Port Arthur to Coles Bay

Port Arthur to Coles Bay Tasmania

I decided to take the bus south from Hobart to Port Arthur. This because there is essentially only one road and I hate riding over the same roads twice.

I checked into the camping ground and headed off for a meal in a mock English Pub. I had mu laptop set up on the table. After the main course I left the restaurant to get a charger that I had left in the pannier on my bike. One of the staff came running after me and said “you can’t leave without paying”. I asked him to follow me back to my table. My laptop and camera were on the table. I asked him did he “really think I was trying to leave without paying?”. He simply walked off.

A father and daughter couple sitting next to me witnessed that above encounter. They told me that they were locals. They also said there is no limit what to expect in this part of the world.

Tasman Island

Next day I booked on a boat tour from Port Arthur to Pirates Beach via Tasman Island.

This was fantastic. Check out the photos they tell it all.

Tour of Port Arthur

Of course being in Port Arthur I had to do a tour of the old prison. That is a grim place place on two counts – the convict history and the massacre.

Just of the massacre, I must say that John Howard has to admired for standing up the gun lobby and strengthening gun control and initiating the gun ‘buy back’. It is a pity something similar can’t be done in the USA.

Ride to Dunnelly

After seeing Port Arthur, I took the short ride to Dunnelly. That is a really small place. The pub allows you to camp in the adjoining vacant block of land. It is really basic with no facilties.

Tough ride from Dunalley to Triabunna

The ride north was tough. I took the back road, which was mainly dirt. I was quite wet and hard going.

Just before Triabunna, I stopped for a coffee in a café. There was a GS 1200 BMW Adventure bike in the car park.

Tall Lady on BMW

After ordering my coffee I sat down near a couple who were obviously on the bike. We had a chat about the bike and other things. The woman was very attractive – much like Megan Gale. Part way through the conversation she stood up and went out to the bike.

An older women sitting nearby commented: “your wife is very tall”. The bloke responded: “yes she is 6’ 2” in old money and she is my second wife. The first one was too short”.

The woman returned and they them both left to get on the bike. He was a good 6”s taller than her. When they got on the bike, they made it look like a Postman’s scouter.

Triabunna

I head up the coast to Triabunna and check into the caravan park. I ended up sharing the ‘backpackers’ cabin with a fellow cyclist – a woman form Germany.

Day on Maria Island

The next day I joined the German Lady on a trip to Maria Island which is located about 20 klms to the east of Triabunna.

The island has an interest history. At one stage it was settled by an Italian and his family. It tried to establish a wine growing business. It wasn’t successful. The island is now a National Park.

Swansea

I continued up the coast stopping at Swansea, before heading across to Coles Bay.

Coles Bay

Coles Bay is famous for the Hazzards (rocky mountains) and Wineglass Bay. The late is thought to one of the most picturesque beaches on the planet. Check out the photos and you be the judge.

I stayed in the YHA in Coles Bay. I will never forget the stay for two reasons. The first was that early in the morning the place was flooded by a torrential downpour. The water rush down the hill right through the hostel and down into the shops and tavern below. It took hours for the staff to clear water with the assistance of local fishermen with bilge pumps. The second reason was the presence of a young Argentine girl. She can only be described as unnecessarily attractive. Her and her husband want to stay in Australia. He would have to be be one of the most privileged blokes on the planet.

Flickr Links

Tasman Island and Port Arthur

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjTXeY6A

Maria Island

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjSx7kfg

Coles Bay

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjSQnmv2

Garmin Links

Dunnalley to Triabunna

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/458510242

Maria Island

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/458510254