Queenstown, Tasmania

Queenstown is an absolute must-visit for its unique landscape. The small west coast city experienced a mining boom back in the 1800's that attracted rough and rugged men from all over the world. Most found nothing but some struck it rich, and it came at the cost of the environment. Copper smelting and excavating stripped the hills around the city bare and has stained them with unnatural colours. The hills have had a hard time regenerating so the moonscape is still there for you to enjoy. It's a beautiful but rather haunting reminder of man's greed and his responsibility to Mother Earth. information sourced here

Scott and I took a trip to Queenstown on 7th January stayed overnight before heading back home on the 8th.

Queenstown is the largest town in Tasmania's West Coast, surrounded by dramatic hills and mountains and steeped in rich mining history, Queenstown was once the world's richest mining town.

A 3 1/2 hour drive (260 km) from Hobart along a steep winding yet beautifully scenic road, the road to Queenstown has over 90 bends, some dramatic and scary, others less so.

We left the house 10 am and started the journey to Queenstown making a few pitstops along the way for photos and to enjoy the scenery.

Lake Binney

Lizard at Lake Binney

The remains of The Royal Hotel in the ghost town of Linda. See post here

We arrived at the accommodation at 2.10pm, checked in, unpacked the car then we had lunch, I had made sandwiches so we ate them on the grass outside our room.

After lunch we had a walk around the town.

We then went to the Spion Kopf Lookout see post here

We then went to take photos beside the Queenstown sign and headed on to the Iron Blow Lookout.

The Iron Blow lookout, see post here

After the Iron Blow Lookout we decided to drive to Strahan, a 40 minute drive from Queenstown.

We had been to Strahan with the girls a few years ago so thought it would be nice to see it again although we didn't quite remember that there was nothing much in it so we didn't stay long just enough to have a walk and take a couple of photos.

We headed back to our motel and took a couple of photos of Queenstown Airport on the way back.

The Queenstown Airport is a former airport, now an unregistered landing ground located at Howard's Plains west of Queenstown.

We freshened up before walking to The Empire Hotel for dinner.

We then walked back through town to the Motel.

Wha's Like Us?....Damn Few And They're A' Deid!

While sorting through things I came across this Scottish poem that my mum gave me years ago, my gran loved this one...so here it is.... Wha's Like Us ? The average Englishman in the home he calls his castle, slips into his national costume ---- a shabby raincoat...patented by.... ...Chemist Charles Macintosh from Glasgow, Scotland. En route to his office he strides along the English lane, surfaced by.... ...John Macadam from Ayr, Scotland. He drives an English car fitted with tyres invented by.... ...John Boyd Dunlop, Veterinary Surgeon of Dreghorn, Scotland. At the office he receives the mail bearing adhesive stamps invented by.... ...John Chalmers, Bookseller and Printer of Dundee, Scotland. During the day he uses the telephone invented by.... ...Alexander Graham Bell, born in Edinburgh, Scotland. At home in the evening his daughter pedals her bicycle invented by.... ...Kirkpatrick Macmillan, Blacksmith of Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He watches

Aussie Pie Floater

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Peas with Mustard Sauce

This is an amazing side dish, turns ordinary humble peas into something refreshingly different. I found this on Sarah Jessica Parker's Instagram account, she doesn't specify amounts so I played around with it so that the taste suited my family. Ingredients 230 g peas, fresh or frozen 2-3 tbsp sour cream 1-2 tsp wholegrain mustard butter to taste Method Cook peas by boiling, steaming or microwave. Drain. Add sour cream, mustard, mix through to combine. Add butter, stir to combine. Can you see me?? Enjoy. recipe sourced here

Daisy Chains and Picnics

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