A few days in Geeveston.........

Once the shopping was done we took a walk through the local park at New Norfolk.  Arthur Square Gardens was a lovely place to stop for a moment and the unusual fountain made a nice centrepiece.

We left soon after and made our way further south to the Huon Valley.  To do this we had to pass through a very busy Hobart ( yes, I know it's not a tiny town but needs must) and were very glad to come out the other side.  Once clear of the traffic again we enjoyed the drive to Huonville where we stopped for a short while to have a look at the carvings beside the Huon River.

On the move again we passed through the tiny town of Franklin where the views across the Huon River are just delightful.  Soon after we were arriving in the little township of Geeveston and made our way to Memorial Park where we we going to camp for the next four days.  It was the long weekend here in Tasmania and so we thought we should settle somewhere early or we might not get in anywhere.

Timing our arrival perfectly we found a spot right on the banks of the Kermandie River and here we settled in and were very comfortable.  And yes it did get busy so we made the right decision.  This beautiful little campsite is provided by the Geeveston Ex-Servicemens and Womens Club and made available to campers for a donation.  Of course a drink or two or dinner on Friday nights counts as a donation and of course I didn't need convincing not to cook on Friday night.

While most of us camped there came and went within a few days, there were a number of 'gypsies' who seemed to have settled in and had been there since early December.  Is this taking advantage of a very generous community or is it adding colour to the area.  Who knows the answer but they were nice enough folk and we certainly enjoyed our few days there.  

Once again the platypus was said to play daily right in front of our van.  Yes, you guessed it.  Never a sight of it the whole time we were there.  And four more over the road on the Platypus Walk.  Yeah right!  Still it kept us busy and quiet as we watched for them each day.  The lovely little robins made up for it though.

From Geeveston it seemed to be a good idea to drive further south to the end of the road.  We did this and found ourselves at Cockle Creek.  This is the Southernmost point you can drive to in Australia and once there the short walk takes you to the Whale Sculpture where the most stunning views across Recherche Bay make it all worthwhile.

At this point the sign tells us that you are closer to Antarctica than you are to Cairns.  And a lot colder too I can tell you.

These tiny little communities along the road, Cockle Creek, Catamaran, Moss Glen and others seem to be little fishing havens complete with gorgeous sea views on one side and the National Park behind.  We stopped a few times seeing views across Recherche Bay from different locations.  All stunning.

On the way back we stopped for lunch at Ida Bay.  Just in time to see the little train leaving.  We didn't join it but enjoyed our lunch and moved on to Southport and up to Dover where we enjoyed the views over Port Esperance.  From here we headed back home to Geeveston and dinner at the club.

The next morning we had a wander around the streets of Geeveston and a look in the local 'i'.  Like Huonville there are many carved statues through the streets all depicting local identities or places.  They are really well done and certainly add to the quaintness of this little village. 

It was only as we wandered we realised there was one major building missing from this town - there was no Pub!  Reading one of the signs we were to discover that Geeveston began life as a Temperance Town and has never had a Pub.  I guess that is why our little club and The Kermandie Hotel just down the road did so well.

That afternoon we ventured a little further afield as we made our way back to Huonville and along the other side of the Huon River to Cygnet.  Another tiny little town with a few lovely old buildings along the Main Street.  As we passed through rolling hills complete with cows and sheep I was surprised to find an even tinier town called Woodstock.  I don't think it had anything to do with it's more famous US counterpart.

Back at home we waited in vain for that pesky platypus once again but Bill had fun with the pretty little birds instead.  The next day we took in a little market in town, had a walk through Platypus Park along the Kermandie River, went in search of some long lost relatives in a couple of old cemeteries.  No, we didn't find them.  And came home past this lovely little Community Church.

Back at home it was time to prepare for tomorrow's departure, we had enjoyed our time out from the long weekend crowds and now it was time to tour again.  Next stop - Bruny Island

until then..........