Low Head

You can even book holidays in the Lighthouse keeper's cottages. We didn't bother to ask about the cost!

Bridport jetty

At least the old jetty. We didn't find a new one!

Giant Cuttlefish

The Cuttlefish on the beach are huge. The ball thing in front of them was larger than a tennis ball.

More photos from the north-east

The Blue Lake - apparently it is green in the winter and blue in the summer and you can't swim in it. It is very acidic and has high aluminum content because of all the tin mining that happened to create the hole in the first place.

Exploring the North-East

Saturday 6th September

Last Monday we met our friend Meg Evans in Oatlands and then drove to Branxholm innorth-east Tasmania. We were the first guests at the Tin Dragon Trail Cottages which are being developed by Graham and Christine on their property on the banks of the Ringarooma River. They have one of four cottages finished and plan to have the others ready in the next few weeks. The cottages are well appointed, very comfortable and generously supplied with breakfast from oats and muesli to bacon, eggs and sausages. Graham and Christine are also developing an Interpretative Centre which tells the story of Chinese tin mining in the area in general and on their property in particular. 

On Tuesday we explored the local area. On Wednesday we drove to the north-east coast and visiting Mussleroe Bay ('big' and 'little') and Cape Portland. We did our best to stand on the very north-eastern tip of Tasmania. On Thursday we went to Bridport (a fishing village on the north coast) and then to George Town and Low Head on the Tamar estuary. Low Head was quite pretty with its series of lighthouses. We also visited a couple of wineries. On Friday we drove home through some country lanes, stopped at a lavender farm (Helen says the car smells of "old ladies") and then had lunch in the historic village of Evandale. On the way home we called into the Cadbury factory shop - wow - half-price chocolates! 

First weekend in Hobart

On Saturday we had brunch at Salamanca Markets and then drove to the top of Mt Wellington for Adam's first experience of snow. 

On Sunday we headed for Russell Falls and Lake Dobson in the Mt Field National Park which is an easy drive from Hobart. Stray snowballs and a mini snowman were part of the day's activities. 

We made it!

After a delayed start we are in Hobart. We left one week late on Tuesday 26th stopping at Coonabarabran and Cobram on the way to Melbourne. We visited wineries at Shelmerdine and Hanging Rock - both carefully chosen by Colin and he wasn't disappointed. The Spirit of Tasmania crossing was a first for Carol (Colin had travelled to Australia by ship). The meal in the ship's restaurant was excellent and the cabin very comfortable. There was one rough patch early in the trip but otherwise it was smooth sailing. On Friday we wandered our way from Devonport to Hobart via Anver's Chocolates, the Raspberry Farm and quite a few country roads. 

Photo: Banks of the Murray River near Cobram