It was our last day in the North East of Tasmania and today's mission was to drive south to Hobart again. We'd already driven up the East Coast a couple of days ago and while we'd driven through Bicheno that day, we didn't stop. This time we stopped in to see as many things as possible on the drive. Starting with an unplanned side trip to the start of the Bicheno National Whale Trail. And while there were no whales in sight (we were two months too early) there was a seal!
We were delighted!
It... wasn't exactly in a hurry to go anywhere. Haha!
The next stop was the lookout that we'd spotted as we drove past Bicheno a few days ago. It turns out that it was actually used for quite a while as a Whalers Lookout. i.e. It was used by men - whose job it was to hunt and kill whales - to look out to sea and signal to others in the town if they spotted a whale. It's awful to think of now, especially since I adore animals so much, but I guess it was probably an important industry for this town and its people in the past. The sign near the entrance also said the area was well known for sealing as well. Sealing is the hunting of seals which also makes me sad, but perhaps makes me even more glad that we got to see one that was alive and (seemed) well just around the corner only 15 minutes earlier.
While the practice of whaling (and sealing) is now illegal in Bicheno (and indeed the whole of Australia) the lookout still exists, so we hiked up this short but steep single track to check out the view!
There was a slightly dangerous but totally awesome rock slab (where I was standing) with a huge boulder that looked fun to sit on but would be awful if you were at the bottom of the aforementioned slab if it one day happened to roll off!
I swear I was shading my eyes from the sun and not posing for this photo. Haha. But still, cool view, hey? (I also love how much fun my shadow seems to be having! Hehe)
More views! This was facing another direction, still on top of the same lookout.
And another direction...
And yet another direction! If you're ever in Bicheno definitely take the time to do the short hike up to this (Whalers Lookout in the Conversation Area by the same name) because, on a clear (enough) day, this is absolutely what it looks like. It's beautiful!
Before we go on, let's talk about Bicheno itself for a minute. This town is located 2 hours and 20 minutes (driving time) northeast of Hobart (Tasmania's capital city) and 1 hour and 55 minutes (driving time) southeast of Launceston (Tassie's second-biggest city). It's located on the east coast of the island and faces the Tasman Sea. (Details courtesy of Google Maps)
The weather today (9th March) was a high of 14'C/57.2'F but with the windchill, it felt more like 6'C/42.8'F! (Thanks Google for doing the maths for me!)
Next, we were onto the Bicheno Blowhole which, conveniently, is right around the corner. Literally! This is the photo Brad took just before we walked across and joined all those people who were trying to take great shots of the water blowing up through the hole in the rocks.
Ready... steady...
Go!!!
I watched from a less crowded, slightly less exposed position and photographed the photographers ;)
Nearby to me, the view looked much calmer but still equally beautiful :)
And I had a friend! Can you see him/her/it?
There it is; a very big, very shy crab!
Then it was time to head back into town. We were getting hungry and needed to hit the road so we'd get back into Hobart in time for a call I needed to make. Brad rather liked this sundial. It's always fun to find reminders of things from the past that have nothing to do with watches that sync to the internet ;)
This is the place I found for lunch that had a vegan option. I was hoping it would be better than the place we stopped at as we drove north. And it was! We picked the only obvious option on their breakfast menu (as it was still before midday) - a vegan breaky burger, made with jackfruit - and got it to takeaway. I asked the guy at the cafe to "add any veggies he had in the kitchen that he felt would work with the burger" and we landed up with cooked mushrooms as the additional recipe item. It was so good!
So, my friends, that's it for Bicheno! It is truly a stunning little town. If you're ever in Tassie I can highly recommend you include it in your itinerary. But we warned, even in March (which is only just the start of Autumn/Fall here) it can be really, really cold.
All photos taken by and owned by my wonderful adventure buddy and partner in life, Brad (aka. @new.things) except for my close up of the crab and my "photographing the photographers" at Bicheno Blowhole.
If you ever find yourself wanting to use one of Brad's amazing photos for your own use please get in contact with us. Thanks!
