Hobart a day inland.....14th March.

Had a busy day today getting out into the outskirts of Hobart to see some of the countryside. And good news re the weather has changed just like the afternoon we arrived to. It was still overcast this morning, gloomy looking but turned out sunny and really hot after our cold spell. I must say I am enjoying this drier heat after the awful humid weather we had been having at home. Our last night at Karinya, (73 Derwent Ave, Hobart) holiday apartment. What a great place, lovely to come back to each evening. With the quiet, and peaceful outlook. We are in an inlet off the Derwent River, very nice. Just been sitting out on the terrace looking over the boats.

Shortly after we left Hobart we came across this great monument very appropriate.
 

Thirty minutes out from Hobart heading north west we arrived at New Norfolk which is a town in the River Derwent Valley which comes with a bit of history. The third oldest settlement in Tasmania, homes dating back to 1820s. Established by evacuees from Norfolk Island after the Island prison was abandoned in 1807. It has a rich hop growing past and is still producing most of hops for the Australian breweries. By the way PT still hasn't tasted their beer. Too busy!!!!!

Tasmanias oldest church St Mathews.

These millstones are from the Lachlan River Mill (1819).

The Bush Inn Pub is the oldest continuously liecensed hotel in Australia.

We went for a small walk through town to a place called Willow Court Antique Centre. A large piece of land covered with all the old furniture, cars etc  This is  the nurses quarters of the old mental home. It is now full of old rubbishy antiques. If you look closer you will see it all lying around. 



A Street full of all the old rusty trucks. In another area they had lots of old rusty cars all deteriorating lying all over the lawn. Didn't get a photo of those.



In the centre this is the Patchwork Cafe where we had a cuppa. Patchworks hanging on the walls.

Inside waiting for our coffee.



We decided to take an off shoot road behind New Norfolk to see some of the inner countryside. We followed the Derwent river for a few miles before we turned away from it. This is the same river we are staying on in Hobart.



We stopped at a Salmon Farm called Salmon Ponds. 



Albino Trout.

A very pretty setting.

Further along the road to a place called Bushy Park very small community with their old cottages.

Look how dry the inland farms are. Makes beautiful contrasting colours.

 

 

We then left the area back towards Hobart out to the east of the city near the Hobart Airport where we landed last Sunday. To see Richmond which is a picture perfect town especially as the day had turned out hot and sunny which always makes a place look so much better. It sits in the Coal River Valley wine region, an early Australian colonial Village. To get there we crossed over a few hills more rural scenery all dry and brown. Above is the Richmond  bridge built by the convicts in 1823. Oldest bridge in Australia, with the Coal River flowing through it.

Lots of tourists just lying on the lawn looking at it. Beautiful place to be. Don't miss it if you are in the area, a must see.

Beautiful....

Walked up higher and looked down on the bridge. Lots of tourists walking around.

 

In the same area this old building is now a toy shop.

In behind the above is the Richmond Goal which is the oldest Goal in Australia.

Goal quart yard.

Going inside to the women prisoners cells, very narrow entrance running between the cells.

Looking inside gives you a very eerie feeling to the hardship and brutality of convict life.



Still in the same area in one of the old buildings is a coffee shop. Didn't stop there just walked through.

The old Pub in the Main Street. What a beauty...

A few of the old cottages.

Stopped at The Barilla Oyster Farm near the Hobart Airport.

Guess where we ended up for our last stop for the day. We both sat down and ate a dozen oysters each, very nice, then straight back to base.

Just before we got back stopped at the bottom of one of the roads just along from us, to take these last shots of Hobart looking over the Derwent River.

Looking over to Mt Wellington where we drove up a couple of days ago. The change of temperature up there to today's hot day is amazing.



Looking back down the Derwent river towards the bridge which crosses over to Hobart.

What a great four nights we have had here. Very handy position to crossing the bridge into Hobart. The day we arrived was perfect and warm and our last day has been the same. Off to Strahan tomorrow west coast, going back further up the Derwent Valley about four and half hours driving with I guess a lot of stops exploring, taking more photos. Looking forward to our next stay for two nights. Weather looks promising may just be the odd shower.