Tasmania trip 1st March to home.
4 March. The weather has deteriorated, cloudy and strong winds. We are heading back east again towards Sheffield. Via Burnie and inland from there. There are a lot of country roads south of Burnie. Very hilly and beautiful views. Visited Leven Canyon again. This is a must see when you are in the area. The weather changes very quickly here and it was a good day for walking. Arrived in Sheffield  on Friday and there were a lot of campers set up already. Sheffield hosted the Steamfest over the long weekend. They have steam tractors operating rock crushing, circular saws, hay bailing and a lot more. All very interesting stuff for me. On Monday the weather looked OK to walk up mount Roland. This is a 1233 M mountain overlooking Sheffield. There was another couple here that also wanted to do this and they had a car to drive us to the foot of the mountain. Started to walk at 10.30 and were back at 5.15. This is the longest walk I have ever done but it was good training for the walk up Cradle Mountain which I will attempt providing the weather holds out.
11 March we are heading for Cradle mountain.
     Leven Canyon.            Sheffield steam fest with Mount Roland             Cradle Mountain, dove lake  boat shed
12 March. We arrived at Cradle Mountain at lunchtime. Enough time to have a look at Dove Lake and the most famous spot, the boathouse. This must be the most photographed boathouse in Australia. Last time we were here we could  park overnight at the ranger car park. We illegally parked here for the night because I wanted to take the first bus to Dove Lake and the start of the road to Cradle Mountain. The weather prediction was rain during the morning and overcast during the afternoon. I had a sprinkle of rain all day which also means clouds and the view changed every second. The track was easier than I envisaged, the last 200 metres you have to clime over large boulders. I thought that there was somebody else in front of me but as it turned out I was the only one up there 1554 metres above sea level.  Luckily on the way down there were four more people coming up in case I had an accident. I did the trip in just under 6 Hours. Next two days a lot of rain and cold wind. Drove via Strahan to Queenstown. A very twisty and steep road.
                From Cradle mountain summit.                       Queenstown rack and pinion steam train.        Devils gullet.
15 March. In Queenstown an old copper mine. They have a special train trip up over the range. The steep parts are assisted by a special wheel to prevent slipping. The weather cleared slightly for the day and we had a pleasant trip. 
Over the next few days via Derwent Bridge, Hamilton, Bothwell, Poalina to Deloraine. Most of the places we drove through are only a hand full of houses. Derwent bridge is only a pub and a few houses but everyone stops here because they have The Wall. The wall is a 100 metre wooden wall with very intricate woodcarvings. We were here four years ago and it appeared that not a lot of progress had been made.   Deloraine is a sizable and interesting place. We camped here for two nights and on to some of the most spectacular views. All the country south of Burnie and Devonport is very hilly but has some of the best views. Alum Cliffs and Devils Gullet are some prime examples.
20 March and back in Sheffield. The weather is not getting any better. The heater is working overtime. Arrived in Devonport the day before departure.  24 March. Ready to look for warmer places.
29 March.  Already five days on the mainland after an uneventful journey on the ferry. We spend two days in Anakie catching up with the Goedegebuur family. Visited Arie Bakker in Coryo. Ria was not home so they visited us in Anakie. The day we left here it was raining. They had not seen rain for month. I had planned to go to the Eureka show in Ballarat but the rain put a stop to that. After the first day travelling north the landscape changes drastically. Nearly flat and  straight roads. It is all grain here as far as you can see. The closer we get to the Murray River the grain changes to grape vines. This is a massive grape growing region. Mainly for cheaper type wines.
29 March. Arrived in Robinvale two days before the motorhome rally. Saw already a lot of people we know.
             The Goedegebuur ladies                                                                 All lined up in Robinvale
7 April and all over red rover. This was one of the best rally's we have attended ever. The week flew past. Saw a lot of old acquaintances consumed too much alcohol and were well entertained with poets breakfast and a band every night. Another four weeks and we will be back home. Now we are heading east and follow the Murray River. We were very lucky with the weather. As soon as we left the rain moved in. Luckily it started slowly and just saw the heritage village in Swan Hill during a dry spell. But the next three days pouring rain. The Murray River has more water in it than we have seen for years. Last time we were in Echuca you could nearly walk across the river but this time it looked a lot healthier. We did not spend a lot of time in Echuca because of the rain. I wanted to camp beside the Murray River for the night but all the tracks to it are unsealed and a bit slippery in the wet so it was a roadside camp. What I remember from years ago when we travelled here you saw grape vines as far as you could see. I had heard there was an oversupply of grapes and now you still see some vines but most have been replaced with olive trees. 
Next Wangaretta and we caught up with Phill and Bill van Ruth. We met them in different parts of Australia over the years. It is always good to catch up with old friends. 
    All the Tropical Coast Wanderers at the rally                              Echuca paddle steam wharf
After Wangaratta another family. Robert and Vienna Broz. We met the years ago in South Australia , West Australia and Queensland. They minded our house when we went to Birdsville for a month. We stayed here for two nights and they showed us around the area. We visited a winery, mustard and cheese factory. 
13 April On the way to the alpine area. Mount Beauty and we spend the night in Falls Creek. Normally a ski resort but we are here in summer and the place is virtually deserted. The place is 1550 Metre above sea level. I had to put another blanket on during the night and it has been the coldest night of the holiday so far. 5 Degrees. The heater could not get it to a decent temperature especially with the wind blowing a gale. When we woke up the fog was as thick as can be. And it stayed foggy all morning. A very winding road to Omeo. From Omeo we heading north to Corryong. I had heard that the road was sealed for most part but I was wrong. 80Km slightly corrugated and gravelly road. Another cold night in a roadside campsite. We are still in the high country but just about to leave it. 
15 April. A campsite where we have stayed a few times over the years. Our last camp beside the Murray river. Next day Wagga Wagga. There is a festival on next weekend and every bit of grass at the freedom camp here is filled with motorhomes and caravans. 
Susan, Vienna and Robert at Brown brothers winery                               Camel races in Forbes
The day before Good Friday in Forbes. When I went for an early morning walk I saw that there were going to be camel races that day. We could not miss this. We set up our chairs beside the racetrack and soaked up the atmosphere. Left at two in the afternoon and. Next stop Dubbo. There is a fairly famous zoo here where the animals are supposed to be shown in their natural habitat. But this was a big disappointment. Very few animals in a large area but it did not look natural. Also there was a lot of walking involved "You can take your car in" but not the motorhome. Because it is school holidays and Easter there were thousands of people there. Not really recommended unless you have never been to a zoo. 20 April. Heading north via Gunnedah and Bingara towards Brisbane. We are driving more than we normally do. About 300Km a day. As you can see we drove all the way to Texas. 
 Taronga open plain zoo            In Queensland again after 3.5 month                     Robyn and Jan de Lange
Things are moving fast now. A quick stop in Brisbane to the Dutch Shop and to visit Linda Lewellyn. We also visited here on the way up. Thanks for the lunch Lynda. Arrived on Bribie Island late afternoon. Parked beside the ocean looking at a beautiful sunset. Next day to an over 50s lifestyle village. Susan saw the house she wanted but I also wanted space for the bus and this was not available long term. Now it is just a matter of driving north.  1400 KM till home.  We have our favourite spots where we camp. On the way visited Robyn and Jan de Lange in Maryborough.
Another night in Claiope. It is just like part one in reverse olly this time we do it in less time. Only one day in Mackay with Luke and Nikaela. Went to a Tay restaurant and had a very nice banquet. Next day 400 Km and back home. 
Bianca Neve who looked after our house left the house and garden spotless. Glad to be home and just two weeks and on the move to Europe.
       We drove 12700 Km
       We used     L diesel
       We spend    $ on repairs to the bus.
       We had a great time.
       We will do this again only a different part of this great land.

The end,  see you in France.