Liffey Falls And Freycinet

Bailing from the coast we decided to head inland for a change

Meeting a dude on a backroad who rode an 890 Adventure head pointed us in the right direction of an on power station museum.

The great lakes on the agenda it was looking good, we climbed to quite an elevation and were going to stay behind the pub at the top, upon arrival it was clear this was no place for a tent as it was blowing, cold and only mid day so we chose to woft on.

The next campsite pickings were equally unappealing so we headed for Liffey Campsite which we had been told was really night, this turned out to be right it was beautiful.

Our first night in the camp was ok other than a bus load which came in at 10pm and left at 4.20am…goodonya guys.

We did the Liffey falls walks which were very nice and also another short trip around the forest on a second track.

The second night was mint, pretty quiet and a great fire with a coupla wines with our neighbours.

The Limestone caves had been recommended to us so we made a point of going there and another short hike, great day out taking in the differing landscapes.

Arriving back at camp a bunch of young punk thugs had moved in, right next door with sounds to go.

We finished cooking our dinner and moved camp as camp etiquette for being polite and quiet after about 10pm was clearly off their agenda.   

Well that was a great move as the wankers kept the whole camp awake till about 1.30am, inconsiderate wankers.

Next day we left enjoying the place until said wankers took over.

Via Lake Leake for the night we headed coastal again to Freycinet National Park, unfortunately a couple of months prior Friendly Bay campsites were all destroyed by fire so camping was at a premium.

We could not get into the park to stay that night being fully booked so we took another camp.

Back into Freycinet NP we did the loop of Wineglass bay, Hazard Bay and around, about 12km. Unfortunately we got site 11, don’t ever take that site as the possums were into the rubbish tins and fighting all night about 4m away from our tent so sleep was only a distant memory. 

We did go to park HQ and I had a whinge being already sleep deprived from the wankers at Liffey and also I said well they say on all their signage DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS and yet here they were hoeing into the rubbish….go figure ...unimpeded.

A relocation to site 17 was in order and we were all good, our final day seeing a climb up Mt Amos and reward of Oysters, Mussels and chips for a special lunch.

The first night we were very lucky with a stunning sunset and by the time we packed up on the third day the hurricane force wind had moved boats on their moorings and the noise in the trees unreal, when mum nature gets grumpy….    

First nights sunset

 A bike at the base of our big walk.

Some foreshore rocks, very nice place.

Ellen giving a Wallabee some water and us at Sleepy Bay

 

Maria Island And Oatlands

 

Maria Island, beautiful spot, outstanding cliffs and beautiful beaches....to come.

 We opted to head to Bishop and Clerk peak which started out as a gentle stroll, following by spectacular suicide cliffs then on and in an easy bush walk.

A few people had past us as we were taking photos and none had returned as yet, I said to Ellen I was suspicious as to why, either we missed a turnoff or it must get very difficult and steep.

So, with only 750 meters to go it became apparent that the latter was correct as the track gave way to a boulder hoping slope which saw us leave our walking polls behind to climb using hand holds on rocks etc so it was a real scramble to the top.

Finally at the top the views were second to none, we really were on top of the world and the small flatish area on the top was maybe 3 meters x 2 meters with sheer cliffs to certain death on 2 sides and a seriously bad day on the others, again I felt a little uncomfortable but hey scare yourself once a day.

 Ascending back down the rock faces and finally getting onto normal hiking tracks we felt like we had cheated death and our path now was around to the painted cliffs.

This area is where the sea has worn back the sandstone to create amazing patterns, the camera does not do it justice.

We did see these two, quite cute really, they look very cuddly but they are anything but.  

Back to the boat which left at 4.15 to Triabunna we made it back safe and sound having had a majestic day weather wise (was supposed to be raining and cold so I wore long pants).

Finishing this part we were preparing to set sail to Oatlands, inland slightly some breaky was had then a quick valve check to Skippy (part of 5000k check).

All valves were within spec except the RHS exhaust which I adjusted 0.01mm in, it was 0.11mm so back in to 0.10mm, only to be fussy really as it was close.

The ride to Oatlands was cold, 12 degrees it got down to so heated grips on and wet jacket to lock out the cold breeze, all afternoon in town it rained and cleared….repeat so we took the opportunity to go on a self guided tour which was cool.

 

 

Ellen wanted to go hiking, I was feeling quite notchy and achy in the bones with the cold and damp as well as the last big climbing steps etc so I sat the easy one out.