We will be spending 10 days riding around Tassie.
Day 1
Travelled from home to Albury, met up with many storms on the way down to Albury.
From Albury we decided to just get on the highway and drive straight to Melbourne as there was wide spread flooding throughtout Victoria.
Weather was so wet we were soaked haven't been in torrential rain like that for years.
Luckily 20ks north of Melbourne the rain stopped it was a miracle.
Decided to call into Harley City Brunswick, this shop has a fantastic Muesem full of many different vintage Harleys.
I was taking some photos through the windows, then the owner opened the Muesem for me which was a real treat
We were glad to get on the Ferry just to get out of the rain.
On the Ferry now cruising Bass Strait, sitting here watching the people walk down the corridors moving side to side, not sure if their drunk or its the rough seas :thumb:
Also met with a few people we met at Ovens on the Snowy's trip last year, they did mention that they were going to Tassie but we didn't expect to see them on the Ferry :shock:
Waiting to board the Ferry
On the Ferry looking back at Melbourne
Day 2
Wake up call at 5.00pm to for passengers to get up have breakfast then wait for call to go to garage deck to ride off the Ferry.
Tassie sunrise getting ready to dock
Once onshore we rode down the street of Devenport to a bakery for a bite to eat.
Then onto to Cradle Mountain, on the way we past through a town called Kimberley, so we had to stop as Kimberley wanted a photo.
On to the town of Raitlon, very interesting as they grow all this Topiary Art which lines the main street.
Then to Stanley, afterwards staying the night in Bernie
Town of Kimberley
Poppies being grown in paddock 8)
Town of Topiary
Town of Shefield there are Murals on most of the walls in main street
Approach to Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain
Town of Stanely the big rock is called the NUT
Day 3
We decided to take the Boags Brewery Tour in Launceston then the beer tasting which was a good thing. Tour took around and hour.
Official Taste Tester
After the Brewery Tour we decided to go and check out the Motoring Museum in Launceston which was just up the road and only a short strole through the City Park from our Motel. Most things were in walking distance.
After lunch we decided to ride to the towns of Evansdale,Ross which is an awesome town full of history also heaps of sandstone buildings lining the streets.
Ross Bridge which is a work of art all made from Sandstone with heaps of detail work on the arches.
Evansdale
Just a photo of the Bakery Courtyard
Town of Ross
On the way back to Launceston we stopped at Campbell Town which was also a nice place but not as nice as the town of Ross.
Campbell Town Bridge
Day 4
After a 2 day stay at Launceston we moved on, weather was great, we then rode North East to Scottsdale, road surface was in good condition very twisty, but there was need for caution as many of the corners had gravel.
Arrived in Scottsdale had breakfast at the local Bakery in Victoria Street. After breakfast we then pushed on to the north east coast to St Helens, then down the coast to ride the Elephant Pass to have an Elephant Pancake which is on the pass, something like a Robbo Pieshop stop and eat.
Elephant pass is a great 50ks loop if your looking for a road with heaps of twisty bits as it twists its way up and around the mountains. Then after that it was further riding down the coast staying the night at Swansea.
Day 5
Stayed the night at Swansea, great one horse town, travelled down the coast came across the Prickly Bridge on the outskirsts of town which was an interesting site. On to Sorrell to fuel up, Tasman Highway meanders around the coast which is nice to see the sea as your riding. On the way to Port Arthur we stopped at several lookouts and rock formations , Devils Kitchen, Tasman Arch.
From there we pushed onto Port Arthur, as I had been there many years ago on the bike it was going to be interesting to see how commercial the place had become.
Entry to Port Arthur is now a big carpark and no vehicles allowed on the complex, I can remember a gate last time where we rode through and rode around the Old Church, but you cannot do that now. But I guess with progress somethings are better now with the preservation of the old ruins ?
First thing after parting with our cash to tour the facility, we decided to take a boat cruise to the Island of the Dead, this was a great insight to where they buried many people on this island, our guide just rattled off all this information, very informative I must say she did this without even looking at an information sheet. I guess she has done this many times so it’s all etched in her mind, total of 1100 bodies. Couldn’t imagine this is only a small island and only about 100 Sandstone head stones.
So after the boat cruise we walked and walked and walked as I was in tow with Kim in and out of buildings checking out the old stone ruins and buildings, all good but so much to see in such a short time. Day was coming to and end so we managed to get accomodation right next to Port Arthur, just over the fence so to speak. Port Arthur Villas which is a Comfort Inn. Just go to the picket fence use the electronic device which opens the gate and off you go down to the Port Arthur site for the Ghost Tour. Ghost Tour was a rare treat, also interesting were the stories the Tour Guide had told us during the tour. Whilst in the Parish Priest house where this guy had died back in the 1800’s, we were all standing in this room with the miners lamp burning there was this almighty bang and then this old guy was on the floor. There were people screaming and this guy was just crouched there not doing anything but probably in pain, apparently he hit his head on the mantle piece.
Tour Guide called for help on the 2way, afterwards they took the old guy away don’t really know what happened to him. Maybe this was just a prank to scare the group, anyway it was a bit of excitement maybe not so much for the old guy.
After the Ghost Tour we had to walk back to the Motel at the top of the hill, it was dark light rain, the perfect setting for a scene in a Horror Movie, a little bit creepy in a way but we survived the experience ?
Day 6
Up early today to ride to Hobart, on the way we stopped in at the Tasmanian Conservation Centre as Kim had never seen a Tassie Devil. This facility was small and very natural, much like a zoo but they only had Tassie Devils, Kangaroo’s, assortment of birds. Managed to see Tassie Devil’s being fed and watching them fight for their food as they growled and moaned, they look very ferocious big teeth and a jaw that is 3 times more powerful than a Pitt Bull. Would be a great pet to have to stop the neighbours from dropping for a cuppa or the odd cup of sugar.
Bird show was great with some performing Parrots, but the show stopper was the trained Falcon flying around the place doing tricks. Trainer had 10 people stand in line with their legs spread, on command the Falcon would fly from the roof top to fly down through the legs of the 10 people standing in front of us. Little bugger was so fast and managed to go through without hitting anyone.
Arrived in Hobart just after lunch, the town was so crowded. We found out the annual Wooden Boat Festival was on this weekend duration of 4 days. Great now we hadn’t booked any accomadation so there weren’t any rooms in Hobart, so off we rode out of town staying the night in the town of Snug.
Day 7
Back to Hobart to check out the Salamanca Market, this was a good thing but the Wooden Boat Festival was on this weekend which we didn’t know about otherwise we would have gone to Hobart at a later date to avoid the surge of people in Hobart.
We decided to go up to Mout Wellington, long winding road upto to the top of the Mountatin elevation was around 1250metres. Weather was clear but it was cold around 8 degrees. Great day for some photos .
Once being on the mountain we decided to move on up the West Coast to Derwent Bridge, ride through the mountains is a good ride with many twisty roads. There were a few points to check out regarding scenery but not much up this way. Finally made to Derwent Bridge which was a one horse town consisting of a few houses a gas station not much there believe me. As it was getting late we decided to get some accomadation but wouldn’t you believe it everything was booked out execpt the backpackers so we decided to stay there as it was about 5degrees and getting colder.
In the morning after a crap sleep on a shit bed we decided to get up and go up the road to the Petrol Station to have some brekky. We then rode up the road about 250metres to see the Wall. If you every go to Derwent Bridge go to this place, the guy who owns this gallery does the most remarkable carvings in wood you wouldn’t believe. Unfortunately there are no cameras allowed in this gallery as I would have enjoyed taking photos of the great work this guy has done.
Day 8
Travelled to Queenstown in the pouring rain, road was great if it wasn’t wet and miserable. Arrived in Queenstown it has changed somewhat from 30years ago. The vegatation has started to grow back on the mountain so its not like a moonscape like it was before. Not much in Queenstown so we had lunch and moved onto Strahan.
Arriving in Strahan the clouds moved on and the sun started to shine, time now to find accomadation, managed to find a room up the road from the village. Strahan is a lovely little town very clean much to see here but as time is getting short we didn’t do as much as we would like.
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We will be spending 10 days riding around Tassie.
Day 1
Travelled from home to Albury, met up with many storms on the way down to Albury.
From Albury we decided to just get on the highway and drive straight to Melbourne as there was wide spread flooding throughtout Victoria.
Weather was so wet we were soaked haven't been in torrential rain like that for years.
Luckily 20ks north of Melbourne the rain stopped it was a miracle.
Decided to call into Harley City Brunswick, this shop has a fantastic Muesem full of many different vintage Harleys.
I was taking some photos through the windows, then the owner opened the Muesem for me which was a real treat
We were glad to get on the Ferry just to get out of the rain.
On the Ferry now cruising Bass Strait, sitting here watching the people walk down the corridors moving side to side, not sure if their drunk or its the rough seas :thumb:
Also met with a few people we met at Ovens on the Snowy's trip last year, they did mention that they were going to Tassie but we didn't expect to see them on the Ferry :shock:
Waiting to board the Ferry
On the Ferry looking back at Melbourne
Day 2
Wake up call at 5.00pm to for passengers to get up have breakfast then wait for call to go to garage deck to ride off the Ferry.
Tassie sunrise getting ready to dock
Once onshore we rode down the street of Devenport to a bakery for a bite to eat.
Then onto to Cradle Mountain, on the way we past through a town called Kimberley, so we had to stop as Kimberley wanted a photo.
On to the town of Raitlon, very interesting as they grow all this Topiary Art which lines the main street.
Then to Stanley, afterwards staying the night in Bernie
Town of Kimberley
Poppies being grown in paddock 8)
Town of Topiary
Town of Shefield there are Murals on most of the walls in main street
Approach to Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain
Town of Stanely the big rock is called the NUT
Day 3
We decided to take the Boags Brewery Tour in Launceston then the beer tasting which was a good thing. Tour took around and hour.
Official Taste Tester
After the Brewery Tour we decided to go and check out the Motoring Museum in Launceston which was just up the road and only a short strole through the City Park from our Motel. Most things were in walking distance.
After lunch we decided to ride to the towns of Evansdale,Ross which is an awesome town full of history also heaps of sandstone buildings lining the streets.
Ross Bridge which is a work of art all made from Sandstone with heaps of detail work on the arches.
Evansdale
Just a photo of the Bakery Courtyard
Town of Ross
On the way back to Launceston we stopped at Campbell Town which was also a nice place but not as nice as the town of Ross.
Campbell Town Bridge
Day 4
After a 2 day stay at Launceston we moved on, weather was great, we then rode North East to Scottsdale, road surface was in good condition very twisty, but there was need for caution as many of the corners had gravel.
Arrived in Scottsdale had breakfast at the local Bakery in Victoria Street. After breakfast we then pushed on to the north east coast to St Helens, then down the coast to ride the Elephant Pass to have an Elephant Pancake which is on the pass, something like a Robbo Pieshop stop and eat.
Elephant pass is a great 50ks loop if your looking for a road with heaps of twisty bits as it twists its way up and around the mountains. Then after that it was further riding down the coast staying the night at Swansea.
Day 5
Stayed the night at Swansea, great one horse town, travelled down the coast came across the Prickly Bridge on the outskirsts of town which was an interesting site. On to Sorrell to fuel up, Tasman Highway meanders around the coast which is nice to see the sea as your riding. On the way to Port Arthur we stopped at several lookouts and rock formations , Devils Kitchen, Tasman Arch.
From there we pushed onto Port Arthur, as I had been there many years ago on the bike it was going to be interesting to see how commercial the place had become.
Entry to Port Arthur is now a big carpark and no vehicles allowed on the complex, I can remember a gate last time where we rode through and rode around the Old Church, but you cannot do that now. But I guess with progress somethings are better now with the preservation of the old ruins ?
First thing after parting with our cash to tour the facility, we decided to take a boat cruise to the Island of the Dead, this was a great insight to where they buried many people on this island, our guide just rattled off all this information, very informative I must say she did this without even looking at an information sheet. I guess she has done this many times so it’s all etched in her mind, total of 1100 bodies. Couldn’t imagine this is only a small island and only about 100 Sandstone head stones.
So after the boat cruise we walked and walked and walked as I was in tow with Kim in and out of buildings checking out the old stone ruins and buildings, all good but so much to see in such a short time. Day was coming to and end so we managed to get accomodation right next to Port Arthur, just over the fence so to speak. Port Arthur Villas which is a Comfort Inn. Just go to the picket fence use the electronic device which opens the gate and off you go down to the Port Arthur site for the Ghost Tour. Ghost Tour was a rare treat, also interesting were the stories the Tour Guide had told us during the tour. Whilst in the Parish Priest house where this guy had died back in the 1800’s, we were all standing in this room with the miners lamp burning there was this almighty bang and then this old guy was on the floor. There were people screaming and this guy was just crouched there not doing anything but probably in pain, apparently he hit his head on the mantle piece.
Tour Guide called for help on the 2way, afterwards they took the old guy away don’t really know what happened to him. Maybe this was just a prank to scare the group, anyway it was a bit of excitement maybe not so much for the old guy.
After the Ghost Tour we had to walk back to the Motel at the top of the hill, it was dark light rain, the perfect setting for a scene in a Horror Movie, a little bit creepy in a way but we survived the experience ?
Day 6
Up early today to ride to Hobart, on the way we stopped in at the Tasmanian Conservation Centre as Kim had never seen a Tassie Devil. This facility was small and very natural, much like a zoo but they only had Tassie Devils, Kangaroo’s, assortment of birds. Managed to see Tassie Devil’s being fed and watching them fight for their food as they growled and moaned, they look very ferocious big teeth and a jaw that is 3 times more powerful than a Pitt Bull. Would be a great pet to have to stop the neighbours from dropping for a cuppa or the odd cup of sugar.
Bird show was great with some performing Parrots, but the show stopper was the trained Falcon flying around the place doing tricks. Trainer had 10 people stand in line with their legs spread, on command the Falcon would fly from the roof top to fly down through the legs of the 10 people standing in front of us. Little bugger was so fast and managed to go through without hitting anyone.
Arrived in Hobart just after lunch, the town was so crowded. We found out the annual Wooden Boat Festival was on this weekend duration of 4 days. Great now we hadn’t booked any accomadation so there weren’t any rooms in Hobart, so off we rode out of town staying the night in the town of Snug.
Day 7
Back to Hobart to check out the Salamanca Market, this was a good thing but the Wooden Boat Festival was on this weekend which we didn’t know about otherwise we would have gone to Hobart at a later date to avoid the surge of people in Hobart.
We decided to go up to Mout Wellington, long winding road upto to the top of the Mountatin elevation was around 1250metres. Weather was clear but it was cold around 8 degrees. Great day for some photos .
Once being on the mountain we decided to move on up the West Coast to Derwent Bridge, ride through the mountains is a good ride with many twisty roads. There were a few points to check out regarding scenery but not much up this way. Finally made to Derwent Bridge which was a one horse town consisting of a few houses a gas station not much there believe me. As it was getting late we decided to get some accomadation but wouldn’t you believe it everything was booked out execpt the backpackers so we decided to stay there as it was about 5degrees and getting colder.
In the morning after a crap sleep on a shit bed we decided to get up and go up the road to the Petrol Station to have some brekky. We then rode up the road about 250metres to see the Wall. If you every go to Derwent Bridge go to this place, the guy who owns this gallery does the most remarkable carvings in wood you wouldn’t believe. Unfortunately there are no cameras allowed in this gallery as I would have enjoyed taking photos of the great work this guy has done.
Day 8
Travelled to Queenstown in the pouring rain, road was great if it wasn’t wet and miserable. Arrived in Queenstown it has changed somewhat from 30years ago. The vegatation has started to grow back on the mountain so its not like a moonscape like it was before. Not much in Queenstown so we had lunch and moved onto Strahan.
Arriving in Strahan the clouds moved on and the sun started to shine, time now to find accomadation, managed to find a room up the road from the village. Strahan is a lovely little town very clean much to see here but as time is getting short we didn’t do as much as we would like.
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