The Wild GeeseTassie Tour 05
TASMANIA TARGA JAN. 2005
- Not at all Rob, this page makes great reading, and I really like the photos. Maybe next year we will all get there... -- Steve/Gizmo
Arriving in Melbourne in peak hour was interesting for 50% of our group but taken in their stride. Out along the Ocean Road ASAP was the best plan and another great ride. The number of 4 wheeled obstacles was a novelty after the realtively serene roads of the southern state.
It pays to keep a good eye on the road as one nevers knows what you may find. Rob spotted a travellers bag with contents strewn over the road. Back to collect it and passed onto the Police, repaying the good turn done by others who found the wallet on the highway near Golburn on the way down. (Know what it feels like).
Every biker must do the OR and we travelled to Port Campbell before turning north to Ballart & Bendigo where a visit to the pottery kilns was enjoyed. Onto Echuca and into NSW and back to Cootamundra, Golburn, Windsor and up the Putty Road. All good but long and hot.
Next time it's out through Gippsland, the coast and onto the Alpine Way through the Snowy Mountains. Thinking, thinking!
The weather was cold this day but still that did not diminish the enjoyment of the ride. One of the BM's little gems, HEATED GRIPS.
Arriving in Stathgordon, with a tour of the Dam a must if visiting this area then with time short, back to Hobart, gather the gear and off up the Midlands Hwy to Devonport.
Onto the ferry again next day to start to trip back to the SSC via the Ocean Road, Putty Road and .......
Visited Port Arthur and East Coast and although Rob has been there many times before, on the bike is the best. Being blessed by fine weather, as many of the pics will show, was a gift. (Sorry Mick. You were in our thoughts every day).
Visiting the Broad Arrow cafe Site was a most surreal experience. The now peacefulness of the place with such a painful history and then to realise what happened there so recently left one with wondering on the "why" of it all.
New Geese were inducted at Adventure and meeting was held at the Penguin Cafe, the owner of which hailed from Coolum Beach. Welcome to Christine Huth from Germany & Justin "Wolfy" Wolfgang.
WARNING WILL ROBINSON: The Adventure Bay Camping ground near the Cook Landing was weird. Pleasant to start with and the Albino Kangaroos most interesting but the manager was "strange" in her approach to campers. 11.00 pm she shone the torch at our little group of 4 who were sitting around our camp stove and insited on "lights out, fire out and go to sleep with NO TALKING". Many campers left the next morning which was understandable. It was like being back in the navy for some of us!!!
Camping at Freycinet National Park was fantastic and the area around Coles Bay and the National Park is a great place to stay. The walks through the park have breathtaking views out over the bays.
Well I guess there is so much to say and tell. This place is so good and if anyone has the inclination, a Tour 2006 is in the planning.
After arriving from Cradle Mountain and the West Coast time was spent at home with Rob's Mum. Ed was sadly missed and he was half expected to appear round the corner anytime. Not to be. His artists stool was taken from the shed and loaded onto the GS of Red Rob for the remainder of the trip. Came in very handy too.
Pics left to right - Ed Lewis, Meeting at Cygnet & Cockle Creek Road
A trip around the Channel Highway to Cygnet, Huon Valley and on to Cockle Creek, the most southern place one can travel by vehicle (unless you have a GS) was organised and new Wild Geese, Christine and Wolfy joined our Club.
Lunch at Dover Pub was very good and the folk are the most friendly you could find. Met up with Scott Tyson (Ab Diver, now farmer & long time friend). Had a chat a drink and headed further south to the bottom end of Australia at Cockle Creek. (Actually there is a small unknown fire trail from where the BMW Safari stopped that takes one to within 200 metres of the Great Southern Ocean).
The trip to Cockle Creek is lovely. The forests are enchanting, the un-made roads are a pleasure to travel and one can only soak in the peace of it all. No rushing, the Adventure(GS)loved it too and was made for it.
Overlooking Reserche Bay is the Whale Memorial. The Bay was the resting place of the iron barque, "James Craig", now restored (at a cost of $30,000,000.oo) and sailing again the waters of the Australian coast. Indeed, she was nearby at Port Arthur and in Hobart for the Wooden Boat Festival.
Weather here was again great. The blue sky and sun just the thing when lying on the small beach, soaking the gammas in and absorbing the vista. Stayed there until sunset and with thoughts of friends, the trip and just about anything & everything headed back to Hobart in the dark. Another great ride.
Jo's Garage - Market Street- Hobart
This a place that all bikers to Tassie go. Tuesday night at 6.30 is Bike Night and one finds quite a few bikes and company there, lining the street. just talking bikes, trips and places to go or just watch the passing parade. There's a web site for Jo's Garage on the net. Check it out. www.joesgarage.com.au
Mt Wellington
The centre pic is to the south over Margate and out to Bruny Island. To the left of the pic is the thin neck of land and the Penguin Rookery.
Hope & Anchor
Meeting up at the Hope & Anchor was a good idea. The Oldest Pub in Australia built in 1803 is also a museum of memorabilia from the first days of settlement in Tasmania and an interesting place to spend a couple of hours overlooking Constitution Dock. Also on Market Street, the pub is close to Jo's Garage. Indeed, most places in Hobart are all within a short walking distance of each other.
This is the fourth day in Tas. If anyone heard Coast FM on Thursday morning about 7.00am or read the SSC Daily on Friday, you will have heard that there was some rough weather in Bass Straight. Onto the ship Wed night OK this time and away at last.
Whilst Geese slept, 20 metre waves hit the the pointy end and the bridge smashing windows, ingress of water, failed electrics and PA system. Couple of people were injured and there was mass vomitting in the seating sections. (Cabins with real beds are very cool). Ship turned back to Melbourne and we went through the loading process AGAIN!!!
Friday finally landed in Devonport to sunny weather and headed to Stanley and the Nut with a group of Victorian Geese (they just don't know it yet). Scenery was most enjoyable and the ride around the area fantastic. The roads are brilliant.
Cradle Mountain
Off to Cradle Mountain in the afternoon and camped there over night. Not overly cold but cool. The walk around Dove Lake and the view of the Mountain another lasting memory.
With new friends at the camp site there was an enjoyable evening with travellers from UK, USA & Switzerland whilst sitting round the fire (our camp cooker actually), we was robbed. A opossum raided the tent and took off with Rob's Whitikers Peanut Slab which he had been saving for the communal meal. Damn ferals. The amount of wildlife we saw was wonderfuil and watching wombats feeding by the road was a pleasant way to while away a bit of time.
Saturday morning headed off to Strahan on the west coast. Riding the west coast roads was another brilliant experience. Bends, bends and more bends. Took the dirt out to Hells Gates before heading to Queenstown.
The roads out of the town are a bikers dream. The road up and out of Q-town is to be relished. It was an absolute blast and worth returning to Devonport that way.
On the road near Taffy's Creek Rob met a man on a bicycle. Commented that he looked like a Welshman. He was, and had met Rob at his Father's funeral last year. A most moving experience and a memory that will last. These experiences are ones that make it so good.
At Derwent Bridge (for the first time) rain fell but onto nto Hobart and Family and Friends on Sunday. But before not before noting what the timber industry is doing to this beautiful place. The toxic spray they use for weeds and new growth has now affected the Tasmanian Devil population which may become endangered because the toxic run off and air borne spray.
Wednesday 2 Feb.
Melbourne.
Arrived on Tuesday night to get the boat and found the booking was on Wed night instead. Rain started about the time we lined up to go on the boat and it has not stopped yet. Wednesday night will another line up (again) this tme for sure to get to Devonport. Thanks Gizmo for arranging the new page. The camera is in Devonport waiting at the PO as Rob left it in Goulburn.
BMW shop in Melbourne replaced the broken part and whilst there had a look at a R1200GS in red. Panniers, alarm all up $21,000 and oh so tempting. Mick, you have to get one.
Looking forward to the trip over Bass Straight as in this type of weather, ANYTHING could happen. Just doin a bit of strollin about Melbourne this arvo (in the rain).
Till Tasmania, See you all later. R
And here is the subsequent writeup in the Sunshine Coast Daily (I think). Click the image for a readable copy -- Steve
The intrepid team to Tasmania are holed up at Goulburn after a hot and partly damp trip from Taree. Not much to report at this time other than Rob has now returned all his stuff from his wallet after having it strewn down the Hume Highway. Bugger. A very helpful couple saw two $50.00 notes floating in the air and stopped to catch them but the wind won out. All cards, licence and a picture of his Mum were safe.
Off to Cootamundra this afternoon to meet friends and them to Melbourne and the Spirit. Next report will be from Hobart unless an Internet cafe is available.
Category Camping
