Gidday All

Tassie winterland.

Our winter in Tassie is drawing to an end, well the season is changing at least. We have survived minus temps for days on end and cold rainy days with high winds and snow falls. The cold and gloomy weather for days and sometimes weeks have been made bearable by the comfort of the wood fire and shelter of the workers cottage we have at our disposal thanks to the generosity of our friends on this farm. They have opened up their home to us in this difficult time. As a thank you and a way of paying our way I have put my carpentry skills to use and done some much needed repairs and renovations to the little cottage. From repairing a rotted out back wall to rejuvenating the kitchen.  It also gives us something to do over the long months of isolation imposed on all of us lately.

Still dont know when well be on the road again but we are making the most of it all. while the weather has been at times terrible there are moments of glorious days and we can say we have experienced Tassie in all her moods.

Just a fwe pics of oue winter home.

  

Stay safe and well.

Gidday all,

 

Back to Tassie.

 

The time had come.    We lined up at the wharf to board the barge, a worker directed us where to go and had a chat while we waited. He said we were going back to Armageddon with the restrictions and other things in place due to the corona virus outbreak.   Din tried to talk him into going on strike so we couldn’t leave, but he wouldn’t be in it.

 

 

Motoring out through the islands surrounding Flinders, we had a farewell look at the Island. With calm weather and flat seas this return trip was looking promising. A much better ride it turned out. The view of the islands passing by so close and clear blue sky was magical. And not one spew bag was used.

Offloaded at about midnight and slipped down the beach front to wait till morning. First up went to the local supermarket to get supplies, got some and decided to go to Scottsdale to get what we were missing. Soon realised the extent of what was happening as some items were impossible to get, like powdered milk, which we rely on, and even flour, pasta, and rice and of course toilet paper!??

Ended up getting as much as possible and moved on back to Forth to work out our next move. Camped on the river on our friends block where someone had left a homemade fire drum. A welcome sight, and old mate Rod turned up with gifts of fresh produce from his garden, including one of the biggest tomatoes I have seen. When sliced it overhung the slice of toast.

 

Over the next few days we carefully considered our options. The ever increasing restrictions and lockdowns meant our carefree nomadic lifestyle was at an end, for who knew how long. After considering an early departure, which meant a period of six weeks isolation going through various borders, or finding a house to rent here, another friend offered us a cottage on his farm to stay at. Finally we accepted the offer, here we sit as winter approaches. Fortunately there is a wood fire and all the mod cons, so we could be in a worse situation. Always wondered what a Tassie winter would be like, we are about to find out. Already had a few flakes of snow one morning.

Everyone stay safe and isolated, looking forward to being free again. Blog again soon.

Gidday all,

East coast Flinders Island.

After a few days relaxing at the northeast tip of the Island we started the journey down the east coast. Firstly though we called into Palana, on the western tip, as we bypassed it on the way to Northeast River. Also Killiecrankie, a small bay famous for the Killiecrankie diamonds found along the shoreline. These are Topaz stones and are getting harder to come across now days. We didn’t find any but had a nice afternoon strolling the beach.

 

Having ticked off all destinations on the western side we crossed over to the east. Patriarch Inlet, half way down the east coast, the first place accessible by road, is at the end of a well formed gravel track where you come out onto a large tidal flat that stretches out to the turquoise waves of the Tasman sea.  There’s a small car park and nothing else. So, as we do, we camped up for the night and explored the inlet and beach at low tide the next morning. Once out on the beach, it stretches on for ever. No other soul in sight but thousands of soldier crabs marching over the tidal flats. The red hues of their bodies changing the colour of the sands for as far as you can see. A magical sight.

 

Off down the road to Patriarch wildlife sanctuary, a privately maintained area, the dream of founder Denis Smith, now passed on, but keeping the dream alive are a small bunch of volunteers who caretake the area. There’s an A-frame building with wood heater and all the conveniences and HOT SHOWERS. You can camp and enjoy. Only a donation is asked for in the box provided, for help with upkeep. A real gem to come across.

 

The Patriarchs are three granite mountains overlooking the sanctuary   they were named by Matthew Flinders when he first saw them. The sanctuary is a habitat for wombats, wallabies, Cape Barren Geese and many other birds. We were lucky enough to interact with some wallabies, who came out to get some food which is supplied for them in the hut. Also saw an echidna but no wambats, though you could see where they had been. We fell in love with the place and spent three days there, no one else to be seen.

 

 

 

 

Getting short on fresh veg and bread, a trip back to Whitemark was in order. Only a short drive really, but you feel you are alone, miles away from anyone. While in town, we were looking forward to a treat of a local produce meal at the restaurant on the wharf there, but it had closed due to Tassie closing its boarders to people to control the Coronavirus spread, and so the customer base had dried up. A lobster meal had to wait, so we found a local shop and got some home-made sauces, olive oil, lavender vinegar and other Island delicacies.

Back to the east coast and out to Cameron Inlet. The day was getting late and we came across an old, abandoned farm shed, on its own in a paddock near the road on our way to the Inlet, looking like rain, I drove round the back and in through the large back door for a nice sheltered night camp.

 

 Out to the Inlet the next day and another pristine beach walk, an amazing array of brightly coloured shells littered the beach, having us stop every few meters admiring them.

 

 

One thing you can say for Flinders Island is, as yet, it hasn’t been invaded with hoards of tourists and, due to that and I’m sure, the respect the locals have of their home, we have not come across any rubbish or disrespect of the natural environment that we find in so many other places we visit. A true testament to the people who live on and care for this beautiful little Island, I hope it stays that way.

The clock is ticking, and with only a few days left till we make the dreaded, heaving voyage back to Tassie, we have come full circle to a campsite we first camped at on our arrival. We have driven every road on the maps and some that aren’t. We will pull up here and tidy up as well as secure everything in preparation for the hopefully calm trip back. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable and unforgettable experience.

Gidday all,

West coast Flinders Island.

After a day of wind and rain, where we bedded down and watched nature replenishing herself through our glassed in balcony, (the windscreen of the truck), we packed up and headed north up the west coast road. After calling into Whitemark to top up with water we carried on, ducking up any road or track we came across.

The coastline is spectacular, little rock lined bays and deserted beaches everywhere. Called into Wybalenna, the first aboriginal settlement, and read about the tragic history, worth looking up, Truganini was there at one stage. Spent some time wandering around then went on to Sawyers beach to camp.

Next day and out to Settlement Point and Port Davies, then around Marshall Bay and out to West End. Following the road around Tanners bay we were on the lookout for a camp site, finally found a track which led to a small boat ramp and decided it was a good overnight site.

Have noticed a couple of sail boats we keep seeing anchored up in various bays we visit over time. Flinders is a sailboat playground with many secluded bays and is dotted with small islands close to shore.

 

A trip up Mount Tanner to the lookout and on to the northeast tip at north eats river where we camped by the river for a few days enjoying the bird life and rising and falling tides.

Gidday all,

Flinders Island,

A gem in the Furneaux Island group, situated around 160k northeast of Tasmania. With Bass Strait to the west and the Tasman Sea to the east. First settled in 1833 by George Augustus when he transported around 13 aboriginals from mainland Tasmania because they were being harassed by white settlers. Unfortunately this failed because many died because of exposure to influenza and harsh living conditions. Today there is a thriving community and beef industry as well as fishing and cray operations.

 

We began our voyage at Bridport, a lovely little town and stepping off point to the Furneaux Islands. Furneaux Island Freight operates the only barge to the island and is primarily a freight company but transports vehicles and a limited number of passengers. We had organised the passage a week before and were lined up to board the ship, it’s only a dingy, was a comment I heard from Din when she saw the barge. When compared to the Spirit of Tasmania, the name Tom Thumb came to my mind.  Anyway, it was too late for second thoughts, so, on we went with the thrill of the adventure spurring us on.

 Had to back the truck on as there was no turning around for driving off again. When on board, they packed another few cars and miscellaneous freight around us, it’s amazing how much they crammed on to that boat. Jammed in like sardines, there we were. We could stay in the truck for the voyage, so we settled in for the duration.

As we left the calm of the river and headed to the open sea, the supposed slight swell started us rocking and rolling, and Din feverishly grabbing for the first sick bag. This was only fifteen minutes into the trip, only eight hours to go. The ocean in these parts is in the region called the roaring forties, so called because of the, sometimes, gale force winds which whip through. Today it was relatively calm, but the heaving didn’t stop, both from the sea and Din, well Din did settle down after a while, only because there was nothing left to come up, she buried herself into the bed and thought calm thoughts. But the swell rolled on. I must admit there were a few times I was about to reach for the slowly diminishing pile of sick bags myself.

2:30 in the morning we finally reached Lady Barron, the port on Flinders Island. With the relief of reaching dry land, we rolled off the barge, with Din still in bed. We headed to a rest stop just up the road at Yellow Beach, and, with our heads still rocking and rolling, and, the dreaded thought of the return journey, we tried to sleep it off.

 

 

In the morning, feeling refreshed, we continued up the fire trail to a point that the track was blocked by a low hanging tree, at a couple of points prior to this I had had to stop and cut away some bush to get through and after a walk further on it was obvious the truck wouldn’t get through the ever closing in bush and deteriorating road. So, after about a seven point turn, we were headed back the way we had come. We didn’t consider this a waste of time as this is part of the adventure, exploring our options and going where most don’t get to see. There were some beautiful views of the coastline along the way as well.

Back to the main road and on to Whitemark, the Island capital, so to speak. After stocking up on salad and veg, as you can’t bring them with you to the Island, and a quick look about town, we took off for Trousers Pt. a national park camp ground. The weather, in typical Tassie fashion, was going to change, and the next day was expected to be windy and rainy. So we parked up at the camp ground, no one else in sight, just a couple of sail boats sheltering in the small bay below us, and we sat it out.

Gidday all,

 

From Cethena to St. Helens.

After a drive back to the coast along the winding mountainous roads, we spent a couple of days stocking up on supplies and considering our next move.

Having enjoyed the solitude of the last week, we contacted another Tassie friend and he said we were welcome to camp up on his empty block on the river just out of Forth.

 

 The holidays were over and most were preparing for back to school and work, which meant less crowded roads and camp spots. Maybe a good time to move to another favourite spot over on the east coast. So, on the road again. First leg of the journey took us to Evendale, a sweet little village just south of Launceston. You can overnight in the local park, a wonderful little place. They hold an annual penny farthing race in the town, haven’t seen it yet but it would be interesting.

Heading north east past Launceston and into the ranges along more winding mountainous roads, passed through Scottsdale where we stopped for a pie and look through the local thrift shop where we picked up a warm hoodie and got the usual comment that it was summer, but we are used to that. Then on to Branxholm and Derby. Turning north a little further on and on to Gladstone, then to the northern tip.

Despite the holidays being over there was a couple of campers at our spot. We found an out of the way part and parked up. The weather was not particularly kind to us the next few days, Intermittent drizzle and blowing winds, which isn’t surprising as there is a wind farm not far away. Usually it’s nice there. Stuck it out for another few days then decided to move on.

 Back to the highway, really a narrow winding two lane road, onward to Pyengana and camped at the recreation grounds there. Main reason for going there was it had showers, an anticipated luxury compared to the usual bucket bath.

While there we had a lunch at the Pub in the Paddock down the road. It has a resident, beer swilling pig, and you can buy him a beer, which is watered down leftovers. After our rejuvenating showers and tasty pub lunch we move on towards St. Helens.

 

 

 

 

When in town we found the Laundromat and scouted about town as our cloths washed. After smoko at a local café we filled the water tanks and headed for a campground on the coast not far away near Binalong bay.A bit windy and overcast for the first couple of days but then it calmed down and the sun came out and with it the local wildlife. We were visited by some wallabies, and a number of birds. Also one night I was woken by a noise and when I shone the torch into the kitchen area, saw a possum picking through the rubbish bag. With a few well-chosen words I convinced it to leave and promptly shut the door.

The time had come to choose the next destination, with the motto of don’t be afraid to give it a go, and our adventurous spirit, we set our sights on Flinders Island, besides we haven’t been there before.

 

 

 

Lake Cethena, a man-made lake on the Forth River, created to feed a chain of hydro power stations positioned upstream and downstream. The small community of Lorinna nearby is home to a few people. It lies between Devonport on the coast and Cradle Mountain inland.

We made our way to the lake on the Thursday, because we knew the road in was narrow and winding along the hill sides above the lake and didn’t want to come across traffic coming the other way on our way in. The weekend would possibly be busier. Rod had assured us no one would be camping there this weekend and when we arrived at the campground it was deserted, just as we like it. The lake greeted us as we turned the last corner with a scattering of long drowned trees reaching out of the water away from the shoreline, a reminder that there was a forested valley there before it was flooded to create the lake. It was an overcast, drizzly day and the raindrops speckled the surface of the water, with the low clouds hugging the hills on the other side of the lake it was one of the many faces of Tasmania we have come to know and love.

 

Looking around we picked out a flat piece of ground and parked up then climbed into the back to relax and wait for the drizzle to stop. Next day the sun came out and the birds and wild life in the surrounding forest welcomed us to our new temporary home. Just before lunch a couple of 4x4s turned up and headed around the shoreline to set up camp then another one turned up towing a trailer loaded with four wheeler motorbikes and kids looking very excited. Not long after, another 4x4 with a camper on the back pulled up. We will have the campsite all to ourselves Rodney had said, no one goes there he said, it was starting to get populated.

Rod turned up later that arvo towing the boat, and after a bit of ribbing him about the peaceful camp, set up his camp. He and his mates son, who had come with him, set about putting the tinnie into the lake. Rod backed the trailer into the water and his mate pushed the boat off, no one grabbed the rope attached to the boat and so it gently floated out into the lake with both of them looking at, and blaming each other for the runaway boat. Rod won in the end and the other had to go for a cool swim in the icy water to retrieve the runaway tinnie. The weekend was off to a flying start.

 

The morning had been peaceful enough but the afternoon progressed into a barrage of kids racing back and forth on their motorbikes and the camp on the other side cranking up the music, which wasn’t too bad except for the slim dusty and hank Williams songs slipped in every couple of tracks. The people were friendly enough and we decided to go with the flow of the celebrations of the weekend.

Early next morning Rod woke me up announcing the young fella was going to take me out and get a couple of trout. Rodney had ended up having a big night celebrating the start of the fishing trip and felt he should stay on shore and maybe start breakfast for when we returned, so we left him to It, and Din still in bed, and hit the lake.  Spent a couple of hours trolling up and down but didn’t catch one, the views of the surrounding countryside made up for the lack of fish.

The weekend progressed much the same with sporadic trips out onto the lake and Rodney and his mates bantering with each other and us, and all the time kids on their bikes wizzing back and forth with various tunes blasting out from the camp up the track. Even a flag up for Australia day.  Not the peaceful camp we had imagined, but all had a good time regardless.

 

 

The boat had three rod holders, one each for two occupants and one out the back called the community rod. Whenever the community rod caught a fish, Din claimed that she had caught it. But you would never get her onto the boat. She caught the most fish that weekend. The catch ended up consisting of two rainbow trout, two brown trout and a blackfish. Two of them were too small and were put back, but due to Dins amazing skills I ended up having rainbow trout for dinner, she wouldn’t eat anything out of the water if you paid her.

 

Weekend over and everyone slowly packing up and leaving, we anticipated the silence to come. With no good reason to move on just yet we stayed when they all left. What a contrast, the hustle and bustle and noise of the last few days gave way to stillness and bird calls. Spent another four days there alone, enjoying the lake. All in all, good with the bad, these are the unforgettable experiences you get in a life on the road, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Gidday all,

Woke up to a cool, cloudy morning in Forth, on our first day back in Tassie. Later that morning, good old mate, Rodney turned up bearing gifts of fresh picked berries and vegies from his home garden. The best welcome we could hope for. Spent some time catching up, then after Rod left, relaxed for the rest of the day.

 

 

A friend from Sydney, who was in Tassie and due to leave in a few days contacted us and we arranged for them to come and camp up before they left. The day after they arrived we found out Pete Murray and Thirsty Merc were playing at the local pub just over the river, so they had great entertainment for their last night on the Island. He had a fold up electric scooter with him and I tried it out with a trip to the servo just outside the campground, great little bike, very handy.

 

 

 

After our Sydney friends left and the camper crowds from the concert dwindled we also hit the road. Rod had put us onto a quiet camp spot he knew of inland from Bernie. The location will be known as secret camp as mainly only locals know of it so far, and it’s better that way.

Found the spot and parked up, no one in sight, these are the spots, remote, with a crystal clear stream, bubbling over multi coloured rocks on the edge of an ancient forest with man ferns   and wildflowers.

The area had a large flat on the bend of the stream, where we had pulled up, and another area more private further upstream. After a few days the weekend was approaching and we anticipated some locals might come down to camp, so decided to move upstream to the other area.

Glad we did because as thought, on the weekend campers arrived, but we were happy and private in our new location.

Spent eight days there, a wonderful spot that we will return to no doubt. The time came to return to Forth as we were expecting some mail to turn up at the post office there. So reluctantly we packed up and headed out.

Back at Forth we picked up mail and caught up with Rod again. He said he was going to Lake Cethena with a couple of mates fishing for the Australia day weekend and invited us to tag along. We agreed and set that as our next location.