Blogs from Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, Oceania

Here we are, on the big island of Tasmania. This is a first for Tanya and I. Oh surprise! Tripadvisor algorithm now believes that I've seen 98% of the world! What a big joke isn't it? The ride from King Island was another short hop on a small Saab 340. Solid rain was forecasted for that afternoon, so I did keep my finger crossed. We indeed had some rain, but nothing to bother too much. Did pick up a way nicer car at the small airport of Burnie...way more expensive rental too...and we drove the short 2 hours ride to Launceston, the second biggest city of Tasmania, population 77,363! Tonight, not only do we have a comfortable bed, but a decent kitchenette too! So once check-in done, straight to the supermarket to stock on some local ... read more

From Cradle Mountain we set out about 9am and headed north.We were ultimately heading for Launceston, but decided to check out the north coast on the way. Our first destination was Burnie which only took us about an hour or so to get there. We drove into the city and headed towards the Harbour, however, nothing extraordinary struck us so we drove past the port and headed east. Fletcher had a great desire to visit Penguin, one, because he was intrigued by the name, but two, because there was an athletics track there. We drove along the coast road which was very scenic. Penguin was a great little town. We parked on the foreshore opposite a very attractive old wooden church. As we walked along the edge of a grassed area we soon saw how the ... read more

We got stuck into the washing today at the Big4 Caravan Park, chatting to the other campers there and getting ourselves better organised. The Launceston Big 4 is huge although this time of year fairly empty. Like all the other van parks we've stayed at, it's pretty clean as well. I read about a Farmers Markets in the city centre and thought it would be a good idea for breakfast. We of course tried some cider. And why wouldn't you. We liked the Champagne cider from Bradys Outlook, a new entrant to the ever increasing number of cider makers in Tasmania. Bought a tallie for later. One of the things I had planned was a walking foodie tour of Launceston. I phoned to reconfirm and was told it had been cancelled as they wanted to get ... read more

A wander around Cataract Gorge, packing and bus to Devonport.... read more

Today was a drive from Sheffield saying goodbye to Jan, via Launceston to the costal town of Swansea where we will stay for 3 nights. Just a drive on a hot day. We stopped at the gorge in Launceston and walked over the bridge and along the paths to see the peacocks and watched one of them strut it’s funky stuff to try and get fruit’s with a peahen. We got to Swansea early to our bungalow. It’s just us so it’s great to be able to spread out And be able to cook for ourselves. Sausage, mash and veg! Tomorrow we hope to trek in Freycinet national park.... read more

We flew out to Tasmania to spend Christmas and New year with Ashok the owner of the Windrose and his family in Launceston. His home is beautiful and I loved meeting all his family and his parents, plus in laws. They own the Iron Pot Bay vineyard in the Taymar Valley which his wife Julieanne runs which is stunning, fabulous location and interesting to see the process they go through to make their wine. We had a great time exploring the area in Ashok's Land Rover which is brand new although old style and the classic racing green. Christmas Celebrations was good fun with Julieanne's family and the BBQ was a very different experience for Christmas, but we're in Oz now so you go with the flow. Scott and I did our fair share of cooking ... read more