AmyHuang
A Tasmanian road trip: Bicheno
After three days in Hobart, we drove up north, pass the historical town of Richmond where we stopped for a nice cup of tea and a warm pie at the Richmond bakery, then up the coast toward the small town of Bicheno.
Famous for being the Tasmanian 'riviera' and its blowhole, we were surprised to see half of the town 'for sale'. In fact, even the local Wildlife Centre is for sale. Apparently the peek time for the town is the three months of warmth in summer, where the place is packed with local tourists and international tourists, however coming into winter, businesses are put on sale for the next round of owners to come in. Only one cafe and the local tavern was still open, so our choices for dining were not too great. Nevertheless - that is one thing we were extremely impressed about Tasmania, where ever you go, the food was never disappointing. The local tavern serves up a seafood plate for $32 - and it was fantastic.
Bicheno blow hole in action
However we had a great time here. We took a walk along the 2Km coastal walk and the views were stunning. Along the rocky path you can see penguin nests in the bushes. Bicheno is a place where the penguin population lives among the human counterparts. We joined the penguin tour at night, where we were taken along the conservation area, watched the little penguins jump out of sea back into their homes. The tour was educational, and gives you a very intimate encounter with these penguins. I must say, having been to the Philip Island Penguin platform, I think I had preferred this one, where I got to walk around, check out their habitat (with care of course) - in a small group where the guide himself is a conservationist, enthusiastically tell you about the life of these little penguins.
No photos were allowed on the penguin tours, for further information visit: Bicheno Penguin Tours
The town of Richmond - built by convicts
Richmond
Famous for being the Tasmanian 'riviera' and its blowhole, we were surprised to see half of the town 'for sale'. In fact, even the local Wildlife Centre is for sale. Apparently the peek time for the town is the three months of warmth in summer, where the place is packed with local tourists and international tourists, however coming into winter, businesses are put on sale for the next round of owners to come in. Only one cafe and the local tavern was still open, so our choices for dining were not too great. Nevertheless - that is one thing we were extremely impressed about Tasmania, where ever you go, the food was never disappointing. The local tavern serves up a seafood plate for $32 - and it was fantastic.
Bicheno blow hole in action
However we had a great time here. We took a walk along the 2Km coastal walk and the views were stunning. Along the rocky path you can see penguin nests in the bushes. Bicheno is a place where the penguin population lives among the human counterparts. We joined the penguin tour at night, where we were taken along the conservation area, watched the little penguins jump out of sea back into their homes. The tour was educational, and gives you a very intimate encounter with these penguins. I must say, having been to the Philip Island Penguin platform, I think I had preferred this one, where I got to walk around, check out their habitat (with care of course) - in a small group where the guide himself is a conservationist, enthusiastically tell you about the life of these little penguins.
No photos were allowed on the penguin tours, for further information visit: Bicheno Penguin Tours
