TASMANIA, EAST COAST TRIP - 18.02.2014 to 6.03.2014.

Neil n Viv in their van.
Woz n Loz in their van.

DAY 1, Tue 18.02.14.
Left home 3pm, heading off to Station Pier Melbourne, to catch a lift on the Spirit of Tasmania to Tasmania, didn't get far half way up Mt Buninyong, Woz forgot his phone, back we go to get it, lol.
First stop Macca's Ring rd, for a feed and kill some time before we board. Arrived, checked our vans for fruit, veg, guns etc…lol…all good.
All aboard cars and vans down below on level G5, parked next to some old vintage cars and awesome looking trikes, we are on level 7, WL in room 7201, NV in room 7202 we both got a 4 berth room each, kool…
We are having a drink or two, and checking out the ship.
Went to the theatre, watched Blue Jasmine, not too bad, a bit slow, topical Woody Allen movie, nite it's midnight, they wake us at 5.20am…

DAY 2, Wed 19.02.14.
Up and about 5.40am, shower, coffee then down to our cars and off the ship by 7am, checked into the Abel Tasman Caravan Park, all set up by 8.30am, Located on the corner of the Mersey River mouth (where the Spirit of Tasmania enters the port) and the beach you cant get any closer.
Off for a drive around Devonport, The Hat Lighthouse over looking Bass Straight, then off to The Antique Emporium, a massive amount of everything you could want.
Off to Sheffield the city of murals very colorful, then Railton, shaped bush carving excellent work, then on to Latrobe, checked out the Speedway a bit disappointed in the entrance, not much to see, took a photo for Cull. Off to Anvers Chocolate Latrobe, very tastie, thanks Viv n Neil.
Back to Devonport, and to Coles to buy some supplies, back at the vans relaxing, beer in hand, cheers…

DAY 3, Thu 20.02.14.
Up and about 8:30am.
We went to the cheap linen outlet and bought some towels and sheets mainly for the kids, lucky them.
Now we are heading to Cradle Mountain for the day, left Devonport and travelled down through Wilmont where we came across a sheep stuck in a dam so we told the Farmer and he went and rescued it, back on the road travelling through Moina and then on to Cradle Valley visitors centre, checked out the visitors centre then drove on to Dove Lake, raining most of the way from the visitors centre to Dove Lake, it was very wet so photos were very poor had lunch there then drove back and stopped off at Sheffield, and checked out Marble World very very interesting the lady makes the marbles on the premises they were very very good and we wish we could've bought many.
Back at our vans now relaxing with a beer and heading out tonight to Molly Malone's Irish pub.
Good meal and music, nite…

DAY 4, Fri 21.02.14.
Up and about early, today we leave Devonport heading for Launceston via Deloraine and Carrick.
Stopped at Ashgrove Cheese, bought some goodies, then on to Christmas Hill Raspberry Farm, bought the best raspberries even chocolate coated ones, next stop Deloraine, took pics of The Great Western Tiers, on to Carrick, stopped for lunch then off to Copper & Metal Art Gallery, we bought another butterfly to match the one we bought 4 years ago when we last visited. Down the road a little further to Entally Estate an old farming property dating back to the mid 1700's very interesting stuff, beautiful gardens and old old tees.
Viv n Neil are off to visit Neil's sister for the night who lives in Launceston, Loz n Woz are off to the Treasure Island Caravan Park, chill out time.

DAY 5, Sat 22.02.14.
Left Launceston about 9am, met Neil n Viv on the outskirts we are heading to St Helens today.
First stop Sideling Lookout, beautiful views over the valley. On to Scottsdale then on to Legerwood Memorial Carvings fantastic to look at they are amazing, what they can do with a chainsaw!!! A bite to eat at Pyengana, then on to St Helens, we checked into The Big 4 Caravan Park, and treated ourselves too, 2 ensuites, one each, we set up our vans in record time then went for a drive to Humbug Point and Binalong Bay, we can't believe how white the sand is, then on to Sloop Lagoon, all in the bay of fires conversation area, then back to our vans for tea, a long day, it is now 7.30pm.

DAY 6, Sun 23.02.14.
Today we went back to Pyengana and visited Pub in a Paddock, we had a mbeer, met the pig (Pinky) took lots of pics, then on to St Columba Falls - a cascading waterfall with the highest plunge of 90 metres (300 feet) took more pics. On the road heading back to St Helens, a quick stop at The Shop in the Bush, (Bric a Brac) Loz bought a little bowl she liked.
Went for a drive along the coast to St Helens Pt, Georges Bay, right out to the very end, we walked on the very white sand, we were the only ones there... Stopped at Beer Barrel Beach, fantastic views, I might blow one of my pic up! Back on the road, down the main coast for a look, great views, got to Scamander, done a uturn, back to our vans for tea, chill out time.

DAY 7, Mon 24.02.14.
Heading to Bicheno, first stop Ironhouse Brewery, we sampled their own brewed beers, we didn't like any of them, so we'll stick to Carton Draught lol. Onward to Bicheno, checked into Bicheno East Coast Caravan Park. Checked out the blow hole and main rocky beach area, then on the road to Coles Bay to see Cape Tourville, great views, and Wine Glass Bay, we were told 2-3 min from the carpark…try 40min, 1km…made it, what a fantastic view, pics taken.
Back to Bicheno, chill and tea…

DAY 8, Tue 25.02.14.
Heading for Hobart today, first stop Swansea, had a look around very knowledgable people in the information centre, on to Triabunna stopped for lunch and checked out the wharf area. On the road down through Orford, Sorell (stopped at loads of places along the way to take photos) and to The Treasure Island Caravan Park in Berriedale a superb of Hobart were we will be for the next 5 nights…
Out to Constitution Dock for tea, I took a pic of the city with Mt Wellington in the background, also saw Wild Thing, The yacht that won the Sydney to Hobart in 2003.

DAY 9, Wed 26.02.14.
Off to Cadbury Chocolate, bought lots of cheap chocolates, then on to Mona Modern Art Museum, some stuff was ok but most wasn't, so we didn't last long there.
Back to Constitution Dock for lunch, the Osterdame cruise ship was docked, HUGE, found the Mall, posted some post cards and checked out the shops (glad thats done) Updated our supplies.
Now for a drive up to Mt Wellington, it's 1.5km high, but 15km to drive to the top, when we got there the wind was blowing a gale and it was freezing cold.
A quick stop at Bunnings to get a hose fitting for Woz's van (A brass one) that will fix it!
Back for a late tea, Neil and Loz feed the ducks, cheers……

DAY 10, Thu 27.02.14.
8.20am, on our way to Kettering, to catch the 9.30am Mirambeena Ferry over to Bruny Island, first stop Dennes Point, not much there, great ocean views on the way back, stopped at The Neck, went up the Big Hummock, very high with great views, pics taken. On to Adventure Bay, checked out Bligh's Museum, had lunch, then Neil showed us the white wallabies at the end of town in an old closed caravan park. On our way to Cape Bruny Lighthouse, dirt roads all the way, but great views when we got there. High tailing it up to Roberts Point to catch the Ferry back to Kettering, we had a great day on the island.
Back to the Oais Hotel Claremont for tea.

DAY 11, Fri 28.02.14.
Neil n Viv's wedding anniversary today 27yrs, congrats guys.
Today we went to Huonville to ride the Houn Jet on The Houn River, (Loz's idea) just fantastic, pic taken and lots of video, bought a CD slide show. A 5.7 litre V8 Chevrolet Engine with a jet propelled pump, impressive stuff. It was 4km to the rapids. We went 15km up river and 1500mt up in elevation and 15km return.
Then on to Tahune Airwalk to walk in the forrest canopy and cross the Houn and the Picton Rivers on swinging bridges, also walked and touched trees hundreds of years old, great stuff. Walked Among The Giants (Amazing)

DAY 12, Sat 01.03.14.
First thing this morning Loz encourage a duck into our van and fed it, lol.
Salamanca Market today, huge bought some goodies. Then on to Cascade Brewery for a tour and beer tasting, very enjoyable.
A drive to Kingston, just the best beaches around, wondered back along the beach, great sunny day…

DAY 13, Sun 02.03.14.
Today went to Richmond checked out all the shops, had lunch, then to the bridge, Australia's Oldest Bridge in Richmond, pic taken.
Then on to South Arm and Opossum Bay, houses right on the beach, step out their front door right on the sand, awesome! Heading back, checked out Clifton Beach and Seven Mile Beach, crossed the Tasman Bridge followed the coast passed Wrest Point Casino and a few ks along Sandy Bay, great views, on the way back we had a look at Battery Point and drove the heritage drive though the early historic homes…
Getting late, a bit to eat then back to the van, tomorrow we leave Hobart, heading north towards Devonport, night…

DAY 14, Mon 03.03.14.
Hit the road 9am, first stop Bothwell, old historic place, not much to see, a bit further along we stopped at The Steppes Sculptures, in the middle of nowhere really, odd, but very well done.
Drove past the Great Lake, dirt road most of the way, stopped at Breona Lookout great view over Little Lake Bay, Great Lake, pics taken. Stopped at Deloraine, had lunch, then on to Devonport, checked into the Abel Tasman Caravan Park again, better than before I reckon, two days to go before home time.

DAY 15, Tue 04.03.14.
Today we are heading off to Stanley to see the Nut, a chair lift to the top was great with even better views, a 2km walk on the top with 4 lookouts to stop at all with fantastic views.
Heading back along the coast stopped Boat Harbour and Sisters Beach, just as I remembered it four years ago.
On to Burnie and to Burnie Regional Museum, lots of interesting old and historic things to look at and read.
Next stop Penguin, we took lots of pics of us with the giant penguin, and had laugh at all the penguin names.
Tonight is our last cooked meal in Tassie.

DAY 16, Wed 05.03.14.
A bit of a sleep in today, then off to Sheffield too, you guested it, The World of Marbles, we picked out two nice pieces, watched the lady there make a piece, extremely interesting, a walk around town then back to Devonport, a coffee, chat and early tea…
Lined up to bored The Spirit of Tasmania, a couple of drinks and a movie later, we hit the sack, it's midnight we will wake up to Victoria and home, cheers…