Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Into the Wilderness




After spending the entire Summer Holidays at home and with one more week still left before the beginning of the new School Year, I decided a nice little break was in order. The Tasmanian Wilderness called so we drove 4 hours to the very west of the Island into the gorgeous World Heritage Area where peace and beauty were guaranteed and last-minute cabin accommodation would at least be a possibility.
We managed to find availability in a 6-berth Cabin in Strahan, once a sleepy fishing village but now a tourism mecca for those wanting to explore the World Heritage Area by boat, rail, plane or helicopter. We had done many of these activities before having kids and were on a strict budget so we took advantage of all the other free activities available. First up, Tobogganing and sand boarding down Hentry Dunes. It was difficult to capture the scale of the Dunes but at 30 to 40m high and with sand plains stretching as far as the eye can see you really felt like you were in the Desert.








The thing I love about living in Tasmania is that you can holiday in your own State and have all of natures delights truly to yourself. We hardly saw a soul the whole time we were away. Strahan is usually rainy but we had picture perfect weather while we were there. A fair bit of time was spent at Ocean Beach - the longest beach in Tasmania with 40km stretching out to the ocean. Rather than shells, the beach is dotted with pebbles of differing colour and size.  Eleanor loved collecting the teeny tiny pebbles while I liked the ones with the white stripes.





It was our first time away as a family of seven and since most of the focus has been on Baby Flynn these past 8 weeks I could tell the other Kids really got a lot out of the little trip and were able to see that life will go on just fine and Mummy won't be spending the rest of their life telling them to keep the noise down while the baby is sleeping. I also realised just how much time is taken up during my days at home with meal preparation, cooking, tidying up and cleaning and it was so nice to have just a few days not doing ANY of these activities and being completely focussed on having fun with the kids.





We stopped off at Lake St Claire on the way home for a play around the lake and a spot of lunch.



Sadly we didn't see any of these Giant vampire Kangaroos while we were away.


We're back home now and everything feels different. The kids are refreshed and happy and looking forward to getting ready for school to start next week. The adults are probably no more refreshed than when we left but the mental break has done wonders and I'm not looking at the Dishwasher with as much disdain as I did last week. We really had the nicest of times. Mel xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



25 comments :

  1. Your photos are beautiful Mel. I do love seeing photos of your pretty state. We visited Strahan when we holidayed in Tasmania and did the train ride but didn't get a chance to visit the dune or the beach it looks like I need to visit again;) Glad to hear that you had such a nice relaxing time while you are away. xx

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  2. What a beautiful getaway for you all.
    A change of scenery is so refreshing - as is stepping out of the kitchen/laundry for a while!
    :-) xx

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  3. It's such a beautiful spot and how lucky were to you get such beautiful weather.
    x

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  4. What gorgeous pictures - I really would like to see Tassie one day! It is stunning. Happy school days!

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  5. Oh Mel...you should consider work for the Tasmanian Tourism! those pictures and your description are really wanting me to book a trip to Tassie. So glad to hear that your family getaway was enjoyed by all. Your children seem so at one with their natural surroundings!

    ps - hmm...I wonder who one my years supply of weetbix?? Yes You! Email me your details honey, so I can have the package posted to you!

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  6. your family is so beautiful mel, love seeing all those lovely smiles. my mom used to remind me that no, it won't be like this forever and always, babies grow up. i can only imagine how much this trip meant to the children and you both too, even though the babymoon is so precious, it feels good to get back to life as you knew it (with the addition of another life!)

    i can't wait to visit there someday, i know i will love it. thanks for taking us along!

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  7. Strahan was one of the first stops we made on our Tassie trip and one of our favourite spots. Sounds like you all had a wonderful getaway xx

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  8. What a great time you had in what looks like a beautiful place. And a bundle of pebbles to remind you too. x Jay

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  9. These are beautiful photos, and it sounds like a lovely break that you had. Love those pebbles w ith the stripes!

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  10. Your holiday looks wonderful and I love your collection of stones x

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  11. Beautiful place. It looks like everyone had a great time. I love reading and looking at your pictures. Now I feel like getting away. The pebbles with the stripes are so odd and nice.

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  12. Ahh, blissfully amazing Mel. You're a wonderful Mama and have a terrific family. Such a clever move to change the scenery like that. Sometimes that is all it takes to turn those mundane days upon themselves. No wonder the children are refreshed, that Tasmanian wilderness is like no other, you're very lucky to have it all right there on your doorstep. Loving your gorgeous images of your little break... AND that bowl full of rocky treasures, they are something else.
    Enjoy your last week of holiday moments xoxo

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  13. Nice pictures and what a beautiful family you have :) seems like you guys were having so much fun together!



    www.vindiebaby.com
    Vintage Inspired Fashion by Independent Designers for Your Little darling

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  14. What utterly beautiful photos. It all looks idyllic and it obviously did you the world of good, you sound refreshed and happy.

    Gillian x

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  15. what a lovely post and such beautiful photos!! yes, it is so important to get out of the "normal" routine once in a while! glad you had a good time away!

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  16. Oh Mel, such lovely photos! There are some special memories of your first holiday as a family of 7. Eleanor's face as she's sliding down the dune made me smile, I can just imagine that squeals of enjoyment! So lovely that you had a break to recharge your batteries; it sounds like it did you all the world of good.
    Jo x

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  17. Gorgeous photos! What a lovely break!
    Sarah xx

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  18. Wow some breathtaking pics there. You look like it was magical. Beautiful to see and lovely blog xx

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  19. Hello again Mel. I have nominated you for a blog award. Pop over to my blog for details. Please don't feel you have to do it unless you want to, blogging awards aren't everyone's thing, but I do like your blog very much.

    Gillian x

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  20. Such gorgeous family (and wilderness) phots Mel. Love the sledding ones!
    cheers Wendy

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  21. Gorgeous photos Melanie! Aren't we lucky to live in such a beautiful place?

    PS I know that feeling of disdain when you look at the dishwasher all too well.

    xx

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  22. Such beautiful pictures Mel. And those stones look like a big pile of boiled sweets. Did do a double take when I got to the baby capsule shot, thought the baby was shooting down the dunes too! Actually you should have taken a shot like that just to see if we were all concentrating. mel x

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  23. Gorgeous photos Mel. love the kangaroo sign - never seen that one before!!
    tash
    x

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  24. I love that you sledge and board on the sand - I guess if the sand is soft and slippery it's perfect.

    Have a beautiful weekend,

    Nina x

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