After a shared generous plate of nachos, my dessert of choice was the chocolate-coated peanut butter ice cream, not so much a delicacy as a three-course meal (once you include the cone). I was literally incapable of eating another thing for the rest of the day.

Lester and Collette are the delights who run this place. Lester was full of great information and advice about travelling destinations, funny as hell, and could not help us enough with our needs whilst visiting overnight.

For travellers, there are plenty of grassy spots for caravans and camper vans, two potable water taps, a skip bin for rubbish, and use of the toilets during cafe trading hours.

A little poem I wrote of our splendid Day Five:

Day Five

What a delightful location to spend a couple of days, so close to Hobart. The historic homestead of Glen Derwent is managed by Liz and Rob, who have operated the property for seven years, and offered the weekend Devonshire and high tea service for most of that time.

The property is awash with free-roaming chooks, sheep, and peacocks, green grass and still waters. Both powered and unpowered sites are available to caravans, camper vans and motorhomes, with potable water included. All campers must be self-contained - own toilets and showers.

We spent a few nights with our friends Pete and Deb, which included a cruise aboard their electric motored runabout - one strike on our trolled lure, but no captures.

This site exemplifies the opportunities which await travellers in Tasmania. Plenty of sites for caravans, camper vans, and buses, with water, bibs, and a dump-point. You need to be self-contained, there are no toilets or showers. Fires are allowed in enclosed BYO units which are off the ground.

If you're in Tasmania's north-west, do yourself a favour and visit Mark and Michelle at Marrawah Inn. You can park your caravan or camper van on a gated level bitumen pad behind the pub. The bathroom is to die for, with a full en-suite including rain head shower ($2 for 4 mins). There's also a separate toilet with external basin.

At the time of writing the nightly tariff was $15.00, which included a beer or glass of wine.

The meals are high quality and generous, but it's the proprietors who make this place special - two nicer people you'll never find.

This paid caravan site is for fully self-contained vehicles. It is essentially waterfront, and has potable water and a dump-point. It is strictly first-in best-dressed, with no bookings, and it does tend to fill up most nights. The cost is $10.00 per night, with a pay five, stay seven option, which you can pay progressively should you so choose.

The site is immediately adjacent to Stanley Golf Club, which welcomes visitors for golf, dining, or a drink at the bar. Friday night is raffle night (with thanks to Mark Hursey for donating the whole snapper we won..!!!). A short walk along the waterfront takes you to Hursey Seafoods and it's Restaurant, which is superb. The entire town is within walking distance, with a multitude of dining, accommodation, and shopping options for a small town.

The town itself is unbelievably pretty, full to the brim with character buildings, all nestled at the base of The Nut, a giant natural rock structure affectionately called Tasmania's Uluru.

Add the chairlift to the top of The Nut, the sunset penguins landing in the shore, and fishing off the jetty, and you have all you need for a multi-day stay.

Available only to fully self-contained vehicles, this free ocean-front campsite has numerous sites but is extremely popular and does fill up. Bookings are not available, it is strictly first-come first-served. There is no water, and only one Council bin. There is a fabulous beach nearby, with access across the train track for walking, swimming, and fishing. The traffic noise is barely noticeable, nor is the sound of the occasional passing train. Sites are predominantly level and well grassed.

What a wonderful start to our trip. Situated a very short drive from the ferry disembarkation, Mersey Bluff offers a perfect welcome to Tasmania.

Luke and Carolyn are excellent hosts, maintaining a very tidy park, a welcome cycle escort to your site, and plenty of advice on the sights to visit and routes to take on your Tassie sojourn. We booked for three nights, extended to four, and could have stayed more.

Firewood can be purchased at reception for $15 per bag.

Whilst there are plenty of free and low-cost accommodation options around the Apple Isle, especially for self-contained vehicles, I consider this caravan park to be a worthy indulgence at either or both ends of your travels.

What a location this is.