Sat, 17th Feb, 2024 Cooee Point Rest Area, near Burnie to Railton Self Contained RV Park, Railton, Tas (Sheffield Murals)

15 degrees, cloud and no wind. The nursery was very noisy through the night. I woke up once and it sounded like there was a penguin right beside the camper. About 4.30 it was all quiet again - parents back out to sea before sunrise.

Headed into Burnie to get a few groceries and a gas bottle exchange. We had a great time exploring all the history about this town. Nice mural.

Unfortunately no gas small bottles at Bunnings here or Devonport so will wait till we get back to Launceston. Diesel is $2.039/L which is the cheapest in town.

Had a cuppa then headed off - the sun is out and the sea is flat now.

Headed back to Penguin, the township. It was named after all the Fairy Penguins, of course (now called Little Penguins). The township was settled in 1861 by Edward Joseph Beecroft. There are lots of parks but no big parking bays. Drove along the Esplanade - got a photo of Mr Penguin.

Eventually we found a spot and had lunch overlooking Johnson beach.

Back through Penguin and followed the coast road that runs alongside the railway line that hugs the coast.

Across the Leven River at Ulverstone. Back onto the Bass Highway and across the Forth River then down to Spreyton. Turned off at the Big Apple - lots of apple trees here.

Onto a new road for us as we head to Sheffield - Town of Murals. Sharon & Graham had posted up the latest murals which were amazing so we thought we would have a look. They keep the winner on display so there are a few on show since we were there.

Up and down the hills through farming areas. Lower Barrington has another truffle farm. Mt Roland stands out.

Into Sheffield - murals everywhere here and I think I took a photo of nearly all of them, except the latest ones of course. We were here for the Steam Fest too. Great map on the info board.

Checked out the latest ones from last years festival - very impressive. We found a few of the hidden things.

More of the 2023 murals. Love the 3D one.

A few of the winners of previous years. Not sure about 2004 winner!

Some other great ones on display.

We went into the Art Gallery - some very interesting items in there. Great mural on the wall - so real you feel you could walk through the doors.

Wandered along the street checking out the murals - love these ones.

Loud music was coming from a ‘interesting’ shop. Lots of things to read on the walls and ceiling and the chap was grooving in the doorway so we didn’t go in!

I think he has the shop opposite too going by the signs!.

These look so read - sad he didn’t get to realise his dream.

Found a cafe selling Mocopan coffee and yummy muffins. The cafe was in an old bank and the barrista’s storeroom was the old vault. Across the road is a store that was established in 1899.

On the way back to the truck I found this great information - missed it last time. Read about the first mural that started it all off and it was on the wall opposite.

Warmer day but the breeze is still cool. Headed off past the Steam Fest site which is on in March.

Heading to Railton for the night. As we near the township we turned off at a carved sculpture of a chap with a bicycle.

It was of Mr Sykes who left his 40 acres of land to the community as a nature reserve.

Followed the path. What a great invention he made.

At the end of the path was a big open area with some ‘interesting’ sculptures. Obviously he was a mathematician too - looks a lot like what Prince Leonard of Hutt River Providence in WA had in one of the parks there.

Spotted a few of these painted stones here and there. There is a Facebook page they are linked to.

Through Railton. They have a few murals here too along with all the little spiral topiary trees.

Turned off to the free RV Park. There was another big rig camper here so we parked on the other side and set up. Along a bit there is a new CMCA RV Park now.

Much warmer today - 28 degrees in the camper.

Wandered over to say hi to the ‘neighbours’ when we had drinks and met Mark and Mireille who are from Melbourne. Mireille also writes a blog on blogspot (Travelling with MM) so we compared notes and she showed me a few new things I could - when I get time!! Steve and Mark chatted about the camper as he had built his too. The people we meet is another great aspect of our travelling lifestyle.