|
|
 |
|
|
|
Around Tasmania in 15 days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cheers !
Here are the latest news : I left Melbourne on the 7th of February to reach Devonport, Tasmania. Before that I could enjoy a whole relaxing week and witness by the way amazing changes of climate in Melbourne. As it was sunny with 40C one day, the next one was the coldest and wettest day ever seen on record in February ! 12C and numerous flooded areas ! Many trees were on the floor as I visited the wonderful Botanic Garden, considered as the best in the world.
And then Tasmania, Australia's only island state. The grat, amazing, stunning, fabulous Tasmania !
Everything seems to be reunified in this island of contrasts :
- From the white-sandy beaches to the impressive rocky mountains it offers spectacular views
- In one single dayyou can have sun, then clouds, rain, terrible wind and finally even snow !
- You wanna spot wildlife ? I met heaps of kangaroos, wallabies, possums, pademelons (wallabies' cousin), a couple of dolphins, a platypus, an echidna, some Little penguins and many birds from the noisy parrots to the majestic Royal eagle. I just missed an alive wombat and the famous Tasmanian Devil : next time ;-) !
To visit Tasmania I hired a car for 14 days in Devonport (quite expensive but I don't regret it at all) and drove down the east coast with its beaches and National Parks where I did many beautiful walks. Isn't it great to share a muesli-bar with an intrepid wallabi, alone on a huge white sunny beach, feet in the crystal-clear water ? Unforgettable.
The roads were perfect to drive on, mostly deserted and in very good condition. I felt like the Prince of Tasmania in my "all-options-included" Ferrari (bedroom, kitchen, ...). The name of the places I visited probably wouldn't help you a lot, so let's have a look at the pictures instead. They might speak by themselves.
After five days alone down the east coast I met a Korean girl in Port Arthur who was looking for a lift back to Devonport, and therefore we continued the trip together heading to Hobart and the North via the west coast.
After visiting Hobart in the South we went to the Lake St Clair - Cradle Mountain National Park known as a paradise for walkers, a huge area of untouched wilderness, part of the World Heritage. It was absolutely fantastic, and I'll surely remember for ever my walk to Mt Rufus' summit : Tina (my Korean companion) went back after one hour, but I decided to continue even if it was a little bit cold and rainy. It was maybe an uncounscious decision... Completely alone I walked for 6 hours under the snow, fighting hard against the wind. At one point I had to walk with water until my hips : everything was totally flooded ! I ended up completely frozen, wet and dirty, but happy !
The climbing of Cradle Mounatin's summit was fortunately under much better weather conditions, and the scenery highly rewarding. After 2300 kms on the roads I arrived back in Devonport and flew back to Melbourne.
Well, I unfortunately can't write down every detail of this great journey, but if once you intend to visit Australia, don't forget to make a detour to the Little Tassie !
And now, what's next ? I'm currently in Melbourne for a few days before heading to Adelaide next week and then discovering the great real Australian Outback.
All the best !
Tibor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
