Hi from Devonport, Tasmania

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Hi everyone
We leave Tasmania tomorrow after 5 weeks here. We have a day sailing back to Melbourne. On Monday we fly to NZ for 4 weeks catch up with familyand friends. The van and car will be stored at Ashley Gardens Caravan Park, in Melbourne, which isn't too far from the airport.
We have loved our time in Tasmania, and could have stayed longer, there are still plenty of walks, waterfalls, and beaches we haven't had time to explore, especially in the north east. We felt very "at home" here.
Our caravan has now travelled 6,900k in the 6 months we have been living in it, 1400 in Tasmania. Our car has clocked up 18,200 since we bought it.
From Bridport we drove to Georgetown and up to Low head lighthouse, at the entrance to Port Dalrymple. We crossed the Tamar River to Beaconsfield, and visited the gold mine museum there. This is where the mine collapse trapped the 3 men some years ago. There was a replica of the cage the two men who survived were in. After a night at Kelso, nearby, where we saw wildlife including wombats and possums after dark, we visited a very good platypus house.
We drove through Launceston and on to Deloraine, where we stayed 2 nights beside the river. There is lots to explore in this pretty area, and we did some walks to lookouts, caves and dams. The mountains around have blue tinges to them. We came on to Devonport for 2 nights, and visited yet another lighthouse. Yesterday we met up again with Hardy and Sue, the couple with the tinny, and we now know why no Aussies catch fish. We have seen lots of fishermen trying, but have yet to see a fish caught. Hardy told us he caught 2 fish down the south coast and lost both of them getting them into the boat. He then found he had a keeper covering the barbs of his hook!! No wonder they fell off!
Today we drove down to Sheffield, an interesting town with murals everywhere, We watched a woman making a glass marble with a blow torch. The town reminded us of Tirau, lots of interesting little shops for tourists.
We are looking forward to catching up with family and friends, and especially the grandchildren! Hopefully by the time we return Melbourne will be over its heatwaves and bushfires, and Queensland over its floods. We then plan to circumnavigate Australia anticlockwise.
Look forward to catching up with as many as we can of you while in NZ.
Regards, Lynne and Chris

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Photos

view Alum Cliffs
Mersy River below, this is near the town of Mole Creek.

typical track
This is the track to Alum Cliffs

Low Head lighthouse
On eastern point of the entrance to the River Tamar, which goes up to Launceston. (Chris is trying to smile more for you Allen!)

Beaconsfield Gold Mine
There was a very good museum and old ruins here. Lots of exhibits that worked.

Devil's Gullet Lookout
230m drop here, unusual rock formations - Chris smiling!

Unusual rocks
Beside Devil's Gullet

Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair N.P.
View from Devil's Gullet Lookout

Lake McKenzie
Dam here , and lake didn't have much water.

Mole Creek area
Country scene

Wombat
Beside van at Kelso

Port Sorell
Boats in the estuary

Mersey Bluff lighthouse
Devonport western point

Devil's Gate Dam
Thinnest arched dam in the world (on Mersey River)

Mural at Sheffield
This interesting town had lots of murals.

Comments

[tarryn]

Hello
Hi Guys, So lovely to hear your news and see some photos, we look forward to catching up with you when you are back in NZ. Love the Burtons

[Cameron D]

CU Soon
In Palmy tll WED THEN OMAHA .Catch up soon.

[penny & Stu]

You sound as though you have really enjoyed Tasmania, I know Cherry and Michael loved it. Look forward to seeing you when you get back to NZ. Janie and Richard arrive in Auckland on 8th April and are staying with us for a few days. Not sure if you will still be in Auckland then - hope so. Janie and Richards' baby is due on 15th September (Stu's birthday) so there is great excitement, they have also just bought a flat in Lane Cove so will be settled in their new home by the time the baby arrives. Meanwhile Louise and Simon have sold their house (contracts should be sign in the next few days) so now have to try and find something to buy. They have to move out of their place at the end of May which gives them a bit of time. Will you be back in time for Robin and Brians' 80th birthdays on the 14th March? We will be there but have to go up to Oak River the next day for the Body Corporate meeting. The following weekend we have a wedding in Manghwai on Saturday and then fly down to Queenstown for a week on the Sunday and get back the following Sunday. Now more news, but look forward to catching up soon. Love penny