Last day Dubbo to Toowoomba

Today at 7am we left Dubbo for home. The trip went over the same road as we travelled on day 1 so it was boring. Just 40 minutes out we were passed by police at very high speed. Shortly after while on a passing lane a police bike almost slammed into us at crazy speed, a guess is maybe 200kmph + approach speed. He almost came off. Otherwise uneventful trip with us getting home 3:20pm local time.

Our whole trip had last 10 days, and we had travelled 5075km round trip.

 

Hobart to Melbourne and beyond Day 9

Early start to get to the Airport at 5am local time (4am EST). Final pack up of hotel room went well, hopefully we didn't leave anything behind.

Hobart airport is small about same size as Townsville. Check in went well, as the Jetstar staff were friendly and helpful.

The security folks are interesting, we have watched them pull out families for chemical bomb testing and let folks who look dangerous walk through. one guy was stopped by screening for carrying dangerous items but was not tested for chemicals. In fact Melissa was pulled out instead of him. Hmm.

We suppose to fly at 7:45am but the flight just got pushed back to 9:00am - 9:30am due to the need of a replacement crew member. I can't say that I would willingly fly Jetstar again. Certainly it's staff are great but the company's policy towards its customers is lacking. Sadly management seems to be poor and almost amateurish. Just 4 years ago we were proud to say our airlines were top notch compared to domestic American and European outfits. Now it appears Jetstar is no different probably due to economics pressures. The cost point instead of service is the company's selling feature, so I guess buyer beware. Sadly for us we are tired for no real gain. At least they didn't cancel the flight like they did to our Melbourne to Hobart flight. Went looking for Jetstar feedback on their website, but couldn't find it on the mobile version, figures. Other passengers told us Jetstar horror stories, all about poor management not the staff. Bloody painful waiting nearly 2 hours more for a flight. It doesn't help ones sense of humour.

Arrival at Melbourne continued our bad luck with difficulty in locating our car in massive car park and a higher than expected fee. Again staff great.

At 11am we headed out across Victoria and New South Wales to Dubbo. Police presence on the roads was extremely high . Saw both a rain and dust storm over course of day, both with high winds. We were extremely lucky in finding a hotel in Dubbo due to the start of Victorian and New South Wales holidays today. We have found that motels tend to close earlier here than in Queensland partly due to the day light saving.

A day trip Launceston Day 8

Today we are traveling to Launceston via the midlands highway. The countryside has taken on a New Zealandish feel.

We stopped at Kempon (1830s homes), Oaklands (to see a 1830s windmill) and Ross.

Oaklands had a Main Street that hasn't changed in 125 years at least. The Mill itself is typical Dutch influenced windmill of early 1800s design. A lovely town.

Ross was a site of female factory of the mid 19th Century. Only commandants home remains today. The town like Oaklands is populated with Georgian and early Victorian homes and public buildings. The bridge (1836) is well crafted "British" bridge of stone. Melissa also got to catchup with her cousin and wife who own the local Australia Post.

We saw many old sandstone farmhouses and legal poppy fields on the way Launceston. Finally after passing through towns like Bagdad, Perth, Cleveland and crossing river Jordan we arrived in Launceston.

Launceston was the site of our next adventure, the cateract gorge. On the edge of the city, it is the site of swing bridge and worlds longest single span chair lift we rode across the gorge. The gorge is surrounded by Victorian era parks and gardens (NY Central Park ) , bathing pools and eateries. There is walking track that navigates the gorge which is quite pretty.

Sadly time was against us, and we didn't get a chance to explore the city.

Tomorrow we fly out of Hobart early for Melbourne so we were forced to stay at the hotel and pack.

Around Hobart and surrounds Day 7

Today was an action packed day starting with a trip 1200 meters up Mount Wellington. Views were obscured due to rain but still impressive but cold.

Next we visited the Pit farm (Australia's second oldest farm) on the way to the Cadbury chocolate factory.

The factory gift shop and chocolate shop got work over. We didn't do the tour as had done one in New Zealand in September 2010.

Finally we head to the Richmond Zoo Zoodoo to see Tasmanian Devils. It was an excellent experience.

At night we enjoyed a German Christmas dinner at Peter's and Anja's followed present opening. Overall a busy but enjoyable day.

Port Arthur visit Day 6

Today we drove to Port Arthur. A historic landmark for Tasmania and Australia. We followed Elessa, James, Dad and Mum on a tour of natural landmarks on the way.

Port Arthur was very interesting experience, the tour guides were generally most talented. They indicated that the punishments were designed to reform "hard men" into useful and productive citizens. The ruins were well kept, and lawns well tended. Our visit included a boat tour of the harbour, and we decided to visit the 'Isle of the Dead' as well. We were the only folks visiting the isle at that time, so we had very personal tour of the graves.

After the 'Isle of Dead' we continued our tour of the ruins. The commandant's residence was a typical Georgian era house of the 1830-40s. It was lovely home sited on the highest ground overlooking the settlement and harbour.

We would have liked to do the "Ghost tour" but it started way too late for the girls, so we headed back to Hobart.

Our return trip went quickly back to Hobart. We decided to visit the docklands again to find food. Eventually we decided to eat at Pizza place called "Cargo" which is obviously popular with singles scene.

PS Jacqueline has a blog as well at http://jacqadventureblog.blogspot.com.au/ and Charlotte's can be found at: http://charlottesblogspace.blogspot.com.au/





Blow Hole

Port Arthur

View from Hotel

View of Commandants House

Port Arthur

Pirate Bay

For the mad

Gardens at port Arthur



Devils arch

Graves at Isle of Dead

Melbourne to Hobart day 5 airline fun and games

We woke this morning by the sound of jetstar text message announcing that our flight is cancelled. A quick call and we found ourselves on much earlier flight. Luckily we had 80% packed the night before. Don't fly Jetstar unless you are flexible around times.

The trip to airport was generally painless. Traffic was polite and road well signed. We avoided the dreaded hook turn as well.

Melbourne airport is well organized and easy to get around. Our flight went on time and arrived on time. Staff were friendly and professional.

Hire car end up being a AWD KIA, a legacy of an early flight. Hotel very pleasant and staff friendly.

We walked down into CBD and then caught up with Elessa and James for dinner on the docklands. Very nice.

We met up at a historic square for supper and caught up with Mum, Dad, Peter, Anja, and Catherine as well as Elessa and James. Witnessed a naked fountain swimmer who than became a streaker who did the swim dare for a measly pie. The pies at the Salamanca Bake House must be extra special in Hobart!

Last full day in Melbourne Day 4

Today was a cool and pleasant day. We ventured out to do some shopping and then took a tram  to the old Melbourne goal.

Very interesting and very sobering experience walking round the old goal. Some 175 poor souls were executed at goal including some women and of course Ned Kelly. Many of the doomed had death masks made, so it is chilling looking at the face of the hanged. After the goal we took a tour to the 1909-1994 watch house we were processed and locked up by a member "?" of Victorian Police force. A interesting experience.

The girls then returned to Harbour Town to shop till they dropped. A quick tram back to CBD then more shopping. Prices are remarkable in that there is nothing in Toowoomba or Brisbane that can match them. The sheer variety of stock is amazing. One bookstore equalled all bookstores in Toowoomba put together, then multiple by three in size.





View from room of city hall



Ned Kelly's pistol




Monster Bookshop



Melbourne Goal 1840

Ned Kelly's death mask





Exercise Room 1990's



Ground floor old Melbourne Goal