Deluges and dairy products.

The day was bright and sunny as we set out north along the Tasman Highway, Orford a fading vista in our rear view mirror. The pleasant drive through the sweeping bends along the Oyster Bay coast came to an abrupt end soon after making a left turn just after Swansea (no, the other one). Heading due west, we plunged into torrential rain and fierce cross-winds - any thoughts of pleasant diversionary detours on our way to Launceston went out the window (not that the windows were down... due to the rain.. you know what I mean).

We called in once again to Campbell Town - along with the majority of Tasmania it seemed. It turns out that the village is one of the few still straddling the Midland Highway. Cafes were reservation-only, and the bakery queues were out the door. We made do with a less-popular shop, grabbing some biccies and some coffee that tasted like weak soup.

Due to the inclement weather (and our lack of touristy detours) we arrived in down-town Launceston prior to our check-in. We briefly popped down to the foreshore to allow the kids a chance to run about under the clearing skies.

Tamar River

We picked up some groceries from the only shop open in town (spotted by the eagle-eyed Lily), including the famous Tasmanian Valhalla ice cream. An entire refrigerated section was devoted to Tasmanian produce - unsurprising in a place that appears fixated on local pride. There is a television commercial for Betta milk, focusing on it being Tasmania's own - and warns of 'mainlanders' coming over to steal it.

Pillaging the dairy aisle of Tasmania

Tomorrow sees us visit Lilydale's Hollybank Treetops Adventure (north-east of Launceston). If you can recall the primal fear unleashed by the Tahune Airwalk on my good self - add an extra 10 metres or so elevation... without the walk-way. That's right, I've agreed to spend around 3 hours hurtling through the treetops on a series of zip-lines with the family - the longest stretch spanning some 400 metres. Great.

Our place for the week.