After a bitterly cold, overcast weekend recently, we were greeted on Monday by a perfect autumn day. I don’t work on Mondays and so, we decided to drive along the old coast road to Ulverstone for lunch. With the top down, Cooper took us on a magnificent journey, reminding us of the natural beauty we have so close to home. We turned off the highway at Sulphur Creek, apparently named because of the perceived smell of sulphur in the area when first explored by Europeans.

Sulphur is associated with volcanic activity, which has determined the landscape of northwest Tasmania. There is no longer evidence of the offending aroma, just a stunning, sandy beach.

There used to be a fabulous restaurant at Preservation Bay, hopefully one day there will be another to make the most of this wonderful vista.

Soon, we were in the gorgeous town of Penguin.

As we travelled the narrow, winding road, I was boggled by the reflections of the sun on the glassy water.

There is a house along this road that fills me with more than a little envy.

The Three Sisters are a group of three small islands (the third is almost hidden behind the headland at the right of the pic)

and, along with Goat Island, they form the 37 hectare Three Sisters – Goat Island Nature Reserve.

Goat Island is a granite island and houses a breeding colony of little penguins.

It can be walked to at low tide, a lovely spot for a picnic.

As we reached Ulverstone,

we spied Pedro’s across the river.

The restaurant has a lovely, relaxed ambience

and we were shown to a table on the enclosed balcony, warmed by the autumn sun.

The Derwent Estate Pinot Gris came highly recommended. A delicious shade of pink, I certainly wasn’t disappointed.

The salt & pepper calamari and crumbed scallops were exquisite, the real flavor of fresh seafood.

Outside, the gulls were enjoying a bathe in the shallows of the river’s edge, soon the tide would be high and their chance would be missed.

The Leven River glistened

as we left Pedro’s

and retraced our journey.

Table Cape emerged in the distance

before disappearing behind the next headland.

We were surprised to see the masts of a tall ship in the bay, not a common sight in these waters. I read the next day, poor weather conditions had forced the UK ship, Tenacious, to stop in Burnie for a couple of days on its way from Melbourne to New Zealand. Tenacious is the world’s largest operative wooden hulled tall ship and offers opportunities for people with a disability to experience a sailing voyage.

What a marvelous way to end our day.