Making Eye Statements: Australian Adventures 2018

Part 10 – Strahan and Little Swanport

We have reverberated our way from Tasmania’s west coast and to its east coast! On the west coast, we stayed in Strahan, a small community that once was a centre for logging, mining, and fishing but now hosts tourists from around the world who ride the West Coast Wilderness Railway and take the Gordon River cruises. We passed on the river cruise but took the four-hour train trip deep into the rain forests, following the route of the Mount Lyall Mining and Railway Company. Built in 1892, the intrepid narrow-gauge railway twists and turns its way over mountains and rivers. An incredible feat of engineering and human fortitude!

We spent the next day wandering around Strahan and doing four loads of laundry. Then we set out on the 408 km drive to Little Swanport on Tasmania’s east coast – a beautiful drive through both wilderness and farm country. We are staying on the grounds of the Lisdillon Vineyard (lisdillon.com.au), a working farm that both grows grapes for its own wine and raises sheep. In fact, our cabin is in the middle of a sheep paddock, with the merino sheep regularly visiting us. Bill, the former sheep farmer, is in heaven! Adding to the joys of Lisdillon are the nearby ocean and beach. From our front porch, we can hear the surf! We have also been exploring other east coast beaches – such a treat just to wander these amazing, mostly deserted beaches! Once again, we are totally spoiled.

Our time in Tasmania will soon be done, at least for this visit. On Tuesday, we fly to Melbourne for a few days, where we’ll be meeting friends and seeing the musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Next we drive to Canberra for a few days, then on to Sydney for our flight back to Toronto on March 14.

Enjoy these images of Strahan and Little Swanport!