apr 1st - 14th
1st April
Awoke at Gowrie Park and after collecting the washing we drove on to Cradle Mountain.
When we arrived there they had shuttle bus service that left from the main information centre outside of the National Park and went to many stages/areas of the park. That was great as we were able to leave the bus parked with the dogs outside the park. We decided to catch the shuttle bus to the end of the 6km circuit to Dove Lake. It was an amazing site when we arrived with the cradle full of mist (not so good for photos though).
Bec saw the Mountain and decide that we should attempt to hike up the 1000mt summit however 3 hours later when we'd finished the relatively flat walk around Lake Dove we were both glad that we didn't as we where buggered. The walk was quite intense as the temperature varied so much that at one point we where rugged up in our rain coats with just our faces showing walking in the rain to the next point stripping off our jumpers and bathing in the warm sun. All in all it was very enjoyable and we were glad for doing it.
Left Cradle Mountain and headed towards Devonport, stopping at the Alma Reserve for the night. Met a couple originally from Warrnambool but who had spent the last few years in Adelaide and where currently traveling around Tassie in a tent (rather them not us it's quite cold of a night).
Bec wasn't feeling the best so she turned in for an early night while Mike stayed around the camp fire with this couple as well as an older couple who arrived earlier this evening.
2nd April
Left Alma Reserve and headed for one of our favorite towns in Tassie - Penguin. On the way we stopped off in Ulverstone and whilst Bec scoured the shops Mike slept and read in the bus.
Drove to Penguin and were again surprised at the Tasmanian peoples fantastic hospitality when we stopped at a motor home fit out company to ask where we might find a part for our antenna, the guy offered his work shop, tools, ladder and the required parts for no cost! Finally 3 months later our antenna is fixed!!
Went to the free camp in Penguin and set up for the night right on the lovely foreshore.
3rd April
A slightly restless morning as at about 4am a large goods train went rattling by only meters from the bus. Walked the dogs along the foreshore and then packed up the bus and left for Devonport - again!! Spent the day in town enjoying the local sights as we would be leaving in a few days. Enjoyed the mall area, had coffee and we were going to catch a movie but there was nothing on :(
Went hunting for a camp site which some other travelers had told us about a few weeks ago and when we couldn't find it and time was getting on so we decided to set up for the night in a little secluded spot near the entrance to the Don River west of Devonport.
4th April
Today is our last day in Tassie so we left Don Heads and spent our last day close by in Devonport as that is where the ferry will leave from tomorrow morning.
Spent the day doing much the same as yesterday as well as looking into materials for the next project on the bus - over head cupboards.
After much driving around we finally found the camp site that everyone had been talking about. It was really lovely and in a perfect position for the ferry so we're a bit disappointed that we didn't find it earlier.
Just as we were dozing off we were amused to see that some local young boys had arrived and were in the high tech toilet that had an automatic door and toilet paper dispenser and they were lighting the end of the paper as it rolled out of the machine - very childish but quite funny and as the toilet was made from 100% steel they weren't really doing any damage.
5th April
An early start for the big trip back to the main land. Left the camp and joined the long line of cars and motor homes waiting to board the Spirit of Tasmania. A grumpy old bugger that was parked behind us got out and told us to switch off our engine as we were apparently filling his car with diesel fumes - oh well wind up your window!! Finally an hour or so later we were on board.
Went and got ourselves good seats as on this trip we do not have a cabin due to the day sailing. Our spot just so happened to be right by the bar - anyone for a beer it must be noon somewhere in the world!!
Met up with Todd, Dianne and Hailey who we'd been traveling alongside a few weeks prior.
Being a day time sail it felt like it went for a lot longer as instead of sleeping away the 10 hours we just had to sit back and watch the time pass. Bec was feeling a bit sea sick so she had some tablets and spent most of the arvo in the cinema as the dark room helped her feel better and the movies kept her amused.
We were all so glad when the trip was over and went and spent the night camping on the side of the road in Port Melbourne with Todd, Dianne, Hailey and another family.
6th April
Left Port Melbourne after saying our goodbyes to the other families, they were both heading for WA.
Took our first drive through the streets of Melbourne as we headed to Bryce’s house in St Kilda (Thanks to our new GPS for getting us there).
Checked out Bryce’s place and he then took us in his car (A funny experience after 3 months of driving in the bus) to a great little cafe called Mart - Tram backwards as it's actually a converted Tram station on a currently used track! Had a great brunch and headed back to Bryce’s house.
Mike cooked us all dinner before Mike and Bryce headed out for a few drinks whilst Bec stayed in and watched TV!
7th April
Mike awoke slightly under the weather after a 3 o'clock return from drinking!
Drove the bus to Em and Shan’s house and parked it out the front as they are both in Perth. We headed into Queen Vic Markets on the tram for some shopping and lunch. Met Bryce in the City and headed to the movies at Melbourne Central shopping centre. Watched the movie in a new style cinema which was about half the size of a normal cinema only there are big bean bags instead of seats - a perfect way to nurse a hangover.
Caught the tram back to Em and Shans house and got an early night, though we were awaken by a noise outside at around 11:30 and Mike fearing the worst leapt out of bed in his jocks to find Shan playing his usual pranks and tapping on the bus!!
Had a chat with them both and headed back to bed!
8th April - Happy Easter!
Following good Christian practices we went to Em and Shans for a lovely BBQ Bacon and Eggs breakfast with all the trimmings!
Spent the morning catching up with the guys and having a few laughs before getting ready and heading to the Anglers pub for the Sunday session. A really top pub very much like the Cott in Perth. Had our fair share of drinks and caught a cab home for some Kebabs for dinner followed by a game of scrabble!
Awoke at Gowrie Park and after collecting the washing we drove on to Cradle Mountain.
When we arrived there they had shuttle bus service that left from the main information centre outside of the National Park and went to many stages/areas of the park. That was great as we were able to leave the bus parked with the dogs outside the park. We decided to catch the shuttle bus to the end of the 6km circuit to Dove Lake. It was an amazing site when we arrived with the cradle full of mist (not so good for photos though).
Bec saw the Mountain and decide that we should attempt to hike up the 1000mt summit however 3 hours later when we'd finished the relatively flat walk around Lake Dove we were both glad that we didn't as we where buggered. The walk was quite intense as the temperature varied so much that at one point we where rugged up in our rain coats with just our faces showing walking in the rain to the next point stripping off our jumpers and bathing in the warm sun. All in all it was very enjoyable and we were glad for doing it.
Left Cradle Mountain and headed towards Devonport, stopping at the Alma Reserve for the night. Met a couple originally from Warrnambool but who had spent the last few years in Adelaide and where currently traveling around Tassie in a tent (rather them not us it's quite cold of a night).
Bec wasn't feeling the best so she turned in for an early night while Mike stayed around the camp fire with this couple as well as an older couple who arrived earlier this evening.
2nd April
Left Alma Reserve and headed for one of our favorite towns in Tassie - Penguin. On the way we stopped off in Ulverstone and whilst Bec scoured the shops Mike slept and read in the bus.
Drove to Penguin and were again surprised at the Tasmanian peoples fantastic hospitality when we stopped at a motor home fit out company to ask where we might find a part for our antenna, the guy offered his work shop, tools, ladder and the required parts for no cost! Finally 3 months later our antenna is fixed!!
Went to the free camp in Penguin and set up for the night right on the lovely foreshore.
3rd April
A slightly restless morning as at about 4am a large goods train went rattling by only meters from the bus. Walked the dogs along the foreshore and then packed up the bus and left for Devonport - again!! Spent the day in town enjoying the local sights as we would be leaving in a few days. Enjoyed the mall area, had coffee and we were going to catch a movie but there was nothing on :(
Went hunting for a camp site which some other travelers had told us about a few weeks ago and when we couldn't find it and time was getting on so we decided to set up for the night in a little secluded spot near the entrance to the Don River west of Devonport.
4th April
Today is our last day in Tassie so we left Don Heads and spent our last day close by in Devonport as that is where the ferry will leave from tomorrow morning.
Spent the day doing much the same as yesterday as well as looking into materials for the next project on the bus - over head cupboards.
After much driving around we finally found the camp site that everyone had been talking about. It was really lovely and in a perfect position for the ferry so we're a bit disappointed that we didn't find it earlier.
Just as we were dozing off we were amused to see that some local young boys had arrived and were in the high tech toilet that had an automatic door and toilet paper dispenser and they were lighting the end of the paper as it rolled out of the machine - very childish but quite funny and as the toilet was made from 100% steel they weren't really doing any damage.
5th April
An early start for the big trip back to the main land. Left the camp and joined the long line of cars and motor homes waiting to board the Spirit of Tasmania. A grumpy old bugger that was parked behind us got out and told us to switch off our engine as we were apparently filling his car with diesel fumes - oh well wind up your window!! Finally an hour or so later we were on board.
Went and got ourselves good seats as on this trip we do not have a cabin due to the day sailing. Our spot just so happened to be right by the bar - anyone for a beer it must be noon somewhere in the world!!
Met up with Todd, Dianne and Hailey who we'd been traveling alongside a few weeks prior.
Being a day time sail it felt like it went for a lot longer as instead of sleeping away the 10 hours we just had to sit back and watch the time pass. Bec was feeling a bit sea sick so she had some tablets and spent most of the arvo in the cinema as the dark room helped her feel better and the movies kept her amused.
We were all so glad when the trip was over and went and spent the night camping on the side of the road in Port Melbourne with Todd, Dianne, Hailey and another family.
6th April
Left Port Melbourne after saying our goodbyes to the other families, they were both heading for WA.
Took our first drive through the streets of Melbourne as we headed to Bryce’s house in St Kilda (Thanks to our new GPS for getting us there).
Checked out Bryce’s place and he then took us in his car (A funny experience after 3 months of driving in the bus) to a great little cafe called Mart - Tram backwards as it's actually a converted Tram station on a currently used track! Had a great brunch and headed back to Bryce’s house.
Mike cooked us all dinner before Mike and Bryce headed out for a few drinks whilst Bec stayed in and watched TV!
7th April
Mike awoke slightly under the weather after a 3 o'clock return from drinking!
Drove the bus to Em and Shan’s house and parked it out the front as they are both in Perth. We headed into Queen Vic Markets on the tram for some shopping and lunch. Met Bryce in the City and headed to the movies at Melbourne Central shopping centre. Watched the movie in a new style cinema which was about half the size of a normal cinema only there are big bean bags instead of seats - a perfect way to nurse a hangover.
Caught the tram back to Em and Shans house and got an early night, though we were awaken by a noise outside at around 11:30 and Mike fearing the worst leapt out of bed in his jocks to find Shan playing his usual pranks and tapping on the bus!!
Had a chat with them both and headed back to bed!
8th April - Happy Easter!
Following good Christian practices we went to Em and Shans for a lovely BBQ Bacon and Eggs breakfast with all the trimmings!
Spent the morning catching up with the guys and having a few laughs before getting ready and heading to the Anglers pub for the Sunday session. A really top pub very much like the Cott in Perth. Had our fair share of drinks and caught a cab home for some Kebabs for dinner followed by a game of scrabble!
9th April
Sleeping here on the street at Em and Shans means the bus is on a bit of a lean because of the road drain! So woke early and headed to the shops to get some supplies for the roast Mike is cooking for dinner.
Had lunch with Em and Shan before heading into St Kilda to check out Luna Park and the streets. A very nice but very ritzy area.
Shan had been talking about an ice-cream so he drove us to the infamous Lygon St for an ice-cream!
Went home to cook the roast - such an exciting thing for Mike as he hasn't been able to cook one since Albany! Spent the afternoon tending the roast! Enjoyed a lovely dinner followed by some movies.
10th April
Shan is working today and Em is on standby for her work at Virgin Blue, so we hung out around the house then borrowed Em's car in the afternoon and headed for the airport to pick up a parcel from Perth but it wasn't at that depot so we went to the Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) shopping centre for a browse.
Took Em's car back to her and said goodbye as we were heading off down the coast tomorrow and decided to head back to the DFO as it was on our way out of town and camp there in the car park so Bec could have another look around in the morning.
Mike was in his element as the DFO car park backed onto the airport so he could see all the planes taking off and landing.
11th April
Bec was “up and at em” this morning as she knew there was shopping to be had!
Spent the morning shopping and walking around the DFO - Used the opportunity to buy some presents for people back home so they could be sent from Melbourne rather than in the country.
Finally left Melbourne and headed for the Loch Memorial Reserve. For the first time we were the smallest rig at the reserve - one of the rigs was a $450,000 rig - very very nice, but it was there house they had sold up a year before and hit the road for life.
12th April - Happy 8th Birthday Tiger!!
Made a late start to the day - Must be the country air!
Walked the dogs around the reserve and explored the swinging bridge. Nothing to see in this town and we had a fair bit of ground to cover today as we were trying to catch up with Nath and Rach who were currently a Wilson's Promontory. We traveled as far as Franklin River Reserve and spent most of the day on the road.
When we got there we set up camp and enjoyed the picturesque surroundings and sunny afternoon by sitting outside and reading whilst the dogs ran around and around and around - they had been struggling staying in Melbourne and were enjoying free rein in the country.
A few other campers arrived in the early evening but not much going on here tonight.
13th April - Happy Birthday Tash!!
After exercising the dogs, breakie and packing up we were back on the road and heading for Log Crossing where we would meet Nath and Rach!
We went through a nice town called Sale on the way and as Mike's camp chair had broken recently we dropped it into the local camping shop to be replaced under warranty. We also finished off the present shopping so that we could get it all in the mail and did some food shopping.
On the way we passed a milestone for the trip - we have now covered 10,000kms!
Arrived at Log Crossing later that arvo just after our friends had arrived. It was so great to see the guys as we hadn't met up in about 2 months and we had so much to catch up on. Since we'd last met Nath and Rach had been back to Gero so that Nath could help his skipper out by working the first month of the Cray season and we'd been to Tassie.
Had a great arvo/evening catching up whilst enjoying a few drinks.
14th April
Awoke at Log Crossing with the Opo's and set our sights on Lakes Entrance - really big drive, about 10kms!!
Today is the Western Derby so we're all keen to reclaim our roots with WA and spent a good part of the day driving around town hunting for a pub that might have Foxtel and the game on - no luck unfortunately :(
Ended up stumbling across a sports ground that was right on the lake, it was so much nicer than any of the small caravan parks and at half the price even better. There was a bowling club close by that served lunch so we headed off there for a few bevies and a nice pub meal. For those of you from WA when we say bowling club or RSL you probably think some dingy little club room full of 1970's furniture but in the Eastern States these bowling clubs and RSL's are state of the art facilities - maybe something to do with all the revenue made from the pokies!!
Continued drinking whilst watching the swans back at camp. The swans where quite tame and placid until the boys began feeding them and when the food ran out they got very aggressive. Charlie decided it would be a good idea to roll around in the 'sloppy' crap so lucky Bec had to spend a good part of the arvo washing and blow drying him.
Nath put a line in but unfortunately didn't catch anything so we had to cook a BBQ. Another great night with our mates.
Sleeping here on the street at Em and Shans means the bus is on a bit of a lean because of the road drain! So woke early and headed to the shops to get some supplies for the roast Mike is cooking for dinner.
Had lunch with Em and Shan before heading into St Kilda to check out Luna Park and the streets. A very nice but very ritzy area.
Shan had been talking about an ice-cream so he drove us to the infamous Lygon St for an ice-cream!
Went home to cook the roast - such an exciting thing for Mike as he hasn't been able to cook one since Albany! Spent the afternoon tending the roast! Enjoyed a lovely dinner followed by some movies.
10th April
Shan is working today and Em is on standby for her work at Virgin Blue, so we hung out around the house then borrowed Em's car in the afternoon and headed for the airport to pick up a parcel from Perth but it wasn't at that depot so we went to the Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) shopping centre for a browse.
Took Em's car back to her and said goodbye as we were heading off down the coast tomorrow and decided to head back to the DFO as it was on our way out of town and camp there in the car park so Bec could have another look around in the morning.
Mike was in his element as the DFO car park backed onto the airport so he could see all the planes taking off and landing.
11th April
Bec was “up and at em” this morning as she knew there was shopping to be had!
Spent the morning shopping and walking around the DFO - Used the opportunity to buy some presents for people back home so they could be sent from Melbourne rather than in the country.
Finally left Melbourne and headed for the Loch Memorial Reserve. For the first time we were the smallest rig at the reserve - one of the rigs was a $450,000 rig - very very nice, but it was there house they had sold up a year before and hit the road for life.
12th April - Happy 8th Birthday Tiger!!
Made a late start to the day - Must be the country air!
Walked the dogs around the reserve and explored the swinging bridge. Nothing to see in this town and we had a fair bit of ground to cover today as we were trying to catch up with Nath and Rach who were currently a Wilson's Promontory. We traveled as far as Franklin River Reserve and spent most of the day on the road.
When we got there we set up camp and enjoyed the picturesque surroundings and sunny afternoon by sitting outside and reading whilst the dogs ran around and around and around - they had been struggling staying in Melbourne and were enjoying free rein in the country.
A few other campers arrived in the early evening but not much going on here tonight.
13th April - Happy Birthday Tash!!
After exercising the dogs, breakie and packing up we were back on the road and heading for Log Crossing where we would meet Nath and Rach!
We went through a nice town called Sale on the way and as Mike's camp chair had broken recently we dropped it into the local camping shop to be replaced under warranty. We also finished off the present shopping so that we could get it all in the mail and did some food shopping.
On the way we passed a milestone for the trip - we have now covered 10,000kms!
Arrived at Log Crossing later that arvo just after our friends had arrived. It was so great to see the guys as we hadn't met up in about 2 months and we had so much to catch up on. Since we'd last met Nath and Rach had been back to Gero so that Nath could help his skipper out by working the first month of the Cray season and we'd been to Tassie.
Had a great arvo/evening catching up whilst enjoying a few drinks.
14th April
Awoke at Log Crossing with the Opo's and set our sights on Lakes Entrance - really big drive, about 10kms!!
Today is the Western Derby so we're all keen to reclaim our roots with WA and spent a good part of the day driving around town hunting for a pub that might have Foxtel and the game on - no luck unfortunately :(
Ended up stumbling across a sports ground that was right on the lake, it was so much nicer than any of the small caravan parks and at half the price even better. There was a bowling club close by that served lunch so we headed off there for a few bevies and a nice pub meal. For those of you from WA when we say bowling club or RSL you probably think some dingy little club room full of 1970's furniture but in the Eastern States these bowling clubs and RSL's are state of the art facilities - maybe something to do with all the revenue made from the pokies!!
Continued drinking whilst watching the swans back at camp. The swans where quite tame and placid until the boys began feeding them and when the food ran out they got very aggressive. Charlie decided it would be a good idea to roll around in the 'sloppy' crap so lucky Bec had to spend a good part of the arvo washing and blow drying him.
Nath put a line in but unfortunately didn't catch anything so we had to cook a BBQ. Another great night with our mates.