West Tassie Hostess Round Up - November 2022 - Hayley Morris

With superb weather for 8 out of the 9 days we travelled the West Coast of Tassie, we couldn't have ask for better weather or company.  Our guide Dean was also fantastic, being a local he knew all the places and more to share with us.  Starting in sleepy Launceston on a sleepy Sunday, Dean took us along east and west of the Tamar River showcasing beautiful rolling green hills and pastures.  Including a visit to Grindelwald where for a second we really thought we were in Switzerland. Then onto Cataract Gorge to again bathe in the beautiful sunshine as we explored this beautiful area.  A leisurely walk around Launceston showed the many historical buildings and it really is amazing when you look up and see that most of these architectual wonders have stood the test of time.  The next day we head off to Ashgrove Cheese Company and onto Anvers Chocolate to stock up on supplies.  The town of Penguin delighted many before moving on to Stanley with the dramatic Nut offering a commanding backdrop to this quaint town.  Some opted to walk to the top whilst others caught the last chairlift to enjoy commanding oceanivews as far as the eye could see.  For a first time visitor to Stanley I was impressed.  Onto Smithton to the Tall Timbers resort where we spent 2 nights. The following day we venture into the Tarkine Wilderness area stopping along the way to view waterfalls and enjoy rainforest walks.  We even made a quick stop at Sisters beach!  How appropriate. A visit to the beautiful seaside village of Boat Harbour proved popular with many of us considering applying for job advertised in the best positioned cafe I've ever seen!  Onto to Table Cape before travelling to Cradle Mountain still being blessed by beautiful weather so much so that our Cradle Mountain guide said that the weather we enjoyed the day we visited only happens 10 days a year!  Onto Zeehan the mining town again with their beautiful buildings dotted along the main (and very short) street.  Arriving into Strahan where the bubble burst and our first sign of rain appeared.  The turn in weather did not dampen our spirits as we enjoyed a Gordon River Cruise with an interesting visit to Sarah Island, once a brutal penal colony.  With remnants of the past still on show, an eerie feeling bestowed upon us.  Strahan is a very picturesque town and we were said to say goodbye as we headed into Hobart via Derwent where we enjoy an amazing visit to The Wall gallery.  In Hobart, on the home stretch now, many enjoyed an optional Bruny Island day tour spoiling us with tasty local treats and rare sighting of a white wallaby.  A fabulous time away with a fabulous group of supportive women.