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 .)