Wednesday 9 December 2015

Tasmania Part I (Devonport to Hobart)

Nov 4th - Nov 21st 2015

Devonport - Railton - Westbury - Deloraine - A3 to  Launceston - Scottsdale - Derby - 
St. Helens -  Bicheno - Swansea - Triabuna - Richmond  -  Hobart (extra post)

bikedays: 10
total distance: 588
average km/day: 58

beautiful landscape, nice people, steep upclimbs and bloody wind.. 


I had some great days in Adelaide and Melbourne. In Melbourne, on Nov 4th I dropped of my campervan and cycled to the ferry port.  the ferry "Spirit of Tasmania" from Melbourne to Devonport departs at 7:30pm and arrives at 6:00am . was an easy trip , no waves and very relaxed.
After arrival in Devonport I rode to the  "Tasman Backpackers Lodge" and had been staying there for two nights. 
More stories below the pics :-)


first coffee in Tasmania


I love this sign. there are quite new rules for car drivers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echidna








there are two "Perth":  Perth/Western Australia, and here Perth/Tasmania

Tamar River in Launceston, http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/what-to-do/self-drive/tamarvalley

Swiss Village North of Launceston: http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/attraction/tamarvalleyresortgrindelwaldattraction



Cataract Gorge Launceston



no shoulder and sometimes logging trucks.....   can become exciting.



steep upclimb, rough surface and bloody headwind....... 




I highly recommend a visit in Derby. I stayed there for two nights and there are many things to see, especially about the tin mining industry.


more here:

http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/about/regions-of-tasmania/launceston-and-north/derby

http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/about/articles/derbys-mining-history

http://www.northeasttasmania.com.au/derby

http://www.northeasttasmania.com.au/trail-of-tin-dragon-heritage
former bank in Derby


former school, now museum







http://www.northeasttasmania.com.au/trail-of-tin-dragon-heritage


tribute to all the Chinese immigrants who worked in the tin mines.










some beautiful mountainbike trails for exploring the town.


I suppose, this fluffly friends needs a haircut.

the former church, now a B&B

safe place for my bike :-)




on the way to the Moorina Cemetary..

http://www.heritage.tas.gov.au/showItem.php?id=2889


















visitor center in St. Helens



more information: http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/indeX.aspX?base=4319


no more questions, or ?

http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/home/local-tips/spikey-bridge










surprise.... no sheep :-)

"Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the heart of the Coal River Valley wine region that tells the story of an early Australian colonial village".   http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/about/regions-of-tasmania/hobart-and-south/richmond





The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to land on the shores of Tasmania. Landing at Blackman's Bay and later having the Dutch flag flown at North Bay, Tasman named the island Anthoonij van Diemenslandt, in honour of Anthony van Diemen, the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, who had sent Tasman on his voyage of discovery in 1642. Between 1772 and 1798 only the southeastern portion of the island was visited. Tasmania was not known to be an island until Matthew Flinders and George Bass circumnavigated it in the Norfolk in 1798–99.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Diemen's_Land 








I know Thomas from the Facebook-community "Germans living in Australia" and he guided me through Launceston. was terrific!  thank you very much !


always a big pleasure to meet nice people. Michelle and Ray, who are caring for the B&B in Derby invited me twice for dinner. thank you very much !