DAY 41
24th January 2021
We had to go back the same way we drove yesterday so went back through Maydena and to the Hobart area for fuel and supplies. Then we drove over to the island where Port Arthur is located. We drove to the Fortescue Bay campsite to take a look. I’d had a look online and it said it was booked out but you never know, but it was full, very full.
We then drove around the top of the island. We stopped off at Coal Mines historic site, up some back roads from Taranna and had a look around the ruins. This was where the worst of the convicts at Port Arthur were taken to mine coal.
We then drove up to Lime Bay, right on the northwestern tip, thinking it might be ok being a bit further away, but it was also very full. There’s very little camping on the island, so we ended up doing a scenic lap, before heading to the Dunalley Hotel, where you could camp out the back for free. Honestly, our whole day was spent not really looking around but more looking for a campsite that wasn’t packed. We did stop off at a lookout though and marvel at the basalt columns near Cape Hauy.
We stayed at the Hotel for about an hour before deciding it was just far too windy to camp there. Luckily the golf club nearby also had camping! It wasn’t overly nice but it was slightly more sheltered. It was such a cold night though, we ended up having tinned soup and eating it in the front of the car, then went up into the tent to stay warm.
DAY 42
25th January 2021
We started the morning on the Waterfall Bay walk. It was about 3-4km and pretty easy going, but there was no water in the falls so it was just a cliff face. The walk was pretty though. We then drove over to the tessellated pavement (just ok) then left the island. It had been pretty disappointing and not really worth the effort.
We turned off the highway at Copping, and drove up to the Three Thumbs Reserve and lookout, where we had lunch. We were the only ones there for a while, but once we’d settled down for lunch, heaps of people turned up! We drove along a 4wd track, then back to the Tasman Highway. It was a really nice drive.
We drove north and stopped in at Mayfield Beach and reserve. There was a free camp and toilets there and we were early enough that we managed to get a spot. Unfortunately, we tried manoeuvring into a spot and reversed into a tree and dented the rooftop tent. Poor tent. So we tried a different spot.
It was a really hot afternoon and I put my swimmers on and went to the beach. The water was freezing though so I just stood in it up to my thighs.
Lamb chops for dinner!
