Some nice surprises at the end of our time in Tasmania

We thought the Bay of Fires was going to be our last wonderful experience in Tasmania, but we were happily surprised.  Tasmania was not done with us yet.  We enjoyed a delicious cheese tasting at the Pyengana Cheese Factory - and one of the best milkshakes I have ever had, before strolling down to St Columbia Falls.  At 94 metres - one of Tasmania's highest (but yes - we're still bitter at not getting to Montezuma Falls!).

St Columbia Falls, Pyengana

We stopped for lunch at Derby, a small former tin mining settlement. It had an excellent Tin Mine Centre, explaining the importance of tin over history, its peculiar properties and the devastating collapse of the dam wall in the 1920's.  This was a town that had a hard history, and it is well portrayed.

It was then time to visit a flower farm... well of kinds.  We visited the Bridestowe Lavender Farm, the largest privately owned lavender farm in the world.  And yes it definitely smelt like a lavender farm!

Five varieties of lavender are grown here 

Pretty - but not his thing either!

We free camped near a little town called Lilydale, and enjoyed a walk to their small waterfalls.  Of course the boys enjoyed walking over a log bridge far more than any other part of the walk - being seasoned waterfall examiners now!

Nothing like a log bridge!

The next morning, we decided to head into Launceston to visit the QVMAG (Queen Victoria Museum and Gallery) - and what a surprise we had in store for us.  Expecting a science museum, we were completely blown away by the vast array of things to look at, touch, feel and play.  It was simply amazing.

The museum is housed in the old railway yards, and whilst the exhibition halls have simply amazing displays of dinosaur skeletons, historic motor cars, all the animals, birds and fish of Tasmania on display (including some freaky looking deep sea fish), some of the best gems were out the back in the old railway yards.

The Dinosaur Skeletons were amazing.

Out the back we came across the old blacksmiths forge area - and it was as if the foreman had called quitting time on Friday afternoon, and they had locked the doors - and not opened them for 30 years. It was a treasure trove of old tools and machinery - and an impressive legacy of Australia's manufacturing history - a chapter I fear is closing all too soon.

An old hydraulic press.

Unfortunately we couldn't stay as long as we would have liked - after all we had a ship to catch - but we made a decent donation, promising to return.  

It was then time to give Rocky a well earned scrub before returning to Devonport, checking into the Spirit of Tasmania and then bunking down for a smooth crossing!  Tasmania was done for now, but certainly not finished.

Helper washes Rocky!

Rocky and Matilda's berth!

Of course as with all strange coincidences, on-board I bumped into a former shipmate - we had last sailed together some 13 years earlier - admittedly in a different shipping line!  It was great to catch up with Dave and meet his beautiful family.

Leaving Devonport - with an old friend in the back ground (The sharp eyes might spot Young Endeavour)

On the way north

Bunked down for the night