Tassie

Many of the people we've met in Oz told us it was a must-do, so we planned our 5 day Tasmanian excursion for this past weekend while Dick and Debbie were here visiting. We're so glad we did. After flying into Launceston, we started the drive to the east coast and stopped for lunch in Campbell Town. It, like most of Tasmania, has an interesting history rooted in the mass transfer of convicts to Australia, many of whom ended up in Tasmania. Lining the sidewalks of the the main street in this quaint town were bricks with the names of convicts who were sent from Britain to serve their sentence. The punishments given were harsh for seemingly trivial offences. One example is described on the brick below. Life sentences were handed out for something as relatively benign as stealing one sheep.

We spent the first 2 nights staying at a great cottage in the Freycinet National Park. Granna and Zaidie were game for a hike to see the famous Wineglass Bay. It was spectacular. We had no wildlife sightings on the hike itself, but there were wallabies waiting (for a food donation) in the parking lot when we got back. On Sunday, we were off to Hobart for the second half of our trip, but not before a stop at Kate's Berry Farm for some yummy treats. In fact, yummy treats were plentiful throughout our stay - Tasmania is trying to revamp it's dark history (criminals, devils, etc.), by becoming a premiere wine and food destination - based on what we tasted, they are succeeding.

Wineglass Bay

In keeping with the convict theme, we spent a day exploring Port Arthur Historic Site on the Tasmanian Peninsula. It is the most visited historic site in Australia, and it was easy to see why. Much of the original prison and surrounding buildings are still standing, there is an island just off the coast that you can visit this site where several hundred convicts are buried (and ghosts still occupy?), and it is well organized with ferry and walking tours so you can soak up much of the info it has to offer.

Port Arthur

No Taz trip would be complete without seeing some Tasmanian Devils, so on our way home from Port Arthur, we stopped at a devil conservation centre and made it just in time to watch feeding time. Yikes - they are mangy and vicious little guys. Georgia didn't seemed bothered by them at all (despite the hissing, growling, and bearing of teeth), but did not want to be anywhere near the cute talking parrot in the park...

Tasmanian devil

Our little devil

Another place checked off our 'to visit' list and a great way to cap off our visit with Granna and Zaidie. Next up: Sydney, here we come.