Tasmania Drive Routes
A snapshot of the 10 days drive in Tasmania for this trip. Started in Launceston, drive West to Stanley, then back east to Cradle Mountain. Drove further down south-east to Hobart, passing through the old towns of Ross and Richmond. With Hobart as the base, drove around the surrounding area before heading up north to Binalong Bay, and finally back to Launceston.
Alexandra Suspension Bridge (Cataract Gorge), Tasmania
This replica bridge was built in 1930 as the original 1904 bridge was washed away by flood in 1929. It crosses the South Esk River at First Basin of the Cataract Gorge Reserve.
Collage of Peacocks at Cataract Gorge, Tasmania
Cataract Gorge, a little wilderness just 15 minutes walk from the Launceston city centre. There were a number of wildlife found in this place and among them were the peacocks.
Rose Garden of Woolmers Estate
Woolmers Estate, a World Heritage Listed Convict Site, is 25 minutes drive from Launceston, Tasmania. The site was preserved to display colonial life (19th century) as original and authentic as possible. Among areas in the estate ground is this Rose Garden which displays all of the recognised rose families.
Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, Tasmania
Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, distinctive with its vertical red striped day mark, is situated at the mouth of Mersey River, Devonport. It was completed in 1889, but the red stripes were only added in 1929, and is still in operation, running on electric.
Fairy Penguin at Godfrey Beach, Tasmania
The Fairy Penguin is the smallest of all penguins and its main breeding season is spring and summer (November to March in Tasmania). As it is not the season when we were there, we only managed to spot around 3 penguins during our walk through the dark areas at Godfrey Beach, Stanley.
Sunrise at Stanley, Tasmania
One of the best sunrise, yet accidental witnessed, during this trip. We woke up early to get to the beach for sunrise but after 30 mins on the cold beach, there were no sunrise.
So we packed up and head back to the B&B where we were staying. As we were getting ready for breakfast, the rays of the sun burst through the clouds. It was frenzy activity of grabbing of the DSLR and tripod, setting all up, at the deck outside the dinning area, to get this shot.
The Nut at Stanley (Panoramic), Tasmania
The Nut is the most distinctive landmark of the historic Stanley town. it is 152m (500 ft) tall, and was formed when lava cooled to form basalt rock.
This panoramic view was taken from Highfield (a farming region on the north west of the township) where it provides a view of the Nut, Stanley town and the beaches.
Dip Falls (Mawbanna), Tasmania
Dip falls are two tiered falls on the Dip River at Mawbanna. The water of which flows over cubic-basalt columns, formed hundreds of years ago by the cooling of the volcanic rock.
It has been the dry season, thus the water flow was weak. This would have been spectacular after a heavy rain.
Waratah Falls, Tasmania
Waratah Falls is one of the more unique waterfall where it is located in the middle of the (Waratah) town. The town was built to support the tin mining operation when tin was discovered at (nearby) Mount Bischoff in 1871.
Cradle Mountain (From Dove Lake), Tasmania
A late afternoon visit to Lake Dove yield a nice clear view of the Cradle Mountain.
Bennett Wallaby (Lake Dove carpark), Tasmania
A visitor to the Lake Dove car park, which causes a frenzy rounds of photograph session by the tourists who happened to be there at that time.
Clouded Cradle Mountain (From Dove Lake), Tasmania
Unfortunately early sunrise trip to the Lake Dove did not yield a great sunrise photograph of the Cradle Mountain. Instead, it give a moody/gloomy feel to the area.
Pencil Pine Falls at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania
Within a 5 minutes walk from Cradle Mountain Lodge, is the Pencil Pine falls. The flow of the Pencil Pine Creek was adequate enough for a decent waterfall photograph, but it would have been better if there were some rain before the visit.
Ross Bridge (Panoramic), Tasmania
Ross Bridge is an historic sandstone bridge in the town of Ross. It is the third oldest bridge still in use in Australia and crosses the Macquarie River. The bridge was constructed by convict labour and completed in July 1836.
Callington Mill (Oatlands), Tasmania
Callington Mill is a Lincolnshire tower mill built in 1837 by John Vincent. It has recently been restored and is the only operating mill of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.
Richmond Bridge, Tasmania
The Richmond Bridge is a heritage listed sandstone arch bridge spanning Tasmania's Coal River and is the oldest bridge still in use in Australia. It was built by convict labour in 1823, and completed in 1825.
Pirates Bay Lookout at Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania.
Just before approaching Eaglehawk Neck, off the Arthur Highway (A9) as an alternative tourist route, is the Pirates Bay lookout. Here, you'll see views of Pirates Bay and beach, Eaglehawk Neck, The Lanterns, Hippolyte Rocks and Cape Huay.
Unfortunately, the weather for this day was not helpful, it was one of those rare days where it decided to rain for the day.
Tessellated Pavement (Eaglehawk Neck), Tasmania
An unusual geological formation that gives the rocks an effect of being neatly tiled by a giant. The forming rocks were fractured by earth movement into polygonal blocks that resemble tiles, or tessellations. There are two types of formation found here - pan and loaf formation.
The Blow Hole (Eaglehawk Neck), Tasmania
The Tasman Blowhole, a rock formation carved by the sea through the rock face and created a tunnel through which the force of the sea causes ruptures of the water which, a times, can spurt up to 10 metres high. Best effect would comes with high tide (unfortunately this shot was not taken at high tide)
By the way, there is a seafood van that sells seafood and pretty good fish & chips and this van can be found in the Blow Hole car park.
Port Arthur (Panoramic), Tasmania
This panoramic shot of the Penitentiary was taken on the pathway down from the entrance of the site.
It was first built to be a flour mill and granary in 1843 but was converted to a penitentiary in 1857.
Port Arthur (Panoramic), Tasmania
This panoramic shot of the Penitentiary was taken was taken during the 30 min harbour cruise on board the MV Marana.
The MV Marana is also the method of transport to the Isle of the Dead, where graves of all who died during the penal period lies. Only 180 (prison staff and military personnel), out of 1646 graves recorded there, are marked.
Port Arthur (Panoramic), Tasmania
This panoramic shot of the Penitentiary was taken from the jetty terminal where we board the MV Marana for a 30 min harbour cruise.
The building was gutted by fire in 1897 and lay derelict until a concerted conservation program began in the 1960s. New program work has started in 2013 to ensure the stability of the building.
Russell Falls of Mt Field National Park, Tasmania
Russell Falls, located on the eastern boundary of Mount Field National Park, 70 km North-West of Hobart.
Unfortunately, this visit was during the low water period, therefore the effects of the water fall curtains were at the minimal.
Russell Falls (Section) of Mt Field National Park, Tasmania
A close up of the lower section of Russell Falls, located on the eastern boundary of Mount Field National Park, 70 km North-West of Hobart.
Unfortunately, this visit was during the low water period, therefore the effects of the water fall curtains were at the minimal.
Horseshoe Falls of Mt Field National Park, Tasmania
Horseshoe falls are located 100 metres upstream of Russell Falls at Mount Field National Park.
As with Russell Falls, the visit was during the low water period, therefore the effects of the water fall was not as majestic as it would be.
Busy Bee (Kate's Berry Farm), Tasmania
Along the drive route to Freycinet National Park from Hobart, is Kate's Berry Farm and it's home to the popular Just Desserts Cafe.
You can sample their offerings in the menu while looking out across the small number of vines and many wild flowers, into Oyster Bay.
Wineglass Bay of Freycinet National Park (From Air), Tasmania
Freycinet National Park is Tasmania's oldest Park, along with Mount Field National Park. Among the rugged coastline and beaches is the Wineglass Bay - ranked at 7 in CNN's World's 100 best beaches (updated on 16 April 2014).
Bay of Fires (Binalong Bay), Tasmania
The Bay of Fires extends from Binalong Bay in the south to Eddystone Point in the north of Tasmania's East Coast. The name was given by Captain Tobias Furneaux, in 1773, when he noticed numerous fires along the coast. This led him to believe that the country was densely populated.
However, it was the orange lichen found on the huge boulders that littered on the fringe of the white beaches along the coast, which looked like fire from afar.
Pelican at Binalong Bay, Tasmania
Walking along the coastal town of Binalong Bay, southern end of the Bays of Fires, yields some bird watching opportunity, such as this large Pelican resting on the granite rocks.
St Columba Falls (section), Tasmania
A close up on a section of the St Columba Falls.
St Columba Falls, Tasmania
St Columba Falls located in St Columba Falls State Reserve is a picturesque 25km drive to the west of St Helens, on the east coast of Tasmania. It is one of Tasmania’s highest multi-tiered waterfalls.
Unfortunately, the visit was at the low water period, thus the flow of the waterfall could not be fully appreciated.
Wallaby
Wallaby spotted along one of the smaller roads while driving back to Launceston during the drive around Tamer Valley Wine Route.
Albino Wallaby, Tasmania
Albino wallaby spotted along one of the smaller roads while driving back to Launceston during the drive around Tamer Valley Wine Route.