Saturday 11 December 2010

Watch out Tasmania - we're here

At last, here we are in Tasmania,,,,,,,,,,,,,,green, green, green.........rain, rain rain.........wind wind wind.

But so beautiful (and it's raining everywhere on the east coast of Australia - rather a relief after the years of drought).
The trip over last Wednesday evening was very smooth.  Fortunately the storm front went through just before we departed so the predicted 4 metre seas were a non-event.

After a very speedy disembarkation (we were up near the front with all the trucks and so were first off) and a quick clearance of Quarantine we tossed a coin and decided to head west.  First stop was the delightful little town of Penguin - appropriately decorated with penguin's everywhere on rubbish bins, standing sentry at shop doorways and of course the "Big Penguin" on the foreshore dressed appropriately for the season in a Santa suit (see Laurie's Blog for his photo).

Our first night "overseas" was spent at Sister's Beach (recommendation from the Tourist Information Bureau in Wynyard) - a lovely beach with a peaty river leading into the bay.

Next morning bright and early we continued westwards aiming for the fishing village of Stanley with it's famous "Nut" - a volcanic plus that juts out into the ocean.  The Tourist Information Office there pointed out a couple of good free camping spots - we decided on the Old Wharf area - not very salubrious but within walking distance to the town centre and right on the waterfront (there are toilets and water there as well and good Phone and TV reception.


Highfield House Stanley
Stanley is a pretty little village the main industries are a very lucrative fishing industry (Crayfish $40 per kg - YUM!) and tourism - most of the old fishing cottages have been turned into pretty little B & B's and self-contained accommodation.  There are a number of cafes and restaurants and some extremely good craft shops.

Stanley Main Street