Tonight, we will be back on board the Spirit of Tasmania for the return trip to Melbourne. We have again booked a cabin for the overnight sailing, and will be in Melbourne early on Saturday morning.
We drove north from Hobart on the "heritage highway" route, which took us towards Launceston. The road took us through Oatlands, where we stopped to look at the Callington Mill windmill. Another "oldest" for Tasmania, this is the only working 19th Century tower mill in the southern hemisphere. Oatlands is another historic village, complete with Georgian buildings. We passed through several of these on today's drive.
We have decided that Launceston will require more than "passing through", and so did not attempt to squeeze in a visit today. Instead, we turned west towards Devonport, and were there in time for lunch and a walk around the town centre.
The afternoon has been spent just outside Devonport on the Mersey Bluff, overlooking Bass Strait. The cloud that had been around in the morning lifted, and it has been a beautiful afternoon. There are some paths around the cliff, and apparently there is a blow hole in the rocks, although there wasn't much action happening there today! (it was a couple of hours off high tide, so perhaps that is why).
Getting ready for the last part of our holiday now.
Showing posts with label devonport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label devonport. Show all posts
Friday, March 11, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
First Day
We travelled overnight from Melbourne to Devonport on the Spirit of Tasmania I. Our departure was delayed by about an hour, and we finally left Port Melbourne at around 9.30.
The trip over was relatively smooth. We had a cabin, and so after a late dinner (and a few drinks in the bar!) we turned in. There were some roughish seas as we came through the heads, but nothing too "unsettling!!" Neither of us had to resort to travel sickness pills :)
We were due in to Devonport at 6.45 this morning, and so we woke early to be ready and to see our approach to the port. It was so windy on the starboard side of the boat that I couldn't hold the camera still enough for photos, but Gavan got some video which we will post later. I got a few pictures from the port side, which was more sheltered.
Once we left the boat, we went back across the Mersey River into the town centre for breakfast, before driving down to Hobart.
It was a 270-odd km trip through the centre of Tasmania from Devonport to Hobart, but it's a straightforward drive and so it didn't take too long. We were surprised after all the rain that we have had on the mainland this summer, to find that the countryside still looks very dry in Tasmania. Speaking to a local in Hobart, we were told that although it has been a cool summer, they have not had a lot of rain. They are preparing themselves for a very cold winter.
We got to Hobart in time for lunch, and took a stroll through the Salamanca Market. This was one of my "must see" places for this trip, and Saturday was the only option for it! It didn't disappoint. Loved the laid back, country feel of the market. Plus, of course, all the lovely goods for sale!! Salamanca Place, where the market is held is a fascinating street. A quick Google search informed us that the buildings along the street are Georgian, and were originally warehouses.
Later in the afternoon, we crossed the Tasman Bridge and headed to our accommodation at Seven Mile Beach. It's been a fairly tiring day so it's time for some quiet book time I think.
The trip over was relatively smooth. We had a cabin, and so after a late dinner (and a few drinks in the bar!) we turned in. There were some roughish seas as we came through the heads, but nothing too "unsettling!!" Neither of us had to resort to travel sickness pills :)
We were due in to Devonport at 6.45 this morning, and so we woke early to be ready and to see our approach to the port. It was so windy on the starboard side of the boat that I couldn't hold the camera still enough for photos, but Gavan got some video which we will post later. I got a few pictures from the port side, which was more sheltered.
Once we left the boat, we went back across the Mersey River into the town centre for breakfast, before driving down to Hobart.
It was a 270-odd km trip through the centre of Tasmania from Devonport to Hobart, but it's a straightforward drive and so it didn't take too long. We were surprised after all the rain that we have had on the mainland this summer, to find that the countryside still looks very dry in Tasmania. Speaking to a local in Hobart, we were told that although it has been a cool summer, they have not had a lot of rain. They are preparing themselves for a very cold winter.
We got to Hobart in time for lunch, and took a stroll through the Salamanca Market. This was one of my "must see" places for this trip, and Saturday was the only option for it! It didn't disappoint. Loved the laid back, country feel of the market. Plus, of course, all the lovely goods for sale!! Salamanca Place, where the market is held is a fascinating street. A quick Google search informed us that the buildings along the street are Georgian, and were originally warehouses.
Later in the afternoon, we crossed the Tasman Bridge and headed to our accommodation at Seven Mile Beach. It's been a fairly tiring day so it's time for some quiet book time I think.
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