On Thursday we were at the airport at 7am to head over to Tasmania. Our plane landed safely at Launceston and we got in our hire car (which was way too small for what we hired… boo Europcar!) and we headed into the Launceston town centre. As we had some time to spare we walked around the waterfront area of Launceston and it was so quiet and peaceful there. As is normal dad tradition (this happens on ANY trip dad has taken us on) we had to drive around and look at football grounds. Dad took us to York Park and we found an open gate and were able to check out the footy ground that is home to Hawthorn when they play in Tasmania.
We then headed to the Boags Brewery for a tour of the facility that mum had organized. It was a great tour and quite historical – Boags has been produced in Launceston since 1883. My favourite part was the beer bottling and labeling part of the brewery – it was amazing seeing thousands of bottles being filled and shipped along the conveyor belts. At the end of the tour they had a beer and cheese tasting that mum, dad and Bill enjoyed immensely and it was interesting to hear about the different beers even though I didn’t taste any! We couldn’t take photos on the tour but here is Bill with the big Boags can and also with our tour protective gear on –
Dad then drove us around Launceston and we headed out to the Woolmers Estate for a lunch and tour. Now this place was amazing! It has a great history (way too long to recreate in a blog post) but basically everything has been left as is at the estate – no restoration work or anything. It is a real insight into home interiors back in the day but also the scandalous past that many prominent families had.
After Woolmers we then drove back into Launceston and to the Cataract Gorge where we were the lucky last passengers to hop on the chairlift. I have the funniest video from the chairlift that I will post tomorrow!
Mum and dad ahead of us on the lift –
We had a little bushwalk through the Cataract Gorge park and walked across a very wobbly suspension bridge.
Wildlife on the way –
View from the top of our walk –
At the lookout –
On the suspension bridge –
It was so strange seeing a swimming pool in such a natural area…
We then headed back in to town to check in to our accommodation. Mum organized us to stay at the Ashton Gate Guest House. It was just beautiful! They have stayed their a couple of times – and we got the William room! Awww!
Milk bar near the guest house.. I LOVE milk bars –
Outside Ashton Gate –
The William Room –
We had a little rest and then freshened up and got ready for dinner at a popular chinese restaurant in Launceston called, Me Wah.
We seriously fell into the deepest sleep at about 9.30 – it was a huge day and we managed to see everything on the itinerary that mum planned! She does know how to organize… thanks mum!