Tasmanian terror

Who'd work in Sydney eh?  Crossing from Gosford to Kingsford-Smith airport two hours before dawn, and the traffic was neck deep.  An extended terminal quality breakfast preceded the 717 elevated taxi ride to Hobart where we packed a Pajero to the gunnels and sloshed across sodden Tasmania via Wicked Cheese factory cafe, and up into its central highlands.

Miena: Tassie's coldest village lived up to its reputation with a snowstorm welcoming us back from our 2nd day trip to Fraser falls on the edge of the Gordon. The next day tested our 4WD beyond my skill and comfort level when we were caught in a much worse snowstorm traversing the alpine highway on the west side of Great lake. By the grace of God we made it home.

Day 4 saw us tentatively escape the snow altitudes and descend into positive temperatures again. Bothwell was most appreciated.  Mid winter flooding remained apparent all the way to Launceston.

Day 5
The Sabbath was spent visiting both ends of the Tamar river, from Low Head lighthouse on the northern coast, down to a flood swollen Cataract Gorge in Launceston. The long span chairlift and the circumferential gorge trek were very enjoyable for the majority of us.

This is our first visit to the apple isle, and the standout so far is the friendliness of the locals.  They've all been so chatty, genuine, helpful and fun. The fact that there are multiple cheese and chocolate factories to visit has only made it even better.