Kettering

Headed out after a ‘holiday’ breakfast in the van. Drove straight through Hobart and down the Huon Highway on the “Southern Edge Drive Journey”.

The van is easy enough to drive but has a high-centre of gravity and (relatively) low power. Also, I am too tall so have to bend forward to see out of the windscreen to look up/around.

I drove through Snug. I expected it to be kinda cute and it was completely unremarkable.

I stopped at Kettering at the Steamhouse Cafe for a cookie and a coffee – both of which were first-rate. I chatted with the shop owner who recommended sights to see and that the Southport Hotel was a great place to stay.

Woodbridge

Stopped at Woodbridge to see the pub that I’d stayed in 30 years before, but it was gone. Replaced with a very nice looking modern “Peppermint Bay Hotel”.

In trying to learn how to tour rather than just drive, I stopped at Woodbridge’s Legacy Park and viewed the displays. I also made a point of stopping to photograph the passing landscapes periodically.

The wild eastern coast of the Huon peninsula below Woodbridge and before Verona Sands.

(I attempted to take photos that Google would create a panorama from but failed.)

Verona Sands

Drove on to Verona Sands, stopping occasionaly to photograph the scenic beauty (above). Verona Sands is a sleepy little holiday home village that aches quaintness (and no services).

I later found one of the many houses for sale in an agent in Huonville. The new modern holiday home was asking $500k.

Cygnet

Drove on to Cygnet. Had a look through the “Living History” Museum, which was so earnest and cluttered that it was very difficult to engage with.

Had an early lunch at the Velvet Lounge Cafe – a recommendation by my cab driver of the previous day.

Huonville

Then on to Huonville, where I got out and walked up and down the main street to get a feel for the place. It’s very like Moss Vale in the Southern Highlands.

Not being maintained for its rustic charm but rather as a commercial and service centre for the surrounding sleepy villages and hamlets.

Dover

More driving, down to Dover, where there’s a sizeable harbour facility.

Would once have been where all the apples where embarked for shipping to Europe. Not sure what goes in and out of there now.

Southport

Finally, down to Southport at the base of the Huon Point. Weather was fantastic all day; bright and sunny and not too much of the very cold wind.

Had dinner in the Southport Hotel (attached to the caravan park). Classic pub food, though pricey (as everywhere in Tasmania, it seems). Crawled into bed about 8pm and slept through to the morning pee.