Bicheno has been great – some nice wildlife tours, good seafood, awesome scenery, and a nice cottage to relax in. After checking out, our innkeeper (Sandy) shares with us the nest of a pair of penguins who have been visiting their home for a couple of years. The parents are off hunting for the day, but the two chicks are waiting for us to get some good pics.
Our route is north, along the Great Eastern Rod, up to Binalong Bay and the Bay of Fires. Much of the drive is out of view of the coast, but when we can see the beaches, it’s just amazing – blue we’ve never seen, brilliant white sand, and massive rocks covered with lichen. The whole area north of Bicheno is noted for spectacular beach views, for good reason.
After a few hours along the coast we turn inland and, via very winding roads, cross over one of the ranges which separate eastern and central Tasmania. Wild country – forests mixed with small farms & grazing lands. Along the road are a couple of cool tourist ‘musts’ the ‘Pub in the Paddock’ featuring Pricilla, the beer drinking pig, and the Weldsborough Inn, a beer geeks must-stop. Purportedly the widest selection of Tasmania draft & bottled beers. Nice!
Our landing spot for the day is the Barnbougle Resort, a world-class golfing destination. Our room is great with water & course views (along with the requisite Wallabee siting).
Dick
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This morning we pack up and head out. We see our hostess and she shows us the little penguin borough with two young ones, the mom and dad are out already eating fish to bring back at sundown.
We head north on the Great Eastern Road towards the Bay of Fires, the landscape is beautiful. We stop at a very small vineyard, Priory Ridge. The couple that own the place, it has been in her family for 120 years. It was originally a sheep station, cultivating wool. The tasting room is in the old sheep shearing shed. She had the opportunity to take over the place about 20 years ago when her father passed away, and they decided to plant grapes instead. They grow the grapes but have partnered with a longtime friend and award-winning wine maker further south to produce their wines. Very good.
We work our way to the Bay of Fires to admire the landscape and get some photos.
Dick is able to scratch off a few beer related items, prior to arriving at Lost Farm at Barnbougle.
Mary
2 thoughts on “Great Eastern Road (Tasmania)”
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OK, I have to go back to Tasmania. That is all there is to it.
Yep. We’re thinking the same thing. And we haven’t left yet!