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Launceston TAS, Australia
After getting your bearings, and dropping off your luggage at your hotel, it’s
time to head out and start exploring! Launceston, located on the northern tip of
the state of Tasmania, is one of their two main cities. The other being Hobart,
located on the southern end. Launceston is Australia’s third oldest European
settlement, established in 1806 after Sydney (in 1788) and Hobart (in 1804). The
city is renowned for its well preserved historic buildings. Launceston has some
of the best colonial and Victorian architecture anywhere in Australia. Cameron
street alone perfectly exemplifies what the rest of Australia would have looked
like during the boom times of the 19th century.
http://launcestonhistory.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Albert-to-Victoria.pdf
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Grindelwald TAS, Australia
Just 20-minutes outside the city is the city of Grindelwald. Grindelwald
Tasmania is a minature replicate of the Swiss village of Grindelwald. The
charming little town is located in the scenic Tamar Valley. Driving through this
beautiful valley is such a fantastic way to introduce yourself to the Tasmanian
landscape. But Grindelwald isn’t a theme park; it’s a real neighbourhood where
real families still live. The concept to recreate this place began in the 1980s
as a unique take on suburban residential developments. Once you’ve crossed over
the bridge, continue down highway C727 towards Hillwood. Hillwood is a tiny town
famous for its agriculture. Tasmania is known for being one of the most prolific
producers of fresh berries in Australia. George Peacock set up the first
Tasmanian jam manufacturing company in Hobart in 1850. Tasmania was the ideal
climate for growing berries. When Peacock arrived in the new colony in Tasmania,
there was a wealth of open fields to establish farms. Although the Peacock
company has since closed, the farms growing berries across Tasmania continue to
produce a wealth of these incredible fruits.
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Lilydale TAS, Australia
From Hillwood Farms, we begin our journey into the interior of Tasmania. The
landscape almost immediately seems to change. The river disappears and the road
winds through hilly valleys covered in eucalyptus trees. The tall mountains and
hillsides rolling up and down by your window as you drive.
- Lilydale Reserve Camp Area
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Nabowla TAS, Australia
Continuing along highway B81, head slightly northeast towards Bridestowe
Lavender Estate. This farm is home to great waves of lavender fields. The
lavender generally blooms from December through to early February, but their
website has more up-to-date information. During the rest of the year, you are
free to wander the fields and view the other native vegetation. There are even
self-guided tours to learn more about the history of Bridestowe.
- Bridestow Lavender Estate
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Legerwood TAS, Australia
Along the road towards the eastern part of the island is the Legerwood Memorial
Tree Forest. In 1918, after the first World War, several great trees were
planted by the remaining family members of honoured Tasmanian fallen soldiers.
Almost a hundred years later, the trees grew so large they were thought to be a
danger to the community and were set to be torn down. But the community was
devastated as the trees were so important to the historical legacy of Tasmania
and their township.
- Legerwood wood carvings, rest stop, bbq area
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Gladstone TAS, Australia
Travelling along highway A3 through B82, we drive further north towards Little
Blue Lake in South Mount Cameron. The lake is spectacular. It glows almost neon
blue in the sunlight. But don’t you dare dip your foot into the water! The
luminescent colour is formed as the result of alluvial tin mining and is packed
with toxic heavy metals! Despite the toxicity, the area is a HUGE draw for
spectators as it is truly one of the most impressive sights you’ve ever seen!
Just north of Little Blue Lake, there is a gas station, so be sure to fill up.
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Ansons Bay TAS, Australia
A 40-minute drive from the gas station will take you right to the coast! It’s
incredible to see as you approach. Head down to the Policeman’s Point campground
parking lot, where you can leave the car and look out on the incredible vista.
There are also public bathrooms here if you need to use the facilities.
Policeman’s Point is a part of the Bay of Fires Conservations area. The Bay of
Fires area around here is known for its incredible white sandy beaches and clear
blue waters. Many people don’t think of Tasmania as having such perfect beaches,
but this one is spectacular! Standing on the edge of the Bay of Fires walkway on
a clear day, you might be able to spot the Eddystone Point Lighthouse.
- Policemans Point Camp Site
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Bay of Fires, Australia
Head back along Ansons Bay Road, south towards through the Bay of
Fires Conservations Area. The Bay of Fires was named by Captain Tobias
Furneaux in 1773. When the captain first arrived in Tasmania, the first thing he
saw upon landing was a group of fires set along the beach by the Aboriginal
people living on the island. It was such a powerful sight that he named the area
after that encounter.
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Bicheno TAS, Australia
Now that you’ve filled up for breakfast, it’s time to get back on the road.
There is a gas station in St. Helen that is a great place to fill up. From
there, we drive down the scenic A3 highway towards our next destination.
Tasmania is such an interesting island to drive through as the landscape and
greenery around the coastline are so different than the interior, which is much
more like a rainforest. After an hour and a half of driving, you’ll arrive in
the small coastal town of Bicheno. This town is one of the major fishing ports
in Tasmania and a popular beach resort. Everything from crayfish, abalone and
scallops are caught just off the shores of the city.
- Bicheno Blowhole
- Whalers Lookout
- East Coast Natureworld
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Mount Freycinet, Australia
Just 30-minutes down the road from Bicheno, you can drive over to the Freycinet
National Park Tourist Information center. Here you can pick up and learn more
about the different walking and hiking trails that wind through this monumental
natural wonderland that is Freycinet National Park.
- Freycinet National Park
- Wineglass Bay Lookout
- Wineglass Bay
- Honeymoon Bay
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Buckland TAS, Australia
Spend as much time in the morning in your room as possible, as the mornings in
the Freycinet National Park are a particularly special time of day. Enjoy a
coffee on the patio as you watch the sunrise, and listen to the sound of the
animals as they sound the alarm as dawn rises in the distance.
- Tasmanian Bushland Garden
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Fortescue Bay, Australia
After loading up on coffee or tea while soaking in the sunrise on the water,
it’s time to get back on the road. The first stop of the day is at the tip
of Pirates Bay, at the ‘Blowhole.’ This blowhole is very similar to the one we
saw in Bicheno, with a spray of misty water exploding from a hold in the sea
cave below. Above the blowhole, you can walk out towards the Fossil Bay Lookout,
where you can see the entirety of the dramatic coastline spread out in front of
you.
- Tasman National Park
- Port Arthur Memorial Garden
- Waterfall Bay
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Port Arthur TAS, Australia
To start our sixth day in Tasmania, we make our way to the old convict
settlement of Port Arthur. The site at Port Arthur is one of the best-preserved
Australian Convict sites and one of the largest settlements. This site gives a
fantastic look back in time at Tasmania’s violent and criminal past. At the site
was here, the most hardened criminals came to stay with some of the most
rebellious personalities. For this reason, Port Arthur had some of the strictest
security measures and most brutal punishments. Most of which focuses on the
psychological rather than the physical. To end our day, we make our way to the
old convict settlement of Port Arthur.
- Port Arthur Memorial Garden
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Hobart TAS, Australia
- Franklin Square
- Hobart Brewing Company
- Elizabeth Street Pier
- Mount Nelson Signal Station Cafe
- Drunken Admiral