Tuesday, March 27 – Eastern Tasmania

Today was a busy day! We were up and had a quick breakfast, then walked a short distance down the road to the boat launch. The sun had barely risen, but it looked like a nice day already.

Lisa had coerced one of her friends into taking all of us out for a morning boat ride. There was a little chill in the air so we dressed warmly.

Undeveloped Coastline, Binalong Bay, TAS

So off we went, with smooth seas, beautiful sunshine, and gorgeous scenery. 

The orange color on the rocks is pretty in the morning sunshine.

It was a beautiful way to start the day! We saw sea life, birds, and all sorts of rock formations. 

Bird Life at Binalong Bay

We’ll have to take Robbie to dinner to make up for this ride.

From here, we retired back to the cottage to get ready for the rest of the day. Lisa had big plans, so no time to rest. We had to get moving! 

St Columba Falls, Pyengana, TAS

First, a drive back into town and a fuel stop, then we drove inland for about 45 minutes until we got to a waterfall hike. 

Nothing too strenuous, but we have to be sure that we earn our lunch! It took maybe 15 minutes to get from the trailhead to the base of the falls.

St. Columba Falls, 1/10 second exposure

I find that the secret to getting good waterfall pictures is to vary your shutter speed. Some look better with slow exposures, so the water stream smooths out and appears to flow. Others look better with fast speeds that freeze the water, and show the chaotic raw power of falling water.

Shoot both ways and see what looks best!

Former St. Columba Hotel, Pyengana, TAS

Priscilla, at The Pub in the Paddock

After the hike, we stopped off for a beer at Pub in the Paddock – an interesting place that looks like a cross between a farm and a restaurant. It’s an old hotel building that now serves food and beverages.

They have a few pigs in the paddock, thus the name. So we sat out on their porch and sipped a beverage, to work up an appetite. 

Lots of cool old machinery around too. I think this was a corn sheller. You would feed dried ears of corn into the hopper on the left and the kernels would be stripped off. We had an old hand-driven one on the farm when I was a kid and it was an antique even then.

Lunch was just down the street a minute, at a working dairy farm. They had outdoor picnic tables, pizzas, cheeses, and other assorted stuff for sale, either to take away, or eat there. 

Me at Halls Falls, Pyengana, TAS

After lunch it was time for another hike to burn a few of those calories, so off to another pretty waterfall.

Lisa, Chris, and Pepper watching to make sure I don't slip

Halls Falls, 1/2000 second exposure

Then we turned back towards home for a few more stops. There was The Shop in the Bush, a quirky general store type place with all sorts of merchandise for sale. I saw a cool T-shirt but only took a picture. I made the mistake of sending the picture to my sister, who told me that I have to buy it for her. Oh well!

We went hunting for a winery but couldn't find it, so we decided that in the interest of time we should head back to town instead, so we don't miss the opportunity to buy fresh oysters for tonight's dinner. We made it in time, grabbed a dozen oysters for later, and kept going.

There was one more stop at a scenic lookout for the Bay of Fire – so called because of an orange lichen that grows on the rocks near the waterline. In the sunlight, it looks like the coastline is glowing and burning. It was beautiful in the afternoon sunshine. What gorgeous weather we are having!

Panoramic View of Bay of Fire, from The Gardens

After enjoying the view, it was time to head home and make our retreat to the balcony, for oysters and bubbly. The Tasmanian oysters were huge, fresh, and incredibly tasty. Chris even ate some, which is a major compliment; usually she won't come near an oyster. 

A nice appetizer, before we walked next door for dinner at the local restaurant.

Dinner was a great time, with 5 of us including Lisa, and Robbie (the boat driver), and Jan (the cottage caretaker). 

After dinner, more wine on the deck until it was time for bed. More adventures are planned for tomorrow, of course. We are having a great time here!