Our final weeks in Tassie (8 months in total) - 3,700km

*DAY 98 to 216*
After settling down to work for 3 months onion grading in the Harvest Moon factory shed, it was FINALLY time to take off on our adventure again before we got too cold in Tassie. It wasn't all bad while we were working as we did manage to do a few day trips to Cradle Mountain, Mole Creek Caves etc. Our final leg of our Tassie journey started at Lake Barrington, and then on to Cradle Mountain where the weather wasn't the best but we still managed to do the Dove Lake circuit in the rain. And warmed up by the fire at the Château with a hot drink and a bowl of fries. Along from there was Reece Dam where Bernie had been 3 times and caught great fish there, but for us this time it was freezing and hailed on us 7 times in one day. We made our way to Strahan where we met our friends Jo, Lee & Jodi and camped at the Henty, and the next day Sal & Brendan joined us. We convoyed to Granville Harbour where our big 4WD adventure began to the Pieman Heads (24km of track on sand and mud etc that took us 2 1/2 hours) and well worth the adventure to a prime location. Unfortunately everyone (except us) had to go back to work so we said our goodbyes and we made our way to Strahan again, where we spoilt ourselves by going on the Gordon river cruise and well worth it as it takes you to Sarah Island, Hells Gate, World Heritage Landing along the Gordon river. So pristine! We hurriedly drove thru Queenstown, oh wow what an eye opener. Words can't describe the town. Although we did stop at the Football Oval so we could look at the playing surface which is all gravel. Mmm who makes up these brilliant ideas?!? Along to Derwent Bridge where Bernie noticed that the right hand side bearing cap on the trailer was missing and spewing out grease. Got quite concerned but decided to keep travelling but very slowly at 30-40km an hour with our hazard lights on the whole way and ended up doing 150km in that way. God only knows how long it had been like that, but luckily found a mechanic that fixed it for us in New Norfolk. Stopped at every town in between in case there was a mechanic handy. We did manage to stop at the Wall in the Wilderness at Derwent Bridge which depicts a history of rural life carved into 3m high wood panels. Well worth the stop and amazing detail in the carvings. Next stops were the Salmon Ponds Hatchery (Australia's oldest hatchery) in Plenty and again well worth it. We spent ages feeding the trout and salmon, and such a beautiful park in Autumn. Took the steep journey up to Strathgordon and well worth the drive up there to see the Dam, and absolutely loved Russell Falls (my favourite falls in Tassie). We skipped past Hobart to head south past Huonville and into really rainy country. It rained so much we decided to stay at a caravan park, and in fact it was in Southport, the most southern most caravan park and pub in Australia. The pub kept us company and warm. We did an indoor activity at Hasting Caves and the hot springs next door but was really disappointed as to find that the pool was only 28C which is actually quite cold to touch so used their hot showers instead. Drove to Cockle Creek which is the most southerly point of Australia, and on that day probably the wettest too. Decided against camping there as everywhere was just puddles. On our way back up again we stopped in at Tahune Forest Airwalk which was great, and even a little exciting when you walk out right over the canopy of the forest, and the platform starts to sway in the wind. Had an amazing 3 nights on Bruny Island, and Bernie caught many fish and in the end started giving away the fish we caught as there is only so much fish you can store in the fridge or freezer etc. Made our way to Hobart again where we visited the Cadbury Factory, Mona Museum, Lark Distillery. It was time to head towards Port Arthur/Lime Bay area where we spent 4 days (2 days of that at Port Arthur itself) and really enjoyed it, although very cold and windy due to a big cold front coming thru while we were there. I now have a different perspective of Port Arthur and its history rather than the memory of the massacre. Once we arrived in Triabunna we tried unsuccessfully to get to Maria Island, and wasn't prepared to wait another 2 days just to go over there with rainy weather predicted anyway. So instead we our way north to Freycinet and due to bad weather only just saw a glimpse of Wineglass Bay from the lighthouse. Decided to head north to get away from the rainy weather and spent a few days back on the Bay of Fires. A real favourite for us. On our way back to stay with friends before our final journey back to the mainland we decided to try Ben Lomond National Park again and made the steep journey up Jacobs Ladder after dropping our trailer off in the campground half way up. It was another highlight for us driving up the ladder. It actually makes your heart flutter and it wasn't even rainy or snowing. Although it had snowed the day before but only saw bits of ice on the ground. And our final night camping in Tassie was had to be the most cold for us and we woke up to a frost the next morning and everything had ice on it. At least we got to see platypus in the river next to our campspot. I have to admit that campground was the best PAID campground we stayed at in Tassie (just east of Launceston). And to top it off we had a farewell BBQ with our new friends we met in Tassie. Beautiful place, beautiful people, beautiful memories. Thank you to all who made it happen (especially Jo)!