Last day in Launceston

Josh was running fevers on and off overnight - so slept in the parental bed. I thoroughly enjoyed the 35 cm of the Queen-sized bed allotted me (in between being smacked in the face by very small out-flung hands). The predicted rain came, and went, long before morning even arrived - leaving a brisk but sunny day.

Our fashionably narrow but exceedingly long Launceston residence.

The kids were thrilled by the news we were heading to Kids Paradise, which consisted of an indoor play-centre, jumping castles as well as sweet, sweet coffee. I opted for the double-shot. Tears and tanties abounded (I'm fairly sure it comes with the demographic) but fortunately neither were carried out by the Martin children. We stayed so long, we ended up having lunch there, with the waitress spilling some chips over Lily - apologising profusely. I tried to make her feel better by saying, "At least it's not soup!" ... I guess you had to be there.

View of the Tamar from Kids Paradise

Taking advantage of the continuing sunshine, we took a stroll across Kings Bridge - spanning the South Esk River, before taking the north-side path along Cataract Gorge (the south-sided Zig-zag path is older, steeper and devoid of the majority of any safety features required of cliff-side pathways). Hamish managed to dance his way up the majority of the path (to the confusion of the local jogging contingent), while Josh discovered a cave / graffitied bunker.

Kings Bridge

North-sided path along the Gorge.

Jen pointing out some mountain goats
falling off the treacherous south-side path along the Gorge.

Cataract Gorge - looking towards town.

We've ironically begun to get familiar with the layout of the streets of Launceston - on the eve of our departure. It is actually but a third of the size of Newcastle, but presents very much as a city regardless.

Jen discovered a burger place called Burger got Soul, and we partook of their delicacies this evening. The burgers were amazing - Hamish had a 'Tassie tempter', while Jen and I had a 'Funk Soul Brother' apiece (all brimming with meaty goodness).

Tonight is our last night in Tasmania, and tomorrow sees us (finally) head over to Cradle Mountain for a meander around Dove Lake. All of our weather divination technologies are insisting on a sunny day. This leads me to suspect torrential rain, or perhaps snow.