We left Launceston and headed up the Tamar Valley. We stopped in Beaconsfield to visit the Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre. Very interesting, they had a display where you could feel what it was like for the two men who were trapped. Pretty scary! I also didn't realise they shut the mine after the accident.
We planned to free stay for the next few nights on the coast, so we crossed the Tamar River at Batman Bridge and headed up to Bridport. We filled up the water tank here before hitting the dirt road to the Waterhouse Conservation Area. We found a great beach camp site on Ringarooma Bay with a beautiful view from camp.
The water was too cold for me but the boys had a great time on the beach and in the water, albeit briefly. Mick also had a quick swim in Bass Strait!
After a few relaxing nights on the water we headed for the Bay of Fires. We had several stops on the way:
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| Little Blue Lake |
- firstly, at the Little Blue Lake, which is a pale light blue colour from tin mining that used to occur;
- St Columba Falls was our next stop, beautiful short walk through the rainforest to the falls;
- we then stopped at the Pub in the Paddock for a drink and
- lastly we stopped in St Helens for some supplies before heading north of Binalong Bay for more free camping...
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| St Columba Falls |
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| Walk to falls |
BAY OF FIRES
We had beautiful weather during our time at The Bay of Fires, the water was so inviting however we were unable to swim as the currents and rips are very dangerous. Only the week before a tourist had drowned. So fishing and walking the beach and rocks were our major pastimes.
Our cap was right on the beach overlooking the beach, actually so was everybody's camp, there was motorhome after motorhome, speckled with caravans camped along the dirt track...
The "line" of motorhomes and caravans, not many campers like ours though.
The boys had a great time fishing, Mick rigged up an old rod for Theo which had a float on the end so he could "cast" it into the water and not feel left out..
We left Binalong Bay (6 Feb) and hightailed it down the east coast
to Richmond in order to make the Wooden Boat Festival being held in Hobart.
The boys had a great time at the boat show and were able to
go on board the ‘Endeavour’ and have a look around. 
The next day we spent in Launceston sightseeing. The following photos are of Cataract Gorge. We 
We made it to the port with no incidents and boarded the ferry passing through quarantine with no issues. They are pretty strict about what you can not take into Tasmania!
The ship was similar to a cruise ship but different at the same time. There was a lot of freight trucks below the car decks and then above that was the deck with all the action before the cabin deck. All food and drink was extra on board. 
