We were fortunate that Al and his sisters were able to host the three of us on the night before our trip, AND Al even got up to drive us to the airport at 4 a.m. Saturday morning (what a champ :*). Despite getting up and to the airport an hour before our flight, we came very close to missing Jetstar's deadline for check-in. So after an extremely long line to check in, several hold-ups at security (aerosol and nail scissors in Laura and Eli's bags, respectively), and Laura getting frisked, we finally made it to the flight and arrived in Hobart, Tasmania at 8:15 a.m.
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| 6:15 a.m. flight out of Sydney |
DAY 1 - Salamanca Markets, Tasman Peninsula, Port Arthur, Federation Chocolate Factory, Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park:
Hobart Airport was tiny and precious. Upon our arrival, we had decided to look into renting a car, because from my research of Tassie, public transport was not feasible in order to see the things we wanted to see. After checking prices with several companies (damn those "under 25 years old" fees!), we rented a red Hyundai i20 for three days with Hertz - the only company without an under 25 charge. It was totally worth it!! We first went to the Salamanca Markets, which all of us had heard were full of interesting foods and wares for purchase. They did not disappoint. I got a small bottle of blackberry wine for my host family, a mini bottle of locally-distilled whisky for Al, and a wallaby burrito for myself!
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| Salamanca Markets with Mount Wellington behind |
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| Wallaby burrito |
The next stop was our hostel - a quaint and cozy neon-green building titled The Pickled Frog. It had its own bar, several lounges, a huge kitchen, and crazy cool murals and memorabilia all over the walls. Although check-in wasn't until 2 p.m., we were able to drop off our bags in a luggage store room and took a minute to regroup and plan the day. After looking at tour brochures at the hostel, we realized that with a car, we could do the exact things listed on the tour without paying the tour price! So we headed off toward Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula. The views on the way were stunning, and our car was definitely a highlight. It was adorable and new and hugged the Tasmanian curves like a dream. I may even look into purchasing a Hyundai i20 when I next need a vehicle!
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| Lobby/bar area of The Pickled Frog |
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| Our rental car on the way to Port Arthur |
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| None of my pictures do this landscape justice. |
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| Pirates Bay |
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| Tasman Arch, formed when a sea cave's roof collapsed |
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| Pirates Bay lookout in Eaglehawk Neck |
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| Devil's Kitchen |
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| Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park |
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| 'Roo feeding! |
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| Laura, Eli, and me with the 'roos |
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| A quoll, which is a carnivorous marsupial native to Australia and New Guinea |
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| Tassie devils |
We went to Federation Chocolate Factory (an awkward experience as the factory was empty, and we were stared down by its only employee) then continued on toward Port Arthur, a town with much convict history. Upon arriving at the historic site, we decided against entry to the site, because several of the most beautiful old buildings/prisons were being constructed on, and we had seen signs for some other natural beauties. We headed on, following the signs to Remarkable Cave and another lookout then, based on a picture I'd seen on a Tasmanian tourism Instagram, we decided to hike to Cape Raoul, at the end of the Tasman Peninsula. Because I have a smaller phone company in Australia, I had no service in the more remote places, but Eli's Telstra service (the AT&T of Australia) was able to guide us along dirt and gravel roads to the trailhead for Cape Raoul. The hike was about two hours return, and we we hurried on the way back to beat darkness...but the view was stunning and a beautiful way to finish Day 1.
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| Remarkable Cave |
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| Cape Raoul |
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| Sunset at Cape Raoul |
DAY 2 - Mount Wellington summit, Mt Field National Park (Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Lady Barron Falls):
On Day 2, we slept in a bit and got up at a leisurely time. Because the weather in Hobart was predicted to be rainy on our final day, we had decided to do some activities closer to Hobart on Day 2 and save Freycinet National Park for Day 3. Around noon, we drove to the summit of Mt Wellington, which looms over the city of Hobart. An American from the hostel (who we'd actually met the day before by chance at the Tasmanian Conservation Centre) came along for the ride. The overlooks of the city and ocean were gorgeous. Twelve hundred and seventy metres up, the summit was full of giant red rocks and looked a bit like a space station, with a giant tower and satellite dish.
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| The pinnacle of Mount Wellington |
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| Lookouts |
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| Hobart from 1270 metres above sea level |
After we summited, we dropped our new American friend back at the hostel, and the three of us headed to Mt Field National Park where (again from Instagram), I had seen pictures of several beautiful waterfalls. The national park entry was $24 per car, and the trail to all three waterfalls began just behind the visitors' centre. Russell Falls was closest, about 15 minutes walk from the visitors' centre. Past Russell Falls, we hiked on to Horseshoe Falls, which was probably 30 minutes further. Horseshoe Falls were my favorite, simply due to the immense greenery surrounding the falls. The entire hike was absolutely beautiful. We were surrounded by huge swamp gum trees (a type of eucalyptus), myrtle, giant ferns, and mossy boulders and trees. The rainforest environment was damp and vibrantly green. The final falls were Lady Barron Falls (about 45 minutes past Horseshoe Falls), which we were able to climb. The full hike was such a pleasant day, and the drive to and from Mt Field was so nonchalantly beautiful.
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| A swamp gum tree, which can be as tall as 90m |
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| I loved the moss everywhere! |
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| Russell Falls |
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| Horseshoe Falls - my favorite |
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| Eli, me, Laura at Horseshoe Falls |
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| Trekking to Lady Barron Falls |
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| Lady Barron Falls (I'm camouflaged on the left side) |
DAY 3 - Freycinet National Park (Wineglass Bay and Sleepy Bay), Cascade Brewery, Downtown Hobart
We woke up bright and early on Day 3 and left the hostel at 7 a.m. in order to make the 3 hour drive to Freycinet National Park and have time to explore Wineglass and Sleepy Bays before the return to Hobart for beer, a little shopping, and returning the rental car before Laura and my 8:30 p.m. flight back to Sydney; Eli was staying in Tasmania longer with a friend. It was a long drive but we arrived right on schedule, and our parking pass from Mt Field the day before worked again in Freycinet; it was a 24-hour pass. We first did a short hike to Sleepy Bay, which we had been told was worth the detour from the more popular Wineglass Bay. Despite yucky weather, Sleepy Bay was beautiful! We saw tons of huge boulders, stained red and the most vividly aqua water I have seen before. I absolutely love the view of mountains meeting the ocean, which Tasmania is full of! Following Sleepy Bay, we drove further into the park to the trailhead for the Wineglass Bay lookout hike. Unfortunately, we didn't have time for the hike down to the water but the lookout was a one-hour hike round trip, so we enjoyed the views of Coles Bay and the surrounding mountains on the way. Wineglass Bay, although not in all its glory on our dreary day, was still a sight to see and something to check off the ol' Australia bucket list!
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| Sleepy Bay |
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| Friendly wallaby in the car park |
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| Wineglass Bay - Do yourselves a favor & look up how pretty it CAN be when the weather's nicer! |
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| Loved traveling with these two! (Excuse our hair, it was WINDY) |
After leaving Freycinet National Park, we drove (or I drove...while Laura & Eli slept haha!) the three hours back to Hobart and went straight to Cascade Brewery, which is the oldest operating brewery in Australia.
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| Beer paddle at Cascade |
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| Beautiful Cascade Brewery, established in 1824 |
Next we went shopping in downtown Hobart and walked to the waterfront. At last, it was time to head back to the airport, so Eli's friend met us to get Eli, then Laura and I returned the rental car and headed to our gate.
8:30 p.m. came and went and before long, our plane was delayed until 9:30 p.m. Our plan was to take a train from the Sydney airport to Al's place to get the car, then drive back to Canberra. I was exhausted after the busy weekend and grudgingly accepted that I likely wouldn't be in my bed until past 3 a.m., then would be up with the kids before 8 a.m. However, finally, the airport announced that our flight for the night was canceled. Laura and I both immediately called our host families to notify them then went to the Jetstar desk for more information. As it turns out, there had been bad weather in Sydney so the flight was delayed getting to Hobart. Then, due to an 11 p.m. curfew at Sydney airport, the flight could not return Monday night. Laura and I were then carless, low on money, and hadn't expected to have to stay an extra night in Hobart. Additionally, because the cancellation was due to weather and not a fault of the airline, accommodation would not be covered by Jetstar. We decided to sleep at the airport but then were told that it closed at 10 p.m. Likely we would have slept with our bags outside if it had not been for Al, who I had been messaging about our situation. He, without even asking me, booked a hotel room for the two of us at an airport hotel with a free shuttle then told me to check my email for a confirmation. I was absolutely speechless that he did something so sweet for us, just so we could have a shower and decent sleep in a bed after our long weekend. So Laura and I quickly got on the shuttle and checked into our divine room at the Travelodge Hobart Airport. THANKS, AL <3
(Unexpected) DAY 4 - Departure:
Our flight was rescheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday morning and departed without any hitches. We caught the train from Sydney airport to Al's and I got a brief kiss outside of his place before we hopped in the car, headed back to Canberra. Tasmania was amazing but another favorite part of the trip was getting to discuss French and English with Laura during the trip. I obviously enjoyed both girls' company (especially singings "Colors of the Wind" in 3 languages while we hiked to Cape Raoul) but because I have such an interest and love for French, I soaked up every minute of getting to ask questions about grammar or vocabulary I'm not familiar with, as well as share the English language and answer questions Laura had about grammar or phraseology. I have so much respect for all of the girls I meet who speak such good English...because the more I try to explain it to others, the more confusing I realize it is.
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| Harbour Bridge and Opera House from the flight into Sydney airport |
All in all, Tasmania was a dream. I desperately want to go back and am already trying to plan a trip to hike the Overland Track, a 6-day trek around beautiful Cradle Mountain. I know that most people who visit Australia likely will not make it to Tasmania on their trip but if it's at all possible, I really really encourage it! It would be impossible to see properly without a rental car but it is so worth it, and I want to visit again and again and again.
Till next time.
~
Alli
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