On the 20th we flew to Lanceston Tasmania at lunchtime. Arrived around 3.30pm after he 50min flight to the smallest airport in the world! not literally but seemed like it...you even had to get your bags off a truck pulling the luggage. Find your bag..was like challenge anika!! We checked into are first real hostel..but was only us two in the room which was good. First time on bunk beds though for a long while! We then headed off and walked along the Tamar river and then into the city (more like a small town). Really quaint place, small and very pretty with lots of parks boats on the river and old buildings. In the evening got a takeaway an early night - stll a bit jet lagged.

On the 21st we picked up our adventure tour. Mark was our guide an ozzie and we were with 18other people, all foregin! Went to Cataract Gorge, not geoge as i kept calling it, and walked over the long suspension brigde over the river. Really beautiful place with a free swimming pool on the edge - no time to go in though much to our disapointment, could have done with topping up the tan! We then went onto the town of Ross, which was home to an old Brittsh womens penal colonly. Saw the old colltage and ruins and read all the stories of terrible convicts from nottingham and sheffield who'd actually only stole a couple of things! Was tiny place but very pretty with its old chuch and famous bridge over the river. In the afternon drove to Freinchet National Park and walked up to the wineglass bay lookout (see picture) and then down to the beach and back again. AMAZING views but bloody hard work!! Dont think trekking walks are for me...poor shell had to keep waiting! In the evening we stayed in a fishing town called Bicheno and visited the penguin parade!! Was brillant, one of the best thigs i've seen. All these tiny Fairy penguins come running in from the sea in the evening to their nests. You get so close to them they walk over your feet and through your legs. Saw some baby chicks too which are actually bigger with brown fluffy fur, soooooo cute. Wanted to smuggle a few home.

On the 22nd we headed to the Tasman Penisula of Port Arthur for the day. This place is where all the convicts were kept and you got to walk around all the ruins of the old buildings there. Also went out on a boat to the Isle of the Dead..scary, dead convicts all buried here. Early night that night.

The finally day 23rd we visted a beautiful beach on the penisula which was only 2000km from Antartica!! To get there drove through some small bush fires..Was a bit chilly actually despite the flames! Really white sand and we did a lovely walk around the bay with stunning views. Also visited the Remarkable Cave and a famous viewpoint, the Tasman Arch and a place called Devils Kitchen. All very impressive rock formations (mum you would like!!). In the afternoon finished the trip in Hobart. Again really pretty city (small town) centred around the port. Had delicous fish and chips on the harbour at Fish Frenzy, came with calamari, scallops and cod!!lovely..

24th XMAS EVE!!!!!! Woke up at our hotel called pickled frog, random, and took a walk around the town before catching our flight back to Melbourne. Tazzie was a beautiful place, just wish i'd known it would be cold! had to keep borrowing jackets, oh well, have to go shopping....