where a lot of the shops in the main street date from the 1850's.  A lovely old town and the area produced over 2 million ounces of gold in its heyday.  Returned to Bendigo through Marong and Eaglehawk.  Another day trip was to Lake Eppalock on the Campaspe River which did not really impress.  A lot of locals have permanent vans at the lake and it has become a bit of an eyesore.  Went on to Heatchcote (another lovely old town)through vineyards and fertile sheep and cattle farming areas. Returned to Bendigo and wandered through the White Hills Botanic Gardens which are very old and have some impressive displays.  One section shows the plants which would have been grown in the gold mining times most of which are named and a lot of them were in flower.  Thoroughly enjoyed our time in Bendigo and loved the old cottages a lot of which have been restored.

28th October 2012.

Today was our trip to Melbourne to catch the Spirit of Tasmania.  Arrived at Port Melbourne in plenty of time and luckily found a parking spot on the foreshore.  Went for a couple of walks and waited with some other travellers until we could board.  The loading all went smoothly and enjoyed drinks and dinner on board before heading to our cabin about 10.30.  This was about the time we left Port Phillip Bay and the ship started rocking a bit (only 1 metre swells) so the trip wasn't too bad.

29th October 2012.

Arrived in the Mersey River at Devonport bright and early and after clearing quarantine had breakfast and found somewhere to stay and then it was time to restock the van.  Late afternoon we went for a 6km walk along the Eastern Foreshore as we were staying in East Devonport on Bass Strait.  Took a day trip to Port Sorell which is on the estuary of the Rubicon River and then went on to Narawntapu National Park to see if it would be a good place to stay.  Returned to Devonport and the sea mist rolled in early afternoon so that stopped any plans for further sightseeing in Devonport.

31st October 2012.

Packed up and moved to the Springlawn Camp in the Narawntapu National Park.  The weather was supposed to turn nasty (which it did at night) and we wanted a protected spot.  What a magical spot - the wildlife is amazing (wombats, pademelons, wallabies, amd all sorts of birdlife just wandering around our campsite).  Not to mention the possums which decided our van roof was a good spot for some acrobatics.  Went on the Springlawn nature walk (one of the 60 great walks in Tasmania) which takes you to a bird hide on the lagoon and then around the lagoon.  Also did a side walk which took us down on to Bakers Beach on Bass Strait - a long totally deserted beach.  The next day was wet and windy - a rest day.

2nd November 2012.

One of our shortest trips yet on this day.  We moved to Bakers Beach campsite still in Narawntapu National Park a total of about 5kms.  Right on the beach but not a good spot for walking on the beach as even the wet sand was very soft.  Enjoyed one day of great weather and went for several walks.  The camp was rather crowded for the weekend as it was a long weekend for the northern Tasmanians.

4th November 2012.

Our next trip was up and over the Asbestos Range on a dirt road via Yorktown to Green's Beach.  A lovely little seaside village at the mouth of the Tamar River.  A great spot for walking on the beach and the golf course was right at our back door.  Enjoyed a game of golf before the weather once again turned ordinary in the afternoon.  Went on a day trip to Beauty Point where we visited Seahorse World, then on to Beaconsfield and the infamous mine.  Crossed over the Batman Bridge after passing apple orchards and travelled up the east side of the Tamar to Bell Bay and George Town which claims to be the oldest town in Australia and then to the Low Head lighthouse and pilot station.

8th November 2012.

Today we retraced our route but this time with the van in tow over the Batman Bridge and almost to Bell Bay before turning off and heading east through Pipers River to Bridport.  Not a lot to see on the way but Bridport has some lovely beaches and we were camped right in front of a picturesque little bay called Mattingley's Beach.  We walked along the Foreshore Walk which has historic plaques dotted all the way along.  Made our way to the mouth of the Brid River which although it seems to be almost silted up still seems to have a shipbuilding industry as well as being the port for freight transport to Flinders and King Islands in the Furneaux Group.  Walked in the other direction along Anderson Bay to the remains of the old pier which burnt down many years ago and on to a pretty little beach called Mermaids Beach.  Took a day trip and had a look at Barnbougle Dunes Golf Links (which is rated #7 Best Public Access Course in the world) and Barnbougle Lost Farm golf course.  Most amazing golf courses which are designed "to test the creativity and game tactics of golfers" tucked in behind sand dunes right on the ocean front.  Decided not to embarrass ourselves and left them to the professionals.  Continued on to the Waterhouse Conservation Area and had a look at campsites at Blackmans Lagoon (very ordinary) and were planning on going to Waterhouse Point but roadworks were happening so went to South Croppies Point where we disturbed a naturist.  Visited the little seaside and fishing town of Tomahawk before returning as the weather was threatening.

10th November 2012.

Moved on from Bridport to Scottsdale - the town is looking a little sad now that Gunns are no more and the milk is all transported to Devonport.  Took a day trip out to Legerwood where an avenue of trees that were planted after the first World War to commemorate the local fallen soldiers have been cut down as they were unsafe and each trunk has been chainsaw carved to depict a particular serviceman and their story is told on a plaque.  A lovely little park and great to see.  Went on through farming country through Ringarooma and up a steep road to Ralphs Falls in the Mt Victoria Forest Reserve.  Went for a walk out to Norms Lookout to see the longest single drop waterfall in Australia and also a great view of the Ringarooma Valley.  Continued down the mountain to St. Columba Falls - another easy walk this time to the base of the falls which are the tallest falls in Tasmania.  Then visited the Pub in the Paddock at Pyengana although we didn't share our beer with the pigs and returned via Moorina, the old tin mining town of Derby and Branxholm to Scottsdale.

12th November 2012.

Packed up and travelled through the very windy road through Derby and Pyengana to the fishing village of St. Helens.  Did a day trip out to Dianas Basin, St. Helens Point, Binalong Bay and visited all the camp sites out at the Bay of Fires.

14th November 2012.

Time for some R & R so we moved out to Swimcart Beach in the Bay of Fires where we spent the next few days.  The weather was windy most of the time from every possible direction although most days were sunny.  Very enjoyable time at this magical spot and lack of water was the only reason we had to move.  Walked quite a bit although once again the sand was very soft and hard walking but the lichen coloured rocks are quite spectacular.

19th November 2012.

Today was a short trip to Scamander another small seaside community of a couple of hundred people.  Did a day trip up the mountain via St Mary's Pass to St. Mary's and down via Elephant Pass - more of the same windy roads that Tasmanians call highways.  Called in at the Iron House micro Brewery on White Sands Estate for a tasting and an enjoyable lunch.  We commented on the bushfire damage that was apparent along the road and did some research.  In 2006 a bushfire destroyed 12 houses and a few businesses in Scamander and just a few kilometres down the road at Four Mile Creek near Ironhouse Point people had to take refuge on the beach.  People obviously have short memories as there are quite a few new houses built on the side of hills in the middle of the bush.  Enjoyed some walking and a game of golf on the pretty little 9 hole course.

23rd November 2012.

After an enjoyable stay at Scamander, moved down the coast a little to the slightly larger village of Bicheno.  Very pretty and enjoyed the foreshore walk to Waubs Bay and climbed Whalers Lookout for some great views over the Bay and the Gulch where the fishing boats tie up.  The dead tree still stands on the top of the lookout which the lookout used to climb and hoist a flag when whales were sighted.  Continued round to the Blow Hole and then up and over South Lookout rock where lots of rock orchids were flowering.  Did a day trip down to the Friendly Beaches in Freycinet National Park and then down to Coles Bay and booked a site at Richardsons Beach for later in the week.  Went bike riding and made the most of the good weather because as expected it changed (and not for the better).

27th November 2012.

Moved on from Bicheno to Richardsons Beach in the Freycinet National Park.  Did the walk to Cape Tourville and the lighthouse and to Sleepy Bay and down to little Gravelly Beach.  The weather was a little ordinary but the views are still great.  The next day was almost perfect weather and we climbed up to Wineglass Bay lookout (the track up has improved markedly since our last visit) and down to Wineglass Bay (this track is still the same), across the isthmus to Hazards Beach.  What a long lovely beach with crystal clear water.  Enjoyed lunch but didn't brave the water and returned home via Fleurieu Point and around Mt Mayson on the Hazards Beach track a total of about 12 km.  The views of the Hazards - Mt Parsons, Mt Baudin, Mt Dove and Mt Amos are spectacular from Richardsons Beach and Coles Bay. The weather turned windy and the possums doing acrobatics on the roof kept us awake each night for a while.

30th November 2012.

Travelled through orchards, vineyards, olive groves, walnut plantations and poppy fields to Swansea for a wander around this pretty, historic town which was established in the 1820s as Waterloo Point.  Continued on through Rocky Hills and Little Swanport to Triabunna which is the gateway to Maria Island.  Stopped off at the convict built Spikey Bridge for a photo stop. The temperature hit 33 degrees and windy which was a shock to the system.  Glad we didn't book to go to Maria Island as the next day the wind sprang up again and continued all day reaching up to 70kmh.  Went for a drive to Orford, Spring Beach and Rheban Beach with views out to Maria Island.  Triabunna is a town in decline as there was a wood chip mill which the greenies bought and closed down.  The plantation timber which was grown to service the chip mill is  mature and has now become a fire hazard.  There are several fires around the state at the moment and the gale force winds are not helping the situation.  Seafish also has a plant at Triabunna and this was the company which had the super trawler which was stopped (not necessarily a bad thing).  The whole fishing industry is reeling at the moment from the east coast closure due to the blue/green algae which means there is no fresh fish, crays, abalone, oysters etc.  Quite a few historic buildings in town and wandered around and visited an interesting display in the old abalone processing plant.  There were the remains of an old boat which was found on Maria Island, the story of the wood chip mill and old wooden boats which are being restored by some dedicated enthusiasts.  Triabunna was a major boat building site until relatively recently.

3rd December 2012.

Left Triabunna for one of our longest days of travelling via Buckland, Sorell, Copping, Dunalley and Eaglehawk Neck to our campsite at Fortescue Bay.  At Dunalley we were stopped as the bridge turned 90 degrees to allow a couple of fishing boats through the Denison Canal which is a shortcut for boats travelling around the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas.  Fortescue Bay is on the east coast of the Tasman Peninsula along a 12 km dirt road in a national park - a magical spot although the weather was cold, wet and windy most of the time.  Quite a bit of wildlife - wallabies, potoroos, echidnas and waterbirds.  Went on a 9km walk to Cape Hauy - the scenery was amazing and the track was one of the most impressive we have seen in any national park with thousands of stone steps (great for the calf muscles).  Later discovered it was constructed by the Hobart Walking Club.  There were great views of rock formations, sea cliffs, sea caves and we could see across to Cape Pillar and the lighthouse on Tasman Island.  Enjoyed a campfire between showers and happy hours with Terry and Jan.

5th December 2012.

Left Fortescue Bay and travelled via Port Arthur to White Beach on the west coast of the Tasman Peninsula although the weather was much the same.  Reached 9 degrees by 11.30 with wind and rain.  The weather improved the next day and we went driving via Nubeena and Premaydena out to Lime Bay and then to Stormlea where we tackled the walk to Cape Raoul and Ship Stern Bluff.  Went as far as the lookout for magnificent views and decided we didn't need to go further.  Enjoyed an afternoon walk along White Beach.

7th December 2012.

Travelled out to Lime Bay Reserve for the worst experience of our trip.  Lovely spot but the local yokels decided it was the spot for an all night party.  The police arrived at 7am the next morning to sort them out but when another group arrived Saturday morning for a bucks party, decided discretion was the plan so packed up and left together with the other campers around us.  A total fire ban was in place but that certainly didn't stop the locals.  On the way out stopped for a quick wander around the Coal Mines Historic Site.  The coal mines opened in 1833 and produced most of the coal for the colony.  At its busiest, around 600 prisoners together with jailers and their families lived and worked here.  An interesting spot with quite a bit of information displayed and some substantial ruins.

8th December 2012.

Arrived at Port Arthur via Koonya and Taranna for some R & R.  Found a great caravan park at Stewarts Bay which was not crowded and the bird and animal life was great.  Visited the tourist sites of Remarkable Cave (great), Mangong Bay lookout, Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen (disappointing as vegetation has grown and not much of a view), the Blow Hole (calm day so not much happening), Tessalated Pavement and then to the historical site of Eaglehawk Neck and the dog line.  Enjoyed a game of golf at the Tasman Peninsula Golf Course with its infamous eighth hole over the chasm (a challenge for Russ) but I scored a birdie.  The course was lovely and our scores respectable.  On Thursday Anita and Scott arrived after their whirlwind tour around the rest of Tasmania and we spent the afternoon at the Port Arthur historic site.  Nothing much has changed in the last few years although the museum and study centre are quite new and impressive.  Enjoyed a harbour cruise to Point Puer Boys' Prison and the Isle of the Dead.  A few issues are arising around the conservation of the site as some of the buildings are deteriorating quite rapidly.

14th December 2012.

Moved on to Hobart via Sorell and over the Tasman Bridge to Glenorchy.  Visited the Salamanca Markets on Saturday and wandered around the waterfront and Constitution Dock between showers.  Went to the Shot Tower at Taranna and Anita and Scott climbed to the top for great views.  Sunday we spent the day at the cricket for day three of the test match against Sri Lanka.  Bellerive is a lovely oval and as there were only 4500 spectators, nothing was crowded and it was a great atmosphere.  The only down side was the weather which went from sunny to showery, windy and cold (typical Tasmanian weather). 

17th December 2012.

Left Hobart and moved out to New Norfolk in the Derwent Valley.  Went for a day trip to Mt Field National Park where we did the Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Tall Trees Circuit and the Lady Barron Falls.  A lovely walk even though there was a staircase to climb with 239 steps.  The next day travelled through Hobart, Kingston, down the Huon Valley through Huonville, Franklin and Geeveston and up to the Tahune forest.  Did the Tahune airwalk and then crossed the Huon and Picton Rivers on swing bridges for another one of the great walks.  Said goodbye to Anita and Scott on Wednesday not realising how soon I would see them again.  Tried to visit the Cadbury factory but they had closed and would not be open again until after Christmas.

20th December 2012.

Made our way down to Huonville where we had planned to spend Christmas away from crowds at a combined caravan park/farm stay.  Enjoyed the animals (chooks, geese, pigs, cows, sheep etc) for a day but then Julie and Scott's baby decided to arrive 10 weeks early.  I flew to Brisbane on Saturday and left Russ to his own devices.  Xavier arrived on Saturday weighing 1500 grams but all the signs are positive.  He is a gorgeous little fellow and the staff at RBH are looking after him well while Julie and Scott are staying at Ronald McDonald house.  I spent Christmas in Brisbane with Anita and Scott and Russ was down here helping out at the park.  Returned to Tassie on Sunday as Julie's parents had arrived but we will probably cut our stay here short now.  Spent New Year's eve at the park at Huonville and enjoyed a lovely meal and live music.  The weather was freezing so we didn't make it to midnight.  Two days later the temperature hit 40 degrees with gale force winds and no humidity so the fires took off.  Luckily no bad fires where we are but the smoke and ash has been quite dense for several days.  Russ is still helping out at the park mowing grass, building chook pens, digging trenches and general maintenance work.  Have done a couple of day trips, one south to Recherche Bay and Cockle Creek which is as far south as you can go.  Called in at Ida Bay and did a trip on the bush tramway which was used to carry limestone from Lune River to the port at Deep Hole and then to Electrona where it was used in the production of calcium carbide.  The line closed in 1975 and was reopened in 2005.  Also visited Hastings Caves and did a guided tour of Newdegate Cave which is a dolomite cave and has quite spectacular crystal straws and stalactites.  Another 500 odd steps but well worth the visit.  Didn't visit the thermal pools but did see a platypus in the creek.  Another trip was via Cygnet, Gordon, Kettering and Snug and back through Kingston.  Snug has a memorial to the 1967 bushfires when most of the town was wiped out similar to what has happened to Dunalley this time.  Had planned on visiting Bruny Island after the Christmas rush but would not see anything with the amount of smoke around and the wind has picked up again so another time???

11th January 2013.

Finally said goodbye to Rowan and Leanne at Huonville with supplies of their produce after another minor delay although Rowan kept finding jobs for Russ to do.  Travelled back through Hobart, Bridgewater, Brighton, Pontville, Bagdad, Kempton and Melton Mowbray to Bothwell.  Bothwell is a very old town with 47 heritage listed sites situated on the Clyde River first explored in 1807 and named in 1823 - most of the first settlers came from Scotland.  It is home to an unique four faced vertical sundial and the Australasian Golf Museum which had a fascinating and excellent display of golf memorabilia.  Also enjoyed!! a game of golf at Ratho - this links course dates back to the 1820's and is the oldest golf course in the southern hemisphere.  Has rectangular greens which are fenced off to keep the sheep out and has unique rules to cover hitting obstacles - fences, gates, sheep etc.  Did a day trip from Bothwell to the Steppes, Great Lake and home via the Waddamana Power Station and Nant Distillery.  The Steppes Historic site was the family home of the Wilsons from 1863 to 1975 from the time that James Wilson was appointed Superintendent of Police in 1863.  Stock was driven up to the highlands during the summer months from farms around Bothwell and Ouse.  At times over the years family members ran a school here and the post office and telephone exchange which closed in 1967.  Electricity was never connected and the family had to be self sufficient with temperatures dropping to -6 degrees with snow and ice.  The last member of the family lived her entire life here and was 92 years of age when she passed away.  Also visited the Steppes sculptures which are a ring of stone-mounted bronze sculptures of local wildlife and settlement.  Continued on to the Miena dam's three walls and the Beamont Memorial at the Great Lake.  The Great Lake was the start of hydro electricity in Tasmania in 1910 when a plan was devised to divert water from the Great Lake and Shannon River to a power station at Waddamana.  The company went broke and was taken over in 1914 by the Tasmanian Government which started generating electricity in 1916.  Waddamana was closed down in 1995 and the water in the Great Lake is now diverted to the north to the Poatina Power Station.  Waddamana is now a faithfully restored museum and depicts life in the early 1900's with photograpic displays, the original machinery and lots of memorabilia and interactive displays - it was a very tough life, but a great museum.

14th January 2013.

Backtracked from Bothwell to Melton Mowbray and then past Jericho and the Jordan River to Oatlands.  Camped beside Lake Dulverton on the site of the old sale yards.  Oatlands has the largest collection of sandstone Georgian buildings in Australia some beautifully restored and some needing a great deal of work and is great for walking and exploring.  There is some controversy about the sandstone gateway which has stood in front of Roche Hall since 1939 when it was moved from the gaol.  It has now been removed and there are plans to re-assemble it at the gaol.  Also toured Callington Mill which has been restored and is once again being used to mill flour.  It was originally built in 1837 and although a first rate windmill suffered declining fortunes over the years and was finally closed in the depression of 1892-93.  It was then used as a blacksmith's forge which led to a fire in 1913 which destroyed the cap and internal structure.  It then became a reservoir but over the last 40 years has gradually been restored to a working colonial tower windmill.  A very knowledgeable guide gave us a tour and it is quite amazing to climb to the top and to see the cap rotating and the fantail automatically rotating the sails to face the wind.  Just a pity it was one of the few days that the wind was not howling.

16th January 2013.

Travelled a short distance up the Midland Highway to Ross where we decided to stay for a couple of days.  Ross was founded as a garrison in 1812 and is most famous for the ornate convict built Ross Bridge completed in 1836 and the female factory site.  Visited a very interesting display at the Tasmanian Wool Centre and the female factory site which housed the female convicts and their babies between 1848 and 1854.  Went for a drive to Somercotes - a property settled in 1823 for our fix of cherries yum yum!!  Have never eaten so many cherries and the apricots are great too.  Drove to Campbell Town - another heritage town and the region produces some of the finest merino wool and has the oldest continuously held Agricultural show in the southern hemisphere.  Has the convict built Red Bridge and the Convict Brick Trail where bricks are embedded in the footpath and tell the stories of many convicts.  Heard from Dan that he had arrived in Hobart for a few days work so decided to go to Richmond via Colebrook and Campania and then across to Brighton to meet him for dinner.  A nice drive and visited the Richmond Bridge and walked around Richmond but just about over heritage towns.

19th January 2013.

Left Ross and moved on to Longford at the foothills of the Great Western Tiers and on the banks of the Macquarie River.  Spent a day exploring Woolmers Estate which was settled by Thomas Archer in 1817 and remained in the family till 1994 when the property was left to the Archer Historical Foundation.  An amazing collection of buildings which contain an array of personal collections and possessions accumulated through six generations of the family.  I don't think anything was ever thrown away and it gives you a great insight into early settlement and the convict era.  The buildings include the main house which had a new Italianate front added in the early 1840's, the separate kitchen wing, cottages, a chapel, store, cider house, wool shed, blacksmith's shop, coach house, stables etc.  There is also a 1913 Wolseley in entirely original condition including the tyres, a 1934 Dodge and a 1953 Kingway Dodge.  The gardens were also quite extensive totally surrounded by walls and included a pavilion and a gentlemen's smoking room as well as a fountain and a croquet lawn.  Today the property is also the home of the National Rose Garden which opened in 2001 on the site of the old apple orchard and must be quite magnificent when in full bloom.  It wasn't at its best when we saw it and someone has a huge job of pruning to do.

21st January 2013.

Moved on from Longford via Carrick, Hagley and Westbury to Deloraine on the banks of the Meander River.  Went for a day trip to the Liffey Falls and had a little bit of exercise walking down to the falls - similar to Russell Falls but not quite as spectacular.  Also took a drive to Mole Creek by way of Chudleigh and walked out to a forest lookout for views down to the Mersey River and the Alum Cliffs - quite spectacular.  Deloraine is a pretty little town (very arty/crafty) and have made quite a feature of the river.  The caravan park is right on the river bank and on the morning we left, a car and van just along from us rolled backwards into the river - not a pretty sight but we didn't stay around for the recovery efforts.

23rd January 2013.

Moved back to Longford to catch up with Terry and Jan and didn't exert ourselves too much.

25th January 2013.

Had to move again as the long weekend was coming up so drove on to the small town of Railton.  The town is renowned for its topiary and quite neat and tidy with a cement plant as its major employer. Went for a day trip to Sheffield - a lovely little town and spent quite a bit of time exploring the town and murals.  Then continued on to Moina and up the west side of Lake Barrington through Wilmot with its fancy letter boxes to complete a round trip.  Also did a trip into Latrobe and visited the markets and the famous shop Reliquaire which is the most amazing place - they give you a map to find your way around and I don't know how they would ever do a stocktake.

28th January 2013.

Packed up and moved to Wynyard on the north coast via Burnie and Somerset.  Walked along beach and visited the lighthouse and lookout.  Enjoyed a game of golf at one of the most picturesque courses we have ever come across.  Spent some time with Terry and Jan again and finally had our meal of crayfish.  Went for a bike ride the last morning as the weather improved slightly.

1st February 2013.

Left Wynyard and although there were still things we had planned to do, circumstances at home meant we needed to cut our trip short. We booked our return trip for Sunday and moved to Sulphur Creek a lovely spot right on the beach near Penguin.  The penguins return to the beach here at night and the babies stay hidden during the day.

2nd February 2013.

Travelled via the coastal route to Latrobe where we enjoyed our final happy hour of the trip and organised ourselves for the boat ride home.

3rd February 2013.

Left reasonably early for Devomport and our 9am sailing time.  All went smoothly and the boat ride wasn't too rough although nothing to see until arrival in Port Phillip Bay.  Landed at Port Melbourne and headed over the Westgate Bridge on to the ring road and then north on the Hume Highway for a couple of hours and stopped at a truck stop.  Continued on the next morning through Shepparton over the border and rejoined the Newell Highway and made our way to Peak Hill between Parkes and Dubbo.  Another overnight stop and then on to Coonabarabran where the countryside showed signs of the rain - all nice and green which continued all the way home.  Our next overnight was at Yelarbon where we stayed on the way down.  Headed home via Warwick and Ipswich through Cunninghams Gap which was showing signs of the wild weather with landslides etc.  Arrived home Wednesday afternoon after our four month trip.