We decided to go down the middle of Tasmania and meet up with Shane and Jayne (friends we met in Canberra) in Hobart. So we left Devonport and headed south.
We stopped at Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm very briefly, but really it was a yuppie cafe, so we left.
We chose Deloraine as a central point to things we wanted to see and checked out the caravan park – really it was an amenities block along the river. I was not going to pay $40 considering we weren’t going to be there during the day so we opted for the free camp right in town. No toilets but a short walk over the footbridge and there they were. So we offloaded the van and went to see tourist attractions.
The first real attraction was the Marakoopa Caves, we did the Cathedral and Glow Worm walk. I organised everyone to get shoes and warm clothes as I had read it was only 9° in the caves. Well we were warm but Rod forgot his. So in his holey volleys and short ruggers he braved the cold caves – freezing! It was absolutely amazing to see how they have been created by just water over many years. They would have to be the best caves I have ever seen. Got some spectacular photos too. The end of the walk was a big open part that has amazing acoustics; I know with my voice I should have tried them out but I got stage fright. At the end of the tour all the lights were turned out and you could see all the glow worms. The boys even left saying it was awesome, which impressing them is getting harder to do.
On the way back we stopped at Melita’s Honey Pot – great too cause it was free entry and tasting. Could you imagine 50+ ways to flavour honey. Well they were there and there for tasting, which we did. I didn’t actually try all of them, there is only so much honey one can eat. There was a gift shop that had all honey, body products from honey, ice cream and of course the gift shop full of bee products, very cute.
From here we went to the 41Trout Farm. We tried some of the products on offer but for $25 self guided walk we opted out and left.
We then saw a small goods manufacturer, European influenced, and stopped for a look. Well over priced so we didn’t buy anything and left there too.
Our eyes now set on the Ashgrove Cheese Factory we headed back towards Devonport. We saved ourselves for here as in one of the tourist books were vouchers for buy one get one free ice cream. As you know me, I picked up an extra book so we could maximize our benefits!
The cheese tasting was yummy, as always. So we purchased a few cheeses, a vindaloo paste and 4 ice creams; I had mango and it was to die for. We sat outside in the sun and ate our ice creams.
We returned to our van and the boys went off to play in the park and I began cooking dinner. Rod had done pea and ham soup and I was making bacon and mushroom cabonara. The kids entertained themselves for the afternoon playing in the park, playing in the creek (yes in the water) and playing at the tennis courts next door. They really are at a good age.
We ate dinner and snuggled in bed watching the last 2 episodes of Revenge..... I can’t wait until next year to see the rest.
PHOTOS: Tasmania - Deloraine
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