After arriving the previous night in Devonport we needed to drive to Ulverstone and Burnie to meet with Janelle's employers for her locum work, see which days she would be working and then make a plan from there. Janelle arranged to have the first 5 days off so we could sightsee and would start work thereafter. The boss in Burnie informed us that he had a "shack" at Sisters Beach (40 mins from Burnie) that we could use while we were in Tasmania, if we wanted. Jackpot!
We decided (without knowing better) to do a 5 day loop of the west coast leaving from Burnie travelling through Zeehan, Strahan, Queenstown and Cradle Mountain before returning to pick up the keys for the shack and Janelle starting work.
We set off southbound into the west coast and camped at a free site called Hellyer Gorge. It was a great spot with a creek running around the site, a walk along the river under the bridge and clean toilets and fire pits. We set up and got chatting to some other campers before all of us were sitting around the camp fire exchanging travel stories. Around dusk we walked to the bridge and saw the local platypus who put on a great show for us. That night it got very cold and rained all morning. We decided that camping in the trailer was not going to work in this weather and so headed to Zeehan and booked into a cabin.The second night it got down to 3 degrees and we encountered hail and snow! The next morning amid small hail showers and checking the local weather and minimum temperatures we decided the West Coast of Tassie was not for us and our camper trailer! Back to Devonport and somewhat warmer weather.
We set up in the East Devonport caravan park beside the harbour we had arrived on the Spirit earlier. We attempted to set up the tarp but gave up after battling the wind. We tucked ourselves into a corner behind some trees and utilised the camp kitchen for cooking and cleaning. The first night was terrible as winds buffeted the camper and kept us awake all night. At breakfast in the camp kitchen the next day we spoke with some other campers who spent the night in tents and one lad said his tent was slapping him in the face during the night! At least we had a sunny day to greet us. We set off for Spreyton to visit the apple farm and sample some ciders, had seafood from Strait off the Boat where Zane had his first Tassie scallop pie, took Stella to some local parks and went shopping for warmer clothes. The second night we cooked up a bacon and mushroom pasta in the Billyboil and enjoyed a beautiful sunset over the inlet on a much calmer night than the previous. The following day, after a fitful sleep, we packed up and headed to Burnie to collect the keys for the "shack" at Sisters Beach.
We decided (without knowing better) to do a 5 day loop of the west coast leaving from Burnie travelling through Zeehan, Strahan, Queenstown and Cradle Mountain before returning to pick up the keys for the shack and Janelle starting work.
We set off southbound into the west coast and camped at a free site called Hellyer Gorge. It was a great spot with a creek running around the site, a walk along the river under the bridge and clean toilets and fire pits. We set up and got chatting to some other campers before all of us were sitting around the camp fire exchanging travel stories. Around dusk we walked to the bridge and saw the local platypus who put on a great show for us. That night it got very cold and rained all morning. We decided that camping in the trailer was not going to work in this weather and so headed to Zeehan and booked into a cabin.The second night it got down to 3 degrees and we encountered hail and snow! The next morning amid small hail showers and checking the local weather and minimum temperatures we decided the West Coast of Tassie was not for us and our camper trailer! Back to Devonport and somewhat warmer weather.
We set up in the East Devonport caravan park beside the harbour we had arrived on the Spirit earlier. We attempted to set up the tarp but gave up after battling the wind. We tucked ourselves into a corner behind some trees and utilised the camp kitchen for cooking and cleaning. The first night was terrible as winds buffeted the camper and kept us awake all night. At breakfast in the camp kitchen the next day we spoke with some other campers who spent the night in tents and one lad said his tent was slapping him in the face during the night! At least we had a sunny day to greet us. We set off for Spreyton to visit the apple farm and sample some ciders, had seafood from Strait off the Boat where Zane had his first Tassie scallop pie, took Stella to some local parks and went shopping for warmer clothes. The second night we cooked up a bacon and mushroom pasta in the Billyboil and enjoyed a beautiful sunset over the inlet on a much calmer night than the previous. The following day, after a fitful sleep, we packed up and headed to Burnie to collect the keys for the "shack" at Sisters Beach.
On the drive we went through Penguin, Burnie and Wynyard to see Fossil Bluff and Tabletop Mountain and the Lighthouse. It was a beautiful drive along the coast with amazing scenery of rolling green hills and cattle, cliff and rock faces overhanging spectacular ocean views and little seaside towns and houses. We pulled into Boat Harbour Bay, just before Sisters beach and were getting very excited. The Bay was beautiful. Calm, clear waters and a little surf club and restaurant. After looking at the menu and view, this was to be the spot for Zane's birthday dinner the next night!
On arriving at the beach shack we fell in love with the place. It was much more than a shack. Heated walls, fireplace, ocean and mountain views, hot water - Woohoo! We were so excited that we all did a little dance! The next day Zane got up and hiked a section of the Rocky Cape National park to start off his birthday. Then we went to Penguin for the markets. Heaps of little stores selling either handmade gifts or vintage/antique items and collectables. The live music was rocking rocking and Stella had a few dances. Some lebanese food for lunch and then off to Boat Harbour Bay for an early dinner. The staff were very friendly and ensured we had a good night for Zane's b'day. A seafood platter topped off the day for Zane and we headed back to Sisters Beach and our new home the beach shack.
The next morning we went on a family hike through Rocky Cape National Park and checked out a wet cave. We spent some time at the beach and utilised the webberQ at the beach house. We had an awesome intro to the North West coast of Tasmania and were very excited to enjoy the next part of our adventure.
On arriving at the beach shack we fell in love with the place. It was much more than a shack. Heated walls, fireplace, ocean and mountain views, hot water - Woohoo! We were so excited that we all did a little dance! The next day Zane got up and hiked a section of the Rocky Cape National park to start off his birthday. Then we went to Penguin for the markets. Heaps of little stores selling either handmade gifts or vintage/antique items and collectables. The live music was rocking rocking and Stella had a few dances. Some lebanese food for lunch and then off to Boat Harbour Bay for an early dinner. The staff were very friendly and ensured we had a good night for Zane's b'day. A seafood platter topped off the day for Zane and we headed back to Sisters Beach and our new home the beach shack.
The next morning we went on a family hike through Rocky Cape National Park and checked out a wet cave. We spent some time at the beach and utilised the webberQ at the beach house. We had an awesome intro to the North West coast of Tasmania and were very excited to enjoy the next part of our adventure.