After the Overland Track it was time to get in a rental car and see some of the other sites. Other sites involved visiting the vast number of wine, cheese, beer and gin distilleries all over the island. First stop was the lovely city of Launceston which is a 2 hour plus drive from Hobart. Settled in 1806 Launceston has a population of only around 87,000, lots of heritage buildings still stand and a visit to the popular tourist attraction Cataract Gorge on a beautiful sunny day was in order.

Terri had organized a stay at an Air B&B in Greens Beach. A small beach community at the north end of the Tamar Valley. Next morning we explored more of the island, discovering a Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail – we’re in!  so off we go visiting distilleries,  vineyards, brewery, creameries, berry farm, fresh oysters and even a pickled onion shop, lots of wine sampling at some neat vineyards with some memorable names like Puddle Duck Winery, Swinging Gate, Seven Shed Brewery, Pooley Wines, Tamar Ridge etc. Puddle Duck had a good sign (need that on the boat!)  Best one in my opinion was the Pooley Winery with its large estate and ambience at the cellar door. Only 3rd generation wine maker in Tasmania.

By the time we started heading back towards Hobart it was raining but we took the long drive into Freycinet Park to check out  Wineglass Bay and the hike to the lookout again. The girls jammed because of the rain but Dave and I continued on. At the the top there was still good views of the bay and some wildlife.

Managed to get back to the marina late at night after a harrowing drive along those snaking roads in the wet and the dark. Had something hit the windshield while we are doing 100kph. Thought it was a rock. Everyone agreed it was a bird, but I think it was a bat. No damage to the car thankfully.

Port Arthur was a quick stop, we opted not to see the old penal colony as looked sooo touristy. Still one of the favourite spots is a walk around Battery Point amongst all the heritage buildings, a quick coffee and pastry at a superb cafe/bakery. In all we spent 4 days driving around Tassie and saw lots before it was time for Terri and Dave to leave us after a great 2 weeks. Overland Track! Tour of Tasmania! What more can you ask for!

Same day we welcomed Jasmin and Trevor for a relaxing 10 days. Took MAD down to Bruny Island for another visit to the Bruny Island Cheese Factory and some more of that Bruny Island beer. Hike up the track at Partridge Island for a little exercise off the boat.

Paid a visit to another small coastal town, Dover. Had to go by the fish farms while avoiding the tugs that were pulling the farms at a whopping 1knot per hour. Basically going nowhere. Didn’t know why they were moving the farms but find out that there is a lot of debris from having the farm stay in one spot for too long.

Back to Kettering for a couple of nights. Arranged the MAD haul-out that is going to happen next week so we can get the underside anti-fouled and change a seacock and some other small repairs. Back to Sandy Bay and the dinghy ride over to Battery Point and a walk around Salamanca market. Jacqui and I had obviously been there before so we opted to head back to the boat and gather dinner.

It all went too quickly as we headed back to Prince of Wales marina. Saying goodbye to visitors. Jasmin may have been happy to get out of coooold Tasmania and try for some of that Melbourne weather.

Jacs and I settled into more mundane tasks around the boat and a walk to the shops in Moonah. Came across a lost BRUISER of a dog wandering around the main street in and out of traffic. Corralled him and got my belt around him so we could take him over to the local vets. Luckily he was microchipped and was reunited with his owner, who had discovered the wild wind we have been having here had blown the gate open and enabled CHASE (as he was called) free roaming capability. He was a lucky dog as it could have turned out very different if we hadn’t stepped in (most of the other pedestrians were too busy cowering with fear from this calm gentle giant). Doing a good deed made us feel good and maybe it was payback for all of the Tasmania hospitality that we experienced on the way to Hobart.

We are both looking forward to getting rid of the crackling barnacles which we incessantly hear inside the boat recently and giving her a new lick of paint. After all our boat chores are complete we will be off, hoping to visit more of the Flinders Group of islands then on to the Kent Islands and hopefully a uneventful Bass Strait crossing, fingers crossed.