Tuesday  3rd April               Launceston to Scamander

Robyn writes: A travelling day today, so a much less exhausting day than yesterday – only a gentle 14,000 steps registered on my fitbit! We were up at 7, and dressed warmly to wander out in search of breakfast in Launceston. (A balmy 12 degrees and another gloriously sunny morning.) We settled on ‘Yolanda Jean’s’, a little café in a semi-circular lane of shops in the CBD. Yolanda gave us a delicious and huge breakfast to set us up for the day. Then we were off, back to the Best Western to finish packing and set off.

Yolanda-Jean's in Launceston

After looking at lots of options, we decided to drive south to visit Brickendon, a World Heritage listed family farm dating right back to the convict era. It was established by the Archer family in 1824 with convict labour, and is still run by the same family seven generations later. (No relation to the Archer family that settled Rockhampton, we were told.) The farm buildings dating back to the 1830s are mostly still there with many still used as they were then. Some were quite huge, like the two ‘Sussex barns’ which were used to house animals in cold weather or when they were ill. Lots of ducks, chooks, turkeys, geese etc in the solid brick 170-year-old poultry shed! We were greeted by the farm cat, Mr Higgins, who graciously allowed us to pat him and then accompanied us on most of our tour of the buildings. From Brickendon, we then went across the road to the much grander Woolmer House, also originally an Archer family property but sadly now gone out of the family. We were able to wander around the lovely gardens there. The house itself is a lovely old Georgian one, and reminded me of the style of Agatha Christie’s house in Devon. For only $12.50 each for the admission which covered both properties, it was really great value. The weather also continued to amaze us – gloriously sunny and reaching 25 degrees at one stage!

Sussex barns and Mr Higgins, the farm cat

Woolmer House

From there, we decided to continue south on the A1 to the pretty little historic village of Ross for lunch, about three-quarters of an hour drive (everything in Tassie is quite close!) We went and saw the beautiful old 1836 stone bridge (convict built, of course) and then had a lovely lunch at the Man’o’Ross Hotel in town. Ross is a delightful little village full of historic stone buildings – we had a wander around and really enjoyed it all.

Ross Bridge

Pub where we had lunch

Finally, around 2, we started our trip north-east to Scamander, the little seaside township on the eastern coast where we are staying for two nights. We came up into the mountains and then down a fairly impressive, steep and quite narrow two-lane winding road to the coast, stopping in St Mary’s at the IGA to get some groceries. We’re staying in a little studio unit which has glimpse of the sea from our verandah and is quite roomy and comfortable.

Scamander beach

Lex tried the Tassie oysters

After a much-needed cuppa, we headed down to the beach in the late afternoon to enjoy the sea air and views. It’s all very peaceful and relaxing. We had a nice meal in the local pub down overlooking the water on the way back and then dragged ourselves (legs are SORE after yesterday!) back up the hill and home. It’s been another big day. Tomorrow we head out to explore the beauties of the east coast.