Our Walkabout

Planet View: S42°05.184’ E148°13.942’

Street View: S42°05.184’ E148°13.942’

We headed east to Freycinet Peninsula in the search of fresh oysters for Dad’s birthday.  Traveling through the state’s warm center the terrain was very different than the cool forests we had previously been camping in.  Rolling golden hills with roaming livestock reminded us a bit of the hills around Sonoma County.  We stopped off at Freycinet Winery to enjoy a sampling of an excellent 2000 sparkling as well as some tasty Pinot Noirs. Once on Freycinet Peninsula we explored the National Park campground before settling on yet another great free campsite at Moulton’s Lagoon.  We enjoyed a celebratory birthday toast for Dad with a great glass of Riesling, some oysters prepared a couple of different ways, and even a few scallops.  The weather was so pleasant that when we reached Coles Bay Sam and I decided we had to get into the water.  The snorkeling was great with plenty of fish, stingrays and urchins to view, Sam managed to spear us five Yelloweye Mullet and a Leatherjacket for dinner.  Dad thought the water looked inviting so he joined us the following day for a snorkel after our hike to Wineglass Bay.  The hike to Wineglass Bay was amazing, we walked up a steep hill in and amongst giant boulders that balanced precariously on each other.  The bay earned its name from when the whaling industry used to corral the whales in the giant bay to slaughter them thus turning the water red, pretty nasty really.  The water today is a beautiful turquoise blue and happened to be pumping some good sized swell the morning we were there.  Sam could not pass up the opportunity to go for a quick body surf before we continued our hike across the peninsula to Hazards Beach and then onto the Hazards, concluding an eleven kilometer loop.  Mom and Dad weren’t feeling up to the distance so they tackled the steep steps back up and over the ridge.  Sam speared another meal of fresh fish in the afternoon and we of course had to check out the local bakery for an afternoon snack.  A beautiful sunset and warm campfire was the perfect end to our visit of Freycinet Peninsula.