A Tasmanian Odyssey in Five Parts: Part 3

Part 3: The Huon Valley
Even though we were in the lush Huon Valley south of Hobart, the temperature was soaring and we were soon in the low 30s.  Our base was Geeveston, a small-scale forestry town, where we stayed at the delightful Cambridge House with its lovely garden and scrumptious breakfasts.

On our first day we drove along the Huon River, stopping at Franklin, a bustling riverside town with cafes, antique and craft shops, a cider company, and a wooden boat centre.

How cute is this little family?

Airing the feathers!

Franklin

A highlight for me was our visit to Franks Cider Bar and Cafe.

Scones and jam and cream, a Portuguese custard tart and lashings of ginger beer.
What more could a girl want?

We then noted a sign on a boat saying 'Sailing today'. We decided to take the cruise along the peaceful Huon River in a 1930 sailing ketch named the Yukon that had been rescued from Copenhagen, restored and sailed to Tasmania. The first owner had made a small fortune in the Yukon gold rush of 1900, hence the name.  It was a perfect afternoon.

 Steve even got to do some work hauling up the sails for our return trip.

Ship ahoy! How nautical do I look.
And I didn't even know we were going on a cruise when I dressed that morning.

The next day was my favourite of all our days. We did a walk in the Hartz Mountains National Park. I love the feel of isolation. At times you feel as if you are on top of the world with the hazy mountains unfolding around you. And it was a bit cooler up here.

 I loved the native waratahs on the way.

First stop: Lake Osborne, a lovely glacial tarn

More pretty wildflowers.

Then Lake Esperance.

 Finally, to Ladies Tarn near the Pass where we turned back, foregoing the steepish scramble up to the peak - we knew our limit!

 It was quite hot by now and we'd been walking for about two hours. The track was fairly good with duck-boarding most of the way, some jagged stones in some parts, and a small section which I didn't like of smooth-faced rocks and poking out roots to scramble over on a steep descent.

But the views were spectacular.

The next day it was off to the Tahune Air Walk along the Huon and Picton rivers.

 It was great to be walking in the canopy. The air walk stopped at a huge cantilevered lookout.

 I was reassured when a sign said they had tested the load bearing capacity and it was equal to 120 people or 12 baby elephants!

We did two more walks in the area: one that involved two swing bridges...

...and another through a mixed rainforest.

I feel rather insignificant with these giants.

What a monster.

We finished our Huon Valley journey with a trip to Roaring Beach which I swear has the squeakiest white sand ever!!!!!

On our last evening we went for a celebratory birthday dinner (yes, a month early) at the Sass Restaurant at the Kermandie Hotel between Geeveston and Port Huon. It was amazing!!! A gin and tonic on the deck...

... followed by a delicious dinner (lamb shanks for me)...

... and of course, dessert: Huon heritage apple, raspberry and walnut crumble for me and chocolate pudding for Steve.







Next stage: The Tasman Peninsula