Ally's first visit to Tasmania

Ally flew in to Hobart at 5pm on Christmas Day (for all those who may not know Allison is our youngest daughter out of the three)
We were staying for a short time at the Swansea caravan park & chalets as "Nero's Hut" was not quite completed (that's our ensuite/laundry/lounge) which was being built on the property where we were working.  That will be in another blog.  We actually moved into the hut on boxing day.
Ally had a few days of R & R - sleeping, drinking "good" coffee - she would get her coffee fix when she walked down the street to Artifacts (ONYX its old name) which is a coffee shop and gallery.  Highly recommend it if you come to Swansea.

On  Saturday Ally & I went down to Port Arthur we were told of an alternate route to take which took us on forestry roads.  At Orford we started on our alternate route which came out at Kellieville where the bush fires of last year raged through this area right through to the waters edge at Dunalley across the ismess at Eagle Hawke down into Port Arthur.  We booked the Bronze Pass which included a guided tour and a launch trip around the islands in the harbour.  This was interesting as the tour guide on the launch was very well informed regarding the convicts and free settlers.
It was a full day by the time we arrived home at 7pm.

Ally at the Reflection Pool

 The old cafe & tourist info

On Sunday were up & out early as we had a 8am meeting with our guide for our half day guided quad bike adventure thanks to 4 x 4 adventure tours.  After 20 minutes safety instruction we were off, so very glad we had a guide as we travelled deep into the Freycinet National Park,  we travelled over various road types including water.

Our morning tea was had overlooking a most beautiful beach with white sands called Friendly Beaches.  It never ceases to amaze me the rugged beaches, where only just a few footprints are made on them.

After a nice cup of tea & a locally made extra large cookie we were off on another hour or so ride the trails until we came upon a lovely bay called Bluestone Bay where huge smooth boulders which look like river rocks, the boulders were with a tinge of blue so hence the name of the bay.

 

Off we go again, another fun filled hour & a half before we arrived at Cape Tourville lookout.
Cape Tourville is a light house where the Parks & wildlife have built a boardwalk around the top of the cliffs.  If one was to look south-west to see Wineglass Bay in the distance.
We sat on the rocks &  ate our lunch a nice ham & salad roll with a juice & pastery.

After lunch we made our way back to the starting point of our most enjoyable day.  Dusty & tired we made our way back home.
Monday we were taking Ally back to the airport, but she wanted to see Hobart, so we took her for a drive down to Constitution Dock where the Sydney to Hobart yachts were still finishing then off to the Mt Nelson Signal Station Brassiere where we shouted lunch, and showed her the views from this lovely restaurant with good food.  It was not a nice day to take her to the top of Mt Wellington as it was an overcast day.
                                                        
 Constitution dock

Another yacht comes into the Derwent