COMMER VAN OZ TOUR

Commer Van Oz Tour Aug, update!

Touring Australia in a Classic Commer Van.

Distance since leaving home 13940 Miles

With the end of August upon us, our tour of Tasmania continues. This month some of the places we visited included, the Lost Waterfalls near Swansea on the East Coast, the Freycinet National Park, the worlds second largest Cadbury Chocolate Factory and the spectacular western frontier at Strathgordon.

The Lost Falls

The Swan River at Swansea, in our
little boat.

Honeymoon Bay, Freycinet National Park.

Sea Shells on the Sea Shore

Happy snap at Freycinet.

Cadbury Factory, Hobart

mmmmm Yummy.

Factory produces 80million Freddos/Caramello's a year.

After the visit to the Chocolate Factory, a weekend was spent in Hobart, Tasmania's Capital city.

Double Decker Tour Hobart,

I was really looking forward to the Double Decker Bus tour in Hobart as the brochure boasted their fleet of 1960's Leyland Atlantian's but to my disappointment the ageing Leylands had been replaced with brand new Chinese Ankai buses only one week earlier.

Although still great fun, just wasn't the same without all the rattling and smoke of an Atlantian.

A great way to take in the sights of beautiful Hobart, but at 8'C upstairs was not a very popular option.

Cascade Brewery.

Outdoor Ice Rink, Hobart

Town Hall, many beautiful and some of the oldest buildings in Australia are to be found in Hobart.

Hobart street scene.

Another famous place visited while in Hobart was MONA, the Museum of old and new art.
We decided some of the exhibits were not suitable for young kids so Millie and I explored outside while Amanda entered "another world".

Some of the exhibits at Mona.

Next it was of to Strathgordon, only 100klm from Hobart. Strathgordon is on the only road into Tasmania's remote south west. This 100klm long road took the old Commer 3hrs to complete as the road winds and bends up and down one mountain after another with average altitudes of 650meters. It was a real workout for our loaded old Commer, but she behaved well and we arrived safely to one of the most breathtakingly spectacular places we have ever seen.

We camped one night at this old hikers hut deep in the western forests.

Fuel, Fuel and more Fuel, Millie holding the funnel for me as we fill her up, no stations out here. The Commer has consumed thousands of liters on this trip so far.

Lake Pedder, near Strathgordon.

Pedder basin, Gordon Dam, Tallest concrete Dam in Australia. Used for Hydro-electric power station near Strathgordon.

Our Campsite, no one around but us.

A Jewel moment, spectacular.

How the Commer makes it up these mountains, amazes me.

At the end of August we visited the Highland Lakes in central Tas.

Lake Arthur, Central Highlands Alt 850M

Camp site, Lake Arthur.

Generator running all night to keep the Commer warm, more snow.

Back down off the mountains we stopped at the historic towns of Ross and Oatlands.

Oatlands flour Wind Mill circa 1836

Historic Ross Bridge, constructed by convicts circa1830

Church, Ross. 1870

Hmm, I need my boots fixed. Wonder if this place can help?

Who's a pretty boy then?

Next month sadly, its time to board the ship and leave Tasmania behind us as we head back to the mainland and make our way west 1200miles and then north into the Northern Territory and Australia's red center.

On Double Decker Buses.

Did you Know?

The very first motorised enclosed Double Deck buses in the UK were delivered to Widnes in 1909.

They were this fleet of four photographed during delivery and YES! they were COMMER'S.

DSLH=13940Miles

Click here to view the Commer's current location.

Touring Australia in a 1970 Commer Van.
July update.

Distance since leaving home 13100 Miles

Amanda's first wildlife shots for the month,
Tasmanian Devils

The big Tassie Devil
at Mole Creek

Tasmania is incredible, arguably the most scenic of the Australian states. Much of the west of the island is only accessible on foot or by helicopter. Mountainous ranges and preserved ancient forests add to the islands mysterious beauty. Many parts are World Heritage areas and in early July we visited one of these spectacular national treasures. Cradle Mountain and Lake Sinclair National Park. Here at an elevation of 3540+ft we had our first introduction to heavy snow fall during the trip so far. It was the first time Amelia has seen snow and a lot of fun was had with snow ball fights and snowman building, a great experience that i am sure she wont ever forget.

Awoke to first snow fall near Mt Rowland

Down to 10mph on the steepest parts, Commer working hard to pull the trailer up the Mountain in the heavy snow fall.

Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain

Commer Vs black ice and loosing.
Time to use the chains.

Snowy, slippery mountain roads.

The crew enjoying the winter wonderland.

After two nights camping at -5c we retreated to the comfort of a cabin to thaw out.

Amelia doing some de-icing

Commer moving around freely now with the snow chains fitted.

An Introduction to snow fun.

Devil in the snow.

A very cold Commer.

Snow ball wars, what fun!

Leaving the snowy mountains behind we headed back to the east coast for some warmer weather and to explore Maria Island. The island was originally a convict settlement and penal colony and later during the industrial age was a major producer of cement, silk and other resources. Now a scenic national park, the remains of the islands dark past are still visible on the picturesque landscape.