We were thoroughly overexcited and so happy to arrive in Hobart - Back in Australia after 18 months on the road. This was our first Australian port and unlike most foreign ports, the cruise card was not enough - we all (3000+ passengers) had to traipse off the ship, passenger card filled out and go through immigration control. The whole process bamboozled most people who just could not comprehend why they would have to do this - so anticipating chaos we raced through the whole process and shot out the door like bullets out of a gun - managed to get through in the first 100 people or so.

Hobart has a beautiful cruise terminal but it was bursting at the seams what with passengers, many excursions departing and a small market. We hoofed it out and about and enjoyed a walk around the Hobart waterfront, got some Australian cash out (haven't needed that for along while), bought some postcards and a badge featuring a Tassie Devil. We enjoyed the historic architecture and ventured around a few inner city thrift shops - picking up a glorious gold bangle for $5 - certainly one of my most successful treasure hunts - and a scented candle for $5. No comparison really. We cruised around the Salamanca precinct - sadly not a market day - and then dawdled back to the terminal.

It was a day that was running behind from the get-go due to the time it took to get everyone off the ship, kicking and screaming and through immigration. Our coach eventually took off for the excursion to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary - which we'd never heard of - but was actually amazing. We assume we've seen Tasmanian Devils before - but can't think when or where, so we're calling this 'the first time' for both of us - we do love a good first. It was a stunning sanctuary and whilst they don't guarantee tassie devils - the little critters were everywhere. We hand fed wallabies, saw wombats, fabulously fluffy tawny frogmouthed owls and so much else. We had a bit of time up our sleeves at the end so visited their cafe window and had a freshly cooked order of spring rolls - huge value at $6 (so slightly dearer than a gold bangle…) Definitely no rush at all as it turned out - the Magnifican't had reallocated our coach due to all the delayed departures from the terminal, so we were left hanging about in the heat for an hour or more. We eventually got back to the ship with just a couple of hours before departure so managed to enjoy another walk and picked up another couple of treasures - a silver and pearl bracelet and a gold plated brooch with greenstone. (It's a bit of a trick - greenstone in Australia is never recognised as anything special - cracking place to buy such things.)

We had a massive leg stretch and trundled back on board with our souvenirs of Hobart about 30 minutes ahead of the deadline so missed the queues and had a quick shower and change, fresh outfits (well accessorised with my new gold bangle) and a lovely dinner. Fabulous to be back in Australia, stunning weather for the day, awesome shopping and fantastic visit to the animal sanctuary. One sea day and we'll be arriving in Sydney - yippee!