Tasmania - A festival, wild weather and rugged remoteness

Inspired by a a couple of books I read: - (Win and Clyde and the Wilderness King), - I wanted to immerse myself off grid in Tasmania. John took some persuasion to venture south into the cold, where the Pacific and Indian ocean meet, on the verge of the southern ocean. He thankfully fitted two diesel heaters , moaned alot about leaving beautiful Pittwater but went along with it and cheered up when we had days of fabulous sailing down the coast. Now having experienced just a portion of the treasures that the island has to offer we are so pleased we sailed to Tasmania.

Our timing was perfect and we had the pleasure of passing several old wooden boats heading for Hobart before we were greeted very robustly to Tasmania with the the wind howling down a protected shore at 45kts. Port Arthur was our first port of call, a sheltered spot with the remains of a substantial convict site and guides that brought the place to life, a little to graphically at times!. John spotted a old yacht that he fitted the hydraulics to in 1986 and we got to visit a below decks of a few of the old wooden boats anchored there - give me Joline any day!.

The woodern boat festival in Hobart was a great experience with over 300 boats, of all shapes and sizes, crammed into the local docks, and a festival spirit with committed enthusiasts and craftsmen and women who partied well into the night.

We explored the islands, villages and countrysides to the south of Hobart by sail and bike but it was our trip to Port Davey that brought delight and a wonderful off grid adventure. This was defiantly the highlight of our Tasmania expedition. The remoteness, varied weather and rugged stunning countryside was breathtaking.

Some highlights from our Tasmanian adventure:-