Blogs from Freycinet National Park, Tasmania, Australia, Oceania

Well it went pear shaped from the word go. After checking yesterday that the Wineglass Bay cruise had plenty of spare seats, it looks like a busload of Chinese tourists rocked up and took all the seats! Another lesson learned, don't delay when booking. Unfortunately, they only run 1 cruise a day at this time of year and we didn't want to hang around or backtrack so we headed over to the National Park and went for a decent walk up to the top of the mountain. We were advised against doing the big walk up to the lookout by the ranger, as they had had some rain and the walk involved a far bit of scrambling over the granite boulders. The view from the top was incredible. Even though the weather was a bit iffy. ... read more

Today we learnt what it was like having a rushed booking. This evening, long after it had occurred, we realised we’d missed one of the tours our agent had organised for us! And, because we were a day behind, almost didn’t realise we had one tomorrow, as we thought it was the following day. At least we know now! Anyway, apart from that realisation this evening, our day was quite nice. We woke up to our alarm at 7:15 after a very good night’s sleep in our Launceston hotel. The bed was comfy and we were both very tired still from the boat trip over. After showering and packing, we went downstairs for breakfast in the dining room. It was your standard hot food and cereals and fruits, though we were confused on what we could ... read more

So tie me to an anthill, smear my ears with jam and call me Benedict Arnold if you must but I'm going to place my head firmly on the traitor's chopping block. For what my opinion is worth (not much I assume), USA AOK, is the most beautiful on this rock, if through nothing else other than its sheer, raw diversity. If you prefer to narrow down the criteria a touch then a few other sovereignties come into the reckoning. Alpine? How do you turn you nose up at Canada, Nepal, Norway or New Zealand (South Island). Perhaps architecture is your poison. From this humble man's opinion, France is top of the pops with my left field challenger (plus this makes me sound as though I've been around), Yemen. BUT!!! If coastline is your barometer of ... read more

It was a very early start! The van ride to Coles Bay was extremely early. I think around 6:30 am. Luckily, the bakery was already open so I could get a coffee to make me slightly more awake and something to munch on. It was a bit nippy outside. Once again, we were the only people on the bus. It was a small van, but it was nice having it all to ourselves. The drive to Coles Bay was pretty short, less than an hour if I remember correctly. The van driver knew exactly where we were staying and dropped us off on the main road nearby. We had a short walk up to the office. Since we had arrived so early, the office wasn't open and we had to wait a while for it to ... read more

WILD TASMANIA...Freycinet in the footprints of Jo Trouble. She said it was a piece of cake...said it'd be easy. Or did she just offer me some cake and say take it easy? I'm all confused. I'm sure she said it'd be easy. Anyway whatever she said...the fact that SHE did it...couldn't leave without ME also doing it. Nearly killed me. I'm sure she said it'd be easy. ****** Leaving Bay of Fires gotta get some sunglasses as I lost mine in the surf. Hardware store at St Helens...rack of sunnies. Some tradies getting wood...agreeing the blue rimmed mirror lens pair complemented my sunburn...having a good laugh my wife will love them...those nice meetings you can have in shops...bargain price too...only twenty bucks. But Denise did not like them...pretty horrified actually...what were you thinking she said. ****** ... read more