Today we did some walks in the central part of Bruny Island. This included Clennetts Mill and the lookout although we couldn't see bugger all due to the smoke from fires on the big Island. We stopped off in Adventure Bay and notice all the red phytoplankton floating on the surface of the sea. This is the stuff that creates the bioluminescence at night. There was heaps of it all the way along the coast. Then it was off to the Whiskey Distillery for some tasting. Very expensive but an opportunity to taste some Whiskeys you would never get a chance to try otherwise.
In the evening after tea we went chasing the bioluminescence again at Adventure Bay a bit more success this time. Some great displays in the waves. Then it was another game of dodge the Pademelon the way back to camp.
Top Mill
Top Mill Boiler, (Would be great Garden rust.)
Top Mill
Phytoplankton at night
18th Jan
We left Bruny Island today and headed for Bothwell, We took the back roads via Richmond (which was very busy so we didn't stop there for long) then headed towards Campania and Colebrook. We arrived in Bothwell and set up camp in the little council caravan park there, its a nice little spot right next door to the cemetery. After setting up camp we were very hot and needed a refreshment so headed to the Castle Hotel where we ran into some very interesting characters who are born and bred in Bothwell and more then happy to share a bit of local knowledge. Linda had a little walk around the cemetery at dusk as it was a nice evening, we discovered the memorial of the Grote Reber who built the first Radio Telescope. He lived in Bothwell for 34 years after emigrating from America.
Really
Ferry
Bothwell Campgrond
Bothwell
Melton Mowbray Hotel
19th Jan
Headed off this morning down the back roads heading towards Oatlands, on the way we came across a sandstone manor house that appeared to be unoccupied, all through the area there are many sandstone manor houses some have been abandoned and others lovingly cared for. Also many derelict farmhouse and barns.
We spent half a day in Oatlands on self guided tour admiring the convict built buildings. The old prison exercise area had been converted into the local swimming pool and we had an interesting chat with the local guard who tipped us off on a great way to go back to camp. Back in Bothwell we then did a self guided tour of the town as it also has many old convict built buildings. We then dropped in at the Castle Hotel for refreshments and a found old mate he told us that the Manor house we saw first off was called Strathbarton and was owned by two teachers who only visit 2 or 3 times a year. He also told us about Grote Reber who in his old age started to pilfer salt and pepper shakers when he went on bus tours with the old folks along with cutlery and crockery.
We had a counter tea at the pub and it was bloody good and cheap.
Strathbarton Manor
Strathbarton Manor
Oatlands pool
Oatlands
Oatlands windmill
20th Jan
We left Bothwell this morning and are taking the back roads through to Launceston. Once up in the hills we could see the smoke from the fire around Miena (Central Plateau). Our drive took us up into the hills and into the highland lakes district at well over 1100 meters. We took a quick detour into the hydro village of Poatina, a cute little place with fantastic views of the mountains. Then down hill into Cressy driving along small country roads lined with hedgerows just like in England, through to Longford where we stopped for some lunch and had a walk around the town. Longford is well known for its car racing history back in the 50's and 60's. We have arrived in Launceston where we will stay for the next couple of days.
21st Jan
First stop this morning was the car museum to see their current display, one of the highlights was the HQ Monaro that nearly fell off the Tasman Bridge in 1975 after the bridge was struck by a large ship. On our way back to collect the car via the park there was a Devaux Coupe having a photo shoot, we had a chat with the designer/builder, a fancy looking jigger. As its was a very warm day we decided to head for the beach, Low Head was recommended by the young fella in the car museum. It is an interesting place as its at the head of the Tamar River and Bass Strait. Within minutes of getting there the sea mist rolled in from Bass Strait and we couldn't see a bloody thing. We did check out the lighthouse and pilot station, both historic sites then it was round to East Beach for a stroll in the mist along the water's edge. Then a quiet drive home via Lilydale.
65 Cooper S
Dicks Sierra
Lucky Monaro
Devaux coupe
The Sea mist is comming
Low Head lighthouse
Misty Beach
22 Jan
Our last day in Sunny Tasmania. A lazy morning having breakfast in the shopping district of Launceston (reminded us of Ballarat), then walking around the old part of Launceston admiring the homes. After leaving Launceston we took the back roads to Devonport stopping off at the Narawntapu National Park for a final walk along the beach. We reconoitered the campsites making notes for our next trip then a late lunch in Port Sorrell at the fish and chippy. Instead of queuing up for the ferry at Devonport we stopped at the pub across the river where we could see the boat out the window, we chatted with an old couple who used to live in Bothwell and waited until they started boarding cars, had another round then drove over to the terminal to board.
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