Philip's trip to Tassie 2010

My annual trip to Tasmania was pretty standard starting off with a drive to Launceston this is approximately 2 hours north of Hobart and is a relatively easy.  A hire car with Cruise Control would make it even easier.  From Launceston I traveled across to Wynyard on the north coast again all good road @100kph. This is where the Sabots will be holding their championship this year, small river mouth with not much room for more than 30-40 boats.  Heading east I stopped off in Port Sorell was a first time visit, most of these coast line towns are relatively small, and many would swell with weekenders. You know one Servo, one small IGA, one Pub and or Club etc.

Launceston/Devonport/Burnie and Wynyard in terms of size/population order. Launceston has the Tamar River which takes a good couple of hours to motor down from the entrance. Devonport has a harbour not too much bigger than say Newcastle.  Burnie is where all the timber is exported from, this area is very exposed to the North (Bass Strait) and extreme care would need to be taken.

Back to Hobart Monday evening and surrounding area followed by a Wednesday afternoon cruise on the Derwent River onboard a friend’s new yacht a Jeanneau 42.  South of Hobart to Kettering with refuge in the lee of Bruny Island. On the west side of Storm Bay this is an excellent cruising ground with plenty of facilities.

On Thursday, I drove back up to the North East of the island and worked south down the East Coast to Triabunna south, this is one place that many stay and explore. St Helens also has a great harbour, however Bicheno is fully exposed to the North East as it was on the day I was there. Swansea is tucked away in behind the Freycheney Peninsula and is open to the south. A pleasant day trip out of Hobart.

Once again I was welcomed by customer both old and new, many becoming good friends over the years. My thanks go to Roy and Dianne Barkas in Hobart for their hospitality once again. I look forward to next year’s trip.

Philip Yeomans