MOT Tour Day 69 - Bass Strait Maritime Centre & Penguins

Sunset at Lillico Beach

We both woke a little jaded and for the first time in more than two months, with no real desire for doing or seeing things. Sue’s back, which has been disagreeable for a couple of weeks now and my knee - a newer but never the less credible miscreant - both added to our feelings of disaffection.

With distraction and refocus needed, we lolled through the morning in the manner of the word pre-dating texting abbreviations. Exercises and rest and we were back in the car and discovering a new cafe, Jacqueline's in East Devonport. Originally the manse for the local Methodist Church and several things since, the coffee was excellent and the barista lots of fun. 

After coffee we drove to the penguin centre at the eastern end of Lillico Beach Conservation Centre. There are no penguins to be seen at midday but we were toying with the idea of attending in the early evening to watch the Little/Blue/Fairy Penguins come ashore. They are known with equal accuracy by all three names. Walking the area convinced us that one more viewing of these little blokes would be well worth it. We have previously seen this evening ritual at Stanley and Burnie.

Hot chips for lunch from the same place - Meercroft Cafe - as yesterday. Like I said, the best hot chips in Tasmania.

We spent the next few hours at the outstanding Bass Strait Maritime Centre, with its impressive static displays about the early ships which sailed to and from the island, its salute to Tasmanian naval heroes, the history of ferry services, knots and other interesting things to know about those who ply the water. Of particular note was the current exhibition about Antarctic missions, including videos explaining the stunning Nuyina, the latest in high tech science. What an extraordinary ship!

Both of us were successfully drawn in by the very convincing simulator which set you up, standing behind the wheel of a vessel and having to negotiate course and speed to navigate in or out of Devonport in a variety of weathers. It was fabulous fun. I was certain I could feel Arty and Dad and Brian and Sam and Chris breathing down my neck waiting for their turn.

We have now seen every maritime or naval museum in Tasmania plus the wooden boat building centre in Franklin. All had their particular strengths and few weaknesses. All a little different but all of them very good. Maybe it’s because Tassie is an island?

Click here for today's photos

Home for a few hours and then back out to see the penguins and weren't they cute. Unlike other times we have seen the Little Penguins (known variously as Fairy Penguins or Blue Penguins), either the conditions have been difficult (raining at Stanley) or windy and cold (Burnie), tonight was 19C and still. To further add to the viewing experience, the shoreline was close and the beach they would cross was short. Not only could we watch them emerge from the water but we literally stood beside them on viewing platforms as they wandered toward their hungry and noisy children. Run by volunteers, the platforms were excellent and signage really helpful (Sue and I visited during the afternoon making reading them easier).

Our final viewing in Tasmania was excellent.