Tassie: Part 2

Days two and three brought me up the east coast of Tasmania, through Freciyet National Park, to Bay of Fires, St Columba Falls, and to Launceston. Want to know more? Read on…

Day 2

After departing Hobart, we stopped in Richmond for a coffee and I took the chance to explore the town because I had made coffee before we got going. I got up close and personal with the oldest stone span bridge in Australia, which was built using convict labour. After our pit stop, we continued north and east to the Frecinyet Peninsula for our day.

Frecinyet (Frey-si-nay) National Park is home to the iconic Wineglass Bay and some incredible hiking (or as the Aussies call it, bushwalking). We learned that Tasmania is home to just three types of snakes, all venomous. However, just because you get bit does not mean you will be given antivenin. More likely, you will be put under observation/bedrest for a couple of days.

En route to Frecinyet, we made a stop at Cape Tourville, and got to take in the views of the western Tasman Sea. I was ambitious along with some of the other tour group members, and we hiked to the viewing platform to see Wineglass Bay from above, then descended to see it up close and personal. At grade, the waves were a lot larger! The bay itself is about 2 km long, so we did not have time to trek to the far end. For as sheltered as it was, the waves were still about 2 meters in size.

After Frecinyet, we drove up to Bicheno (Bish-en-oh) to spend the evening. En route, we saw two echidnas! The echidnas are the cutest things. One of two monotremes, echidnas are egg-laying mammals. The way they look and move makes me think they are a cross between a hedgehog and a bear.

Day 3

Our third day brought us through the town of St. Helen’s up to the Bay of Fires. In St. Helen’s I got a cone of caramelized fig ice cream, made with Tassie dairy. Dairy products were the food highlight of the tour for me, everything I tried was fabulous. Throughout the tour I had my share of cheese and yogurt too and nothing disappointed!

Surprisingly, the bay was named not for the orange lichens growing along its shores, but because when Europeans first approached it, there were many fires burning and being tended by the Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples. I was the only person in our group of 20 to take a swim. It wasn’t even *that* chilly, 20°, but the sky was cloudy. The water was plenty cool, reminding me of June beach days. But I brought my swimsuit, and I was gonna use it! Good thing I did, too, because this was the only formal swim of the trip.

Next up was St. Columba Falls, the tallest falls in the state. It was a rainy afternoon, but we hiked through the temperate rainforest and view was worth it. Speaking of the weather, unpredictable is an understatement! It was continuously changing, from sunny and warm to horizontal rainfall in just a few minutes. Not ideal, but something I could prepare for, at least. People say Melbourne gets four seasons in one day, well Tassie gets four seasons in an hour!

After St. Columba Falls, we made our way to Launceston, stopping at Pyengana Dairy for cheese samples and ice cream. I was so sad – I didn’t have room for either! They had lavender ice cream that looked divine and got raving reviews from those who got it. Tasmania also has many lavender fields around the state, so they were able to use local lavender in the treat. Tasmania also grows large quantities of hops and white poppies, and our guide informed us that Tasmania is a top grower of medicinal opiates, growing 50% of poppies that are used for the purpose. The more you know!

We were a little later than anticipated arriving in Launceston, so most of the group hit the R&R, opting to skip the visit to Cataract Gorge that was part of the itinerary. I suck at sitting still (and in all likelihood, I’ll probably never return to Tasmania), so myself and another woman on our tour said “heck yes” to going. I am so glad we did! The suspension bridge alone was worth it. Because it was just the two of us, we told the guide that he could head back and we would find our own way to the accommodations. We hiked and saw peacocks and wild Pademelon wallabies.  It started to rain on the way back, but that wasn’t anything new to us by that point in the tour. 

An early night for us, because Day 4 was my most-anticipated of the trip: a visit to Cradle Mountain National Park.

See you soon!

– Kate