Above:  Bathing boxes at Mount Martha. Yesterday My short stay in Melbourne was to catch up with my old aunt and cousins.  I managed to do that yesterday, having a Vietnamese lunch with aunt after a morning hike up Lyrebird track.  I even had time for a Nasi Padang dinner with a friend from Yemeni […]

Above:  After Tasmania, it seemed quite strange to be flying into a large city in mainland Australia.  This continued for a couple of hours (eg. on public transport) where I felt a sense of re-adjustment! Lucky flight Today I fly from Launceston to Melbourne to stay with my cousin for three nights.  I had booked an […]

As I had been lucky with time and weather on my day of arrival in Launceston, I had accomplished more than expected and had today free.  The Singaporean women I met yesterday raved about Cradle Mountain and had paid AUD200+ for the car rental because that was the going rate. But seeing that I managed […]

Above:  Wineglass Bay from the lookout. Imagine that being red from whales’ blood as they’re slaugtered.  Today I do a day-trip to the Freycinet National Park on a tour.  The tour is available ex-Hobart and finishing in Launceston, but it wasn’t available till today and I had fixed my accommodation at both cities at great […]

Moving north to Launceston My bus from Hobart to Launceston was booked for 1000, so it was a very leisurely start.  Getting to the Hobart Transit Centre at 0930, the place was just a shop/office rather than a station.  The bus, only a third full, left on time and took us through Oatlands and Campbell […]

Travelling to Port Arthur With my bodyclock still on New Zealand time the 0730 report for the Port Arthur bus, operated by Pennicott Wilderness, was a breeze.  Despite staying close to the office and parked buses, some how I missed the driver’s call to board.  It was a bit embarrassing boarding a bus with everyone […]

Above:  “Organ Pipes” which are striations (dolerite columns) on the cliff-like crown at the top of Mt Wellington, seeen from the Salamanca area. Having pushed myself a little yesterday in anticipation of deteriorating weather and despite the early wake-up for the flight, I have a relaxing day today. I didn’t even leave my room till […]

Arriving in Hobart We landed at Hobart a little earlier at 1040.  The airport was a small one-storey design with no airbridges.  It was a long unsheltered walk to get to the arrival hall, which was fine because it wasn’t raining.  I thought the distance was because we’re a very rare international flight but to […]