Tasmania Jan 2008 (2 of 4)
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Onwards to the northeast corner of Tasmania. The beaches at Mt. Williams National Park were fantastically beautiful and quite deserted. What more could you ask for? How about fields full of Kangaroos, Wallabies, and Wombats for evening entertainment?
There is a wide variety of agricultural activity in Tasmania, such as this lavender farm that we visited. Sadly, the most widespread activity seems to be the clearcutting of the forest (often virgin forest), to produce wood chips of all things.
After Launceston, onwards to Mole Creek Karst National Park, where we toured the Marakoopa and King Solomon mines, with their amazing limestone formations.
Looking for a little more coast time, it was up to Devonport fo a couple of days. This port town is where the ferries (BIG boats) land from mainland Australia. We spent a couple of days casually exploring the area, and visited to local Penguin colony to see the adults come back in the evening to feed their chicks.
Our last night in Devonport we were treated to this lovely sunset.
They do grow some interesting crops in Tasmania. Apperently it is one of the largest (legal) opium poppy growing regions in the world. It was strange to be driving through the countryside surrounded by poppy fields. They must be quite spectacular when in bloom.
After the northeast, we headed to Launceston, the second largest city in Tasmania. It has a great collection of historic stone buildings, the Boag's Brewery, and Cataract Gorge. The Gorge is a short walk from town, and has great scenery and swimming to boot. Launceston residents are lucky people indeed.
After a quick visit with our friends Rowena, Don, Edward and Lucy at their Beach Shack, it was back to Hobart. Here we treated ourselves to tours of the Cadbury Chocolate Factory and Cascade Brewery. Chocolate and Beer, what more does one need?