Jeff and I took a 12 day holiday to Tasmania, Australia from 9-20 March. This was only possible with the, hugely appreciated, help of both sets of grandparents who were brave enough to take on teenagers for a week each. Thank you so much-we will never be able to say it enough!
Jeff and I both enjoy being on a motorbike so looked into bike hire in Tasmania. We found a wonderful outfit run by one man-Ian. Check out MotoAdventure Tasmania ...we can highly recommend them!
This is what we spent 9 days riding. It was great; being on the bike everyday was fantastic. We definitely DO NOT do enough riding in NZ :(
We set off from Hobart and headed down into the Huon Valley before heading over the bridge and down to Port Arthur.
I loved all the architecture of the buildings we saw on our travels. We saw some incredibly old stone buildings and some very 'Australian' structures!
A highlight of our holiday were the B & B's we were booked into. All our accommodation had ben pre-booked-we just had to turn up! In Launceston we stayed at "Alice's Cottages and Spa Hideaway". It was the most delightful place-four different 'themed' cottages; English, Welsh, Irish and Scottish. Each seemed very authentic and just gorgeous. I want to go back and stay in another one again :)
All our accommodation was great, and all very different. The very first night we spent in a self-contained luxury cabin that made it feel like we were on our honeymoon! A great start to the holiday!!! :)
At one, I walked down early in the morning to the beach just below the B&B and startled a wallaby! (Actually, I'm not sure who was more startled-him or me!)
Of all the sights we saw on our trip, this place had to be the most amazing! If ever you are in the area you MUST visit "Reliquaire" in Lan Trobe. What an INCREDIBLE store!!!! I cannot even begin to describe it - click on the link and take the webcam tour; I was blown away by it.
Of course, while riding we got to see some amazing scenery. There were iron ore pits dug into hillsides, huge rock and cliff faces, lakes, rivers and national parks. We rode up Cradle Mountain and were disappointed to be unable to take a helicopter flight over the area-it would have been well worth a look.
So, that is our Tasmanian holiday-just a memory now. But one we will remember for a very long time. Again, thank you SO very much to the wonderful grandparents who looked after the girls so we could spend this wonderful time together.
