Day 97

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Judy's Trekabout

Saturday 6th June

We went back to Port Arthur Historical Site and finished off what we didn’t get to do yesterday, the place is so big. Today it was drizzling rain and bitterly cold.

In this way please.Convicts Chains, they are so heavy. Cold and bleak, the trees are even bare. Lovely reflections today of the Penitentiary. Very dark skies. Different angle. These are the size of the cells the convicts had, not very big. The view from inside the Penitentiary. Pretty grand sort of Architecture of the sky lights for that era. This was on top of the Law Courts. Guard Towers. Officers quarters up the back. Guard Towers, The sandstone that these buildings are made of have very beautiful colours. Hospital ruins. Looking down over the area where the two churches and houses are. Looking inside the Guard Tower. Inside one of the Ladies cottages, very small rooms and door ways. Looking over to the Asylum and the Separate prison. Another view of the Hospital ruins up on the left. Other ruins that I cant remember to name. Inside the Separate Prison. A cell. Doors to a small yard. The Asylum.

Day 96

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Judy's Trekabout

Friday 5th June

Big day at Port Arthur, did the boat trip first then had a cuppa before doing the tour. That took nearly all day. Then we went around to Canarvon Bay and had our picnic lunch which was nearly 3 pm. Thank goodness for nibblies.

Port Arthur Penitentiary Port Arthur Boat trip out to the Islands, Isle of the dead and Pt Puer. This is the Guards towers and the officers quarters up the back. This is where the convicts made ships. Part of the ship building dock yards. Penitentiary, Originally this was built as a flour mill. Looking across to Canarvon Bay Pt Puer Jetty. This is where the boys prison was. 3000 boys some as young as 9 yrs old were sentenced to here from 1834 to 1849. Cliffs of the Isle of the dead Isle of the dead. More than 1000 convicts rest here, military, officers, woman and children. Very clear waters, pt puer The hospital over the back of the Penitentiary. The Cafe where the Port Arthur tragedy happened in 1996 inside the cafe. This is the serene memorial gardens dedicated to the victims of the tragedy. All the names are on this cross in the memorial gardens, they are beautiful. over view of the penitentiary, hospital up the back right hand side. Model of how is use to be back in the convict days Canarvon Bay, we had lunch here, so peaceful.

Day 95

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Judy's Trekabout

Thursday 4th June

We got packed up once the dew was off the camper and headed off towards Port Arthur. From there we headed down to Orford and had lunch lovely seaside village. We got to the Big 4 by 3 pm and got a level site out of 4 that they let us choose. Its bush camping with the luxury of power, toilets, camp kitchen, really nice, only gripe I have is that the showers dont slant backwards so the water runs down into the shower where you are to dry yourself. Got set up, left the annex off as we dont know what the weather is doing.

View from our site at Mayfield Beach. Another view, plenty of room Mayfield Beach Toilet Block, nice and clean. Starting to pack up. Sea spray, looking up towards the Freycinet national Park in the back ground. Mayfield beach. This is not my art work, but some one has painted it and I think it’s beautiful and worth sharing, Painted on a rock down the beach, I dont know what the story tells. Here it is on the rock, Just lovely. Our bush camp at the Big 4 Caravan Park, Port Arthur.

Day 94

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Judy's Trekabout

Wednesday 3rd June

Woke to a lovely morning here, very cold but sun is shining. The beach is so nice, we look out towards the Freycinet National Park and Schouten Island. Quiet day, very nice. Have decided to stay another night and leave in the morning. Views of the beach.

Day 93

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Judy's Trekabout

Tuesday 2nd June

Got all packed up and was on the road by 10.30 am. Our flight was for noon. Got there early and watched the people go before us, then it was our turn, I could see that there was wind but Jason ( the Pilot ) assured me it was not a problem, and he was right, the trip was good, few bumps and lighting was not the best but he did what he could to help us get good views. From our flight we headed down towards Port Arthur, on the way we found a spot to stay at Mayfield Bay so nice, camped in for the night. Only a few people here, nice big sites.

View from the Seaside van park looking out to the bay at Bicheno Here is the seaside van park, this used to be a Christian camping place, its very big. Freycinet Air, this is their strip. The people before us taking off. Up we go. The Hazards in the mid ground. Wineglass Bay The Hazards from around the other side. Incredible rocks. Saffire, built like a Stingray, awesome, Its a resort. Coming into land.

The people before us taking off.

Day 92

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Judy's Trekabout

Monday 1st June

We had a day out at the Natureworld in Bicheno, they are doing a wonderful job of saving the Tasmanian Devil, as they run a breeding program and release them to where they will be safe from the Cancer Facial Tumors. By going to the park you are actually helping them with your fee’s to keep this program going. Here are some of the animals that I got photos of.

Sign on road side, cant miss it. White Peacock, I assume it’s Albino, but not sure. Peacock Emu’s playing around. Goose Ducks, not good lighting but I took it as they are so colourful Deer running, got spooked. Big Yarn, they do this when they are stressed, Tasmanian Devil Native Hen, this one was really going off. Kangaroo looking for tidbits. Tasmanian Devil, she was chasing the male away. Kangaroo and big bub. Wedgetail eagle. Tasmanian Devil Wombat Finally got to look down the throat of a Tasmanian Devil.

Day 91

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Judy's Trekabout

Sunday 31st May

Last day of the month, leaves us with 27 days to go. Went to Coles Bay and Freycinet and saw lovely scenery, not a lot there, Loved the Hazards the mountains in the background at Coles Bay, drove to the light house, got our cameras ready and it poured with rain, so waited awhile, we knew it wasn’t going to let up. Very dark skies.

The Hazards. Was so windy this seagull was not happy. Another view of the Hazards, they are so big and long hard to fit them all in. Lighting was not good. Information Centre at Coles Bay, worth going into, lady there very helpful and has lots of knowledge of the area. On our way back to Bicheno. Had to go and have another look. These guys were holidaying and were having great fun.

Day 90

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Judy's Trekabout

Saturday 30th May

What a night, dam winds, had to get up in the middle of the Don fixed things up and we hoped it would still be there in the morning, didn’t get much sleep though. At least all was well in the morning. We had a free day today so didn’t want to go far with the winds as bad as they were, went into town and did all the things to see and down to the blow hole, oh I must say great dump point in town with a hose. Here are a few shots, the wind got worse down at the blow hole and was nearly blowing me over, freaky feeling. Loved it when I went to the butcher I could get my onions, etc for my meal to cook, great shop.

Big slabs of rock down here at the blow hole. Big cracks, on such big slabs. Seam of Quartz, wonder if there’s gold in there?? And there she blows. Loved the name of this shop. Harbour where we’re staying at Bicheno. Eating out of Dons hand. Had to go back when tide was higher and shes a beauty.

Day 88 & 89

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Judy's Trekabout

Thursday 28th May

Rained all day, went into town for a few things. No photos today.

Friday 29th May

Well the canvas is dry so we are really packing up and hitting the road to Bicheno. Came for 2 nights and Stayed for 5, thanks very much to the Hillcrest van park. Giving them a plug as they were very good to us, Thanks to Chris very much. Had a good run down stopped at a few places and got to Seaview Caravan Park, Decided to set up as the weather was not sounding good, gale force winds, snow down low and cold. We will tiki tour tomorrow.

If you want a van park to stay in St Helens here it is. Camp Kitchen, TV, games for kids, etc. Falmouth where the river runs into the sea. Had to take this, it is grass on top of this house’s roof, still being built so couldn’t get to the front to see the architecture. Fishermans Jetty at Bicheno, fresh fish and chips and scollops. Beautiful, sat on the rocks and ate them, but first had to wrap our tea in a blanket to keep it warm as wanted to get the colours in the sunset. Another shot from where we did eat our tea.

Day 87

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Judy's Trekabout

Wednesday 27th May

left nice and early and headed off to Mathinna and Mangana. Chris at the park has told us of lots to do off the beaten track so thanks for that Chris it was awesome. Stopped at St Marys at the Old Museum called Cranks and Tinkers, a must to pop in and see Ian, you will not believe what he has.We loved the old buildings in Mathinna and that they are still being lived in. Went and saw the falls, Ill post them later. After leaving that area we carried onto Mangana another quaint wee settlement, loved the old house here as well, reminded me of the days I lived in a mill. Weather was turning cold and wet, but we still did ok.

Mathinna was named after an Aboriginal girl who was befriended by Lady Franklin whom this town is named after, I felt this is worth a mention. Light on the hills Esk River Mathinna We sheltered in here for smoko Mathinna Old mining days. Fires burn offs. Beautiful coloured rock Mathinna Fingal Driving down the Fingal Valley, the lighting was awesome on the trees with the dark sky. A bit of light shines through. The Museum Old relics. Where railway lines once stood. This homestead was owned by someone who owned most of the area once. Bad weather. Fingal Fingal Valley