Dear Friends and Family,

I am currently in Tasmania! After Katoomba, I spent a couple days in Sydney, catching my breath and chilling at my hosts, Denise and Haluk’s. But before long I was on my way again. I headed down to Melbourne on the train and stayed for a couple days in the hostel, having a short glance around Melbourne. Loved the markets there, I can’t wait for a more comprehensive tour at a later date.

However, my objective wasn’t Melbourne but I wanted to go to Tasmania! Therefore, I got on the ferry, The Spirit of Tasmania, which was a mighty 10hr crossing to Devonport going across the Bass Strait. I had a lovely time on the ferry, cranking out the end of my book. I’m already on to the third Wheel of Time book, eek. When we got to Devonport, it was dark already and I had to walk allllll the way to my hostel, The Formby Hotel (it was a hostel though, promise, I was in the single dorm room!).

The next morning, I hopped on the Redline coach with Tim the driver which took me to Hobart on the bottom of the island. I once again stayed the night, buying some camping and hiking supplies and then the next morning (after giving my travel bag to the hostel to look after), I hitched a ride out to the Tasman Peninsula. I was off to hike the Three Capes Trail!

There was an option for a guided, all included, four day experience of doing the Three Capes Trail which cost $500pp, but I refused to do that. So, I hitched a ride with Adrian and Ting initially, and they took me most of the way. They were my age and were touring the area. Adrian was from Manila whilst Ting was from Taiwan with both of them working in Australia. They dropped me off at the turn off to Fortescue Bay and I then hitchhiked the rest of the way with Jo, a hiker lady.

I stomped the 8km to the (free!) campsite, Bare Knoll, where I pitched my non-freestanding tent on wooden decking. An interesting experience. I then headed on out to Cape Pillar. Stunning scenery, loved it so so much! I was missing this sort of thing! I passed the luxury eco-cabins that the people who paid silly money for. They looked fancy for sure, had a bar and everything I believe. Must say though, at Cape Pillar, there are lots of sudden vertical drops just appearing from nowhere. And no railings. It was thrilling!

When I got back, I collapsed and fell asleep within 30 minutes of finishing dinner. Yes, it must have been around 21:00! The next day (today!), I walked the next 18km to Cape Huay and round to Fortescue Bay. That was beautiful as well. Just spectacular. I passed all the people who had been staying at the luxury cabin too. There were rock climbers attempting to climb the sea stacks at Cape Huay as well. Seemed a bit bold, the sea was choppy and crashing up close to them!

I then hitchhiked back from Fortescue Bay to Hobart with a guy called Jeremy – who had hitchhiked when he was a youth – and enjoyed talking politics for the entire way. He was a vice principal of a school in Brisbane and was down seeing his daughter in Tassie.

Next, I am off to Launceston and planning on doing the Cradle Mountain and the Overland Track! It’s meant to rain every day though!

Love,

Al

Comments (2)

  1. Ishbel

    Reply

    hitchiking instead of walking- what a cheat 😛
    Boardwalk looks a bit better and longer than the one round loch Leven

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