DAY 10 - December 19, 2022 - From the Tasman Peninsula to Hobart

Last Day on the Tasman Peninsula

Checking out of the Lodge and Last Stop at the Safety Cove State Reserve

On our last morning on the Tasman Peninsula, we didn’t rush out the door. Outside, it was a cloudy day but not too bad. We had breakfast at the Port Arthur Center, same place as yesterday. After our breakie, we checked out of our lodge and drove to the Remarkable Cave.

One last time, we stopped at the Safety Cove State Reserve to take pictures of a cruise ship anchored outside Port Arthur (see below photos).

Remarkable Cave

At the Remarkable Cave, we were alone and we climbed (nooo…. more steps!!) down to the cave and, of course, took some pictures. We didn’t stay too long as the weather suddenly turned really cold and rainy, with low clouds. The forecast was telling us that the rain would stop at about noon and it would clear up as well. We hope so.

Photo gallery of the Remarkable Cave

On the photo above, you can see Cape Raoul… one of the three Capes connected by the three-day hiking trail on the Tasman Peninsula.

Shipstern Bluff

Since the weather forecast was positive, we decided to do one more shorter hike before going back to Hobart. Our new destination was the Shipstern Bluff, which is on the Cape Raoul hiking trail. Shipstern, called Shippies by professional surfers, is known around the world as the “most dangerous wave in Australia.”

As we were leaving the parking lot for our short hike to the Shipstern Bluff – after admiring this humongous 4×4 RV – it started to rain more. But we had faith in the weather forecast!

Surprise… 😉… the weather forecast turned out to be dead wrong. As we were climbing up the bluff toward the Shipstern lookout it became worse and we were now walking inside the clouds.

Wouldn't mind having such a vehicle, quite cool!

Animal skulls on a farm post by the Shipstern Bluff trail

The Love Bench on the trail

The low clouds and the rain made some interesting (spooky) photos. Would be great to shoot a thriller in those woods! See the photo gallery of the woods in the clouds.

Our goal to see the Shipstern Bluff was to watch the surfers and the big waves, but of course there was no view from the top since we were in the clouds. At least, we got to stretch our legs – a bit sore though from yesterday’s long and “moderate” hike.

View from the Shipstern Bluff (prove that we did go to the top!)
Back to Hobart

Back to the car, we texted Jess that we would drive back earlier than planned since the weather was not cooperating with us today.

We arrived at Jess and Alex’s house around 3:30pm. For the rest of the afternoon, we chilled and spent quiet time talking with Jess and Alex. For dinner, Alex made homemade pizza and it was delicious!!

Wrapping up the day, we watched Top Gun (the original) as Jess had never seen. Always a very entertaining action/drama classic from 1986.

TOTAL NUMBER OF MILES DRIVEN = 90 miles (145 km)

TOTAL NUMBER OF MILES WALKED = 4.3 miles (7 km)