TASMANIA

Enjoying some coco to warm up.

This last weekend, we took the opportunity to go to Tasmania.  Claire has been lobbying to go see Tasmania since we moved here and I was finally able work it into the schedule.  The girls are not out of school yet so we needed to take them out for two days to make it happen.  They were happy to miss school and really happy to see all that Tassie has to offer.

I have met a wonderful friend at church who was born and raised in Tassie. She was sweet to share some of her highlights/must-sees with us.  I tried to plan our trip closer to summer because it can be quite cold in Tassie considering it is just 3000 Kilometers from Antarctic.

We arrived in Hobart Thursday morning and it was quite cold and wet.  We decided to spend the morning in and around Battery Point.  The streets of Battery Point look like they are from a little coastal village in England somewhere.  We had such a good time walking the streets and looking at all of the charming houses despite the drizzle coming down from the sky.

Street in Hobart

After spending an afternoon in Hobart, Tasmania, we drove to the Tasman Peninsula.  We stayed at a lovely little lodge that had individual cabins in the bush.  However, it was surrounded by the gorgeous rocky coastline. Best of both worlds - beach and mountains.





Friday morning bright and early, we headed out on a Wilderness Adventure.  We spent three hours on a boat learning and observing all we could about the jagged, rugged, beautiful coastline of the Tasman Peninsula.  However, as we were on our three hour tour, we discovered that 3 of the 5 of us suffer from some extreme motion-sickness.  Due to this minor issue, which became a major issue considering we had stormy conditions with 4 metre swells, it was touch and go for a bit - more touch than go.  Three of us were quite happy when we pulled into port and could get off of the boat.  Grace and I could have stayed on that boat all day - we had a lovely trip.

Here are some pictures of what we saw....unbelievable.

Before the fun began....sick tummies :(

Port Arthur - this was a prison a long time ago.

Cormorants Birds that look like penguins but are not like them because they don't swim.

Seals, we saw Australian Seals and New Zealand seals.

Waterfall emptying into Waterfall Bay

After a day and a night on the Tasman Peninsula, we drove north along the coast towards Wineglass Bay.  It is a Bay that is located in Freycinet National Park and it is stunning as well.  Our accommodations in this part of Tasmania looked like they were part of the English countryside.  It was a cute little cabin with stone walls, a wood-burning stove, and just picturesque.  We truly enjoyed our two days up there despite the occasional downpour.  We spent many hours combing the beach for all kinds of treasures.

Our cabin

Our view from our back porch.

Treasure One - Don't worry we did not pick these up.

Tom made us a fire - what a great hubby and daddy.

We went to Wineglass Bay and stopped at a lighthouse to admire the amazing view - it was a bit windy and cold.

Jane's holding the lighthouse in her hand.

Some of the vineyards that we passed on our way to Wineglass Bay.

Overall we had a memorable trip that was full of many firsts and lots of laughter.  We really enjoyed Tasmania and would not mind going back.  We will definitely pack more warm clothes though - many layers are needed.  Jane was thrilled to be able to pick-up another stuffed animal to add to her collection (addiction).  A penguin - named Arthur - Thanks Tassie.