Thurs, 7th May, 2015 Friendly Beaches Campground (Bicheno and Douglas Aspley National Park)

Another glorious morning though the clear skies bring the temperature down over night. It was 9.3 degrees at 7am and the sun hasn’t risen yet. Went back to bed then at 7.10 noticed the sunlight streaming in so just took a photo through the window.

The sea is so calm – couldn’t see any dolphins though. 7.30 and it was only 9.5 degrees.

By 9am it was 13 degrees but bright and sunny. Packed our lunch and headed off to Bicheno. Stopped at the Blowhole first – the sea was calm but there was still a swell.

Didn’t think we would see the blowhole blow but it did. It is just left of the big rock.

There is a cave under the rock and it whooshes in then shoots out the crack. The swell is still rolling in to force the water up.

Wonder how that got there.

Steve walked around and nearly got wet.

He reckons he is safe till the next big roller comes in.

I went out to the front and watched the waves roll in and over the kelp. It is so clear.

A pussy cat walked down onto the rocks for a sunbake.

Another sort of blow hole under the big rock.

Drove along the Esplanade to the boat ramp opposite the Governor Island Marine Reserve and The Gulch.

Further along was an information board about the Reserve etc.

A couple of pelicans were resting on the island.

You can fish from the jetty. It is so clear we could see the fish if there were any!!

The remains of an old building but no info about it.

Looking around the rocky edge of the bay across to the mountains of the Douglas Aspley National Park.

David and Jenny drove past towing their van. Will give them a call to see where they are headed. Then we saw them in town. They are heading to Friendly Beaches so we will see them later this afternoon. We got some groceries from the Supa IGA then headed off to Douglas Aspley National Park to check out the walks. The lady in the Info Centre said to go to the gorge you have to walk across rocks in the river and then 3 hour return and it might be muddy and slippery so to be careful.

Through lots of tree farms as we head into the park, plus a farm with lots of turkeys and geese and lots of junk! We parked in the car park then walked down to check out the waterhole first as it was only 10 minute walk. Cute 3D map in the walker sign in shed. This area was only proclaimed a National Park in 1989, and is one of the few largely uncleared dry eucalypt forest areas in Tasmania.

The clouds have come over so it is cold – on with the big coats!! Lots of signs about the different types of trees. You have to walk in to the camping area though we could have parked the van in the car park – there was plenty of room.

Stopped at the info board. Obviously hasn't been updated since it was installed. There are waterfalls but they are on the 3 day hike so will give it a miss. A young lady was going to do the long hike – not sure I would like to do that alone.

There was a lookout but it had been damaged but we wandered over to have a look anycase. Great view up the Aspley River.

Then down river.

The waterhole.

The damaged lookout.

It was a nice walk.

Then down the steps we went to the waterhole.

Lovely tall white gum.

Nice spot by the waterhole though very rocky.

This is the ‘bridge’ to cross the river so we can continue on the walk to the gorge. As the clouds are closing in and looking like rain we decided not to bother.

Looking up the hill to where the lookout was.

This poor tree was pushed over by the raging waters but it has continued to grow.

Lots of rubbish high up when the river is in full flood.

Back to the truck after checking out the camp area. Decided to have lunch by the beach so headed back out. Pulled into the driveway of the Diamond Island Resort (est 1856) to see if there was public access down to the beach – but no you have to access the island via a long walk from the other end of the beach. It was high tide any case so we wouldn’t have gotten across.

Nice view across Waubs Bay to Bicheno. Bicheno was once called Waubs Boat Harbour.

Drove further round to a picnic area and got out our lunch. We sat in the car as the wind was very cold. The seagulls were happy to wait outside for a snack – which of course Steve gave them.

Great view though.

Looking back to Diamond Island.

Headed back around to the Gulch when Steve noticed seals on the furtherest rock – Alligator Rock. I couldn’t see them till I looked through the camera and zoomed in – he said ‘Specsavers!!’ When I looked back on the first photos we took there this morning I could see the seals on the rocks then!!

They were lounging around though the one in the middle moved around a bit.

Back to the Blow Hole and we got a great photo. Love my camera.

Another angle of Alligator Rock and the seals.

One last shot out of the Blow Hole and we headed out of Bicheno.

Steve saw some houses further around the bay so we headed off down another road and found more acreage blocks – some rural, some flash homes.

Back to Friendly Beaches and we found David & Jenny and stopped for a chat. Went back to the van to unload our groceries then after a cuppa we walked to the northern to check out the beach. David & Jenny were there too so chatted while watching the waves. A stingray made its way through the shallows and as the water is so clear it was easy to watch him.

Walked back to the van and went out to the ‘verandah’ on the rocks near our van for an early drink as the clouds have come over making it seem a lot later that it is. The wind dropped off so it was nice sitting there chatting. About 5pm though the wind came up and chased us back to our vans. At 5.30pm it was 14 degrees in the van though the chill was coming up through the floor. Steve put the thermometer on the floor and it was 11.7 degrees. It was 9.7 degrees outside. Early showers and the heater is on.