Long Weekends in Australia Are For Sight Seeing

Australia and the long weekends go hand in hand. Our family have enjoyed some time away, taking in local sites of Tasmania and enjoying some simple activities together while not spending a fortune.

We recently chose to stay at Snug, just south of Hobart. We stayed at the Snug Caravan Park, which we loved with it's Camp Kitchen, clean bathrooms and location right next to the beach.
Starting our day by waking in our campervan, we moved outdoors to the sunshine to sit and cook a BBQ breakfast of eggs and bacon, and a drink of apple juice. The kids went for a frolic on the beach while hubby and I got some things together for a drive.

 Snug has some lovely surrounding towns and attractions. We head to the next town, Margate where we visit the Margate Train, known for it's carriages selling pancakes, doll houses, books and lollies.

From here we take a right turn to head through the beautiful countryside that will bring us to Tinderbox. We marvel at the views as we drive and the gorgeous houses that have been built to take in the views. We turn down the road where there is a boat ramp and we arrive at a nice area complete with toilet, swings and BBQ facilities. The water to the right of the boat ramp follows the small sandstone cliff, and there are rock shelves that reach out into the water. It makes for great discovery around the smooth cliffs and in the rockpools. The area is know for its shallow water and accessibility and there is a group getting ready for a dive class.

Back in the vehicle, and we follow the road further to the town of Blackmans Bay. This seaside town has grown tremendously with a great build up of housing and amenities. We drive along the Esplanade, where there are people gathering at the restaurant and others strolling or exercising.

We head back toward Snug along the highway, but not before calling into Dru Point at Margate for a well deserved play on the equipment for the kids and coffees for hubby and I. This playground is well known in Southern Tasmania. It is well planned, with lots of great equipment and right near the water.

What a gorgeous part of Tasmania with so much to see and do without parting with lots of cash.

Basking In Beauty

Our garden has been alive with visitors lately - the kind with tiny wings.

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Itching for Spring

Allergies are horrid. No matter whether you are born with an allergy, or develop an allergy later in life, they are downright annoying. It is quite ironic that the season I love the most, also causes me such grief.

I have had several allergies since I was little, such as pollen and dry grasses, and shellfish. I have kept away from shellfish, and have no desire to have it. Pollen and dry grass is harder to avoid, so I spend months of the year taking anti-histamine medication to lessen the symptoms. These allergies are very much a part of my life, and I can't remember a time without them.

I am so used to being slightly itchy all over, even with medication. My skin itches, my nose itches and runs, my eyes itch and water, my mouth and throat itch too.

It sucks, and it rears its ugly head every year, but it is manageable and I cope.

I think as far as allergies go, I could do so much worse.

I have had a couple of episodes of allergies to medications where the reaction was much more severe and unexpected. It certainly was an eye opener into what other people with severe allergies have to deal with.

With Spring here, I am looking forward to the blossoms .... heavily medicated, of course.

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Family Holidays On The Farm

There is so much to do on a farm. Especially, when you are a child visiting during the holidays. 

As promised, here are some of our favourite memories from our recent family holidays on the farm.

The animals were a real hit, especially the baby Wallaby. A holiday on an Australian farm is full of adventure and fresh air.

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Wordless Wednesday: Cape Raoul - Ship Stern Bluff Track

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There is nothing like getting outdoors amongst nature and sucking in the crisp, fresh air to help you feel alive and provide some stress release from the daily grind. Add an invigorating walk, some breathtaking scenery and the sound of the ocean crashing against rock.

We have wanted to walk out to Ship Stern Bluff for some time now. Ship Stern is located at the South-east tip of Tasmania, and the walk takes about 2 hours return (depending on how long you stay to admire the view). You can also access the tracks to Cape Raoul (5 hours return) and Tunnel Bay from the same point, which all have their own amazing views. The track is easy to find, and clearly marked as you turn off the road past Port Arthur, just before getting to Nubeena.

 The track to Ship Stern was relatively easy, with mostly a good path. There was a little up and down, some exposed trees roots, rocks and overgrown sags, but generally the going was easy.

The track to Cape Raoul is longer and a Grade 4, and is generally a little hillier in sections.

 When you get to the clearing where the view is at it's best, Ship Stern Bluff is breathtaking. The beauty of the sheer cliffs against the surging ocean, backed up with that thick, green foliage is just magic.

 Speaking of magic, there is just as much to see and admire along the way. Nature has provided some beautiful specimens in the area.

I daresay we will be going back for another look. Hubby and I are keen to take the children.

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Fire Ravaged Our Beautiful Region

We have travelled through the fire ravaged region in Tasmania's south for the first time. We do this route often to get to our fabulous holiday spot, but this time the view and the feelings they brought, were very sombre indeed. It has been two weeks since the fires started, so we knew this drive would be different, but were interested to see the extent of the damage first hand, having only seen news coverage and pictures on social media.  

After a kilometre or so into the devastated region, we had seen more than enough. Unfortunately the horrid scenery lasted nearly an hour, as the effect of the fire is so widespread, and the speed limit has been reduced due to the many area were repair is still ongoing on the sides of the road to the power lines, fences, guides posts and signage and burnt trees in danger of falling onto the road.  

The telltale signs of the fire started not far south of Sorell. There were many more animals housed in each paddock, where they had been brought to safety. Then came the singed paddocks and trees. This quickly elevated to burned treeline for as far as the eye could see.  There was the occasional remains of a home which could not avoid the fury of the fire. It was quite amazing to see the homes where the fire had gone right up to the door, yet, through massive efforts to save the home, or through sheer luck, the house is still standing, unscathed.

The story changed dramatically once we reached the township of Dunally. Home after home has been ravaged by the fire. The district school is gone, along with several other businesses. Many of these buildings were quite old, as is evident by the style of the chimneys, which are the only things still standing.

Our holiday spot was not reached by these fires, so this horrid vision is the only effect on us. We are very fortunate, compared to those whose homes have been lost, those who were trapped on the peninsula, those who fled to safety, those who lost power, and those who gave their time to help.

It was a horrible episode in Tasmania's history, but thankfully, no lives were lost as a direct result of these fires. Quite a miracle considering the ground covered and the buildings destroyed.

The slow procession of cars travelling to the Tasman Peninsula.

What is left of the Dunally Bakery

The hill behind Eagle Hawk Neck