TASMANIA - DOVER - 15 to 19 MARCH 2022

 

15 MARCH

DOVER

After a late start we drove towards Dover. The weather started off with light rain but by Hobart it was pouring.

At Hobart, we stopped for petrol and groceries. The road was difficult due to the rain but it was pretty following the coast and down the Huon Valley.

It was a nice and quiet camp site near the beach. We crossed the road and walked along beach and foreshore path. There were heaps of live shellfish along the shore.

16 MARCH

DOVER

Time to explore. We drove to ROARING BEACH in Southport. A short hike to a pretty beach with waves but not much surfable quality.

At SOUTHPORT, we drove along the pretty shoreline road that had small shacks on the water side of the road. The river was tannin stained and natural.

Next stop, The HASTINGS CAVES STATE RESERVE. We had a swim in the forest thermal pool. The pool was a regular pool fed by the thermal waters of the area. A bit brisk for Jacinta.

We drove 5 kms up the road for the start of the NEWDEGATE CAVE tour. The cave was short but very big, high and wide. There were various formations, cave crickets and running water beneath us.

Back at camp, I had a cycle ride along the Dover foreshore. One section had a nice track.

17 MARCH

DOVER

The weather was warm and still. Jacinta helped me get the kayak to the beach and off I paddled to the distant islands – HOPE, FAITH AND CHARITY. The water was so clear – I could see the ocean floor, bull kelp, rocks and some small fish. I circumnavigated the two small islands which had a lot of birdlife then gradually paddled back to shore with a light wind behind me.

The day was so warm that we sat on the beach in the early afternoon and enjoyed the sunshine. I waded into the water to about bellybutton height … too cold.

In the late afternoon, we had a cycle along the Dover foreshore.

18 MARCH

DOVER

To cut a long story short, my credit card had been hacked a few days ago and we were going to Hobart to pick up a new card.

After our banking business, we drove SALAMANCA BAY AND BATTERY POINT. It was nice wandering the shops and looking at the old houses.

On the way back to Dover, we stopped at the NELSON SIGNAL STATION. The lookout was nice and the view over Hobart and the surrounding islands and peninsulas was panoramic.

19 MARCH

DOVER

We woke to blue sky. Time to move on!