It has been a big Hiatus since I last wrote...hope all is well at your end..!
After Covid things have been so surreal. What we have seen in a movie like Contagion started coming true...we were locked in our homes to only ocassionally go out for groceries in packed supermarkets with empty shelves, wearing masks, washing hands 20 times a day and what not...now between all this we could hardly go out and most of our trips got cancelled....
Atlast in December'2020, Australia relaxed its Covid regulations and we were able to make couple of quick trips....1500+ kms on either side of Sydney - but wait till you reach the end!!
First trip : December'20: 5 days: Sydney - Lake Conjola - Kangaroo valley - Sydney (Total 700+ Kms)
After a 4.5 hrs drive, with a lunch break at Woolongong, we reached Conjola late in the afternoon.
While driving through to Lake Conjola we observed what best can be described as Natures resilience and fight for life !
During the bushfire season of 2019 which had burnt down thousands of hectares in New South wales - the trees were coming back to life and it was slowly turning from burnt black to lush green!
Lake Conjola at its mouth with the sea is shallow and is always inviting for a quick swim and the lake h is walking distance from the mouth of the sea.
Lake Conjola also has provisions for activities like Kayaking (available from Conjola post office!) and immense spots to relax and absorb Sun...
We stayed at a place called Milton which was a sleepy town 30 minutes drive from lake Conjola and o o also gave access to many beaches like Mollymook and Narrawallee.
This was the first time I saw my daughter enjoying the waves and trying to ride them on her body board....kids have their own way of enjoying every precious moment in life....
On our way back we stopped over at Kangaroo valley golf resort which has many cottages - old but spacious and affordable. Staying in a golf course visited by kangaroos & Koalas is an experience in itself...and I will highly recommend.
While coming to the Kangaroo valley golf resort we took a detour to have coffee at the Cambewarra look out point...and it was one of the best detours we have ever taken...a must do!
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| View from Cambewarra lookout point Cafe |
Back in Kangaroo valley we stayed for 2 days and visited the iconic Hampden bridge...
Many things that can be done around Hampden bridge like Kayaking on rapids, taking a quick dip under the bridge or visit the Pioneer village museum and take a bush walk around the hanging bridge!
But the most unique experience was the song of cicada's coming out of their hibernation after 17 years and we could see their exuviae (moulds) hanging all around the trees...
Over the trip was very relaxing and welcome break from the covid lockdown!
Second Trip: April'21: 2nights - 3 days: Sydney - Old Bar - Sydney (Total 600+ Kms)
This trip probably was one of the longest trip - not by kms but by the time taken!
We got stuck in the long weekend vacation traffic and what was supposed to be a 3-3.5 hrs drive turned out to be a 7-8 hrs drive!!(Simple Lesson learnt in a hardway)
But the next 3 days spent in Kiwarrak country retreat, in middle of the Khappinghat forest, was an amazingly calm and relaxing experience.
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| Approach road to Kiwarrak country retreat |
Kiwarrak country retreat is serene and calm place with lots of nature trails and greenary all around...
We went and enjoyed the Old bar beach every day till we were dead tired!
During one of the afternoons we decided to visit a water park (Big Buzz fund park) near by and had some good fun - it felt like both me and wifey had become 8 year old best friends with my daughter !
During the evenings we went to Apex Point, with some hot coffee during Sunset ( picked from a petrol station near by) and saw mesmirising views of Sunset over the Manning River. (Remember to time your Sunset)
On our way back we halted and spend some couple of hours at Forrester's beach...which is now in our list of next visit!
Third Trip: June'21 : Sydney - Windang - Sydney (Total: 250 Kms approx)
The school holidays had just begun and it was an amazing sunny day for the beach!
Having done this route multiple times, I was comfortable driving and I was looking forward to an amazing day at the beach.
In an hour we pulled over at the Helensburgh Sai Temple to pray and had some hot lunch before completing the remaining 40 minutes of our journey.
We reached the Windang camping Park and walked to the reception to get the keys to our cabin - everyone in the reception were glued to the TV screen on the wall....Our State premiere had just announced a 14 days lockdown !
All of us were heartbroken, we couldnot check in and had to return back by 6:00 PM - with a sad heart we gave a short visit to the beach and returned back home.
But my daughter and me didn't give up ....we set up out camp in our backyard and spent the whole day just like we would do in a campsite - Lit a Camp fire, ate some marshmallows, told spooky stories and sang few songs!!
The covid situation is back but I strongly believe that we will have our happy and free days again...till then take care & stay safe !!
Day 1 : Landed in Hobart and went for a Long walk in Sandy Bay Area. You might witness the bioluminescence in the Sandy bay area waters...but unfortunately we did not!
Day 2 : Salamanca Market
This market feels like a magical place where you transition from yummy local food to a shop filled with toys and books or you can find that favourite colour scarf!
Day 2 second half: The Mona Museum - Probably a whole day affair but we just gave it half a day!
Day3 : Ticked off Port Arthur - Stay over in Bronte Park for the night
The overnight journey from Hobart to Bronte park (Centre of Tasmania), though it turned out to be adventurous but in hindsight was a very bad decision - it has 90+ hair bends and single lane mountainous road and not a single soul around to help you if you needed one!
Day 4: Lake St.Clair, Nelson Falls, Queenstown to Strahan
Day 6: Wilderness Train ride
Day 7, 8 & 9: To Cradle Mountain - Yes that's how much we loved this place!
Day 10: To Launceston - on the way Cataract Gorge Chairlift - back to Sydney
I hope you liked this Picture-blog - It was intentional that I did not put too many words in this, because Tasmania is a place where you should go to see and feel the richness of nature...do not hurry through your visit else you will have to revisit!!
