A Trip Around Tassie

The Poem, Stop by Stop — 2021

1. 1MelbourneVIC
   We’re off to Tasmania. Why? Just for fun.There are six of us packed in the car--only one.With all the kids screaming, I can’t hear myself think.So I reach in the door—another sparkling water to drink.Now we’ve made it to Vic—checked into AirBnB.The view of the Harbour is two floors below 33.Hard to find brekkie with shops closed for Boxing Day.Finally found bagels sold by Indians, just to say.The next day we hit the playground and gardens botanicalWith ice cream and pizza, the kids are mostly fullWith sore, tired feet Adeline wants a carryAs the sun floats towards the horizon, we head to the ferry.
2. 2Bass Strait crossingovernight ferry
   There’s Paw Patrol and Peppa, pizza and chipsTaking motion sickness pills to stop tummies from flipsThe boat rocking us back and forth in the seaCrammed in a bunk room—across one, two, three.
3. 3DevonportTAS
   We’re off onto Tassie, heading west for the hills
4. 4Cradle Mountain & Dove LakeTAS
   Walking around Cradle Mountain in the rain with the chills.Addy falls asleep in Dad’s arms halfway throughJust keep truckin’, jumpin’ puddles, what else can you do?
5. 5QueenstownTAS
   We’re now off to Queenstown, but we didn’t bookThe Wild Western Railroad ‘cause we just didn’t look
6. 6StrahanTAS
   So we head off to Strahan to learn about Huon pinesSee the giant saw cutting, pulled right on the lines
7. 7Ocean BeachTAS
   Then off to the beach, long and flat, full of shellsHome to the highest waves, some 20 metre swellsSouth America’s the next thing to see looking westThough it’d be closer going east, or stay put probably best.
8. 8TarraleahTAS
   We’re off from the green house doing hike after hikeStrollers, hiking pack, but certainly not a bikeCC walks two miles in a unicorn dressAmazing for 18 months old, anyone would confessEchidna on the path, with the quills off his backDigging for ants in the dirt, just a foot off the trackMountain lake, glassy finish with the sun setting soonWe’re off to the hydro plant to welcome the moon.It’s New Years, champagne, reflections by the fireKids dreaming new dreams, can’t help but inspireNext golfing with three, Addy hits Jack in the headCC tries to sleep with Addy in the king bed.Next day it’s back to the links for more funEnsure we slop sunscreen for a day in the sun.Then fly fishing with Jack in a high mountain lakeCatch and release four--not allowed to take.
9. 9HobartTAS
   Now off to Hobart to stay by the beachRestaurants, bagels and WiFi just within reach.Mornings with Pademelons munching by the baySlow to get started, wait for warmth on beach day.Morning cartoons, then head off to the waterKeeping a close eye on the bold youngest daughterClimbing on rocks, building a castle on the cliffs up highHe’s an enterprising Jack; he’s just that kind of a guy.Too cold to stay for more than an hourThree kids who can talk, begging for a hot shower.Staying ‘round the house would make kids too giddyAnd to avoid washing dishes, we head to dinner in the city.Who knew a table could be so hard to find?Could have reserved one, but no way to rewindFound sushi and ate Covid Safe outsideThen ice cream from a boat, the first time we tried.Morning coffee, huge croissant, a playground by the seaThen east away from city streets looking to be free
10. 10Tasmanian Devil UnzooTaranna
    Kangaroos, Tassie Devils both in the unzooNot in a cage, but on a walk, who is viewing who?
11. 11Stewarts Bay LodgeTAS
    Finding Stewarts Bay is quite a nice surpriseEven closer to the beach, provides a brief repriseOf sandy feet, chattering teeth, run into the surfEven a slightly chilly time can’t extinguish the mirth.
12. 12Port ArthurTAS
    Next day--march to prison, sentenced transport for seven,Hard labour, rehabilitate, preached of hell and heaven.A crumbling cell, whipping post, what a gruesome feature.Then a silver lining. Serendipitous. We see L’s Year 1 Teacher.Mommy’s into history, stays a few more hoursDaddy takes the kids to do some chores, with persuasion powers
13. 13Tasman Arch & Devils KitchenTAS
    Tasman’s Arch, Devils Kitchen—now it’s getting late.Addy falls asleep at 6; dinner’s a Two-Kid-Daddy-date.
14. 14Maria IslandTAS
    We make a plan, hit the road, take off before eight,Maria Island ferry bound, how could this not be great?To painted cliffs, past blue bottled jellies, another pristine swimFinally see a baby wombat, when we’re heading in.
15. 15Bicheno by the BayTAS
    Another drive, Bicheno near, margheritas and micro beerTry to see the penguins, but so far the beach is clearSwimming in the pool’s their jam, perhaps their favourite thingAnd playing on the pirate ship, without a baby swing.
16. 16Bicheno BlowholeTAS
    The blowhole’s spraying, Jack’s content, to watch it for an hourWe found just the place where we could stand to avoid a showerAddy had a rough sports day with three hits to the headSo when the time finally came, she was rightly quick to bed.
17. 17Bicheno penguin rookeryTAS
    Half of us went to see the fairies come to shoreOut for the day, and in by dusk, penguins by the score.The smallest, flightless waterbirds the world has ever knownHave come to make their home in this sleepy seaside town.
18. 18Wineglass Bay, FreycinetTAS
    The morning is for pool swimming, since all the kids do likeBut we cannot sit still for long so we head off for a hike.To Freycinet Park, it takes us half a dayAnd worth the uphill walk to see famous Wineglass BayThen the blowhole by morning, just can’t stay awayThe tide was low so not as mighty of a spray.
19. 19Bay of FiresTAS
    Heading further north to see the Bay of FiresPark the car in the gravel lot because we don’t have sand tiresKids lounging in the lagoon, it’s slightly brown but not as coldParents jumping off the sand bank, because you can never be too old.
20. 20Tamar Valley wineriesTAS
    Runs by the harbour then off to see vinesKids run in the sprinkler while the parents taste winesOne, two, three stops, we follow the signsFor the final seated tasting, the kids try to colour in the lines.
21. 21Low Head LighthouseTAS
    Finally reach the lighthouse cottage as the sun is settingKids hopping on the rocks as they all are gettingTired of winetasting without any playgroundsNow surrounded by paddies, penguins and more ocean sounds.
22. 22Platypus House, Beauty PointTAS
    Another animal stop, I’m sensing there’s a themeBut this time the focus is upon the monotremeA platypus couple in the midst of breeding seasonUnlikely for captive babies, so possibly without a reason.
23. 23Gravelly BeachTAS
    We find a spot to have some lunch out on the Tamar riverFortunately warm enough so the kids don’t even shiverThey stage a vineyard protest—a detour not to takeInstead we simply spoil each one, with a chocolate shake.
24. 24Seahorse World, Beauty PointTAS
    Back on the pier for seahorses early in the mornThousands and thousands of the creatures are weekly being bornThe males carry the babies, the ladies share the eggsFunny we call them horses when they don’t have any legs.
25. 25LauncestonTAS
    We attempt a trendy lunch, out in LauncestonOh, the screaming and complaining, we simply should have known.At least the house we booked has a massive swimming poolBut it’s Tassie in the summer, so it’s mighty cool.
26. 26Winery near LauncestonTAS
    To the kids dismay we attempt a winery by noonBut when they start to see the perks, they sing a different tune.Feeding apples to the pigs, and berries to the mummyThey’re more than a bit elated to put a fudge bar in the tummy.A pasta course, an evening swim, we finish out the dayEnjoy it while you have it, the last pool where we’ll stay.
27. 27Stanley & The NutTAS
    Winery by 10, then straight off to StanleyClimbing the Nut without a chairlift, could make us seem manly.Resolved to eat dino pasta, too hard to eat outCold beach walk, jacuzzi tub—only if you don’t shout.Next morning dip our toes in northern watersHalf are sleeping, so Dad goes with the two awake daughters
28. 28Devonportdeparture
    Pack it up, head for chocolate, a winery by threeChase through grapevines, piggy back, four filled with glee.
29. 29Bass Strait crossingreturn
    Then it’s off to the ferry for playground and Paw PatrolThe kids sway watching TV, packed tightly like a shoal.We head ‘cross the strait, the waves banging on the hullThe cabin rocking back and forth, the rhythm doubling as a lull
30. 30Melbourne, then homeVIC → ACT
    Back on land, head to Maccas, just ‘cause it’s open at this timeEating sugar as a meal, one would think it is a crimeTemper tantrums, changing pants, a giant koala statue tooNegotiating with tired children, oh what else can you do?Roll into Canberra with memories in towWith our supply of snacks getting desperately lowLots of postcards, stuffies and seashells to showWe’re now back at home, planning the next place to go.

The Return Trip — 2024

1. 1GeelongSpirit of Tasmania
   The overnight sailing across Bass Strait from Geelong to Devonport.
   Spirit of Tasmania →
2. 2Devonportarrival
   The ferry terminal, and the start of the loop around the island.
3. 3Stanleynorth-west
   Climbing the Nut, the core of an extinct volcano. No dogs.Highfield Historic Site, the first European settlement in north-west Tasmania.A one-hour self-guided heritage walk.
   The Nut State Reserve →Highfield Historic Site →
4. 4KingstonHobart base
   A beach suburb just south of Hobart.
5. 5Hobart
   Antarctic exploration on the waterfront, and the harbour.
6. 6Stewarts BayTasman Peninsula
   A beach cove within walking distance of Port Arthur.
   Stewarts Bay Lodge →
7. 7Port ArthurTasman Peninsula
   The historic penitentiary, and boat cruises from the jetty.
   Port Arthur Historic Site →
8. 8The UnzooTaranna
   Devils and kangaroos on a walk rather than in cages.
   Tasmanian Devil Unzoo →
9. 9Remarkable CaveTasman Peninsula
   A short overlook walk to a sea cave cut through the cliff.
   Remarkable Cave →
10. 10Tasman Arch & Devils KitchenTasman Peninsula
    Two rock formations on the coast road.Northern entrance to the Tasman Coastal Trail — Devils Kitchen to Waterfall Bay, two to three hours.
    Tasman National Park →
11. 11Coles Bayeast coast
    The town at the foot of the Hazards, with dog-friendly beaches nearby.
12. 12Wineglass BayFreycinet
    The lookout climb and the descent to the beach, in Freycinet National Park. No dogs.
    Freycinet National Park →
13. 13Launcestonnorth
    The northern city on the Tamar.
14. 14Cataract GorgeLaunceston
    A walk through the gorge in the middle of town.
    Cataract Gorge →
15. 15Seahorse World & Platypus HouseBeauty Point
    Seahorses on the pier and platypus indoors, at Beauty Point.
    Seahorse World →Platypus House →
16. 16Devonportdeparture
    Back to the ferry terminal for the overnight crossing.
17. 17Melbourneand home
    Off the ferry and on the road home.

And to Finish