So guess what, the day we decide to pack up is the day the sun finally comes out to say hello in Tassie. Thank god as l was starting to get a bit bumbed with the weather and was suck if being cold. It did rain overnight but at least we could stay dry packing up!!
We had a short drive from Strahan to Stanley and it only took a few hours. The drive was again glorious, so not getting sick of seeing these magnificent landscapes! We head to our campsite just 15kms out of Stanley to Black River Campground, another camping area in the national park. We were staying for two nights and it cost us $36 all up, pretty good seeing we have a toilet close by (another long drop one) and we can have a campfire. We set up camp quick and then headed off into Stanley for a quick look around. I couldn't believe how beautiful this town was with its heritage building, historic homes and the bright blue ocean surrounding it. It is the prettiest town l have seen so far in Tassie. We drove past 'the Nut', a sheer-sided bluff - all that remains of an ancient volcanic plug, in which we would be climbing tomorrow. Marty saw the chairlift and thought he would be getting this up but l had other plans..... Lol. The view from the bottom of 'the Nut' was spectacular, heavenly blue ocean hugging the coast line and pencil pine trees. We took a drive out of town and were making our way down the road to see 'the big tree' and 'dig falls', when we got to 6kms from the sites Marty states we have to turn around as the fuel light has been on for a while. Bloody hell l got mad! We were just in town and you would have thought that he would have noticed fuel a bit low and to maybe fill up?! After the arguing and blame game we cooled down and made it to the petrol station with 10L to go!! After this event we thought it was best to call it a day and head back to camp to chill out and enjoy the sun and relax. Been a few busy days so were in need of a relax. Marty and the girls went and collected some firewood and started the fire whilst l got tea ready to cook over the fireplace. Was looking forward to this as it would have been our first campfire and cook up over a fire in Tassie. We were making spaghetti bolognas and it all went to plan so thank god haven't lost the touch of campfire cooking. Just before tea we all decided to have a nice hot shower as it had been a few days and we were all starting to feel it. Was alot of stuffing around but once we got set up it all went well. Got the water heater fired up and well, the shower was great! After tea we headed down the road to the beach, only about five minute walk from our campsite. The girls loved it and ran out onto the sand and down to the water. We all had our jumpers on and the wind was pretty cool. The temperature drops so quickly in Tassie, have noticed when the sun starts to set the degrees spiral down quick. We all enjoyed the walk on the beach and noticed how much we had missed it. Boo collected heaps of shells with the help Marty scouring the foreshore. After our hour walk we headed back to camp for the normal routine of settling down for the night.
Woke to another sunny day in Tassie, bloody awesome. Did nearly crap myself last night when had to take Meg to the toilet in the middle of the night. Were outside when l hear this 'thud' on the ground behind us, couldnt see anything but heard bushes moving. Told Marty in the morning and he informed me that it was probably the wallabies!! Can't believe l didn't know that..... Anyway we had breaky then got organised for the big day out to see the big tree and dig falls, seeing we didnt make it yesterday, and to climb up 'The Nut'. We headed off down the familiar road to the 'the big tree'. When we arrived l pointed out that we probably could have made it yesterday, Marty just huffed!! Lol. We took the short walk down when we then looked up to see this ginormous bloody tree!! The got its name right anyhow...lol. It stood 62m tall and was over 450 years old. Totally awesome to stand next to, felt so tiny. We then drove down a little further to 'Dig Falls' which looked great, a cool waterfall. Am admitting that l am becoming a waterfall snob and not getting impressed as much as l used to... We finished up and headed into Stanley, to conquer 'The Nut'. We arrived at the base of the walk when Meg and Boo ran over to this grass hill and started rolling down on their sides giggling silly. Was pretty cute. Marty checked out the cost of the chairlift but when he returned l informed him that we should climb it. It's a 450m steep zigzag climb, surely not that hard?! We headed off and surprisingly Meg took of well with the help of her daddy's hand to hold onto. Boo had terror in her eyes when she looked up to see how far up it was and how steep. I too couldn't believe how steep it was. You had to lean forward and walk while pulling yourself up on the side rail. Bloody hamstring were burning in no time. We finally got to the top with Boo nearly in tears, she decided to walk backwards up the hill to stop her legs from hurting so much. Lol.... The view on the top of 'The Nut' was magnificent!!! 360o views of Stanley, the coast line and ocean to horizon....well worth the burning legs. We did the 2km loop walk around the top taking pics at every lookout point. We even got to see an echidna! Stuffed if l know how he got up there, big climb for his little legs!! We finished the walk and the girls were over it, so we took the chairlift down. They loved it! We then took a quick drive out the road to some old convict ruins where we stopped for lunch. After this we headed back into town and the girls stayed in the car watching a movie on the trusty DVD player whilst Marty and l took a quick stroll around the war cemetery. Was pretty sad as had some young ages on the headstones, couldn't imagine what it was like back then.... It was good to have enough quiet to reflect on this for a change, usually the girls are in tow. After this we headed back into Stanley and had an icecream whilst checking our the main drag of town. Gorgeous buildings and shops, well restored. We then went in search for some water as we were getting low, found a tap and filled up then headed down to the beach again. Had a relaxing walk whilst the girls enjoyed getting their feet wet in the waves. By late arvo we headed back to camp to get the fire going again to cook tea. Tonight Marty was cooking and we had meatball casserole with veggies, tasted great, especially seeing l didn't have to cook. We spent another hour or so down on the beach again after tea taking heaps of pics and enjoying the look out on the horizon over the ocean with dark fluffy clouds rolling in. Hopefully the camera captured the moment?! Anyway made our way back to camp and got ready for bed, pack up day tomorrow. Have a big drive to the East coast, around 4-5 hours. Don't think we have spent that long in the car for a while!!
Have thoroughly enjoyed our time in Stanley, so beautiful and relaxing. Did not expect to find such terrific beaches in Tassie, quite surprised!! Also can't believe the climate here. It's in the mid 20's which is fine but when the sun is out it had such a kick in it that you feel it burning you. Going to have to remember to be sunsmart even though it's not that hot.....
Bell Xx