Day 7 - Tasmania

Yes, day 7 and we're still at Tasmania. Do you know that some people we met, mostly Aussies, they rent a caravan and drive around Tassie for like 10 weeks. 10 Weeks ok.. tha is like 2.5 months. Wow.....

Started the day with a cruise.


Random photos near the cruise boarding area.



What the Gordon River Cruise is all about (courtesy of http://www.gordonrivercruises.com.au/journey.asp):

"The first stop for the Gordon River Cruise is across Macquarie Harbour to Hells Gates, the incredibly small gap in the rocks which provides the only access from the southern ocean into the only safe harbour on the entire West coast of Tasmania. You leave the sheltered waters of the harbour for a few moments to experience the passage through Hells Gates, and perhaps your first time ever to sail on the Southern Ocean.

Next you travel to the far end of Macquarie Harbour and the entrance to the Gordon River. By law you slow down to a snails pace to ensure no boats wake damages the banks of this wonderful river. A tranquil glide down the Gordon, taking in the endless tracts of untouched rainforest reflected in the still tea-coloured waters.

At Heritage Landing you disembark to stroll on an elevated walkway, enjoying the most intimate Tasmanian rainforest experience possible. The highlight of the wilderness walk is the 2000 year-old tree that was growing before Christ was born. (Sad note here - it fell recently, but the roots are alive and saplings are growing - the tree lives).

Here you go ashore again to walk amongst the ruins of perhaps Australia's harshest convict settlement Sarah Island to hear and enjoy an informative, sometimes humorous guide around the island. Then back on board for the cruise return to Strahan."

Lighthouse along the way...


Fish such as trouts and salmon rearing...


The rainforest


Our cruise ship


Sarah Island (all by itself)


Cant help but to take this photo. Our titbits on board the ship. Scallops!!!! Left-over from the dinner the night before. Guess what, it costs only about A$19.50 for a kg. Haha... extravagant lifestyle you must be thinking...


After that, it was a long 5 hour ride to Hobart. But we managed to stop along the way at Lake St Clair. Didnt manage to explore the place as it was raining and it was also getting dark.

Brian at Lake St Clair with one of the possum


If you are wondering, yup, it's not a living possum.

How often do I find a place/bay named with my name??


Ohhhh... and I saw rainbow along the way.

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On a separate note, am at home now on MC. Wisdom tooth extraction. Sore gums making my mood foul. argh.

Day 5 (con't) & Day 6 - Tasmania

After the cruise, we drove a fair bit along the Tamar Valley. Seeing alot of vineyards and we reached Beauty Point where there is the platypus house.


What's a platypus?

The Platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.

And u know what, dont trying provoking a platypus as it is one of the few venomous mammals. The male Platypus has a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom capable of causing severe pain to humans.



And this is echidna.


Then, we did a short stop at the Swiss Grindelwald



Along the way to Sheffield, we stopped by for cheese. Tasted wasabi cheese, chilli cheese, lavender cheese. But i still prefer the traditional type of cheese with our bread. Haha....



The maturing of cheese...


Off we were to Sheffield. Went to the supermarket there to buy food for dinner cooking.

Sheffield is a town whereby there are lots of murals. And yes, along the way, I saw alot.... And alot of them are very nicely done. Too bad I didnt had the chance to take photos as it was starting to get cold. Yes. Cold. And it was drizzling....

Sleep was at this apartment.


Dinner preparation:



The next morning, just outside our apartment.


Cradle mountain is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It is at the northern end of the park, and marks the start of the renowned Overland Track – a at least 6-day walk via hiking trails to Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest natural lake, in the park’s south.

Not a very clear photo as it was cloudy that day.


Though it was autumn, it was cold. We weren't prepared for that cold weather and had to buy gloves there. Luckily, both of us brought along 2 jackets.







On to Strahan on the west coast of Tasmania.

Fireplace... yessss.....


Off for a walk... is this a real police station??


Off to see the sunset.


Most beautiful sunset seen to-date. What was lacking was a bottle of wine.

Day 5 - Tasmania

Launceston... Think it's the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart.

We had dinner on day 4 night at this Thai restaurant owned by Thais. And surprisingly, one of the lady who served us is a Singaporean studying for her Masters at the University of Tasmania. Hmmm.... thought Tas wasnt really a popular place to study at. Well, I might be wrong.

Bo liao us taking a picture of their carpark system. You got to decide if you want to park your car for 1/2 hour or a few hours there and then.


We were there to take this:


As well as to take a look at the cataract gorge.

That's us on the chairlift.


View from the chairlift.


We climbed again, to the lookout for the cataract gorge. but it wasnt fabulous. but we saw alot of lizards along the way. hahaha

Then, we walked to here:


We, on the bridge.


It wasnt a scary walk cos' they had warnings, telling people like my hubby to not swing the bridge. :)

A nicer view from the bridge.



Off we were to another cruise ride. Not a bumpy ride.


This cruise brings us into the cataract gorge.

Look at how the houses 'stacked' up...


Off to work now... blog about the later part of day 5 again... :) it's friday. yippee...

Day 4 - Tasmania

Up up and away....

Off to Freycinet National Park for some good morning exercise.

This is real and not from any wallpaper ah.... Great Oyster Bay. Only 10 min walk return.


Saw a wallaby on the way to another walking trail... A wallaby is a smaller version of the kangaroo and it looks soooooo cute, doesn't it??


Climbing up and up the walking trails, you actually need comfortable walking shoes. And I was almost panting when I was up there as I didnt make any rest stops. The wineglass bay lookout.


Cant really see the wineglass bay huh? See the next photo...



Blue waters, white sands surrounded by greeny. Wow.... this is awesome and worth the climb.

We didnt go down to the winglass bay as it was too far and too much time is needed.

see... i walked and climbed for an hour and more....


Next, the lighthouse. This place is also part of the National Park and we were driving uphill to reach it.

And it seems that we are pretty 'high' up there... see the clouds???


The lighthouse.


With all the climbing, of course we were hungry.
Another place raved by their locals.

Oysters again. This time, accompanied with crayfish (they called it crayfish, we call it lobster. :P )

Fresh as it was straight out from their farm. i think so...




No ambience, just eating it al-fresco style outside a ermmm hut/container?? ha... who cares as long as the food is gd.


Not the cheapest oysters we have eaten but decent price for fresh fresh oysters.


With a full stomach, we were off to Launceston, the next town in Tasmania with more people. Ha.......