Ozmobile Odyssey

Not of a liquid or figurative nature, the Spirit ferried us back to Melbourne, a 10 hour overnight trip on calm seas in our own spacious cabin.Tasmania was the perfect finale to a marvellous adventure and we’re now looking forward to heading for home soon.

We stopped briefly in trampers paradise Cradle Mountain National Park, redolent of  the Tongariro area, and thought the $16.50 p/p charge to enter (on foot only or shuttle bus additional) a great idea to fund NZ national parks and required tourist facilities. From there, travelling to Devonport for the Spirit of Tasmania ferry tomorrow, the scenery changed to fertile valleys.

Wonderful ride on the Wilderness Steam Railway from Queenstown 30 Km each way through the Coal River Gorge to Dubbel Barrel colonial gold mine workings. Panned for gold, but won’t be opening a Swiss bank account.

This beautiful 1823 bridge at Richmond, near Hobart, was built using convict labour in just two years and is Australia’s oldest  bridge in continuous use. Richmond has a number of chocolate box pretty Georgian buildings, plus very classy gift and antique shops (though I resisted the urge to purchase.)

Beautiful sunset view from the Ozmobile at the White Beach caravan park on the Port Arthur Peninsula. On the previous day the sea was really choppy but absolutely calm next day. The weather and scenery in Tasmania is very similar to the South Island, particularly around Wanaka.

What a fascinating place, which was as much about expansion of Empire as punishment and reform of  the worst of the worst of British society. Established initially as a timber camp in 1830, it’s a beautiful place to explore on a warm summer day. In contrast to bitterly cold winters and harsh mtreatment of around 11,000 criminals until the penal settlement finally closed in 1877. In a time of poverty and political upheaval in Europe, many men were broken but some left Port Arthur rehabilitated and skilled.

These amazing layered sedimentary rocks near Port Arthur look like Inca paving stones, having eroded over millennia into oblong blocks about 40cm high. Australian geology/geography is really interesting and varied.

We’ve been enjoying Devils Corner wines for some months (delectable Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio) and had a delicious seafood lunch at the vineyard and cafe near Bicheno, on the north east coast. Haven’t seen any Tasmanian Devils though, ugly black little carnivorous marsupials with a nasty temper that are now an endangered species.

Opened in 1838, two years before the Treaty of Waitangi, the Kings Bridge at Campbell Town just south of Launceston was built by convict labourers using over 1 million hand-made bricks.

Fields of purple rolling to the sky and a wafting scent of  lavender...just as I remembered from 25 years ago when Don’s sister Sher and I visited Bridestowe Lavender Estate. Our overnight ferry trip to Tasmania went smoothly and we motored through to Launceston, picking up an afternoon tour to the largest and oldest lavender farm in Australasia.

As recommended by Julia, we were impressed by Montalto vineyard at Mornington Peninsula and its stylish Piazza restaurant. The art walk through the vines included many interesting works such as this timber sculpture titled Crossed Fingers. (Also refers to hoping for a smooth trip on the 9-hour ferry trip to Tasmania tonight.)

Appalled at the prospect of naked female flesh, the city fathers built hundreds of these, now colourful, changing rooms along coastal Mornington Peninsular. The brightly painted sheds looked wonderful against a stunning blue clouded sky, on a cooler 22 degree day, after the 42 degree ‘blast furnace’ a couple of days ago.

41 degrees and a strong north west wind as we drive back to Melbourne today Saturday - felt like standing in front of a heater on full blast when we stopped for lunch. Katie flies back to Singapore on Monday and we’re off to the Mornington Peninsula for a few days.

Blown away by this house when we drove the Great Ocean Road a while ago, but didn’t get a photo then. Now we’re tripping it again with Katie and managed to stop nearby for a pic. Suspended 40 metres above the road at Fairhaven Beach, it’s the most photographed house on the Great Ocean Road, probably Australia, and was featured on their Grand Designs a few years ago.

We made good use of Melbourne’s excellent public transport system, while parked up in a caravan park in handy Coburg (not far from Julia at Fitzroy North.) It’s a 45 minute train ride to the seaside heritage village of Williamstown, Melbourne’s first port. now a favourite place to eat and shop.