Before leaving Hobart we have booked the Cadbury Factory Tour - As with so many things, fresh is best for chocolate, and you won’t sample any fresher than on a tour through the Cadbury factory established in 1921. Free samples of Roses chocolates and the famous glass-and-a-half of milk chocolate blocks can be nibbled along the way, and then the tour ends at the factory shop, where the whole range of Cadbury products, not just those made at Claremont, is available.
Leaving Hobart we take the Lyell Highway to the historic town of New Norfolk. Here you can see St Matthews, the oldest Anglican Church in Australia plus numerous other heritage buildings.
A must visit place in Tasmania is Mt Field National Park - This historic and beautiful national park has spectacular glaciated landscapes, some of the world’s tallest eucalypt forests and a network of excellent walking tracks. Russell Falls, one of Tasmania’s best-known attractions is only a five-minute walk from the new visitor centre. The centre features interpretation displays, shop and a bistro.
We then make our way through Ellendale and picturesque green county side across the long bridge over the Derwent River and head high into the mountains of the south west to Lake St Clair - This lake is the deepest in Australia (190 metres / 623 feet), scooped out by glaciers 10,000 years ago during the Ice Age. High dolerite cliffs rise sheer from the water and there is a drowned moraine at the southern end. It is surrounded by primeval rainforest and towering mountain peaks. Stop here includes lunch.
Between Derwent Bridge and Queenstown you will be able to visit Nelson Falls. These delightful falls are reached after a very easy 10 minute walk.
As we approach Queenstown you will marvel at the bare hills caused by years of mining and the strange colours of the mountain range, did I mention the great MINI roads around here too!
We will pause in Queenstown before tackling one of the most twisty roads you will find anywhere in Australia as we head into beautiful Strahan. We will be staying in our Cosy Cabins for three nights at Strahan Seaside Park.