Tasmania Holiday – 2019 Day 3

Tasman Peninsula to Hobart

Last day at our little shack on Norfolk Bay in Taranna.  It has been good, and while it was a little rough around the edges, it has provided us shelter and is in a great central location to all the must-sees and dos in the area.  So with breakfast done, bags and car packed, there are a few last minute things to see before heading north.   These include the Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen and Blowhole, all situated around the small fishing town known as Doo Town. 

Doo Town

I love the quirkiness of this town whereby the locals all try to out ‘doo’ themselves, especially when it comes to naming their respective dwellings.  Just Doo it,  Doo drop it, Xanadoo, She’ll Doo and Dr Doolittle just to name a few.  You get the gist and it is fun just to drive around reading out the various names.

Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen, and The Blowhole

As you come into Doo town you turn right to go up to the Tasman Arch which is just literally a stone’s throw from your car park.  No real walking required at all to appreciate this.  Devil’s Kitchen is at the other end of the carpark and is a short 2-minute walk with 3 viewing platforms to admire from varying angles.  You can also take a stroll out to the headland to look at the coastline.

If you keep going straight ahead when entering Doo town you will come into a car park on your right from here it is again a short and easy walk to view the blowhole from 3 platforms placed around the perimeter.  Another short walk out to the headland shows you views of the coastline back to Pirate’s Bay and Devil’s Kitchen.  We enjoyed our morning coffee and a lemon slice from the food van situated in the car park before heading to Richmond.

Richmond

Richmond was absolutely buzzing we didn’t know if this was normal or because of the fact it was a public holiday but people were out enjoying the beautiful weather.  Blue skies and a lovely 23 degrees, why wouldn’t you want to be out and about.  We drove through town and decided to perch ourselves on the river bank where Australia’s oldest stone arch bridge spans the Coal River.  Here we enjoyed a picnic lunch before exploring the town which has over 45 heritage listed buildings.  We explored antique stores, art galleries and treated ourselves to some of the award-winning Coal Farm ice-cream which was very creamy and delicious. Pistachio and Strawberry were the 2 flavours we shared.

On to Hobart

After a couple of hours, we pushed onto to Hobart and checked into our BnB for the night in the suburb of Howrah just 10-15 minutes from the Hobart CBD, depending on traffic.  Our hosts were lovely and the room was very comfortable and well appointed.  After checking in we still had time for one more thing, which given the day was clear, we decided we would drive up Mt Wellington to enjoy the hilltop view. 

Mt Wellington

We started the climb out of the CBD and through the rainforest up to the windswept subalpine landscape.  Like the song goes…..I’m on top of the world looking down on creation.  WOW, what a view, you can see for miles and no wonder when your perched 1271 metres above sea level.  Definitely worth the drive up which can be hairy at times give the road is not very wide, but well worth it.  Always have some layers in the car because it can be chilly at the top.  Click, click, click and brrrr time to leave.  Feeling peckish, what to have for dinner???

Dinner

Well, dinner we decided Italian might be the ticket, a quick Google and ta-da we are sitting down in De Angelos in Battery Point enjoying some pasta and red wine.  Devine and so friendly, the owner was on hand and couldn’t be any nicer.  Given the restraint was fully booked and a steady stream of takeaway customers were coming and going we knew we were on a winner.  Happy little vegemites, it’s back to our room and time for the blanket show.

• Category: Australia, Blog, Food, On a budget, Tasmania, Travel