Sun, 11th Jan, 2015 Wrest Point Casino car park (sightseeing)

Noisy casino patrons wandered down the street near us all through the night. It closes at 4am and reopens at 9am. Mum and Dad have breakfast included in their room charge so we had our breakfast in the van and then headed up to join them about 9.30am.

Great bronze Tassie Tiger in Reception.

So wonderful to be with Mum and Dad again.

Into our comfortable rental car for a drive. Stopped at Taroona Shot Tower for a look. People had climbed up the many stairs and were up the top waving.

Followed the coast down to Kingston to the Antarctic Offices. They have a café but I forgot it was Sunday so it was closed. In front of each building there was a plaque about men who have achieved a lot through the trips to Antarctica.

On the ground is a map of Antarctica. Dad stood on South Pole.

Sculptures of seal and penguins.

Lovely banksia.

The rock is from Mawson Station in Antarctica.

Headed to Kingston Beach for a cuppa. Steve stopped at the Blow Hole for a look. Looking down to the entrance to the blow hole and saw some divers. They have a flag to mark their spots.

Lovely day by the seaside.

Found a nice coffee shop on the esplanade and enjoyed the sunshine as the breeze is quite cool.

Our zippy little hire car.

Along the coast again to Pierson’s Point to show them where we watched the yachts from. Stopped at Tinderbox boat ramp – I got to photograph the signs here as I missed them before.

A guy was loading up his boat when this little guy popped up. He forgot he was in there – so cute.

Then around to Howden boat ramp to show where we were camped. Headed back to have lunch at Mt Nelson’s Signal Station. I thought it was a coffee shop – turned out to be a fancy restaurant in the original signalman’s house. Flash meal but the view was wonderful. The weather is putting on its best show for Mum & Dad.

Headed up the narrow road to Mt Wellington. Missed the turn off at Fern Tree so meandered along the road for a bit till we started going back downhill. The turn off  is a very tight one and then it becomes a very narrow dirt road. No one everyone said “no vans”!! We are heading up there. The rocks below the top are known as the “Organ Pipes”.

Arrived at the top with heaps of others. It was open and you could imagine it covered in snow. A big telecommunications tower.

Followed the track through the rocks to trig station - The Pinnacles, 1270m above sea level.

Mum enjoyed her seat while we climbed up the rocks. I was in my nice sandals so not quite the correct footwear for rock climbing.

Fabulous views over Hobart, Derwent River, right across to Tasman Peninsula.

Looking down on the Casino (stands out with its tall tower against the water).

South Arm.

Over Ralphs Bay to Tasman Peninsula. 

 Derwent River, Tasman Bridge, Bellerive

Dad & Steve came up.

Steve started his own rock pile.

Wandered down the road to the Observation Shelter. The road up Mt Wellington is called Pinnacle Road was opened in 1937.

Lots of information about the weather and the Tasman Bridge when it was crashed into.

I went down the boardwalk to the next lookout – some more photos. The next lookout went further down so gave that a miss.

The Derwent River from north to south across Bowen Bridge then Tasman Bridge.

 Then over Mt Nelson & South Arm. Pitt Water on left over Peninsula to 7 Mile Beach.

Betsey Island off South Arm then out to Iron Pot (lighthouse beacon).

Looking north over Glenorchy then over the many hills and mountains.

The toilets have glass walls where you wash your hands giving magnificent views.

Another boardwalk takes us to look over the flat area north. Didn’t take a photo of the board there that showed this area covered in snow.

The dolerite rocks stand tall behind the big concrete tower.

Headed back down the narrow road – so glad Steve is driving and we have a little car.

Looks like a rock fall here.

Stopped at “The Springs” where there are a few huts with fire places and BBQs outside for hikers to stop up. There are a few walks here too. Shame we are with Mum & Dad so can’t do the walk to the Organ Pipes!!!

Back down and nearly back into Hobart then we turned off and headed to Cascade to find the Brewery. It is Australia’s oldest brewery. Lovely old buildings.

Between the buildings we looked back up to Mt Wellington.

 Zoomed in on the Observation Tower etc.

Huge hedge around the rest of the brewery facility.

Passed the area of the Cascade Female Convict Factory – might check that out another day.

Back to Wrest Point for drinks. I had bought a bottle of bubbly so enjoyed a drink in their room with some nibbles.

Dinner in the Casino Bistro overlooking the water. Went into the Casino for a play. Mum, Dad & I played together – we were up $5 but ended up breaking even. Stephen did his own thing and was $15 up.

Said goodnight then we wandered out to the seaside of the Casino for some photos. The ducks have set up camp in the waterfall pond for the night.

Tasman Bridge looks lovely all lit up.

Looking back at the Casino buildings.

Back to our van in the car park!!