Last bit of Tassie



The Nut & Stanley from Highfields

 

We moved on to the north-west with a visit to Circular Head best known as “The Nut”. This is the core of an ancient volcano and stands alone at the end of a spit of land with the town of Stanley huddled in its shelter. We decided not to stay overnight as once again the wind was blowing strongly off Bass Strait but we did visit Highfield House on the hill above the town. Originally the administration centre for the Van Diemens Land Co. it had fallen into serious disrepair until taken over by the Tasmanian Govt in 1990. Restoration work has saved a beautiful historic home and still continues.

A young Echidna near Dip Falls

Our next stop-over was at Smithton, the most westerly town of any size. Not really a tourist town but a good base for local exploring and the Bridge Hotel has great meals – local scallops and chips plus desert of apple pie and cream - all for $12.00.  


Guide Falls near Burnie





As we headed back eastwards we stopped off at a great caravan park at Crayfish Creek where the sites are all in bush settings with birds hopping round everywhere during the day and wallabies hopping round the grassy areas all night. A few more windy days at Cooee Point, Burnie while we explored further inland then gradually headed east to spend a few days at Sheffield.

Mt Roland & Lake Barrington



Letterbox near Wilmot



Sheffield area is dominated by Mt Roland which provides spectacular views of the surrounding country as well as providing a backdrop for many scenic photos. Lake Barrington sits below the mountain and has good camp sites and spectacular scenery. A drive round the lake took us through the little town of Wilmot where many locals have built novelty letterboxes – everything from Daleks to Angels to motorbikes.

Reliquaire window (no photos inside)

In the town of Latrobe there is the most amazing shop called Reliquaire. There are 20 rooms stuffed full of toys, costumes, figures in full period costume, fairies, ghouls and fantasy. It’s like stepping into the toymakers workshop and you really would have to be an awful grouch not to enjoy several hours there.

We have a few more days to fill then it’s back on the boat and back to Melbourne.