Up and final packup. I drop Justine and the kids off at the Airport at 8:30, and head back and get myself ready and hitch up the van. I’m heading to a rest stop about 20km this side of Devonport to wait it out till the 5pm boarding. Although I might not try to make it so early this time if we’re going to be loaded last again.
Continue reading “Day 21 – Launceston to Bass Straight”Day 20 – Stanley to Launceston
A warm morning, and the sun is out. While we’ve got about 3hrs of driving, we don’t need to arrive in Launceston till late, so while we don’t want to waste time, we’re not in an all fire hurry to leave. It’s a beautiful clear warm morning.
Continue reading “Day 20 – Stanley to Launceston”Day 19 – Tarkine Forest Loop
What a different day, overnight was really warm, almost hot in the van and this morning is overcast.
Up and breakfast, and at about 8:45 we walk up to the centre of town. Right on 9, to the sound of a couple of marching drummers, a parade of about a dozen veterans, and a bunch of school kids walk down the main street.
Continue reading “Day 19 – Tarkine Forest Loop”Day 18 – Cradle Mountain to Stanley
Another really cold night, but we had the heater up a little more than the previous night and I use the remote to bump it up a bit more before getting out of bed.
We’re up a little earlier to get on the road by 9.
We take the main highway that heads to Burnie. There not much along this road, but plantation forests. Closer into Burnie there’s a bit more farming and the like.
Continue reading “Day 18 – Cradle Mountain to Stanley”Day 17 – Dove Lake Walk
Did I mention cold? We had the diesel heater running, albeit, on its lowest setting last night, and it was still fresh in the van. At least the floor wasn’t freezing. I would have hated to see what it would have been like had we not had it running. I think it got down to about 1 or 2° overnight.
The main thing on today’s agenda is the Dove Lake Circuit, a 6km, 2-3hr walk so it’s not like it will take all day. The buses start at 8, but we figure we’ll let the day walkers take the early buses.
Continue reading “Day 17 – Dove Lake Walk”Day 16 – Strahan to Cradle Mountain
Well, the last 2 days must have taken their toll, as it’s 8am before anyone is awake, well before anyone gets up anyway.
A slow casual packup as we’re not in any rush.
Continue reading “Day 16 – Strahan to Cradle Mountain”Day 15 – Gordon River Cruise
I may as well cut and paste the first paragraph from yesterday. Rained overnight, restless sleep, early start……. We’re all caught up.
At least it’s only a 2-3min drive to the wharf. Tickets collected we wait for 20mins or so for the boarding. This time we get away pretty much on time at 8:30. It’s a pretty flash boat, it’s certainly been upgraded since we were last here. Upstairs is the posh premium section which is priced to be un-kid friendly. Hey who can blame them. So we’re downstairs, but at least we have window seats.
Continue reading “Day 15 – Gordon River Cruise”Day 14 – West Coast Wilderness Railway
Alarm off at 6:30, although both Justine and I have had a restless sleep, probably the knowledge of an early start. It’s also been raining on and off all night which hasn’t helped.
Continue reading “Day 14 – West Coast Wilderness Railway”Day 13 – Lake St Clair to Strahan
Cold alright, we didn’t want to run the diesel heater over night and for some reason the thermostat on the fan heater didn’t kick in. In any case it was toasty in bed, but the thermometer on the wall is reading 4. Having said that, with the placement, that is really the temperature of the van wall.
Continue reading “Day 13 – Lake St Clair to Strahan”Day 12 – Hobart to Lake St Clair
I’d like to make the most of our one night at Lake St Clair, so we want to be on the road by 9, alarm off at 7, and surprisingly we driving out at 8:30. It’s be drizzling all morning, during the packup, and as we leave.
Continue reading “Day 12 – Hobart to Lake St Clair”