After Bruny, we headed to Cygnet.  What a beautiful drive!!! Amazing little communities along the way, lots of local fruit, lots of pretty coves and farm land.  Just beautiful.

Also lots of cheap camp spots along the edge of the water.  Franklin is a particularly nice spot.

We went as far as Cockle Creek, pretty much the most southern part you can drive to.  We didn't stay there (no spots left!!!), but we did stay behind Australia's most southern pub!!!

The weather is still on the chilly side which is unusual for us at Christmas time, but we are starting to have the odd nice day.

We are spending Christmas back at the Hobart Showgrounds.  We were lucky to get a spot (out of 300 odd sites) and super lucky to get a spot close to some people we got on well with at Gordon Foreshore.  Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

Franklin camp

Cygnet

Franklin locals (super cute!!!!)

Cygnet

Huon Aquaculture 

One of the many coves

Dover

Cockle Creek

Cockle Creek

We spent a few more days exploring Hobart, and surrounds then we left the busy traffic of Hobart and headed south to a beautiful little seaside town, Gordon.  The foreshore has been made available for campers and what a beautiful spot.  We managed to get a spot right on the edge of the water and Wayne was able to get the boat in the water and enjoy a few days fishing.  We also managed to catch up with some old friends and spent a lovely afternoon (apart from the wind) catching up and chatting and enjoying some nice wine and cheese!!!!

After Gordon, we headed overseas to Bruny Island.  What a beautiful place.  Very quiet and lots of little townships with fabulous beachfront properties (well, shacks, really).  Bruny Island is now on our list of possible retirement places........

Next stop will be back on the 'mainland' of Tas heading further south to Southport, the most southern town on Tasmania.

Old Hobart Town, model village, Richmond

Richmond Bridge

Hobart Botanical Gardens

Pretty flowers

Rose Arbor, Hobart Botanic Gardens (smelt amazing)

View from the van, Gordon

Typical daily catch......

Beautiful Bruny Island

One of the locals, hogging the boat ramp......

Cape Bruny

Bruny Island

Cape Bruny Lighthouse

Other side of Cape Bruny

Dennes Point, Bruny Island

The Tasman Peninsula is really very beautiful.  After Port Arthur, we went to the old convict coal mine site.  More old ruins and history.  The coal mine site, though not as big as Port Arthur, was just as interesting.

We also had a look at the Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen, Tasman Blowhole, and the old dog lines (used to prevent convict escapes)!!!

Needing a rest, we went to one of the many jetties (lots of little bays and inlets) and did some fishing.  Not wanting to brag, but, I caught 6 Flathead, and Wayne caught 2.  Granted, they were small, but still, fun to catch.

We are now in Hobart enjoying the hustle and bustle of the big smoke.  Lots to see and do here.  We risked another trip up Death Mountain (aka Mt Wellington) today.  It was pretty windy and cold, but no where near the near death experience of last time......

Old Barracks, Coal Mine Site

Nice spot....

Home Sweet Home

The old convict school/hospital

View from the Coal Mine cell block - not bad.....

Monument to the Dog Lines

Tasman Arch

Beautiful Tasman Peninsula

Hobart

Hobart

Hobart

We spent the day at Port Arthur.  It was amazing to see the improvements and restoration that has happened since the last time we were here.  This place is very unique and interesting.  The gardens are just beautiful and the care and dedication that has gone into the restoration is truly remarkable.

Of course, we are absolutely worn out and will need a good rest, but so worth it.

More exploring tomorrow.......

Aptly named 'Spikey Bridge'

Safety Cove, Tasman Peninsula

Remarkable Cave (not sure how the come up with these names???)

The Three Capes (again, not a lot of thought into the name)

Iconic Port Arthur shot

Penitentiary

Fountain and garden at the center of the Widows Walk

The ruins of the non denominational church

Court House

Just one of many arty shots.......

Isle of the Dead (surprisingly, that's where they buried the dead)

Roomy cell

Another shot of the Penitentiary

So far the east coast has been beautiful.  Lots of free/cheap camp spots and we are not having to travel very far in between them.  The weather is a bit hit and miss, but on the whole it has been bearable.

The Bay of Fires is beautiful as is the Freycinet National Park.  And the flowers!!! Just amazing.

We are stopping at Swansea for a week to do a bit of fishing (couple of squid so far). 

Tasmania is very laid back, beautiful and lots of history.

Beautiful clear water - Bay of Fires

The Garden, Bay of Fires

Local - very cute

Bicheno Blow Hole

Freycinet National Park

Freycinet National Park

Freycinet National Park (Coles Bay)

Looking towards National Park from Swansea

Lake Leake - I think it sprung a leak........

Swansea Info Center

Just one of the many beautiful roses