After the Overland Track we got a rental car to see as much of the
island as we could in ten days. Our very first
destination was Ross - a sleepy but fascinating little place about an
hour south of Launceston. Originally established in 1812 as a
garrison town to protect travellers from bush rangers, it is rich in
history and colonial charm. It is probably most famous for its
bridge built by convicts in 1836. It is the oldest in Tasmania and
third-oldest in all of Australia. Many of the buildings of the
same era are now cafes and craft shops.
The Ross Bridge built by convicts in 1836 |
From there, we went to the pretty fishing port of Bicheno on the
north-east coast. We walked part of the 3km foreshore
footway which starts at a blowhole in the rocks and works its way
around past an old whaling station and a couple of beaches. Our
destination for the day was Freycinet Peninsula and we arrived at the
Coles Bay Visitor Centre late in the afternoon. It was time to put
the hiking boots on again and explore the beautiful Freycinet
National Park.
Beginning the Freycinet Peninsula hike |
There was just enough time to hike the coastal track to Hazards Beach
and although the day had been cloudy, it cleared nicely as we set up
the tent. We camped at the south end of the beach and the night in
the tent wasn't a good one. We got a few hours rain and
the fearless possums got into our food supply. Fortunately we
still had enough to see us through the next day and what a
spectacular day it was!
The view south from the top of Mount Graham |
The rain had stopped by the time we awoke and the day improved to a
warm, sunny afternoon. From our campsite on the west coast of
the peninsula, we walked down to Cooks Beach and then had a five hour
hike up and around the granite peaks of the Freycinet and Graham
mountain ranges. This track offered magnificent views down to
the end of the Peninsula and back across to Hazards Beach.
Enjoying the white sands of Wineglass Bay |
Wineglass Bay was the highlight of the Freycinet Peninsula.
This is where the clear ocean waves crash onto a perfect semi-circle
of white sand. Our first views of the bay were from up the
mountain and the track led us down to the beach. After doing the
20-minute walk along sand we then hiked up to the lookout on the
other side which gave us a spectacular view in the late afternoon
sun. On the way out of the park we went to the lighthouse which
gave us views of the bay entrance and also up the coast toward the
Friendly Beaches.
Marapooka Caves, Mole Creek National Park |
Back in our little rental car we travelled west to Deloraine and the
Mole Creek National Park. We visited the Marapooka Caves in the
park which had amazing limestone formations and glow-worms. We
did a quick stop at the Alum Cliffs and then drove on to Sheffield.
A nice little town characterised by a number of beautiful murals
painted on the side of buildings. We took a walk along the
beach in Burnie and then continued along the northern coast.
After a long day, we finally made camp at Sisters Beach in the Rocky
Cape National Park.
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