It is our last day in Tassie and it is time to go back to Launceston. We went through Penguin, Sheffield and visited Cataract Gorge in Launceston on our way to airport.

First stop to stretch the legs was at Penguin, the small town and absolutely MUST visit place for everyone penguin-addicted )

A collection of penguins at the Visitor Centre is HUGE:

Instead of going the shortest way on a highway we decided to make a detour to Sheffield, ‘the town of murals’.

Sheffield was one of the many early townships settled in 1859. The area grew slowly and the commencement of the Mersey-Forth Power Development Scheme in 1963 saw the town grow dramatically. The completion of the power scheme - seven dams and seven power stations - in 1973 saw the town's population decline. The catalyst that would bring Sheffield both fame and fortune began as a desperate bid by a small, but dedicated band of local residents determined to save their town. The first town mural was painted in Sheffield in December 1986. Since then over 60 murals depicting the area's rich history and beautiful natural scenery are painted on walls scattered throughout the town and buildings along the roadside. The murals attract an estimated 200,000 people to the town annually.

We drive through the town to look at the murals, but is worth to spend an hour or two walking from one mural to another. 

Short drive to Launceston, an hour or more trying to pack all our stuff and be ready for the flight and, finally, we are ready to visit the Cataract Gorge. The Cataract Gorge is a river gorge in Launceston 15 minute walk from the city centre. It is one of the region's premier tourist attractions. 

We chose the two-way chairlift - this was a great way to see the whole area in 1 hour and allowed us to take great photos. Chairlift affords excellent views of the gorge which is set amongst beautiful well maintained gardens.

There are also a few peacocks around the area who are extremely active and are not shy to open their feathers.

Time is over, we are going back to Melbourne.

Bye, Tasmania, see you soon!!!