Highfield and The Nut

... and no, I'm not the nut!

On our final day in Tasmania, Gitama and I headed along the coast from our overnight accommodation at Wynyard to Stanley. We did stop off at Table Cape in the hope that the tulips were still out but alas they were all gone and so after a wee wander round the lighthouse and snapping away at the daisies that were the only floral contributors to the landscape we drove on to Stanley and the Nut, a promontory formed by a volcanic plug.

This state reserve can be walked up by a winding access road but it's not for the faint hearted. Much easier is to use the chairlift which provides wonderful views as you climb the steep side of the rock. A 2km walking track takes your around the headland and the views just keep getting better. It was another glorious day so we definitely saw the surrounds at their best with Australia's trademark golden beaches giving way to the turquoise and azure waters of Bass Strait.

On our way out of town we stopped off at the historical Highfield House. Construction began in 1827 as a headquarters for the Van Dieman's Land Company who hoped to take advantage of the lucrative wool industry that had grown in the region. Unfortunately by the time their representatives arrived there was little land left to be granted except in the western wildernesses. Unable to make good use of the them loose interpretation of the grants awarded often led the company's chief agent Edward Curr at loggerheads with the colony's governor, George Arthur. My shot today is of all that remains of the convict accommodation block set aside from the main residence down the road. Built in 1834, 41 convicts were originally assigned to the Van Dieman's Land Company to help establish their presence. This number rose to 73 prior to the end of transportation.

Over time the house itself grew as the Curr family did, with 12 children being born. The site also contains its own chapel and schoolhouse, stables, barns and a barracks for a contingent of troops. My extra shot today is of the house and it's gardens. The elegant bay window offers a panoramic view of the garden which was very much in bloom (much to Gitama's delight - I had to be tough on her with a time limit or I think we'd still be there)! ;-)

Then we were back on the road and heading back towards Hobart. We stopped off to visit with a couple of friends that Gitama hadn't seen in ages. Treated to lovely tea and cake it was all too soon before we had to make tracks. Oh the tales I could tell. Towns that completely shut down at 8pm. Garages that lock the toilets to the public but remain open. Poor taxi drivers waiting for one last big payoff to the city but getting dumped with road weary travellers and a $12 fare. All I'll say is thank goodness for Campbell Town.

I think I underestimated how much the drive down to Hobart at night would take out of me but by the time we got to the hotel I just flopped onto the bed and wanted to stay there. But I had to flight pack... ugh!