Tasmania 7 – December 2019 - The North East
Our first visit to Tasmania was in 2007, this is now our 7th visit – had it changed?
Overall not really.
- More visitors from China, Japan and SE Asia.
- Just as much road kill
- Log trucks and semis still ‘pushy’. Pulling over when safe is the way to go.
- Friendly, quirky, helpful locals.
- Abundance of local great seafood.
Our route started in Launceston, and over 13 days we spent time in Lilydale, St Helens, Binalong Bay, Bicheno and ended in Launceston.
What did we discover this time?
Lilydale:
- The Little Barn, our accommodation set in an old apple orchard. A beautiful cottage garden encouraged lots of bees, butterflies and many birds.
- After a very quiet 30 minute wait we saw the local Platypus, twice.
- Bridestowe Lavender Farm caters for busloads of tourists, a busy shop and delicious lavender ice cream. $10 entry.
Derby
- An old tin mining town with an informative museum. Find out about the 1929 flood when a wall of water surged through the town killing 14 people.
- However now taken over by mountain bike riders. Apparently a world class network of tracks.
- It’s also meant locals have sold up and moved out.
Pyengana
- Taste a range of cheddar cheeses at the Cheese Factory.
- Pub in the Paddock looks the same but minus the evening meals. Stopover for a beer and decent pub food for lunch.
Blue Tiers
- Lots of walks in this area. Goblin Walk is short with signposts on local mining history. The Australian Rim circuit is longer and over rocks.
- We met a family of 4 who are spending a year touring Australia with their 2 daughters.
St Helens
- Located on Georges Bay is the centre for fishing industry and oysters.
- Friendly helpful locals including the woman in the newsagency who not only provided Xmas wrapping paper but then wrapped and decorated our gift ready to send to NZ. The woman on the street stall selling her brother’s excellent raspberry jam.
- We recommend the following for good food: Nina’s restaurant, Bay Bar and Bistro (Seniors get a discount), Lifebuoy and Quail St Emporium for day long good coffee and food.
Binalong Bay and Bay of Fires
- Crystal clear aquamarine water, long white beaches and the lichen covered red rocks.
- Humbug Point Conservation area. Easy walking following the coast from Skeleton Bay to Dora Point. She oaks whisper in the wind, birds singing, small beaches to explore and perhaps find the metre long tiger snake we saw.
- Meresta restaurant – the only shop in town for innovative food.
- Oysters at Lease 65
- The Gardens area named by Lady Jane Franklin for the scenery and wildflowers.
Bicheno
- Another friendly coastal town with glorious long white beaches and swimming in very cold water. Ask Peter about that!
- Our Beach Bungalow nestled at the foot of a sand dune and a short walk to beautiful Denison Beach.
- Meeting Binny our wonderful host – artist (paints on silk), cook and gardener extraordinaire. http://earthlandsea.com.au/art-gallery/
- In town fantastic seafood at Sea Life Centre (we recommend the spicy seafood chowder) and the Lobster Shack is owned by a local fisher family and overlooking the fishing boat harbour.
- Douglas Apsley National Park has an easy walk to the waterhole and a longer uphill walk to the Gorge.
St Marys en route to Launceston
Launceston
