We went off to the Fresinet National park on Saturday, which sits up on the East coast of Tasmania. While there we visited wine glass bay, a stunning inlet that is shaped like..... a wine glass!
Getting to the best views of the bay involves a hardy 40 minute slog up hill. Getting to the beach itself means a very steep, knee jolting clamber downhill. However, it is well worth it. The sand is pale golden and the sea is azure blue. There was even a wallaby on the beach.
After a rest in the shade, we set off on the Hazards circuit. From leaving the carpark, to rounding the cliff and back was just over a wobbly, incline of 11km. It took us 5 hours, including photo stops, food breaks and jaw dropping scenery gazing. It was bloody brilliant. Hazard beach was one, long glorious expanse of sand. With just us on it. (Except for the one wandering backpacker). We even stopped and had a picnic of beef jerky and nuts on a large prominent slab of red granite, gazing out to sea as we soaked up the sun.
Once finished, we headed off to Fresinet Lodge for a very tasty meal (I had a rather delicious seafood green curry) and then Jon drove us over to Bisheno Bay. On the way, we saw possums! Super cute. We stayed in a fab little 1970s style lodge. I don't think it was intentionally styled that way though!
The next morning, I woke up to a wallaby sat outside my window!
We then visited the Bisheno blow hole, a fantastic fissure in the rocks where the sea squeezes inand explodes in a fountain of water. This is one of Tasmania's great tourist attractions. It was Monday and there were about 8 other people. Brilliant!
Off to the Bay of Fires next. Called because of the native aboriginal fires that were seen by the early settlers off the coast. However, the amazingly coloured red granite rocks could also lend themselves well to the name. The stretch of coastline is made up of several small bays, carved out like a bite from an apple. We visited several of the bays, all with the most terrifically white sand. It was so fine, almost like caster sugar. On one stupifyingly beautiful beach, which we had to get to by climbing through thigh high grass, the sand was so fine, it squeaked. Actually squeaked as I walked barefoot. I loved it.
On the way back, we stopped off in Ross for a cuppa and a custard slice. Ross is a rather British styled village, with an interesting bakery. Apparently, the bakery was used in an anime film, and since then has become incredibly popular on the Japanese tourist circuit!
After the two hour drive back, we finished the day off at a pub quiz!
My last day has been spent, with glorious sunshine, at Port Arthur. This was a large prison factory, where repeat offenders were sent to work and complete their sentences. It was a sobering visit, but incredibly interesting, especially the Seperate Prison. This was a terrible space, designed to cause psychological harm by seperating and isolating prisoners. They would spend six months in silent isolation, where even the guards communicated in sign language.
It is a unique sight, as shortly after the closing of the prison,it was quickly realised that the location was becoming a tourist attraction. The 1927 film 'For the term of his natural life',based on the memoirs of one of the prisoners was actually filmed at Fort Arthur.
This remarkable day has been topped off by tea at a friend of Lisa and Jon's. Robin is house sitting the most wonderful three story house, which has tremendous views over Sandy Bay and Hobart. Stunning. With several other of Lisa and Jon's friends we ate chilli and drank home made cider. Perfect!
I am now packed and ready to leave Hobart, birthplace of Errol Flynn! What an amazing and incredibly jam packed week. Thank you Jon and Lisa!
We are both really glad you had a great time Sam. Thank you for the lovely drawing of our house, I think Lisa will frame it when we get back.
ReplyDeleteSee you in two months!