Touring Tasmania - East Coast Cruising

TASMANIA — Wednesday 15th Nov. Another long day, most of it spent behind the wheel. We drove up the East Coast as far as Bicheno, a solid three hours driving from where we are staying.

It’s a fairly easy drive from Hobart. The roads are good and there is generally very little traffic to contend with, although I’ve got to say, I’ve encountered some of the worst drivers I’ve ever seen whilst we’ve been here. Remedial! The windy roads and undulating hills played havoc on one of my nephews and there were quite a few quick pull over stops on the way there and on the way back. Poor kid just hasn’t travelled well at all.

The thing that strikes me about the East Coast, aside from the natural beauty of the coastline, aqua-blue waters and white sandy beaches, is just how remote it is. Most of the small towns on coast like Swansea, Coles Bay and Bicheno are at least two hours away from any major towns (Hobart or Launceston). I guess that’s part of the attraction – this area is unspoilt and not over crowded, although I imagine that it would be a popular holiday destination for Taswegians.

The East Coast is a beautiful area, but to truly appreciate it you need to spend a lot more time to take it all in. I’d really love to go back and spend some time cycling, hiking, and camping around the area in order to really experience it. A whistle-stop day trip just doesn’t do it justice.

At Bicheno, I spoke with a cyclist, who’d stopped at the Bakery for lunch. I asked him how is ride was and how long he’d been on the road. He had ridden 40kms from St Helens and was set to return on a round trip after coffee and cake. Sounds like a fantastic way to see the area. I’m having bike withdrawal symptoms.

We were a little disappointed that there are not more road-side outlets for fresh seafood etc. The tourist brochures really sell the area as a gourmet food, seafood and wine region, and although we managed to get some fresh oysters and mussels and a bottle of wine, the area didn’t offer the unlimited choice of produce that we were expecting.

Donna is cooking dinner. Fresh oysters for entrée and a Jamie Oliver inspired mussel spaghetti for main. The kids will have a little of the same. I’m having risotto (mushroom, spinach and pine nuts). I feel guilty, or perhaps selfish, sometimes for making the choice to be a vegetarian. Everyone, particularly Donna, goes out of their way to make sure that I am catered for. It’s nice, and I really appreciate it, but I don’t want to be a burden.

We experienced crazy weather again today. 8c maximum – the coldest November day in 40 years. We were extremely lucky though. For most of the day it was dry and the sun managed to break through the clouds. At one stage heading into Swansea, it actually began to sleet … the closest I’ve come to seeing snow in Australia. Mostly, it was cold but fine, with the occasional shower or two on the drive home.

[ 0 comments ] [ tasmania ]