An easy trip home

And all too soon it comes to an end... Up early (for us on this trip), pack the bags (it is amazing how much mess 2 people can make in one room in two days!) and check out of the hotel. A light brunch in the same cafe' (with same orange juice in quite possibly the same jar) and then back in the car and off through the quiet roads of Hobart's peak hour to the airport.

This place works really well - no hassles and then we are on the plane winging our way home. The seat behind us was empty so we both had window seats and fabulous views over Phillip Island , our suburb and the city. Very disappointed to see Melbourne Airport has re-introduced paying for luggage trolleys - 4$!! - what a great way to treat our international visitors (not). The weather here looks as good as it was in Tassie - no doubt we were very lucky with the weather all round and it certainly did make the trip all that extra special.

Moaning about Mona

A peek between the blinds at the sunrise was the only interupption to our last sleep in - even the constant rumble of the traffic and a significant fire in town was not enough to disturb us. Either Tassie is a noisy place or we chose our accomodation poorly on this trip. Brunch was in a trendy cafe' where the fresh orange juice is served in a glass jar. We then joined the chaotic (not!) traffic and went to begin the cultural highlight of our trip at the Mona museum. We were warmly greeted by "Closed Today" signs out the front. Unperturbed we went in anyway. The vineyards were turning a golden autumn brown, the sun came out highlighting the blue sky and a warm northerly breeze gently tickled our skin. Unfortunately none of this ambience opened the doors of the place.We did get to see a skeleton of a Cement truck.

And so grumbling about the fact we did not do our homework adequately we headed back into town and visited the replica of Mawsons Antarctic hut instead. This was quite interesting - they did it tough and they did it well. A refreshing cider admiring the scientific vessels moored at the dock and we headed back to the room for a relax and wind down. Dinner at the Drunken Admiral was a thoroughly enjoyable experience surrounded by a plethora of shipping related artefacts. We almost donned bloomers, boots, belts, became buccaneers and bellowed out sea shanties in our enthusiasm inspired by the décor. Arrrrrhhhh alas ye hearties .... all we did was afterwards wander through the docks again for a dessert of rocky road gelati.

Heaps of Huon

We bode the Port Huon cabins farewell and headed up the road to the Huon cafe for breakfast by the tranquil waters of Huon Harbour. Afterwards we drove north along the banks of the Huon river, spotting Huon Pines along the way. Refueling at Huonville we turned left at the old Huon boatbuilding depot (apparently they use Huon wood milled from Huon pines which are curiously prolific in the Huon valley). Our journey down the south bank of the Huon river revealed a quieter side to the Huon district away from the Huon highway. Driving through Snug and an emergency stop in Cygnet(not a swan in sight) we turned left and climbed our way out of the valley still unenlightened as to what a Huon actually is. Lunch at the Hartzview winney was fabulous.

It was a picture perfect sunny day. We were the only guests and the calm autumn afternoon was emphasized by the occasional voices drifting up from the pickers of the pino noir berries casually collecting the late season cool climate crop of which the vineyard is renowned. We continued through more fabulous country vistas on our way back to a glowingly warm Hobart afternoon. Our room oversees Constitution dock in such a way it's tempting to yell out morring directions to Arorus Australis from our window.

A riveting expedition of retail therapy in the city centre was counterbalanced by a fun evening in the Salamanca district. Struggling with limited comms access behind the thick stone walls of the historic buildings we managed to converse with those in the wider world to a limited extent. Gourmet pizza followed by gelatti as we wound our way through the chill night air of the docks back to the room.

Flying high over the treetops (sort of)

Another beautiful sunrise over the calm waters of the Huon river was again totally ignored as we slept in. Eventually driven out of bed by the incessant roar of the road we headed up to Geeveston for brunch and a wander through the wall of lollies. This is a fascinating display of sweets from around the world where the value contained in the plethora of glass jars would be less if the contents were coins. And so with lighter still wallets we headed along the winding forest roads to the Tahune air walk. Not even a tree blocking the road stopped us in our determination to get there. After a gagle of hardy blokes broke of the low hanging branches all the sedans squeezed underneath and with a cheery wave to to the stranded campervans continued on. The walk through the forest, over the swaying bridges and up along the elevated platforms was enlightening. The highlight though was the hang gliding experience across the river. Makes one think that it would be worth doing it one day without being suspended from a cable.

Tonight we eat in. Gourmet pies followed by a video. As the sun settles over the mist covered hills and chill winds waft down from the high plains beyond.

As far south as you can get

A well earned sleep in and then a stroll up the road for a late breakfast at a quaint cafe saw us wander past pitureesque waterways dotted with idle yachts. We then jumped back in our wheels and headed for a discovery tour of the deep south. With ghostly twangs of banjos haunting our subconscious we drove to Dover pub for lunch. Finding it burnt down we continued to Southport to discover an idealic location with more water based vistas than you could poke a stick at. After perusing the quaint (yet somewhat silly) historic tourist railways and Luke warm thermal springs we headed north via the coastal route with visions of food blurring our thoughts. Eventually ensconsed in our abode we were blown away by the consumption of possibly the best scallop pie ever to be eaten. Now looking forward to dinner as the light slowly fades over the calm waters of Huon bay.

Off to the Isle of Apples

Off to sunny Hobart. No traffic problems. Straight through check in only to find a 30min delay taking off. Stressed? Not really. Who cares....we're on holidays.:)

Arrived to a beautiful sunny day. After dealing with a smelly hire car we had lunch at constitution dock and headed up to the freezing winds on top of Mt Wellington to admire the panoramic views. Coffee at fern tree and then headed down the quiet winding roads to port huon. Based here for 3 nights and ready to explore. Ate a Geeveston Fanny after buying a bag full.