202603 Tasmania Trekking

Theresa signed up to cycle around Tassie with an all ladies group comprising the Kiwis(!), Nicole, Sharon and Jo. I decided to tackle the hike on the Overland Track and also Flinders Islands.

A couple of weeks before our trip I tore two ligaments in my ankle. The GP ruled out both hikes, limit myself to flat 5k walks if that. WTF!!!!

So I planned to circumnavigate Tassie in the Triton, park myself in interesting (and remote) locations, short hikes, take lots of photographs. Mad keen to improve both my landscape efforts AND play with Astro-photography.

Had a great trip.

Leg 1: Hobart to Lake St Clair (via Mt Fields)

Seemed very strange to giving Theresa that final hug and headed off on my own. This is DEFINITELY NOT how we travel. In so many years I've known my much loved "T" we've not been apart. A few tears and emotional thoughts.

As soon as I left Hobart and got on the road to Mt Fields, I decided to simply take my time. Had a photographic route planned. So hurtled along 80-100km roads at a very leisurely 60km!!! Pulled over to take photos. Pulled over to let cars pass.

Leg 2: hiked around Lake St Clair, then headed to Queenstown and Strahan.

Stayed at Derwent Bridge a couple of km outside Lake St Clair. Drove into the National Park to walk the Lake tracks. Spectacular.

Cannot wait to return in 202703 to hike the Overland Track and explore the top end of the Lake.

Glorious plains just out of Derwent Bridge OTW to Queenstown. And a photo of the mine pit.

Would have been a tough climb up into Queenstown on the bikes!

I booked into the Strahan Caravan Park, a nice cabin. Easy walk to explore Strahan, must return to visit the Huon Pine gallery. Then explored Ocean Beach and Macquarie Harbour. WOW.

Did a 10km walk on Ocean Beach, remote, wind swept, coloured sands, flew the drone, sat and watched the waves roll in. Fabulous.

Ocean Beach.

Macquarie Heads

Leg 3: driving the Western gravel road from Strahan to Marrawa.

Decided to drive up the Western gravel road. Have the Triton so why not!!! Must bring Theresa to see this wild western area. Glorious!!!!

The ferry crossing was fun. The sign reads "Push the Button ONCE" and someone has scrawled, "more than once, pitch a tent!!!". The ferry driver was a backpacker from France! Had a long chat, it's a slow ferry, he's working in regional OZ as part of his visa conditions.

Would have liked to stay overnight in the cabins as there are some remote walks here along the river. Definitely pays to have a long range fuel tank. No stations between Strahan and Arthur River/Smithton!!

Beautiful country all the way. So pleased I avoid the bitumen route :}:}

Am going to bring Theresa on this route in March 2027 when we relocate from Marrawa to Strahan.

Leg 4: Marrawa, the Tarkine and NW Cape.

I wanted to spent time on the West Coast. My aim was to photograph the wild southern ocean breaking on Tassie. And some astro photography. I knew of Arthur River and it was too big for my liking. And found Marrawah on the map which showed only a few houses. There was a perfect AirBnB, the owner (David) runs the Bruny Hotel.

An ideal location to photograph the "waves" and the "stars". Sadly, flat as a pancake for my whole stay. But shot some fabulous sunrise and sunset.

One of my expeditions was to explore the beaches from north down to the Arthur River. The west coast is a very special place.

Then headed off on a Tarkine loop via Smithton on the way home!!!

The North West of Tassie is a place I've wanted to explore for many years. On one trip we headed there with the van, only to find the road was on private property and we had no access. So a long loop back to head for Strahan.

I found a tour into Wool North and drove the 80km up from Marrawah. It did not disappoint. Originally this was land granted to the Van Diemen's Land company. They also held the titles around Stanley. It started as a sheep property, many thousands of sheep.

Today is it mainly beef and dairy cattle. "Cape Grim" being a very well known brand name. And is home to Tasmania's largest wind farm, powered by very reliable winds off the Southern Ocean.

We were fortunate to have such fine weather!!!

I loved my stay in Marrawah and exploring the surrounds. I've booked to bring Theresa here after our Overland Track hike with Gayle, Robin and Ruth in March 2027. Then head down the Western road to Strahan.

Leg 5: off to Launceston.

Off to Launceston to catch up with Theresa and the cycling ladies. Had a fabulous AirBnB in the heart of town. Theresa and I revisited "Mud Bar" and also took a drive up Ben Lomond (which Jules and Bev rode... WELL DONE!).

All too soon Theresa head off with the ladies towards the East coast and I headed south for Bruny and the very far south!!!

Leg 6: down to remote Bruny Island Cabin.... just bliss

I thought it time to get back to Bruny Island and take lots of photographs of his scenic island. Didn't quite work out that way as I rented an AirBnB cabin way down the south end and a few kilometres off the gravel road.

Surrounded by natural forest. Private walking tracks. Beasties that came to visit and lots of bird life. A beautiful creek. Pristine cabin.

No Telstra. No Optus. But I had our Starlink!!!

I did drive a couple of kilometres past my entrance to Cloudy Bay (where Theresa and I stayed many years ago). Purely because I was early arriving and could not get past the gate!!!

I DID NOT LEAVE. And extended by another day.

One of my most memorable shots was of this Black Cockatoo that came to visit. The owners are clearly bird watchers as they have a "hide" and lots of photos. A very special place to visit.

Leg 7: headed south to Hastings.... remote

One of the places on my "bucket list" was the far south of Tassie. I had read about the South West Cape track but it's definitely outside my capability. BUT there is a day walk from Cockle Creek to the South Cape. A mere 18km return walk. HAD TO BE DONE.

Next challenge in this remote part of Tasmania was somewhere to stay. I found "the Oyster Shack" in Hastings. No TV. Perfect! Right on the water. Perfect. Wonderful hosts who shared their fresh produce from the garden and baked this most sensational fruit cake.

This first sequence is on the way to Hastings (and the Oyster Shack), I chose to take the long route around the coast. As I had stayed in Bruny one more night, I didn't change my Hastings booking which meant I could access my lodging at any time I chose. So did a shop for the entire period and headed south.

The South West Cape was calling me so headed off for this long gravel road journey down to Cockle Creek. Got there early. Put on the back pack. The Snake Gaiters. Epirb on. Snake kit packed. Lunch packed. Water. Camera gear and drone. Time to trek.

Pharkin' awesome!!!

On the way back I did surprise two Black Snakes sunning themselves. They took off real quick, so did my heart rate!!!

Interestingly the French landed close to here in search of water.

I spent 4 full days down here so lots of time to explore.

Local trails.

Hastings Caves.

Exploring complete. Time to head for Hobart and catch up with Theresa.

Leg 8: return to Hobart

After spending so much time in remote areas it was very "different" to return to the big smoke of Hobart!!!

Another adventure commenced. "Shazza" stayed for a few extra days after the cycling tour and provided a great opportunity to explore more of Hobart and surrounds before heading for Bruny.

Shazza chasing Seagulls!!!!

Me chasing planes!!!

And off to Bruny.

Leg 9: Catering for the girls on Bruny Island

We all needed some "downtime" so hired an AirBnB on the northern part of Bruny. Ideal location on the beach. We explored the first day, did little the second and just chilled!!!

A return to Hobart and straight out to the Caravan Park near the airport as Shazza had an early morning flight. Perfect way to end such a great time in Tasmania.

Leg 10: Lonnie and Hawley Beach

Next morning when Shazza departed Theresa and I took the scenic route back to Lonnie. Spent time with Mick and Fiona, then head for Hawley Beach.

Then back to Hobart to await the repair of the Triton. A slight squeak which I thought was a slipping belt turned out to be a mis-aligned turbo-fan. If the fan had shattered it would have destroyed the engine. Thankfully La Macchina in Hobart sorted it out for us.

Leg 11: marooned in Hobart!!! Gladly!!!!

We hired an AirBnB about 4 blocks from the CBD. Absolutely ideal as very close to the shops. And we walked into the wharf and Salamanca each day.

Theresa could not resist Mt Wellington. Mt Wellington was the iconic climb on Theresa's trip around Tassie but too tired at the end. So Theresa took the opportunity since we had her bike AND I hired a 4WD to do the climb.

Well done Theresa. Over 1200km ridden and over 18000metres climbed, INCLUDING Mt Wellington. There was applause for "T" on reaching the summit.

Awesome.

Triton fixed. We headed home but NOT BEFORE A huge night in the "shed". Geez that hurt. Geez that was fun!!!