Archive for the ‘Tasmanian Travel & Transport’ Category

The Spirit is Free in Tasmania

by Roger Findlay

In the spirit of Christmas, someone needs to whisk Roger away
for another holiday in Tasmania!  Seems he’s feeling a bit
lost, away from his favourite place in the world…

With Christmas fast approaching, I have a yearning to be in Tasmania.  Unfortunately it won’t happen and I will be enjoying a few days with family up here in Gregory West.  A few years ago my wife kindly paid for a trip on the Spirit so that I could be down for the Taste Festival and the finish of the yacht race.

A great time to be in Hobart, over the festive -and sailing - seasons

After an enjoyable Christmas Day, I went to bed very early before departing for Melbourne at 2am so that I would be very early for the sailing.  As a young man, I enjoyed my own company and did most of my activities alone.

Roger Findlay... a Free Spirit, akin to good times spent in Tasmania

I still have the opinion that when you have more than fits in a suitcase your life is over and you are no longer a free spirit.

Getting into the Spirit: Salamanca

On this occasion, I was a Free Spirit sailing to the place I love best on the Spirit of Tasmania!  I based myself out at Bushy Park (via New Norfolk in the Derwent Valley); travelling into Hobart each day for the day’s activities.  I usually started off in Knopwoods at 10am where I enjoyed a pint while reading the papers.

My lunch consisted of pork pie and salad from the Wursthaus Kitchen with fresh baked bread rolls from Fresh Fruit Market.  I would sit on the hard ground in the shade of a statue taking it all in.  In reality, I was reliving the seventies and our trips to Blackpool where we had much the same routine on the end of the pier.

Getting into the spirit of the festive season, buskers play in Salamanca

Lively music wafted my way from a Salamanca alley.  Young people were dancing and having fun.  The atmosphere was electric as the band played jigs and reels, giving us a taste of what they would be playing in Cygnet a few days later. So many thoughts passed through my sixty year old head.  A tear or two was shed.  I was glad to be alive and a Free Spirit.  I could share this moment with no one.

They wouldn’t understand.

Musicians prepare for the Cygnet Folk Festival by playing to the crowd at Salamanca

Roger enjoys the spirit of the season at Salamanca near Hobart's waterfront

The crowd get into the spirit of the occasion, dancing in the Salamanca streets

Young and carefree... a great time of the year to visit Hobart

Kindred Spirits…

With my car parked up on Queens Domain, I used the free bus shuttle service to avoid the congestion of the city.  On the bus I met so many interesting people.  They too had been for a peek at the anti-whaling boat.  Like me, they fully support the activities of those brave enough to badger the Japanese fleet.

Salmon on the BBQ, a special treat for the free spirit in Tasmania

I had a nice juicy salmon steak in my bag and I was going to cook it at the side of the road on my way back to Bushy Park.  It wasn’t tea time but I didn’t care as I only had myself to answer to.

In the spirit of Christmas (or more likely the New Year)…
we’d like to organise another Tasmanian trip for Roger (and his wife Jeanette).
Life’s an Adventure with Roger, and his articles always attract lots
of attention and comment, so if you’d like your place to be on the agenda,
please contact Think Tasmania and we’ll put everything together.
But don’t tell Roger… let’s keep this one a secret for now!

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Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: The Spirit of Tasmania…

Novelty mailboxes are an amusing feature on Tasmanian roads.  Some owners put an amazing amount of thought and effort into the roadside collection of their post.  And one of our regular readers, Lynn Gorman has taken quite a shine to the unique constructions.  When she travels around Tassie, she makes a point of stopping to take photos.  She’s sent some of those photos to share with you…

Novelty Mailboxes in Tasmania

by Lynn Gorman

We went for a drive today and guess what… another letterbox to add to the collection.  I actually had a bit of time to study ‘Timmie’, and thank him for being there.  If we hadn’t stopped, we wouldn’t have seen the flat tyre we unfortunately souvenired from our drive to the Alum Cliffs and Devil’s Gullet!  ‘Timmie’ was found on the road between Mole Creek and Chudleigh.

Timmie the Sheep: photos of novelty mailboxes by Lynn Gormann

The magpie and dachshund novelty mailboxes were in the Table Cape region, and the cow was in the Bay of Fires region.  Hope these may be useful, I am always on the lookout for more.

A magpie mailbox in the Table Cape region of Tasmania

A dachshund is amongst the novelty mailboxes in the Table Cape region

From the Bay of Fires in Tasmania: Daisy the Cow serves as a mailbox

Thanks to Lynn for sharing her photos with us.
We’ll add to the collection when she sends more.
If you have any photos of novelty mailboxes you’d like to share,
just contact Think Tasmania.

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A dinner cruise aboard Captain Fell’s Historic Ferries is great value.   In fact, Peter Fell himself reckons it’s the best value on the river.  And really, where else could you take your family for a hot, three-course meal for $115-00?  That price includes free wine, coffee and cake, and over two hours of cruising on the Derwent River in Hobart.

Join a dinner cruise in Hobart with Captain Fell and his historic ferries? Yes we can!

Join Us For a Dinner Cruise? Why Yes…

So we agreed from the outset with Captain Fell that the price of his dinner cruise was very reasonable.  But would it be a good Tassie experience?  You know, there’s only one way to find out for certain.  So when Karlien made contact with Think Tasmania requested help with some free advertising, we accepted an invitation to climb aboard and test the waters.  This article is a result of our first-hand experience.

All the food on the dinner cruise was excellent. Hot, generous and well-cooked.

We met with the good captain at 5:30pm at his jetty on Franklin Wharf in Hobart before our 6:00pm dinner cruise departure time.  We ordered our meals, which were to be cooked fresh aboard the boat when we set sail, and had a casual chat.

Buy your tickets and meet for the dinner cruise at Franklin Wharf in Hobart

Captain Fell Loves His Historic Ferries

Peter has a real passion for the historic ferries.  He is a true Aussie battler, and has faced real adversity in his tourism business of late… not an uncommon tale.  But rather than shrink from a challenge, Peter seems determined to improve his product range and service delivery to suit emerging market trends.

Captain Fell (and our dinner cruise host) aboard the Emmalisa in Hobart

We climbed aboard the vintage Emmalisa at the scheduled time with the other passengers, everyone buoyed with enthusiasm.  While Captain Fell took to the wheel house, the chef went to the galley and we were left in the capable hands of our dinner cruise host.  With a glass of wine to start with, the on-board commentary began… all about the history of Battery Point and the Hobart wharf.

The Emmalisa, one of the historic ferries owned by Captain Fell in Hobart

Delicious Dinner Cruise

In no time at all, we were served with a delicious and steaming hot bowl of chicken soup.  With real chicken in it!  One of the juniors declared it the best soup he’d ever eaten!!  Soon followed our main meal, and as this was a test case for an article, we ordered a variety of mains.  Rump steak, chicken schnitzel, lamb cutlets and crumbed fish; all served with Tasmanian potatoes and a garden salad.

All hot, and all with accompanying sauces.  And all delicious!  There wasn’t a single bite left, and we’re talking very generous serves.  Peter supports other locals in the area, and buys all his meat fresh from the Salamanca Fruit Market in Hobart.

Dinner and a cruise with Captain Fell. Generous serves, hot and delicious!

The bowl of ice-cream to finish the meal was also massive, and we had a choice of chocolate or strawberry topping.  If that wasn’t enough, there was also fruit cake to have with coffee.  And while you can help yourself to wine for free, there’s also a bar selling beers and mixed drinks.

Cruising Hobart’s Derwent River

Now you might think we actually just sat at the wharf eating and drinking; but what would a dinner cruise be without an actual tour around the Hobart harbour?  Of course we did that too, and what a bonus!!  It was lovely, and very relaxing.  The day had been quite windy and the water seemed choppy, but the historic ferry handled the conditions really well and we had a smooth ride.

You get such a different perspective from the water, and as we cruised past some of Hobart’s landmark features, I couldn’t help but take way too many photos.  But as you may know, that’s my indicator of a good time!  You will travel past the Tasman Bridge (where we saw a dolphin leap from the water), Government House and a myriad of boats and ships in the docks, all from a new angle.

The Tasman Bridge across the Derwent River in Hobart Tasmania

A great view from the Derwent River of Government House on Queens Domain

Emmalisa meets the Lady Jane and other vessels over the course of the dinner cruise

All too soon, the dinner cruise came to an end and we returned to Franklin Wharf.  Other passengers leaving the historic ferry posed for photographs with the captain, and all left with big smiles.  This is definitely a great thing to do with a group, but since our visit we’ve sent other customers along (a couple) and checked their opinion.  It was the same as ours!  They had a fabulous steak meal and really enjoyed the perspective of Hobart from the Derwent River.

Returning to Franklin Wharf at the conclusion of the Saturday evening dinner cruise

Captain Fell’s Historic Ferries & Tours

So everyone has given the dinner cruise a definite thumbs up.  For a value-for-money meal with a bonus cruise, you can’t go wrong!  The company does offer other services, including tours on the Lady Jane (a “party boat” for group functions) and tours on a double-decker bus of Hobart and surrounds.  We wouldn’t hesitate joining Captain Fell and his friendly staff another time.

The vintage Emmalisa, the Hobart dinner cruise tour boat owned by Captain Fell

For more information, phone 03 6223 5893
or see Captain Fell’s Historic Ferries website.
The writer and her family were guests of
Captain Fell for the Saturday evening dinner cruise.

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Map: Captain Fell’s Dinner Cruise…

Ida Bay Railway

by Allegra Biggs Dale & Meg Thornton

The Ida Bay Railway is original.  Of the hundreds of miles of narrow gauge bush tramways built in Tasmania the Ida Bay Railway is the only original railway in existence.  There are relics of the limestone carrying days in the form of wagons and machinery.  Several of the passenger carriages are built on bogie flat wagons built in the 1890s; some of the earliest bogie wagons in Australia.

Catch the historical Ida Bay Railway at the Lune River station, south Tasmania

All Aboard at the Lune River Railway Station

The company livery is red and the line is over 7kms long, so please allow two hours for the return trip.  From Lune River you will travel through light bush to the shores of Ida Bay.  The line passes through the site of the original town of Ida Bay past the wharf and grave yard that is all that remains of a once thriving area.  Soon after reaching the shores of the Lune River estuary and for a mile or so the scenic views across the waterways are superb.

Travel past the bush site of Jagers Sawmill and Jetty through bush that lines either side of the track.  The line terminates at Deep Hole Bay, a large white swimming beach accessible only by rail.  The beach is nearly a mile long and very secluded.  From Deep Hole there are marked bush walking tracks to King George III monument where a convict ship sank with a huge loss of life.

At the end of the line you can take advantage of the BBQ and picnic facilities.  Bring your own lunch or have Meg’s Cafe cater for you.  Ida Bay Railway cater for group functions and will provide lunch for you if you wish either at the station or at the beach, all arrangements made on a personal basis.  Look out for the Twilight Tour during the holiday season and enjoy Tasmania’s starry nights!

Enjoy the 14km round trip from Lune River station travel through bush land abundant with bird life and wild flowers.  Cross buttongrass plains and travel along the banks of Ida Bay and Lune River Estuary.  The scenic water views are superb.  There are marked bush walking tracks to Southport Lagoon and Southport Bluff.  Near Southport Bluff is the King George III monument which commemorates the 134 lives lost in the sinking of the convict ship, King George III in 1835.

Meet Meg at the Lune River Station and catch the Ida Bay Railway in southern Tassie

Deep Hole to Southport Lagoon

Southport Lagoon is accessible by a 50 minute walk from the end of the Ida Bay Railway line at Deep Hole.  The walk is over reasonable terrain and allows the walker to enjoy the peace and serenity of Southport Lagoon.  Many walkers catch a train in to the Deep Hole and complete the walk to Southport Lagoon.  Alternatively some walkers stay at the lagoon and catch the last train for the day from Deep Hole to return to the station.

Campers can also do the walk and elect to camp at Southport Lagoon for one or two nights returning to Deep Hole and catching the train back to the station.  Return trips on the train need to be negotiated with the railway’s running timetable.

The Friends of Ida Bay Historical Society Inc. was formed in September 2009 for the purpose of preserving and recording the history of Ida Bay Railway, Southport, Hastings, Lune River, Ida Bay, Recherche Bay, and Cockle Creek from 1792 to the present.

Travel through bushland to a secluded swimming beach at Deep Hole Bay

Ida Bay Railway Summer Timetable

Open every day except Friday 9.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm

Phone 03 6298 3110 (0428 383 262) or email Ida Bay Railway for more information

There are other things to do in the area to extend your visit.  You could also incorporate a trip to Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs and/or the Tahune Airwalk near Geeveston in the Huon Valley; all part of the southern tourism region of Tasmania.

Allegra Biggs Dale is the co-owner of Labillardiere Estate on Bruny Island.
Her book called “Orchids of Bruny Island” includes her stunning photography.

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Map: Ida Bay Railway…

Southern Tassie: a Winter Break

by Janette Bishop

This article about a winter break in southern Tassie has been
written for Think Tasmania by Janette Bishop.  She and husband Chris own
Beachside Retreat West Inlet in Stanley in the state’s north west.
Janette could have written about her own backyard; but she chose to share her
holiday experience in the Huon Valley region instead.  And we love that
Tasmanian spirit of networking and co-operation.  So please enjoy!

Luxury Accommodation Hideaway in the Huon

Our first three days were spent at Woodbridge Hill Hideaway, in one of the four eco-friendly cabins perched high on the hillside overlooking the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island.  Created artistically from Tasmanian timbers, luxuriously and beautifully furnished, including superb stained glass windows, this accommodation is magnificent.  The views of southern Tassie from the spa bathroom, with sliding windows opening up to the panoramic view below, are amazing.

Woodbridge Hill Hideaway, luxury accommodation in southern Tassie

Every comfort has been thought of; Nespresso coffee machine, generous breakfast provisions, wines to purchase and a large deck with barbecue to cook your own.  The complimentary WiFi was appreciated.  Best of all was the beautifully built, enormous, well heated indoor pool, which you can book all to yourselves.  It had of course, the usual magnificent panoramic view, which we were getting quite used to by now and swimming 10 to 12 lengths of the pool a day, was a lovely way to hopefully shed some excess kilos.

A winter break in the Huon Valley in southern Tassie at Woodbridge Hill Hideaway

We finally dragged ourselves away from the views and spent a little time exploring southern Tassie: Kettering and Oyster Cove.  We were amazed at the sheltered marina, absolutely packed with luxury yachts and craft of all shapes and sizes.  This is definitely the place to go, if you are looking for a mooring or boat to purchase.  I hastily moved on my better half; he was fairly drooling.

Winter break: Oyster Cove Marina, Kettering in southern Tasmania

We regretfully left this lovely hideaway and our amiable hosts, Fintan and Ruth.

• HOT TIP: Book via the online system on their website, as the owners
  lead very busy lives and are hard to track down.  Take your bathers.

Bruny Island: a Highlight of Southern Tassie

The 15 minute ferry ride from Kettering to Bruny Island was a pleasant experience, departing approximately every hour and costing $28 return for a vehicle and two passengers.  The southern Tassie island has a rich history, spectacular landscapes and delicious produce and was formerly inhabited by the Nuenanne band of Aboriginals for thousands of years prior to Abel Tasman arriving in 1773.  The last full-blood aboriginal Trugannini was also born here in 1803.

Leaving the ferry we passed a smokehouse and cheese factory, where we were looking forward to tasting the local delicacies, but unfortunately they were both closed during August; a reason to return.  The penguin rookery and lookout at the Neck, with it’s spectacular view was our next stop.  We did not linger, as we were expected at our next destination and did not want to keep our hosts waiting.  We passed through the small towns of Alonnah and Lunawanna on our way to Labillardiere Estate, on Lighthouse Road.

The Bruny Island Ferry transports cars and passengers to and from Kettering

As this is a private, gated 1500 acre wildlife property, arrangements were made for the electronic gate to be unlocked and our hostess Allegra Biggs Dale was waiting.  Our home for the next three days was Chez Discovery, a solar and diesel generated, environmentally sensitive abode, set in a clearing with views to Great Taylor’s Bay and D’Entrecasteaux Channel.  Two bedrooms, a spacious lounge and well equipped kitchen with gas cooker, laundry and modern bathroom more than supplied our needs.  Breakfast can be provided.

Chez Discovery (Labillardiere Estate) on Bruny Island in southern Tassie

Allegra and husband Adrian have lived at Labillardiere for 20 years, after foregoing exciting places like the Middle East, Maldives and Asia.  They are delightful people and will proudly show you the natural features of their property; the birds, forests, wetlands and of course the petit orchids, of which Allegra now has a book to her name.  Adrian’s hobby is his seven metre amphibious craft, ‘Aquila’ Sealegs, which is in full survey and available for tours for up to six passengers.

Allegra & Adrian from Labillardiere Estate on Bruny Island with their Aquila

Allegra with Adrian's hobby: Aquila Sealegs, Bruny Island in southern Tassie

Regretfully, the windy conditions were not conducive to either a trip in Aquila or the Bruny Island Cruise, so we made the decision to revisit Chez Discovery and Bruny Island in the autumn, when hopefully the weather will be more favourable. A pleasant stay with interesting hosts.

• HOT TIP: Let Allegra know your arrival time for scheduled entry
  via the electronic gate and take plenty of provisions with you.
  Internet connection is available.

Back to Basics for a Winter Break

We disembarked Bruny the same way as we came and spent a leisurely morning driving onto our next winter break destination, Huon Bush Retreats, stocking up on food, en route.  The roads were very quiet and we only passed one hire car with tourists, all morning.  The retreat is situated in an extensive private habitat reserve, at the end of a narrow, steep, winding, 4km gravel road and has a range of self contained cabins, tipees and campsites.

Our compact studio cabin, had a small kitchen/dining space, lounge and sleeping area, bathroom with shower and a composting toilet.  It was basically furnished, had 12 volt electricity and no TV or mobile phone coverage.  If urgent, we could have recharged our computer at reception, but decided to wait.  The surrounding bush was alive with wildlife which would enter your cabin uninvited, if a door was unintentionally left open.

The bush is alive with wildlife in southern Tassie (Photo by Dan Fellow)

We decided to visit Cockle Creek and Recherche Bay the following morning, which we thoroughly enjoyed.  The rain clouds cleared to shafts of sunlight, as we walked to the waters edge at the Whale Sculpture; a pod of dolphins appearing momentarily in the bay.  Pure magic and well worth the trip, over a sometimes waterlogged track.  Thank goodness for the Land Rover Defender; it was reassuring to know that we were not likely to get bogged!

• HOT TIP: Attempt the steep mountain road before dusk.
  Make sure your computer/shaver etc., are fully charged.

Recherche Bay, one of the most southern Tassie places you can visit

A wonderful, well-written article about southern Tassie, and we’re very pleased Janette decided to share with us.  Choosing to holiday-at-home proved beneficial for the Bishops, too.  After their winter break, they returned to the Beachside Retreat West Inlet in Stanley without any sign of a winter “mainland flu”.  Refreshed and devoid of any travel-related stresses, they have a renewed appreciation for southern Tassie after a 20-year break between visits.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Southern Tassie…

Discovering Strahan

by Mike Fry

Strahan is a quaint fishing village on the shores of Macquarie Harbour, on Tasmania’s west coast, and has been an important part of Tasmania’s history since convict times.  After the discovery of the harbour by Captain James Kelly in 1815 this area was quickly settled as its treasures were revealed.  Initially a convict settlement was established on Sarah Island which became infamous through the harsh treatment of prisoners, daring escapes, murders and cannibalism.

All plain sailing these days in Macquarie Harbour, Strahan Tasmania

However it soon became an industrious shipbuilding centre after the arrival of Master Shipwright David Hoy.  Today those fascinating chapters in the history of this area are vividly captured by tour guides on the island during the day cruises departing from Strahan.  The stories also live on in the evenings at the visitor’s centre where actors perform The Ship That Never Was where the last escape of 12 convicts is relived in an hilarious and true account of their escapades across the world.

The Ship That Never Was: Strahan Tasmania

Macquarie Harbour and the Gates of Hell

The great southern ocean has carved a magnificent coastline with Ocean Beach one of those “must visit” places in this area.  This magnificent beach stretches for 36km from Trial Harbour to Hells Gates, the treacherous entrance to Macquarie Harbour, named by the convicts as, in their mind, they were entering the gates of hell as they were incarcerated for their term of imprisonment.  Hells Gates can be deceptively beautiful on most days but the roaring forties and massive ocean swells clearly demonstrate the forces of nature as the surf continues kilometres out to sea on rough days.

Ruins of the Sarah Island convict settlement via Macquarie Harbour, Strahan

Gordon River & West Coast Wilderness Railway

Fortunately most days the captain of your cruise vessel will take you out through the entrance and out as far as Cape Sorell and one of Australia’s tallest lighthouses before heading back into the shelter of the harbour and an unforgettable visit to one of the most pristine and beautiful rainforests on the planet, the Gordon River.  The cruise is just one of the must do experiences when visiting Strahan.

Take a tour to the Gates of Hell, and then return to the Gordon River

Another is the West Coast Wilderness Railway which travels through rainforest and over mountains between Strahan and Queenstown.  The original locomotives have been faithfully restored and the railway carriages reflect craftsmanship and the use of unique Tasmanian timbers such as Huon Pine, Blackwood, King Billy, Myrtle and Sassafras to name just a few.  The train journey is complemented by tour guides who know every detail of the history of the railway and of the pioneers and prospectors who carved towns and industries out of this remote wilderness.

West Coast Wilderness Railway from Strahan to Queenstown Tasmania

The Adventure Capital of Tasmania

Strahan is often referred to as the adventure capital of Tasmania; that adventure can be as relaxed or as exciting as you wish.  Seaplanes and helicopters operate most of the year and give a breathtaking view of the south west wilderness area with its mountains, wild rivers and rugged coastline.

Strahan: also known as the Adventure Capital of Tasmania

The King River has played an important part in the development of Strahan and the mining industry.  The railway runs along its banks and through its gorges but to get up close and personal Wild Rivers Jet will take you on an exhilarating trip up the King and an extended tour will take you by four wheel drive to the Teepookana Plateau where there is a massive forest of Huon pine and other west coast trees.  The forestry viewing tower offers expansive views of the west coast and on a clear day you can literally see for miles.

Take an exhilarating ride with Wild River Jets in Strahan Tasmania

Huon Pine: Rainforest & Timber Mill

Huon pine is endemic to the rainforest areas of the south west wilderness area and Strahan is where it is best observed in its natural state and as a valuable craftwood.  The galleries and timber mills in Strahan have Huon pine on display from rough sawn tree trunks to delicate works of art.  Morrison’s Mill and Western Softwoods mill the timber and a visit to these mills will be rewarded with not only the timber being processed but also a chat with a local or two as they go about their business.

The wharf area has a Huon Pine precinct with Morrison’s Mill, Wilderness Woodworks and Tasmanian Speciality Timbers where Huon pine can be purchased and if a little too large for luggage or boot they will gladly frieight the timber back to your home for a reasonable cost.  That’s service!

The wilderness areas of the west coast of Tasmania

Platypus Park to Ocean Beach

Strahan is fortunate to have a rainforest walk in the centre of town at Peoples Park and Hogarth Falls.  A 40 minute walk will be rewarded by seeing numerous species of plants and trees growing alongside a stream complete with resident platypus.  The foreshore walk runs alongside the Esplanade from Regatta Point to West Strahan beach which incidentally is a safe swimming beach.  Do not be tempted to swim at Ocean Beach as the currents are strong with the surging surf making it difficult and unsafe to swim.  It is however a great beach for a walk or a paddle at the waters edge; a great place for photography and the most amazing sunsets.

Strahan is the best place in Tasmania to observe Huon Pine rainforest areas

Whittle Wonders of Strahan

While walking around town make sure you visit Tut’s Whittle Wonders where one of our locals has spent a lifetime collecting pieces of timber from the bush and has made the most unusual creations.  Another place to visit is the Strahan cemetery where some of the town’s founding families are laid to rest and along the Esplanade, while you walk the foreshore, buildings such as the Union Steamship Company building, the Customs House and Ormiston House built by Strahan’s founding father Frederick Ormiston Henry.

Staying in Strahan

There is too much to see and do in one day so a two or three night stay in Strahan is recommended.  The accommodation is varied and covers everything from backpackers to luxury apartments, and everything in between.  The places to stay are complemented by some wonderful eateries from fish’n'chips to fine dining.  There are also self catering accommodations where you can cook your own and Strahan boasts a large supermarket that stocks most items.

Strahan and Macquarie Harbour on the west coast of Tasmania

Strahan really does have it all and in the words of Randy Curwin, the travel editor of the Chicago Tribune, this is the Best Little Town in the World.

Mike Fry is the owner of Ormiston House bed and breakfast
accommodation in Strahan Tasmania

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Map: Strahan Tasmania….

Creatively Belle: Belinda Stinson has written this article for Think Tasmania about her imminent trip to Tasmania.  She’ll have her handcrafted jewellery at the Tasmanian Craft Fair, and we couldn’t be more impressed with her enthusiasm for the Apple Isle.  This is her story…

Creatively Belle: In Love with Tasmania

I think I fell in love with Tasmania even before I set foot on it’s rich, fertile soil.  Family would call to tell me to switch channels to a holiday show featuring it.  I cut out newspaper travel guides and saved them in a holiday dream box.  I finally took a holiday in 2006 and immediately went south.  I didn’t care that it was May and all the mainlanders were telling me it would be freezing.  I bought a polar fleece jacket!

Belinda Stinson of Creatively Belle will be touring around Tasmania

So south I headed on the Spirit of Tasmania from Sydney*, and I felt like I was a six-year-old on an excellent adventure.  I sailed under my beloved Sydney Harbour Bridge and giggled like a school girl.  I sailed out of Sydney Heads and felt my spirit sing out “here I come!” to Tasmania.

I didn’t even have a formal plan for my two week holiday.  I’d been too busy in the weeks leading up to my escape.  All I had was accommodation booked for my first night in Devonport and an abundant source of faith that travelling in the off season would mean getting accommodation would be easy.  Luckily, I was right.

The next two weeks of touring around Tasmania had me falling in love repeatedly every day.  It was one of the best experiences of my life…

• I saw a platypus in the wild within minutes of quietly looking
• I ate so many great meals that I discovered a new love for food
• I took photo after photo of stunning views from the side of the road
• I spent hours talking with friendly locals who shared treasured secrets
  about the best places to explore
• And I refreshed my spirit.

Last year during my May dash to Tasmania I discovered the Makers Workshop in Burnie, soaked up the atmosphere and dreamed of being part of something like that myself.  This May I moved into a Pop Up Meet the Makers style venue and opened my first little shop in a charming heritage sandstone building in the heart of Sydney’s Rocks.

For six months I’ve been a shop keeper and a permanent Rocks Markets stall holder with my Creatively Belle jewellery and worked constantly.  Now I’m being rewarded with another little escape to Tasmania and this time to the Tasmanian Craft Fair.  Dreams do come true.

Belinda Stinson will again be touring around Tasmania

Tasmanian Craft Fair

Last May during my quick flying break down to northern Tasmania I got talking with locals in Deloraine about their big craft fair and loved the sound of it.  So while I had missed the cut off date for applications I did manage to book into a community venue in the old Gunns building (opposite Woolworths), a newly opened arts and craft centre.  I had a really lovely time with the other makers in the venue and getting to meet so many locals.

I was one of the first off the mark for sending in my application for the Tasmanian Craft Fair 2011 and was thrilled to be accepted.  Creatively Belle will be in Venue 8, stall 827 and will have a range of show specials happening too, because I think part of the excitement of coming to a show is to get extra special value for your shopping.  I’ve been making new designs for necklaces, earrings and bracelets, including some one off pieces for the Limited Edition range.

Handcrafted jewellery by Creatively Belle, available at the Tasmanian Craft Fair

For me, having an opportunity to see if I can make a living from my craft in Tasmania is a way to further explore my dream of one day having a little farm with a creek with a local platypus and some Tassie Devils rumbling around.  It’s also a great chance to meet more locals and start forming friendships and understanding the local culture better.

Belinda loves meeting the locals... like this Tasmanian Devil

Exploring Mole Creek

Last year I stayed at the Mole Creek Hotel with spectacular views of the Western Tiers, ate my fill with delicious and affordable dinners each night and slept like a log.  I was quite late booking accommodation last year and it was the really helpful team at the Deloraine Tourist Information Centre who stepped up and found a room just perfect for me.

I spent the day after the show exploring the area, finding beautiful flower gardens at the B&B, charming crafts in the local shops and off searching for platypuses with local photographer Matthew Rowe of MTR Photography and his beautiful daughter.

It was time out this city girl really needed and I’m planning on catching up with Matthew and the platypuses this trip.

Gardens captured the imagination of Belinda when she was touring around Tasmania

Creatively Belle: In Love with Tasmanian B&Bs

It’s a bit of a family joke how much I love staying in B&Bs in Tasmania.  Every trip I’ve stayed in a range of B&B’s across the state, from Launceston to Hobart; Swansea to Burnie and this trip I’m staying at Geoff Woods’ Glendalough  in Deloraine for the Craft Fair.

Friends of mine have stayed there before and raved about how lovely it is, so I’m thrilled to be able to stay there this year.

Belinda Stinson likes to call B&B's home when she's touring around Tasmania

Touring Around Tasmania

Every trip to Tassie I go walking and exploring, mostly planned, sometimes by happy accident and always falling in love with the fauna and flora.  Last year I took a wrong turn between Devonport and Launceston and ended up at Narawntapu National Park and fell in love instantly.  I was meeting a friend for lunch so had to keep going so it’s on my short list for this trip, but so too are the Alum Cliffs, Meander Falls, Liffey Falls, The Nut at Stanley and Ben Lomond.  Well, maybe not such a short list.

I’ve also been thinking about revisiting Cradle Mountain and Cataract Gorge.  Maybe I really need a month of touring around Tasmania!  My walking guides include Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks, Monica and John Chapman’s Day Walks Tasmania  and a Visitor Guide to Tasmanian National Parks and Reserves.  I got caught in my first snow storm last May at Cradle Mountain and went back the next morning to a winter wonderland!  Just beautiful!

Taken while touring around Tasmania, Belinda enjoys the snow at Cradle Mountain

Belinda Stinson: Addicted to Tasmanian Honey!

You can never have enough honey!  I use it in my green tea, in cooking, on toast and in sandwiches.  I even have a teaspoon of it instead of sitting down to demolish a block of chocolate (which I’ve been known to do).

I just love honey and Tasmanian honey is one of my favourites.  I’ve brought home jars of it on the plane but I bring home pots of it with the car.  Last trip I bought a 1.5 kilo pot of Cradle Mountain Honey and this time I think it will have to be two or three pots!  I’ll be going to the Honey Factory at Chudleigh and then back to visiting Lilly the Wombat at Trowunna Wildlife Park at Mole Creek.

Lilly the Wombat comes face to face with Belinda Stinson!

My Tasmanian Checklist

While honey is top on my things to bring home, so to is a stash of chocolate coated raspberries from the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm, fudge from the House of Anvers, probably another case of wine and whatever else takes my fancy at the Craft Fair!

I think it’s really important to shop with small local businesses in regional areas.  You get great designs, produce and goodies and your money goes to work immediately back into the community.  So I’m armed with a shopping list and will be getting a chunk of my Christmas shopping done at the Craft Fair.

Last year I bought a beautiful glass bauble that I loved so much I had to get mum another present.  I’m looking out this year for handcrafted Tasmanian wood pieces, lavender soap and moisturiser and some lampwork glass beads.  I’m always looking to add to my personal collection of these.

 Thanks to Belinda Stinson of Creatively Belle for sharing her thoughts about Tasmania and the Craft Fair (and all these fabulous photos) with us.  We love to promote local business owners at Think Tasmania, but Belinda’s passion and knowledge of all things Tasmanian has completely blown us away!  You can follow Belinda on Facebook: Creatively Belle Designs or on Twitter: Creatively Belle.  And of course, if you’d like to meet Belinda in person, visit stall 827 in venue 8 at this year’s Craft Fair in Deloraine (Nov 4-7)  and say hello!

NB: the Spirit of Tasmania no longer sails from Sydney* but there are daily crossings of Bass Strait from Melbourne in Victoria to Devonport.

Map: Creatively Belle at the Craft Fair…

Map of Deloraine and the Tasmanian Craft Fair showing venue locations.  Belinda will be at Venue 8: Gays Pavillion and Rotary Park.