Day 10 (24 Dec 2017) : Launceston
I woke up early to make breakfast for everyone today because today is not only Christmas Eve but also DS2’s birthday. He turns 18! I made simple pancakes. I had bought 2 bottles of shaker pancakes, add water to them and pour on the pan, fry and they are ready! All ready to be eaten with butter and maple syrup. There was no non-stick pan here, so I used a cast iron pan. Result – pancake does not look very nice, but taste was not affected.
Bridestowe Lavender Estate
This morning we headed to Bridestowe Lavender Estate. The drive there took about an hour. Bridestowe is one of the major suppliers of lavender oil to the perfume and food industry. November is a great time to visit the farm as the lavender are in full bloom. We were told that the lavender stalks are usually longer but this year, due to low rainfall, the stalks are shorter than usual. Nonetheless, they were still beautiful.
There is an entry charge of A$10 per person to visit this farm. But if you are a Friend of Bridestowe, it is free. It is very easy to become a Friend of Bridestowe. Just sign up on its website here and print out the welcome and discount email that they send you. Show this email at the entrance and you enter for free. It is that easy. We were advised to have everyone sign up as members, although at the entrance, they just needed to see one email for each vehicle.
They provide free tours of the farm at regular intervals. We attended one but really, there is no need to unless you really are interested in hearing about the farming and oil extraction and production process. It was just hearing the guide talk and while they did bring us to the production shed, nothing was being done that day.
We wondered around the farm and took many photos. The flowers were beautiful. It is wonderful to be surrounded by a sea of purple. The farm is very popular with tourists and there were many China tour groups.
We went to the gift shops and cafe afterwards. The gift shop had a wide range of lavender products to choose from. There were soft toys, bags, lavender based cosmetics and oil, soap etc. The cafe also sold lavender flavoured food like lavender ice cream and lavender hot dogs! My kids had the ice cream (A$5) while DN had the lavender hotdog.
Lunch @ Lilydale Larder
We left Bridestowe and headed to Lilydale Larder which was nearby for lunch. Located on the main street of the village of Lilydale, Lilydale is a cafe and bottle shop. They have 2 counters in the cafe. One side where you order your food and the other side allow you to taste and purchase local wine.
We just had a quick and simple lunch. I had the potato skins (A$18.50). It was good but too much for me, I couldn’t finish my food. DH had the home baked pie (A$20.50). The pie came is a bowl with a puff pastry covered at the top. DH said that it was good. DS1 had the gourmet burger (A$21.50), DS2 had the seafood chowder (A$19.50) and DD had the soup of the day (A$14.50), which was a tomato soup that day. Together with 4 coke (A$2.50) and a glass of Pinot Noir (A$9), the bill came up to A$113.50.
Cataract Gorge, Launceston
After lunch, we went to Cataract Gorge. Cataract Gorge is a river gorge near the city center of Launceston. It is hard to believe that one can find such a piece of wilderness within a city. It is a favourite holiday spot for locals and on this day, both Christmas Eve and a weekend, there were many families about picnicking and in the swimming pool just within the reserve.
Cataract Gorge boasts of having the longest single chairlift span in the world with its central span of 308m. The whole length of the chairlift is 457m from the terminal building to the Cliff Grounds.
Admission to Cataract Gorge is free but you will need to pay a fee to take the chairlift across the basin. One can choose to make a one way ride on the chairlift, either to or back at A$12 for adults and A$8 for children. A 2-way ride is only slightly more expensive at A$15 for Adults and A$10 for children. We weren’t sure of our plans and how difficult the one way walk will be so we decided to buy the 2 way tickets. I enquired about family ticket and was expecting to buy a family ticket for 2A2C and 6 more individual adult tickets. However, they were able to work out a family ticket for all 10 of us, 8A and 2C and we paid only A$112 in total. It was only A$12 for Adults and A$8 for children. We actually got the 2-way for 1-way price! So don’t be shy and ask for family ticket if you visit. You never know what they can do for you.
The ride across the basin was beautiful. It gives a wonderful view of the basin from above. We saw people walking along on the path below. It definitely looked like an easy walk and it is free to walk.
After we alighted form the chairlift, DH, DBIL, the boys and DD decided to take the more challenging walk up to Eagle Eyre Lookout. The walk up is steep and does not have any railing. I have a phobia of height so it is definitely not for me, especially without railings. DH said afterwards that the view that greeted them was ok but not worth the climb. DD said that she was so tired from that walk.
My parents, DSis, DN and I took the easy Cataract Walk. Following this walk to the end will lead you out to King’s Bridge and out of Cataract Gorge. We did not go all the way but just a portion before doubling back when those who went to Eagle Eyre Lookout came back to join us. The view along the Cataract walk was quite pretty.
There was a playground and Victorian Garden nearby. The 2 young men had just as much fun as the girls fooling around the playground and swing. There was a cafe next to the garden where we sat down for drinks and coffee. The garden was pretty with flowers and there were several peacocks roaming freely around.
DH and DBIL decided to walk back to the car park rather than take the chairlift like the rest of us. They walked across through the Alexandra Suspension Bridge. DH says that it was an easy walk. No steep climb.
Dinner @ Jailhouse Grill, Launceston
I had made reservations for dinner that night at Jailhouse Grill in Launceston for Christmas Eve dinner and to celebrate DS2’s birthday. I had made detailed research early during my planning to ensure that I can find a place for dinner tonight. Some restaurants that I contacted were close because it was Christmas Eve. Jailhouse Grill had good reviews and was open so I made the reservation and requested for their assistance to arrange for a cake that night for DS2.
Jailhouse Grill is housed in a building constructed in the mid 1800’s using handmade convict bricks. It had its own parking which was very convenient for a restaurant in town.
Jailhouse grill served wood fired steaks and like regular steak houses come with a salad bar. We especially like the sautéed vegetables because it reminds us of Chinese style sautéed vegetables that we have not had for 10 days!
We ordered a dozen each of raw oysters and the oyster Kilpatrick at A$33 per dozen, for sharing.
The steaks come with different cut and sizes.
SMALLER CUTS
- Rump 200g…$27.50
- Scotch Fillet 200g…$31.50
- Eye Fillet 180g…$35.00
MEDIUM CUTS
- Porterhouse 300g…$34.50
- Scotch Fillet 300g…$38.00
- Eye Fillet 280g…$45.50
LARGER CUTS
- New York Cut 450g…$48.00
- Eye Fillet 400g…$55.50
- Rump 650g…$48.00
Most of us went for the smaller cuts and only DH, DS1 and DS2 had the medium cuts. DMum does not like steak, so she had the small serving of the Pork Ribs in Plum Marinate (A$19.50). DN has the kid’s meal steak (A$15.50)
There was an extra charge of A$3.90 for sauces, and we had a choice of Dark Mushroom & Bacon, Creamy Mushroom, Diane, Plum, Pepper or BBQ. Only I opted for a Diane sauce, the rest except DD just went for the standard serve of garlic butter. DD added the Jailhouse Steak Topping which was a mix of pan fried onions, mushrooms and bacon (A$5.90)
Actually we were a little disappointed with our steak. All four kids actually said that they preferred the steak that I prepared the night before, that my steak was better!! Hard to believe,’ but it is true that the steak here was pretty tasteless. The steak we had at Ball & Chain Grill in Hobart was much much better.
I had requested that they arrange a cake for DS2 and they had asked for my preference. I choose Chocolate cake as I figured you can’t go wrong with that. After dinner, they brought out the cake. It was a simple chocolate cake but was quite nice.
Total bill was A$425 including A$2.50 per person cake charge which was reasonable.
Christmas Eve Mass @ Church of the Apostles
After dinner we went to the Catholic Church, Church of the Apostles which is less than 5mins away to attend its 9pm Christmas Eve Mass. it was a simple Church with a small congregation. Mass was about an hour. After mass, it was a 20mins drive back to Red Feather Inn.
Next up : Day 11 – Launceston to Warrnambool