Wanderings

 February 29 ,2024 Day 9: Launceston and on to Cradle Mountain Happy Leap Year! We decided to take advantage of our extra day this year, and visit the Cataract Gorge Reserve , just outside of Launceston. The gorge is a forested reserve area at the edge of the city along the Esk River. The reserve has a chairlift , suspension bridge and numerous trails around the gorge and basin area.  We followed the trail up the Esk River above the basin. The walk is along the edge of the gorge. The sides are lined with huge upright rock formations. Aboriginal legend has it that the rocks are warriors who were turned to stone to stand guard over the gorge.  There are many spectacular views along your hike.  The gorge is also home to a colony of peascocks and peahens who can be found all over the reserve. After the gorge we went to the gardens at the city park in the centre of Launceston. Before visiting the flowers, we went to see the Macaque monkeys. Im still unclear why these monk...

 February 28, 2024 Day 8: Bay of Fire to Launceston Today was a travel day here in Tasmania. We continued from Bicheno up the east coast and eventually made our way to Launceston in the north. Although it was a long day drive, there were many highlights along the way. The east coast of Tasmania is a rugged, beautiful coastline. As we drove north from Bicheno. we stopped for lunch in Binalong Bay. This is very close to the Bay of Fires. We ate at a small eatery and enjoyed pub food on the patio, while enjoying  a wonderful shoreline view.  I also got to try a new Tasmanian beer., James Boag. It was yet another delicious Aussie beer.  After lunch , we made our way a bit further north to the Bay of Fires. This unique part of the Tasmanian  coastline  is where the rocks are covered in bright red/ orange lichen.  Many people are under the mistaken belief that this red/orange lichen is the reason that the bay got its name. However, the bay got its name back ...

 February 27 , 2024 Day 7 : Wineglass Bay and Freycinet National Park      It was a beautiful morning as I woke up at  our cottage in Swansea.  I got to see the sun rise in the east and the moon as it started to set in the west. Today we were off to Freycinet National Park. We were going to do the 2hour hike to see Wineglaass Bay. The hike is considered one of the most spectacular in Tasmania and after experiencing it, I can now see why it is. Before. heading out on our hike, we went to Kate's Berry Farm for breakfast. I got to dine on fresh scones with fresh strawberry jam, and whipped cream. The scones were light  and the strawberry jam was sweet and delicious. Accompanied by some coffee it was the perfect way to start the day.  Freycinet National Park lies on the east coast of Tasmania. It is about 1 hr and a half north of Hobart on a peninsula on the Tasman Sea. Wineglass Bay can only be accessed by foot or by boat. The walk takes approximatel...