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