I was slightly misled by the internet access on my first night in Tassie. I thought I would get to blog about each day's adventure at night when we got to our accommodation. Obviously, it didn't happen that way. I have about 600 pictures to download and edit/pick though after my daily delete reviews during the trip. Here's a quick summary of the past week during which time I have been unplugged.
Day 2: Launceston
Start of the wine/food/golf tour of Tasmania and Victoria.
Massage and R&R at the Roman Baths. Wine tasting at Velo then 9th Island, followed by amazing lunch at Strathlynn. My lunch was so good I wanted to marry my chicken dish, but I ate it all. Afternoon was filled with a visit to Cataract Gorge, Christmas Hill raspberry farm, Ashgrove cheese factory, and Anver chocolate factory.
Day 3: Strahn
Started the day wandering the township. Then headed for Hobart with shorthikes to waterfalls along the way. We saw a king snake while hiking to Hogarth Falls. Luckily I was able to scare the snake away by yelling "Snake!" to approaching hikers. We were hoping to see platypi at Nelson Falls, but they were no shows. Along the way to Hobart we saw 3 echidnas on the road. Dinner was an adventure at the Drunken Admiral. Imagine having dinner on the Pirates of the Carribean ride at Disneyland except without all the theme music.
(Arrghh!)
Day4: Hobart
We weren't too interested in the city of Hobart itself so we opted for a day trip on the ferry across to Bruny Island and embarked on a culinary scavenger hunt with our car. Bruny Island is actually two islands connected by an isthmus which had stunning views. The island was well laid out for our purposes as the first stop was Get Shucked oyster shack, followed by Bruny Island Cheese, and the amazing Bruny Island fudge shop. On the way out of Hobart, we went up to Mount Wellington, the highest point in Tasmania to take in the views. But the best part was definitely Bruny, an island off an island off an island.
Day 5: Coles Bay
We started the day doing sea kayaking in 15 knots water. My chicken arms barely survived, but it was worth it. Then we went for lunch at the Freycinet Marine Farm. Half a lobster and half dozen oysters later, we were on a hike to see Wineglass Beach followed by another stop at Cape Tourville lighthouse. We then headed to East Coast Wildlife to catch a glimpse of the Tasmanian Devil at feeding time among other iconic Tassie fauna. Dinner at Angasi in Binalong Bay.
Day 6: St. Helen
Beach day at Sloop beach followed by Bay of Fires. Amazing colors of bright orange lichen growing on the rocky shores of clear blue water. We went hunting for some legendary Angasi oysters at Salty Seas but had to settle for fish and chips as the aforementioned oyster was not yet in season. Quick hike at St. Columba Falls and Ledgerwood for the outdoor wood work.
Day 7: Bridport
Day of golf at Barndougle golf course by the beach. Our game was disrupted by kangaroos hopping through the green. We graciously let them play through. After golf we went to the Bridestowe lavendar farm and stopped at Eden Brook for wine/olive oil tasting. My favorite part of this winery were the wild peacocks that have made the vineyard their home. On our way to catch the Spirt of Tasmania to Melbourne we stopped at Piper's Brook and Piper's River Vineyards as well as Holy Cow cheese at Pyengana (note: cranky old cheese lady).
Day 8: Mornington Pennisula
We spent the day driving out to Portsea with some stops along the way to Cape Schanck (pronounced Shank) before we started another round of wine tasting. We stopped at Pier 10, Montalto Olive Oil/Pennon Hills wine, Tucks Ridge (where M talked me into splitting a case of wine), and Stonier Wines (awesome wine pourer dude stayed after hours and gave good rec on Salix). Had an amazing duck with poached cherries at Salix of Willow Creek for dinner.
Day 9: Milawa and surrounding area
Had a morning jog and nearly died of dehydration. Thought about approaching a farmhouse for a glass of water, but I was unsure of the gun laws so I just walked back to the hotel. Started the tasting route with Milawa cheese factory, Milawa Mustards, Milawa Olives/Oil, and settled at Brown Brother's Epicurean Center for lunch and wine tastings. Once we had our post meal coffee we were off to Gapstead winery and also Bright Brewery where we sampled all their beers (judge's comment-- very hoppy and cranky brewer not our style). We watched Quantum of Solace outdoors in the vineyard with pizza and wine for dinner. Can life get any better?
(Rainbow Bright)
Day 10: Milawa and surrounding area
Last day of vacation and we still had two more wineries to squeeze in. So we were at John Gehrig's cellar door at 10am ready to taste wine for breakfast. I ended up buying a 2-liter jug (think Gallo wine jugs) of white sherry there because it only came in that size. Then we skipped over to Sam Miranda's and this is where I joined the wine club. Luckily they are quarterly and the first one does not arrive until March.
(cute devil right before it nipped my right ear Tyson style)
The Tally Board
(Live animal sightings)
1 King Snake (very poisonous)
3 Peacocks
3 Echidnas
A few flocks of Black Swans at St. Helen
2 Ringtailed opposums
3 species of kangaroos
2 Camels
3-4 Rabbits
(Road kill sightings)
3 Tasmanian devils
1.5 Koala
Numerous kangaroos
1 penguin
18 bottles of wine purchased. 6 more to come.
2 bottles of olive oil
2 Liters of sherry
1/2 pound of fudge
Life was good this past week, but I may need to check into rehab for my wine problem.
Echidna Video:
Day 2: Launceston
Start of the wine/food/golf tour of Tasmania and Victoria.
Massage and R&R at the Roman Baths. Wine tasting at Velo then 9th Island, followed by amazing lunch at Strathlynn. My lunch was so good I wanted to marry my chicken dish, but I ate it all. Afternoon was filled with a visit to Cataract Gorge, Christmas Hill raspberry farm, Ashgrove cheese factory, and Anver chocolate factory.
Day 3: Strahn
Started the day wandering the township. Then headed for Hobart with shorthikes to waterfalls along the way. We saw a king snake while hiking to Hogarth Falls. Luckily I was able to scare the snake away by yelling "Snake!" to approaching hikers. We were hoping to see platypi at Nelson Falls, but they were no shows. Along the way to Hobart we saw 3 echidnas on the road. Dinner was an adventure at the Drunken Admiral. Imagine having dinner on the Pirates of the Carribean ride at Disneyland except without all the theme music.
(Arrghh!)
Day4: Hobart
We weren't too interested in the city of Hobart itself so we opted for a day trip on the ferry across to Bruny Island and embarked on a culinary scavenger hunt with our car. Bruny Island is actually two islands connected by an isthmus which had stunning views. The island was well laid out for our purposes as the first stop was Get Shucked oyster shack, followed by Bruny Island Cheese, and the amazing Bruny Island fudge shop. On the way out of Hobart, we went up to Mount Wellington, the highest point in Tasmania to take in the views. But the best part was definitely Bruny, an island off an island off an island.
Day 5: Coles Bay
We started the day doing sea kayaking in 15 knots water. My chicken arms barely survived, but it was worth it. Then we went for lunch at the Freycinet Marine Farm. Half a lobster and half dozen oysters later, we were on a hike to see Wineglass Beach followed by another stop at Cape Tourville lighthouse. We then headed to East Coast Wildlife to catch a glimpse of the Tasmanian Devil at feeding time among other iconic Tassie fauna. Dinner at Angasi in Binalong Bay.
Day 6: St. Helen
Beach day at Sloop beach followed by Bay of Fires. Amazing colors of bright orange lichen growing on the rocky shores of clear blue water. We went hunting for some legendary Angasi oysters at Salty Seas but had to settle for fish and chips as the aforementioned oyster was not yet in season. Quick hike at St. Columba Falls and Ledgerwood for the outdoor wood work.
Day 7: Bridport
Day of golf at Barndougle golf course by the beach. Our game was disrupted by kangaroos hopping through the green. We graciously let them play through. After golf we went to the Bridestowe lavendar farm and stopped at Eden Brook for wine/olive oil tasting. My favorite part of this winery were the wild peacocks that have made the vineyard their home. On our way to catch the Spirt of Tasmania to Melbourne we stopped at Piper's Brook and Piper's River Vineyards as well as Holy Cow cheese at Pyengana (note: cranky old cheese lady).
Day 8: Mornington Pennisula
We spent the day driving out to Portsea with some stops along the way to Cape Schanck (pronounced Shank) before we started another round of wine tasting. We stopped at Pier 10, Montalto Olive Oil/Pennon Hills wine, Tucks Ridge (where M talked me into splitting a case of wine), and Stonier Wines (awesome wine pourer dude stayed after hours and gave good rec on Salix). Had an amazing duck with poached cherries at Salix of Willow Creek for dinner.
Day 9: Milawa and surrounding area
Had a morning jog and nearly died of dehydration. Thought about approaching a farmhouse for a glass of water, but I was unsure of the gun laws so I just walked back to the hotel. Started the tasting route with Milawa cheese factory, Milawa Mustards, Milawa Olives/Oil, and settled at Brown Brother's Epicurean Center for lunch and wine tastings. Once we had our post meal coffee we were off to Gapstead winery and also Bright Brewery where we sampled all their beers (judge's comment-- very hoppy and cranky brewer not our style). We watched Quantum of Solace outdoors in the vineyard with pizza and wine for dinner. Can life get any better?
(Rainbow Bright)Day 10: Milawa and surrounding area
Last day of vacation and we still had two more wineries to squeeze in. So we were at John Gehrig's cellar door at 10am ready to taste wine for breakfast. I ended up buying a 2-liter jug (think Gallo wine jugs) of white sherry there because it only came in that size. Then we skipped over to Sam Miranda's and this is where I joined the wine club. Luckily they are quarterly and the first one does not arrive until March.
(cute devil right before it nipped my right ear Tyson style)
The Tally Board
(Live animal sightings)
1 King Snake (very poisonous)
3 Peacocks
3 Echidnas
A few flocks of Black Swans at St. Helen
2 Ringtailed opposums
3 species of kangaroos
2 Camels
3-4 Rabbits
(Road kill sightings)
3 Tasmanian devils
1.5 Koala
Numerous kangaroos
1 penguin
18 bottles of wine purchased. 6 more to come.
2 bottles of olive oil
2 Liters of sherry
1/2 pound of fudge
Life was good this past week, but I may need to check into rehab for my wine problem.
Echidna Video:
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