May to December, 2011

After 10 lovely weeks in Tasmania, it is time for me to head to Queensland. Apart from the winter weather, it is my time to catch up with family and friends. For the rest of the year, I travelled north as far as Port Douglas and south as far as Caloundra. I know now, that I can take as much time as I need. Coastal Queensland as far north as Port Douglas is very popular in winter. If you plan to be in popular places at school holiday time, booking ahead is probably necessary.  


My travels for the rest of 2011:

Brisbane

Laura Dance Festival, held every two years. Laura is inland from Cairns.

Cairns esplanade

If you like tropical plants, visit the Botanic Gardens in Cairns.

Port Douglas

Milla Milla Falls, Atherton Tableland

Charters Towers has good examples of old Queensland architecture.

Cania Gorge

Caloundra, Sunshine Coast

March 2011 in Tasmania

The weather determined where I went and for how long, in Tasmania. In the NW I went to Sheffield, the town of murals

and Burnie to see the papier mache sculptures at the Burnie Information centre.

Then I headed south to Mt Field National park, camping in the national park.

When I had been at Cradle Mountain in February, the weather became very cold so I didn't stop to see 'The Wall in the Wilderness'.  I went back to see it. It's a project taking more than a decade and I found it amazing. A man is carving the history of the area in slabs of huon pine (3m x 1m).

I waited for some good weather before visiting the east coast. This trip I went to Freycinet National Park

and the Bay of Fires.

 I then headed inland, driving through scenic farm land around Scotsdale

and stopping to see the chain saw sculptures at Legerwood.

I had time to visit Launceston and the Tamar Valley before I caught the boat back  to Melbourne in mid April. Ten weeks was not long enough for me in Tasmania. I planned to return another year.

February in Tasmania

I spent all of February and March, 2011,  in Tasmania. Because I had plenty of time, and the distances are so short, I could be in selected places when the weather was good. There are lots of free or very cheap camping areas in Tasmania, many small villages encouraging people to stay one or two nights. Many camping grounds gave me a cheaper price for 1 person.

During Feruary I went to Cradle Mountain,

Strahn on the west coast,

Port Arthur, Huon Valley and Bruny Island.

Bruny Island

I had one day of spectacular weather on Bruny Island and one day when it was very cold and wet. Unfortunately, that was the day I had booked to do a boat cruise. It was still excellent but I was very cold by the time I got back to the caravan park.

Port Arthur
There is so much to see at Port Arthur, that I took a two day ticket.  Apart from the historical significance, it is also quite scenic.

Huon Valley

The Midlands highway which connects Launceston and Hobart has bypassed many lovely towns. Ross has a caravan park on the river and Oatlands has a free camp beside their lake. It's the place to see lots of swans.

Oatlands is a beautiful town with Georgian buildings and dry stone walled fences.