23rd Feb 2023
Another windy day, that appears to be the only sort of day they have here, and we pack up and head East. Out first stop is Stanley which is only just over 20 km away. It has been some years since we have been there and we look forward to seeing what has changed.
The focal point of Stanley, is of Course The Nut, a dormant volcanic crater that juts out from the shoreline at the centre of town.
The Nut from the Lookout approaching town, in a healthy sea hazed background
Did I mention is is windy, blowing a gale would be a better description. before we take on the Nut we take a detour to the Old Cable Station, apparently a highlight. It seems at this point the underwater communications cables between the mainland and Tasmania come ashore. During WW2, some of the cables were removed, transported to QLD and used to connect PNG with FNQ to facilitate communications, leaving Tasmania with just one cable.
The old cable station, which now appears to also have accommodation
Chimneys are braced to withstand the wind
Back to town the wind is not letting up and the seas are covered in white caps. We arrive back at the Nut and park in the carpark, which is pretty busy.
Climbing the steep sides of The Nut is challenging and it is great to see there is now a chairlift, which we approach with great enthusiasm. Alas, the chairlift is not currently working.
It is a pretty rugged outcrop
There being no other alternative (other than getting back in the car), we start the steady climb to the top of the Nut.
Looking West about a third of the way up the path
By the time we are about 2 thirds of the way up, the chairlift miraculously starts taking passengers !!
Once we reach to top the view more than makes up for the challenging climb up the very steep path.
The wind has not abated, so we headed around the lee side of the walk that loops around the top of the Nut. We get a good view of the little boat "harbour" on the eastern side, when boats are sitting on slipways rather than left in the water. There are also some great views of Stanley village.
Finally at the top
Looking East
Stanley Village
Small Harbour on the Eastern side
Fortunately, the walk down hill is a bit easier, but still putting a strain on knees and thighs due to the steepness of the path.
Back at the carpark it is difficult to walk past the coffee shop which is offering hot coffee and scones, jam and cream, a just reward to the effort expended to climb the hill.
We drove around to the port area to get a closer look, but other than the 2 boats we could see from above, and a seafood retailer, there was not much there so we hit the road east.
A turn off to Table Cape caught our interest, it was just before Wyndham. There were good views of Rocky Cape to the West and looking down to Wyndham and Burnie. We could just make out Low Head, the entrance to the Tamar River, in the distance.
Low Head in the distance
Table Cape Light House
Rocky Cape to the West
It is very fertile farming land here
Rather than stop for lunch at Burnie, we drove on to the small coastal village of Penguin, where there appears to be a few nice cafes. We arrive at the most recommended cafe in town, The Letterbox, at 1.40 pm, only to be told they have closed the kitchen, despite their stated hours being 12 -2pm. it is not the first time we have come across this. A wander further down the street brings us to a large bakery, with and impressive list of pies. Once inside the picture changes significantly. They have 6 pies left, all plain beef, and it was probably one of the worst pies I have eaten.
Still hungry but glad to see the last of Penguin, we head off to Rosevears where we will spend the next 2 days. Rosevears is a small town on the Tamar, about 14 km out of Launceston.
Just before we arrive at Rosevears, we stop at Bradley's Lookout which is on the highway almost looking down on Rosevears.
Bradley was a bushranger, but seems very popular around here
There are some great views of the Tamar River from this fairly elevated lookout which also has great oicnic and BBQ facilities.
Rosevears Hotel is a great find. Located on the Tamar River with very modern accommodation and an old renovated pub with lots of character, a good onsite restaurant and a bakery. There is even a jetty so you arrive by boat for a drink, which one patron did whilst we were there.
The main hotel building from our room
By dinner time the place is humming with the bar and restaurant full of patrons.
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