I always believe that life is all about experiences... and it becomes even better when you are on to something new with your family...and I am fortunate to share with you the experience that I had during 2019 Easter...
Our Plan started with Melbourne - meeting good old friends and roaming around the city...
...visiting the Legoland ...a father's promise to daughter had to be kept...
followed by a trip to 12 apostles via the great Ocean road (notice the quirky signage!) -
Alas we where struck in a 3 hours traffic jam , a flat tyre and speeding ticket ...which did not end well ....but the best thing was....spending quality time with friends and family....
Keeping Melbourne behind... we moved to our First 'First' time experience😳 - Crossing the Ocean on a Ship (though people call it Ferry!)...all three of us where awestruck at the size of it... ( I am sure there might be even bigger ships than this... but a first is always a amazing however small it may be...
The first time experience was amazing....looking at the ship depart, getting accustomed to the huge lounge and it even had a children's play area...as the ship left the bay area and headed out into the sea (Bass strait) you could feel the sea!
We reached Davenport early morning and after hiring a car we moved down to Launceston...the first thing that did strike us was the straight roads ...
and the scenic beauty around us...lush green fields, with horses, lambs and cows roaming around...it was just like I had read in the books....
after reaching the small city of Launceston, we headed for the River cruise through Cataract gorge and the Tamar river...the cruise was scenic ride across the slow flowing Tamar River showcasing the city's old port...
and the best part was the silence when we entered the gorge!...(see the water level line - the block line on the rocks)
The hours spend by quickly and we had to get ready for our second 'first' of the trip😲....or next ride had arrived...
The Camper van!...we had to spend the next 5 days in this...we had our apprehensions earlier , but now it was standing in front of us...we had another family join us here...and without them this part of the journey would not have been possible!!
After fixing all our luggage we headed out for Cradle mountain...which we could not reach on time and hence had to settled down in one of the lesser known camping parks... the nights got colder and we had to lit a camp fire...and after a long time - in the midst of the jungle...along with the nocturnal possums... I could witness the milky way....millions of glittering stars...!!
With a quick breakfast in the morning sun....
we started off for the cradle mountain forest reserve.... and it was worth everything...one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen!
We walked through the moss filled jungles ...through the waterfalls and bridges...through wombat fields...and everything felt...so pure and serene....
We where in cradle mountain for two days...the weather was changing every hour...from clear skies & sunshine to sudden fog and rain...temperatures was hovering around 4 to 5 degrees (C)- but we did not give up...
That's me with my daughter on a 5 kms trek across the wilderness...in rain!
On the third day, we started moving towards the east coast of Tasmania...too another beautiful place and a very different landscape...Freycinet National park... it was dotted with amazing landscapes , sunsets
and its wineglass bay... this picture was possible after a 2 hrs arduous trek ...
After spending couple of days in Freycinet....we headed towards the Capital city ...Hobart!
But, we had no plans in Hobart except for spending some time relaxing and strolling around the Seven mile beach....
But...Hobart has lot more to see than just beaches....but next time...we where physically tired from the camper van life but mentally I wanted more of it....but next time...!
Day 1 : Landed in Hobart and went for a Long walk in Sandy Bay Area. You might witness the bioluminescence in the Sandy bay area waters...but unfortunately we did not!
Day 2 : Salamanca Market
This market feels like a magical place where you transition from yummy local food to a shop filled with toys and books or you can find that favourite colour scarf!
Day 2 second half: The Mona Museum - Probably a whole day affair but we just gave it half a day!
Day3 : Ticked off Port Arthur - Stay over in Bronte Park for the night
The overnight journey from Hobart to Bronte park (Centre of Tasmania), though it turned out to be adventurous but in hindsight was a very bad decision - it has 90+ hair bends and single lane mountainous road and not a single soul around to help you if you needed one!
Day 4: Lake St.Clair, Nelson Falls, Queenstown to Strahan
Day 6: Wilderness Train ride
Day 7, 8 & 9: To Cradle Mountain - Yes that's how much we loved this place!
Day 10: To Launceston - on the way Cataract Gorge Chairlift - back to Sydney
I hope you liked this Picture-blog - It was intentional that I did not put too many words in this, because Tasmania is a place where you should go to see and feel the richness of nature...do not hurry through your visit else you will have to revisit!!
