We recently decided to travel to Queenstown on the West Coast of Tasmania. Its a trip we take each year to ensure that the motorhome is prepared and mechanically sound for our journey to the mainland states this year (to avoid our winter). We have already paid for the voyage on the ship Spirit of Tasmania to the Australian mainland though with all the problems with the current virus we may have to stay home this year. That will be a shock us for every year since 1999 we have travelled to the warmth of the northern climes . So a winter in Tasmania is a bit foreign to us.
We decided not to take our tow car this trip, to just take in the sights from the Motorhome. The long range forecast was great so we headed off with our first stop to fill with Diesel at Longford and then we set up camp for our first night beside Brumby Creek just outside Cressy.

After a good nights sleep we headed for the Great Western Tiers. The climb was very steep with many switchbacks before we arrived at the Great Lake area. The Lake itself is some 14 metres below full and it so large you drive for many kilometres around it to arrive at the small township of Miena. We stopped at the general store and had a cappuccino and were somewhat surprised to find the cost of diesel was some 8 cents a litre cheaper than what we previously paid at Longford. After having our drink we decided to top up the tank at that price. We headed past Brady's Lake. All the Lakes are great Trout fisheries with the exception of Brady's where you can only use artificial fly's.

To get to the highway towards Queenstown we had to first travel on a gravel road the distance being some 30 kilometres to arrive at Bronte Park. They were upgrading the gravel road in places and in all there were not may corrugations in the road. It was a bit hairy when we had log trucks coming towards us.
We finally arrived at Bronte Park and drove over the many pipelines carrying lake water to the power generation plant, we did not stop and went on the bitumen highway towards Queenstown. We arrived at Derwent Bridge and we decided to stop there for the night. We pulled into the hotel and parked up with a lot of other happy campers. The day was very sunny and quite warm. Later in the day we went into the hotel for a bit of refreshment and set up the satellite dish to watch a bit of television tonight, then off to bed for a good nights sleep.

When we left Derwent Bridge the sky was overcast with heavy cloud. As usual the countryside was beautiful with either the green of the gum trees or the rain forest along the way. We were to see the track to French Man's Cap and the car park was full so there must be many trekking to the area. We arrived at Mount Arrowsmith and there was low cloud and in the distance we could see a small waterfall. It was starting to rain though it did not alter the beauty of the area. We arrived at Lake Burbury and once on the bridge we were staggered to see the Lake so low, at least 15 metres. There were many mountain ranges along the way and the slight rain was changing the beauty of some areas.

Scenic Railway Station

Empire Hotel

Main Street Queenstown

We drove through the old mining towns of Linda and Gormanston where there are few families still living in both areas. We could see the back off the Mt Lyall mines and their open cut mining. Even without sun the colours of the mulloch from underground was colourful indeed. Before we knew it we were winding down the treacherous highway on the side of the mountain. We stopped halfway down and took a photo of Queenstown nestled in the valley.
On arrival we decided to set up at the football ground where it was a requirement to be fully self contained to park there. They ask for a donation only. Once we had a bit of lunch we grabbed our umbrella's for it was only a slight drizzle and walked into to the town centre. First we had to cross the small bridge with its colourful ferns etc.
We then had a look at the Miners Siding with it old underground mining equipment and then we moved onto the Queenstown Railway where the tourist train winds its way to Strahan and return. There were no trains in at the moment so we passed the very old Empire Hotel where Liz dropped in and made a dinner reservation for us tonight.
Then onto the local cafe for a cappuccino and out the front and inside were many interstate bikers. Since we were here last they have spruced up the many buildings which now look great, especially when looking up the main street of the town. One of the bikers was carrying his bagpipes with him so while we enjoyed a cappuccino he was belting out many tunes, very nice indeed.
Then off to the IGA and again there were no tissues of toilet rolls on the shelves though we bought a few packets of Tim Tams and and a very large cabbage which we will have to share with our family. Then around to the Op Shop and had a look, though we did not purchase anything. We walked past the service station and found that diesel is currently $1.48 cents a litre.
We wandered back to camp and set up the local television stations and read our books for it started to rain very heavy, it will not cause us any problems moving out.
We wandered down to the Empire Hotel around 6pm and we ordered a ten ounce of beer and a glass of house wine, cost $21 we could not believe it normally we would pay $13. The cost of the meal was very costly as well though we just bit the bullet and enjoyed the meal. Back in camp and we watched the television and off to bed with the rain pelting down on the roof, very soothing.

We wound our way down the Hellyer Gorge in very overcast weather with a sprinkle of rain now and again. The road was wet and we feared it may be slippery on the bends going down so we geared back and went down slowly. It was very colourful with the many ferns blending in with the rain forest. When we arrived at the bottom of the gorge we decided to park up for the night. We set up for the night and were reading our books and watching the traffic go by or pull in to use the facilities. We were to walk down to the bridge and took a few photo's of the small Hellyer River going by. Next morning the sky was blue and the sun was just breaking through the trees when we drove out onto the highway again. The scenery was great with the differing green colours of the rain forest. Once we had climbed out of the gorge the land changed dramatically the rain forest was no longer with us. We were pass many tree plantations until we arrived a Yolla where we were to see plenty of sheep and cattle on farmland that was very green.
It wasn't long before we were in a position to see farmland that went down to the sea and even though overcast it was still scenic.

Crossing bridge at Ulverstone

We were to come out alongside the Emu River and drove through Somerset and Burnie onto Sulphur Creek. We were to note the campgrounds behind the football ground had been closed and there was construction work going on. We elected to stay at the free stay at Sulphur Creek. We noted the first campsite near the shop was full so we drove around to the big pine tree. We had no trouble finding a camp spot looking out over the sea. We then had a happy hour with a few happy campers who are leaving the state tomorrow on the Spirit of Tasmania. We were to see the cargo train go by pulling plenty of containers bound for the Burnie Port. We had our meal and packed our table and chairs away and settled in to watch television before going off to bed to read our books. Next morning we went for a walk along the foreshore and took a few photo's off the beach and the view back towards Burnie. We said our farewells to those we had met yesterday and wished them safe journey's.
We elected to stay off the highway and wended our way around the coast road and into Penguin. Then on and enjoyed the coastal views along the coast arriving at Ulverstone and crossing the Leven River. They were advertising a farmers market on the wharf so we elected to drop on and have a look at the various stalls.

The wharf area is no longer used for coastal shipping and is now a port for fishing boats and yachts. We parked up and first had a look at the river and then moved on to the markets. They have now built large building for community use along with a large restaurant the features local seafood on it menu.
There not a lot of stalls though they sold quality goods plus they had a book exchange set up where we gave a few and then selected what we wanted for our library. Whilst there we had a cappuccino and few biscuits and took in the ambiance of the area for the sun was shining with no clouds at this point time. After a two hour break we moved on and drove up the main street of Ulverstone. Being Sunday there were few shops trading mainly take away's, We drove towards the large Anzac clock that splits the road out of town.
We then joined the highway toward Devonport and then onto Launceston. We drove along the Lillico Straight and noted the tide was out showing the shingle beach which is also a Penguin breeding area, thus protected. Once we climbed the hilly country we could see the back end of the Western Tiers plus the rich red soil which this area is renowned for.
Then on through Devonport and stopped at Sassafras to top up with diesel for it was cheaper than Launceston. Back on the highway it was easy going with little traffic on the highway and before we knew it we were on the road towards our house in Launceston. We have decided due to the uncertainty of future travel due to the Corona Virus restrictions we decided to leave it in Launceston out of the salt air and drive to Binalong Bay in our utility. Though the trip was cut short by a week we still enjoyed the experience that only the West Coast of Tasmania can deliver. Who knows we may do it again next year for a longer period and visit our favourite coastal villages that we bypassed this year.