Week 4 Tassie

St Helens Harbour

Week four was pretty relaxed as we spent most of it at Scamander with little travel and plenty of relaxing. We found a pleasant resort complex in St Helens for Christmas dinner and enjoyed a sumptuous 3 course meal for $69 ph. Very good value and included prawns, smoked salmon and oysters. Met another Qld couple now settled in Tassie and had a great chat as we were missing the company of family. I believe it was only the second time we had spent a Christmas away from our clan.

St Helens area

The east coast was still relatively quiet until boxing day when the locals started to descend and the park started to fill up. We did some short trips around the back forestry tracks and a little bit of fishing but not much luck at the moment.
We were fortunate to see some of the Sydney Hobart fleet go past but not the winner.

Bicheno

After ten days it was time to move further south and try and find a dog friendly park as all of the free camps were full of locals. After a long day for us and 162km we found a park at Triabunna that had a vacancy and was dog friendly. Not the prettiest park in the world but would get us through until after new year and a chance to go back and see Coles Bay and some of the Freycinet Peninsular. The trip down was great as we saw Bicheno then  Swansea and the beautiful views across to The Hazzards a very striking mountain range on the Freycinet Pen.
Yesterday (30th) we drove down to Hobart to see Lupe ( former work colleague) and Seb her fiance. We met at Salamanca and had brunch with them and a great catch up. Salamanca was bustling with the yachts finishing the big race and Taste of Tasmania in full swing. Would have loved to enjoy it more but having Trixie in tow made it difficult so after a brief look around we headed back to camp via seven Mile Beach to check out our next dog friendly camp and then through the historical town of Richmond.

Brunch with Lupe

Lupe and Seb

A rushed shot of Hobart docks

We are looking forward to the next few week as we will do the Freycinet area then head to Hobart where there is a myriad of wonderful places to explore and some good pictures to be taken.

Week 3 in Tassie 2012

After a very pleasant 4 days at Greens Beach riding out a storm or two we headed across the Batman Bridge to travel towards Launceston on the East Tamar Highway. Our plan was to follow the Tasman Highway to St Helens via Scottsdale. After missing a turn in Lonnie we finally found the correct road.



Myrtle Park

We had conflicting reports on the difficulty of travelling this highway as there was a particularly narrow, winding section between Myrtle Bank and Scottsdale called The Sideling. After receiving a report on the wonderful park at Myrtle Bank we decided to chance it. So glad we did as Myrtle Bank Park (# 2) was a real gem and only 102km from Greens Beach.



Myrtle Park

 The park was an old farming property that was bequeathed to the Launceston Shire on the proviso that it would always be maintained for camping and that there should never be any more charges other than to keep it open to the public. Six dollars a night per site, dog friendly, beautifully grassed, and showers toilets and a boundary marked by the St Patricks River. By far the nicest place we had seen for years. The river had small trout rising to the insects hovering above, what a sight.

Whilst there we decided to check out the horror road plus visit Scottsdale and Bridport on the nth coast. Nothing better than being prepared for road difficulties but after driving it without the van I was comfortable to give it a go.



Near Scottsdale carved out of tree stump

After two extremely pleasant nights we tackled The Sideling and only encountered one truck, fortunately at a wider part on the 20 km bad section.  A second brief stop at Scottsdale to refill the water tanks from a roadside tap specifically put there for travellers and we were off for another short day of 85km to Wellsborough. This quaint old tin mining town was all but deserted but the historical hotel offered camping out back for $5 a head (#20), and was great with showers and toilets and a beautiful old hospitable country pub. No one there when we arrived as the pub only operates on reduced hours so we set up camp and waited until the owner arrived.

We decided to dine in the pub that night and so did most of the other travellers. We joined a couple with a motor home and had a very pleasant evening.



We had been advised by locals along the way that the East Coast gets very busy during the holiday season and that the free camps are usually chocker so were not sure how to approach the problem. We ultimately decided that we would find a caravan park and book in for a couple of weeks to ride out the busy festive period. St Helens only had a Big 4 ( not our cup of tea) so we headed further down to Scamander and found a dog friendly place a short walk from the ocean. (Another short 61km day….love it!)



Bay of Fires

We were able to book one site for 10 days so here we are. A bit dearer than we would have liked at $30 pn (pensioner rate) but central enough for us to be easily able to see the Bay of Fires and other great attractions. The only other downside is next to no phone or internet coverage, but a short drive to the top of the hill behind sorts this out.



Bay of Fires

Our first day here and we couldn’t wait to see the Bay Of Fires. The sun was out the sand is white and the sea is aqua marine, truly magical. We checked out the free camping and there were some spots available as it turned out so we will do that next time. Some of the sites were not for big rigs and checking them out without a van would be less stressful. This whole coast strip is just magnificent and hardly a sole lives there.

The point as St Helens

Today we did a trip south to St Marys and back along the coast. The free camp at St Mary’s was good but the road from there down to the coast on the south side was very narrow and winding (Elephant's Pass) so we were glad we didn’t head that way with the van. 

I am sure we will enjoy our time here at Scamander and plan to look for a pub that does Christmas dinner as it looks like just being the two of us and Trixie on the 25^th.

Week 2 Tassie

Christmas Parade at Penguin

We left Penguin Saturday with a feeling we were leaving an old friend. Friday evening was remarkably still and balmy for the local Christmas parade and capped off a great first week.

Father Christmas in the Penguin parade

We headed through Ulverstone, Latrobe, Railton ( town of Topiary) with plans on spending a couple of days at Sheffield. The free camp #220 was great and there were 11 other rigs in there for our first night with all but two joining us for happy hour. Drinking water available but toilets only open during sporting events.
Sheffield is a beautiful town full of brilliant wall murals with a wonderful back drop of Mt Roland. We did a bit of tripping around and went through the mountains to Mole Creek, Chudleigh and Deloraine, all beautiful little country towns.

Phone pic in early morning at Sheffield

Murals in Sheffield

Mural WIP

They are amazing

The rag and bone man Sheffield

After three nights at Sheffield it was time to move again, a "long" journey of about 70km to Chudleigh for a $5 camp at the showgrounds. Toilets but no drinking water. Beautiful spot and met a couple in a bus pulling a trailer loaded with books and operating as a book exchange. "Paperback Express" was their road name and Rosemary and John their real tags. Keep an eye out for them as you travel and especially if you need a book.

We then started east again and finished up at free camp 202 at Bracknell. Very peaceful on the banks of a running stream. One night only and after a great curry we decided that the Tamar Valley would be worth a look. We headed to Launceston and eventually took the correct turn onto the west Tamar Highway. First mistake was to miss the turn and finished up near the water front and some very narrow, windy and hilly streets but we were able to extract ourselves without too much trouble. The gorge that appeared on this detour right in town was truly spectacular and was like a glimpse of wilderness in the middle of the city. Unfortunately I couldn't stop to take a pic.

Chudleigh

We headed along Beaconsfield ( site of the great mine rescue) then up to Greens Beach caravan park #264 for a couple of nights and some laundry chores.

Opium poppies in bloom everywhere

Tide out at Greens Beach (mouth of the Tamar)

Whilst stopping to have a coffee on the wharf at Beauty Point the owner of the Platypus Park stopped for a chat and gave us some back ground on his and other tourist attractions in the vicinity. He must have impressed us as we returned the next day and took in both the Platypus Park and the Seahorse Farm both located on the wharf. We aren't big on touristy type attractions but thoroughly enjoyed them both. Unfortunately my phone pics were not good enough to upload.
We were only going to stay a couple of nights but the weather changed for the worse so we decided to stay an extra night then another so plan to leave here on Sunday morning.
Yesterday we did a trip over the Batman Bridge to the other side of the Tamar and went to the top via Georgetown to Low Head. Bought some great fresh seafood at the  Georgetown fish factory and also some fresh raspberries along the way.
Tasmania continues to impress and distance between camps is minimal.....great for the fuel bill!

Week One in Tasmania December 2012

Our ferry

We had a marvelous crossing of Bass Strait on Friday evening last. The captain advised in advance that a one metre swell was all that would be experienced and I guess he was correct as we had little sensation of the boat rocking. The only disappointment was the expensive and poor quality food but the experience was fabulous. The cabin was small but comfortable. Trixie was not too impressed about being placed in a kennel for the crossing but she could see our van from her cage which might have given her some comfort. She was sure glad to see us next morning at 6.30 am when we collected her. Boarding took about two hours with all the checks you have to go through but disembarking was only about half an hour. The whole process was not difficult even for big rigs.

Our backyard at Penguin

Rainbow on Penguin

On arrival in Devonport we had pre decided to head west along the north coast and head for a little town called Penguin after stopping at Ulverstone for breakfast in the glorious sunshine.
So glad we did as it is a lovely settlement named after the small birds that come into nest in the winter. We decided to start with a caravan park until we decide what to do for the next stage of the journey. Not real cheap but a weeks stay gave us one day free and a most magnificent site right on the edge of the sea.
The first couple of days saw us exploring the town and visiting the famous Penguin Markets on Sunday. We then spent some time driving around the local back country which is simply beautiful.

Pyrethrum fields

Rich farming country plus acres of plantation timber and fabulous mountain stream which I am sure are full of trout. There are acres of white flowers which we discovered were Pyrethrum plus the Opium poppies growing in farms all over the hinterland. There were many signs on the fences around the poppies advising of the serious consequences of illegal use. There is a stream running into Penguin which has a weir on it in town. We were walking by this weir one morning when we spotted a platypus feeding. What a sight right in the middle of town. Along a bit further under a "no fishing" sign was a fisherman chasing trout. Apparently the local angling club had released a heap of rainbow trout and it seems the signs are ignored. After a short chat he opened his bag and showed us his earlier catch of a beautiful rainbow that must have been about 2kg.

Lookin over Wynyard from Table Cape

Early in the week we took a trip further along the coast to Stanley. Not such a nice day but warm in the car as we explored the coast and had look at some of the free camp spots dotted along the coast. We visited Table Cape, Boat Harbour, Sisters Beach, Rocky Cape then finally Stanley. The wind at Stanley would have blown a dog off a chain but what a quaint settlement, steeped in history and beautiful buildings. Not as big as I expected but very interesting with a large rocky out crop at the end known as " The Nut" We will climb it when we go back there later in our journey and maybe ride the chairlift down. After a late lunch of scallops we headed back to camp.

View from cafe at Waratah

Thursday dawned bright and sunny so we decided on the round trip to see as much of the Cradle Mountain area as was possible given Trixie was a passenger.
The trip took us up to Burnie where we turned south and headed towards a little town called Waratah. Although off the track we were taking it proved a beautiful detour as it was a quaint little settlement, formerly a tin mining town.  If visiting the little cafe next to the pub is a must.

View of Cradle Mountain from afar

                                                                               

After a late morning tea we headed toward Cradle Valley with its majestic views of Cradle Mountain. Oh to be younger and fitter as the country looked fabulous and we would dearly have loved to do some walks but with a dog in tow this was not possible. It even snowed a few days before we arrived!
We then wandered through this beautiful country before arriving at Sheffield ( town of murals) before working our way back to camp along back roads.
What  a great day and the  most beautiful scenery. About 280kms in total today but very, very enjoyable.

Magnificent Cradle Mountain

Tomorrow, Saturday we leave Penguin and  will change our initial plans and head back to Sheffield area for a camp and good look at the town of murals. After that we will probably keep heading East.
(If you didn't realise you can enlarge  the pictures by clicking on them .)

18 November to 30 November 2012

After our wonderful return home to Queensland for brother Ray’s wedding to Lorraine we took off from Narre Warren to revisit Lakes Entrance and in particular the Twigg connection. (Aileene’s sister and her family)

From Narre Warren we decided to take the South Gippsland Highway and break the trip to Lakes in half. Our stop over was free camp #83 at Reeves Beach just on the coast from Woodside. It only had a drop dunny but it was a short stroll to the Ninety Mile beach. A great little camp which is very popular with the locals.

After a couple of pleasant days at Sue and Nicks we went camping with them for three nights to Corringle Slips camp ground ( #18) which is located on the western side of the inlet or across the river from Marlo.The paddle steamer Curlip delighted us with a passing. www.paddlesteamercurlip.com.au

"Curlip" on the Snowy River

The camp ground is controlled by the state government and ther is  supposed to be a charge but there was no means to pay nor did any one call to collect a fee. A very popular camp ground and the fishing in the estuary was quite good. Drop toilets and some non-potable water available.

After another couple of nights back at the Twiggs to celebrate Sue’s birthday we started to head back to Narre Warren to ready ourselves for the trip on the ferry to Tassie on Friday evening.

Once again we broke the journey by travelling a different way this time through Churchill and located free camp # 60 This camp has no facilities except natural beauty and is located SE of Boolarra 8 km along a narrow winding road and on the banks of the Morwell River.

Camp #60 on Morwell river

Camp #60

A leisurely drive back to Narre Warren and 38 deg in the shade, whilst we wait for our journey to Tassie on Friday evening.

Beachport to Adelaide and back to Melbourne



Looking across the narrows at Narrung.

Ferry across the narrows

Howdy folks, well we had a couple of very pleasant nights at Beachport before heading further west. We sauntered along the coast visiting Robe ( a truly beautiful little historical town) then through Kingston SE and along the Coorong. For a free camp we chose to for #44 which is just out of a small settlement of Narrung. The camp is just beside the ferry which transports (free) traffic across the narrows between lake Albert and Lake Alexandrina. We were a bit worried that the long journey around lake Albert from Meningie might lead to having to back track as the signs did not advise of the ferry but turned out to be a great detour. ( I might have missed the sign though) A great little camp with toilets and the ferry is big enough to take a bus.
We then head toward Tailem Bend but turned off at Wellington and took another free ferry across the Murray and headed towards McLaren Vale where we planned to catch up with our friends the Whites and cousin David.
No free camps that close in but a $25 pn van park with great facilities was found within easy walking distance to town centre. What a beautiful place this was, full of character and lots of old stone buildings. The whole Adelaide Hills were truly magnificent. We will be back when we have more time.
Went and saw "Stone Stompers" and was impressed with product quality so ordered one that will be in Melbourne when we return. This we hope will protect the fibreglass front of our van from the ravages of unmade roads and also protect the rear window of the cruiser.
After three lovely days catching up with family and friends we headed out back towards Victoria along the Mallee Highway. Our next night was at Lameroo just short of the border.Lameroo is the birth place of Julie Anthony. Turned out not a free night but $15 got us a clean shower and toilets on a great grassy spot.

Our next day took us through Ouyen then up to Nyah where we found a gem of a free camp (#333)behind the harness racing track on the banks of the Murray. The locals encourage free campers and there was toilets and a tap with potable water for refilling the tanks.  



The view of the Murray from our camp at Nyah

Our camp at Nyah through the trees with Kookaburra watching.

After a couple of very pleasant days here it was time to head in to Swan Hill for some minor welding repairs ( another legacy of our earlier problem but now fully sorted). By 2pm we were on the road again looking for our next free camp near Barham in the Gunbower state Forrest on the banks of Gunbower creek. This was another great free camp # 323 with heaps of birds and wild life. The drop toilets were not too nice but a great spot none the less.


Our camp on the Gunbower

After another couple of nights we then headed to Moama to find cousin Lynn and husband Chris, who live right on the banks of the Murray. What a sight watching the house boats and paddle steamers sail past. We were spoilt with dinner and  a night in a beautiful B& B room at their house.


View from Lynn and Chris's back veranda

Off again the next day as they had paying guests arriving so we thought we would head to the Barmah State park. A beautiful spot, not a sole there but despite "Camps 6" advising dog friendly #308 had lots of no dog signs. After this disappointment we thought we would try and find a freebie nearer to Shepparton where we planned to catch up with more family. Well freebies around here are scarce so we ended up in a budget van park at Tatura for one night but not nice enough to stay longer. After locating our cousin we decided to find another park close to Mooroopna and found a great small park as part of an over 55 village catering to grey nomads. $25 pn but very clean and friendly. It will do as our last port of call before returning to Melbourne to get ready for trip back home for the wedding next weekend.

Retirement journey take 2

Well we have finished our two month layover in Melbourne. Whilst the weather was ordinary to say the least we did get to the footy, ride on a tram , visit the city and explore some of our old haunts.We caught up with some old school mates, rellies and family friends and made the most of our longest stay in Victoria since escaping to the north in 1979.


Just before flight with "floaties" not lunch boxes.

As we have three weeks to spend before flying back to Qld for brothers wedding we thought it opportune to do the Great Ocean Rd and spend the gift given to me on my 65th just before retirement. Many thanks to my dear friends at MCCGC for the fabulous helicopter flight over the 12 Apostles (only eight left now).
What a buzz the flight was. It was a big chopper and took 7 passengers on a flight covering the Apostles, London Bridge ( what's left of it) and Port Campbell. The view was fabulous and the weather was the best it had been for days.

Coming in to land after flight

My girls on Johann Beach

Loch Ard Gorge

The Great Ocean Rd gave us a wonderful trip down as the sun shone for most of the journey and the off shore wind made for a beautiful ocean view.



Bay of Martyrs

Our first night was Joanna Beach a great free camp on the western side of Cape Otway and one I would recommend to free campers. Our next stop was at Princeton just short of the Apostles, it was not a free camp but reasonable and very handy whilst we awaited the right weather for the flight.


 

Bay of islands

                             We then found a great forest free camp just inland from Portland It was at a place known as Sawpit Park. Another free camp worth remembering. Met an intrepid Irishman who had travelled down from Qld via Innaminka and basically followed the state border south to the coast through the dessert. A wonderful character with lots of great stories.

Yesterday brought us to Beachport SA where will spend a couple of nights to catch up on washing and recharge batteries after some dull days. Next stage will be the outskirts of Adelaide where we plan to visit some friends and rellies.



Beachport

 

Stage one of our retirement journey

Monday 30 July 2012 saw our departure from the Gold Coast on stage one of our retirement journey. After a teary farewell to daughter Amy, Deon and boys we set out to do a drive by farewell  to the crew at MCCGC. Another beautiful  hug fest took place before we hit the road for real.
Off to the highway and on to our first stop at Tenterfield to visit with our dear friends Ted and Pam. After a couple of enjoyable nights ( sub zero temperature)  we hit the road again looking for a slow trip to Young where we had another visit planned.

We had just been through Inverell on the way to see the Copeton Dam when there was an almighty bang. We stopped to find a massive failure on the caravan draw bar. the van pulled up with no real drama as we were not going fast and the road was straight. You can see from the pics that the weld caused a weakness in the overhanging plate and it let go. Fortunately we were in mobile range and rang RACQ. Luckily we had upgraded to Ultimate cover before setting out. RACQ were wonderful and organised a flat bed to pick up the van as it was not towable. Unfortunately none was available in Inverell so we had to wait for one to come from Glen Innes about 90km away.
We had a couple of people stop to check on us and one was a local Councillor who gave us some advice as to the best engineer in town to have the van repaired. He even called back on his return journey with a couple of cups of coffee. Turns out he was a keen caravanner and even owned a Boroma.. We got back to Inverell at about 6pm ( 26km tow) and the owner of Sapphire City Engineering came back to work to let us in and store the van. We then headed of to the local van park for a cold night in an on site cabin ( free courtesy of RACQ) as no one else could accommodate us with our beloved Trixie.
Another sub zero night and we were back to see Gary at Sapphire city to inspect the damage and make plans for its repair.The boys got into it straight away and by lunchtime they had rebuilt the draw bar section by removing broken plate and installing a much heavier piece of steel without the weld line on the leading edge. They advised that the weld should not have been made across the front of the bar as it weakened the whole structure. You can see that the piece of steel was partially fractured which finally let go. We were so lucky not to be going down hill or on a sweeping bend or we might have lost the van. We were only connected by the back two bolts of the Hyland hitch.
Wednesday afternoon saw us back on the road  and our first bush camp of the trip. nothing spectacular but a taste of things to come. On Friday evening we decided to stay at Dunedoo caravan park to have a long hot shower and catch up on some washing, A great little park with modest fees and great facilities. Another sub zero night then on to Young and a long awaited visit with Jan and Cam, old friends from the coast.


Jan, Aileene and Cam in Young

Young is a beautiful town and we had a wonderful stay with our friends and enjoyed great hospitality and visited many of the local attractions. Aileene got a cherry charm for her bracelet and I bought some PJ's as the cold was getting to me.(pics to follow he he!!)
We will definitely be back to spend more time with our mates and explore more of the surrounds. maybe in the warmer months.




After three nights in Young it was off on our next stage to Melbourne. Our first night back on the road was a great free camp at Walbundrie, Camps #809. Country hospitality showed its face again when a young chap and his two sons came by to collect firewood along the river reserve. On their way out the insisted in leaving us with a pile of cut wood for a fire. Can't beat country folk!


Whroo camp #255, old gold fossiking area

As it would have been a long day to Melbourne and all the difficulties in navigating Melbourne's ring roads we decided on another bush camp just south of Rushworth at a place called Whroo, Camps # 255. It was a beautiful place and we had the area once again to our selves. I guess all the nomads were in the warm north of our fair land. Unfortunately it was also our first rain and as it was a bit muddy we had Trixie sleep in the Cruiser. This proved a tad messy in the morning when we discovered on letting her out just before dawn that she had experienced an upset tummy and left a very soiled pair of front seat covers. As dogs rarely soil their beds Trixie had used the two front seats as a toilet. I could not chastise her and felt so sorry that she had experienced such discomfort. When I opened the truck she exited like an Exocet missile, poor dear. So there I was pre dawn removing soiled seat covers etc and trying not to vomit. I bundled everything into plastic bags and strapped them on the roof rack to deal with in Melbourne.
A cold wet rainy day on Thursday led us to Narre Warren and brother John's where we will spend the next couple of months house sitting whilst they go to Europe.