Swansea & Maria Island

After watching Eason Chan’s travel programme about Tassie, we keep an eye on places he had visited. So in Swansea, we stop by at Kate Berry Farm**** which featured her home made scones with berry jam! We reached there early, just about time they open for business (9.30am till 4 pm daily). Woohoo, a whopping $10.50 for two scones with cream and jam. Gosh, we decided to order something worth the dollar so we had Salmon Chowder with Ciabatta bread for $12.50. 

Kate offers jam tasting, which is quite delicious but quite expensive too. She also sells chocolate and decorative items. The story about Kate is that she built this farm and house and everything here by her own. Getting her own wood, planning and building it alone. Eventually a beautiful farm and café turned up! Such great determination. . . Something that we should learn for sure =P

The SPikY BriDge at Swansea 

From Triabunna, we took a ferry to Maria Island. It is a small island with no transportation and many people go there for the walks. It was once the convict prison in the 1800s.

After a long consideration about camping at Maria Island (since we had to carry camping gear in backpacks to the island, plus the cold weather) we finally said ‘ON lah’! We paid $35 return ferry ticket for the 45 min boat ride. There are two ferry operators to the island, East Coast cruise ($35) and Maria Island Ferry ($37). Remember to check their departure time as they only depart twice a day. 

Approaching Maria Island, we saw this rainbow. The background: black clouds shadowing the island. Oh no. . . Hopefully it doesn’t rain . . .

Peter carrying our camping gear

We feel so excited arriving at the island. It was a very different feeling, looking at the other tourists. Like some kind of secret getaway place only some people would know. Feels like an isolated historic island with plenty to explore, on foot! 

The convict era Commissariat Store, which has now became the national park visitor office.

Cape Barren Geese

The highlight of Maria Island National Park, Painted Cliffs*****. It is one of a kind. Such beautiful formation, which looks like the tree bark. This cliff is best seen during low tide, so then you can walk along the cliffs. The colour is best during sunset. We rush to these cliffs after setting up our camp, and fortunately it is still low tide and we got some time before sunset. The painted cliff walk is about 1.5 hours return.

FATTY wombat!

Many animals roam around this island, geese, hens, wallabies, pademelons (which is the same family as the roos and wallabies), and wombats.

The camp area with big bbq and picnic shelter, complete with fireplace. We didn’t bring our cooking stove as it is heavy and we are just staying for the night.

The next morning, we went to challenge the grade 4 (track may be long, rough and very steep) walk Bishop and Clerk*****. It took us about 5 hours return.

 Yes, it is very cold. That's why Angie looks FAT wearing few layers of shirts and jacket!!! LOL

Climbing the Bishop and Clerk, final ascend . . .

The view is worth it but very exhaustive, from there we walk to the Fossil Cliffs***. At the fossil cliffs, you can see fossilized remains of sea creatures about 290 million years ago. That was the end of our very short day at Maria Island, oh we should spend more time here but the ferry is fully booked during the Easter holiday. So we only have one day one night here.

Cutey Pademelon . . . Smaller version of wallaby, shorter hands =P

The Convicts' Life at Port Arthur