2 Geckos Travelling Australia: Tues, 20th Feb, 2024 Malcolm & Kerry’s place, Westbury, Tas to Spirit of Tasmania, Corio Bay, Vic (exploring)

We woke when we heard Malcolm started the truck ready for the drive to Smithton.

The sun is just rising and there is a lovely glow through the clouds.

Met a lovely young lady who is training to be a pilot for Malcolm. Rex arrived with his wife (going for the drive) and said bye to him too. Said bye again to Malcolm and hope to see him and Kerry on the road some time soon.

Overcast morning and very still, 15 degrees minimum.

Went back to bed till 8am - still hasn’t warmed up as there is no sunshine.

Chatted with Kerry for a bit. She suggested a route for us to take and I said I noticed a park, Egmount Reserve, beside the Meander River. She said that is where they used to take the kids for a swim all the time when they were younger.

We headed off along the back road then pulled off into the park. The sheep were enjoying the water on the other side.

We had a cuppa. A few guys came wandering back with fishing rods but no fish and they were very wet!

Decided to take a scenic drive up to Port Sorell before heading over to Devonport to catch the ship back to the mainland.

Back on the road through a windy, bumpy road, up and down the hills, through farms and forestry areas with lots of logging trucks on the road.

Across the Franklin Rivelet then the Rubicon River, both flow into Port Sorell.

Turned off into Port Sorell - a new road to colour in on our map. We hadn’t covered them all but have ticked off a few more this trip.

Turned off then to check out Squeaking Point. Lots of homes but none with water views.

Drove down to the boat ramp - very peaceful here.

Walked out onto the jetty - the tide is rushing out.

Walked around to the boat ramp to get a view up the estuary.

There is a walk from here to Port Sorell.

Back out and onto the township of Port Sorell and the Rubicon Estuary. Around to Freers Beach. There is a caravan park along the front. Parked nearby and walked out to the beach. Bit of history along the path.

The sky is dark and dreary. View over Port Sorell township and over the estuary. A boat was whizzing in through the entrance.

Back to the roundabout then along the Hawley Beach and along the Esplanade. Lots of fancy homes and a few old shacks.

Passed a sign ‘Hawley House - 1878’ which was hidden behind trees. You can view the gardens for $5.

Down to the end where a gravel road continues to a farm. We went back a bit and parked and made lunch. View from the beach here.

Headed down the road to the path to the point (1.2 km). Looks like the wind has been bringing down a few branches.

Nice walk. Looking across to Spy Island.

The trees keep changing. Lots of wallabies and pademelons and probably penguins hiding in the shrubbery too - smelt like it.

Around the edge of Larooma Station - pretty flowers and lovely homestead from what I could see.

Steve saw something black and wondered why there was some poly pipe here when it moved and he realised it was a snake. It stayed still for a photo then disappeared under the leaves away from us, thank goodness.

Back out to the water.

Continued on till we could see the point.

Jenny and Anne are working their way through all the fishing permits needed for East Arnhem Land. Have to do one for each zone instead of just being able to list the zones you wish to visit!!

Kept going till we reach the sign - End of Track.

Looking back up the estuary. Very rocky but there are a few sandy beaches.

Time for a selfie.

Lots of feathers here.

Back to Larcooma Reserve - another view down the estuary from Windick Bay.

Back through town then headed towards Devonport. Misty rain falling and quite windy now. Big areas of covered fruit trees etc.

The sea comes into view again.

Around to East Devonport Beach for a cuppa. Packed our overnight bag and lined up with all the other travellers.

Nice mosaics on the other entrance.

The ship is waiting for us.

Saw a car with a Penny Farthing hanging off the back - the festival was on the 17^th in Evandale. We had a great time there last visit.

Lots of motorbikes too - must have been a rally or something. Misty rain showers as we continued through the queue. Through the check-in and got our room keys then on the inspection station. Police were there with sniffer-dog.

The lady checked the gas bottle then wanted to go into the camper this time - looking for stow-aways! She also wanted to check under the bonnet and made Steve remove a rag he kept under there.

Into the line - too wet to wander outside so we sat and read our books while we waited. Lots of cars and vans boarded then I counted 72 motorbikes as they drove across the ramp.

At 5.45pm we boarded, the ship leaves at 6.45. As we crawled along the queue we watched the big trailers being put in the hull by a tug vehicle.

We were one of the last ones on. Followed the motorhome in front.

Passed the pet section.

Ended up towards the front again but in the middle this time.

All the motorbikes beside us. Locked up and headed up to our cabin.

Our cabin is on Deck 7 this time.

Dropped off our gear and headed up to Deck 9 to have pizzas for dinner before the ship got under way. Didn’t need to rush as they are still loading the big trailers. Nice lounge area. Had our pizzas - not bad.

I went out side, lovely temperature. The big Sea-Road ship was turning around and made its way down the Mersey River and back to the mainland.

We walked through a lovely lounge area then towards the front of the ship to wait for us to turn around. It was a lovely temperature as we stood outside waiting for the ship to move.

The captain advised we were delayed and would depart at 7.20pm. We went back inside. Found this interesting display near the kid’s playground - we learnt a thing or two. It is a ‘riot’ of kookaburras (I agree when they are laughing), a ‘parcel’ of penguins, a ‘paddle’ of platypuses and a ‘wisdom’ of wombats. We realised we only got to see one wombat this time and unfortunately he was dead on the side of the road.

On another wall there was all kinds of interesting facts about birds and animals.

All ready now so the engines started and the ship begins to move. Stood outside again and watched it do the tight u-turn in the river. A chap said they have been working on that wharf for a couple years now to make the turn around area wider etc for when Spirit 3 and 4 arrive later in the year.