Day 11 - Bruny Island, Part Two

Standing on the Jetty at Adventure Bay, I am afraid my sense of humor escaped, and I hummed a few bars of the Gilligan's Island Theme Song. It wasn't lost on some, as we were about to embark on a 'Three Hour Tour.....'

Fortunately the Weather was Perfect as we climbed aboard the purpose built 12 .5 Naiad Boat, donned our Red Waterproof Coats and happily accepted Ginger Tablets, just in case we felt a little "Other".

And with the mandatory Safety spiel out of the way -We were Off...

The fact that we had the company of a second tour group and were not heading into the Southern Ocean alone was comforting. 

We marvelled at the coastline in all its ancient beauty

And got up close and personal with massive Blowholes

We heard stories of Adventurers Past, One who used to jump off the boat and swim through this gap - 

Eventually deciding that it wasn't such a good idea, when one day he was followed by a Shark! 

(Fortunately for him and the passengers on board, He lived to tell the tale.)

They took us out to see the Black-Faced Cormorants - 

Confidently standing atop their Rocky Perch while the Ocean boils beneath them 

We went out to where the Tasman Sea meets the Southern Ocean

Then back past The Friars, to see the Australian Fur Seals taking a break before heading back into the water.

 

I debate with myself, if I should pack my 35mm Camera when we go on holidays now.

But then you get some shots that my iPhone just can't manage.  And This is one of them!

It was an awesome Adventure and once safely  back on dry land we were treated to Warming Soup and the Most Architecturally Stunning Salad Roll I have ever seen!

Further Information:

Bruny cruises

Day 11 - Bruny Island, Part One

It was only half an hour away but when the Bus driver wants to catch the 7:45 am Ferry - 

We had to be Up and at Breakfast by 6:30.

Today was going to be Quite the Adventure!

With the urgency to beat the School Bus Rush over - we were allowed to wander the deck where others took the opportunity to take some Holiday Snaps.

And now, we can take our time.

Our first stop was at Bruny Island Neck. 

A narrow Isthmus joining North and South ends of Bruny and separating Adventure and Isthmus Bays.  

Had I climbed the  almost 300 steps to Truganini Lookout - I would have been rewarded with 360 degree Views of the Neck, the rest of the Island and some of Mainland Tasmania.  

I didn't discover the incredible view until I was researching this post...

Instead we walked the boardwalk from the carpark to Adventure Bay Beach

It was good to feel the sun on my face, the wind in my hair and the sand beneath my feet.

And to deeply breathe that incredible Clean Sea Air.

15 minutes down the road was our stop for an early Morning Tea.

Parking at the Local Bowls Club and Picnic area we wandered across the road to investigate a fascinating sculpture showing the World with the Continents on the Outside.

By Local Artist Matthew Carney (1966-2011)

It is difficult to see the detail of this thought provoking piece.

  

In my second photo I have brought up the contrast - almost showing the Artwork in silhouette where you can see Inside the Globe there is a Sperm Whale and its Calf.

There is much more of Today left but I feel this is a good point to pause and will leave this post here with the Artist's Statement.

(Come back tomorrow for Part 2)

GLOBE SCULPTURE – Matthew Carney | 2006

Artist statement: “When we encounter the enormous mass of a whale, we are struck by the insignificance of our own form and thus realise the true relationship that we share with our world. This work is a meeting place for the community and the people who visit the island and a source of discussion in acknowledging the symbiotic relationship that we have with the other inhabitants of the earth. The Inter-generational dependence of mother and calf depicts the continuity we experience from past and present.”

Installed at Adventure Bay Foreshore, Bruny Island

Globe Sculpture - Further Information

Day 10 - Touring Hobart

Now THIS is a View that I don't think I would ever tire of waking up to!

Sunrise over Constitution Dock and River Derwent.  

9:00 am and we were already at Our first Stop for today.

The Botanical Gardens and with Maps in hand...

We set off to explore on our own.

It was a beautiful morning and happily strolled the pathways.

(Finding some delicious Tassie 

Ice-cream to quietly enjoy made it Perfect!)

Morning Tea appeared from 'Beneath the Bus' at a Local Park. 

 

Giving us time to get that all Important (but not very good)  Group Photo, and catch our breath before heading off to ...

The Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

We had a Guided Tour and informative talk on their Rescue & Rehabilitation program. 

-This is their resident Tasmanian Devil.  Unfortunately she is Blind and won't be able to be released.

After Lunch we returned to Hobart and a Walking Tour of the Towns Historic Buildings.

Walking for me is fine but, standing around listening to the local guide is when my back gave out on me and I had to pull out of the tour.  We hadn't even left the Hotel foyer.

I rested until I could walk again and saw that the group was still only at the next corner!

We decided to do some sightseeing at our own pace.

Whereas we choose not to drink, Our Son is partial to a good Whisky.  

And seeing that one of his favourite Brands comes from Hobart, we thought we'd check them out on his behalf.

I did have the idea we could bring him home something you could ONLY get from the Cellar Door.

But a $400 souvenir that he may not even like - was way over the budget.

We did get him a beautiful Crystal Whisky glass and a Free Coaster!

Well, that sums up today -

We were all looking forward to Dinner.

They had a bad night last night with problems in most dishes. Unfortunately, tonight was no different.

To be honest, We have had better meals at The training Restaurant at our local TAFE.

Anyway - Tomorrow is our last Full Day and an Adventure awaits!

Day 9 - Travelling to Hobart

Today is another early start - 

'Just' 373 km to Hobart with not much in the way of Rabbit holes to go down... that is, unless you know where the Rabbit Holes are!

Morning Tea and a quick Pit-stop was at Lake Burbury.

Beautiful, with the Mist rising off the mountains, but we only had enough time to walk down to the water and take a couple of 'bookmark shots' of the Lake.

Another Hour and we were pulling in to Lake St. Clair Visitors Centre.

Our Driver had commented that "In Tasmania, you don't have to go very far to have Waterfront Views' and he wasn't wrong!

The next stop was a further 7 km down the road at 'The Wall in the Wilderness' at Derwent Bridge.

'The Wall', a Passion Project for sculptor Greg Duncan opened in 2005 and is a tapestry depicting the history of Rural Tasmanian Life carved into mainly Huon Pine.  

I can't show you any images of this visit due to his request - no demand - that no Photographs be taken "As it is an infringement of my Intellectual Copyright and Un-Australian if you do." 

So - here is a picture of the car park.
 

There were other signs, these left us uncomfortable, and to be honest we were underwhelmed at the installation. Both DH and I just wanted to leave!

An on-line search will yield plenty of Images and Videos of this Installation.

Moving on - 

Lunch was at The Highlander Restaurant & Bar (which opened just for us) at the Tarraleah Hydro Station, where we also celebrated the Birthday of one of our fellow travellers.

Then on to Russell Falls.

The tranquility of this place was food for my soul.  

We walked beneath towering  Mountain Ash - At 100 meters, they are the tallest Flowering plants in the World.  

These trees are Ancient, they were here when Europeans first set foot in Australia. Silent guardians of the air we breathe.

At the turning point of the path is Russell Falls.

Said to be Tasmania's prettiest Waterfall, this two Tiered Cascade pours into a pool that is surrounded by tall Tree ferns. It has been protected since 1885 and featured on one of Australia's first Postage Stamps.

I love Waterfalls - I could have stayed here for hours!  And had we been lucky enough to be here at Dusk - there are Glow worms!

But unfortunately we had to leave, and it wasn't too long before the Graceful Eucalypts and Tree Ferns were replaced by a different Forest - One of Concrete and Asphalt.

The Bridgewater Bridge - 1.2 km, 4 lane (and separated Pedestrian/Cycling lane), Spans the River Derwent and is Tasmania's largest ever Transport Infrastructure Project.

It was opened just 2 months after this Photo.

Ten and a Half hours after Packing Our Bags in Strahan, we arrived back in Hobart.

Our Tour is not quite over but for today, we just look forward to a lovely dinner and checking out that Pillow Menu!

Day 8 - Gordon River

...She is a 33.8m catamaran, purpose-built for cruising in the sensitive environment of the UNESCO Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Her unique hybrid-propulsion system featuring electric motors, allow for quiet cruising while on the Gordon River, making for an unforgettable and immersive experience in this incredible environment. 

And with that we stepped aboard the 'Spirit of the Wild' and settled into Our Premium Upper Deck seats for a 6 hour cruise on the Gordon River. 

30 minutes after leaving Strahan we sight the narrow  opening where the Harbour and the Southern Ocean meet.  THIS is Hell's Gates - yes, it was once hard to navigate but also it was the entrance to Hell on Earth that was the Penal colony of Sarah Island.

Today we had calm seas and navigated the narrow channel with ease. *

We heard stories of ships wrecked and lives lost on the rocks and shallow sandbars.

We travelled past Salmon and Ocean Trout farms, learning about this industry .. and that we will be enjoying a beautiful Chef prepared meal of Salmon from here as part of our lunch.

From Hell's Gates we travel noiselessly down the Gordon River.   

Marvelling at its beauty and being thankful that we still have it.

Time to stretch our legs, we stop at Heritage Landing and take a walk through the temperate rainforest.

With carefully built boardwalks and information on each Tree type and what it was used for - I could have stayed a lot longer here.

But 'Time and Tide wait for no Man' and neither does Lunch!

Back on board we enjoyed a beautiful Buffet with a selection of Tasmanian Produce (and an Open Bar for those that indulge).

We were also treated to a Welcome Coffee & Pastry

Morning Tea - Soup & Canapés

Buffet Lunch

Afternoon Tea - Sweet Canapés & Drinks

"Before Port Arthur there was Sarah Island"

 

Tasmania's Oldest and most Remote Penal Settlement is our next stop.

Isolated, and brutal it operated for just 11 years and in that time it became Australia's largest Shipyard at the time.

With the Ruins slowing disintegrating back into the landscape, and the environment regenerating after being stripped bare for its resources, the stories are re-told by Guides from the Round Earth Company, to remind and educate.

Learning from this, makes us better people and it should never be forgotten or erased from the History Books.

And so we leave the Cold and damp of Sarah Island and return to the 21st Century.

 

We continue Our Cruise, marvelling at the Beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage place and taking way more Photos than I know what to do with.

Before finally docking back at Strahan where we wandered the Port area, chatting to the locals in the shops before returning to our accomodation for the night.

*

This is my favourite photo of the entire tour.

A reminder that there is always a Light to Guide Our Way.

John 8:12

Research and Reference:

Gordon River Cruise:

Australian Geographic - Sarah Island

Day 7 - Visiting Queenstown

Today we are travelling just 2 hrs down the Road to the Township of Strahan.

By 10:45 am we had arrived at Queenstown for Morning Tea and a Walking Tour of the Town

Our Bus collected us, and a Local Guide at the Tourist Train Station and we were taken to the Queenstown Speciality Timber Yard

We learnt about all the different types of Timber that specifically grows in Tasmania and how they are now reclaiming Old discarded Timbers from Scrap heaps and River beds no matter what they look like - for use in High-end Sculptures.

(I loved this piece - Old and gnarled looking very much like a Dragon about to swallow a large River Rock.  I wonder what someone will do with it!)

We Drove through the Historic Lyell Copper Mine opened c 1890 and currently in 'Caretaker Mode' awaiting a decision to re-open.

We saw the effects of the Toxic Metal Pollution of the local Rivers.

And learned of the Environmental and Economic effect the Mine had on the area.

From here we returned to the restored Paragon Theatre, where we were treated to some very Welcome Hot Soup. 

And a screening of a Documentary Film on one of Australia's most significant environmental battles. The 1980s campaign to stop the damming of the Franklin River.

From here it is just a 25 min drive to our next Stop.

The Strahan Village Motel. 

Set on a hillside with Views of Macquarie Harbour.

(Pretty good View to wake up to!)

Click the Link to see the Film we watched:

Saving the Franklin River Documentary.