Blogs from Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, Oceania - page 5

Feeling thirsty we headed up to Launey for some fine wine adventuring. I had this vague idea to ride around to the various vineyards on push bikes (no drinking and driving for us) along the Tamar Valley River Wine Route area. I envisioned gentle rolling hills, sea views and long lazy lunches. This is actually, almost, what I got! Philip and I hired 2 bikes and a bike carrier from Ben, who is one of the owners of Avanti Plus Cyclery. He made us feel like VIP’s when we were really just regular tourists. Not only did we get 2 almost brand new off road bikes but locks and helmets for $30 a day. (That’s total not each!) Because our rental car did not have the capability of accommodating a regular travel rack Ben went home ... read more

Hi everyone, sorry the last entry was so short, I had to be quick because I had to get back to the festival with some porridge for the rest of the volunteers. But the festival is over now and it was a very amazing special experience, where I did yoga, a mens circle and watching live music. Because the festival was so small there were only about 350-400 people there but I think because it was small it felt more social. At the festival I have met some amazing people and some who I think will be friends for a long time, i've already agreed to meet up with one friend in New Zealand. On sunday evening I went back to mainland Tasmania from Bruny Island to see a friend play at a local pub who ... read more

Angela cheerfully collected me from the bus station after I mistakenly told her to be there an hour-and-a-half earlier. I did not ask the fifty-three year-old much; she was already doing enough to help me. I was prepared to walk down the road for a while for dinner, a concern at such a late hour since restaurants in Australia close so early. Instead she prepared me a hot meal of chicken, rice, and potatoes, which I hungrily gobbled up. “You’ll be sleeping in the den, out in the back. Follow me.” It was a dark, dreary, and chilly night in Launceston. She led me out in the direction of a faded campervan, in her backyard so long it had taken roots into the soil. But for one thin set of white Christmas lights on a naked ... read more

So going to Tazmania was short lived but much needed. I flew out of Melbourne on Friday night into Launceston, went on a Hiking trip to Cradle Mountain on Saturday and then flew back Sunday morning. I only took a bookbag full of what I needed, I'm learning to travel light. So the tour began by taking a drive towards Cradle Mountain but stopping along the way. We stopped at Ashgrove Cheese Factory to try some cheese but they also had all of these different painted cows there. It was quite intersting. From there we stopped in the town of Sheffield. Here there are random painted murals representing old times and surrounding places. The paintings are all on the side of buildings and are so unique. Then came the main event...Cradle Mountain. When we arrived below ... read more

DAY 114 I was awake since 2.00am, my back was aching so much and I just could not get comfortable, when Caroline awoke she said I had kept her up most of the night so it was time I did something about it. Today was the 1st of March so obviously a good day to go to the doctors, well Caroline has been in the last couple of days so fairs fair I have to keep up. I asked the bloke on the camp site if he knew of the nearest doctors surgery where I could go and he said he would find out, and about half an hour later came back with an address saying they may not take me and if they do go to Launceston A&E. We got washed and changed and jumped ... read more