Tasmania

Our overnight trip to Doubtful Sound left wonderful 'wind up' memories for our New Zealand journeys. The crew were masters at feeding, transporting, and informing about our trip and the boat was quite comfortable. The landscape on the way to the sound was the flattest we have seen with the now usual sheep,deer and cows in the foreground and mountains behind. Note our favorite Oreo cows (Belted Galloway).



We even saw a cute (but polluting) steam train.



We had a lovely sunny day to enjoy the fiord (480 meters deep at it's deepest, almost unbelievable considering the narrow width).



And the hundreds of waterfalls as we wended our way down the various arms. So much water that it is unclear what the source is...


We saw our first crested penguin, albatross and gannet as well as the endangered kea parrot (rumored to be the smartest bird in the world).


Great fun! Tom and Kathy enjoy tea aboard our ship.



Then a long travel day to Tasmania. We landed in Launceston where we took a bit of time exploring the next morning. The cataract gorge was a must see where we rode the chairlift across and took the suspension bridge to return.







Then we set out on the "longest journey" to Freycinet National Park. We chose what looked like a scenic route but it turned out to be a VERY windy and hilly road, about one and a half lanes wide. We made a 3 hour trip into 5 plus. We did add wallaby, emu and echidna to our wildlife list.



The rest of our time inTasmania included an overnight in Hobart where the 67,000 English convicts were sent in from 1803-1856 to work off their bondage, sometimes for stealing a loaf of bread. Our hotel was right on the pier. One of the convicts is pictured in front of our hotel.


Then on to Cradle Mountain after another way too long drive for a quick stay in the national park and some lovely hikes and splendid vistas.


This is Dove Lake in the park - we hiked around it this morning.

Tomorrow, the Australian mainland...