5th January 2021, this morning we packed the caravan’s and started the trek to Strahan, this would be another long day travelling in the caravan based on google maps indicating 172km taking 2hrs 20mins – and we know this would be for a car not one that is towing a caravan – even google showed some very tight corners. All this meant was – we need to take our time and stop somewhere for lunch, no better place than the Wall of Wilderness. Unfortunately even with all the tech on board we happened to find ourselves on a dirt road for approx 10kms, the mapping in Tasmania can catch you out for sure – stick to A & B classed roads from now on.

On arrival at the Wall of Wilderness we were advised that any photography inside is forbidden, while I can respect this decision I don’t totally agree with it, why? As with all tourist attractions – we have social media, youtube and to be honest – I travelled Tasmania with at least 4 other families prior to our arrival and I still have paid for every “tourist” sight so we could experience it, yes Rant over, I just think the artist is missing out on an opportunity for free social media marketing. I will say it is a great place to stop and explore the 100 metre wood carving that is still a work in progress, the detail is awesome and surprising that we spent about 45minutes in the building.

Our last stop prior to hitting Strahan was a quick diversion into another one of Tasmania’s mining towns – Queenstown. It was once known for its gold mining, but history was written when it is alleged that a person from BHP back in 1890’s arrived and sent samples of the rocks to be inspected – it was then that the towns history changed forever as a Copper Mining Town

6th January 2021
Dam Alarm…. it was an early start to the day as we headed back to Queenstown to enjoy a 4 hour round trip steam locomotive experience. Starting at Queenstown travelling alongside the Queen River meeting up with the King River Gorge, we stopped at Lynchford (had the chance to do some gold panning), Rinadeena Saddle and lastly Dubbil Barril. The train experience was awesome with our guide (Tom) making it even better with his knowledge and passion for reliving the story as best as we know based on logs from the 1800’s. The train track was carved by hand through thick dense forest but the best part was the engineering to climb a mountain 240meters above sea-level using a system called Rack and Pinion, remembering this was the 1800’s.

Great rail journey stories of Tasmania’s West Coast Wilderness Railway (wcwr.com.au)

7th January 2021
A well earned lazy start to the day for the drivers, you see every day we drive the gang sleep and then when we arrive we still setup but boom, then the girls want to go and do something – not a lot of down time except for the sleep in mornings.

Yesterday, Emily and I went for a drive with the Renny’s to explore the swan basin region – sand / gravel tracks, knowing Brianna would have loved to come I knew we would have to go back. So off we went this morning, this time we got a little more adventurous and took on a 4WD track, I mean how hard could it be right – on your own and a complete newbie. The good news is we didn’t get into any trouble as common sense had to prevail, much to the disappointment of Brianna who wanted to do the gnarly track, not in my city 4WD :-), it was a great experience and I can easily see how peeps get hooked on 4WD – maybe time for another truck.

The afternoon saw us meeting at the wharf in Strahan where we would spend the next 6 hours cruising on the Gordon River Cruise to experience the Macquarie Harbour and then enter the World Heritage Wilderness Area that is with in the majestic Gordon River, returning out to what is known as Hells Gate (the entry to the harbour) where many boat mishaps occurred, due to the width of the opening combined with the treacherous conditions. While cruising on this vessel the knowledge of the land, river and history was shared with us and we even got to give our legs a stretch as we docked a couple of times visiting a Heritage Landing Nature Walk and Sarah Island.

8th January 2021
From Strahan to Stanley was a much easier drive then the previous driving days, from lush forest roads into rolling country side and then gum tree national parks, Tasmania roads are certainly hard to keep an eye on with all the distractions around every corner.

As per every other drive day we stopped at a local town for coffee and a treat before proceeding to our destination, stopped into a couple of quirky shops and Emily the bargain hunter picked up a mint condition “Mickey Mouse Club record for $5. What turned out to be a long day in the end we thought we would head into the local restaurant Hursey Seafood for a great meal and a night of entertainment down at the water’s front watching the penguins return to their burrows to feed the chicks.

The following day 9th January 2021 it was a pretty easy day for us as we headed up another chairlift, possibly the steepest – rising 95 meters over 250 meters in distance, with a walking track around the top. The views from the top of what is known as the NUT are special, the photos don’t give it the real sense of justice, you will have to go and find out for yourselves. Following from the the morning’s effort we found ourselves strolling through the streets and quirky shops in Stanley and the colonial buildings that line the street.