Ended up spending ten days at Sundown Point, a few cold, wet days but mostly good, relaxfull, sunny days. Found some aboriginal carvings in the rocks, we were told they were there but took a while to find them.

 

Made our way back to Smithton to stock up on supplies and water because this is the closest town with a supermarket and it’s not that far anyway. Then back to the west coast.

On the way back to the coast we took a small detour up into the hills and found a nice spot to call home for the night.

 

Reached the turnoff to the western explorer HI way, all gravel, and headed off southward towards Corinna. This road we haven’t done before.

 

 

 

About ten km down the Balfour Track crosses the road, you can turn left and go to the deserted old mining town of Balfour, about three or four km in on the 4wd track. So we did. It was an overcast showery day, the track was small and very rough. About 2.8k in and the weather and track getting worse, we decided to leave Balfour for another day, so found a place to turn around and headed back to the main road.

Not too far up the main road we came to a creek crossing with a camp site off the road, so pulled up and set up camp.

 

Gidday all,

Left for the west coast, stopped just out of Burnie at a rest stop overnight, did a bit of shopping in Burnie next day and headed on. Followed the north coast and ducked off here and there exploring little roads leading to the beaches.

Next camp was at Green point near Marrawah on the northwest coast, nice spot but too many campers about so moved on the next day.

 

Next camp was at Green point near Marrawah on the northwest coast, nice spot but too many campers about so moved on the next day.

Did a few more side roads to the beaches and stopped at west point for lunch. The wild, west coast, the big surf with spray being blown off the crests, the wind rushing up the cliffs, a wonderful sight from the comfort of the camper cab.

 

drove down a small 4wd track down to a couple of beach shacks which dot the coastline. There are official  tags nailed to the doors saying they are registered as structures built on crown land.

 

Next stop Arthur River, the gateway to Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area. Stopped in at the ranger station and inquired about the tracks and permits required. They had a look at the truck and said due to the risk of quicksand on the beaches and closed in scrub on most of the tracks it was most inadvisable to take it on them, so we would be restricted to the main roads. Not really a problem as you can access most of the beaches this way anyway.

Carried on down the coast, again ducking down side roads here and there. Came to Nelson Bay, a little fishing bay with quite a few beach huts about. Up a rough track, we came to Sundown Point, the winding sandy track opened onto a grassy open area where the track led off down to the beach.

We decided this would be a nice spot to call home for a few days, so set up camp in the back corner, no one about. The camp was behind large sand dunes protected from the wind, which can be wild at times. Also next to a creek which winds around and empties its tannin stained water into the bay.

Washing, showering, long walks on the beach and generally enjoying the environment the order of the days ahead.

 

 

Gidday all,

Wound our way across to Launceston and found a parts place that stocked what I needed for the spring repairs. There was a Salvos store next door hwo had new inner spring mattresses going cheap, so we bit the bullet and got one for our bed. Left our old foam one with them and headed back to Devonport. Did some more looking about, then off to find a camp for the night.

Our friends just south of Loongana offered to help with repairs to the truck springs, so next day headed up and did them. All went very smoothly and now all’s good as new.

 

Fire meeting on Sunday, so up the range to the fire shed we went. Was good to catch up with the locals we had met on our previous trips and a couple of new ones. The duck seemed to enjoy herself too. Had a few beers and camped at the fire shed that night, great time had by all.

Up to Sandy’s next day and she stocked us up with salad and veggies from her garden as well as fresh eggs, great fresh local produce, love Tassie food.

We plan to head to the west coast and tour about till just before the school holidays start, then back up to our camp site on the Loongana range and hide from the holiday crowds. Well, that’s the plan so far.

 

 

Gidday all,

Left Forth and climbed the rangers to Loongana to visit our friend Sandy, while there I wandered to the pond outside the house and there swimming happily was a platerpuss, spent a long time watching him swim and dive around, how lucky. Stayed a couple of days then took off for Deloraine, they had a craft fair on, so we went to check it out. Some interesting stuff, looked around, had some lunch and moved on.

 

We knew of a nice spot not far away at Liffey Falls so headed there to spend a couple of days. Only a couple of campers there when we arrived so picked a good spot. Not long after they all left one by one, so we were left alone. Had one overcast, rainy day then the sun came out the next day so out went the washing and up went the pop up shower and we were set. Next day was cold and rainy again, getting used to Tassie weather again. I think the duck is loving it though.

Going to head back to Loongana for the monthly fire meeting on the weekend and catch up with the local crew. Have to call into Launceston or Devonport to pick up some front spring bushes for the truck as I noticed a clunk while driving and found a worn bush when inspecting the front end. Will replace them while we are back at Loongana.