Our plan today was to head to the Hobart Waterfront to explore battery point and the Salamanca area. We had just arrived and were about to start exploring the area when Photos started feeling nauseous. We popped into a nearby coffee shop to let him rest and see how he felt. Unfortunately he started feeling worse so we decided to go home and let him rest.
Photos went straight to bed (probably the lingering affects of when he was sick in Ayers Rock) and I took the time to relax a little, tidy up and get caught up on some blogging!
Goat’s Bluff (Part 1)
In the afternoon, I headed out solo to a place I had read about called Goats bluff. It’s a lookout south of Hobart where a few photos of bioluminescence had been taken only a few days before. Next to some of the other items on our list, the idea of sea sparkles or glowing water was something we both wanted to do. So I wanted to check out the area to see if it was a viable place to visit when Photos got better.
It was about a 40 minute drive outside of the city. Upon arriving the view of the southern ocean was awesome. the waves crashing against the rocks and the lone island in the distance made for a very picturesque view.
I also noticed a smaller path off to the side and decided to see where it lead. To my amazement, it lead to this beautiful empty beach! I was shocked that I had this massive beautiful beach to myself. Its always awesome to find something great when you’re not really looking for it and this time was no different!
I returned back to our airbnb to turn in early. Photos was still not feeling great so I wanted to be around in case he needed a hand!
Exploring Hobart
Photos looked to have turned the corner, but still wanted to time to allow his body to recover. So he suggested I go out during the morning and explore while he rested.
I set out to the city centre, parked the car and spent the better art of the morning and afternoon walking around the area.
Hobart waterfront
The waterfront is centred around two “docks”, the constitution and victoria docks. I walked along the water and really enjoyed the time soaking in sunshine and great views.
I had a chance to stop off at a place called “Fishy Business” for some seafood and got the fish platter. It gave me one of everything on the menu. So it was great to try some scallop, calamari, fish and shrimp!
Anzac memorial
A 20 minute walk away from the waterfront was a small park that had a memorial for the military. I had noticed it on my way back from Goat’s bluff the yesterday and so I wanted to see it up close! There are many Anzac memorials in Australia and New Zealand and it serves as a commemoration of all Australian and New Zealand Solders (Army Corps) who have died in wars and peacekeeping efforts around the world.
Lark distillery
On our first night here, the waitress at the Ball and Chain grill had suggested we check out the Whiskey in Tasmania. I hadn’t even considered it when researching things to do in Tasmania but how could I say no?! I had found Lark on my initial walk and stopped in to try a flight of different Whiskey! Everything was very good and I really wanted to pick some up, however they don’t ship internationally and I didn’t want to carry around Whiskey with me for the rest of my trip. But again, it was very good!
Salamanca Market Area
My last area to explore was the Salamanca Market area, we had been in and out of this area a few times but we never really spent the time to walk it. Its a great little area with modern art shops, independent designer fashions and an awesome plaza with great patios.
Car accident
Sadly Tasmania wasn’t kind to Photos or I. On my way back to see how Photos was, my natural driving tendencies popped up and I made a right turn without considering oncoming traffic (in North America there wouldn’t have been any). I didn’t see the oncoming car and we ended up in a bit of a fender bender. Thankfully, nobody was hurt and we had opted for the maximum level of insurance so aside from some frazzled nerves, and a lost hour or two sorting things out, everything turned out ok.
After sorting out paperwork and picking up a new rental vehicle, I checked in with Photos. He was doing MUCH better and aside from feeling weakened and tired, seemed to be well on his way to recovery. We decided to pick up some vietnamese soup noodles (pho) as we didn’t want to overload Photo’s stomach with anything too complex.
Goats bluff (Part 2) and the Southern Lights
It was our last evening in Tasmania, Photos was feeling better and we hadn’t seen sea sparkles yet, so we drove out to Goat’s bluff to see if we could luck out and catch this phenomena. When we arrived we noticed another photographer there and setup next to him. It didn’t look like there was much sea sparkle activity this night (which was a bummer) but our new photographer friend said he was there for the southern lights activity! So we ended up staying for about two hours photographing the southern lights and stars. Even now, this was one of my best highlights of the trip. We were able to see something pretty rare and magnificent, and meet a new friend in the process!
For all its difficulties we were able to end our visit to Tasmania on a positive note. We would be up early the next day for a short flight to Melbourne and new adventures to be had!
So amazing!!!