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Two weeks in Melbourne whizzed by. We were fortunate to have a really enjoyable day with Mike and Di, life long friends of Steve Wackett. We've met them quite a few times over the years at social events at the Wacketts, but we have never really had quality time together, just snippets of information over a glass of wine. You all know what it's like you never have a 'proper conversation.' So contacts formed, emails sent and date agreed. What a great day it was - picked up on a sunkissed morning and taken on a tour of the Mornington Peninsula. It's always good when someone really knows the area. Di has had so many visitors over the years, she has a wealth of knowledge and loves sharing her top spots - places where she and Mike often frequent. An absolute 'Top Tour' leader.
The peninsula is stunning - a must if anyone is considering visiting Melbourne and surrounding areas. Mornington is a perfect place to live - there are 'niche' shops of every kind. Everything is tasteful - girls there are lots of places to browse and beautiful things to buy - if you don't have a luggage allowance - next time!!
Sorrento for lunch - delicious. We went to Arthur's Seat Winnery, with such tasteful decor and very hepful staff - wine tasting, coffee, lunch and it had everything for everyone. It was the last stop of our tour.
Tempted by my beautiful wood clad house, but the property is really, really expensive so we won't be buying a little holiday home there anytime soon!
On hearing we were going to Tasmanian, Di gave us a few tips of where to go, so naturally we took her advice where we could.
We flew to Holbart for our one week long 'Tassie Tour'. Holbart is a well kept , compact city, the large Georgian buildings are immaculately kept and look like they have been regularly 'power washed,' There are a plethera of shops tucked away in alleys and arcades. Everything is at your finger tips, so much to do either by water, by bus , by bike or by walking. The people are very friendly and extremely proud of their Island and their produce, cheese, wine, whisky and beer.
The waterfront of Holbart- Sullivan's Cove harbour and marina is the place to be, the former warehouses that line the front have taken on a new role as fashionable hotels, stylish restaurants and art galleries. When the sun sets and the tours are done; the temperature drops in April and the restaurants and bars are buzzing. Salamanca, an area close to our hotel was a buzzy, lively area where the passer by is easily lured and enticed by aromas of sumptious food, the talented solo artists, the log fires or heated outside areas. It didn't take us long to find our favourite was 'Jack Greene.' Surely not I hear you say!!!
Under the clear blue sky we cycled to Mona, a billionaire built an Art Gallery on his winnery. It is a big 'tourist attraction' accessed by boat or road. We really enjoyed the experience, but had been warned about the museum - Jeff knows I love Art and we have visited many exhibition where Jeff just 'doesn't get it!' Now my top tip is always to pop in the shop first and get a idea of whether it is going to work out. Well there were so many 'gifts' of 'body parts' - both male and female - that I thought we would give it a miss. I was amazed with how any varieties of female ' soaps' you can get!!!!
Mona is beautiful, situated on a hill with lovely views of Holbart with Mt Wellington as its back drop . There were plenty of areas to just sit and admire the immediate surroundings,there were very beautiful places to eat if hungry. We just had a quick taste of wine from their bespoke vineyard. It would have been rude not too! In the well manicured garden were sculptures in 'filigree iron' of an articulated lorry, the detail was amazing and a chapel with stain glass windows that showed 'the digestive system and x rays of the body' - strange but very clever. That's Art!
We could have spent the week in Holbart and been sufficiently occupied, but we wanted to see as much as possible, so the whistle stop tour was planned.
On route to our second destination, we visted Wineglass Bay, accessed is via the National Park - the challenge was to walk to the lookout in less than the expected time, which was achieved. The walk was just breath - taking - huge rocks, no boulders that were positioned precariously on the mountain and near the path. Absolutely HUGE!
We went to the Port Arthur Heritage Site. The picturesque water setting is a stark contrast to the harsh, brutal history as a penal community. Unfortunately due to timing we couldn't visit instead we read extensively about how the community worked under a very strict system.
Can anyone remember the drama series which was on last year which portrayed the stark reality of these communities- it was brilliant. I'm sure it was based on Port Arthur??
When we reached White Beach, the B+B, Harpers on the Beach, we were not disappointed, we had our own 'Wineglass Bay' and just moments from the accomodation. We had a fabulous walk along the 'white beach.'
Breakfast was spent with two other couples, both very good company, we could have easily stayed for another day there.
The weather forecast was cloudy and cold, but our whole tour of Tassie was under blue skies and warm sunshine. Our next stop was Bicheno, which is a very lovely place, our cabin overlooked the sea, a fantastic vista, it was truly perfect. A point to note if you are ever passing - not much open on a Sunday afternoon!!
However, as I woke the following morning, I saw a chink of light peek the window. The following hour was spent sitting outside , in perfectly positioned deckchairs, watching the sun rise across the horizon, it was just beautiful, actually that's not the right word, it was magnificent - as the sun rose the whole sky filled with colour, the eucalyptus trees were like silhouettes, as if an artist with a delicate hand had painted them on this canvas backdrop of green and dark blue sea. There it was before my eyes.
It didn't hold Jeff quite as much as me, he decided to do his exercise routine. As I sat still with mug of coffee in hand, Jeff was running up and down the steps and holding a 'plank' position. We both enjoyed the hour in different ways.
As we drove from Bicheno to Binalong followed the Southern Pacific Ocean, we followed the endless white sands and the torquoise sea. Binalong is part of the Bay of Fires, which stretches for 30 miles, a World Heritage site and deemed to be one of the most beautiful places in Australia. You could walk for miles on the sugar-white sand, see the orange hued granite and watch the abundance of sea life and swim in the clearest of water, although a 'tad ' cold for me!
The air was so fresh and the white sand so fine and soft to touch. It was simple stunning. Again we could have stayed longer.
It was a long drive through the National Parks to the River Tamar and as Jeff will explain always have supplies with you! Memories of my childhood and everything closing at set times came flooding back!
Where I had marvelled at the sight of sun rise in Bicheno, we were totally spolit by the sunset in Lanena. The vast expanse of sky became orange, a sight of jaw dropping beauty. I love sunsets and over the years Jeff and I have seen many, but this was simple magnificent.
We woke in the morning to the stillness of the the river, as it glistened in the sunlight. A lone rower swiftly moved along the 'glass like surface.'The garden led to the bank where all types of wildlife were having their breakfast. Another moment to pause and just watch. Onwards we drove to Bothwell through the Central Highlands- this was a stark contrast to the beauty of the East Coastline. It is a World Hertigage site for outstanding Beauty, but the reality is that the Great Lake is diminishing in size due to the drought and the banks have receded, as if the 'plug has been pulled.' The arrid, parched landscape is grey in colour, there is no grass, nothing grows even the Eucalyptus forests are dying, there was so many fallen trees . Some silver, grey trunks just stood, charred, scorched by what we can only imagine is lightening strikes. A deserted wilderness.
To our surprise there was a community of small shacks that we passed, absolutely miles from any where- it was far too remote for Jeff and I, we almost felt an eerie feeling there and it was not the place for us. The grey soil and grey 'cement like ' rocks went on and on. The grey sheep were in the fields, goodness knows how they survived. We were grateful that the sun was shining, as it was quite bleak.
The landcape changed again and the land became more green and as we approached Bothwell, there were signs of autumn the trees changed colour, the myrtle woods of yellow. It's strange having Autumn in April!
Our final night was spent in Holbart- we will always have such happy memories of our week in Tassie.
Take care - love to you all.
Foot Note from the Old Boy
Well, Melbourne was an absolute revelation when we arrived from NZ as it is fifteen years since we last visited Oz. The City, access around it and our 'burbs' accommodation in St Kilda revealed great features everyday. We enjoyed the amenities, free travel around the City centre, the markets, fabulous bars and restaurants and more especially all the various acts at the Comedy Festival. But still, I have failed to find the craft beers that are allegedly available, and believe me, I have tried and will keep looking!
Despite all of the many enjoyments in Melbourne we were still looking forward to our weeks excursion to Tasmania and we were not disappointed. We stayed for two days in Hobart and what a City. Again, great bars and restaurants, fabulous cycling paths to wineries and cheese producers but still the craft beer was illusive! If you are ever there, the cycle shop on the quayside is good and reasonably priced with the original name of 'Hobart Bike Hire'.
Prior to our visit we had planned a whistlestop tour of the Island and booked a hire car for this purpose. We were only about 5km from Hobart centre when extensive roadkill was evident. this included wallabies, possums, Tasmanian Devils, wombats and Echidna (ant eaters). So, when we arrived at a restaurant on the first evening of our trip and Wallaby Steak was on the menu we began to question the source. Yes, that was the correct spelling of source!
One thing to remember if you are travelling around Tasmania is that you have to be resourceful, especially if you do not have a catering service at your accommodation. Once you are away from any of the major towns all restaurants, bars and supermarkets close very early and you can easily finish up with absolutely nothing to eat or drink and believe me, we have got very close to this on more than one occasion. At one of our stopovers we had passed a fairly busy pub when trying to find our 'digs' and after doing so and unpacking the car, we decided to return for a drink. Jackie wanted to take a photo of yet another sunset so I went in at 17.55 and asked for one pint and one half. Two halves were provided. No, a pint and a half I said, and and the barmaids reply was that she could only give me a half because she shut in 5 minutes and I would not have time to drink a pint. I was speechless, she clearly had never been drinking with me before!
We have had a great week and there are clearly some great products on the Island which includes includes great wines, cheese and single malt whiskies but I have only found one bar which served my interpretation of craft beer. Jackie has, I am sure, covered all of the many aesthetic qualities of Tasmania but a lasting memory will be the total remoteness of much of the Island. Our last stopover before returning to Hobart was at a Golf Club which claims to be the oldest in Australasia. If you ever go it has its challenges and obstructions and is certainly not for beginners. Many of you will have seen the remoteness of the local town in a photograph that I posted which was taken shortly after mid-day and only about three cars are visible and they are parked! Thankfully, there was a distillary close by later in the afternoonwe decided to pay it a visit. Again we arrived shortly before their closing time but did manage to get a coffee and a couple of whisky samples served by some fabulous young and helpful staff who do the tasting tours there. They came from all corners of the World and were really keen to chat about our trip and their various travelling experiences and jobs.
We have had a great week in Tassie but due to shortage of time I believe we missed the jewel of the Island which is called Bruny Island. However, and I know that I am repeating myself, we have sampled some fabulous food, wine, cheese and whisky but no Wallaby! If you are ever travelling around the Island remember the Boy Scout motto-' Be Prepared' or you could go on an unplanned diet.
Thanks for keeping your interest and I hope that you are all well. Look after yourselves and look forward to speaking to you all very soon. We are now rapidly approaching the half way point on the World section of our trip but do have the European section in hand after our return!
- comments
Ann Whiteley Really enjoyed reading about your Tassie Tour - it sounds amazing. Can't believe you are half way! Take care and keep having fun. Love from us both x
DENISE Wilkinson Txt for the latest blog. Hope Alexandra has passed on our Grandaughter news - Thea Lauren - all doing very well. Just off for another cuddle. Continue taking care & enjoying your travel experiences! DENISE X
Kate What a great time you are having. By the time you get back we will feel as if we have travelled with you. Great blog, thought you were going to pop in for a drink..x
Karen Seaton What fabulous experiences! Your descriptions sound amazing and it almost feels like we're seeing those places too. Carry on having a fabulous time!
Ali D Putting Tasmania on my 'to do' list. So enjoying reading all your experiences. Hope you maintain your energy for the second half of the trip!
Steve Tasker All sounds excellent and you're obviously picking up lots of information and tips en route which will be useful if I ever get there. I think the tv/book was English Passengers by Matthew Kneale set in Tasmania. Continue to enjoy your trip