Same morning as always, breakfast in the room and packed up and on the road just after 10AM. Today’s drive was just under 3 hours and very, very beautiful. We felt like we saw 8 different types of environments over the course of it.

As we left we talked about how much southern Tasmania felt like Colorado. Then we climbed up and went through mountain ranges, then down into valleys that felt like California, and finally, we were driving along rolling hills of farmland full of bright green grass and cows.

There were lots of yellow diamond signs warning of animals, but instead of the common ones like an outline of a kangaroo, we saw one of a platypus, a Tasmanian devil, and an echidna. Can you imagine how guilty you’d feel running over a platypus?

When we arrived in Stanley, we were next to a bright blue ocean. We checked in at our little caravan park. This entire area was sold out when we booked and we got the last cabin available for miles. Millie was ecstatic about the triple bunk bed. To me it feels like somewhere that a serial killer might hide out, but will be fine for the night.

The place has a trampoline and a boat to play on, so she loves it. We spent some time exploring and jumping before heading out to explore Stanley.

We made the short drive to Godfreys Beach. I had read that this beach had penguins on it, but I neglected to read the part about how they come out after dark, usually after 9pm. So we didn’t see any penguins but we did spend the afternoon on a beautiful beach.

At the entrance they had this genius toy library, where kids could borrow some beach toys. Why doesn’t every beach have this? We borrowed a couple of buckets and shovels and got to building.

While working on our masterpiece Millie befriended a little boy and I got to talking to his aunt about how they recently moved here from “the mainland” to set up a homestead. They helped us build onto our village and then ran into the very freezing sea. We built some more.

We went to have an early dinner at the only restaurant in town that was open at 4:30. It was completely empty but every table had a “reserved” sign on it and the waitress acted like she was doing us a big favor by seating us. The service in all of Tasmania has been strange. Despite it, the food was great. Nick got oysters and a scallop pie, and I had squid. These oysters were delicious, so maybe I do like them? Who knows.

We came back and played some more. Millie and I went on a walk to explore the caravan park as the sun set.

Before writing this post I went back and looked at some posts from the beginning of the trip. It’s hard to believe she’s the same kid. I can’t remember her last epic meltdown (did I just jinx it?) and she amazes us every day with her curiosity and maturity.