Thurs, 27th Nov, 2014 Spirit of Tasmania to Preservation Bay

Alarm went off at 5.30am. Had a reasonable sleep though I did wake a few times. The sun was up and I got some photos of the first look at Tasmania.

Coming into Devonport.

I enjoyed a long shower to wash my hair.

Lots of lovely buildings.

I was wondering where we would dock as this didn’t look big enough. The ship was using its thrusters to move us sideways then we stopped.

Packed up and headed to the reception area to drop off our key then down to the rear of the boat to sit and wait for the call to go to our car. I then realised we had docked on the other side and that the Mersey River was very narrow.

Back to the other side and some more photos.

Went to the rear of the ship to watch as they lowered the car ramp down to the rear of the ship.

Looking to the mouth of the river.

Wandered around reading the info about the ship.

6.30am call to go down to our vehicles. Unfortunately someone in front of us hadn’t arrived so we sat till 6.50 then and out we went.

Stopped at the Quarantine Centre where a lady inspected the van again. She was better – noticed the garlic in the fridge (forgot about that) but didn’t ask to look in the fridge in the truck.

Programmed girlie and headed out of Devonport as friends said it has narrow streets and there are no close free camps. Will come back and explore later. Onto the Motorway, speed sign for 110km, so the trucks are whizzing by. Crossing over the Mersey River again and looking back to the ship. The sky is so clear and blue and the fields are lovely and green.

Passed Opium Poppy fields.

Then back to the sea.

Crossing over some lovely rivers (Forth and Leven) and passed more poppy fields.

Beautiful drive through the fields then by the coast. Stopped at Penguin to find the free camp but found this penguin instead.

Couldn’t find the Lions Park so parked at the boat ramp area and had some breakfast. Bit cool 15 degrees in the van.

There was a hill on this point so climbed that and had a good view over the bay where there is a caravan park,

Then over the town of Penguin.

Our breakfast stop.

Around the base of the hill was a miniature railway – obviously the engines hide in here.

Mural on the shipping container near the railway.

Stopped at Preservation Bay which is near the Life Saving Club. The council have designated a few areas for self contained vehicles to stop for 48 hours.  Chatted with a chap who was heading home from being on the mainland. He lives at Bridport and knows Mick and Berkeley. Gave us some tips. We parked right beside the old road so we can overlook the sea. Unfortunately there is a railway line but it is only for the big containers being railed from Burnie to Devonport so only goes past a couple of times a day (and night).

Headed into Burnie to get some groceries.

One of the trains came by and we gave them a wave – not too bad, we should be able to sleep through that.

Unpacked the groceries and had lunch. It was lovely sitting outside with our magnificent view but amazingly the sun was very hot. Got a hat as we have been told that you burn very easily down here. Read through all our tourist info. Steve fixed a wire under the van and I went for a walk to the beach. The kids were in the water doing their surf lifesaving – obviously they don’t feel the cold.

Chatted with a chap along the beach who told me a few good places to go etc. Looking back over the beach to our van.

Cuppa by the van then rang Mum and Dad then Erica and Terry for a chat. Some dolphins were rounding up the fish and having a feed. Did some good jumps which I missed but managed to get a couple of shots of them.

A chap called in for a chat. He has just come back from Kurumba. He showed us more interesting places to stay and answered some questions for us.

The breeze is getting quite cold now so into the van. Made some dinner at 8pm. Popped out to snap the sunset lights.

At 9.30pm put on the big jackets and went down to the beach to try and see a penguin or two.

Instead we found 3 guys dragging a net for fish so helped them for a bit. A few mullet, tailor and garfish. Back to van for hot shower and bed.