Saturday, 21 March 2020


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.

Wednesday, 11 March 2020


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.



Friday, 6 March 2020


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.