Extended Absence

Wow. Did I ever underestimate this place. Nature to the extreme, this place is everything from barren to lush. I have a ton of pictures considering I was only there for five days. This small island could take five weeks easily, if not five months. I must go back.

Day 1:
Landed in Launceston, hired a car and immediately hit the Tamar Valley Wine Route. Tasmania is a cooler region that the rest of mainland Australia, and so varietals like Pinot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc do well here. This also means it is a big region for sparkling whites done in the Method Champagnoise. Unfortunately Clover Hill was closed. I did manage to hit Jansz, Pipers Brook, Dalrymple and Bay of Fires. Dalrymple has a kickass Sauv Blanc, and Bay of Fires had the best sparkling white I tried. Unfortunately both are not exported.

Day 2:
Hit the road for Lake St Clair for some Great Short Walks. I focussed on walks in the west:
Nelson Falls
Donaghys Lookout
Franklin River

Day 3:
Did a quick walk around Lake St Clair before hitting the road for Hobart.

Day 4:
Did a day trip to the Tasman Peninsula, including Port Arthur.

Day 5:
Hit Salamanca Market followed by an hour at the Hobart Beerfest before hopping a plane back to Sydney.