Ginger and Ed's Excellent Adventures

The largest metro area in Tasmania is overlooked by Mount Wellington / Kunanyi, which towers 4,000 feet above the city. Abundant waterfront along the Derwent River and a mild climate make Hobart an ideal spot for the state’s capital.

Hobart was founded in 1804 as a British penal colony and there is some pretty dark history there. The female factory housed women convicts from all parts of the British Empire, which was just about everywhere.

It is also home to the oldest continously operating brewery in Australia. The Cascades Brewery first opened in 1824 and still.makes.my favorite stout.

We only spent a couple days recovering from.our three capes walk before heading off to

Freycinet National Park

We had been to this park last year and decided a little coastal time was needed before planning our next.move. We had a great view of the Hazards from.the beach near our campsite.

We took a hike to Hazards Beach on a warm windy day. We were here last year and did Wineglass Bay, so this year we gave that a miss.

From Freycinet we drove south to catch a boat to

Maria Island

Sealers and whalers used the island in the early 1800s. By 1825 it became a penal colony, but only lasted about 7 years. In 1842 it was reopened as a convict probation station which was abandoned in 1850. A cement works was established in 1884 which operated up to the 1930s.

Today the island hosts ruins and wildlife as well.as some dramatic landscapes. Wombats were everywhere and we even saw a Tasmanian devil!

We camped for two nights so we could explore for a full day.

Bay of Fires

We drove northeast to a beautiful coastal area with lots of places to camp. While the water was beautiful and inviting, it was a bit cold and the wind didn’t help.

The area was named by sailors passing by Who observed the many fires set by aboriginal people managing the landscape. Today orange lichen on rocks are the only “fire.”

Back to Devonport

Our final.days were spent driving back to devonport. Landmarks along the way included memorial trees, carved to honor the war dead (WWI).

Waterfall near Lilydale.

Cataract gorge in Launceston.

We were treated to an amazing platypus experience!at the arboretum.

As our Tassie adventure came to an end, we boarded our ferry back to the mainland.