It felt like the time was right to have a holiday and explore Tasmania's great west coast. Always good for someone working in the tourism industry in Tas to be up-to-date with what is going on around the state and for updating ideas... what a better way than a four day trip away from home.
We set off Thursday, stopping in at Lake St Clair, the weather was fantastic as you will see from the photo, lunch at Derwent Park Hotel, we opted for a steak sandwich, yummo. Then on the road again to Queenstown, the photo shows how the mining operations have scared the hills surrounding Queenstown, soil run off has hindered the trees growing back. Funnily, this adds to the towns uniqueness and makes it quite impressive.
The journey onwards to Strahan Village, to be our home for 2 nights : ) Lovely and quiet, beautiful scenery, quaint eating places and accommodation. We journeyed out to Macquarie Harbour and Great Ocean Beach, amazing stuff.. 33 kms of beach! An amazing campground which reminded me of Cockle Creek in the far south. Amazing potential for the land management owners, seemed to be ran by the local council with input from other land managers... signage not too great for first time tourists, evidenced by the car following me who also didn't know where the road was taking them to! Lets hope the old tacky signs are replaced soon.
Lots of favourite shots below.....
Day 2 we headed off on the boat, Lady Jane Franklin to explore the harbour and the world heritage area. Unspoilt beauty for sure. Great to see that our Captain was very mindful of the delicacy of the river banks and the world heritage area. Hells Gates once accessed.. land further on is South America or South Africa.. wow! Great lighthouses and lovely colours on the edge of the banks.
Sarah Island was a port of call, convicts there must have had a very hard life... spooky enough to give me cold goose bumps in 2 areas on the island. The guide provided the group with his opinion of Parks management on the island. Sometimes good to be an unknown in the crowd!
