Derby Tasmania

After our morning coffee it was a short drive to our first stop for the day in Branxholm. Luckily we hadn’t planned on staying here as the RV  stop was full. We enjoyed a short walk along the river in the hope to see a Platypus. No luck I’m afraid, but it was a pretty walk nevertheless. 

Our next stop was in Derby. This classified historical town has transformed from having once been the site of the richest and most profitable tin mine in the world to offering mountain bike riders world class trails. The influx of people is reflected in the many cafes, restaurant, brewery (a must have for any tourist hub), bike hire shops, massage and Australia’s only floating wood-fired sauna! Wow.

We enjoyed a 3km stroll around Briseis Hole - a lake that was once the tin mine. 

We then walked through town admiring some of yesteryears buildings especially the National Bank of Tasmania and the Schoolhouse Museum. 

It was then time to move on as there was no space for Buster to spend the night. To be fair it is the Australia Day long weekend so we weren’t really expecting a spot here.

We drive past the RV spot in Winnaleah and took the back road to Pioneer Lake. The wind has picked up today and we couldn’t even get out of Buster without being sand plastered so we continued on. Next we came across the Little Blue Lake, an instagramers dream! We managed a parking spot and went to see what all the fuss is about and must say it is very pretty. The colour is formed from the high levels of minerals in the soil caused from mining.  

We followed the path around for a bit but decided we had gone far enough when we saw a Tiger Snake cross the path. 

We drove through Gladstone, Tasmania’s most north-easterly township and then to Musselroe Bay, a small coastal shack community with some free camping. We found a spot hidden behind some low trees that offered some shelter from the wind so decided we may as well stay here and explore the area tomorrow. Fingers crossed the wind has died down by then. 

Our 82km trip for today.