The advice from Police was for further progress by four-wheel-drive vehicles only... and here we were on public roads, a highway, nonetheless. It was all right for us and for many others but must have been a problem to several who were in ordinary cars. Our three-month-old Pajero on its Geolanders was perfect for the conditions ahead. And yet, as we drove, we thought the directive was more than a little conservative. Nothing that we saw or drove through would have caused any real problem to a well-driven two-wheel drive car. Wherein lies the problem, perhaps.
We wrote before about our mad, passionate love affair with this little island, Tasmania, so near to our doorstep and yet unvisited for all our 70+ years. At which point I will change direction slightly. I know, as an ex-Victorian (we've lived in Tassie all of five minutes and now consider ourselves native!) that a lot of 'Mainlanders', perhaps especially Victorians who are the nearest, think and know little of the Apple Isle. And yet, it is the second oldest state in the country, next only to New South Wales. It was settled in the South, in part because of a magnificent deepwater port (Hobart is much like Sydney in that regard) and for convict resettlement, and in the North because of a large tidal river (the Tamar) and the likelihood of good pastoral land.
Melbournians (and we had, until recently, been numbered among them) may even look upon the little island to their South as somewhat insignificant. Not so. It is not only older than Victoria by close on fifty years, the settlement of Melbourne was established by John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner from Launceston around 1835. Fawkner was an ex-convict who had come from Port Philip Bay as long back as 1803, when a shortlived convict colony was established at Sorrento. The colony, along with Fawkner and the other convicts, was moved on to Tasmania after only five months. John Batman was a successful Tasmanian grazier/farmer. He led a group who 'bought' 600,000 acres of land from the Wurundjeri owners, as well as a further 100,000 acres in the Corio area. Something already learned is that we Tasmanians incorrectly suggest that Melbourne was settle from Launceston. Sounds good, even though it is not totally correct!
But this isn't meant to be a history lesson! Our earlier essay was written six months ago. We returned to our outer Melbourne home and told family that we were considering leaving them. A lot of discussion ensued but, as a grandson who does regular business in Tassie said, it's only an hour's flight away or, as we knew, an overnight trip on the 'Tassie Taxi' (aka Spirit of Tasmania). There were no real objections; was this, then, a matter of concern...? Did they want to see us gone...? Hmmmm
Although happy enough with the price we got, the agent obviously had our home at too low a price. People seemed to be tripping over each other to buy it: It was sold on the third day after going to market. We packed and left. With our (mobile) home on our back like a snail, we headed straight over the Strait to look at three properties that had grabbed our attention online. We delighted in the first although, to do justice to ourselves, looked at the others as well. What we chose has a rural outlook over field and pasture, rolling hills, forest and dams to Mount Roland (near Sheffield).
Once settled in (and it was only a matter of just over four weeks!) we started our look around the state we now consider home. There was no way unpacking and sorting would prevent our journey of discovery continuing. Certain things have to be done, of course. Things must be relatively comfortable and certainly clean but, as soon as those two parameters are established, it's time to go.
This is gaining length, so I will pass quickly over what we did in the first two-week trip. Suffice to say, we wanted to revisit several places we had already been, Cataract Gorge, Bridport, Campbell Town, Windsor, New Norfolk and Plenty, Strahan and Stanley. Those of you who have ever been here and visited any of these places will understand why. There were a number which, for various reasons, we had missed during our earlier trip. One of those is Greg Duncan's amazing Wall In The Wilderness. It is a carving in Huon Pine depicting the pioneers and the hardships in opening up the Central Highlands area of Tasmania. Each metre of the work takes around a month to complete and Greg estimates it will be a couple of years yet before the entire 100 metres is completed. This is one of Australia's and the world's outstanding works. His ability to impart realism to a scene, to the pioneers portrayed, is second to none. Please, when you come to visit, try to make time to visit Derwent Bridge.
Our trip went on to Strahan but it was during this section that we were allowed to continue by 4WD only. It seems that once, until perhaps 15 or so years ago, you could drive whatever you were in wherever you felt comfortable to drive. In the circumstance on this trip, with around 30cm of snow on the road, ordinary cars could no longer proceed. This situation has arisen principally, we understand, because we have become such a litigious society and there are too many potential risks for those who might otherwise allow you to proceed.
As I mentioned, it seems a bit over the top in a way. We followed along, second in a convoy of several vehicles, behind a series 200 Land Cruiser. With the Cruiser establishing a pathway, its two clear footprints and the tops of the snowfall trimmed down by its undercarriage, I think I'd have been happy enough in the Commodore we drove many years ago.
Herbie was courteous or cautious enough to warn about moving into a colder environment. We would both like to say "Thanks, Mate," but also add the following. We were told by a park ranger there is no such thing as cold weather in Tasmania, just inappropriate clothing! He's pretty right, you know. I guess I could put it this way, too: You can always put on another layer or a heavier jacket when feeling cold; when hot, there is a limit to how much you can or are allowed to! - remove. Oh, and you might still be hot, anyway.
Bottom line? We are here. We love it. Are we in Paradise yet? No, but we bought a property just five clicks away. Getting nearer all the time!
CHAZZA
-- Edited by Chazza on Sunday 19th of May 2013 05:25:49 PM
-- Edited by Chazza on Sunday 19th of May 2013 05:26:27 PM
I might add to this thread that my brother and his wife decided to move to Tasmania. Bought a wonderful house near Burnie. Six months later they were gone (we didn't even get to see them there - we'd booked our trip but they'd retreated) to the second destination on their list for retirement. My sister-in-law could not cope with the strip of water separating her from her loved ones. They call it grief.
... or separation anxiety, NeilnRuth, a bit like our little dog if either of us disappears from sight for even a few minutes! Well, perhaps a bit more serious than that...
I left a little suggestion of mystery by not mentioning outright that we made our destination but yes, it was a piece of cake. I really do believe any well driven two-wheel-drive car could have made the trip provided a 4x4 took the lead.
You mention Burnie. It's a pretty sort of place, along the waterfront and the hills behind, but we found out something about it just last week. New friends, people who have lived there all their lives, told us that Peter Garrett, then of of Midnight Oil, once wrote a song about Burnie being a polluted disgrace! It has certainly changed.
Just a word of advice, if you would, please. I'm a pretty verbose old codger. Do you think these articles too long?
No Chazza. I don't think your posts are too long. I loved reading them as I have recently had three trips to Tassie, mostly to stay in New Norfolk in order to help a friend build on Mt. Lloyd (South of New Norfolk) and was so taken by what I saw whilst down there, that upon return to the mainland I immediately began looking at Tasmanian real estate. I soon realised that it was a pipe dream at present, but a nice dream.
I had booked to go over on the ferry this April just gone, but circumstances meant that I had to postpone the trip until later in the year. Further circumstances mean that this trip too may be cancelled for something closer to home, but I am keen to get back to Tassie again. It's a beautiful place where I have a few friends and another one planing to be living at Mt. Lloyd by years end, but whether I return by plane or ferry remains to be seen.
Currently, my work and life commitments also means that no matter how much I'd like to sell up and move to Tassie it's unlikely it will happen in the short term, but at just 59, I think I still have a few years left in me to take the plunge. I only hope the conceived problems of living across the Straight means that it won't become an over-crowded place like what's happening in my once secluded patch of scrub 30klm S/W of Ballarat.
So please feel free to write more about your Tasmanian adventures. I'm keen to learn more.
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Proud owner of an 2006 3lt turbo diesel Rodeo. Van will be next!!
We also looked at real estate in Tassie, and found it very attractively priced too. But we chickened out, knowing how much we hated the winters in Canberra. Instead have moved to the coast. We still have 4 seasons, but the winters aren't as cold or as long, and can go to the beach any day.
Yes, real estate is very attractive over here, especially with the market as depressed as it is. For example, a quite comfortable home on almost an acre, right in the heart of Railton (a half hour to Devonport and about an hour to Launceston, then a one hour flight to Melbourne); surprisingly neat and with little to do: $175,000. For the person it might suit, someone without work, with a big mortgage but a bit of equity, it gives one form of financial escape. Apparently there are quite a number who have done just that, according to the real estate people. The negative is finding work here. If you are capable with a computer, you may have work as near as your spare room, of course, but there are limits to such opportunities, I guess.
To each his own, Gerty Dancer: You are a beach person - and Tassie, as an island, has some incredibly beautiful beaches - but the cold months put you off. We are people who enjoy the coastal scene and the hinterland pretty much on par. Weatherwise, some of the photographic effects here are possible only because of rain, fog or mist. It makes a 'snapper's paradise'!
Every year for the last 3 years we mind a bed and breakfast in Grindelwald north of Launceston, for a month. We are heading over there in June and this time we are staying for 4 months.
We are Brisbanites, although have been on the road for 7 mths and many more years to go.
We love Tassie and our dear friends live in Railton on the Sheffield side on the outskirts of town. Their property is called "Dunrootin".
The warm clothes are the answer. People are amazing, we just love it and we never tire of going there as their is always plenty to see.
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"No matter what happens travel gives you a story to tell"
Yes, gollymolly, it is enchanting. The people are so totally different and, in some ways, unaffected. Grindelwald is nice. We have already heard the story of Roelf Vos, how he made his money in supermarkets then used it to develop his Swiss village. Enjoy your four months (but I know you will!)
