2014 - 15 Australian Bicycle Adventure, 4 Melbourne - Tarraleah

Melbourne - Tarraleah:                         4th leg

Pontypool - Bruny Island - Tarraleah, Click here for Map

After 9 hours of smooth sailing, the ferry reached the port of Devonport, where Mike & Jill were waiting for me. Longtime friends for over 30 years with lots of conversation to catch up on, we spent a week traveling around by “proper” transportation.

Then my journey continued south from Pontypool on the island’s west coast, as I gave up a perfectly good holiday accommodation. Instead of following the highway in Orford, I was advised to avoid a narrow winding stretch and to take an alternative route. The detour I was told would consist of 30km of gravel road and some smaller hills. Well, a non cyclist’s perception of a small hill is probably the same as a vegetarian’s idea of a good steak! Any cyclist will understand that a 16% grade on a gravel road with little traction is quite a challenge! Nevertheless, the detour was scenic and well worth it. The night camping out was rewarded with animals hopping and walking around the campsite, as most of them are nocturnal. The Echidna, an egg-laying mammal, could be identified by the sniffing sound it makes as it is hunting for food.

In Hobart I only stopped long enough for some coffee at the pier, mingling with other tourists and people watching. On the return trip from a southern loop I was going to spend some more time exploring the city, and so I headed for Bruny Island.

After boarding the ferry at Kettering, some nasty dark clouds had developed to the north, with a visible grey curtain of rain now approaching. The road to Adventure Bay is only 40km, but trying to out pedal a storm was just a euphoric illusion, and before long I was scrambling for shelter amidst lightning and downpour. As it long enough changed to a drizzle, I managed to get to the campground, setting up the tent before the rains continued again throughout the night.

The saying “after rain there is sunshine” was nothing but the truth. The following day provided plenty of blue skies for some hiking in the South Bruny National Park. With the sun out, I also took the opportunity to patronize the local café patio to consume a lovely scallop pie with ….

With a high pressure system in place, it was a much more pleasant ride back to the mainland. Once off the ferry, I continued on the coastal road south to Veronica Sands, then looped north to Cygnet, Huonville and back again to Hobart.

This time around I stayed in a “proper” accommodation with a “proper” bed and a “proper” washing machine for doing the laundry. In between modern amenities, the clothes get soaked and washed at the same time as the tired, sweaty salt covered body, whenever there is a shower available.

I spent a couple of relaxing days in Tasmania’s capital, which was established in 1803 as a penal colony, sightseeing and shopping. Although for most travelers, it would be a different kind of shopping. With some colder temperatures in the forecast for higher elevations, I purchased some insulated gloves and leg warmers. Again, I did not expect this kind of chill in the summer.

A short ride later heading west, I met up again with Mike & Jill in New Norfolk. As Tasmania is only a little more than double the size of Switzerland, it was easy for them to catch up. What takes days to cycle, they can drive in a few hours comfortably. The following day we went on an excursion toward Gordon Dam, with 140m the tallest in Tasmania. Only we didn’t quite make it, as the farther we drove the more misty and foggy it got. At least we could turn up the heater in the car and return to Norfolk, stopping first at a lovely café overlooking the Gordon River.

The next day I traded the car seat for bicycle saddle once more and followed the Derwent River toward Hamilton. (Any nature loving person would be happy to hear that whales have been sighted again in recent years at the mouth of the river, as they almost got hunted to extinction in the 1800’s.) First I pondered about camping in Hamilton for the night, but as it was still early, I stayed on the road. Pretty soon that decision was regretted with the arrival of a headwind. As the road started to climb, raindrops joined in as well.

With the wind, rain and altitude gain, the air began to cool and the garment purchase in Hobart put a smile on my face, as it kept me warm. Finally Tarraleah was in sight and with the unfavorable elements; I rented a cabin with heater and all, from where I watched in comfort the rain coming down for 2 days….

Until next time from down under

Tony Bike

Devonport, Tasmania, Ferry Arrival Port

Mike & Jill

Mt. Roland

Pontypool Porch View

Maria Island Ferry

Former Grand Hotel

Painted Rocks on Maria Island

Maria Island

Maria Island

South of Orford

Tree Fern

Echidna

7 Mile Beach

Hobart

Hobart Harbour

Hobart Navy Restaurant :)

Without Words :)

 

Ferry Ride to Bruny

The Neck on Bruny Island

Bruny Island Campsite

Bruny Island Cafe

Bruny Island Outlook

Adventure Bay

Wallaby

Government Boat

Cheers

Around Hamilton

More Tree Ferns

Tarraleah, 3 Days of Rain