It’s time to head back to the USA for the summer. We’re now beginning to (post-Covid) stop somewhere along the way in each direction to explore.
Our first exploration will be Tasmania, Melbourne and Sydney for a month.
As I previously posted a detailed trip report for my 2017 hiking in Tasmania, I won’t repeat what is duplicated, but just put new details here. To see that trip report, click here: Tasmania 2017
We begin our visit in Hobart, founded in 1804 as a British penal colony, located on an excellent protected harbor. Many of the early buildings have survived. We’ll stay right downtown two nights about 10 minutes walk from the harbor at Sandy Bay, and walk around.
Hobart has its roots still visible from the 1800s in its many old sandstone warehouses and brick houses. We’re staying in the old city, short walk to the bay.
The Royal Botanical Garden is lovely, with many trees more than 100 years old. And it’s free! We spent a peaceful morning walking there. Their Japanese garden is exquisite, with lots of water running pool to pool.
Our second day (which was to be a sightseeing flight/hike/boat ride in the Southwest Wilderness) had to be adjusted as weather was not favorable for the flight. So we went to the Salamanca Saturday market/fair. Perhaps 300 booths are there, and thousands of visitors. They say it is the most popular event in Tasmania, and I can see why. Perhaps the biggest crafts fair I’ve ever seen! Great food, too.
Because there is a hole in the ozone layer over Australia, Aussies (and their children) wear hats a lot. Some of the hats I like the most come from here, so I got myself a washable leather hat to take home:
Next day, we began our counter-clockwise circumnavigation of Tasmania by driving to Triabunna, the jumping off point for trips to Maria Island National Park. A smooth 30 minute passenger ferry gets you there. We rented mountain bikes to see more, as the island is pretty big. Painted Cliffs has eroded considerably since my 2017 visit.
We cycled on (and, as Pin might say, on and on). We stopped for brunch at a lovely seaside lagoon.
On to French’s old farm site. We turned around and headed back by the inland route. Mistake. An arduous 11 km. route with numerous problems: deep sand, then steep hills, then a difficult rocky road. Pin was exhausted and said ‘no fun!’. I did pretty well, but was tired also.
We saw 5 kangaroos, many wallabies (like miniature ‘roos) and wombats.
Maria Island is well worth a visit. But it might be prudent to not pick a hard 22 km cycle route!
On to St. Helena for some beachside hiking.