Tasmania 2004

Tasmania January 2004 (cont'd)

January 1, 2004 - Drive to Coles Bay via Bicheno. We set up the tent then a short drive for a walk to Sleepy Bay. Hamburgers for dinner then off to the Summer Ranger talk at Richardsons Beach with Billy Tea. Beautiful sunset.

January 2 - After a short drive we arrived at the car park for the two hour return walk to Wineglass Bay. Thirty minutes up to the lookout and another thirty to the beach. Again really cold water but the swim was worth it. Beautiful spot and a chance to spot seals and dolphins then head back to find the car park overflowing and a wallaby. We also took at walk around the lighthouse then headed back to camp. Stir Fry / Chicken Curry for dinner.

January 3 - Drive to Fortescue Bay via Swansea (really pretty spot worth coming back to stay at), another Strawberry Farm (average), Spiky Bridge and Sorell. 12 kilometre dirt road to the National Park camp ground. The Volvo was hanging in there. The camp ground was packed and only had one shower so Yarro and Phil washed at the beach. Cold again. After the BBQ dinner and while playing cards we had a possum invade the tent to pinch an apple. And whilst we spelt we had another possum invasion - no food taken but nice paw prints on Nicoles' clothes.

January 4 - Big day today - Port Arthur. We arrived around 11.00 to find the first car park full and the overflow car park filling fast. By noon we were in the Port Arthur grounds, had quickly looked at a clever display to show the various histories of convicts using playing cards for each of us and on a guided tour. The tour was excellent. Heaps of information. At 1.00, as our tickets told us, we were on a cruise to the Isle of the Dead for more information. After that we walked to visit various buildings and read information at each. Information Overload. We spent 6 hours there and still hadn't seen it all. No wonder they have a two day pass.

The camp ground was just about empty by the time we got back. The shower was free and hot. Stir Fry dinner.