Beautiful Tasmania

Tasmania had always been on my list to visit but I'd never made it down there in my previous visits to Australia. This time round my reason for going was not only tourism but catching up with a friend as well.

The little island proved to be packed with heaps of things to see, amazingly diverse landscapes and cute wildlife. I spent the first week in and around Hobart. I climbed the 1972m to the top of Mount Wellington which was a lovely walk and the climb rewarded me with spectacular views over the city and surrounding areas. A rather choppy boat ride allowed the exploration of Bruny Island where fur seals hang out on the rocks and dramatic cliffs tower over the mighty seas. The journey proved a little too rough for me and even after 8 travel pills and sea bands in position on my wrists I still felt sick and had to spend the majority of the journey horizontal on the chairs at the back of the boat! A lesson learned that day...avoid boat trips that venture into the sea.

Exploring the Sunday markets.

Enjoying a delicious pie for lunch!

Enjoying the views at the top of 
Mount Wellington, Hobart

Bev took a day off work and we went exploring the historical sight of Port Arthur where the English sent all the convicts to in the 1800's. It was a beautiful place set on the water with old buildings steeped in history. You could have spent hours loosing yourself in the stories of the people who had spent time there and imagining what life would have been like for them. I also determioned to see a Tasmanian Devil while I was in Tassie so we did a quick stop at a wildlife park. I got to feed the greedy kangaroos and see some cute baby devils. The older devils are not as cute but there is still something rather nice about them. We camped overnight at the beach at Fortescue Bay, kept warm with a roaring campfire and slept soundly in the back of the camper van. It was lots of fun!

Bev and I at Port Arthur

Feeding the kangaroos at the wildlife park.

'All that running around has worn us out!" 
- Tasmanian Devils

The second week was filled with a 5 day tour of the island with a company called Jump Tours. Andrew was a local Tasmanian who led our small group of 4 on a fantastic tour of the island from west to east. Travelling round the place you realise just how diverse it is. In 5 days I saw the most pristine and beautiful beaches I've ever seen, walked in dense rain forests, jumped on 40 metre high sand dunes, imagined viewing the stunning Cradle Mountain (it was so misty and foggy the day we were there you could hardly see 5 metres ahead of you!) and travelled through farmland, vineyards, bush and along wild and rugged coastlines. Tasmania really has it all and with a population of only 510,000 nowhere feels crowded.

Jumping on Henty dunes.

Picnicing by the beautiful beach.

The spectacular Wine Glass Bay.

The jump team and our transport!

Venturing into the chilly sea at Bay of Fires

I'm so glad that I got to see Tasmania (in pretty good weather!) and catch up with a friend at the same time. I'm now in New Zealand and enjoying remembering things from my previous visits. It's nice when somewhere is a little familiar and you recognise things.