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ernstsenstefansen68 · 4 months

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Car Rentals In Tasmania From $20 Day Seek For Rental Vehicles On Kayak

South Bruny National Park is your finest wager for scenic seaside camping. In the state’s southeast corner, this cragged peninsula excites outdoorsy sorts and history buffs alike. Take a difficult hike along Cape Raul or Cape Huay to straddle vertigo-inducing sea cliffs—they’re among the world’s tallest. As one of Australia’s greatest preserved colonial websites, Port Arthur Historic Site is a sprawling convict settlement with a sombre previous. Discover distinctive places to go to, perfect itineraries, and exciting vacation ideas at Tasmania Unearthed, your ultimate guide to Tasmanian travel. Whether you’re planning a calming getaway or an action-packed tour, discover all the information you need to experience Tasmania like an area. Whether you need a compact budget-friendly hatchback or a spacious luxurious sedan, the proper ride awaits. We also have campervans and industrial automobiles for visiting staff.

We are sorry, Avis Preferred Points cannot be combined with additional offers and discounts.

The fertile island produces a few of Australia’s finest produce, which you'll nibble at native farmer’s markets or rustic paddock-to-plate restaurants.

With rentals starting from fuel-efficient hatchbacks to spacious family sedans and 12-seat people movers, we’ve obtained a vehicle in Devonport for groups of all sizes.

Need a spacious SUV to accommodate your friends, and even your whole family?

You may also be required to offer a valid credit score or debit card for payment processing functions.

He then took us to Cambridge Sixt leases and explained to the receptionist the state of affairs. We obtained a better automotive and accomplished all essential paperwork in a friendly and supportive environment. We could not have asked for higher service when renting and returning the car. By reserving your hire car with us, you are additionally giving your self some peace of thoughts. Our buyer care group will make sure to assist you and reply all your queries. Whether you're heading to Launceston within the northeast, Hobart in the southeast, or Wynyard within the northwest, we'll provide you to a stress-free automobile hire reserving expertise. Car rental included as part of a package deal fee (e.g. airfare + resort + car rental, hotel + car rental, airfare + automotive rental) does not qualify. Car rental included as a half of a package rate (e.g. airfare + resort + car rental, hotel + automotive rental, airfare + car rental) doesn't qualify.

Europcar Car Rental Places In Tasmania

The actual driver of the automotive needs to be current in person on the collection of the vehicle. This driver must current a current legitimate driver’s license. If you're a world driver you want to present an International Driver’s Permit or your homeland current valid driver’s license in English. You additionally have to have both a main brand bank card or a debit card with you. And since automobiles in our fleet are on average 3 months old, you'll enjoy the newest security features and entertainment. In Tasmania’s capital metropolis Hobart, you presumably can drive up Mount Wellington to soak in panoramic views of town and past. Or in the north of Tasmania, take a leisurely drive to the museums in Launceston or the waterfalls in Burnie. With SIXT, a Tasmania automotive rental provides flexibility in reserving and a range of automobiles to go properly with your budget and desires. Maybe they may begin work 15 minutes earlier to verify automobiles so we can get to airport on time. Also, purchasers needed to work out who ought to go on first bus to airport based mostly on flight departure occasions. Excess was $5500, we would like to pay a small amount extra to reduce this to $5000 as this is what our journey insurance coverage will cover. KAYAK has offers for you to evaluate from 24 automobile rental businesses in Hobart. It is extremely advantageous to rent a automotive in Hobart as the public transportation within the metropolis is somewhat limited.

From compact hatchbacks to roomy sedans and luxurious SUVS, we’ve obtained a extensive range of automobiles in each our Hobart depots. We inventory kitted-out campervans for outdoorsy sorts and eight to 12-seater minibuses for travelling teams. We’ve also obtained a variety of economic autos in Hobart, from removing vans to trailers and tradie vans. An east coast favourite, Bay of Fires wows travellers with its turquoise-tinged waters and orange lichen-cloaked boulders. Base your self in breezy Binalong Bay or arrange camp throughout the reserve. Beach lovers can cruise between different east coast hotspots like St Helens, Bicheno, and Coles Bay. Though roads are nicely linked, some may be closed off during severe moist climate, so plan out your route beforehand and examine the climate forecast often. Also, petrol stations are scarce and may shut at night time or on Sundays, so it’s good to know the place the nearest one is and refill the tank as usually as you'll be able to. And finally, be careful for animals on the road, especially through the early hours and at night. We're an Australian Owned & Operated automobile rental firm based in Hobart, Tasmania, offering New Cars at Bargain Prices all year round. And because of the airport’s relatively small dimension, automotive lots are situated inside walking distance from the rental counters. Depending in your price range and travel party, there is an extensive range of automobiles you can select from including wagons, compact sedans, SUVs, and vans. Whether you are a couple looking for one thing intimate, a solo traveler, or touring in a gaggle, a automotive rental at Hobart Airport has one thing excellent on your journey wants. On this Island, renting a automobile may give you a number of advantages. Renting a automotive offers you the independence to visit places like Mona and Cataract Gorge Reserve, two of Tasmania's hottest tourist destinations.

In Style Rental Types In Hobart

SIXT Car Hire Australia prioritises buyer comfort, providing the pliability to select up your rental automobile from one location and return it at one other. Our one-way rental possibility is designed together with your comfort in thoughts. Simply state your pick-up and drop-off locations when booking your car on-line or via our pleasant customer support group. There could also be additional prices for one-way rentals, but we'll always communicate these clearly during reserving. We also offer extras like GPS, youngster seats, and extra driver protection to make your rental expertise even higher. At SIXT, we aim to be your go-to for automotive rent, providing unmatched service and comfort.

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Now, give us a heads up on the place and if you plan on dropping off the vehicle. Please keep in mind that the availability of specific fashions may change primarily based on whenever you make your reservation and what we've in inventory on the time. Vehicle made rattling noise from engine, which made us insecure of automobile breaking down. When defrost / a/c system was powered a particularly loud and disturbing sound got here from what I think about is the compressor. This final situation resulted in a lot of vibration within the automotive when idle. However, you are ready to purchase a spread of safety packages and insurances to scale back your liability. Providing your age allows us to give you a extra correct rental estimate. Based on rankings and evaluations from real users on KAYAK, one of the best car rental firm in City Centre is BUDGET (10.0, 1 reviews). Based on our info, BARGAINCAR in City Centre is the most affordable automotive rental location in Hobart. August is often the most price effective month to rent a automobile in City Centre, with costs round $21/day. Tasmania experiences all 4 seasons, unlike most different locations in Australia and is due to this fact very popular for 3 months of the year. Also, keep in mind to verify out all the SIXT provides and auto club offers. Easy to deal with, convenient off site decide up and drop off and very reasonable rates. I would definitely use them once more as automobiles have been good and they are by far the most value effective automotive rental company I even have ever used. From teeming moss-covered rainforest to majestic snow-capped peaks, this sprawling national park encapsulates Tasmania’s diverse landscapes. Family-friendly boardwalks traverse glacial lakes and wild alpine moorlands. More challenging jaunts ship you deep into Tasmania’s moody alpine coronary heart —the Overland Track is a classic. Public transport exists in Tasmania, but the system isn’t perfect for tourism. And lastly, examine if the automobile has a full tank of petrol earlier than you drive away. A valid bank card or Visa or MasterCard debit card have to be offered for all leases. The credit card holder is listed because the hirer and have to be current on the time of rental graduation. Charges for options and coverage are to be settled on the graduation of the rental. It does not matter the place a passenger is seated in a vehicle; they are required to wear their seatbelts always. Children are required to be restrained in a device that's appropriate for their age, peak, and weight. Tasmania is a shocking place to visit, particularly when exploring the beautiful scenery and ever-changing landscapes by automotive. However, driving around the island can have its dangers if you’re not aware of the rules of the highway. Firstly, make certain to note the final velocity limits of fifty km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h in rural areas and one hundred ten km/h on motorways. 25% of our customers found rental cars in City Centre for $62 or much less. All rentals the place the vehicle just isn't returned to the identical location as it was collected from shall be subject to a one-way payment. The one-way charge varies based on automobile category, location, and pick-up date.

#car rental hobart airport #hobart airport car rental #car rental hobart #hobart car rentals tasmania #car rental tasmania

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nixieofthenorth · 6 months

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One of the famous white wallabies of Bruny Island. These fascinating critters are part of a small population of Bennet’s wallabies that live in the safe-haven of South Bruny National Park. While they're often mistaken for being albino, their distinctive colourings can actually be attributed to a recessive gene in the local population. 📍Bruny Island, Tasmania 📸 @tasphotos2015

#white wallaby #wallaby #not albino #bruny island #tasmania #animal #wildlife

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goodthoughts001 · 1 year

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Tasmania may be small

but it is a most diverse and interesting State. Separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait, the historical and wilderness delights of this magnificent island bring visitors flocking to its shores. Many come by air, but the vehicle and passenger ferry is becoming increasingly popular -with a good highway system and many reasonably priced hotels or bed and breakfast establishments, motoring is probably the best way to experience this small island. Sounds good? Do you want to 2023 Nude Calendars? Order 2023 Australian calendars here.

Tasmania covers an area of 68,331 sq. km -roughly the same size as Ireland. Each region offers quite different natural landscapes and features. The State's northern part is gentle farmlands and rolling pastures between large outcrops such as the Great Western Tiers. This huge mountain range extends across the centre of Tasmania, separating the wilderness of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park from the agricultural region and Launceston to the north. The Tamar Valley, the State's premier wine-growing region, is near Launceston. Along the north and east coasts are many magnificent beaches, some stretching for many kilometres; there are fishing villages with excellent surfing to the north-west. The west coast features wild rivers, which cut through an area of rugged beauty that is rich in mineral wealth and timber; the east is rich in agricultural land.

In the southern part of the State are the magnificent Huon and Derwent valleys and Tasmania's capital city, Hobart. Many of the southern towns, such as Richmond, feature magnificent historic buildings. The Tasman Peninsula in the far south-east is home to Australia's most notorious convict settlement, Port Arthur; Bruny Island is another popular summer holiday destination here.

The climate in Tasmania is amenable throughout the year. Spring and autumn are mild to warm, but the nights can become very chilly and it can rain. Summer sees long warm to hot days, with pleasant nights. During winter, much of

the mountain country is covered in snow, ideal for skiing. Heading down from the mountain tops, the climate is still chilly and the nights are cold. The west coast boasts 360 days of rain each year, so pack a raincoat if you are heading there. During winter check with authorities on road conditions for the higher peaks.

Originally inhabited by Aboriginals, the island was first sighted by Europeans in 1624. Dutch navigator Abel Tasman arrived off the west coast and named it Van Diemen's Land after the Dutch Governor of Jakarta.

In 1777 Captain James Cook anchored off Bruny Island, and 27 years later Colonel David Collins established the settlement of Hobart. The white settlement of Tasmania soon led to the near extinction of the Aborigines -the authorities at that time took it upon themselves to rid the State of the Aboriginal people. When Truganini died in Hobart in 1876, for quite a long time it was thought that she was the last of the Tasmanian Aborigines, but there are still descendants of the Tasmanian tribes.

Tasmania's beginnings were as a convict colony, and there are remnants of penal settlements found all over the island, with the most notable being Port Arthur. This settlement was set up in 1830, and over the next 47 years an estimated 12,500 convicts passed through its gates. The settlement is extensive, and many of the buildings, including the solitary confinement cells, have been carefully restored. Tours, including the eerie night tours, are highly recommended.

Sarah Island, on Tasmania's wild west coast, is a similar site -the most hardened prisoners were kept in conditions not unlike those of Port Arthur.

Tasmania's vast mineral wealth has led to the establishment and growth of many towns, particularly on the State's west coast. Around Queenstown, gold was mined originally, but after most of the gold had been extracted copper was mined, with the subsequent deforestation causing considerable damage to the surrounding hills. Silver, lead and tin have all been mined at Zeehan, with tin mining continuing today.

With turbulent rivers gorging through the rugged mountain ranges, hydro-electricity is the best source of power for Tasmania -the island produces more energy than it needs. Many power stations are open to the public for inspection.

Much of Tasmania was forested when Europeans first arrived and timber was used for buildings both within Tasmania as well as on the mainland. Among other uses, Tasmanian blue gum was used to build the wharf areas on the Thames in London, and also to underpin the streets of Melbourne. There are several paper mills in Tasmania, including the Australian Newsprint Mill in Boyer, which produces more than 250,000 tonnes (275,500 tons) of paper annually, the Australian Paper Mill in Burnie and the Tasmanian Pulp and Forest Holdings in Triabunna, which produces woodchip.

Much of the island is World Heritage listed or national park land and it is quite likely that some areas may never have been explored by Europeans. A journey into the parks will reveal stunning lakes (St Clair or Dove Lakes), towering sheer precipices (Ben Lomond National Park), limestone caves (near Mole Creek), and vivid coloured rocks (Freycinet National Park). The most popular area is the Franklin-Gordon Rivers region, which was steeped in controversy during the 1980s when it was proposed that the Franklin River be dammed. Today the 'wild and still undammed' waters are World Heritage listed, testimony to a case won by the persistent actions of many environmentalists and campaigning by environmental groups.

There are many outdoor activities on offer in Tasmania, including bushwalking and horse riding. There are easy strolls in gentle, rolling countryside or along coastal heathlands, and more rigorous and lengthy treks through remote areas of the national parks; horse riders can trek along the beaches or across mountain ranges. Other possibilities are rock climbing, downhill and cross-country skiing, canoeing, whitewater rafting, abseiling, hang gliding, mountain biking, jet boat river riding and 4WD touring. You will even find camel riding! Marine reserves provide excellent diving and snorkelling.

Tasmania also has much to offer the gourmet, with excellent wines in the Tamar Valley-Piper's Brook Vineyard produces fine chardonnay, pinot noir and riesling -and the nearby Heemskerk, Dalmere or Dalrymple. Dairy produce is superb, with many cheeses and creams, including camembert and brie, available, and seafood is abundant.

Tasmania really is an isle of contrasts, with rugged mountain ranges, magnificent scenery, pristine sandy beaches, historic towns and fine food and wine -no wonder it is called the Holiday Isle.

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startravel01 · 2 years

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Islands near Australia with Top Tour Packages

When it comes to making the best out of the vacation, Australia is one of the amazing destinations to explore. The splendid country has various tourist attractions which capture the heart of the tourists and make the vacations more intriguing than ever. Apart from that, the islands near Australia with the top tour packages are also one of the foremost reasons to explore this chic country. Australia is surrounded by 8222 islands within its borders and other reason to explore the extravaganza of the city. There are various famous and not-so-known islands which will make your trip more exciting and interesting. Let’s learn more about it.

Top Islands to Explore in Australia

Wanna make your Australia trip more interesting and know more about its surreal beauty? If yes, then you should explore the splendid islands near Australia with the top travel agent in Punjab for Australia packages. Confused about which islands are best to explore there? Don’t worry, we have got you all covered. Take a look!!!

Bruny Island

Bruny Island is one of the amazing islands to explore near Australia which will make your trip exciting. It is a 362-square Km Island that is perfectly rested on the southern coast of Tasmania. The island is the perfect hotspot for a day trip. Being the largest island in Australia, it captivates the heart of tourists with its splendid beauty. The narrow isthmus which connects the North Bruny to the South Bruny is the scenic feature of the island. One can spot the fairy penguins and seal colonies here.

Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island is located 8 Km offshore from the city of Townsville, Queensland, and is one of the mesmerizing tourist attractions to explore with the top Australia tour packages. More than half of the island daunts the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries for species ranging from Wallabies to Wild Koalas. The most popular spot here for snorkeling is a Coral Reef named Maggie. One can also explore the island named Captain Cook to witness the magnetic effect it had on his ship’s compass.

Christmas Island

Christmas Island is the Indian Ocean located in the Australian territory and lying south of Java, Indonesia. The island is bestowed with the rich flora and fauna which are indigenous to the island and around 60% of the island is reserved as National Parkland. It is also home to the most celebrated and famous endemic species namely Christmas Island Red Crabs. One of the best things to experience here is the annual red crab mass migration to the sea which takes place each around November.

Philip Island

It is one of the most interesting islands to explore near Australia with the top travel agency for Australia tour packages. It provides the opportunity for tourists to witness penguins in their natural habitat. The best time to explore Philip Island is in the summers for Melburnians and is said to be the famous surfing hotspot. One can also witness the activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, and sailing. Apart from that, the island also is a distinguished home to wallabies, wombats, kangaroos, and koalas.

When it comes to witnessing the hidden beauty of Australia, one should explore the islands near Australia with the top tour packages. From the soft and cold islands to the penguin parade, there are amazing things to experience here.

#Islands to Explore in Australia #australians island

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willstandring · 5 years

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Will Standring, Lighthouse Bay, South Bruny, 2018, Pastel, 28 x 53 cm.

This painting is of one of my favourite places, Lighthouse Bay in South Bruny National Park at the Southern tip of Bruny Island in Tasmania. The bay faces South and given the right conditions the ocean can be pretty wild. From the lighthouse, you can sometimes make out the 60 metre high rock of Pedra Branca, forty kilometres south on the edge of the continental shelf. A place so exposed that the wave sensors on the top are routinely triggered. I am told that this is where the surfers head when they get bored with Shipstern Bluff.

#bruny island #tasmanian art #tasmania pastels #pastels #will standring #south bruny national park #pedrabranca

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sanssouciavecmoi · 3 years

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26/12/2017: South Bruny National Park, Bruny Island

#2017 #australia #tasmania #what i did on my holidays #go on a self drive holiday in tasmania #bruny island

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talisamposts · 4 years

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My 7-day Tasmania Itinerary

Tasmania is such a beautiful travel destination! I recently spent a week there and absolutely loved it. Aside from pre-planned group bookings, I didn’t find much in the way of solo travel itineraries, so I took a bit out of all the posts I found and created my own. I have to say, I thought it was near perfect! I decided to rent a car for the week, but if you have your own and take the ferry over, that works too.

So if you’re planning a trip to Tassie, have a look over my plan.

Day 1 - Hobart

Your first day can be spent just exploring Hobart and the surrounds. As it’s not a large city and the airport is so close, it’s possible to see quite a few things even if you only have half a day.

In terms of accommodation, Hobart is not lacking in anything. I would definitely recommend a stay in Rose Bay, which is not in the Hobart city centre, but across the bridge on the opposite side of the Derwent river. It’s a few minutes’ drive out of the city and you get the most spectacular views of the Tasman bridge and the river.

While driving around Hobart and around the city, make sure to head up to Mount Wellington. This is a must-see and probably the easiest and cheapest thing you’ll do. It’s completely free to go up to the viewpoint and you can drive the entire way. I drove at a leisurely pace, stopping a few times to take pictures and take in the scenery, which probably took me about a half hour. The view from the top is breathtaking and you can wander around there for a bit. Just remember to take warm clothing as it’s freezing at the top!

Once you’ve been up Mount Wellington, head to the Botanical Gardens. Entry is also free and the gardens are stunning. They have a wide range of plant species, a cafe and shop and their very own Japanese Garden. If you’re wanting some peace and quiet in nature, this is the place to go.

For dinner, Hobart has many options. As a vegan, I love supporting businesses that are entirely veggie, which is why I ate at Veg Bar a few times. To be honest, it’s not the greatest vegan food I’ve had by a long shot, but it’s worth a visit, if only to enjoy the funky decor.

Day 2 - Bruny Island

Since driving a lot can get tiring, I recommend doing the things that require the longer drives at the beginning of your week. Trust me, you’re not really going to be in the mood for them towards the end. To catch the ferry to Bruny Island, an absolute must-see when in Tassie, you have to drive about 30-40 minutes to Kettering. The ferry takes about 15 minutes and departs at multiple times throughout the day. The island itself is actually really large with no public transport, so prepare to spend the majority of your time driving.

If you’re keen to get that Bruny Island lighthouse photo everyone loves, I recommend doing that as your first thing. It’s the furthest away from where the ferry docks and the road takes you through the South Bruny National Park. It’s gorgeous but be careful on the dirt roads as your tires can slip easily depending on your car. I think it took me roughly 2 hours to get there.

I am not ashamed to admit that, as an introvert, I despise large crowds and will almost always avoid them. I did not get that typical lighthouse pic, because it started raining just as I got there, there were heaps of people and it’s still quite a climb from the carpark up to the lighthouse. I walked halfway up, took an average pic of the lighthouse, and went back down. Keep in mind that you have to pay an entry fee to actually go into the lighthouse. I still think it was worth the drive, though, because the scenery there and along the way is absolutely beautiful.

Aside from the lighthouse, there are plenty of other things to see and do on Bruny Island. Wine tasting, chocolate tasting, whiskey tasting, cheese tasting, lunches (my recommendation is Bruny Island Seafood Restaurant for great seating and a delicious pumpkin soup) and many other options. Build those into your itinerary however you’d like. If you’re exploring the island the way I did, starting right down at the bottom, I recommend heading over to Adventure Bay next.

On your way back up to the north of the island, make sure to stop at the Neck. This is the part that connects the south and north of Bruny Island. Climb up the stairs to the lookout point and get that iconic view of both beaches!

The reason I did this later in my day was that there are a lot less people around than in the morning, so you can actually find parking and enjoy the view without a million people around you.

Day 3 - Bay of Fires

For two days of my trip I did actually book a guided tour. I know this is not always the most appealing to introverts, but I highly recommend you push yourself to do it. There are plenty of tours to choose from, most of them doing roughly the same thing and they tend to keep groups to a maximum of 24 people. In my case I was very lucky, as they’d somehow overbooked their tour and organised a smaller bus for just 7 of us. The people in my tour were all absolutely lovely, and our guide was excellent, so it worked out really well for me.

Either way I’d still recommend booking an East Coast Tasmania tour as getting all the way up to the Wineglass Bay and the Bay of Fires would be tricky as a solo traveller. This is really where you want to be taken care of, and I also enjoyed the break from having to drive for hours.

Have a look at some Tassie tours here.

I realise that for these two days my rental car was not being used, but the daily price was not high enough for me to care too much about this. If this is something that bothers you, change up your itinerary a bit. Keep in mind that booked tours run on specific days only, so you’ll have to plan around that. The 2-day East coast tour I booked starts on Wednesdays.

Part of the tour is also a stop at a wildlife sanctuary in Bicheno, where you can see and learn about Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, Quolls and other interesting animals. Buy a feed bag and go feed the kangaroos and geese wandering freely around the sanctuary, it’s an amazing experience!

Day 4 - Wineglass Bay

The second day of the tour takes you to the Freycinet National Park, where you’ll climb up to a viewpoint to look out over Wineglass Bay. This is another iconic Tasmanian image that’s worth the hike up the mountain. Make sure to wear suitable footwear and be reasonably fit!

Unfortunately, I visited on one of those extremely rare, extremely rainy days and did not get to see the view from the lookout, but honestly the walk was still fun. I got completely soaked through within minutes (imagine jumping into a swimming pool fully clothed) and there were waterfalls running down the mountains. Considering that this rarely ever happens, I felt quite lucky to have seen a side of Freycinet that most people don’t.

I’m not sure if this applies to me only or if all introverts can relate, but I love the rain. It’s my favourite weather because the world is so much less noisy when it rains. So overall, for me, this was still a great experience.

On a normal, sunny day you’d probably take a nice hike up to the viewpoint, take some pics and then go down to the actual beach of Wineglass Bay for a swim. This would take a few hours and you’d see wallabies and other animals in the park. You’d then head back to Hobart in the afternoon.

Day 5 - Port Arthur

Port Arthur Historic Site is a little village and historic site which showcases the history of British prisoners and the officers and soldiers stationed there. It’s really well kept and you get a good feeling of how life was back when it was operational. I unexpectedly spent almost all day here as it’s really big and there is just so much to see. Tickets aren’t cheap and additional tours cost extra, but even if you just get general admission it’s worth it. The ticket is valid for 2 days, so you do have the option to return the next day.

The site is about a 90-minute drive out of Hobart, and it’s definitely worth a visit!

Day 6 - Salamanca Market, MONA

Most people agree that a trip to Hobart wouldn’t be complete without visiting the famous Salamanca Market. This market sells everything from fresh veggies to jewellery to delicious food and drinks. My first stroll through the market took about an hour, that’s how big it is. It’s held every Saturday at Salamanca Place from 8:30am - 3pm. There are some great vegan options if you’re like me and like to eat your way through a market!

If you’re into art, then check out the MONA (Museum of Old and New Art). It’s one of Hobart’s main attractions, a museum built mostly underground that you can get to using their unique ferry. If you’re on a budget just keep the entry and ferry prices in mind, as they’re not cheap.

The museum is like no other you’ve ever experienced. You won’t find information cards or artists’ names on the walls beside their art, as you’d expect. Instead, you’re given a device (like an old iPhone) that you keep with you as you walk through the exhibits. It has a location service so you can check out any information on anything you’re looking at, including interactive VR stuff. It’s definitely very interesting, but I must admit there were times where I thought “this counts as art?”, but that’s just me. The nice thing is it’s mostly dark everywhere and you don’t have to talk to anyone, so a great thing to do for introverts.

Day 7 - Richmond

I recommend relaxing or doing any small things you didn’t get to do all week on your last day. A tip my AirBnB hosts gave me was a drive to Richmond, a small town about 25 minutes outside of Hobart. It’s got that typical cute, old-timey village feel. There’s a huge lolly shop with so many candy options, the Richmond Bridge which is the oldest stone bridge in Australia, and the Richmond Gaol where they also imprisoned women. For lunch I recommend Czegs’ Cafe. The decor is adorable and they have little outside tables where you can keep away from the masses. The vegan pasta is to die for!

I really hope this little itinerary helps you in your search for the best things to do in Tassie. If you have more time, I hear Launceston is a great place to visit, or even going up the West Coast. I’ll have to check that out the next time I go.

#tasmania #hobart #itinerary #travel #veganfood #solotravel #introvert #vegan travel #selfdriving #introvert travel

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crystalracing · 5 years

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Quiz

1) What do Jenson Button & Mark Webber share in common?

a) Raced w/Honda engine

b) Never won home GP

c) 2+ poles at Barcelona

d) Won Italian GP

2) Which of these teams never achieved a podium at US GP between 2000-2007 when it was held at Indianapolis?

a) Jordan

b) Sauber

c) Williams

d) Renault

3) What driver had been running third at 2006 Monaco GP before his hydraullcs failed with six laps remaining?

a) Kimi Raikkonen

b) Christian Klien

c) Mark Webber

d) Jarno Trulli

4) At 2007 Canadian GP, which driver was forced to pit for repairs after hitting a groundhog whilst running in 3rd place?

a) Anthony Davidson

b) Giancarlo Fisichella

c) Christian Klien

d) Mark Webber

5) Which driver was overtaken on the final lap by Michael Schumacher at both Malaysian GPs held in 2002 & 2003?

a) Jarno Trulli

b) Jenson Button

c) Jacques Villeneuve

d) David Coulthard

6) Which race did BAR (British American Racing) clinch their maiden podium?

a) 2000 Canada

b) 2001 Spain

c) 2004 Malaysia

d) 2004 Bahrain

7) How many races did a BMW-powered car win between 2000-2009?

a) 10

b) 8

c) 13

d) 11

8) In 2004, which unemployed driver was considered a possible mid-season replacement for Giorgio Pantano at Jordan before Timo Glock was chosen?

a) Jos Verstappen

b) Jacques Villeneuve

c) Anthony Davidson

d) Heinz-Harald Frentzen

9) What was Bjorn Wirdheim’s role during 2004 #F1 season?

a) Minardi race driver

b) Williams test driver

c) Jaguar third driver

d) Jaguar race driver

10) How many race wins did Vitantonio Liuzzi clinch in International Formula 3000 during 2004?

a) 4

b) 5

c) 7

d) 10

11) Except Ferrari & Minardi, which other team used an Italian national racing licence during 2000 #F1 season? BENETTON

a) PLEASE ANSWER

b) BELOW IN COMMENTS

12) Which driver became the then-youngest ever driver to race in F1 when he debuted during 2009?

a) Sebastien Buemi

b) Kamui Kobayashi

c) Adrian Sutil

d) Jaime Alguersuari

13) Who was BMW Sauber’s team principal between 2006-2009 when the German manufacturer took over the Swiss team?

a) Gerhard Berger

b) Willy Rampf

c) Mario Theissen

d) Peter Sauber

14) Name at least 7 drivers who scored points on their Grand Prix debut between 2000-2009. Go!

Kimi Raikkonen, Mark Webber, Timo Glock, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Sebastien Bourdais, Sebastien Buemi

15) What do Felipe Massa and Jacques Villeneuve share in common?

a) Both raced in Indycar

b) Best 2005 result: 4th

c) Both podiums at Italy

d) Won in France

16) What did Arrows and Spyker share in common?

a) Orange liveries

b) Both used A23 chassis

c) Monteiro raced for both

d) Scored points in Australia

17) Which of the drivers listed below competed in the fewest #F1 races between 2000-2009? (excluding Badoer, Winkelhock etc.)

a) Nicolas Kiesa

b) Tomas Enge

c) Robert Doornbos

d) Franck Montagny

18) Which national racing licence did Red Bull use during 2006 #F1?

a) Austrian

b) Thai

c) American

d) British

19) Which driver suffered the most number of retirements between 2000-2009?

a) Kimi Raikkonen 41

b) Giancarlo Fisichella 44

c) Mark Webber 45

d) Jarno Trulli 51

20) Which driver originally finished in the top 8 before having 25 seconds added to his race time (for overtaking under yellow flags) at 2006 Australian GP?

a) Christijan Albers

b) Scott Speed

c) Jarno Trulli

d) Nico Rosberg

21) After 2000, Peugeot sold their #F1 engine department to Dr. John Gano and Enrique Scalabroni. They supplied rebranded power units to Minardi & Arrows in subsequent seasons, but what were they called?

a) European

b) Supertec

c) Asiatech

d) Fondmetal

22) From which nation does Bridgestone originate from?

a) Thailand

b) South Korea

c) Japan

d) Malaysia

23) Name at least 7 drivers who NEVER raced at Australian GP between 2000-2009 (but competed in other races during this time period). Go!

Tomas Enge, Nicolas Kiesa, Robert Doornbos, Franck Montagny, Sakon Yamamoto, Markus Winkelhock, Luca Badoer, Jaime Alguersuari, Kamui Kobayashi, Romain Grosjean

24) How many times did Michael Schumacher clinch pole at a season-opening race during his #F1 career? #KeepFightingMichael

a) 4

b) 5

c) 6

d) 7

25) OPINION POLL: Which of these drivers do you believe to be the worst to have raced in #F1 between 2000-2009?

a) Alex Yoong

b) Yuji Ide

c) Giorgio Pantano

d) Gaston Mazzacane

26) Which driver would complete all of his career #F1 races during 2005 only?

a) Tiago Monteiro

b) Patrick Friesacher

c) Robert Doornbos

d) Christijan Albers

27) Between 2000-2009, how many times did McLaren win the Hungarian Grand Prix?

a) 4

b) 5

c) 6

d) 3

28) Which national racing licence did Midland F1 use during 2006 #F1 season?

a) Russian

b) Canadian

c) British

d) Romanian

29) Excluding 2005 USA, which race had the fewest cars running (i.e. not stopped on track) at the chequered flag?

a) 2004 Monaco

b) 2003 Brazil

c) 2008 Australia

d) 2004 USA

30) Which of these #WRC drivers have tested a #F1 car?

a) Richard Burns

b) Petter Solberg

c) Marcus Gronholm

d) Markko Martin

31) During 2007 #F1, Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault, Spyker & Red Bull led at least one lap during a race. Name the other team to have led at least one lap during this season.

a) Toro Rosso

b) Williams

c) Honda

d) Toyota

32) Name all the tyre brands Rubens Barrichello has raced with during his whole #F1 career

Goodyear, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Michelin

33) Who finished 3rd at 2008 French Grand Prix?

a) Robert Kubica

b) Jarno Trulli

c) Heikki Kovalainen

d) Lewis Hamilton

34) Which of these drivers has actually stood on the podium (in person) every time he’s finished there (i.e. not requiring a disqualification of another driver post-race nor missing the ceremony due to requiring medical attention)?

a) Jenson Button

b) Fernando Alonso

c) Rubens Barrichello

d) Heinz-Harald Frentzen

35) Which these of GP2 drivers raced in #F1 between 2000-2009?

a) Vitaly Petrov

b) Neel Jani

c) Bruno Senna

d) Gianmaria Bruni

36) At which Canadian Grand Prix did Jarno Trulli & Nico Rosberg “perform” a synchronized spin at the same corner?

a) 2008

b) 2007

c) 2006

d) Never happened

37) Who was the managing director of Super Aguri during their stay in #F1?

a) Daniele Audetto

b) Robert Fernley

c) Mark Preston

d) Aguri Suzuki

38) Which season between 2000-2009 had the most different drivers claiming pole position?

a) 2004 (7)

b) 2005 (9- Fisichella, Alonso, Raikkonen, Heidfeld, Button, Trulli, Michael Schumacher, Montoya & Ralf)

c) 2008 (6)

d) 2009 (8)

39) At the exit of which corner did Michael Schumacher park his Ferrari during qualifying for 2006 Monaco GP?

a) Sainte Devote

b) Portier

c) Tabac

d) La Rascasse

40) Name at least 8 drivers who NEVER raced at Japanese GP between 2000-2009 (but competed in other races during this time period). Go!

Luciano Burti, Tarso Marques, Allan McNish, Yuji Ide, Patrick Friesacher, Giorgio Pantano, Franck Montagny, Markus Winkelhock, Luca Badoer, Kamui Kobayashi

41) How old was Cristiano da Matta when he made his #F1 debut in 2003?

a) 26

b) 29

c) 28

d) 31

42) At which corner did Kimi Raikkonen crash at 2001 San Marino GP race?

a) Acque Minerali

b) Rivazza

c) Tosa

d) Variante Alta

43) Which country had the most number of drivers qualify for at least one race (not necessarily at the same race together) during 2005 #F1 season?

a) Brazil

b) Italy

c) Germany

d) Britain

44) Which of these countries had a driver participate in #F1 between 2000-2009 using their national licence (despite descending from a different country)?

a) United Arab Emirates

b) San Marino

c) Belgium

d) Monaco

45) Which team helped Nico Rosberg win the inaugural 2005 GP2 title? (Bonus: Who was his team principal? Answer in comments)

a) DAMS

b) ART

c) BCN

d) Arden

46) What do Felipe Massa & Rubens Barrichello share in common (other than hailing from Sao Paulo, Brazil & racing for Ferrari)?

a) The same mother

b) Same no. of F1 wins

c) Won Brazil GP

d) Raced for Sauber

47) Which of these teams FAILED to score points on their Grand Prix debut?

a) Red Bull (2005 AUS)

b) BMW Sauber (2006 BAH)

c) Toyota (2002 AUS)

d) Prost (1997 AUS)

48) Name 6 drivers who scored a podium, but never won a race, between 2000-2009 (includes drivers who won races in other decades & WDCs). Go!

Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Jacques Villeneuve, Eddie Irvine, Nick Heidfeld, Takuma Sato, Alex Wurz, Pedro de la Rosa, Tiago Monteiro, Timo Glock, Nelson Piquet Jr, Nico Rosberg

49) Which driver led the 2nd most number of laps during 2007?

a) Lewis Hamilton (321)

b) Felipe Massa (300)

c) Fernando Alonso (203)

d) Kimi Raikkonen (212)

50) 2003 #F1 season had a new points-scoring system. Which team would’ve finished 5th in the WCC under the old points system of 10-6-4-3-2-1?

a) Jordan

b) Sauber

c) BAR

d) Toyota

51) Michael Schumacher’s costly engine failure at 2006 Japanese GP was his first engine-related retirement since...

a) 2001 Germany

b) 2000 Monaco

c) 2000 France

d) 2001 San Marino

52) Who said these famous words “Hamilton’s 7th, Hamilton 7th- by my calculations we win the championship by one point.”

a) Rob Smedley

b) Chris Dyer

c) Ross Brawn

d) Jean Todt

53) Which of these venues did Antonio Pizzonia never race at during his #F1 career?

a) Indianapolis

b) Silverstone

c) Hockenheim

d) A1 Ring

54) How many podiums did Jaguar claim in their time in #F1?

a) 0

b) 1

c) 2

d) 3

55) Which of these companies was a title sponsor of Williams at some point between 2000-2009?

a) DHL

b) ING

c) AT&T

d) Etihad

56) Name 4 drivers who NEVER raced at US GP between 2000-2007 (but competed in other races during this time period).

This excludes new drivers who appeared during 2008-09 (So no Badoer, Bourdais etc.) Go!

Luciano Burti, Tarso Marques, Antonio Pizzonia, Robert Kubica, Markus Winkelhock, Robert Doornbos, Sakon Yamamoto

57) Which race did Jenson Button score his & BAR’s first points of 2005 #F1 season?

a) Europe

b) San Marino

c) Britain

d) France

58) Who picked up the most fastest laps between 2000-2009?

a) Michael Schumacher (37)

b) Kimi Raikkonen (35)

c) Fernando Alonso (13)

d) Rubens Barrichello (17)

59) Who finished 10th at 2002 German Grand Prix?

a) Takuma Sato

b) Mika Salo

c) Jacques Villeneuve

d) No one

60) Which of these venues has Robert Kubica raced at during his #F1 career?

a) Indianapolis

b) Buddh

c) Fuji

d) Imola

61) Who holds the record for most consecutive podium finishes?

a) Lewis Hamilton (16)

b) Michael Schumacher (19)

c) Fernando Alonso (15)

d) Sebastian Vettel (11)

62) Which season had the most different winners?

a) 2001 (5)

b) 2003 (8)

c) 2008 (7)

d) 2009 (6)

63) Name 7 Brazilian drivers who raced in #F1 during 2000-2009. Go!

Barrichello, Diniz, Zonta, Burti, Bernoldi, Marques, Massa, Pizzonia, da Matta, Piquet

64) Which driver won from the furthest back on the grid between 2000-2009?

a) Jenson Button (14th)

b) Fernando Alonso (15th)

c) Kimi Raikkonen (17th)

d) Rubens Barrichello (18th)

65) At which race did Robert Kubica make his #F1 debut?

a) 2007 Australia

b) 2006 Britain

c) 2006 Hungary

d) 2005 USA

66) In which season did Michael Schumacher score the most number of poles within a year for his #f1 career?

a) 2000

b) 2001

c) 2002

d) 2004

67) Which of these Grands Prix did Alex Yoong (Minardi) fail to qualify for?

a) 2001 Italy

b) 2002 Malaysia

c) 2002 Britain

d) 2002 Hungary

68) How many seconds did Sebastian Vettel take to pick up a fine on his 1st Friday practice outing with BMW-Sauber at 2006 Turkey? #F1

a) 3

b) 5

c) 6

d) 8

69) When Fernando Alonso finished 3rd at 2005 Brazil, he became #F1's then-youngest ever world champion. Who was the previous holder of the youngest F1 WDC record before him?

a) Michael Schumacher

b) Niki Lauda

c) Jim Clark

d) Emerson Fittipaldi

70) Name the teams who won #F1 races during 2000-2009, but failed to score a podium at 2008 & 2009 Singapore GPs (excluding Jordan). Go!

Ferrari, BMW Sauber, Toro Rosso, Honda, Brawn, Red Bull

71) Which nation has held a #F1 race during the sport’s history, but NOT during 2000-2009?

a) Morocco

b) Colombia

c) Malaysia

d) Thailand

72) At which race did Christian Klien score his maiden #F1 point(s)?

a) 2005 Europe

b) 2006 San Marino

c) 2004 Belgium

d) 2004 Japan

73) Which of these drivers had been considered for one of the Williams-BMW seats in 2000, but was rejected for Jenson Button?

a) Dario Franchitti

b) Bruno Junquiera

c) Fernando Alonso

d) Pedro de la Rosa

74) How many drivers earned their maiden #F1 win between 2000-2009?

a) 12

b) 13

c) 14

d) 15

75) Which of these countries have hosted an UEFA European championship for football/soccer, but have not yet hosted a #F1 race?

a) Sweden

b) Switzerland

c) Norway

d) Poland

76) Name ALL the teams Giancarlo Fisichella raced for during his #F1 career

Minardi, Jordan, Benetton, Sauber, Renault, Force India, Ferrari

77) Which of these countries have hosted a FIFA World Cup for football/soccer, but have not yet hosted a #F1 race?

a) United States

b) Chile

c) South Korea

d) Argentina

78) Name 6 International Formula 3000 champions who raced in #F1 between 2000-2009 (Felipe Massa does NOT count as he won “Euro F3000″ series)

Jean Alesi, Olivier Panis, Ricardo Zonta, Juan Pablo Montoya, Nick Heidfeld, Justin Wilson, Sebastien Bourdais, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Luca Badoer

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fhuhhji · 5 years

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09/12/18 Bruny island

Deuxième superbes excursions de la semaine, cette fois-ci nous allons sur l’ile voisine qui apparemment, avec Maria island est l’endroit paradisiaque à découvrir en Tasmanie. Nous consultons les horaires pour les ferries. Le premier est à 7h30 alors la veille on se couchent tôt. Le matin le reveil est dur mais on se récompense du réveil matinal avec un mocca avant d’ambarquer sur le bateau. 30 minutes plus tard nous voilà à Bruny. Le soleil est avec nous et comme nous faisons parties du premier bateau de la journée, l’affluance au premier point de vue est plutôt faible. Ce premier arrêt est attypique en soit, c’est une bande de terre étroite qui sépare le nord et le sud de l’ile. Les deux côtés sont donc bordés de plages au sable blanc fin et aux multitudes de coquillages. Pour avoir une meilleure vue nous montons les 200 marches qui nous mènes au sommet de la dune.

Pour le deuxième arrêt nous choisissons une autre des 60 Great Short Walks, elle se situe sur une des péninsules de l’ile dans South Bruny Parc National. C’est une randonnée d’environ 2h30 qui fait une boucle et permet de voir Penguin island, qui habrite une colonie très importante de ces petits congénères. Fluted Cap : des falaises vertigineuses dont la formation rocheuse fait penser à des flûtes d’orge. Du sommet de ces falaises il est également possible d’appercevoir des trénées oranges dans l’eau, qui au premier abord nous ont fait penser à du sable. Ce sont en fait des alges qui deviennent fluorescentes la nuit venue. Voilà la randonnée est finie et nous en avons pris plein les yeux, direction le prochain stop : le bout de l’ile pour voir un phare et se rendre dans une autre section de South Bruny National Park.

La route pour ce rendre jusqu’à Standaway Bay où se trouve le phare est super belle, nous nous arrêtons à plusieurs points de vus et dans une chocolaterie, je me laisse tenter par un petit sachet de fruits secs enrobé de chocolat noir. Environ 30 minutes de route de terre plus tard, nous aperçevons le phare et toutes les baies environnantes. Elles sont toutes plus belles les unes que les autres. J’en choisie une que je vous publie dessous, mais les autres en valaient toutes autant la peine. La visite du petit musée ainsi que les chemins autour du phare nous prennent 20 petites minutes. Mais nous voulons pique-niquer à Jetty Beach, réputée pour être la plus belle plage de Bruny. Alors nous reprenons la voiture.

Nous arrivons à notre dernier arrêt dans le parc national. Comme il est “que” midi, en vrai warrior nous décidons avant le lunch de faire une dernière randonnée : Luggaboine Circuit. Sur notre carte il est indiqué qu’elle ne dure qu’1h30 et ce qui nous décide c’est qu’elle fait partie d’un plus grand loop d’une journée qui apparement est la plus belle randonnée de Bruny. On se dit que ca nous donnera un petit apperçu. Finalement à part les deux dernières plages de la randonnée, il n’y a rien d’incroyable à voir au long de ce chemin à part les lézards locaux super mignons. Mais pas de regret ça nous a bien ouvert l’apétit, au menu des spagettis à la sauce tomate, crakers & hummus, un verre de rouge chacune, tout ça sur une plage magnifique. On avait les maillots, mais pas la motivation de se baigner. Alors on profite du soleil pour faire une sieste.

Retour à la voiture et direction le ferrie, sur le chemin on s’arrête quand même à l’attraction de l’ile, la fromagerie (avec dégustatiopn gratuite : pourquoi s’en priver?). Fin de journée avec un fromage en poche, je n’ai rien à redire.

#unefrancaisedanslemonde

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brunyomaroocott · 3 years

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Well knowns with natural beauty and stunning landscape, Bruny Island is a great place for a bushwalk. Here are the list of nature walk which you can add to your itinerary : 1. FLUTED CAPE TRAIL IN ADVENTURE BAY 3km – 6km bush walk at the fluted cape takes as short as 1.5 hours or as long as 3-hour return walk taking in crystal blue waters, exceptional coastal cliffs, and abundant wildlife 2. THE CAPE QUEEN ELIZABETH TRACK 12 KM return, offering different landscapes to discover and explore, stunning beaches, unique rock formations and much more. 3. LABILLARDIERE PENINSULA CIRCUIT 14 KM circuit, 5 hours, one of the remote areas of Bruny Island 4. EAST CLOUDY BAY HEAD TRACK 12 KM return, 4 hours, enjoy the spectacular views of the south coast of Bruny Island to the west, north-west to the southern ranges and Mt Wellington. 5. ALONNAH-SHEEPWASH BAY TRACK 3 KM return, 1 hour, easy walk, suitable for all ages, allow for a bike ride, dog walks. For more info of Bruny Island's bushwalk https://omaroocottage.com/national-park-bushwalks/ #brunyisland #brunyislandvacations #brunyislandholiday #brunyislandaccommodation #tasmaniaholiday #holidays #airbnb #homeaway #travel #holidaydeal #brunyislandaccommodation #tasmania #travel #accommodation #holiday #travelingtasmania #brunyislandholiday #brunyislandvacations #omaroocottagebrunyisland #traveldiaries #holidayhouse #vacationrental #honeymoon #familyholiday #aussiestaycation #tasmaniastaycation https://www.instagram.com/p/CTjD2KVhNsz/?utm_medium=tumblr

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brunyislandtasmania · 3 years

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Discover the history and spectacular landscape, untouched forest, and wildlife from North to South Bruny National Parks. Visit our website to see our suggestions https://brunyislandvacations.com.au/national-park-bushwalks/ #brunyisland #brunyislandholiday #brunyislandvacations #brunyislandnationalparks #brunyislandwalks #tasmania #hoteldeal #travel #holiday #tasmaniaholiday https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ0O7zkh4TU/?utm_medium=tumblr

#brunyisland #brunyislandholiday #brunyislandvacations #brunyislandnationalparks #brunyislandwalks #tasmania #hoteldeal #travel #holiday #tasmaniaholiday

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brunybluecott · 3 years

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#Repost @brunyislandvacations • • • • • • Discover the history and spectacular landscape, untouched forest, and wildlife from North to South Bruny National Parks. Check out our list here https://brunyislandvacations.com.au/national-park-bushwalks/ . . . #brunyisland #brunyislandguide 3brunyislandthingstodo #discoverbrunyisland #tasmania #travel #holiday #southbrunynationalparks https://www.instagram.com/p/CNRaiXsB36J/?igshid=1lsd7gh8dsvj9

#repost #brunyisland #brunyislandguide #discoverbrunyisland #tasmania #travel #holiday #southbrunynationalparks

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stevetervet · 3 years

Text

Tasmania

Marketing executives of Australia, I bring good news. Your advertisement campaigns are working on my five-year-old daughter. Ivy only needs to hear the words “Did someone say KFC?” and she’ll instantly launch into a chorus of I Love It by Icona Pop. When asked what she hoped would happen in 2021, she didn’t wish for anything existential or even material, but rather answered: “That I get to watch Holey Moley.” But there’s one brand which stands out among the rest. We’ll pull up behind a ute at the traffic lights and hear from the back seat those immortal words: “Oh, what a feeling - Toyota.”

And there were certainly plenty of those moments as we started the new year with a road trip around the island state of Tasmania - 240km south of the mainland across the heaving Bass Strait. Right until the last moment, it looked like the trip might be scuppered by COVID as clusters in Sydney and Melbourne prompted other states to shut their borders but on this occasion, we were in the right place at the right time and the Apple Isle lay before us.

Needless to say, there were a few raised eyebrows along the way when we declared we had travelled from New South Wales - at one point we were even removed from a queue and had to answer further questions from management before gaining entry - but Tassie’s welcome couldn’t have been warmer. The people we met were so friendly and as for the place: well, where do you start?

At the beginning, I suppose, and the absolutely stunning Cataract Gorge in Launceston. Photographs simply can’t do its forested cliffs, glassy lake and ancient boulders justice and the temperature of the public swimming pool in the centre of the gorge took our breath away for a second time as Rachel wisely watched on with the towels poolside. We emerged from the water shivering - and with fellow tourists peering down bemused from the chairlift above - but very much refreshed.

Launceston, the second-largest city in Tasmania, hadn’t been forecast as one of the trip’s highlights but it proved to have been rather under-sold. The macaque monkeys (behind glass) in City Park, the windswept Tamar Island Wetlands and the hands-on Queen Victoria Museum were free attractions you’d pay good money to see elsewhere and Riverbend Park, in the city centre, boasts the best children’s playground I’ve ever seen. It’s no exaggeration to say Ivy would have spent all day there, so vast and varied is the site. Peering down over the park are four huge grain silos, now converted into a plush hotel with a fancy restaurant on ground level. Pricey, yes, but quality grub.

When you’ve been to Peppa Pig World, the bar for any other ‘world’ is set pretty high but where Seahorse World in the Tamar Valley might have been lacking Grandpa Pig’s Little Train, it compensated with a genuinely interesting tour of the tanks and even a chance to hold a little seahorse. From this breeding centre on the banks of the Tamar, seahorses are shipped to aquariums all around the world so if you’ve ever seen one, it probably came from there.

Our four nights in town were spent above a pub - better than it sounds or than we thought when we first pulled up - but there was a change of pace when we hit the east coast.

We quickly realised the weather in Tasmania can change almost as quickly as Boris Johnson’s COVID response and so it was that we huddled on a beach somewhere along the Bay of Fires eating our picnic lunch wrapped in jumpers and waterproofs as some pretty mean waves pounded the white sand. Even us crazy northern hemisphere types weren’t about to try swimming here.

Conditions at our east coast base were more clement, and naturally we hit the pool hard but also made full use of the other sports facilities - putting green, table tennis and basketball court to name but a few. Ivy’s ping-pong skills have improved exponentially since the turn of the year and some of our rallies were even worthy of the name. But every now and then comes a wild shot from the other end of the table which forces you to take evasive action as if facing a Pat Cummins bouncer.

Down the coast we drove, into the spectacular Freycinet National Park where the views across to Wineglass Bay are postcard-perfect. Peer over the edge and it’s a sheer drop to the rocks and waves below, look down at your feet and lizards are scurrying for cover. Disaster was averted at the last minute when the family parked next to us managed to retrieve the stuffed toy whose temporary loss had sent a little girl into floods of tears. What looked like a little elephant had in fact only been dropped a few yards from the car park at the top of the cliffs.

Swansea was a handy stopping point after that - a bit different to its Welsh namesake - but it was now all about the long run into Hobart. Of all the driving we did in Tasmania, less than 5% would have been straight and flat at the same time and those sweeping bends and undulations were never more evident than on the Tasman Highway which hugged rock faces and followed the bends of the Prosser River on the challenging and invigorating approach to the state’s capital.

Hobart, with a population of 250,000 or so, must be the hilliest city I’ve ever visited. There were cars parked at angles that didn’t look natural and even a walk to the closest intersection could be enough to raise a sweat.

But on flat ground a stone’s throw from the waterfront, the Salamanca Market truly showcases Hobart in its best light every Saturday. From tourist tat and cuddly toys to ornate wood carvings and local farm produce, there’s something to lighten everyone’s wallet although by far the longest queues were at the coffee vans. Classic Australia. The pandemic has forced Salamanca to trim its stall numbers and patron capacity, although social distancing in a market is about as likely as it is on the London Underground. However, in a part of the world which is totally COVID-free at the time of writing, mingling in a Tasmanian crowd carries none of the worries it would elsewhere.

Our thoughts were constantly drawn back to the UK not only by the daily news bulletins - reporting daily infection rates higher than Australia has faced in 12 months - but also its role in shaping Tasmania as we know it today. Nowhere is that more evident than Port Arthur, the former penal settlement where thousands of convicts were shipped in the 1800s for crimes ranging from cheese theft to murder. The remains of the penitentiary and neighbouring prison buildings are beautiful; their stories by comparison quite chilling and utterly thought-provoking as to the physical treatment and mental disintegration of so many men, young and old, having been extracted from their homeland with no hope of ever returning. Walking around the site makes you acutely aware of your liberty, even more so in the current climate.

You see, for all the places we visited in Tasmania, for all the experiences, the food tasted and selfies taken, it was simply the freedom to choose and to move which we had to be most thankful for. With the majority of our friends and family locked down on the other side of the world, doing it tougher than ever, there was absolutely nothing about our trip to take for granted.

It’s said Australia is the lucky country, and that rings true to an extent, although political choices have more to do with the state of play around the world than luck. Australia’s consistently tough stance on international arrivals during the pandemic has been a huge factor in keeping the COVID numbers here so low. Two week in hotel quarantine, at your own expense, is mandatory. Around the corner from where we were staying in Hobart was one such hotel with two soldiers guarding each door. Rules are rules here and they don’t muck about. On the one hand, it’s reassuring that we are in such a safe corner of the world right now - but what about getting back to England to see those loved ones again? When will a journey of that nature be feasible and, more to the point, when will Australia relax its stance to the point where we know we can make a ‘normal’ re-entry to the place we now call home? Forget the quarantine, simply getting a plane ticket is like finding a needle in a haystack. We hope to see you all again soon, we really do, but it's just impossible to put a date on that happening.

Meanwhile, sun-kissed Hobart looked a picture from the top of Mount Wellington and equally from the water as we took a ferry to MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art). The exhibits here were all to an incredibly high specification but often weird for the sake of being weird. More rewarding was the time we spent outside in the grounds, watching a band on stage while chowing down on chicken burgers (in the case of the meat-eating members of the family).

Another ferry carried us and the car to Bruny Island, where the pendulum of Tasmanian weather swung like never before. One minute we were slithering along muddy unsealed roads in search of the Cape Bruny Lighthouse (where the winds were too strong to reach the top of the walking track), the next emerging into warm sunlight at the Truganini Memorial overlooking the ‘Neck’ - a narrow spit of land joining the north and south parts of the island.

After the best part of a week in and around Hobart, it was nice to put the hammer down and cruise through the straw-coloured Midlands on the way north. A long line of red bricks running the length of the high street in Campbell Town bore the names (and crimes) or convicts who had not even survived the epic voyage to Australia, dying in transit. There were reminders everywhere of Tasmania’s convict past; less so the treatment of its Indigenous people.

While we had already been exposed to the island’s varying landscapes and weather patterns, entering Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park can only be likened to walking through the wardrobe into Narnia. Gone was anything even resembling summer as harsh alpine vegetation stood out against steely skies, with a cold wind blowing down the back of the neck in the way that makes you instantly reach for hooded tops. The steep climbs and harpin bends were all worth it just to witness the spectacle at altitude approaching 1,000 metres above sea level. “It’s due to snow the day after tomorrow” said the girl behind the Visitor Centre counter as she handed over our shuttle bus tickets. You could spend days bushwalking around Cradle Mountain, if you like that sort of thing, whereas we chose the hop- on-hop-off approach and still copped a fair pasting from the wind, rain - and UV. The chance to see Tasmanian devils and quolls up close, as well as a wombat in the car park, further added to the experience.

Back through the wardrobe into summer, or at least a north coast variant of it, and the final stop on our tour at tiny-but-picturesque Boat Harbour Beach. With water so clear you could almost count the grains of sand on the bottom, and rock pools and caves to explore every time the tide flowed out, the beach in itself might have fully sustained our four-day stay had the temperature been a smidgen higher.

As it was, we ventured slightly further afield to The Nut at Stanley (where one of the information boards mused ‘when is a nut not a nut?’ - an important consideration for allergy sufferers), Sisters Beach (horizontal rain although not unpleasant) and to Burnie one night to see Little Penguins emerge from the sea and return to their burrows. In rather less salubrious surroundings than the corresponding experience on Phillip Island, the night sky was pierced by the luminescent green glow from a nearby BP filling station. David Attenborough meets Alan Partridge, if you will.

Soon enough, those penguins would be heading back into the Bass Strait and so it was for us, boarding the Spirit of Tasmania for our overnight crossing which marked the end of our Tassie adventure. Housed in a cabin at the extreme bow of the vessel, our plunging path through a sea that was even choppier than normal felt like taking a ride in a washing machine being hit with cannon fire, so loud was the metallic crash of the hull against the waves every few seconds.

So the mouth of Port Phillip Bay had never looked more welcoming and it was a relief to set foot - or rather, wheels - on terra firma back in Melbourne.

But what a journey. In the land that time forgot, the extraordinary diversity and natural beauty of this island have carved out unforgettable memories. The devil is in the detail and I’ve no doubt we’ve only scratched the surface.

Oh, what a feeling - Tasmania.

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