Christmas in Tasmania

 We have just returned from a whirlwind Christmas break in Tasmania.  It was just six days from when we left to when we returned but what an amazing journey it was.  We had every range of temperature possible, from a balmy 31 degrees in Palm Cove on the day we departed and the day we left Lake St Clair it was a freezing -0.5 degrees!  

We meet our friends Lynn and Graham in the Virgin Lounge at Brisbane where we waited for our direct flight from Brisbane to Launceston.  We decided to live it up in Business Class for our 2.5 hour flight to Launceston and it was a good choice as our flight was late in the evening and included a delicious hot meal. We arrived into Launceston around 9pm and Lynn had arranged a private transfer for the duration of our stay.  We quickly found our driver and were in our hotel room by 10pm.  We had time for a nightcap but were tucked up in our beds before midnight.

The next day - Christmas Eve - our driver was booked to pick us up at 11am for our transfer to Lake St Clair. After our continental breakfast we took to the streets for a walk around downtown Launceston.  We all had things to purchase but Lynn and I couldn't resist a browse in Forever New and of course we didn't leave empty handed. 😉 The morning passed very quickly and we had no sooner arrived back at our hotel  when our driver arrived.  He informed us that it was about a 2.5 hour drive to Lake St Clair and as our check in time wasn't until 2.00pm we asked that he stop for lunch somewhere along the route.  This place was Derwent Bridge at the Hungry Possum Cafe where we were fully satiated.  Lynn and I both share a love of hot chips and the bowl that we ordered as a side were up there with the best!

Arriving at our destination - Pumphouse Point, Lake St Clair - was a real eye opener.  It was beautiful and the setting amongst the wilderness backdrop was perfect. We had an "induction" before making our way along the 250 metre jetty to our accomodation in the old Pumphouse building.  It was gorgeous and the heritage building has been beautifully restored to accomodate the eight (I think) rooms across three floors. Additional accomodation is available in the main building on the shoreline but I think our ground floor rooms in the Pumphouse were the pick overall.  

The heritage listed Pumphouse Building where we stayed

I took this photo on our last morning when it was below freezing 

We made our way to our rooms and arranged to meet at 5.00pm for Sundowners before making our way to the main building for dinner at 6.30pm.  The lodge has many "honesty" bars scattered throughout the complex where you chose you beverage and simply write it down on pen and paper supplied for each room.  It worked very well.  All meals are included in the tariff.  Breakfast was a hot and cold buffet and lunch was a picnic hamper - think cold cuts, cheeses and condiments - with a loaf of Sourdough delivered to your room at the time you specify. The picnic hampers were already in the fridge in our room on arrival.  Dinner was the main meal and always consisted of three courses.  Every meal was perfect and Pumphouse Point used only the freshest locally sourced produce.  The four of us were seated at large tables and we enjoyed the company of new people each night.

One of many honesty bars adjoining the lounge area

This is one of several lounge areas and we were lucky enough to have this area right outside our door

None of us are ones for sitting around although I still enjoyed a bit of down time to read when the others decided to take out E-Bikes for a cycle around the area.  They rode to Derwent Bridge where beers and cheers were in order.  We also walked the lake circuit on Christmas Day that took us around two hours for the 9km return walk.  It was a cold day but we soon warmed up on this walk and enjoyed our "picnic lunch" back at the lodge.  We didn't over indulge though as we knew we were going to be served a large six course Christmas Dinner!

Walking the 9km Lake Circuit

Christmas Menu

Every guest had this lovely Hamper waiting outside their door on Christmas morning

The time passed very quickly although we all commented that three nights here was the perfect amount of time and it was lovely to be with our friends to while away the hours.  It is a very special place and I'm sure we will return to the area if not Pumphouse Point.  We are all still planning a caravan tour of Tasmania but are now just waiting for more certainty with Covid restrictions and who knows when that will be.

Here we are standing at exactly the middle of Tasmania