Convict Island

After the long day of hiking at Cradle Mountain (and an even longer drive from the northwest of Tasmania down to the southeast side), we spent the night down in a down called Ross. I can't say I remember much of this place other than the following:

• When we checked in, Jen killed a HUGE ASS SPIDER on the door.
• While driving into our camping spot I failed to account for the height of our motorhome and ran into a few tree branches.
• The showers at the campsite had 6-minute timers... a real bummer when half of you still covered in soap when the shower turns off.

The next morning we woke up relatively early to drive down the eastern coast to Triabunna, where we caught a 30-minute ferry to Maria Island (pronounced "Mariah," yup, that would be Carey).

The Island was one of the first convict settlements for the British Empire when the south pacific was settled. The settlement remains on the island, and you can actually stay there for the night in small rooms. Since we took the 1:30pm ferry, and the last return ferry was at 4pm, we only had about 2 hours on the island. I definitely could have enjoyed a few days there.

When we arrived, we hiked rather quickly out to the Painted Cliffs and then back past the convict settlement buildings back to the ferry. Short trip, but very worthwhile.

The path through some amazing trees to the settlement.

Me at the beach with the Painted Cliffs in the background.

Elliot walking out to the cliffs.

Jen at the cliffs.

The view from the boat dock of the settlement in the distance.