Posts Tagged ‘Arts’
World Party: Hobart Celebrating Diversity
World Party Hobart: 25 February 2012
World Party Hobart is a free, not-for-profit event designed to celebrate the diversity of the Tasmanian multicultural community.
Festivities will include a free concert and food fair held at Princes Wharf on Saturday 25 February 2012. World Party Hobart starts at 2pm and everyone is welcome.
Of course!
For details of performers, see the World Party Hobart poster, provided
by Mary-Anne Evans from the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
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Map: World Party Hobart, Princes Wharf…
Cataract Gorge: Any Way You Can!
Cataract Gorge. There’s absolutely no escaping the fact that “The Gorge” is one of the most loved Tasmanian attractions. Locals and tourists to the island state all rave about it. But why? What makes it so popular? We take a closer look and offer some insight into that popularity.
Cataract Gorge: The Basin Chairlift
Firstly, the Cataract Gorge is home to the Basin Chairlift. Since 1972, the 450-metre ride has been gently transporting people from one side of the Reserve to the other. And as Harry and his buddy demonstrate, catching the chairlift is child’s play!
The views from the chairlift are always spectacular, and the ride is smooth enough to take photos. But at certain times, when northern Tasmania is receiving heavy rainfall, the river system floods and the waters raging through the Cataract Gorge provide a real show.
Climbing, Cruising and Walking in The Cataract Gorge
While the Basin Chairlift provides enough adrenalin for many people, there’s always some that want more. Rock climbers for instance, who scramble up and down the face of the cliff. The photo collage below shows the climber on the left; his location is circled on the right hand side. Scary stuff!!
Kings Bridge is an iconic landmark in Launceston and marks the start of the walking trail into the Reserve from the city centre. We cruised underneath the bridge on our Cataract Gorge Cruise with Tamar River Cruises and the construction is amazing.
Walking into the Cataract Gorge possibly provides the best experience of all. The Reserve is very close to the centre of Launceston, and the track is straight forward in terms of access and makes for quite an easy stroll.
The path follows the edge of the river, passing the gatekeeper’s cottage (another building often photographed for tourism brochures). The cottage is now leased out by the council to artists working on projects in the region.
And why wouldn’t artists be drawn to the area with so much natural beauty right on the doorstep? No matter what mode of transport you use to enjoy it, the Cataract Gorge is definitely a must-do experience in Tasmania.
Thanks to Jo Kuchel for providing some of the photos for this article.
See her guest article about Sheffield in the state’s north west, too.
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Map: Cataract Gorge, Launceston Tasmania…
Oatlands Handmade: Complex Craft
Oatlands Handmade is a little shop in, well… Oatlands! Okay so that bit is obvious, but what you might not realise is just how much Rowena has packed into her gorgeous heritage building.
Oatlands Handmade: Hunting for Treasure
We went to Oatlands in the midlands of Tasmania with some friends. They were on the hunt for antiques, and we mapped out a Sunday drive from Hobart via Sorell, Richmond, and Ross. While they searched for treasures in Oatlands, we joined a tour of Callington Mill.
Oatlands Handmade is directly opposite the Mill Complex. You can’t miss the cheery sign and the duo of concrete sheep at the door. But what really caught my eye was the Tassie Devil offering a welcome to customers. Rowena stocks the Tasmanian Softies and says they’re popular with young tourists looking to spend their holiday pocket money.
Once inside Oatlands Handmade, you’re in for a real treat. The building itself is wonderful, and houses work produced by Tasmanian makers and designers. Gifts and homewares; clothing and jewellery; fudge and art all take their place arranged in several rooms.
Clearly passionate about promoting her store as a retail avenue for only Tasmanian-made art and craft, Rowena is a bubbly and energetic personality. Having always dreamed of starting a business like Oatlands Handmade, when Ryder Cottage came on the market, all the stars aligned to make it happen.
Over 40 local artisans currently sell their work through Oatlands Handmade. Rowena is only interested in showcasing top quality products, but she’s somehow managed to collect a diverse and unique range of goods.
The jewellery on display is exquisite; I particularly liked the sterling silver Chain Maille Jewellery. Okay, so that’s intended as a blatant hint (because the Casaveen Knitwear that was supposed to be under the Christmas tree didn’t ever appear).
Another thing that caught my eye (being an avid reader)… the bookmarks from No More Dog Ears. At just a tad under $20; they make a perfect gift without costing a fortune. Just like the Tassie Devils and the handmade jams and chutneys, a decent souvenir to take away from a Tasmanian holiday.
Oatlands Handmade is at 112 High Street in Oatlands Tasmania.
Phone 03 6254 1391 for details of opening hours.
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Map: Oatlands Handmade…
Reliquaire: Sacred Relics in Latrobe!
I have heard about Reliquaire. Both Roger and Michelle have mentioned what a wonderful and unusual place it is, suggesting it would be a good place to visit. And when Lorraine McNeair contacted Think Tasmania reinforcing their thoughts, it was time to put a plan into action.
Reliquaire: A Request by Lorraine McNeair
Plan A was to ask one of the regular team to visit Reliquaire in their travels. They’re such an amazing, dedicated group of writers and photographers, that plan would have definitely happened. Eventually. But sometimes we want to speed up the process; not just wait around for the perfect opportunity to present itself. Plan B was to encourage Lorraine to write something about her beloved Latrobe. And as it turns out, she was quite open to the idea. This is the scenario that played out…
Lorraine: Have you visited Reliquaire in Latrobe? An absolutely wonderful treasure chest to explore, along with the wonderful Bell’s Parade, the Axeman’s Hall of Fame (where the Information Centre is situated), Warrawee and the two Sunday markets: one in the main street, and the other, a Makers’ Workshop, at the Axeman’s Hall of Fame. Lots more to see, too.
Me: Thanks for contacting Think Tasmania, Lorraine. Are you the owner of Reliquaire? I hate to admit it, but I haven’t been to the store in person. I follow the Reliquaire Facebook page and Roger Findlay (one of our writing team) has made a comment about the store following the publication of an article about Devonport. If you follow Think Tasmania at all, you’re probably aware that we only write feature articles about places we have actually experienced first hand. I’m hoping now that we have a few extra contributors, we might be able to cover more territory between us, including all the places you have mentioned.
Lorraine: No, I am not the owner of Reliquaire. I am a volunteer at the Latrobe Information Centre, and I tell visitors about these places. Often interstate visitors stay in Latrobe the night before they go back on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, and they often want to know about places they can visit close by. I have no financial interest in Reliquaire, neither do I know the owners. But it is just such an unusual place with objects of diverse interest to many people
Me: Thanks for sharing your local knowledge, Lorraine. It’s terrific to hear people so passionate about their area, and I would really love to write about them for Think Tasmania. I’m sure there’s a whole list of great article potential in the region. Of course, if you or anyone else would like to submit an article as a guest, I could give you more information about how that works.
Lorraine: Tania, I would like to write some articles if that’s okay. I have travelled all over Tasmania, found some wonderful places, and would like to share them.
And the rest is history. Lorraine contacted Kim & Sylvia Christie, the owners of Reliquaire, and told them of the plan. She then went to visit the shop in person, and wrote this piece for us…
Reliquaire: A Hidden Delight in Latrobe
by Lorraine McNeair
The town of Latrobe, on the north west coast of Tasmania, has many hidden delights. One of these is Reliquaire. Famed for its uniqueness, Reliquaire is said to be the only one of its kind in Australia, and maybe the world. I personally have not seen the likes of the goods for viewing and sale, and I have travelled all over Australia. You are greeted at the door by a tasting of home-made fudge, and if you have a thirst, then coffee and tea are available.
The educational toy range is like no other I have seen, and the life-size, hand-made dolls are incredible. On the walls you will find art by a north west artist; and in another area are antique-like fittings for restoration. As well as the hand-made dolls, there are lots of teddy bears, puppets, and Venetian masks. There are antiques to view, and lots of items suitable for gifts.
Do not visit Latrobe without a visit to Reliquaire! It is about half-way up the main street, and is situated in an old (but tastefully renovated & painted) hotel.
Very good advice, Lorraine! And hopefully this is the first piece of many that you’ll go on to write and be published as feature articles with Think Tasmania. It’s exactly the sort of thing people want to read about; and it’s also what attracts more people to the region.
Reliquaire: Endorsements Everywhere
Roger also has this to say about the treasure trove in Latrobe…
I was in the chair at a Devonport dentist. He knew that I was a tourist and proceeded to charge me double for a simple filling! He had travelled the world but he had never been in a shop like Reliquaire.
The shop is situated on the main street of Latrobe just twenty minutes from Devonport and, if you’re travelling with kids, this is the place to go. Adults will wonder at the variety and colossal amount of stock that adorns the floors, walls and ceilings of this 20 room building. (How do they stocktake?)
The cost of the filling and the good advice made my day for without it I would never have known that Reliquaire existed.
French: Shrine for Sacred Relics
I searched for the meaning of “Reliquaire” and found it is a French word used to describe a container or shrine in which sacred relics are kept. Seems a pretty appropriate name, by all accounts. I also did a little research of my own, checking the Reliquaire online store. I was won over instantly because they have a “Babushka” category! One of the few keepsakes I treasure is a set of the nesting dolls I bought on a long-ago trip to Russia. Of course there is a great variety of other categories.
Thanks to Lorraine for sharing her passion for Latrobe and Tasmania, starting with Reliquaire. Hopefully she hasn’t been too overwhelmed with the volume of story ideas streaming in for the region. I’m sure her tourism colleagues will be very happy with her contribution. And if you would like to submit a guest article about a place that is special to you, you know what to do. Contact Think Tasmania and we’ll help you get started.
The photos of Reliquaire have been provided by Kim and Sylvia.
Their amazing store is open 10am – 5pm 7 days a week
(except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday).
Phone: (03) 6426 2599 for more information.
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Map: Reliquaire, Latrobe Tasmania…
MONA FOMA: the Blind Leading the Naked
MONA FOMA
by Cassandra Wunsch
There’s a feeling on the mainland that Tasmanians might be a little funny, maybe slightly backward, even a touch superstitious. Like the global myth about Aussies sucking down Fosters when we’re at home, it’s a myth we’re happy to let you run with. But don’t think for one minute that Friday the 13th has the power to crimp our style!
MONA FOMA Street Party
MONA FOMA (Museum of Old and New Art – Festival of Music and Art) is an annual event in Hobart and we kick it off like only Hobart can. An eclectic street party stocked to brimming with hippies, kids, old people, suited corporate types and flashy dressed young women! Most festivals or gatherings draw to themselves a specific type, a subculture who share an intrinsic knowledge of what’s going on and how to behave… the street party isn’t like that.
At 6pm the official business began, and the crowd was so diverse as to be indescribable. Around the stage sat small family groups on picnic blankets, while behind them stood older patrons with small plastic cups of beer or wine (available from the vendors at the event). The entertainment was just as varied!
When I arrived, a gentleman with a heavy German accent (the Dad Horse Experience) was singing a rather dirty little song about the sins he had committed, for which he would like forgiveness. It was just a little too early, with everyone still a touch too dignified, for his sing-along to take off…
Make Some Noise!
Later, a gentleman playing what looked like a triangle of opaque plastic caused the elderly ladies to my left some distress. The sound made by this thing was beyond compare, to the point where the only way I can convey it to you is with a short recording (included below). That’s not a low quality recording either, that’s the sound we actually heard at the MONA FOMA Street Party.
eMDee: All the Way from NT
Without a doubt my favourite performance was from eMDee, who had travelled from the Northern Territory to rock out with an unusual combination of drums and didgeridoo! Like the crowd, eMDee’s sound was a wild composition that somehow managed to work, no matter how much you might think it shouldn’t. Within a few songs, an impromptu dance-floor had been cleared down the front and peopled with groovers from fifteen to fifty.
As the sun started to set, and children were bundled off for bedtime, the dance-floor slowly grew until eMDee had the entire place moving. The front man did express some surprise at the turnout, saying he didn’t realise there were this many people in Hobart!
Brian Ritchie
In the words of event curator Brian Ritchie, “The world is catching on. Research indicates that so-called mainlanders and other foreigners flock to Tasmania in increasing numbers to experience this thing.” A sentiment proved by the presence of Tuba Skinny in the line up. The band travelled all the way from New Orleans to perform to an enraptured MONA FOMA audience in Hobart.
Jimmys Skate and Street Party
This kind of an event ripples out into the city, keeping everyone up past their usual bedtime. Across the way on Elizabeth Street, Jimmys Skate and Street held a show for local artists capitalising on the foot traffic, and defectors from the lengthy lines for MONA FOMA entry after 8pm.
With the party kicking on until 11pm, and lines spiralling out from three separate entrances, it was inevitable that the revelry spilled out into the street. Only here in Tasmania could police block off major sections of a capital city and not cause a fuss. Good natured party goers were dancing on the pavement outside the event, clearly still enjoying themselves and feeling a sense of involvement.
More MONA FOMA
For anyone who missed the party, there’s plenty more to keep you busy over the next two weeks. Some highlights include the Museum itself, which is open 10am to 6pm; a BalletLab to watch, and for the more adventurous, a naked tour of the gallery where the tour guide, and the tourists have to get their kit off before being allowed in (adults only).
Cassandra Wunsch is a third-year journalism student at Open Universities
Australia. She lives in Hobart with her husband Florian and daughter Taliesin,
and would like to continue to write full-time when she graduates.
Her personal blog is www.10percentinspired.com
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Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe Combo!
We ventured to Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe after our treetops adventure at Hollybank. Nothing unusual about grabbing a drink or a bite to eat after an outing with a group of friends. What was unusual however, was the combination of beers and pies… we weren’t at a footy match!
Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe: Open for Business
The first point I’d like to make is this: we arrived at about 4pm. Now it’s not unusual for Tasmanian business owners to close their doors at about that hour. And it soon became apparent that the staff at the Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe had been preparing to leave for the day. But they welcomed us with open arms, and served us with a real smile (not the forced sort, when someone has had to grit their teeth).
Our large group managed to clean up the last of their available pies and cakes in a flurry. And they were good. The pies were hot and fresh and they gave us tomato sauce for free! And the cakes were cheap. Not in a nasty kind of way; but in a “pay a reasonable price for a decent product” kind of way.
Although we all thought it was a strange combination, the Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe did the trick for us. The adults bought a few beers from the pub section and the kids were more than happy with their lot. In fact, if we’d arrived earlier, we would have racked up the pool table and played a few rounds as well.
Adding yet another string to their bow, the business also provides budget accommodation. I can’t verify the quality of that part of the business, though. I’m only aware of the accommodation option, because I include a link to a relevant website in each article, offering extra information to readers. When I searched for a website for the Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe, I couldn’t find one. But I did find a website listing the business for sale, showing the units.
The Home of the Painted Poles
The small township of Lilydale is known as “the Home of the Painted Poles”. Settled in the 1860′s, the town has a population of about 350, including potters, craftspeople and artists. Some of those artists have painted the power poles, hence the slogan. A naturally beautiful region, the main industries include agriculture and viticulture.
Lilydale is about 30kms from Launceston; 50kms from Bridport and 40kms from Scottsdale. It’s also close to Bridestowe Lavender Estate and several vineyards including Pipers Brook Vineyard.
And as I mentioned earlier, it’s only five minutes from the Hollybank Forest Reserve, where you can fly through the treetops.
The town boasts several other assets and things to do besides the Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe…
Lilydale Attractions & Reasons to Visit
You can visit two small waterfalls at the Lilydale Falls Reserve. A comfortable stroll from Lilydale Park will have you bushwalking in rainforest (or you can just enjoy a picnic with some of those Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe goodies!).
Now privately owned, the William Alexander George Walker Rhododendron Reserve has exotic trees and shrubs up to 60 years old.
Mount Arthur is one of the state’s highest peaks, and provides a lovely scenic backdrop to the township of Lilydale. If you’re energetic, you can take the three-hour trek to the summit giving magnificent views over the valley. If you do that, you would have definitely earned yourself some Tasmanian gelati back at the Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe!
Images were taken by professional tourism
photographer Dan Fellow of Tasmania Photos
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Map: Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe…
Tasmanian Menu: A Book You Can Bett On!
Tasmanian Menu is the title of a new book written by Simone Bett in conjunction with her husband Alastair. Simone sent me a copy of the book so I could write a review for Think Tasmania. And as luck should have it, the copy arrived on my birthday! And for someone who loves books, food, photography and Tasmania, it made the most perfect present ever.
What’s on the Tasmanian Menu?
I admit I haven’t read every word of Tasmanian Menu yet, despite poring over the pages. But it’s the sort of book you can love instantly. With the kids away (one at a friend’s house following a late-night Hobart Hurricanes match, and the other at the Moorilla Hobart International) I toyed with the idea of a day off myself. But I was too excited about the book, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you.
Books Lovers Please Note…
As far as books go, I love all sorts. Novels, autobiographies, photography books and recipe books. I visit the State Library of Tasmania regularly, and I share books with friends. Having led the life of a gypsy, constantly on the move, my personal collection is minimal. But this is one book that will always stay with me.
It’s not just a cook book, although the recipes are divine. And it’s not just a book of photos, although they too are divine. Tasmanian Menu is a gorgeous collection of pages combining Simone Bett’s passion for food and photography with the essence of what makes Tasmania so great.
Food by Simone Bett
I’ve openly confessed that I’m not a great cook. But with the stunning produce available in Tasmania, I feel compelled to make more of my culinary opportunities. Maybe that’s why I love this book so much. Simone (who describes herself as an avid cook but not a chef) has shared her all-time favourite recipes. And naturally, those recipes incorporate ingredients available locally. But they’re not what you’d expect from an everyday Tasmanian menu. Simone has been influenced by the foods from several cultures, and her choices reflect a very unique style.
The book has been divided into four sections, covering recipes for entree, main, kids and dessert. I firmly believe in the motto “Life is Short, Eat Dessert First”, so of course I went straight to that section. Lemon tart, apple crumble, creme brulee… and profiteroles with chocolate, toffee and raspberry coulis. Y.U.M. And if the juniors in my house read the section titled “Kids Menu” they will be seriously disillusioned when they compare their own diet to that proffered by Simone Bett!!
If dessert doesn’t excite you (hey what?), don’t be concerned. Tasmanian beef and seafood also star in the recipes, while the vegetarian has not been forgotten. Leek and goat’s cheese tart anyone? Followed perhaps by Moroccan spiced lamb rack. Did I mention it was my birthday?
Photography by Alastair Bett
At Think Tasmania, we aim to provide photos on the website that reflect the actual scene a first-hand visitor could expect. Nothing too fancy or manipulated, just an honest, holiday snapshot. But that doesn’t stop me drooling over the images taken by professional photographers, and wishing I could be that clever. In fact, in my next life, I’d like to be blessed with creative genes. Just a few would be reasonable to expect the next time around.
The photos Simone has used in her book have been taken by Alastair Bett, and they are everything a novice photographer could dream of achieving. The food photography is superb; the images of scenery even more so. I can imagine Tasmanian Menu being an absolute winner for both the local tourism industry and the agricultural sector at the same time.
Tasmanian Menu: A Recipe for Success
It’s no secret I’m biased about Tasmania. I love living here; I love writing about it and I can’t imagine ever leaving. It’s really nice to network with others who feel the same way. Validation, if you like. So even though I haven’t read every word yet, I’m sure I will… and not just once. This is one book I can definitely recommend without any hesitation.
Tasmanian Menu: the perfect souvenir for a foodie tourist to take home as a memento of their holiday. As I’ve already said, the book makes a perfect present for anyone with interests similar to my own. And it’s also the perfect inspiration, for those looking to forge their passion into a career. With years of hard work, dedication and determination, Simone Bett has delivered a real treasure. Probably the first of many, I would imagine.
Tasmanian Menu is sold online for $39.95, including postage.
The website also lists current stockists of the book.
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