Tasmania 2015

Spent New Years Eve asleep on the Spirit of Tasmania. Braved the bridge in to Melbourne, found the off ramp and managed to park near the ferry. Very pleasant trip across. Upgraded from the ocean recliner to a twin share bedroom so got to have some sleep inspite of a restless chatty lady. The trip was so smooth other than a bit of rolling through the heads.

Off the boat by 6 am. Two cafes open to catch the early traffic - good business sense also as we couldn't get in to the CP until 8.30 am. Took a while for the food to arrive and the girl had no idea what a short black coffee was - so I did explain it to her - after drinking the long black.

 To Latrobe CP - unhooked and slept for 2 hours. Was raining most of the morning but cleared up so I went to Devonport to get groceries. Woolworths open but they don't take the rewards card! Strange. Everything else looks the same in the shop.

The next day I drove via Barrington to see a young friend who had offered me a spot to camp on her property. Unfortunately I was not confident about being able to get the caravan turned around, and the roads in to there are very narrow and winding, but had a lovely few hours chatting about where to go and what is worth taking time to see. Apparently all the fields of opium poppies I have seen are grown for medicinal purposes - only in Tas!

I dropped down to see Devils Gap then to the International rowing course at Lake Barrington. A long deep and dark lake with magnificent trees all around it. Another very windy road down to the rowing - probably wouldnt take a caravan down there, and no camping anyway. A very popular pancake cafe at the top - even the paddock opposite was open for people to park.

Mt Roland is quite spectacular - dominates the landscape. I am loving the trees and gardens - conifers, Rhodos, lawns, Golden Elms - all the things you dont see on the mainland!

Railton is a fascinating little place full of topiary figures. Very clever! Great bakery too. There is a free camp for self contained vehicles, and a dump.

Sheffield is another pretty place with lots of murals on the shops. Can camp at the show grounds but no trees. It also has a dump.

 First camp is at Gowrie - tucked under Mt Roland. Total fire ban today and severe warnings. Quite a few here - the first time I have come across a 'gaggle' - or maybe 'jabber' of single women - all 6 with motor homes and little dogs. Ugh! We have to park on a concrete slab - a shame as the grass looks so inviting. Will unhook and go to Cradle Mountain tomorrow.

So many older cars down here -  like NZ in many ways. Really looking forward to finding a lake camp where I can base myself for a few days. I think this will be a journey of very short trips. Takes a lot of concentration to tow on these roads, although the traffic is OK so far. Haven't come across any big trucks yet.

Called in to the Anvers Chocolate factory - very expensive but delicious - got a bag of seconds - creamy white strawberry flavour covered in dark choc. Also fresh cherries from a pack house!
Passed a few pine plantations  - very tall trees but no pruning or thinning - what a waste.  Maybe not grown for timber but....