We’re finally underway on our next big adventure!

For those that followed our ‘Big Lap’ around Australia in 2019/20, you’ll remember that family illness meant we had to cut our trip short in Victoria, race back to Sydney and fly over to the UK – only to get stuck there for 10-months due to Covid and inbound passenger restrictions thanks to the Morris government. Well, since then we’ve moved to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to escape the ever increasing traffic and the spread of the big city.

Now enjoying living just minutes from the sea with hot and humid days and warm nights, surrounded by national parks and a pool warm enough to swim in, thoughts slowly turned to travel. Do we risk heading overseas not knowing how Covid could evolve or explore more of our own country and complete our Big Lap. That answer came unexpectedly when catching-up with our Coffs Harbour travel buddies as we brought our caravan north to Queensland.

“We’re thinking of going to Tasmania, would you like to join us?”. We didn’t need to think, “Sure, we’d love to!”. Now Tasmania had never been on our Big Lap plans but was certainly on the radar. We both had been there on several occasions but not with a caravan in tow and then only for a couple of weeks at a time for work or holidays. This time it would be for longer… much longer!

How Long??

What followed was a flurry of text messages, emails and phone calls. Checking for availability on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry brought a surprise. No problem booking outbound but the earliest return ferry was three months later, which meant we’d still be there as winter sets in. Was there really that much to do in Tasmania to keep us occupied for so long? Research soon confirmed there certainly was. We’d need to wrap-up on the colder days and chilly nights but it would be a welcome relief from the unusually persisting humidity that this summer delivered back home.

Heading South

The day of departure finally arrived and after essential caravan preparations, full tanks and all of our necessary belongings loaded it was time to head south.

Underway and the long drive soon become monotonous as were the poor state of the motorways but happily interspersed with fruit pies from Heatherbrae’s, overnight stops along the way and the occasional very average coffee. Eight days and 1,956km later, our final overnight stop at Barwon River Holiday Park beside a busy highway, found us in Geelong just a few kilometres from the ferry terminal.

What a load of bollards

I have few memories of my first visit to Geelong in 2000 as we took a long coastal road trip from Sydney to the Grampians National Park. I do remember it being hot and the car free from the luxury of air conditioning but especially the painted figure bollards along the Waterfront. And perhaps the best was the bunch of misfits from Geelong Baths Swimming Club, and they’re still here along with 94 other figures all the work of artist Jan Mitchell. Apparently a carnival atmosphere prevailed along the bay during early Geelong Regatta’s and the greasy pole competition may go some way to explain the black eye and the odd looks of the crew.

The Spirit of Tasmania

There are three ways to get to Tasmania, by ferry, by air or a long swim. The latter is not recommended due mainly to the cold temperature of the Bass Straight separating Australia from Tasmania, and sharks. As we were taking along our caravan the Spirit of Tasmania ferry seemed the better option.

Our travel buddies had booked the daytime ferry but we opted for the overnight to at least try and get some sleep in a reasonably comfortable cabin bed. We will also have the luxury of a porthole so we can get to see land as we reach the island assuming no fog, snow or pouring rain.

All Aboard

So here we are lined up ready for departure and bio-security checks. Pets, depending on what type, are permitted but no fruit, vegetables, plants, honey, seeds and soil… and absolutely no ferrets! Yes, ferrets. Why these are banned in particularly we are not certain.

The Spirit of Tasmania ferry website says honey that contains no ‘bits’ is permitted but we have been told otherwise, so beware.

Tomorrow our Tasmanian adventure begins.