Tas North West

After considering routes decided to go north via the west again as I had missed The Wall at Derwent Bridge. Headed off from Sorell to Richmond then along what felt like back roads to Bothwell. Another interesting little village with tartan road signs. Has the oldest golf club in Sth hemisphere they say. From there over rolling farmland to Hamilton with the intention of having dinner at the tavern. The camp was full and the council in their 'wisdom' have stopped the tavern from letting people camp in their paddock over the road which was so disappointing! I was tempted to park on the roadside to see if I would be moved on but..... Had lunch then on to Wayatinah CP - a long day but at least I have power and water. This park is run by a couple of Kiwis. Stayed 2 peaceful days as it was rather wet.

On to Derwent Bridge to see  The Wall. What an amazing place. For some reason I thought it was out in the bush rather than in a huge barn. Stunning! For someone to be able to carve wood in such fine detail - and to polish some things to look like leather etc. WOW. Unfortunately no cameras allowed.

 On to Lake Bunbury. Managed to find the camp this time on the old road. Only 3 spots to camp so had one to myself. Sealed road in but some nasty patches of potholes! Woke the next day so see 4 blokes in a boat fishing down below me. 

 Checked out Queenstown - fuel and bread. Went 13 km north and turned right onto Anthony Road. Love these Tas hydro roads. Very well made to cope with all the trucks using it to supply the dam builds. Nowhere to camp with the van. Had hoped to find somewhere along Lake Plimsoll - only one gravel dump area at the boat ramp - so carried on to Tullah and my favourite spot on the wall at lake Macintosh for a couple of nights.

Lots of new roading north of Tullah to the Cradle Mountain turn off. The drive to Waratah took me through lots of gum and some pine forestry. Called in to Waratah  which is a very tidy small town with a camp beside a pond. There is a quarry - or mine digging in to the hillside.

Next stop was the Hellyer Gorge camp but didn't feel like parking in close damp bush. Had enough of rain! The gorge road is fine. A much more gentle decline than the Fitzroy River one. Very pretty bush - into mountain beech maybe?

Drove through Wynyard and out to Boat Harbour Beach camp. A steep narrow road down to the beach. The camp is a couple of wide strips of grass along a rocky cove. Had a very nice seafood chowder for lunch at the surf club cafe. Toilets here are 'electronic' - push button to lock, and they lock automatically from 11 pm to 7 am. Hope they never have a power
failure while someone in there.

Raining the next day so out of there early! Had the clutch slip trying to get up the wet road in 1st gear - scary! Drove 20 km to Rocky Cape Tavern and got power & water for $13 p/n. Went for a 'damp' day trip to Smithton and Stanley which is a lovely old town but very touristy now with cafes. Had a crayfish lunch at Hurseys - really nice. They sell fresh crays out of a holding tank for $105 live, or $125 cooked which makes the $78 ones at Triabunna look cheap! Was raining again by the time I had finished lunch so didnt do the chairlift to the top of The Nut.
Stayed a night at Riana - lovely camp with power & water for $12. Cold at night still. then back up to the Bass Highway and down towards Deloraine - stayed at Chudleigh showgrounds. Entertained by locals playing cricket before they all went off to a 30th somewhere. Did King solomon Cave - stunning. Excellent guide although he did rather take it as his classroom!

Great food at the general store in Chudleigh, and handmade fudge over the road. Also honey and a museum.