The drive from Queenstown to the North Coast was beautiful.  Around every corner there was a stunning view and you would go from grazing land to thick forests then back to grazing land with little towns (three houses...) in between.

We hit the North Coast at Burnie and spent a few days exploring the area.  We even ventured out after dark to watch the penguins come home to feed their babies.  They are truly tough little critters.  Their nests are in the most difficult to get to spots, yet ever night they make the trek from the water to their nests, over rocks, up steep shorelines, even over roads!!!

Next we headed to Stanley.  Another beautiful seaside town.  We didn't climb the Nut as the weather was not in our favour.  We did however visit Highfield House, another historic site and it was well worth the visit.  We even strolled around the local cemetery!

We will now head west along the coast line and then, who knows!!!!  SO many photos, this is just a few.....

One of the stunning views

Another one

And another one

And another one

One of the many walks

Burnie, waiting for the penguins

Baby, waiting for mum

Just another lookout!

Fields of poppies

The Nut, undercover

Perfect weather for a cemetery visit

Highfield House, morning room

Looking out to the garden

Highfield House

The ensuite

The stables

Queenstown is a strange place.  Lots of mining history and it is evident of the damage of processing copper by the barren landscape.  I must say, 10 years ago it was like a moonscape, and today there is a lot of evidence of regrowth.  Unfortunately the town itself has a long way to go in the recovery process, but still, nice place to stop for a while.  A local told us that one of the mines is in the process of being reopened, however they will not be processing the copper in the area.  They also have a gravel football oval.  Apparently they have trouble with visiting teams, they are always short of players because no one wants to play there!!!!  Can't say I blame them......

We did the tourist thing yesterday and went on a cruise from Strahan to Hell's Gates (opening from Macquarie harbor into the roaring forties!!!), onto the salmon farm, then back through the harbor to Sarah's Island (convict prison for re-offenders from Port Arthur), to the historic land port up the Gordon River and then back to Strahan to the Huon Pine Mill.  Learn't all about the convict, timber and mining history of the area.  Really a very good day.

Mt Lyell

Just one of the many beautiful scenes

Queenstown, starting to re green.....

The Gravel Oval (seriously, gravel!!!)

Main street, then and now

Another amazing scene

Hotel to rival the Empire Caravan

Leaving Strahan

Lighthouse at Hell's Gates

The Roaring Forties

Breathtaking.....

Feeding the salmon

Old wharf, Sarah's Island

One of the many convict ruins of Sarah's Island

Those convicts sure had a view!!

The old convict bakery

After Hobart we headed into the wild western wilderness.  Such amazing scenery, lots of free camps on the edge of lakes, and lots of walks to waterfalls.  We also stopped at the Salmon Ponds and feed the fish!!!

We spent a few days at the Mt Nelson National Park and went for a drive to the end of the road in the southern western wilderness to the Gordon Dam.  Such beautiful scenery, the rivers have such crystal clear water and everything is covered with moss.  You can't sit down and rest for too long, it starts growing on you!!!!  The owner of the park (Left of Field) had a bizarre sense of humor and the park had quirky little things everywhere you turned.

The scenery in this part of Tas is just spectacular.

Sight fishing at the Salmon Ponds

One of the many quirky things at Left of Field

Don't sit down and rest for too long!!

Russell Falls

Amazing tall trees 

Lake Pedder

Serpentine Lake

Start of the Serpentine River

Lake Gordon

Lake Gordon Dam wall

Lake Gordon (I think someone left a tap running - very low on water)

Just one of the many stunning spots on the way to Lake Gordon

View from the van, Hamilton free camp

View from the van, Brady's Lake

Amazing 'growth' that fell off one of the trees.  Hard as a rock!!

Looks like a timber waterfall!!

Just another balmy summers day in Tasmania!