Oysters Indulgence in Tasmania

I am not a great fan of oysters, but then again, a trip to Tasmania without tasting its oysters would be like visiting Penang without indulging in a bowl of the famous Teochew cendol along Penang Road.

On our way back from Port Arthur to Hobart on 29.03.2019, we kept reminding ourselves to watch out for signboards pointing to oyster farms or stalls. We were not disappointed. By chance, we spotted a modest little shop next to a petrol station proudly advertising fresh oysters. Temptation won. For our very first attempt, we bought a pack of twelve plump oysters for just A$16 - a deal too good to resist.

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In Bicheno, at Lobster Shack on 30.03.2019, we decided to try oysters for the second time - this round costing A$26 for a dozen. Though pricier than our first encounter, the experience came with a delightful bonus: a sweeping seafront view from the restaurant’s Level 2.

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The highlight of our oyster quest came on 03.04.2019, during our journey from Burnie to Launceston. A local friend led us to a “secret” spot by the sea - a vast rocky shoreline where live oysters seemed to grow in endless supply. The challenge, however, was left to each individual’s ingenuity: these creatures clung stubbornly to the rocks, as if glued in place. Armed with a screwdriver, we had to pry them open - sometimes with considerable effort.

But the moment the shell yielded and the briny, succulent flesh slid into the mouth, all the struggle was instantly forgotten. The taste of pure freshness from the sea was worth every scraped knuckle and bead of sweat, and soon enough we were eagerly hunting for more.

In moments like this, I could only wish for a larger stomach and more time. Despite the rugged setting and the effort it demanded, this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime oyster-eating adventure - raw, unfiltered, and unforgettable.

In the absence of lime juice, a dash of Tabasco pepper sauce provided just the right kick, cutting through the briny tang of the seawater still clinging to the succulent flesh and balancing its natural salinity with a fiery zest.

Lucy's mom who joined the search was equally 

ecstatic to go through this tasting experience.

George Town - A Retirees Haven?

George Town was not part of our original travel itinerary. It was Lucy’s idea to spend a morning there, partly to catch up with an ex-actor turned artist, Lawrence Mah.

I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. Though small, George Town held a few unexpected discoveries. Chief among them was a retirement home by the seafront, established by the Roman Catholic Church - a model I found both practical and inspiring.

The home offers two types of living arrangements. The first is a row of single-storey detached units right next to the sea, designed for couples or single individuals without serious health issues. Residents here are still healthy enough to care for themselves. Each unit requires a one-time, non-refundable contribution of A$10,000, followed by a monthly service fee of around A$500. This fee covers utilities, sewerage, and other essentials. For seniors who live long lives, the fixed sum becomes remarkably economical. Upon death, the unit reverts back to the Church.

For those whose health declines and who can no longer manage independently, there are communal-style quarters built on a higher platform. This design makes it easier for carers to provide prompt attention. The one-time contribution remains the same, though the monthly charges are higher to cover the additional care needs.

Some might argue that retirees should spend their twilight years in a bustling city, where amenities are plentiful. But as I reflected on the serene seafront and the quiet rhythm of George Town, it struck me that in those fading years, peace and simplicity often outweigh the allure of a noisy metropolis.

Posing with Lawrence in front of his paintings. 
Lawrence, stays in one of the units for the healthy retirees 
which is very comfortable.

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Lawrence, a resident of George Town for over forty years proved to be a good guide. We were taken by him to see some of the attractions in George town. The Hillwood Berry Farm is one place worth spending an hour or two. There is a 40-acre farm planted with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Visitors can choose to pick and eat on the spot for free or pick and pay for takeaway. 

Berries are grown in polytunnels and almost all under
hydroponic growing principle.

Fruits blended ice cream at the Farmgate Cafe.

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Fish & Chips at the George Town Seafoods, an outlet that sells fresh seafood or cooked meals of fish and chips, acknowledged to be the best in town.

Cradle Mountain - The Enchanted Walk

After the trekking of the Dove Lake, Lucy was rather insistent that we do the "Enchanted Walk" which is just nearby. Here, one is promised of seeing cascading creek, ancient pines and myrtle trees surrounded by lichen and moss. For the lucky some, an encounter with wombats and platypus. 

As promised, we were not disappointed and the walk indeed was an enchanting experience. If anything is incomplete, it would be the elusive platypus which tested our patience. It never showed up and surfaced to greet us who had come from afar!

The ancient forest with lichen and moss.

Cascading creek.

Pool supposedly where platypus frequently hang out..

Trekking in Cradle Mountain - Dove Lake in Tasmania

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is widely acknowledged as a must-visit attraction in Tasmania. This National Park is a wilderness bestowed with alpine shore, rugged mountains, lakes, tarns, rain forests and even ancient mossy forests.

Dove Lake, a highland lake with a surface elevation of 939 m was formed by glaciation.  It is the largest and most popular lake in Tasmania. It's 2.1 Km long by 0.7 Km wide with a shore length of 6.6 Km. Had we traveled to Cradle Mountain without Lucy, we probably wouldn't have attempted the trekking of the 6.5 Km long Dove Lake Circuit. The huge Dove Lake and the towering peaks was simply too daunting a sight for us to consider doing the complete circuit! In the end, we were glad we did go through it and completed the circuit.

We spent just under three hours covering the whole route in a leisurely pace. There were plenty of picturesque scenery and stunning views throughout the walk and I was kept busy clicking my camera almost non-stop.  The trail is mostly boardwalk and the track is well maintained.

We had no hesitation drinking the clean mountain water!

The summit of Cradle Mountain and vegetation reminded us 
of Mt. Kinabalu.

At the most unlikely place and time, Lucy met this couple who were her previous neighbors when she was staying in Sydney before moving to Burnie, Tasmania.

The abundant moss and lichen is testament of its ancient history and clean unpolluted air. By comparison, it is the Enchanted Walk which we went through that further enhanced the authentic experience of being in an ancient forest.

Beaches at the lake shore.

The iconic hut is one favorite spot for photographers.