Road Trip

With a long week end coming up, we were faced with another 3 days of working on number 3.  As much as we have enjoyed this year, spending weekends working on the bus and trying to get it finished, we really needed a break from it all to recharge our batteries, so we decided to take a road trip.  It had been a year exactly since we had gone away, so we were long overdue for a few days away.  Where will we go, what will we do?  We had in the past, discussed going down to the Huon Valley.  In the 8 1/2  years we have live in Tasmania, we have never really gone any further south than Hobart, so I got on google and had a look.  Yes, there was plenty of accommodation options, and some of them were pet friendly too, however, we decided to leave Horatio behind.  It would restrict us too much if we brought him along, he is not the sort of dog to sit quietly in the car while we go exploring places.  As it turns out, it was a good decision because it got quiet hot, and we wouldn't have been able to leave him in the car anyway.  So we got up Saturday morning to what was promising to be a lovely day, and got ready.  With the car finally packed, we set off on the approximate 4 1/2 hour drive at about 9.30a.m., later than what we had planned, but thats normal for us.  We never stick to a schedule.

Of course, when I say 4 1/2 hour trip, I mean if you don't stop.  But whats the point of that.  We had THE TRAVELLING BEANIE AUSTRALIA  https://www.facebook.com/groups/235449026485461/with us, so that meant we had to have lots of stops to take photos.  (Well, it was a good excuse to stop anyway.)
First stop was Campbeltown http://www.campbelltowntasmania.com/attractions.html

Most people don't realise there is more than one convict built bridge in Tasmania.  Richmond Bridge seems to be the one most people know.  I guess thats because it is Australia's oldest bridge.  Personally I like the Ross one best, but they are all very similar, and they all have a lot of history.  Speaking of Ross, that was our next stop.  I love Ross,  in fact, I love all these old towns along the Midlands Highway. (Heritage Highway)  I love the old buildings and the stories you read on the plaques.

http://www.discovertasmania.com/launceston_tamar_and_north/towns_and_places/ross

 After spending a bit of time walking through the town, we decided that it was time to move on, so back in the car and on to our next destination which was Oatlands.  http://www.discovertasmania.com/hobart_and_surrounds/towns_and_places/oatlands
We stopped here, had lunch, took a walk around the town and took some more photos.

By this stage, it was getting late, so we decided to head straight for Southport.  It was still a couple of hours drive away, and we weren't too sure of the road down there.  It was a good road, and we got there in plenty of time, so we kept going.  We drove down to the beach, and had a lovely walk on the white sand, and watched kids playing in the water.  Then we headed back and checked into the Southport Hotel.

The caravan park at Southport Hotel

http://www.farsouthtasmania.com/

What a lovely place it turned out to be.  It was clean and the staff were very friendly.  We really enjoyed our night there.  

Sunday morning arrived and it was another beautiful day.  The sun was shining and we were keen to set of for what I like to call the end of the world Cockle Creek.  It's not really the end of the world but it is the end of the road, literally.  It is Australia's most southern road.  There is a walking track after that, but it doesn't go too much further.                                                                                                                               

The Ida Bay Railway

http://idabayrailway.com.au/

There is plenty of free camping at Cockle Creek.  There were plenty of people there when we were there.  There were even a couple of busses. Terry said he would feel comfortable taking our bus down there, and we have a 40 foot bus.  Pets are allowed in the camp grounds, but not in the National Park.

http://www.discovertasmania.com/hobart_and_surrounds/towns_and_places/cockle_creek

After spending some time at the very south of Australia, it was time to head north again.  Today we also planned on stopping in Richmond.  

The Oldest School in Australia

The oldest Church

ttp://www.richmondvillage.com.au/

The Oldest Bridge

Richmond is a historic town with plenty to offer tourists.  Its so easy to loose track of time here, and thats fine, because there are plenty of places to spend the night if you find yourself enchanted by its beauty.  Reluctantly, we left Richmond and headed further north heading east towards Swansea on the East Coast.  

http://www.discovertasmania.com/east_coast/towns_and_places/swans

We spent the night in a cabin at the Caravan park, listening to the waves and were woken by the birds singing in the huge trees in the park.  ( Not sure I liked that bit though, because it was only about 4.30 a.m.)    The view from the beach was lovely.  After breakfast it was time to head off again.  

Swansea

http://www.discovertasmania.com/east_coast/towns_and_places/bicheno

Bicheno

Bicheno

http://www.discovertasmania.com/east_coast/towns_and_places/st_helens

For the best fish, head to St Helens.  

It was soon time to turn west and head away from the coast.  Unfortunately time didn't allow us to go further north.  The road to Scottsdale from Bicheno is long and windy, but there is some lovely scenery along the way.  There are several towns along the way.  The area is dotted with farms, mostly cattle and sheep  It's a total contrast to the blue ocean and white sand we just left behind.

http://www.discovertasmania.com/launceston_tamar_and_north/towns_and_places/scottsdale

If you have time, its well worth stopping and having a look around.  We continued our journey, heading north west and stopping in Bridport for the night.  We strolled along the beach before finding a place to stay for the night.  

http://www.discovertasmania.com/launceston_tamar_and_north/towns_and_places/bridport

Bridport

Low Head

By Tuesday morning the weather had changed and it was raining.  We were also tired and were looking forward to heading home again.  We set off from Bridport, and made our way to Low Head for a look around.    It was cold and windy, so we we didn't stay long.  We headed across the Batman bridge and made our way to Beaconsfield.  

Batman Bridge

Beaconsfield Mine

http://www.australiaforeveryone.com.au/icons_batmanbr.htm

http://www.discovertasmania.com/au/product_page?a=42224

By now, it was early afternoon, so after a look around, we decided that we were ready to head home again.
We had a busy 4 days, travelling just over 1200 kilometers in mostly perfect weather.  At every turn, there was something new to see, and we could have stayed so much longer.  Now we are back home, we are more determined than ever to finish the bus, and start travelling.  It will be so much easier if we don;t have deadlines, and don't have to pay for accommodation, and we will be so much more comfortable in the same bed every night.  We have decided that Tasmania is definitely the place we want to be.  We are still looking forward to our travels around Australia, but are looking forward to coming home again and spending time touring Tasmania at leisure.