Tasmania...

So after looking around and working out how we were going to do Tasmania we found a company that needed a campervan which sleeps three to be 'relocated' to Hobart, which is in south Tasmania from Melbourne.As we were 'relocating' it for them, it worked out to be dirt cheap, we were paying 5 dollars (2 pounds) a day in rental and they paid majority of the ferry fees and petrol.We had a limited amount of kilometres that we were allowed to use so we had to plan our trip down to the last cm to make sure we got as much in as possible.

We collected our campervan, and were pleasantly suprised to find out it was a 4 wheel drive toyota that looked like we could take it just about anywhere we had the guts to try.So we paid our money, gave them are details, promised we could all drive and grabbed the keys of the lady before she changed her mind.Could things get any simpler or better?Well we turned the key and would the thing start..... You must be joking...So after a quick battery change, we were on our way.First stop the Port of Melbourne to get on our twelve hour ferry to Devonport in the North of Tasmania. The ferry crossing was remarkably calm and uneventful which was a blessing after the horror stories we had heard about how rough it could get.

First stop on the agenda was Cradle Mountain, which is situated in the North West of Tasmania, a two hour drive from Devonport.We hiked a circular circuit of Dove Lake and although we did not have the best weather (cold and wet) we made the most of the spectacular views.Due to the crummy weather, and Soph feeling a bit ill (my excuse to have a nap in the back) we decide it was probably best to make a move that afternoon across to the North East side of Tasmania, and hope the weather forecast was right for the next few days when it predicted sun. It took us about four hours to drive all the way across Tasmania, where we happened to find a car park with a toilet, a shower and a surf spot in a place called Falmouth on the south coast.Which we thought would be a good place to set up camp for the night.

After a Surf and some breakfast it was time to make a move towards Wineglass Bay still on the south coast.As we made our way down we stopped at various National Parks and walked to different look outs, to see what was on offer.After a few hours we made it to Wineglass Bay, which was on the list of top ten things to do in the Lonely Planet guide book....and what a site it was. It was a 50 minute walk up to the lookout where our breathes were taken away. After a few snaps we headed down towards the beach. Then onwards around the mountain which took us to the back beach then through the forestry which brought us back to where we started, all in all a four and half hour hike with great weather.

Without wasting time we set off further down the east coast to Eaglehawk Neck which is the strip of land which connects Port Arthur to the mainland. To get there we had a fair few kilometres on a dirt track, dodging wallabies here there and everywhere. Finally arriving at Eaglehawk beach which just so happened to be a pretty good surf spot, so Dave was extremely happy to get another surf in. Spent the second night here without the luxuries of the previous car park.We set off early to a place called Port Arthur, which was the home to a english government run reform prison, which was aimed to 'grind' the badness out of the inmates.It also had many great stretches of coast line which include caves, coves and one of the worlds scariest surf breaks ( daves not so upset he didn't make it to that one).After visiting the sights we decided we would make a move towards Hobart to make sure we had plenty of time to get the campervan cleaned, tidied and back to the company before we got fined.

We spent the last night in the van in a place called Kingston, south of Hobart.This was definitely our best sleeping location being a massive 3 metres from the beach.The next day we headed in to Hobart which is a Sea side Port Town with great fish and chips.After returning the van we stayed in a hostel before starting the journey back to Melbourne to begin the hunt for a campervan of our own.

All in all Tasmania was an amazing trip and has some of the most spectacular sites we have ever seen. We would most definitely recommend a visit to anyone.

Next things on the agenda: Great Ocean Road, Canberra, Sydney for Christmas and New Year.