Tasmania-December 2005

After much nagging from Cheryl, I finally got myself an external hard drive. I started transferring my files into the external hard drive two days ago when I came across these old Tasmania Trip photos that were burnt into a cd. I haven't had a chance to explore them properly aside from the brief preview on Beatrice's multiply website.

Tasmania is arguably the most beautiful state in Australia. I normally prefer travelling outside of Australia rather than within Australia because why travel interstate when one brown barren spot look the same to another. Australia as a country is pretty brown and dry in general. Scenic wise, its nothing to shout about. Tasmania was an exception. We travelled around Tasmania within 5 days and we did it 'amazing race' style. There was just so much to explore~!

I opened my journal and found some information on Tasmania that i scribbled down during the trip. Hopefully this will serve as a guide to those who plan to travel there in the future.

Day 1 (5/11)

Landed in Launceston
Immediately we rented a car and drove out of Launceston using the North East trail.

We stopped by Bridestowe Lavender Farm, the largest commercial Lavender Farm in the southern hemisphere.



Ever had lavender ice cream? It was my first at the farm. Let's just say, its an acquired taste


I'll never forget this picture. We were driving along the road when suddenly we spotted this huge pink bush. From far, it looked like a huge pink igloo. The brakes took the brunt of our excitement, we hopped out in glee and started snapping pictures.


Little Blue Lake. Yeah, that wasn't the description of the lake. Its the actual name - "little blue lake". This picture wasn't photoshopped. The water was so blue that it felt magical. The intensity of the colour is caused by the high aluminium content in the water. So swimming and drinking of the water is definitely not permitted.


We headed to Bays of Fire (Binalong Bay)


The sand was extremely soft and white

Drove to Coles Bay (stayed there)


Scenery at Coles Bay


Hm..some beach


Day 2 (6/11)


I spent most of the trip doing this. The roads are really windy in Tasmania. Because i didn't want to puke my guts out during the trip, I volunteered to drive most of the trip.


We joined an oyster farm tour. It was really insightful. I didn't know oyster farming was such a long process. This farm was located at the mouth of a river because it was the right salt content - not too salty yet not pure fresh water.


I ate seaweed from the sea along with many yummy freshly shucked oysters.


Hello...That's a paddy melon wallaby. I fed many of them when I was there.


Freycinet National Park - Wine Glass Bay. The beach was one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever come across. Believe me when I say its beautiful. I've been to many beaches around the world and nothing comes close to this. The fact that its not polluted by human traffic and rubbish also adds to beauty. The bay is called 'Wine Glass' bay because it is shaped like a wine glass (rhetorical statement)

The granite made the cliffs look strikingly red



Beatrice and I


Vinh and Rachel

Note: SHould visit Murray Island if you have the opportunity


Port Arthur prison. When Australia was first colonised, convicts were imprisoned here.

There are two prison tours. The day one and the night one which is called the 'ghost tour'. Beatrice decided that we should go for the night tour. I was a little skeptical about the tour and asked her, "why is it called the ghost tour?" She replied, "O, because the tour is conducted at night." I happily obliged and tagged along. Horrors of horrors, I discovered that the tour was on ghost stories that apparently occured in the prison.


That was my expression throughout the night


At the start of the tour, the tour guide asked people to volunteer to be the lamp bearer. I quickly raised my hand at the opportunity. I welcomed any sort of light during the tour.

Definitely, a wrong move. The lamp bearer was required to do all sorts of silly acts. One time I was required to walk up to one of the warden's houses by myself, knock on the door, ask "is anyone home?" and hope that no one replies me. My heart was up to my throat the entire trip.

NOTE: Join the day tour instead. It's much more informative and they wont scare the lights of out you

Drove to Hobart that night. We stayed at this backpackers place called Pickled Frog. It was the worst backpackers place I ever stayed in. Gross! The bathroom was constantly flooded. Imagine showering in someone else's scum.

O, another note of caution, make sure you stock up on food for dinner and supper because shops and supermarkets in Tasmania close by 5 pm.


Day 3 (7/11)

The next day, we headed to the Cadbury Chocolate Factory for a tour of the factory. Chocolate haven =)

Remember this from the Cadbury ads?



Hobart city.


Lake St Clair. You may see platypuses swimming there but its hard to catch them. I swear I saw a platypus but the others still deny it.


Beatrice and her mum. Her mum is cool. She followed us hiking, climbed up hills, and slept in backpackers! All without complaining as well! Salute.

Note: Check out Gordon River cruise


We stopped by Glen Clyde Tea house for lunch. I fell in love with this place the moment I stepped in.


Absolutely cozy inside


You can dine alfresco style at the back of the cottage.


I ordered garlic buttered prawns on rice


There was a quaint garden at the back as well


Beatrice


More pictures of the garden




The owner's cat.

We spent the night in Queenstown. We stayed in this cabin called Copper Country Cabin. This place is highly recommended. After splitting the cost between the five of us, it was the cheapest accommodation during the trip.


Living room. Don't mind our mess.


One of the rooms. Well, the place isn't 5-star quality but you can't expect too much in Australia. Everything is pretty pricey.

Note: Copper Country Cabin Highly recommended

Note II: There's an underground coal mine in Queenstown. We didn't join the tour but I reckon that it will be pretty interesting.

Day 4 (8/11)


Went to Cradle mountain to do the short walks there. We splitted up into two groups upon arrival. Beatrice and I in one group and the others, in the other group. Doing it Asian style, Beatrice and I decided to complete every single short walk there. We walked 18 km in total. Along the way, we got chased by a bee, had an encounter with a snake and met lots of other more friendly creatures.


Hm...some lizard




It was a really hot day. We finished our water in no time.




Hello...a cute echidna. I only remembered its name at the end of the trip.
[post-edit: oops, its not an echidna as Tim kindly pointed out. Dear animal, what is your name?!?]

We joined the 'spotlight' tour. We sat in the mini bus whilst the driver shone the torchlight on various nocturnal animals. I think the tour was worth the price.

Note: You can also join "devils @ cradle" (tasmanian devils) tour but frankly, I think it's a tad overpriced.

Day 5 (9/11)


Headed to Moles Creek for an underground tour of the glow worm cave


Hm...some spider

Note: Cathedral tour (11 am) recommended & can do King Solomon's cave tour but there's no glow worms there

Note II: You can also visit Devil's Gullet reserve. It's located near Mole's creek and apparently, it has a lookout that provide pretty stunning views of Cradle Mountain.

We stopped by Deloraine for lunch

Headed back to Launceston


Cataract Gorge, Launceston. This tourist attraction is located only 15 minutes walk from the city centre. There's a huge outdoor swimming pool here along with walking trails, a suspension bridge and the world's longest single span chairlift. This is probably where the locals hang out during the weekends.

Note: You might want to try out hand gliding in Launceston. It's a pretty popular tourist attraction here.


I'll end this post with another wallaby feeding picture. Ain't they cute?