Sunday, February 28 – Launceston to Melbourne

We had a relaxing morning, up at eight, had a couple of boiled eggs for breakfast, and took off around 10:00 a.m. for our drive to Launceston. It was a short drive, the first part in the hills, and then down into the lush, verdant pastures of the plains which were filled with cows, including highland cattle, sheep, and beautiful horses. Farming country. 

We passed a pond with about 10 beautiful black swans floating peacefully in the sunshine, then later on we passed another swan doing its motherly duty and protecting its baby from being sucked into the flow of the waterfall. Today was the day of the swans.

We took a look around Launceston and came across the University of Tasmania’s Arts and Science Campus, the Aurora Sports Stadium for the Tassie Black Hawks, The Tram Museum, and someother museum. While walking around this complex we came across a “micro dwelling” designed by students at the university. It was originally designed to meet the requirements of kids who felt threatened by the circumstances at home and needed a separate dwelling in which to live – in other words, a customized housing project for young people who are at risk of homelessness. The design can also be used for tourist accommodation, starter homes,  isolated work sites, or disaster relief. Really neat!

We had heard about the gorge at Launceston and set off to find that. We did, and took the chair lift to the top and walked back down. It was a little disappointing but it provided a good swim hole for the locals and an attraction for the tourists!

Then we headed out to the airport and caught our flight from Launceston back to Melbourne – 45 minutes. It was a lovely flight over the ocean in the brilliant sun. We checked back into the Best Western where we stayed before, and are all ready to set out for Adelaide tomorrow.