Living on the lighthouses was sort of like that TV show, ‘Round the Twist’ in more ways than you think!
Forty South Tasmania
When I finished my 3-day Three Capes Track hiking experience earlier this year I realised after pitching to many publications that I probably needed to tell this story in the land it was set. So the lovely people at Forty South Magazine, a magazine I have long admired and read, took me up on my offer of tourism travel blog with a side of memoir. Enjoy 🙂
I have scanned the magazine as best I could.
Early in 2023 I decided to focus my writing more towards travel and adventure. Travel writing is my passion – it doesn’t even feel like a job!
I also pledged to write an All In A Day piece every couple of weeks – Short adventures and musings that may or may not involve travel. I have loved this challenge and will continue for the forseeable future. Some of these experiences have become paid gigs that have been, or are about to be published in print or online.
While web content and copywriting (sometimes) pays the bills, and I enjoy the lifestyle freelance copywriting has allowed me to have, it doesn’t bring me the same joy of a well-worded travel piece or blog .
With changing economic times and AI thrown into the mix those web content and copywriting gigs have become more scarce. When businesses realise they can’t trust their business brand to AI there may be a turn around. But, until then travel writing has my back.
I hope you enjoy my blog. Unfortunately (or fortunately) if you spend time in my company you may also end up in my stories. I will always do my best to represent you in the shiniest way possible 🙂
Sunday morning started out at around 22 degrees with a lovely fresh breeze and some sunshine with a promised high of 27 degrees on the horizon. Perfect morning for a hike!
Perth City is only around 45 minutes drive to Darling Scarp or as the locals call it, “the hills” area , and we picked out a trail we hadn’t walked before At Banyowla Regional Park in Gosnells.
Banyowla (pronounced ban-yow-la) recognises Banyowla a Nyoongar elder at the time of colonial settlement. The park has 550 species of flowering plants, 116 species of birds, 9 species of frogs and 8 species of native animals. The Ellis Brook flows seasonally from June to October, depending on rainfall.
There are 4 marked trails varying in difficulty and length beginning with the Easy Walk Trail, a 500m loop, the Eagle View Trail (moderate) a 430m return. The blue Wren Ramblue was listed as being easy and 2.8km return. The Sixty Foot Falls Trail (difficult) 2km loop with elevation.
The walk we decided on, the Sixty Foot Falls Walk Trail took to us an elevation of around 150m and promised waterfalls and great views of the city. Waterfalls were definitely not expected as it is the middle of summer but views on a clear day are always a yes from me!
When we arrived at the gate we had to park on the road as the gate to the park was not open despite there being a sign stating that the gate was open between 6.00 am And 7.00 pm. No problem, it was only a short 1 – 2 km walk up the road to the beginning of our trek.
The walks were very clearly marked and maps were on display in various locations. We chose the “Sixty Foot Falls Walk Trail” which was around a 2km Loop that took in the water fall and the old quarry site.
After a quick look at the map we cleaned our shoes at the dieback station and started following the clearly marked arrows that took us up to the first lookout area.
The path was pretty rocky in places and had steps cut out to enable easy climbing.
While climbing up we could see where the waterfall would usually be flowing and the view from the top was incredible. The city and surrounding suburbs clearly visible as it was a clear day.
Once we got over the top of the waterfall area we came across the old quarry with views from the top. This area is fenced so it is difficult to get too close, however, we could see that there was a road or track that allowed access to the quarry from the bottom.
The quarry was full of water which looked very inviting, however, there were signs warning that swimming might not be safe due to meningococcal risks. The surrounding cliffs are quite beautiful.
The quarry site, previously known as the “Old Barrington Quarry” is quite awe inspiring with huge cliffs that have been carved out by years of quarrying for stone.
The walks are suitable for both families and serious hikers. We saw some rock climbers in the quarry so it must also be popular with the climbing community
I thoroughly enjoyed our hike to another of Western Australia’s hidden spots. We will definitely be back to see the water falling and the wildflowers blooming!
This year’s Tassie trip took in the East Coast of Tasmania, Hobart and the Midlands. I am a native Taswegian and I try to get back there as much as possible. I might be biased, but Tasmania is an amazing holiday destination.
Ansons Bay which is a remote beachside paradise was where I started my journey. My partner and I own a property in this amazing part of the world. Ansons Bay is a place where people go to relax and mostly to fish. There are no shops or service stations in Ansons. The closest shop is 27km away in Gladstone or 40 km away in St Helens. Ansons Bay is only accessed by gravel roads and it has little to no mobile coverage apart from a phone tower that was placed a couple of kilometres short of the town.
The bay is idyllic and is set on an inlet. Access to the ocean and the Bay of Fires is via Policeman’s Point where there is a popular camping area. There are many walking tracks as well as coastal hikes in this area. A beautiful part of the world.
St Helens is a fantastic little town that has just started to see the advantages of having a world class mountain bike track on it’s doorstep. With the opening of the latest Blue Tier to Binalong Bay track (a 40km ride) has come more bike shops and facilities for mountain bike riders. The town has bike washing stations and shower blocks. There is even a funky craft beer bar “The Social” and a new Wharf side restaurant that has just opened since my last visit.
While staying at Ansons Bay we popped into St Helens for Op shopping, coffee and groceries. We had lunch at the “Wharf Bar and Kitchen”. The food was so good, oysters and fish were fresh and local.
After chilling out at Ansons Bay for two nights we set off and drove back through St Helens and made our way down the coast making a quick detour across the Elephant Pass to check out the quaint town of St Mary’s and the amazing views of the ocean from the top of the pass.
A coffee stop in Scamander at a cool coffee shop in a sea container overlooking the beach and the aqua blue water. “Swims East Coast Coffee” gave us great coffee and a delicious toasted cheese and tomato on sourdough for breakfast.
From Scamander we meandered down the coast stopping at Bicheno, a place I have faint childhood memories about as my family had a holiday house there when I was very small. Bicheno is a very pretty seaside town with an impressive coastline. Penguins are sighted here regularly at nightfall and the town is well-known to tourists for this fact. We shopped in the local craft market, “Makers Creators” and checked out a local artist in residence Anita Bacic’s Camera Obscura she had set up in a caravan by the sea.
Next stop was Freycinet Peninsula and a 2.5 hour hike into Wine Glass Bay, just recently voted one of the worlds top ten beaches. This region never fails to impress. The hike up to the look out is manageable for most people and the view from the top is incredible. We continued down to the beach so we could put our toes in the blue ocean and experience the white sands. Just stunning! There were people swimming and a wallaby or two on the sand, yachts floating in the bay made for beautiful photos and viewing opportunities. The walk down onto the beach was fairly easy but of course once you go down you must then head back up at some point! Great cardio work out on the way back. I counted 840 steps!
When we had recovered and rehydrated from our amazing hike we set off on the final part of our journey for that day to Triabunna where we were staying the night before heading to Maria Island in the morning. Triabunna is a crayfishing town and it is also the place where the Maria Island ferry departs from. We stayed in a Deluxe cabin at the Triabunna Caravan Park. Very comfortable after roughing it at Ansons for a couple of nights. We had fish and chips from the “Fish Van” on the jetty. A bustling and busy business with delicious food!
The following morning We had the 9.00 am ferry to Maria Island on the Encounter Maria Ferry. A very comfortable boat with all the mod cons. The night before we had shopped for lunch items and snacks as there is nothing available on the island aside from some fresh water. The boat sold coffee and tea and snacks.
Maria Island is very well known for a couple of reasons:
The following pictures are from Maria Island and the incredible wildlife we saw and had very close interactions with. We hired bikes and rode around the island. Most of the island is fairly flat with the exception of Mount Maria which would be more of a day hike. The roads are gravel and many of the tracks take you close to the coast line. Absolutely stunning beaches and landforms and views of the mainland Tasmania.
Before you leave for the island you are asked to take “the Maria Island pledge” and pledge not to touch or unnecessarily disturb the wildlife, in particular, the wombats. The wombats really did not give a hoot about us, they grazed very close to where we watched them and trusted us to be near their babies. We saw mothers with babies in their pouches, babies laying beside their mothers, lone wombats, wallabies, Cape Barren Geese, Tasmanian Native Hens, roos and echidnas. I feel very privileged to have experienced this and I hope it remains a sanctuary for ever.
You can camp on the island and also stay in dormitory style accomodation, however, there is no power on the island and you must bring everything with you. Showers, toilets and fresh water is available for campers.
The ferry does numerous trips to the island and back and costs around $45 for an adult return. The bike hire is extra and was about $50 for the day. We had originally booked to come back on the 5.00 pm (last) ferry but changed our mind and came back on the 3.30 boat. This was easy to change with a phone call to the ferry company.
We reached Hobart in time for an evening drink and dinner in Salamanca. We stayed in Macquarie House in the centre of the city, an Airbnb with shared bathroom and comfortable amenities. Hobart would have to be one of my favourite cities in this world. It’s small but has that big city vibe. It’s arty and grown up and comfortable in its own skin. The following morning which was a Sunday we made our way to the Bathurst Street Farm Gate Market. A lovely bustling inner city market with fabulous food trucks, fresh produce, live music and great coffee. While being a fan of the huge Salamanca Market which is run on Saturday mornings on the docks I must say it was lovely to experience another type of market in this vibrant city! A lovely start to our morning before we got on the road again.
On our drive back up to Launceston we stopped in Richmond to look at the oldest bridge in Australia. Next stop was Oatlands for coffee and cakes at a tea house. We came across some lovely people spinning wool in the streets.
We then took the Nile turnoff and went cross country to the beautiful historic town of Evandale. Unfortunately we missed the Sunday Markets at Evandale, they were just packing up so we went and had lunch at the Clarendon Arms Hotel in the beer garden. A very tasty lunch and a quick beer and then back on the road. Once again Tassie delivers in every way. See you next time!
All in a Day Adventures 