Travels around Tassie—Tullah to home

From Tullah we headed to Cradle Mountain, which despite growing up in Tasmania I'd never before visited. And it didn't disappoint... after not seeing much at all at Freycinet due to the weather, this time the weather put on a perfect show—not too cloudy, not too windy, and not so hot that we couldn't have a pleasant day.

Cradle Mountain

Here we parted ways with our friends Tony and Esther as Al and I had booked in to spend the night at Cradle Mountain Lodge, while they had decided to stay elsewhere and spend some extra time in Tasmania. The next day, after a final short walk around the Lodge, we slowly made our way to Devonport to catch the ferry, taking a slight detour to Mole Creek where we stopped in at King Solomon's Cave to have a look.

Stream behind Cradle Mountain Lodge

King Solomon's Cave

From the cave we continued, picking up some snacks for our evening on the ferry. The Tasmanian component of our trip had come to an end... but we still had a few more nights until we would be home. We arrived into Melbourne at 5:30am and after grabbing some breakfast and coffee (after waiting for the cafe to open!) we spent the day shopping! What else does one do in Melbourne?! In the evening we went for Italian on Lygon Street, unexpectedly catching up with a friend also visiting Melbourne from Canberra, before collapsing in a heap back at our hotel after a long but enjoyable day. From Melbourne we journeyed to Mt Buller for the final two nights of our trip away, and a bit more mountain biking. We always stay at the same lodge, and this time we pretty much had it all to ourselves meaning it was quiet and relaxing way finish off our adventures... although the mountain biking was a bit disappointing.

We decided to start the day with our old Buller favourite, the Delatite River trail.... but oh how we were disappointed. The flow that we remembered had completely disappeared, replaced with recently bull-dozed fire-trails and then in other sections what appeared to be all the collected rubble. Apparently the aim of this work is to improve drainage of the trails and by next year it should be back to the amazing mountain biking we've experienced in the past... but for now, the trails are pretty much ruined. We weren't rushing back to do that trail—so off we went to find the other trails, buying a lift pass to do a few runs down the enduro/downhill trails (without having to keep riding to the top of the mountain!). We soon realised just how much Derby had spoiled us... overall, the trails are Mt Buller weren't nearly as nicely groomed, as smooth, as flowy, or even as picturesque as those we had ridden in Tasmania. But the sun was out, they were still fun to ride, and they presented different technical challenges to those of Blue Derby.

Unfortunately, one of the trails was a bit too technical and I went over the handlebars... I kept riding for the rest of the day, but by the next day a combination of muscle fatigue and the fall meant I was feeling quite sore. With a six-hour drive ahead of us to get to Canberra, Al and I decided it was best to just hit the road and head home.

On our trip I got to spend time with family, get to know some friends a bit better, push myself to try new things, and visit places I've never been to before. We kept active yet came home feeling relaxed and ready to get into the year.

Al and I at Cradle Mountain

Until next time x

Travels around Tassie—Derby to Tullah

On new year's eve we reluctantly left the trails of Blue Derby to continue on our journey. Our destination: George Town, located north from Launceston on the bank of the Tamar River. It was a picturesque setting to see in 2017, and unexpectedly had a great firework display! 

The last sunset for 2016

We spent two nights in George Town and used it as our base to explore Pipers Brook, where many of the best Tasmanian vineyards are. My favourite was Janz... we learnt heaps about the traditional method of making sparkling wine and came away with a pretty special bottle (we have a couple of special birthdays this year, including my own next week!).

We were really keen to do some mountain biking at Hollybank Reserve near Lilydale, however the sign pointing to whiskey tasting at the Leaning Church Vineyard (also in Lilydale) distracted us... this enticing option seemed like far less effort given our legs were a bit weary from Derby!

View at Leaning Church Vineyard, Lilydale

From George Town we set the GPS to Tullah (to the west of Cradle Mountain), via Launceston. We stopped at Cataract Gorge, where it seems the peacocks know how to put on a show to distract tourists from the gorge itself.

We finally pulled away from their beautiful display of feathers to find the best spot to get a photo of the gorge... and then I fell. All the bike riding and I'd been fine, yet walking around (mind you, in heels) and I manage to draw blood. Can't take me anywhere! So back to the car, and off the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm (near Deloraine)... I needed cheering up ;) After lunch, ice-cream and the purchase of an obligatory purchase of some fresh raspberries, we continued on our journey. We were determined to get to Montezuma Falls—Tasmania's highest waterfall and not far from Tullah, where we were staying overnight.

The lake behind our accommodation at Tullah

From Tullah, it's about a half-hour drive to the Montezuma Falls car-park and then a three-hour return walk to the falls themselves... but as they allow bikes, we jumped on ours and managed it in a lot less. We did get pretty muddy doing it this way though! The walk (or ride) is quite flat and gentle, following an old tramway through rainforest—or 'wet sclerophyll forest' as Al was trying to teach me, then proceeding to laugh at my pronunciation!

Arriving at the falls, we left the bikes to one side to take in the view from the suspension bridge. Then, walking up to a platform closer to the falls, the view of this natural wonder was just magical. I have to say, Tasmania has some wonderful, albeit often hidden, treasures.

Until next time x

Travels around Tassie—Hobart to Derby

A couple of days after Christmas, some friends of our from Canberra joined Al and I in Hobart. The weather was miserable but with Sydney-to-Hobart yachts already arriving and the Taste of Tasmania having just started, there was still plenty of buzz in the city. The next day, after a pancake breakfast with mum, we said goodbye to the kids (who stayed with grandparents for the school holidays) and started our drive towards a small town called Derby, in the north-east of Tasmania.

Pancakes with the kids and Mum before leaving Hobart

The quickest way to Derby from Hobart is via the Midlands Highway up the centre of Tassie, however as it was our friends' (Esther and Tony) first trip to Tasmania, we decided it would be more interesting to go up the coastline... first stop: Devil's Corner winery to stretch the legs, taste some wine-tasting, and grab some lunch. This winery, apart from great wines, has a great view and is well set up for a light lunch. A great place to stretch the legs!

From there we soon turned off the road north to take a detour to Freycinet with the hope of seeing Wineglass Bay. Unfortunately the weather still wasn't clearing up meaning the view was somewhat hindered by fog and mist! However we enjoyed the walk to the lookout, and Freycinet itself certainly shows off Tasmania well.

We still had a couple of hours to travel to get to our overnight destination, so after a few happy snaps we clambered back in the cars to continue on our journey. We made a quick fuel and groceries stop in St Helens before then turning to go inland a bit towards Derby. This small-town with a population of just over 200 people was once a mining town with a population of 3,000... and is now home to Blue Derby, some of the best mountain biking trails in the world. In fact, it will host an international mountain bike event later this year! Needless to say, a visit to Derby has been on our wish-list since building of the trails commenced in 2015.

Our bikes in the store room at our accommodation in Derby

Blue Derby certainly didn't disappoint! We got up nice and early the next day to start exploring. Due to the expansive network and distances between trails, we organised shuttles (we used Vertigo MTB) that would take us to the start of each trail. There were a few sections requiring a climb—which worked in our favour as it slowed us down to be able to take in the incredible wilderness around us. It wasn't long before Al and I had reached capacity on our phone cameras! With all the trails it didn't take long before we were on the descent—and between the quality of the trails and the surrounding environment, it had to be the best gravity riding I've experienced.

The trails were so well-built and absolutely amazing... enough technical sections to keep things interesting, a few particularly technical sections to keep it challenging, and enough smooth, flowing sections to keep things incredibly fun! There were sections we chose to walk through, and other challenges that I couldn't believe I was able to do.

I think I had a ridiculous grin on my face for the entire time we were at Derby... which was only a day and a half, and no where near enough time to do the place justice. I think three days would have been perfect, however our schedule was too tight on this occasion... but we'll definitely be visiting Blue Derby again!

Until next time x

Happy New Year!

And yet again we find ourselves here... the first day of a new year. I posted at the beginning of 2016 that I hoped the year would see a transition into new routines and then finding some stability... and in reflection of the year that has passed, that was exactly what the year was focussed around. Alex moved from childcare/pre-school to 'big school' and soon settled in—it's been amazing watching his learning journey. Mid-year Al and I took the next step to bringing together our blended family, with Alex, Sofia and I moving in with him and his boys. It took a month or so, but we finally found our groove—everyone has their own space to retreat to when need be and we've found a sense of stability in our home life.

Father's Day 2016

In 2016 Al and I were fortunate enough to have ample opportunity to travel—overseas to Spain, interstate to Townsville and Tasmania, and more locally to the Hunter Valley and to Thredbo. I took Alex and Sofia to see Disney on Ice in Sydney, and we've taken them on day trips to the beach. We've celebrated with friends at five weddings, done heaps of mountain biking, and I've even found time to do a bit of stitching. What a year!!

Road trip with my munchkins to see Disney on Ice! (July 2016)

Having now established those routines and stability I was craving after so much upheaval in previous years, I'm now ready to focus on what comes next. So I've decided my motto for 2017 is 'onwards and upwards'... Time to discover what my next role at work will be and start pushing to the next level, time to get the kids into new activities now that they're getting a bit older, and time try new challenges in life. And maybe finish some stitching projects?? We'll see ;)

With my beautiful mother, Christmas Day 2016

Al and I are currently journeying around Tasmania with some friends—exploring some areas I've never been to (despite it being my home state!), tasting local produce and wine, and doing some mountain biking. I'll post more on that later though!

Mountain biking in Derby, Tasmania (30 December 2016)

Hope your new year has kicked off to a good start.

Until next time xx