HOBART — Our Final Stop Before Flying Home

After an incredible 3,500-kilometre journey around Tasmania, it was time to return to Hobart for the final few days of our adventure.

For our last stay, we found a wonderful Airbnb called Moonrise View in Sandy Bay. This private, cosy and beautifully warm apartment was in a fantastic location, just a 10-minute walk to the local shops, cafés and beach, and only a short distance from Hobart CBD. It was the perfect base for our final few days.

It was lovely to be back in Hobart and have the opportunity to explore some of the places we hadn't had time to visit when we first arrived in Tasmania.


Richmond — Stepping Back in Time

On our first day, we drove out to Richmond, a beautiful historic colonial town about 25 kilometres northeast of Hobart, nestled in Tasmania's Coal River Valley. Richmond is renowned for its wonderfully preserved Georgian architecture and fascinating convict history.

The town absolutely oozes photogenic history. One of its most famous landmarks is Richmond Bridge, built by convicts between 1823 and 1825. It holds the distinction of being the oldest stone arch bridge still in use in Australia.

Standing proudly on a rise above the bridge is another significant piece of history, St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, built in 1837 and recognised as Australia's oldest surviving Catholic church.

We loved wandering through Richmond's quaint main street, admiring the beautiful sandstone buildings and charming colonial architecture. The town has more than 50 Georgian buildings, many of which have been lovingly restored and now operate as cafés, restaurants, galleries and accommodation.

Everywhere we looked seemed to offer another gorgeous photo opportunity, and it was easy to imagine what life must have been like here during Tasmania's colonial era.


Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

The following day, we visited the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Australia's premier cool-climate garden and a wonderfully peaceful oasis just minutes from the heart of Hobart.

Established more than 200 years ago, the 14-hectare gardens are home to an impressive collection of Tasmanian flora, including rare and threatened species, as well as unusual sub-Antarctic plants.

One of the highlights was the magnificent collection of mature conifers, many planted during the 19th century, creating a majestic canopy over the gardens.

The Victorian-era lily pond was unfortunately empty during our visit, as it was being cleaned and maintained during the quieter winter months. However, we didn't mind at all. It was great to see the gardens being cared for.

We particularly fell in love with the Japanese Garden, with its peaceful water wheel, beautiful herbaceous perennial borders and traditional design. The sandstone conservatory was another lovely feature, making the gardens a delight to explore even in the middle of winter.


kunanyi / Mount Wellington — A Winter Wonderland

Another place high on our list was a drive to the summit of kunanyi / Mount Wellington.

At 1,270 metres, this imposing mountain towers directly over Hobart and provides spectacular panoramic views across the city, harbour and surrounding landscape. We had seen it so many times during our stay, always looming beautifully in the background, so naturally we wanted to experience it from the top.

It was quite a feat driving all the way up to the summit, particularly knowing that the weather can change incredibly quickly. Snow and ice can lead to sudden road closures, and we knew there was still snow at the top.

Our excitement grew as we caught our first glimpses of snow along the roadside. Then, as we reached the summit, we were absolutely beaming with smiles! We had arrived in another winter wonderland!

It was absolutely freezing, though. The temperature on our car dashboard showed just 1°C, but with the fierce wind it felt much closer to -10°C with the wind chill. We quickly piled on every extra layer of clothing we had and bravely ventured outside.

We were surprised by just how busy it was at the summit, with tourists everywhere, but it was easy to understand why. The views were simply spectacular, made even more magical by the snow-covered landscape in the foreground.

It was definitely one of those moments where you forget how cold you are because you're too busy taking it all in!


Cascades Female Factory — A Sobering Chapter of History

One final place on our list and particularly high on Lynette's, was the Cascades Female Factory.

The World Heritage-listed site tells the confronting story of the displacement, mistreatment and forced migration of convict women and girls, as well as their contribution to the colonisation of Australia.

Once again, it was a very harrowing and emotional experience hearing about the conditions these women endured and the way they were treated.

The Cascades Female Factory Historic Site plays an important role in preserving and sharing this largely untold chapter of Australia's history. It is recognised as the most significant site associated with female convicts in Australia and is also of global significance, forming one of the 11 sites that make up the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property.

It was certainly not an easy visit, but an incredibly worthwhile one. Understanding these stories adds another important layer to appreciating Tasmania's history.


A Celebratory Final Dinner

And then, suddenly, it was our last night in Tasmania!

After 3,500 kilometres of driving, countless incredible sights, walks, wildlife encounters and unforgettable experiences, it was time to celebrate our amazing journey with a special dinner at Mures Upper Deck.

This award-winning à la carte seafood restaurant is the flagship of the Mures group, founded by George and Jill Mure more than 50 years ago.

With an international reputation for showcasing Tasmania's world-class seafood, Upper Deck was the perfect choice for our final night. The restaurant has the added distinction of catching its own fish and sourcing and preparing its seafood locally, all while offering beautiful views across Victoria Dock.

It was the perfect way to finish our Tasmanian adventure, enjoying some of the island's finest seafood while looking out over the water and reflecting on everything we had experienced.

And what an adventure it had been!

3,500 kilometres, countless memories, spectacular scenery, fascinating history, amazing wildlife and so many special moments.

Tasmania truly exceeded our expectations, and although it was time to fly home, we left knowing that this incredible island had given us memories that will last a lifetime.


We give thanks to God for blessing us with such an amazing trip to Tasmania. We are truly grateful for His protection, guidance, and the beautiful experiences and memories He allowed us to share. From the breathtaking scenery to the precious moments together, we could see His goodness throughout our journey.

We also want to sincerely thank our family and friends who prayed for us and kept us in their thoughts while we were away. Your prayers, love, and support mean so much to us, and we are deeply grateful for each one of you.






































































































































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