Launceston to Rocky Cape National Park 06 Feb 2017

Up with the lark, or perhaps the Kookaburra, this morning and the car packed before 0830. Rather than drive straight off, we had a walk around city park directly across the road from the hotel. The garden, probably designed in the middle to late 19th century, contains all the trappings of Victorian civil pride. Huge trees, ornate fountains, a bandstand, an ancient cannon and some Japanese Macaques. OK, so the last were recent additions, but the rest looked remarkably similar to the Arboretum in Lincoln and were probably laid out at the same time.

Heading out of Launceston, we took the Bass Highway which goes roughly northwest from the city towards Devonport, the ferry terminal to return to the Australian mainland. We pulled off into the small town of Deloraine. We needed fuel for the car and breakfast for us. The car duly refilled and us full of eggs on toast, we rejoined the Bass Highway. I was surprised that the speed limit, regardless whether it was 2 or 4 lane was 11Okph or 70mph.

After a about one and a half hours, we got to the town of Wynyard after passing through Birnie, Tasmania's deep water port. He we turned off the Bass Highway and headed towards Table Cape, a large headland and lighthouse. We parked at the car park and walked along the cliff top, the views were wonderful looking east down the coast. The flies again were a pest, but we saw a field full of lilies. There were also lots of fields of poppies. These are well posted with signs telling people they can kill. The are genetically modified so they only produce Codeine rather than Heroin.

We continued along the coast to the small community of Sisters Beach. Here we found a picnic table and ate sandwiches we bought earlier. We were watched by a kookaburra in the gum tree above us. We had a walk along the beach road afterwards and saw several more kookaburras, they are very noisy.

We also made a side trip to a beautiful sheltered sandy Bay at Boat Harbour Beach. There were quite a few people sunbathing and paddling.

A few more kilometres up the road, we came to Rocky Cape National Park and our accommodation for the next two nights, Eagles Roost. This is a lovely B&B on a small farm. The owner, Helen, is a very keen gardener and wildlife enthusiast.  We got a guided tour around her wooded property. She also sets several camera traps out in the woods.

Later, we popped down the road to Rocky Cape Tavern a roadside inn and campsite. The bar was typically Australian, but the dining room next door was nice. The menu could be described as robust Australian! I ventured into the unknown and had Alpaca Sausages. On mash with onion marmalade! I have to confess it was huge, three enormous, bratwurst-sized beasts, oh and chips and salad on the side! May I be forgiven!

I'd like to say I was full after all that, but was forced to eat a choc and berry mud pie afterwards. I may not eat for the remainder of the week.

On the way back, we took a slight detour into the National Park where we saw quite a few Pademelon, a small wallaby, and several Bennetts Wallaby. Then back to Eagles Roost and a glass of wine on the deck with Helen, our host.