Thurs, 8th Feb, 2024 Paddock behind Ye Olde Buckland Inn, Buckland to Blackburn Park, Campbell Town, Tas

Only got down to 15 degrees which we don’t mind. Cloudy and no wind.

Headed off along the Tasman Highway towards the east coast. Narrow road between the hill and the Prosser River.

Opens up and we can see the weir - town water supply I suppose.

On Wikicamps it shows the site and info of old convict ruins on the other side so might check that out.

A lot of work in making this fence.

Continued on into Orford. We turned off and went south to Shelly Beach then along to East Shelly Beach as I spotted a lookout and cliff top walk on the map.

Its called Luther Point and only a short walk from the road. This rock just needs a little push to go over!

Rocky coast line - looking across to opening with a bit of Maria Island on the right.

We followed the trail towards Spring Beach for a bit. Looking back at the big rock.

View across to Orford. Still up on the cliffs so turned around.

The other way goes down to Shelly Beach so we headed back to the truck.

Back to the main road then back towards Orford. Across the Prosser River.

Stopped at Convict Road but it looks very narrow. I googled it and comments said there wasn’t much left so we decided to skip it.

Continued on through small township of Orford. Stopped at a park at Raspin Beach for a cuppa - we stopped here last time we remembered. Looking across to Maria Island.

The cliffs were were walking around.

Made a cuppa - Steve fixed a broken exhaust bracket - again. I went and read the info boards - probably took photos of these last time too. Very interesting to read how a convict had the river named after him.

We did get over to Maria Island but only a short visit as it was into winter and the ferry closed for a bit so we were lucky to go across with a school group. Unfortunately it was wet and cold but we got to see the sights. Lots of wombats but we didn’t see any Tassie Devils as it was too cold to go out into the night.

Continued on along the edge of Spring Bay to Triabanna. We stayed here before going across to Maria Island so we continued on the main road. A vehicle towing a van flashed his lights at us - I thought Police, maybe someone likes our truck or was it someone we know. Then the phone rang and it was Anne and they had just gone passed us and were heading into Triabanna as they had issues with their actuators last night. We turned around to see if we can be of assistance. Their other friends Glen & Lynne and other friends Ron & Jenny were with them - heading down to do some fishing at Lime Bay. We chatted while Anne tried to get onto the van supplier as they have had issues before with their actuators and they are the dearer ones than ours. They are inside and controlled by a central box so who knows where the issue might be. Slow process getting someone to ring back but we had a nice time chatting. Had lunch then we headed off as the chap had rung back so there was no need for us to be there. It was good to meet Ron & Jenny as they will be going north later in the year with Mike and Anne so we might see them somewhere. They are looking into going into East Arnhem Land to fish so I asked if we could tag along too. They will find out the info and permits etc and get back to us.

We continued northward through more cattle and sheep grazing farms. A few wineries here and there too.

Nice view as we near Mayfield over the choppy water to Coles Bay/Freycinet Nat Park area as the wind has picked up a lot.

Great little camp here by the water where we stayed previously - lots of vans in there today.

Up the cliff side road with glimpses over the water.

Pulled off at the Spiky Bridge.

Pushing into the strong wind so there goes the fuel economy again. Through Swansea - a popular sea side town - wild and windy today but the sun is shining.

Continued on then turned off onto the Lake Leake Road to head to Campbell Town for the night. Slow rising, windy road through the hills of natural scrubby forest then State Forest to 670m then down to 580m and passed the turn off into Lake Leake. We checked it out last time.

Continued onto a new road to mark off on our map. Through grazing cattle farms. Nice view over the ‘Midlands’. Steeper descent down.

Through honey coloured sheep grazing to 210m and into Campbell Town.

A lovely town with some many old homes etc.

We turned off before we crossed the Red Bridge over the Elizabeth River to go down to the RV park where we froze last time. Should be right this time.

Set up and had a cuppa by the river. Can’t see any platypus or is that platypi.

Chatted with the couple beside us from Wagga Wagga in an Explorer motorhome like Clive and Rebecca’s while we had our drinks.

The wind got colder a the sun dropped so we headed into the camper to make dinner.