Finally have internet access -- I've updated Days 44, 45, 46, 47
Today we drove from Smithton to Launceston stopping at several places along the way. First stop was at Penguin -- where sadly we didn't see any real penguins (penguins are out swimming / eating during the day -- they come back to shore at dusk). Pretty little town w/a really cool "keyhole" church. Next stop was at Sheffield -- known for the murals on the buildings and for Mount Roland. Unfortunately the weather was pretty bad -- so we didn't venture up there. Next up was Elizabeth Town -- we stopped there for lunch and a walk through the countryside. Only 500 people live in the town -- I think where we stopped was the only cafe / store in town. Very pretty countryside. The area is known for its milk / cheese production -- we had some Ashgrove Cheddar with lunch (delicious!) -- I would have liked to have stopped in at their farm store.
Last stop was at Cataract Gorge in Launceston (northern central Tasmania). Took a ride on the chairlift there (it's the longest single-span chairlift in the world -- the chairlift is 1,499 ft long altogether -- with the longest span being 1,010 ft). Then walked down and checked out the suspension bridge.
We are staying in Launceston for 2 nights. Launceston is the 2nd largest city in Tasmania -- whopping pop of 110,000. It was settled in 1806 -- so it's one of the older cities in Australia. It's located at the junction of the North Esk river and the South Esk river (where they join together and form the Tamar River). The city has some really nice old building and houses -- and lots of mills (some pretty / some ugly). I went on a walk along one of the Esk Rivers -- the river wasn't that scenic -- but nice views of the town.
Note: the town is pronounced lawn-cess-ton (emphasis on the 2nd syllable). It's named after a town in Cornwall -- but pronounced differently -- go figure.
It's interesting being on a tour. I definitely like not having to drive all the time -- and not having to make all of the arrangements. But you definitely give up a lot of autonomy. I would have stopped a lot more if I were doing a self-drive (and skipped things like the Dismal Swamp). It's nice to have people to talk with -- although I do like that we have open days & open meals --- it would drive me crazy otherwise. Although I'm not the youngest person on the tour (there is a 35 yr-old woman -- who is rather a wacko -- and also has never traveled before in her life) --- it would have been nice to have been with a somewhat younger group. Overall it's been a very good experience -- glad that I am doing a mix of things.
Weather: heavy clouds, bit of rain, a bit of sun at times, 55 - 70F
Miles Walked: 7.2
kms driven in a Bus: 231
Pic notes: a bit out of order again -- the first 4 pics should be at the end
Today we drove from Smithton to Launceston stopping at several places along the way. First stop was at Penguin -- where sadly we didn't see any real penguins (penguins are out swimming / eating during the day -- they come back to shore at dusk). Pretty little town w/a really cool "keyhole" church. Next stop was at Sheffield -- known for the murals on the buildings and for Mount Roland. Unfortunately the weather was pretty bad -- so we didn't venture up there. Next up was Elizabeth Town -- we stopped there for lunch and a walk through the countryside. Only 500 people live in the town -- I think where we stopped was the only cafe / store in town. Very pretty countryside. The area is known for its milk / cheese production -- we had some Ashgrove Cheddar with lunch (delicious!) -- I would have liked to have stopped in at their farm store.
Last stop was at Cataract Gorge in Launceston (northern central Tasmania). Took a ride on the chairlift there (it's the longest single-span chairlift in the world -- the chairlift is 1,499 ft long altogether -- with the longest span being 1,010 ft). Then walked down and checked out the suspension bridge.
We are staying in Launceston for 2 nights. Launceston is the 2nd largest city in Tasmania -- whopping pop of 110,000. It was settled in 1806 -- so it's one of the older cities in Australia. It's located at the junction of the North Esk river and the South Esk river (where they join together and form the Tamar River). The city has some really nice old building and houses -- and lots of mills (some pretty / some ugly). I went on a walk along one of the Esk Rivers -- the river wasn't that scenic -- but nice views of the town.
Note: the town is pronounced lawn-cess-ton (emphasis on the 2nd syllable). It's named after a town in Cornwall -- but pronounced differently -- go figure.
It's interesting being on a tour. I definitely like not having to drive all the time -- and not having to make all of the arrangements. But you definitely give up a lot of autonomy. I would have stopped a lot more if I were doing a self-drive (and skipped things like the Dismal Swamp). It's nice to have people to talk with -- although I do like that we have open days & open meals --- it would drive me crazy otherwise. Although I'm not the youngest person on the tour (there is a 35 yr-old woman -- who is rather a wacko -- and also has never traveled before in her life) --- it would have been nice to have been with a somewhat younger group. Overall it's been a very good experience -- glad that I am doing a mix of things.
Weather: heavy clouds, bit of rain, a bit of sun at times, 55 - 70F
Miles Walked: 7.2
kms driven in a Bus: 231
Pic notes: a bit out of order again -- the first 4 pics should be at the end
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| Launceston |
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| Launceston |
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| Launceston |
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| Launceston |
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| Smithton |
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| Penguin |
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| Penguin |
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| Penguin |
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| Penguin |
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| Cataract Gorge, Launceston |
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| Cataract Gorge, Launceston |
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| Cataract Gorge, Launceston |
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| Cataract Gorge, Launceston |
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| Cataract Gorge, Launceston |
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| Cataract Gorge, Launceston |
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| Cataract Gorge, Launceston |
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| Cataract Gorge, Launceston |
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| Cataract Gorge, Launceston |
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