White Beach to Bicheno (via Maria Island)

We left White Beach and headed north to our next Airbnb at Bicheno. Around 200km, this is about a 3 hour drive. Since we woke really early (i.e. 5am) we were on the road after a simple cereal fruit and yoghurt breakfast by 8:30.

I decided to upgrade my Sygic sat nav app because the licence I had didn't give me voice instructions through the Android Auto connection nor the actual speed limit of where I was. With that sorted, I am now in my happy place with the car's screen and speakers giving me all the info I need to navigate. I have also now realised that the car is actually reading the speed limit signs as we pass them and showing me what the current speed limit is on the dashboard. It even picks up the temporary signs for reduced speed through road works. Modern cars are certainly very complex beasts.

Starting early meant we would get to Bicheno before the official check-in time so we decided to find something else to do en-route. When we got back to the coast after passing through Sorell again we found ourselves at Triabunna. This is a coastal town with a large marina and boat trips out to Maria Island. We decided to go on the 11:30 trip returning on the 2:30 one. The island is a National Park and was used for convicts for a while until it was closed because it was considered 'too easy' for them. It is actually two islands connected by a very thin spit of land. I thought I could do some of the walks in the couple of hours we would be there. This was not to be...

As we arrived, a very dark and ominous cloud followed us over the bay and then the heavens opened just as we were about to alight. Since it didn't look like easing off, we girded our loins and headed for the first building (about 500m away). We did have raincoats but these were back in the car as our decision to do the excursion was only made 15 minutes before the ferry left so not much time to consider all options.


We consumed our picnic lunch (just some bread rolls and egg/mayo and chicken/mayo mixes Miriam had made up in the morning) in the Commissariat building while we waited for the rain to ease and our clothes to dry out a bit. Luckily, the weather did pass and half an hour later we are able venture out and visit the nearby buildings which housed the convicts. No time for any longer walks but we did see some wildlife. There were many Wombats and Wallabies roaming around but no Tasmanian Devils.


I'm sure there's a baby in that big bulge underneath.


This one has a Joey poking its head out.

This island is also home to a population of (relocated) disease-free Devils and they are breeding quite well here. They are then used to re-stock other areas where the population is succumbing to the facial tumour that seems to kill them.

Once back in Triabunna we continued north and arrived here in Bicheno about 4:30. This accommodation is a modern studio unit - very small but comfortable for two. Dinner was a take-away platter from the nearby Lobster Shack. It was OK but really just a fancy fish'n'chip meal so nothing to write home about. Miriam nearly ordered the platter with Lobster at $155.00 but then the lady serving her said 'No No, the price is now $170.00'! Our meal (4 each of crumbed scallops, squid rings, prawns and fish) was a mere $55.00. We retired to our lodging and downed it with a beer and wine of our own.

I'm pleased to report that the cooler bag Pam & Matt gave me for my 70th Birthday has come in handy. First as Miriam's carry-on bag on the plane and now for keeping our fridge items cool while we travel from place-to-place.

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