Wynyard and Fossil Bluff, Table Cape

After a short drive from Cooee Point to the car boot market in Wynyard we set out to discover some more of Tasmania's delights.

Arriving at Fossil Bluff, clear crystal waters

The view from the car park

Fossils embedded in the rocks millions of them from the volcanic erruptions

The view North from the beach featuring the bluff

The view south from the beach taking in the headlands still to discover

The beautiful native grasses along the beach

The view Nth from the bluff overlooking the Wynyard Golf Club

After a fabulous walk & lunch by the ocean we went back to town and checked out the showground, where the locals were still playing cricket so we headed to a look at Table Cape Lighthouse & poppy fields along the way

These paddocks are all over Tassie, the opium poppies that provide around 70% of

the worlds supply of opiates for drug companies. Highly guarded & protected. Very big industry

for Tasmania.

The beautiful Table Cape Lighthouse, the only public access working Lighthouse in Tassie, overlooks a gorgeous Tulip farm in Spring

The view from the lookout, photo doesn't do the view justice, it was just magnificent.

Our trusty home enjoying the view

While tulips cover these fields in Spring, I think Lillies are currently growing here, not many flowers ATM

Then back to town & witnessed the locals enjoying a fabulous afternoon on the river

For my massage friends, this is the plaque for Frederick Alexander, 

who created & discovered the Alexander Technique.

Baghdad Hobart Perth all in one day makes a weary traveller....

A visit to the biannual wooden boat festival in Hobart also allowed time to catch up with friends who came across from the mainland to see some wooden boats.

There was plenty of small and large boats on display with workshops for all as well. Plenty of other activities to keep one occupied in a coolish Sunday in Hobart.

A pity we could not spend three days but at least it was a worthwhile visit. Getting here from Launceston we drove through Baghdad and Perth all in just 200kms.

Well it is back to Launceston to return to the rally as it ends on Tuesday.

The people we meet!

We are camped in a little village called Penguin on the NW of Tasmania. Last night we strike up a conversation with a gentleman at the BBQ, a really interesting man who travels with his push bike here in Tassie & his camels on the mainland he has been a true nomad for 18 yrs since 1994..... turns out he is the infamous Klaus Menzel camel man we searched him on Google for a continuation of his fascinating story. What a treasure & delight.

A week in progress

     

Playful buddah's outside Nan Tien Temple

Derrick Rest area outside Goulburn

Hume Lake - low tide

How they got Hume Lake

A lovely lunch & inspirational day at the Buddhist temple on Sunday 20th Jan. Then on to some great camping spots @ Derrick VC, Jugiong, Hume Lake, Everton then to friends @ Arthur's Creek, a day in Melbourne then overnight stop @ Port Melbourne to board Spirit of Tasmania today.

Camp spot at Jugiong

 

Jugiong Pool a cool relief

Camp Everton

Camp Shower @ Everton

The river at Pioneer bridges near Everton

Some shopping in Melbourne

The "Hot Rod" Show Melbourne Museum

The "Hot Rod" Show Melbourne Museum

Annie & I at the Blocks Arcade.... Establishment

Boarding the Spirit

Full Moon at first Camp Wesley Vale

Boarding the Spirit of Tasmania II and leaving Melbourne

After the morning ritual of lemon, goji berries, apple cider vinegar, honey and hot water, then followed by some fruit the van was cleaned and secured for the entry to the terminal.

After being checked by security an the loose gas bottles handed over for safe stowage the fast moving queue to board was joined. Entering the ship we just drove in and then stopped near the back of level G3. Took the backpacks on board and found a place to sit.

The ship is reversing out of the dock and is now on its way to Devonport.

Bon voyage

Final preparations for crossing Bass Strait

Have
Read all the FAQ's from the Spirit of Tasmania website, read many blogs from travellers yet while staying at a friends place near Arthur's Creek just out of Melbourne a question arises, have you cleaned the dirt from the van? Not even a topic on the government quarantine info site about this.

WTF, nowhere has this been mentioned. But it is a valid question as one would not want to take any dirt across a quarantine line. So the van, tyres, mudflaps underbody, were all cleaned in preparation for a spot check.

All fruit and veges and plants have been given away and only what we can eat for a breakfast remain with us. Tasmania is full of fresh organic fruit and veges so is is said that it should be plentiful across in the apple isle when arriving. An update tomorrow evening after arrival will be needed.....

Tassie here we come

Free camping over the past few days, a catch up with friends. Australia Day in Melbourne then Sunday we leave.....