Thursday, 31 Mar - Derwent Bridge
This morning we're looking forward to one of our few luxuries in Tassie, a cruise up the Gordon River (www.strahanvillage.com.au
We're up early, with a very quick breakfast, in order to drive the 45 min from Queenstown for boarding at 0800.
Our well equipped upper deck, where the captain is, has less than half of the 40 seats occupied and is therefore extra spacious and certainly worth the extra dollars.
First we head off to Hells Gates, the only entrance to the very big harbour and a dangerous spot. Even on a good day like this - again we're lucky with the weather, forecasted to be fine and 24c today - it's pretty rough going. The vessel goes at 50 kph and with a head wind on the way out I could lean over at about 30 degrees in the wind.
On screens in the cabin, either slide shows illustrate the commentary or there's a map and nautical information about position, course, depth, speed etc.
Then it's back into the harbour and into the Gordon River. The surface of the water changes with the wind and is at times very smooth, creating wonderful reflections of the trees.
We stop for a short rainforest walk after which lunch is served, accompanied by Tasmanian wines, while we head for Sarah Island, where a guided tour awaits us.
Guiding myself away from the guided tour about convicts, I see a black snake about 70 cm long, probably a poisonous Tiger Snake or so the guide says. This part of the cruise I'd have been happy to trade in for more time up the river or in the rainforest, takes an hour after which it's 35 min back to the harbour.
This has certainly been one of the highlights of Tasmania with an excellent boat, river, food and weather.
At 1430 we drive back to Queenstown and on to Derwent Bridge, in the direction of Hobart. There's a steep climb though the moonscape of Queenstown, which is caused by the intensive copper mining. We take a couple of half hour breaks and walks at Nelson Falls and Franklin River, after which Derwent Bridge arrives quickly, just at dusk does. We're staying the night for $105 incl breakfast at the Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel (www.discovertasmania.com.au/home/product.cfm?productid=279&from=All%20Tasmanian%20Accommodation
The hotel is about the only place to eat here but it suits us and has a varied menu. We have the pub beef roast, a small one, which is big, and an even bigger large one ($29 for both) and a couple of pints. More than enough meat is piled on a very good mix of 9 kinds of freshly cooked veg. One of the best meals we've had so far and certainly the best day as far as food is concerned because the food on the boat was excellent.
Have driven 1006 - 836 = 170 km today.
posted by Mark Smalley @ 8:04 PM
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