Sunday 14th June 2015
Another day, another walk and we started following Cateract Gorge to a suspension bridge over the water.
Next was Shelly Beach and Shelly Point (yes, named as such because there were lots of shells!).
After lunch and a grocery stop in St Helens we made a couple of stops in the Bay of Fires which, although make some nice photos, wasn't as impressive as I thought it would be.
Our overnight stop was in Bicheno and when we arrived we visited the blow hole which shot water into the air with every large wave.
Before we went to the accommodation we climbed (which killed my legs because of yesterday's walk) to a lookout across the town and the ocean.
Monday 15th June 2015
En route to the famous Wineglass Bay we stopped at Coles Bay.
The walk to Wineglass Bay lookout was described at the base as potentially one of the hardest walks you'd do in Tasmania and this was based on the steps to the summit. This was no joke as my muscles still ached from Saturday. I took my time and the view was well worth the 45 minute ascent.
Next stop was Cape Tourville and another of Tasmania's 60 great short walks. I think this was our sixth.
At Honeymoon Bay there were seals frolicking not far from the shore.
We made a quick photo stop at Great Oyster Bay...
...but my favourite stop of the day was Bonorong Wildlife Santuary where we were introduced to one of the baby wombats, a few Tassie Devils and a koala.
We then had over an hour to roam the park independently and I loved feeding the Kangaroos who clutched our hands as they are.
Several of the Roos had joeys in their pouches and some were as tall as me!
Back in Hobart the Dark Mofo festival from Mona was well underway and outside our hostel, tall beams of light mimicked the heartbeat of those who gripped a pole at the base.
Tuesday 16th June 2015
Vicky's time with the group had come to an end last night so our guide for the final day of my tour was Ian. Our first stop was Richmond and Australia's oldest bridge in use.
Next stop Pirate Bay...
...and made it to a Port Arthur, a convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, at 11am. We started in the visitor centre where we were given a playing card. This playing card matched with a convict within the information displays so we could follow their story. Me? I was the four of clubs.
Outside, at 11:30am, we were booked onto an introductory tour and learnt the basics about the layout of the settlement.
Cindy and I then headed off to explore the Seperate Prison where the worst of the worst convicts were sent to spend 23 hours a day alone in their cells and and an hour alone exercising in individual yards. We saw the pitch black isolation cell and the chapel where convicts would sit in individual booths with bags over their heads.
At 1pm we went on a cruise around the boys' area and the burial island.
To complete our visit we wandered around the various other buildings, some of which were in ruins and the Parliament Cottage and Gardens seemed really out of place.
Returning to Hobart we stopped at Remarkable Cave for photos.
My time in Tasmania was coming to an end and as we were back in Hobart early, Cindy and I enjoyed a couple of drinks in the bar next to the hostel.
Wednesday 17th June 2015 was a pretty quiet day involving checking out of the hostel, breakfast in a bookstore, uploading photos to my blog, and wandering around the shops. My afternoon flight took be back to Sydney where I couldn't resist an evening walk up to the Opera House after dinner at Grill'd.
A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.
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