... Mt Wellington overlooks Hobart and it is an absolute must for all visitors whilst in this quaint city to drive up the 1200 metre high mountain and take in the breathtaking sights from its peak.

Tasmania - Going back in time

by Penny Hall

If you want a bit of a reality check, a back to nature recall or to feel like you are just going back in time when all was peaceful, people were friendly, the pace was calm and the air fresh – go south, go to Tassie. Tasmania forms so much of our history, of who we are as Australians. It really could almost be Australia’s best kept secret. The history, the nature, the beauty, the good life!

Our holiday began by flying into Hobart. The views from the plane were magic. Stunning waterways, green land and well planned streets and harbours. We proceeded to the car rental pick up. The whole procedure was very easy and off we went. We brought our GPS along which was great because it made finding our destination each time just that little bit easier on the driver and the navigator (and no disagreements!). Finding our way out of the airport was well signed.

West Coast Wilderness

We actually had some 4 hours of driving ahead of us as we were heading straight for the West Coast Wilderness to a place called Strahan. We crossed the Tasman Bridge which is beautiful, again well sign posted and we were heading west with no difficulty at all. The sights on the way were all so “green”. How lucky the Tasmanians are to have so much water to keep their land looking lush. On the way we saw plenty of farm type animals. As well as animals that were alive we also saw a lot of animals that weren’t. These were the not so lucky animals that had tried to cross the road and never reached the other side. Being city folk, we weren’t used to so much “debris” on the road, but got used to it because there was actually quite a lot..

The road from Hobart to Strahan is in good condition, albeit long and very windy! The distance is approximately 200km which should only take a couple of hours. However this is rugged country and the road is windy as I have already mentioned, so it certainly takes the full 4 or more hours to arrive at your destination. We didn’t see much traffic on the roads actually. We stopped for some lunch in a small town. Continuing our journey west we didn’t stop anymore except to swap drivers. We finally arrived into Queenstown which is just an hour away from Strahan. We drove through and then arrived into Strahan around 5pm. By this stage, being winter, it was pitch black and felt like 10 o’clock at night. We checked into our hotel which overlooked the small harbour there and went to the local pub for dinner. The food was delicious and all local produce.

The next day we walked to the local steam train station and hopped on the Western Wilderness Railway for a 5 hour trip from Strahan to Queenstown through the rainforest which overlooks the King and Queen Rivers. We passed places of historic note. The service on board our steam train was second to none, the lunch we were provided with half way was tasty and the staff gave us 5 Star service. This history that belongs to this railway is something that can keep you busy for years, the gold mining, the building of the railway, the length of the railway, the copper mining. It really is an incredible journey and one I would highly recommend travelling on. The price was affordable as well. The train runs one day from Strahan to Queenstown and vice versa the next day and so on. When we arrived in Queenstown there was a coach waiting for us to take us back to Strahan.

Ghosts, Ghouls and Gaols

The following day we were up early and a long drive ahead back down that windy road and to Port Arthur. Points of interest on the way were The Wall – a famous woodcarver is carving a 100m historic wall which tells the tale of Tasmania. This is an amazing feat. We also stopped at Old Hobart Town in Richmond which is a miniature of how Hobart was and is a must to go and see. We also stopped at the Cadbury Factory (yum!). Then from Hobart to Port Arthur it is approximately 1.5 hours drive.

Port Arthur is awesome. The history of the convict days, the old original buildings, the history of the fires that swept through the town, goodness me what a hard life they had. How easy we have it nowadays. There is a modern Visitors Centre right there at the site. There are guided tours, self guide tours where you can hire a headset and be lead around by a narrator on a CD (brilliant). We however, chose the 8pm ghost tour. Starting from the Visitors Centre where we met our guide, we were lead around the Port Arthur site with lanterns. It took 2 hours and she lead us into some of the old buildings we had been into during that day. However at night it was much different. She gave a good “scary” account of the ghosts that lived there and it was an excellent walking tour.

Old Hobart

The next day we drove to Hobart. We visited the Salamanca arts and craft markets, situated in the heart of Hobart. Parking is good as is public transport. There is also a red double decker English bus to show you around the city. We particularly enjoyed the “oldness” of Hobart. The Harbour is beautiful too. Food is plentiful and there are great pubs around to have a meal or a drink in as well.

Now read this! Mt Wellington overlooks Hobart almost like its babysitter. It is an absolute must for all visitors whilst in this quaint city to take a relatively short drive up to the 1200 metre high mountain and take in the breathtaking sights from its peak. This afternoon, it was blowing a ripper of a gale, our fingers nearly fell off with the cold, but we didn’t care, it had been snowing and we were so excited!
To finish off all I can say is: GO to Tasmania! Now!

 

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