WEEK 1 — Winds, Waterfalls & Wandering Wombats

Prologue — Getting to Tassie: Winds, Silo Art & Sheer Determination

Before Week 1 officially begins, I need to acknowledge the warm-up act: my epic 3,000-km solo drive from Queensland, zig-zagging through NSW in search of silo art like a woman on a mission. After one ocean crossing and a whole lot of caffeine, I finally arrived in Devonport on 5 October – just in time to be greeted by winds wild enough to blow the freckles off your face.

I retreated inland to New Norfolk, where Tasmania decided to continue its wind-based hazing ritual while I caught my breath. A few days of recovery, rest, and questioning my life choices later… it was time for the “real” trip to begin.

My beloved home on wheels, however, chose that exact moment to stage a dramatic breakdown. She’d carried me faithfully across three states and one sea, but apparently Tasmania was a bridge too far – so off to the mechanics she went.

Day 1 — My Travel Buddy Arrives (right after – My Van Gives Up Immediately)

On 28 October, my Queensland travel buddy arrived to join the fun.

Cue: one hastily-hired smaller van. Not entirely off-grid, not entirely ideal, but entirely good enough to keep the adventure alive. And that’s all we needed.

Mount Field National Park — Glow Worms & Minus-One Madness

We aimed the temporary van westward and landed in Mount Field National Park, where we snagged a powered campsite for a very reasonable $20 for two adults. Bargain – until the temperature dropped to minus one overnight and we realised bargains do not come with central heating.

The highlight of the stay was a night walk to Russell Falls. There’s something magical, although slightly terrifying, about wandering through the forest after dark, guided only by torchlight and the soft shimmer of glow worms, like tiny celestial bodies strung through the undergrowth.

Morning came with frost on… well, everything. Our toes included.

A hasty trip back to New Norfolk was in order to pick up more warm bedding and the amazing Kick Ass camp heater I had left behind.

Maydena Meandering & Highlands Wandering

With numb fingers and warm spirits, we drove through Maydena, winding our way through forests and farmland that looked like scenes from a rustic postcard.

In the morning Ellendale Road took us to the Lwell Highway and past Lake Meadowbank, where the water was so still it felt like nature was trying to out-mirror itself.

Tarraleah Power & A Wall Worth Whispering About

The highlands introduced us to Tarraleah Power Station: a reminder that Tasmania doesn’t just do pretty scenery—it also does hydroelectric engineering with style. From there, we continued to Derwent Bridge to visit The Wall in the Wilderness, a jaw-dropping, hand-carved celebration of Tasmanian stories. No photos allowed inside, which is fair—some beauty belongs entirely to memory.

Lake St Clair — Mountains Wearing Snow Like Jewellery

We rolled into Lake St Clair next, where snow-capped peaks sparkled across the water like someone had sprinkled icing sugar over the mountains. Tasmania has a flair for drama, and we were absolutely here for it.

The Overland Track finishes at Lake St Claire and I was in awe, and just a tad jealous, of the hikers recovering from their adventures. Memories of crossing the Pyrenees during a blizzard in April this year flooded back and reminding me of why I won’t be undertaking the Overland Track. I will be content with looking on with envy and the utmost respect.

FUN FACT. Lake Dt Claire is the deepest freshwater lake in Australia, reaching a depth of over 215 metres. It was formed by glacial activity eons ago and is the headwaters of the Derwent River. Historically it was known by Aboriginal peoples as ‘Leeawuleena’ which means ‘Sleeping Water’.

Lake Burbury — Misty Magic, Limited Amenities

Our final destination of the day was Lake Burbury. The scenery was beautiful, the sunset was gentle, the sunrise mist was ethereal, the silence was soothing…
The amenities? Let’s just say they were character building.

Great toilets, no showers, and a vibe I’d rank as “Wouldn’t rush back, but glad I went once.” The misty morning made up for it, though—Tasmania never lets you stay unimpressed for long.

Queenstown — Halloween Brunch & Gritty Beauty

On 31 October, Queenstown greeted us with rugged hills, rich mining history, and the cheerful chaos of Queenies Crib Café. Their staff were dressed for Halloween and served brunch with flair – and possibly fake fangs.

We wandered through town admiring street art and learning about the town’s tough past. Queenstown feels like a place that has earned its character.

Zeehan’s Spray Tunnel — Google Maps Gets Creative

Our next challenge: reaching the Spray Tunnel outside Zeehan. Google Maps, in a comedic turn, kept insisting we turn right into dense bush. We persevered, laughed at our near-mythical navigation skills, and eventually found the narrow, winding track to the tunnel.

Inside we were rewarded with glow worms, soft mosses, ancient ferns, and relics of mining machinery long abandoned. Tasmania’s ability to make the wild look effortless never ceases to amaze.

As I looked around at the relics left behind I can’t help but reflect on how tough life was for the pioneers of this wilderness.

Platypus Café at Tullah — Platypuses Not Included

We stopped in Tullah for refreshments and hopeful platypus viewing. The café delivered good drinks, but the platypus?
Let’s just say the locals hold that information close to their chests.

Cradle Mountain — Mist, Magic & Wombats Living Their Best Lives

We settled into the Cradle Mountain Discovery Park for a couple of blissful nights. Heated bathrooms, heated camp kitchens—heated everything. After our frosty Mount Field experience, this felt like luxury camping at its finest.

A misty sunrise greeted us the next morning, setting the tone for a day filled with breathtaking beauty. At the Visitor Centre, we soaked up the human and ecological stories of the region before catching the shuttle to Dove Lake.

And oh—Dove Lake.
Brilliant blues, mirrored reflections, a sky that seemed freshly polished. The track provided endless panoramic moments, each one better than the last. The dramatic landscape has to be seen.

On the way back, we hopped on and off the shuttle, walked part of the Overland Track – the section aptly named Wombat Poo, and watched wombats grazing like they owned the place. Which, to be fair, they do.

Stanley — Fish, Chips & A Nut That Said “Nope”

We pointed the van north toward Stanley, arriving just in time for some of the best fish and chips we’ve had—courtesy of the local supermarket, no less.

The Nut loomed above us, looking dramatic in the wind and rain. The chairlift was closed due to the weather, so we admired it from below and promised ourselves a sunnier visit another day.

Rocky Cape & the Case of the Missing Sisters Beach

I’d visited Sisters Beach over 15 years ago when it was a pristine, secluded gem. Roads change, coastlines shift, and alas… the beach I remembered seemed to have slipped into my past.

No matter—Rocky Cape National Park distracted us with its rugged coastline, fascinating rock formations, and a reminder that nature doesn’t need perfection to be beautiful.

Penguin → Forth — Misty Mornings & Birds for Bedtime

We considered staying in Penguin to spot their famous fairy penguins, but the weather had other plans. So we continued to Forth and settled into a free riverside campground.

We expected a noisy night with the pub just across the river, but instead we were serenaded by birds perched overhead. Sometimes nature gives you exactly the soundtrack you didn’t know you needed.

Morning brought a thick, dreamy mist hovering over the water—one of those quiet moments that stays with you.

Sheffield’s Muralfest — Art Everywhere & an Alpaca Icon

We arrived in Sheffield with no idea the town was hosting its International Muralfest. Fate delivered a perfect surprise.

Twenty artists had submitted concepts; nine were chosen to paint full murals throughout the week. We spent hours wandering, watching artists at work, and admiring murals from years past.

And then we met Pedro the Poser—the local alpaca celebrity who genuinely loves posing for photos. Naturally, we obliged.

We posted cards at the iconic Post Office Tree (yes, a real tree, yes, still a functioning post box) and visited a local gallery showcasing extraordinary felt work and free-motion embroidery. Craft addicts, cover your eyes: it almost tempted me to try something new.

Almost.

Mersey Bluff Lighthouse & A Sunset Worth Waiting For

We finished Week 1 with a visit to the Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, complete with seabirds swooping overhead and dramatic rock formations along the coast.

Then the weather turned again—mist rolling in, clouds thickening, rain threatening. It felt like the sunset was cancelled.

Our last night for the week was at Gowrie Park Wilderness Village. We were preparing for an early night when in the final moments, the clouds moved aside just enough to reveal a spectacular burst of colour across Mount Roland. Tasmania loves a good finale, and this one was worthy of applause.

And That’s a Wrap for Week 1

One hire van, dozens of wild weather moments, glow worms, wombats, misty mornings, and more art than expected. If Week 1 is anything to go by, Tasmania has plenty more mischief and magic left for us in the next few weeks.