One of several reports in a series covering the Subaru 4WD Club's Tasmania excursion from 17 September to 17 October 1999
Tasmania
Days 18 - 20
7 - 9 October 1999
Danny & Beth - Home Alone
Our trip back across Bass Strait was pleasant and relaxing. Our arrival timing at the boat in Devonport worked out well as I had hardly arrived in the boarding line-up when it was time for me to drive the car aboard. Even better, the car was only on the fourth row of the grid, so it didn’t take all that long to get out at the other end. For our transit, the ocean was dead calm with hardly a roll on the boat at all. We strolled around deck watching the vehicle loading, had a couple of quiet ones in the bar, and played cards (traditional ocean going activity), while waiting to get under way. Weather was fine and beaut with a crisp wind blowing, as we sailed out of Davenport and waved our goodbyes at Tasmania.
In the evening we had an enjoyable meal in one of the three dining rooms and were quite amazed at how smoothly the throughput of people went, considering there were around 1200 on board. Later, we sat in the piano bar, where a Billie Joel clone was playing and singing very competently. We had a few drinks, played some cards, and watched the wild life – a middle aged lady very much past her prime, getting drunker and louder, and trying desperately to snare anything in pants. Late in the night, she left disappointed, but everyone had been entertained – the men in a frightening sort of way.
Princess
of Tasmania - The Boat Home
Our respective male and female hostel-type quarters, way below the waterline, were basic but adequate. Thank goodness the boat wasn’t rolling and no-one was sick. Next morning was a very early start – very early! We, and a great many others, had not been clued-in on the change from Tasmanian Daylight Savings time, to standard time on the mainland, and arrived at the dining room an hour too early - not a good way to start your day. By then we had just gone through The Rip on Port Phillip Bay and experienced our only bit of (mild) rolling around during the voyage.
Arrival at Station Pier in Melbourne was very efficient and we were soon off the starting grid and on our way. First stop was suburban Clayton to get a 3.9 ratio gearbox and diff installed by Mark Towns of Suba Mods and a member of the Victorian club. He had installed a new gearbox for us before we set sail for Tasmania, but the imported gearbox unexpectedly turned out to be another 3.7. But that was OK for our trip around Tassie, as a bearing was shot in the old box and it sounded like it was going to fall apart at any time.
While the gearbox was being fitted, Mark loaned us a Sherpa for the day. The performance of this little lawnmower engine powered car surprised us. It was able to get off the mark and keep up with most of the traffic, although Melbourne (Formula 1) drivers can be unforgiving if you don’t run red lights or spin the wheels for that fast take off when the light goes green. We spent the rest of the day at the Melbourne 4WD, Fishing and Boating Show – and still didn’t see it all. A much bigger show than we are used to in Brisbane or Canberra, but it disappointed with a lack of new and innovative products.
After overnighting in Melbourne, we began the journey home to Canberra. Initially, it was along the Hume Highway, but we turned off about 12km from Wangaratta and headed for Milawa – to Brown Brothers Winery and the Milawa Cheese Factory. A must for connoisseurs of the good life. Everyone knows the quality of Brown Bros wine, it speaks for itself. But at the cellar, they have wines for sale that are not available for purchase elsewhere. Even better, they have a brasserie which serves the most divine meals and with each course comes a different glass of wine to complement the morsels before you. Just 2.6km down the road (and who’s counting?) is the lesser known Milawa Cheese Factory, with a huge range of exotic cheeses made from cow, sheep and goat’s milk. For cheese buffs, this is The Place! Leaves Lactos in Burnie for dead. When heading down the Hume, a visit to Milawa is a must. Meanwhile, Milawa Cheese may be available in a deli near you.
Once we turned off the Hume and had green fields and mountains before us, we couldn’t turn back and drive home via the boring highway. So we continued heading east over secondary roads and dirt tracks through the Victorian High Country, passing through Tawonga and Mitta Mitta (camping places of my childhood). We eventually wound our way through the Snowy Mountains, Thredbo, and Cooma, enroute to Canberra. A very pleasant way to return home and a fitting end to a brilliant holiday.
Cockle Creek Gathering - as far south as you can drive on a formed road
It was great to see some of our old friends from the club, whom we hadn’t seen for a while, and great to meet some new ones. Can’t wait until the next big trip!
Danny Williams SC412
Previous Report - 4-7 October - Solo North
Jump back to First Report - Brisbane to Tasmania
