Blogs from Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, Oceania - page 2

I know it has been a while since I last wrote, but this work thing gets in the way of travel and life just gets busy. But I am here now so here goes. As a special wedding anniversary fast approaches we knew we wanted to to do something different, so I have been dreaming of long white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, palm trees, long days lolling in the sunshine drinking G&T with the condensation dripping down the side of the glass, sounds like my perfect type of bliss. Well we are not going to get any of that. One night while Andy was out a friend of ours emailed me a video of wombats playing in the snow, and inspiration suddenly struck me, Tasmania, Cradle Mountain. Perfect. I posed the idea when Andy came home ... read more

Scottsdale to Launceston 19th After a very unsettled night we had a breakfast of cereal and toast. I had to go out to the garage across the road for some soya milk, otherwise it would be water with my cereal. Unfortunately the hotel was at the top of a very steep hill and timber wagons and other vehicles seemed to be passing at full throttle all night, plus a motorbike kept coming and going at 1am until about 2am. I just think I should have had a look for the plank which must have been put under my bed, as well, but just too tired. However, at 8.15 we were on the road in cow country heading for a 10 kilometre hill at 7-11% and a good viewpoint after 6k overlooking the valley we had left ... read more

Geo: -41.4403, 147.139The Movements Clerk (Al) had chosen this accommodation and it was fine. Four to a two-room unit and satisfactory.Played golf today at the Launceston Golf Club which is reciprocal to our Keperra Country Golf Club. A nice course and well maintained.... read more

a little project lauren has wanted to do for a while now + finely had time for it today. travel on the brain. two weeks to go...eek!!... read more

Picked up a tough but gas-guzzling 4x4 from Hobart, driving through fire-scarred forests and homes to world-heritage Port Arthur, a 19C penal colony for deported British convicts by a beautiful natural harbour. A fascinating tour to the "Isle of the Dead" graveyard and interactive museum provided brief vignettes of the deportees lives and treatment. Next stop was the wildlife haven of Maria Island, climbed "Bishop & Clerk" mountain for fine views from the vertiginous, rocky summit before racing back to the tree-line ahead of a big storm breaking; found shelter and a very bedraggled Wombat at Darlington penitentiary, and then had a wave-tossed crossing back to the mainland. Headed up the coast to Freycinet National Park for a circular hike to the perfect arc of Wineglass Bay, hiding amongst the rocks from a persistent lunch-snaffling wallaby. ... read more