A sunrise in paradise.

This morning's adventure is brought to you by our other-Coaster neighbour Wayne, who supplied me with cracking local fishing knowledge, tips, and a second loaner beach rod and reel. Best to have at least two lines in the water, and we wanted to test two different rigs (a wire and a nylon variation of the Paternoster rig).

The trick lay, apparently, in wading out through the close-in channel and onto the sandbar, then casting beyond the bar. So here we were, enjoying the incredible sunrise, when I realise it's near dead low tide - my opportunity to cross the channel. The water was very fresh, so on went the full waders. Sammy held one rod whilst I waded out across the sandbank, cast the first line out, waded back, exchanged rods with Sammy, then repeated the process.

On returning to the shore I checked the first reel's drag tension, then looked at Wayne's reel - to find there was no line on the reel....!!!! I looked down the beach to see the last of the line heading towards the surf. I raced down and retrieved the line in time. With Sammy's help I then fed the line back through the rod and tied it to the reel housing, before winding up some slack line. With this excitement behind us, we grabbed our morning coffees and settled into our beach chairs (thanks kids, these and the little table are so often in use).

The end result - no fish..... Care factor very, very low. A fun start to the day.

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.

What a fantastic town to visit, loaded with history.

The untamed unspoiled wilderness that is southern Bruny Island welcomes you.

Duration
  3 Hours Approximately

Operates
  Daily, except Christmas Day

Departs From
1005 Adventure Bay Road
Adventure Bay
Bruny Island
 View on Map

Prices up to 31 March 2024
Adult $155
Child (3-16 yrs) $95 
Family $490 
(2 adults, 3 children)

Prices from 1 April 2024
Adult $175
Child (3-16 yrs) $105 
Family $540 
(2 adults, 3 children)

It was action aplenty at a very busy Salamanca Markets in Hobart. By mid-morning it was cheek-by-jowl, but cleared significantly after lunch. The significant range of stall offerings meant there was something for everyone. Our chorizo and chicken paella was excellent. I couldn't go past one of the many hat stalls without acquiring a new driving cap. The entertainment was varied and interesting, and most of it was simply terrific.

Following an excellent lunch, we wandered around Hobart's waterfront, from one pier to another along Constitution Dock.

If you're in the area, make a point of visiting Waddamana Power Station, which is now a museum. Allow a couple of hours - it has a fascinating story behind it, and much of it remains untouched since it last operated. Instead of 'Where's Wally' you can play 'Where's Sammy' - hint: last photo....

As part of a day trip from our digs on the shore of Great Lake, we travelled with our friends Pete and Deb to Pine Lake for a fairly short but fascinating wander along the boardwalk. It's worthwhile reading the information boards along the way.

A delightful distillery which has been established in Table Cape, north-west Tasmania by a lovely English couple Matt and Sarah.

Sarah conducted our tasting, and presented some excellent options from which we chose the absolutely sublime Limoncello. The effort they've put into the tasting room and the surrounding buildings and environs is in itself worth the visit.

Check them out at alchymiadistillery.com.

What an amazing, prehistoric, unspoiled, clean-aired environment.

What an incredible day cruising the pristine Arthur River.

We decided some exercise was in order, and off we went to the beach at Green Point. The scenery was spectacular, the gradient challenging, the destination sublime, the company as wonderful as ever. The location boasts a free campground, a cold shower, toilets and a shelter.

Frozen in time, this picture-perfect colonial outpost is one of the most charming towns you could visit. Set on a peninsula in Tasmania's north-west, it boast fabulous historic buildings throughout. Apart from the incredible spectacle of The Nut, which we hope to visit by cable-car when the wind subsides, there are numerous quality wining and dining options. Accommodation options are also many and varied. And to top it all off, the penguins arrive at sunset, and we saw our first as we sauntered home last night from the Stanley Wine Bar. We'll be lingering here in Stanley for a while.....

A little poem I wrote of our splendid Day Five:

Day Five

A seamless, orderly, and friendly process, despite the high volume of passengers.

A couple of glorious days aboard our bus Valoury as we travelled from Torquay along the Great Ocean Road.

With no shortage of quality dining and recreation options, the Torquay area, with a number of nearby towns and hamlets, also enjoys an abundance of exceptional beaches, parks, and accommodation.

It was pouring with rain for much of our visit, but the charm of this beautiful village shone through.

A few quality days at Narooma on the New South Wales south coast.

There's a cracking story behind the property which now forms The Kempton Distillery. 

Only 30 minutes from central Hobart lies the town of New Norfolk, one feature of which is the delightful historic property of Glen Derwent. Weekends usher in the opportunity for Devonshire Tea or High Tea. Rob and Liz will take excellent care of you. The scones were freshly baked to order, and Sammy declared her gluten-free ones as excellent as I found mine. The jams are to die for, especially the raspberry.