Honeymoon in Tasmania

One week’s touring just a little more Down Under

Pennyroyal Inn in Launceston

Former barracks and a quarry Frogs a’croakin’ in the hollow

Cataract Gorge, LauncestonTom was thrilled to see the chairlift

I would have been happy walking

Cataract GorgeEasy bush walks on winding paths

Suspension bridge overlooks the South Esk River

Tamar ValleyBeaconsfield, where two miners survived two weeks trapped underground after the collapse of their tunnel nearly one kilometer from the surface.

In this warehouse on the river we encountered unique creatures…

Tamar ValleyPlatypuses (not “platypi”) live in the wild in burrows, so their housing in captivity needs to imitate the tunnels that they use to shuffle from their snug nests to the water

Platypus have dry land cousins, though it’s hard to picture any animal that looks less like them than these spiny little things, called echidnas

Tamar Valley“Tamar Valley” is a brand name for fine wines and dairy products, so we stopped at a few vineyards…

…so I’d have something to cook with!

Launceston to Strahan, via Cradle Mountain

The town of Deloraine, gateway to the Central Highlands, features murals which depict the fabled landscapes of the region. Unobtrusively tucked into the artwork are some creatures we would soon see in the wild lands further south.

Thinking we might like a picnic, we stopped into a bakery to buy lunch: a few sandwiches, which would turn out to be fateful…

Cradle MountainThough the weather at the mountain was too foggy for good viewing, it was fun to walk around the park trails where we met some local critters…

…some of which seemed very hungry, hoping for a generous handout…

Cradle Mountain Currawong Walk…and followed us through the forest, calling out to all and sundry…

…to announce the new arrival of a pair of likely victims!

Do Not Feed The Currawongs“Let’s not feed them,” was our resolve, not wanting to start something from a Hitchcock movie, an avian feeding frenzy.

But there’s always one who’ll never die wondering.

Victorian B & B, StrahanOlde-worlde charm and… …tasseled room key

Seashore near Strahan

Tasmania’s pristine west coast

On the way to Lake St.Clair

Roaring water in the wild woods

Lake St.Clair & Tarraleah

Some reward for asking nicelyExtra bread goes to the poultry in a park at the village of Tarraleah

HobartJust look at what we found at the… …Salamanca markets today!

Hobart

“That boat goes to Antarctica.”“Does it really? Book our tickets.”

Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Hobart

How many ways can there be to say “I love you?”

How long would you stand in line to watch a machine make some real poo?

MONA Ferry, HobartThe Tasman Bridge spans the Derwent (and snags, we’re told, the occasional ferry)

MONA is best visited by its own ferry, for the river views are superb

Freycinet National Park

Out here I saw albatrossesTom stands before The Three Sisters

Tasman PeninsulaFound a sinkhole, Tom is happy

Looking down there makes me queasy

Port Arthur

At long last, we reach Port ArthurSeems like this bloke was a schemer

Port ArthurPort Arthur is an example of some classic architecture, built by convicts’ coerced labour

Is the waterfront view that much of a consolation?

Wildlife Park, Tasman Peninsula

Tasmanian Devils snarling. That’s their normal way of saying “G’day, how’s it going, cobber?”

Spotted quolls may look much cuter than their slightly larger cousins, but are in fact bloodthirsty and hyperactive little demons!

Mt.Wellington, HobartOn the top of Mt.Wellington is a station where you will find…

…all you need to measure weather.

Mt.Wellington, Hobart

Views are alsorather stunning.

Quite a way toend our trip tothe end of theAntipodes!