New Year Celebrations at "The Entrance"

It was 31st Dec, 2016. All of us were eagerly waiting for the NEW YEAR 2017. The last new year, we had been to the new year fireworks at Sydney Harbor Bridge. The Sydney Harbor Fireworks was just amazing. But this time we did not have the patience to go early and reserve the place 4-5 hours before the event. Hence we decided to go on a trip. Destination - "The Entrance". We would miss watching the fireworks though.

On 31st Dec morning , we left for our trip. At first we visited the Shelly Beach. It was just an hour drive from Sydney. Shelley Beach was not much crowded even on the new years eve. It is indeed a lovely beach and does provide facilities like changing rooms, Shower areas, etc

At first we all changed to our swimming costumes and then entered the beach. We played in the water and also in the sand and made sand castles. The weather was quite hot, but the cool breeze along the shore was a huge relief. We spent around 2 hours at the beach.

Then it was lunch time, We parceled some fish n chips from a popular outlet and went to a sea side bench to enjoy our lunch. The food was really awesome. After a delicious lunch, we played some games there and lied down for a quick nap.

Finally, we left for "The Entrance". that was another 10 mins drive from Shelley Beach. The Pelican Feeding at the Entrance is something you should not miss. The Pelican feeding is usually held at 3.00 PM everyday.

The Entrance was too crowded with lots of visitors. Some people had already reserved a sea side place with tents for the New Years Eve. It was quite difficult to get a parking slot there. Finally manged to get one after a long time.

As we entered the beach area, we were welcomed by a big flock of Pelicans. It was an amazing view.

There were also many amusement rides to entertain both the kids as well as the adults, probably new year special event. My daughter had a gala time enjoying every ride. There was also a swimming pool for the kids and all the kids were just loving that. Charvi spent around an hour playing with other kids in that pool.

All of a sudden, our attention was caught by some hoardings put up which mentioned that New years fireworks was supposed to be held at the Entrance at 9.00 PM. Immediately we decided to wait and watch the fireworks.

We had some some light dinner and were then waiting eagerly for the fireworks. We managed to get a nice place by the sea side to view the fireworks. The crowd had started gathering around the place.

The fireworks started sharp at 9.00 PM and lit the dark sky with vibrant lights. Watching the fireworks by the water side was an amazing experience. The crowd was also quite enthusiastic.

Soon after the fireworks, we headed home. We wanted to reach home before midnight to watch the Sydney harbor fireworks live telecast-ed on TV :)

Blue Mountains Trip

Another weekend with my dear sister and brother in law in Sydney. This weekend, we decided to go towards the west side to the Blue Mountains.

Started for the trip immediately after breakfast. The Blue Mountains is about 1.5 hours drive and the route is quite scenic and pleasant.

At first, we went to the Katoomba Waterfall Reserve and lazied around the piknik area for some time. After that we left for a short trek to view the waterfall from the top. 

My hubby and bil left for a bigger trek down to the waterfall and we (me, my sis and daughter) headed back to the piknik area. We played in the playground, then with the disk and then chit chatting. 

After about an hour they came back from their trek. From the pictures they shared, it looked like an amazing trek and wonderful place.

It had past the lunch time and all of us were hungry. We parceled some food from the katoomba city centre and came back to another piknik area to enjoy our lunch. The place was really cool and pleasant. Sometimes living in the hustles of the city , we long for such peace. Being with the nature frees you from all stress and relaxes your mind and body.

After the food, Charvi had some dancing sessions and we all were trying to learn dance steps from her. Was really fun though.

Next destination - the very popular "Three Sisters" point.

After taking 2-3 rounds around the three sisters view point, finally we managed to get an awesome parking spot. The three sisters is actually three mountains standing next to each other. This place is usually very crowded. But to my surprise, this time it was less crowded. There is a pedestrian bridge to reach the first sister. This is someting i had never saw in our previous 

After spending some time there, we left Katoomba and headed for our next destination - Wentworth Falls Lake Reserve. This was on the way back home.

The area around the Wentworth Falls Lake is developed very well with playgrounds, piknik areas, barbecues, etc. We reached there late in the evening. It was quite cool and nice and there were just handful of people. We all enjoyed feeding and watching the birds. 

We took a short walk to the other side of the lake walking by the dam.

All good things come to an end and so are the vacation and trips. It was time to head back home.

Exploring Tasmania - The Complete Travel Itenary

We were planning on a vacation to Tasmania since a long time and finally the long awaited dream came true.

Travel: Booked a return flight from Sydney to Hobart.
Booked the car rental with Thrifty with the car pickup and drop from the Hobart airport.
1500 kms travelled

Accomodation:
Launceston:
Days:3
Motel: Abel Tasman Motor Inn
Faclities: Microwave, Fridge, Heater, Kettle, Electric Blanket, TV, etc

Hobart:
Days:4
Motel: Martin Cash Motel
Faclities: Microwave, Fridge, Heater, Kettle, Electric Blanket, TV, etc

Travel Itenary
Day 1: Land in Hobart and Travel to Launceston
Took the morning flight from Syney to Hobart. Reached Hobart airport around lunch time.
Picked the car from the airport and started our long drive towards Launceston.
Reached Launceston around late evening.
First day itself gave us a feeling that food is not readily available in Tasmania.

Day 2: Launceston City and Tamar Valley
At first, visited the tourist information centre in Launceston city and picked some maps and places of interest.

Cataract Gorge:
A must visit place, right in the city of Launceston.
Spectacular view of the Gorge from the Suspension Bridge built over it.
Wonderful place to spot the animals like peacocks, wallabies, etc and also birds.
The chairlift was also a wonderful experience. It gives amazing views of the cataract Gorge.

Entry to Cataract Gorge

The suspension Bridge

Selfie from Chairlift

Suspension Bridge

The Chairlift

Selfie Time!!

Queen Victoria Art Gallery:
Facinating display of art works

Queen Victoria Museum:
A great musuem with australian flora and fauna, history and many more things

The Dinasours

Antique cars

The sewing machine spotted in the museum - I got this ta my home in Goa

Representation of houses in indigenous Australia - Aboriginals

The Tasman Devil - now extinct

City Park:
Small botanical garden with main attraction as Japanese monkeys and a toy train ride

Spot the Japaneses monkeys

Japanese monkeys carrying their baby

Tamar Valley:
Drive along the Tamar river from Launceston to West Head.
The drive is very scenic with wineyards on either sides.
Stopovers at Tamar Valley Wetlands and Brady's Lookout

West Head Lookout and Lighthouse:
This is the place where the Tamar river meets the Pacific Ocean.
Very scenic place with specatcular views.
Light house is truly amazing.
Spotted some orange color rocks on the beach...similar to the ones on the popular Bay of Fires

The Lagoon Bay

The lighthouse

At the lighthouse

Day 3: Launceston to Cradle Mountain and back
The drive to the cradle mountains from launceston is very scenic and mesmerising.

Deloraine:
A small town with some cafes.
Picked some maps at the Information center.

Rasberry Farm:
Lovely farm with a small cafe serving awsome food with berries. Must try their breakfast
Walk along the rasberry farm to spot some animals and birds

My sweethearts enjoying their Rasberry icecream and smoothies

Guess the animal behind me??

Raspberry Farms

Ashgrove Cheese Factory:
Free cheese tasting and a very good collection of cheeses.
View how the cheese is being processed.

Ashgrove Cheese Factory Entry

Cheese Factory

Dove Lake:
This is the most beautiful place of our entire trip of Tasmania. It is like heaven on earth.
Park the car at the parking area and take the shuttle bus to the Dove Lake.
The Dove Lake circuit walk is 6 km long.
This place is truly truly amazing.
The snow capped mountain peaks surrounding the beautiful Dove lake. Pleasing sight
Being in the nature. Awesome experience!

Dove Lake

Guess how cold is the water??

Wow...we spotted the Wombat

Drove back to Launceston .

Day 4: Launceston to Hobart
Checked out from Launceston and headed towards Hobart. Reached Hobart around lunch time.

Hobart is very different from Launceston. It is a relatively bigger and commercial city.

Mt. Wellington:
This is around half an hour drive from the city and the drive is really beautiful.
A very very beautiful place with amazing views of Hobart.
Should be visited on a clear sky.
We did spot some left over snow here and there.
Rock climbing to the highest point is a fulfilling experience.
The place is very windy but awesome.
There are a couple of paved lookouts with amazing views.

Our rock climbing leader

View from the top - spot the observatory

Spotted snow

Day 5: Hobart to Port Arthur and back

Port Arthur Historic Site:
This world heritage site is a must visit place if you go to Tassie.
It is one of the best preserevd convict site.
The entry fee is around 37$ per head which is fine considering the size of the place.
It also includes the ferry around the Port Arthur

The convicts - some happy and some sad !!

Selfie Time Again!!

Remarkable Caves:
Around 10 minutes drive from the Port Arthur Historic site.
Truly remarkable caves.
Walk down a few steps to get a complete glimpse of the caves.
Wonderful Lookout built at the caves.

The Remarkable Caves Beach Lookout

The Remarkable Cave

The Tasman Arc:
The most amazing arc have seen till date.
Magnificient arc like strucrure standing in the ocean.

The Devils Kitchen:
Walkable from the Tasman Arc.
Amazing work by the waves done on the rocks.

Tasman Blowhole:
Unfortuantely coukd not view the blowhole
A nice place to sit around and enjoy the waters.

Doo Town:
On the way to Tasman Arc, Devils Kitchen and Tasman Blowhole
All the houses contain "Doo" in its name :)

Doo-licious

Day 6: Hobart City Centre
Explored the Hobart city area on foot.

City Highlights:
Salmance Square
Battery Point
Parliament House
The Wharf
Tasman Museum and Art Gallery

Parliament House

Tasman Museum - spot the Rs, 5 note

Salmanca Square

Salmanca Square

Battery Point

Day 7: Hobart to Bruny Island and back
The drive to Bruny Island was awesome.
Park the car in the ferry at Kettering and ferry takes you to Bruny Island.

The Neck:
Lookout that seperates the North Bruny from South Bruny

Chocolate Factory:
Buy some of the delicious chocolates locally produced on Bruny Island

The Chocolate Factory

Adventure Bay:
Take a walk along the beach to spot the white wallabies

Day 8: Hobart and back to Sydney
Checkout from the motel

Royal Tasmnian Botatnical Gardens:
Wonderful place, really huge and well maintained
Try the localy produced ice creams at the cafe

Ice cream time !!

Drove to Hobart airport, dropped the car with Thrifty and flew back to Sydney