[Dazzler]

After our recent two week driving trip in Eastern Victoria we had itchy feet to do some more tripping in our own beautiful state.

The West Coast Wilderness Railway

West Coast Wilderness Railway | History that moves you

Had a promo on until Christmas where locals could travel for 20% off (provided you mention you saw the add on TV (which I did) We also decided we should do the Iconic Gordon River cruise at the same time ..

Gordon River Cruises | Gordon River Cruise Tasmania

Got 10% off that for seniors (or concession - can't remember which)

Being a big almost 3 hour drive on some of Tasmania's windiest driver's roads we decided to stay 3 nights in Strahan. We stayed here which was quite nice (one night free on a rewards system with Hotels.com) 

Strahan Holiday Retreat ? Strahan Holiday Retreat

Unfortunately the weather was a bit ordinary but not as bad as most other parts of the East Coast of Australia which were coping storms and lots of rain.

also visited an absolutely amazing Museum in Zeehan on our way home. Been there before, but every visit it gets more stuff to look at.

West Coast Heritage Centre | Zeehan on Tasmania's West Coast

The cruise was about 6 hours and although we didn't see the nice reflections in the river that make for great photos it was very relaxing and the scenery at the heads to the harbour was pretty spectacular. The Catamaran we went on was very impressive and comfortable.

Here are a few photos and videos (hope they work)

EDIT: ..and the SR went beautifully (loved the winding roads and averaged around 7 L/100kms for the trip)





















http://www.dropbox.com/s/kf8e3elhbuhi6yn/DevilsGate.mp4?dl=0

The Cruise included a wilderness walk and a guided tour of Sarah island (a harsh 200 y/o penal colony)

I'll post a separate post for the Train Pictures.

[Dazzler]

Following on from the post below, The train trip was enjoyable and included a couple of stops for a wilderness walk and to turn the engine around.

I've included a few links to videos in my dropbox (worth a watch if they work) Seats were a bit hard after 4 hours (don't think I could handle the full day trip to Queenstown and back. Pretty noisy old train too, but some great photo opportunities and well worth doing.











Videos:

http://www.dropbox.com/s/sy6hclpoj2g55m6/20171203_133330.mp4?dl=0

http://www.dropbox.com/s/quo5os3flraxudo/InsideTrain.mp4?dl=0

http://www.dropbox.com/s/qt9314qqqsquwhv/20171203_145214.mp4?dl=0

http://www.dropbox.com/s/h5lu1t9xc5oxl9y/Engine.mp4?dl=0

http://www.dropbox.com/s/ed0rq3pyvglt9zk/To%20Turntable.mp4?dl=0

http://www.dropbox.com/s/15elvloobepjuk8/TrackView1.mp4?dl=0

http://www.dropbox.com/s/0p9jyqng0lu45pd/Bridgeview.mp4?dl=0

http://www.dropbox.com/s/s0a9y7l8k6udox1/Bridgeview2.mp4?dl=0

http://www.dropbox.com/s/7k1nckk66qdm5q9/Turntable.mp4?dl=0

http://www.dropbox.com/s/np3hp9nomjv0ua7/Bridgeview3.mp4?dl=0

[Surferdude]

You had a much quieter day on the Franklin than we did, Dazz.

Here's our boat (look familiar?) docked at Sarah Island.


and a pic taken at Hells Gates.





IIRC, this is Grummet Island close to Sarah island. The women convicts were kept here and rowed across to Sarah Island each day.

[FatBoy]

We are looking at visiting the West Coast of Tasmania early next year.  The last time I was there (not working) was over twenty years ago.  I did find Sarah Island a very eerie place.

[Dazzler]

Heaps to see and do just in Strahan. Didn't get to Hogarth Falls this time. Last time I did Gordon River cruise was around 1978 and even earlier for Trish!

[FatBoy]

Heaps to see and do just in Strahan. Didn't get to Hogarth Falls this time. Last time I did Gordon River cruise was around 1978 and even earlier for Trish!

So Trish was there before she was born? 

[Shambles]

Great photos (I'll check the vids later when I'm at work awake) Dazz - looks like you enjoyed yourselves

In the UK you have to travel a fair distance to see scenery matching that. Around five thousand miles will do it.

[John B]

Very good Dazz, thoroughly enjoyed your post, nice photos .

[mickd]

Hey Dazz, still working myway through,  very good.
We hit tazz in xmas 85/ 86 new year - will return 👍

[CraigB]

Great pic’s Dazz

You had much better weather on the river than when we had, the rough weather added to the excitement  we went with World Heritage Cruises World Heritage Cruises - Strahan Tasmania

Train trip looks nice, I hope they plush up the seats before we return

[eye30]

Great photo's...........But where is your bike?

[Dazzler]

Heaps to see and do just in Strahan. Didn't get to Hogarth Falls this time. Last time I did Gordon River cruise was around 1978 and even earlier for Trish!

So Trish was there before she was born?

If I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times you're not getting in Trish's will (over my dead body) Oh hang on... 

[Dazzler]

Great photos (I'll check the vids later when I'm at work awake) Dazz - looks like you enjoyed yourselves

In the UK you have to travel a fair distance to see scenery matching that. Around five thousand miles will do it.

Yes, we are very lucky to have everything relatively close. Devonport is a nice central spot. Wish you could come and visit me! 

Very good Dazz, thoroughly enjoyed your post, nice photos .

Thanks John,

You had a much quieter day on the Franklin than we did, Dazz.

Enjoyed the harbour and heads more than the river. Without the reflections it was relaxing but not spectacular.

Hey Dazz, still working myway through,  very good.
We hit tazz in xmas 85/ 86 new year - will return 👍

Hope you do, would be nice to meet you in person.

Great photo's...........But where is your bike?

Couldn't fit it in with the cases..

Great pic’s Dazz

You had much better weather on the river than when we had, the rough weather added to the excitement  we went with World Heritage Cruises World Heritage Cruises - Strahan Tasmania

Train trip looks nice, I hope they plush up the seats before we return

I searched Gordon river cruise so white boat came up first. Red one looked amazing. I missed a great photo opportunity each time the boats passed each other (one time I was in the loo and other time I was in the food line!