FanTAStic

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Alas, our time in Tas has drawn to a close. I have provided some key phrases to best sum up our time here in the Apple Isle (if you look closely you may stumble across a common theme): “It’s raining cats and dogs", "Nice weather for ducks", "It’s bucketing down." Yes, the precipitation has been at times intense, but despite the generous proportion of water that has fallen from the heavens Carissa and I have enjoyed our time down under immensely.

We have spent the last month in the township of Nubeena, a small coastal hamlet located on the south-western side of the Tasman Peninsula. Carissa has ‘held the fort’ at the local pharmacy in the owner's absence, while I have put my carpentry skills into practice at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park. The park is the peninsula's second biggest tourist attraction, next to the Port Arthur Historic Site. We have both enjoyed the work while putting the weekends and extended daylight hours to good use to explore many of the bushwalks dotted around the peninsula's rugged coastline.

One notable walk in particular led us to Ship Sterns Bluff. The walk itself is littered with breathtaking views back across the peninsula to Mt Wellington. Surfing aficionados would recognise this particular rugged wall of rock jutting out into the southern ocean as home of one of the heaviest surfable waves in the world. Unfortunately on the day we got it, it was unfavourable conditions. However it was clear to see the terrifying wall of water this right hand point break could produce with some sizeable swell.

Carissa and I were also recently treated to a visit from my mum, sisters and brother-in-law Hayden, which coincided with Carissa’s birthday. It was great to have them stay and allowed me to play tour guide (Jezza’s Tassie Tight Ass Tours) for the weekend. We managed a bushwalk (between showers) along with a visit to vibrant Hobart to take in the Salamanca Markets and the view from atop Mt Wellington.

We are now looking forward to our return voyage on the Spirit of Tasmania which will deliver us to Melbourne before wandering back up the Hume to see family and friends over Christmas.

Until Next Time

Hoo Roo

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