Tasmania, making a switch
Door: Lonneke
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Lonneke
09 Maart 2017 | Australië, Tasmania
* Hobart, start over again
After an amazing adventure in the outback I was flying to Tasmania for my next adventure (on the first of March). The begin of this journey started good, because I met a nice woman in the airplane who asked me to share a cab. The whole nice thing about it was that she paid for it! So again, I met a very nice person from Australia!
We drove in to Hobart and I expected a small city. We drove over a bridge and I saw a lot of lights from all the houses and streets. The city was really looking beautiful and big from this distance. I’m wondering how it looks during the day.
When I arrived at my hostel and was in my room I had to switch my mind. I wasn’t in the desert anymore and not with the lovely group from the tour. Every time you have to start over again. It is getting easier, but I have to say that I was a little bit tired of the travels from the last couple of weeks. So an early sleep was not a bad choice.
* Strahan, refreshing swim
On 2nd of March I started the tour ‘under down under’ for eight days. The group was different again, different in nationality, age and the amount of days they were going to do. We drove from Hobart (east coast) all the way to the other side of Tasmania to Strahan. We made a couple of stops. We saw Russell Falls, walked among the Mt Field National Park Tall Trees and went to Lake St. Clair (Australia’s deepest freshwater lake). Jeroen and I were taking this opportunity to take a swim. We jumped in the water and it was freezing cold! Felt like we jumped in an ice bath, but refreshing. Couple of people passed us and you could tell that they had respect for us (for the fact we were in the water).
After the last stop at Franklin-Gordon wild River National park (where I have a nice picture of myself with the waterfall, I say so myself) we were in Strahan.
We decided with the group to do a group BBQ. I offered myself to do the shopping. Well, never again. If no one want to do it and I offer myself, it doesn’t mean that everyone should have their opinion about everything. But luckily the BBQ ended up very good. We made a good meal and enjoyed it all together.
* Strahan, Cruise
The next day I booked a cruise, the Gordon River Cruise. In the beginning of the cruise I was a little bit disappointed. First there were only mountains you could see and I saw this already in New Zealand. I’m probably a little bit spoiled with the views.
After a while on the boat we had a couple of stops. We did a walk in the rainforest and stopped on Sarah Island. Sarah Island is an island where convicts were placed in the earlier days, now you can visit it to see the convict ruins. Someone told a funny and good story about the history of the island.
When we went back on the boat there was a big, good, delicious lunch served. While we were eating the views outside were getting better. Instead of mountains there was the rainforest. I enjoyed this view. It’s different than I saw before and it was just beautiful with the reflection in the water. So, in the beginning I was a little bit disappointed, but I turned out to a good cruise.
In the evening there was a show about the island where I’ve been (not everyone been to the island, because the cruise was an optional update of the tour). The people told in a show about the whole history. It was more like a comedy with the most important facts. They were very interactive with the audience. At the end of the show the people from my group had a spray bottle filled with water to create a storm. At the end this ended in a water fight of course, just having fun!
* Launceston, Hike at Cradle Mountain
The next day we drove to Launceston, but not without a stop where we could do a hike. We hiked on Cradle Mountain to Marion’s Lookout. I think I walked during my trip on more stairs than in my whole life (when I’m home and I’m going to rent an apartment, then I want one on the ground floor). This stairs were only rocks were you had to climb on. Every time I start a hike on a mountain I’m wondering why I’m doing it, but at the end I always know! The view is every time amazing and really worth it! This time again, for sure!!!
Okay and I will admit that I’m clumsy. The bruise on my knee proves it this time. I you look up to look around, you don’t see the steps underneath you, so hit my knee on a rock.
* Bicheno, Beach day!
5th of March is known ad beach day! Well, for this year, in this year, in Tasmania. I needed a day like this and it was lovely! We drove to Bicheno, but we had a stop for a couple of hours at ‘Bay of Fires’. It’s called ‘Bay of Fires’ because the first explorer saw fires on the beach when he arrived. They were coming from the aboriginals to keep them warm.
We were there to enjoy the view and the water. Yes, we won’t let this opportunity pass us. Together with a couple of other people we went in the water for a refreshing swim. Well, I wouldn’t call it a swim, was more just standing in the water.
After a little sunbathe on the beautiful rocks we drove with the whole group to the next beach. ‘Secret’ spot from our tour guide, so don’t know how it’s called. The only thing I know is that there were a lot of shells, a lot!
* Tasmania, More stairs
The day after the relaxing beach day we had an early morning for a hike to the Wineglass Bay lookout. This day was the first day that it was a little bit colder, so far we were very lucky. The hike to the lookout was a good walk. We decided to walk down to the beach. While we were walking down we realized that we also have to walk up again. It was half an hour down and one and a half hour up. Luckily we had time down on the beach to relax an enjoying the wildlife. There was a wallaby (small kangaroo) who like to come close to us.
After the hike we stopped at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. They rescue the animals from all over Tasmania. Maybe good to know, Tasmania is known as the roadkill state of Australia. So these people are doing a great job. They had koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, birds, wombats and a Tasmanian devil! Finally after a couple of days in Tasmania I can tell I saw a Tasmanian devil. The name devil comes from the sound they make. They let us hear the sound … very scary!!! I don’t want to hear that when I walk around somewhere. In Tasmania they try to prevent that the Tasmanian devil die out (like the Tasmanian tiger). There is a disease that kills them at the moment, but they found a vaccine! Hope that they stay in Tasmania!
In the evening we eat with a couple of people pizza in a park and went out. It was the last night together with this group, because not everyone was going to do the eight day tour. So, a good finish together!
* Hobart, Port Arthur historic site
I was happy that a couple of people were still doing the eight-day tour! But the 7th of March started a little bit odd. We were sitting in the bus and picking up some people. At the moment we start to drive we felt something behind our bus. What happened, we were on a hill, just like another bus. The other bus had a mechanical failure in the brake and started to drive downhill. Luckily we started to drive already and was the impact not that big. However the other bus was still driving and stopped finally against a building. Good to know, there was no one seriously injured.
After a longer stop in Richmond (because the bus driver wanted to change the bus and trailer, just in case) we drove to Port Arthur. This is a place where ruthless convicts were placed. We started with a guided tour. Well, I know my English isn’t that bad, but I couldn’t follow this guy. He had a strong accent and was talking very fast. I was happy when I founded out that even the native English speakers were struggling. Made me feel better! :)
When he was finished with his ‘talk’ we could walk on our own around the island. I walked together with Steven and Emily and saw a couple of ruins of places where the victims got the punishments, where the other people of the place were living and the cells. Quite impressive! We also went on a boat that cruise us around and showed us a couple of island around this place.
* Hobart, Mount Wellington and MONA
The next day we had a hike on Mount Wellington. Well, it was more a beautiful flat walk with a beautiful view of Hobart. There were a lot of spider webs and because I was walking in the front I caught them for the rest of the group, you’re welcome!
After the walk the tour guide dropped us at MONA. I didn’t know what to expect of this. I knew it is a museum, but every time I ask someone about it, they tell me ‘you have to experience it yourself’. And I did! It’s a museum like I never saw before. A lot of realistic art with animals and humans and some optical illusions. I will give an example: real meat of a cow hanging on the wall. The rest, you have to experience it yourself!
* Hobart, Bruny Island
On the last day of the tour (9th of March) we went to Bruny Island. Today we had to be patient, because we missed the ferry (twice, on our way to the island and on our way back). But the Island was really nice! We first had a stop where we could see a small part of land that connects the north part with the south part of the island.
The next stop was a nice walk to a lighthouse with a beautiful view on a couple of sea cliffs. Of course a good opportunity to take pictures. So people like to take a lot of pictures (won’t name the kind of people I mean), but why wouldn’t we try it as well! Good pictures, I say so myself though ;)
We had a couple of stops at beaches and tastings. We tasted different kind of honey and cheese. Some people tried oysters as well, but that’s not my cup of tea.
When we were back at the mainland I went together with Emily and Steven to the cinema. To the movie ‘Lion’. A beautiful/emotional movie and a good end of the journey together with those amazing people. I’m gonna miss them, but it’s time for my next place!
After an amazing adventure in the outback I was flying to Tasmania for my next adventure (on the first of March). The begin of this journey started good, because I met a nice woman in the airplane who asked me to share a cab. The whole nice thing about it was that she paid for it! So again, I met a very nice person from Australia!
We drove in to Hobart and I expected a small city. We drove over a bridge and I saw a lot of lights from all the houses and streets. The city was really looking beautiful and big from this distance. I’m wondering how it looks during the day.
When I arrived at my hostel and was in my room I had to switch my mind. I wasn’t in the desert anymore and not with the lovely group from the tour. Every time you have to start over again. It is getting easier, but I have to say that I was a little bit tired of the travels from the last couple of weeks. So an early sleep was not a bad choice.
* Strahan, refreshing swim
On 2nd of March I started the tour ‘under down under’ for eight days. The group was different again, different in nationality, age and the amount of days they were going to do. We drove from Hobart (east coast) all the way to the other side of Tasmania to Strahan. We made a couple of stops. We saw Russell Falls, walked among the Mt Field National Park Tall Trees and went to Lake St. Clair (Australia’s deepest freshwater lake). Jeroen and I were taking this opportunity to take a swim. We jumped in the water and it was freezing cold! Felt like we jumped in an ice bath, but refreshing. Couple of people passed us and you could tell that they had respect for us (for the fact we were in the water).
After the last stop at Franklin-Gordon wild River National park (where I have a nice picture of myself with the waterfall, I say so myself) we were in Strahan.
We decided with the group to do a group BBQ. I offered myself to do the shopping. Well, never again. If no one want to do it and I offer myself, it doesn’t mean that everyone should have their opinion about everything. But luckily the BBQ ended up very good. We made a good meal and enjoyed it all together.
* Strahan, Cruise
The next day I booked a cruise, the Gordon River Cruise. In the beginning of the cruise I was a little bit disappointed. First there were only mountains you could see and I saw this already in New Zealand. I’m probably a little bit spoiled with the views.
After a while on the boat we had a couple of stops. We did a walk in the rainforest and stopped on Sarah Island. Sarah Island is an island where convicts were placed in the earlier days, now you can visit it to see the convict ruins. Someone told a funny and good story about the history of the island.
When we went back on the boat there was a big, good, delicious lunch served. While we were eating the views outside were getting better. Instead of mountains there was the rainforest. I enjoyed this view. It’s different than I saw before and it was just beautiful with the reflection in the water. So, in the beginning I was a little bit disappointed, but I turned out to a good cruise.
In the evening there was a show about the island where I’ve been (not everyone been to the island, because the cruise was an optional update of the tour). The people told in a show about the whole history. It was more like a comedy with the most important facts. They were very interactive with the audience. At the end of the show the people from my group had a spray bottle filled with water to create a storm. At the end this ended in a water fight of course, just having fun!
* Launceston, Hike at Cradle Mountain
The next day we drove to Launceston, but not without a stop where we could do a hike. We hiked on Cradle Mountain to Marion’s Lookout. I think I walked during my trip on more stairs than in my whole life (when I’m home and I’m going to rent an apartment, then I want one on the ground floor). This stairs were only rocks were you had to climb on. Every time I start a hike on a mountain I’m wondering why I’m doing it, but at the end I always know! The view is every time amazing and really worth it! This time again, for sure!!!
Okay and I will admit that I’m clumsy. The bruise on my knee proves it this time. I you look up to look around, you don’t see the steps underneath you, so hit my knee on a rock.
* Bicheno, Beach day!
5th of March is known ad beach day! Well, for this year, in this year, in Tasmania. I needed a day like this and it was lovely! We drove to Bicheno, but we had a stop for a couple of hours at ‘Bay of Fires’. It’s called ‘Bay of Fires’ because the first explorer saw fires on the beach when he arrived. They were coming from the aboriginals to keep them warm.
We were there to enjoy the view and the water. Yes, we won’t let this opportunity pass us. Together with a couple of other people we went in the water for a refreshing swim. Well, I wouldn’t call it a swim, was more just standing in the water.
After a little sunbathe on the beautiful rocks we drove with the whole group to the next beach. ‘Secret’ spot from our tour guide, so don’t know how it’s called. The only thing I know is that there were a lot of shells, a lot!
* Tasmania, More stairs
The day after the relaxing beach day we had an early morning for a hike to the Wineglass Bay lookout. This day was the first day that it was a little bit colder, so far we were very lucky. The hike to the lookout was a good walk. We decided to walk down to the beach. While we were walking down we realized that we also have to walk up again. It was half an hour down and one and a half hour up. Luckily we had time down on the beach to relax an enjoying the wildlife. There was a wallaby (small kangaroo) who like to come close to us.
After the hike we stopped at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. They rescue the animals from all over Tasmania. Maybe good to know, Tasmania is known as the roadkill state of Australia. So these people are doing a great job. They had koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, birds, wombats and a Tasmanian devil! Finally after a couple of days in Tasmania I can tell I saw a Tasmanian devil. The name devil comes from the sound they make. They let us hear the sound … very scary!!! I don’t want to hear that when I walk around somewhere. In Tasmania they try to prevent that the Tasmanian devil die out (like the Tasmanian tiger). There is a disease that kills them at the moment, but they found a vaccine! Hope that they stay in Tasmania!
In the evening we eat with a couple of people pizza in a park and went out. It was the last night together with this group, because not everyone was going to do the eight day tour. So, a good finish together!
* Hobart, Port Arthur historic site
I was happy that a couple of people were still doing the eight-day tour! But the 7th of March started a little bit odd. We were sitting in the bus and picking up some people. At the moment we start to drive we felt something behind our bus. What happened, we were on a hill, just like another bus. The other bus had a mechanical failure in the brake and started to drive downhill. Luckily we started to drive already and was the impact not that big. However the other bus was still driving and stopped finally against a building. Good to know, there was no one seriously injured.
After a longer stop in Richmond (because the bus driver wanted to change the bus and trailer, just in case) we drove to Port Arthur. This is a place where ruthless convicts were placed. We started with a guided tour. Well, I know my English isn’t that bad, but I couldn’t follow this guy. He had a strong accent and was talking very fast. I was happy when I founded out that even the native English speakers were struggling. Made me feel better! :)
When he was finished with his ‘talk’ we could walk on our own around the island. I walked together with Steven and Emily and saw a couple of ruins of places where the victims got the punishments, where the other people of the place were living and the cells. Quite impressive! We also went on a boat that cruise us around and showed us a couple of island around this place.
* Hobart, Mount Wellington and MONA
The next day we had a hike on Mount Wellington. Well, it was more a beautiful flat walk with a beautiful view of Hobart. There were a lot of spider webs and because I was walking in the front I caught them for the rest of the group, you’re welcome!
After the walk the tour guide dropped us at MONA. I didn’t know what to expect of this. I knew it is a museum, but every time I ask someone about it, they tell me ‘you have to experience it yourself’. And I did! It’s a museum like I never saw before. A lot of realistic art with animals and humans and some optical illusions. I will give an example: real meat of a cow hanging on the wall. The rest, you have to experience it yourself!
* Hobart, Bruny Island
On the last day of the tour (9th of March) we went to Bruny Island. Today we had to be patient, because we missed the ferry (twice, on our way to the island and on our way back). But the Island was really nice! We first had a stop where we could see a small part of land that connects the north part with the south part of the island.
The next stop was a nice walk to a lighthouse with a beautiful view on a couple of sea cliffs. Of course a good opportunity to take pictures. So people like to take a lot of pictures (won’t name the kind of people I mean), but why wouldn’t we try it as well! Good pictures, I say so myself though ;)
We had a couple of stops at beaches and tastings. We tasted different kind of honey and cheese. Some people tried oysters as well, but that’s not my cup of tea.
When we were back at the mainland I went together with Emily and Steven to the cinema. To the movie ‘Lion’. A beautiful/emotional movie and a good end of the journey together with those amazing people. I’m gonna miss them, but it’s time for my next place!
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