Hello everyone! The time is right for a trip to Tasmania. So its “Down with the Devils” for us as we travel far south. There are the carnivorous marsupials to see – the Tasmanian Devils, but there are also the odd references in Tasmanian marketing such as “Welcome to Hell” for the winter-time Dark Mofo Festival with its pagan undertones. Anyway we hope for a devil of a good time!

I have consulted a wise Tasmanian Oracle (who is also a wonderful long term family friend and my dialect coach so I can fit in with the Tasmanians/Apple Islanders/Taswegians). Every season has its merits but we have opted for spring even through it may still be cold with a higher chance of rain. We have opted to drive to Tassie in the hope of seeing sealife on the crossing of Bass Strait and being able to take all my necessary camera gear. We are using a few different roads on the way south to again experience Australian culture at its finest. As usual, if you tire of my ramblings and ever-worsening puns, please let me know.

After catching up with some new friends in Brisbane, we continued south along the Pacific Highway with a travel day of 720km.

The always impressive Mount Warning in the Tweed Valley just over the border in New South Wales.

The ever appealing Big Banana at Coffs Harbour. I had a pair of banana footwear once – they were nice slippers.

The Pacific Highway near Coffs Harbour with one of the Solitary Islands. The highway from Brisbane to Sydney is mostly all four lane motorway except for a section through Coffs Harbour town area (with 12 sets of traffic lights). The Coffs bypass is now under construction.

The Big Axe at Kew – When loggers lose their jobs, are they fired or given the axe?

The Big Oyster at Taree is a bit unhinged. It can be cultured though as it’s favourite band is Pearl Jam.

Good night from Taree.