Tues, 12th May, 2015 Mayfield Bay Campground to Triabunna RV Stop (sightseeing)

Heavier rain at daybreak but then the sun came out shining across the bay. 8am and 14 degrees in the van. Packed up in between light showers. Had a cuppa then headed south towards Triabunna. The showers kept coming from the west providing lovely rainbows along the way.

Parked opposite the Spring Bay Hotel, established around 1838.

Into the Info Centre to make our booking for the Penitentiary Cell on Maria Island. We catch the boat across tomorrow at 3pm with about 30 others which aren’t NP&WS as we first thought. The weather forecast is windy and down to -1 to 4 overnight!!! We will be wearing all the clothes we can layer as we only have a blanket to take with us to sleep in. There is bunk beds with mattresses to sleep on and a fire place in each room to keep us warm. Steve will be busy keeping the fire going all night!!

Parked the van on the grassy block opposite the Info Centre. Steve’s first job was to see what TV reception he could get as he has reread his gold detecting books inside out!!

Wandered down to the Fish & Chip van as everyone told us it was so good. I ordered a chicken with the lot burger as we have had a lot of fish lately and Steve got a Cray roll which the lady heated up for him and we shared a big container of chips. It was very nice though we had to eat in the van as the wind was too cold to sit outside on the picnic tables.

Headed south to explore the area. Steve spotted some parrots in the park at Raspins Beach so stopped to get some photos, they are Eastern Rosellas.

We went through Orford then up into Wielangta Forest to Three Thumbs lookout (440m elevation). We had come up this Forest Drive from the bottom to Marion Bay ages ago so now we have done the top bit. A beautiful rainbow was there to greet us.

Information boards about the Forest Reserves and showing a layout of the area in front of us.

Trees were obstructing a whole view of Maria Island but I managed to get around it by walking further out onto the point for the southern part of the island. Started first to the north  looking down on Louisville which is the point that sticks out between Orford/Prosser Bay and Triabunna/inlet. Over the back is Great Oyster Bay and Freycinet Peninsula in the background. Point Home Lighthouse and Cape Bougainville are in the middle.

Zoomed in on the lighthouse that is on private land and the landowner has now locked the gate.

Zoomed in on the lobster sheds and Deep Water Jetty that we can fish off, so might try that later to get rid of this bait!!

Then down on the woodchip mill.

Around to the northern end of Maria Island. The two peaks are called Bishop and Clerk – we won’t be doing the walk up to these!!

Zoomed in on Darlington where the Probation Station was built and used from 1825-32 then 1842-50. 

Then down the island looking at Mt Maria (709m). Misty rain was over the rest of the island, over the narrow isthmus that then joins the south part of island. Little Lachlan island in the Mercury Passage.

Zoomed in on Ile des Phoques which is between Schouten Island and Maria Island.

The trees make a great framed photo.

Headed back down the dirt road and turned off to check out Shelly Beach at Orford. Beautiful clear water and lots of crushed shells.

There was a quarry further on that mined the sandstone for build with. Nice sandstone here.

The wind has whipped up Prosser Bay – looking at Point House Lighthouse.

Through Orford then we stopped for a photo of the Convict Road sign. The road (which is private entry only) was built by convicts along the Prosser River to the Paradise probation station (ruins).

Stopped at Raspins Beach to read the Info Boards about Maria Island and the beach.

The wind isn’t worrying this area – would be a great place to camp with a fabulous view of Maria Island. The sky has cleared up too.

Up the road we turned off to Louisville where a resort is under renovation. We drove up through the houses for a great view over the whole of Maria Island.

Back to Triabunna and we crossed over the bridge up the creek area to go to the other side to check out the Deep Water Jetty. Cute manicured trees.

Then we headed up the hill for a view over Triabunna – up the creek then out to Spring Bay.

Across the bridge again looking at the marina.

Had a cuppa and Steve found a Miss Marple Murder on the ABC so we watched that – I guessed who did it. Headed off for a walk with our weatherproof pants over our jeans, beanies, gloves and four layers of jumpers/coats!! Checked out the Seafarers’ Memorial, dedicated to the memory of Tasmanians who have lost their lives at sea and seafarers claimed by Tasmania waters.

One of the plaques.

Our ride to Maria Island tomorrow.

Great map.

Back past our campground for the next couple of days.

Found some information about the history of the area and its buildings. Triabunna started life in the 1800s as a garrison town for the penal colony on Maria Island.

The old barracks.

Triabunna House.

The Commercial Corner.

Now a Christmas Shop – I wonder how it survives.

Great to compare then and now.

The Magistrates House – built in 1842 for the visiting magistrates to Triabunna (Spring Bay) until 1861. The cottage has had many uses over the last 171 years. It was in the Castle family for many years where they operated their funeral business of making coffins. Other uses include tea rooms, gift shops, B & Bs and a home.

Down the road was the war memorial area with the Lone Pine which was propagated from a single tree at Lone Pine Gallipoli which we have seen at all the war memorial places.

The plaques show the names of those who have lost their lives.

Headed around to the water and the mud islands.

Lots of birds chilling out on the log.

The rain started to come down as we walked past the Isle of Dead where they used to bury the dead between 1847 and 1867 so their spirits wouldn’t return to haunt the living. Some of the headstones are still intact and are visible though we were rushing as the rain came down. Will check it out again another day as you can get to it on low tide too.

Ran back to the van – it is dark now and it is only 5pm!! Worked on my blog while Steve caught up with the news on TV.

7pm temp outside was 8 degrees, inside still 15 though the cold is coming up through the floor.

Rang Charles for a chat and to let him know that Steve is coming up to go up the Palmer with him. Into bed to warm up and watch some TV - getting a great giggle from Big Bang Theory - now I know why the boys liked it so much.