making my heart sing: apple of my eye

how about a trip down to tassie on the spirt(s) of tasmania, a drive down the east coast, taking in national parks, beautiful scenery and stopping in hobart for a few days, going to mona spirit of tasmania winter discounts (apply from 3 may, book before 20 april) price for twin cabin (with porthole) + car fee return is $642, $554 (no porthole)

click the map for directions,

routes & road recommendations from the ulysses club

devonport to ... the spirt of tasmania docks at 6 am, so we'll be rolling off the ferry and we'll be hungry!!

straight off the boat (and just a block away, opening at 5.30 am is the kitkat cafe,

a little later, at a reasonable "breakfast time" two possibilities in longford
the river's edge, 38 tannery road (opens at 8 am - probably too late!)
jj's bakery and old mill cafe, 52 wellington road (opens at 7 am, much better!)

a little further along the road in the town of perth is ut si cafe gallery, 86 main road, in an old church if we head up into the tamar valley, we'll find the tamar valley wholefoods & coffee shop, 110 weld st, in beaconsfield. maybe on the way back?

launceston, tamar valley (eating around recommends Daniel Alps at Strathlynn (Ninth Island Vineyard) Open Every Day 1200-1500 95 Rosevears Drive, Rosevears, 7277+61 3 6330 2388

bay of fires!

the northern section of the bay lies within the mt william national park the much vaunted four day guided walk seems to take in national park and a tiny bit of private land, where the lodge is located. but the "walk" is essentially the day and a half it takes to get to the fancy lodge, and then having free time while staying at the lodge, so more a "two day walk" than four. less pricey is a 3 day walk offered by "life's an adventure" from an article about the bay of fires walk, 'Wombat poo is shaped like a cube," says Kate, our guide, holding the little square landmine in her palm. the southern section can be accessed from st helen by road, up to private land, "the gardens".

locals/long time visitors/hikers say, The best part of the Bay of Fires is just north of Gardens Lagoon beach, about a 45 min walk from the car park at Gardens. You would have to carry in water for an overnight camp. The headlands between the little coves have nice spots for a camp. more info at free camp sites tasmania

just south of the bay of fires is binalong

bay a place to stay - binalong bay views - $150 per night, the house is free during may/june

(according to the stayz calendar which isn't always accurate!) house website hobart hobart hobart hobart
hobart

hobart

hobart - what better place to stay in hobart but a 60s style motel,the best western blue hills motel, battery point?

96 sandy bay road, hobart / battery point

we're staying three nights, so we got "good deal"

we're

what will we do what will we do in hobart?

well, how about the main catalyst for deciding on tassie?! tthe thttttehethe Museum of Old and New Art mona is situated in the back 'burbs of hobart up the derwent river, so to help patrons get there, there is a dedicated mona ferry you can catch from brooke st pier, $15 return. clever!

so you get to the museum and you get a lovely river cruise up the derwent! how charming. ads in the local paper for the mofo, short for MONA FOMA [Festival of Music & Art]. article in age/smh

the museum has been hewn from the sandstone cliffs;