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Category: Tasmanian Travel

{My Tasmanian Backyard}: What to do in Stanley

It goes without saying that when you go to Stanley you have to experience the Stanley Nut in some way. Whether it’s climbing it, taking photos of it or experiencing the chairlift. Unfortunately the chairlift wasn’t operating while we were there over the long weekend, so we opted to take lots of photos.

And climb it.

Just before we were about to climb it, Ella let us know she was:

“going to eat some of the nuts as we go up the big hill.’’

Which was followed by a conversation about the fact it’s not actually made of nuts.

When we got to the top, the view was incredible.

I’d say it took our breathe away, but that could also be from the fact we had to carry one child and drag another up the incredibly steep incline.

After watching Julian skid all the way back down (I highly recommend you wear good grip sneakers), we celebrated what was pretty hard going by having the most decadent chocolate brownie and scones and cream at the Touchwood Cafe. Sublime.

Afterwards we took the girls off to the Stanley Seaquarium. Now this is certainly no Melbourne Aquarium and is tailored more to the kids than the adults. Manager Dianne gave us a great opportunity to touch the crabs, see the octopus being fed and learn about seahorses that you just don’t get anywhere else.

The girls just loved it. So if you have young children, it’s well worth the visit. (Check out the Tasmanian Giant Crabs in the gallery).

I even encouraged Ella to listen to the ocean inside the shell, but she kept giving me blank stares. What are you going on about, Mum?

The afternoon was then dedicated to roaming Highfield House, a home originally built in 1835 for Edward Curr, chief agent of the Van Diemens Land Company.

If you’re a history buff you will fall in love with the story and the way the European-influenced home is set up to be able to tour it yourself with the aid of a map is a credit to the managers of the home. It was a fantastic, and very hands-on, experience.

Julian sat down with the girls and played snakes and ladders, but was quickly “spun out” when he swears the spinner moved without anyone touching it. I think he’s been reading too many ghost stories.

Ella was captivated by the chapel and classrom, and the fact there was not a computer in site. How on earth were you meant to do Reading Eggs?

All Ella cared about was dressing up in period costume. She’d been itching to do it all week, even asking:

“When we dress up in old fashioned clothes, does that mean everything will be in black and white?’’

She got her wish. Here’s the O’Briens in the olden days.

The sneakers – and the big smiles – sort of give it away.

We finished the tour with the most gorgeous rainbow. Which was quickly followed by a conversation about wanting to go and find the gold. We settled for some ABC2 on iView at our Stanley Seaview Inn accommodation instead.

More on that here.

Speaking to the people of Stanley, the MasterChef episode filmed at Highfield House on Thursday night certainly helped draw quite a lot of interest to the place – and so it should. It has the finest food this state has to offer, incredible scenery and true country style service. Sure, it can get mighty cold. But it’s well worth a visit.

What did you get up to over the long weekend?

To view more photos, visit my Stanley page on Facebook. This post is part of the My Tasmanian Backyard series.

DISCLOSURE: Our trip to Stanley was organised by Cradle Coast Tourism. We were given acommodation and tickets to the Sequarium and Highfield House. We were not paid to write this post. All opinions expressed are our own.

June 12, 2012
{My Tasmanian Backyard}: The night we slept with a sheep (Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel review)

We have been on regular “mini breaks’’ lately which, apart from the packing, constant “are we there yet?’’ and High School Musical CD on high rotation, are great rejuvenators.

Princess Ella has got to the point where she walks into a hotel and immediately claims “her bed’’ – which is often the biggest one in the apartment. Thankfully our trip to The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel in Hobart last weekend had twin singles in one room. No amount of batting her eyelashes was going to convince The Bloke in The Shed to sleep in a single bed.

After walking through the complex and witnessing remnants of its wool and grain store history through the many artefacts that grace the corridors, we finally arrived at our room. It was here we were greeted by two sheep, offering fudge.

We are regulars to the Woolstore for so many reasons. And not just because it’s 2011 winner of the Qantas Australian Tourism Award for Deluxe Accommodation

Here are eight reasons we choose to stay there:
1. There is enough space to swing a sheep. Although we were unable to test this theory due to no woolly animals in the vicinity of the hotel.

2. There are REAL hairdryers. Seriously, this one is important after having used innumerable amount of dryers that have stunk out many bathrooms on our travels.

3. The apartments have full kitchen facilities, full laundry facilities, a shower, plus a bath without a shower over the top of it. There’s something comforting in knowing when your children sit their bottoms in the bath it’s not where dirty feet have previously trod.

4. The service is incredible. When we needed an in-room menu, it wasn’t a hassle to retrieve one for us. Although, deciding exactly what to have became a slight issue. Choices, choices.

5. It’s close to everything. It’s not far to walk into the CBD, down to the historic Sullivan’s Cove waterfront or to Salamanca Markets. Although, I will add, we drove everywhere this time.

6. The real highlight is the price. For the space you get and the service provided, it’s hard to compete with in Hobart.

7. The bar is called the Baa Bar. Enough said.

8. We had a full breakfast the next morning in the restaurant and the choice and quality was sublime. We have had meals in the restaurant as well on previous visits and haven’t been able to fault it. Especially because Tasmanian produce is a feature. Although, having a ram stare at your while you eat its cousin is a challenge.

The only downside we’ve always had with the Woolstore, and it’s pretty minor, is the parking. You need to get in early to be able to secure a parking spot. Although, I’ve noticed since expanding the car park a while back, this has become less of an issue now.

What: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel – www.oldwoolstore.com.au and on Facebook
Where: 1 Macquarie St, Hobart, Tasmania
Phone: 1800 814 676
Rooms: Four star. Range from hotel rooms, to studio and one and two-bedroom self-contained apartments.

What’s important to you in a good hotel or apartment?

DISCLAIMER: We received a complementary night at the Woolstore in a two-bedroom apartment and breakfast. We were not offered nor accepted any payment. All opinions expressed are purely my own. But, as I stated above, this was not the first time we’d stayed there. We genuinely love the place.

June 5, 2012
My Tasmanian Backyard: Tasmazia and the Village of Lower Crackpot

Tasmazia and the Village of Lower Crackpot, dubbed the world’s largest maze complex, is on your way to Cradle Mountain at a little place called Promised Land in Tasmania’s North West. Yes, sounds like something out of an Enid Blyton book, doesn’t it? Well, wait till you see it.

Tasmazia was declared one of the world’s best 10 family attractions by GoTravel24.com, South Africa’s premier travel company. Aside from the tea rooms’ scrumptious pancakes (oh my goodness)

and the view out to the lavender fields, it’s easy to get lost in Tasmazia – and I’m not just talking about the mazes.

Princess Ella particularly loved the fact we were taking the usual mazes from her activity books and turning them into a real life experience. And there are plenty to choose from – Hampton Court Maze, Confusion Maze, The Balance Maze,

Hexagonal Maze, Irish Maze and of course The Great Maze (which we survived, I might add).

The girls were particularly taken with the Village of Lower Crackpot and this little house called Fairy Princess Sam’s Pink Palace:

Built just for us, right?

The village was by far the highlight for Ella and Holly, whose imaginations ran wild.

Add to that a list of things you have to try and “seek’’ out, like The Three Bear’s Cottage,

The Crackpot Correction Centre, Cubby Town (Ella loved the theatre complete with little stage),

Humpty Dumpty’s Wall,

The House That Isn’t There, Hobbit’s Hole, Signs with Sayings (over a dozen)

and even the Kitchen Sink.

You receive a little map on entry, so it’s relatively easy to navigate. There’s also a little gift shop with the most lovely staff, a noodle bar and some development over the hedge with some new little houses being built. Yes, we couldn’t help but sticky beak. The only point would be that it’s a little pricey for larger families, with adults $20 and children $10 each. Bear in mind, you will spend quite a lot of time there though.

While our girls (4 years old and 16 months) were happy to wander through the mazes and discover the village, I can imagine it would be even more ideal for children of reading age who would be able to take over the provided map and dictate the adventure a little. Overall, we highly recommend it if you’re heading to Tassie’s North West and love places with an element of fun – and maybe a little quirkiness thrown in.

What: Tasmazia and the Land of Lower Crackpot

Where: 500 Staverton Road Promised Land, North West Tasmania

Opening hours: Dec-April 9am-5pm and May-Nov 10am-4pm.

Cost: Adults (16+) $20, children (4-15) $10, Seniors (valid card) $18 and tots (3 and under) free.

Are you into mazes? Does your area have a place that fuels children’s imaginations?

See more photos on Facebook and read more from the My Tasmanian Backyard series.

DISCLAIMER: We receive complementary tickets to experience Tasmazia. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

March 3, 2012
My Tasmanian Backyard 2012 Calendar free printable download

THE lovely Bron from Maxabella Loves left a comment on the blog this week how I’m always doing “fresh and random’’ things. I guess I like to challenge myself. Not to mention putting myself under an enormous amount of stress. And like we all need a little more of THAT during the Christmas period.

I know there’s huge risk in the things I organise. They could fail and I could come off looking like an absolute dimwit. Not like that’s anything new.

Last week I sat down and made some blog, business and life goals for 2012. It was nice to see them all on paper and to clear them from my head so I can concentrate on more pressing matters – like how to keep Princess Ella out of the laundry before Christmas. I fear she may learn the truth about Santa and who really drinks the beer she leaves out Christmas Eve.

One of the goals is getting back to more storytelling, because that’s what I’ve spent my life doing. I also want to have more live events, like the Royal Wedding Pyjama Part-ay and the Carols in the Blogger Domain Party. Hopefully, one every two months – but we’ll see. Saturday’s Carols party attracted more than 60 people and, during such a busy time of year, I was pretty happy with that. Plus, I had an absolute blast, which was the main aim. Yes, it’s all about me.

But today, it’s actually all about you. I can’t give you all a nappy bag, two nights in a Melbourne apartment or a stroller, but I can give you a little bit of my home state. Today, you can download the My Tasmanian Backyard 2012 Calendar for free. It’s printable, so you can copy as many off as you like and give to family and friends as last minute Christmas gifts. It may even inspire you to come for a visit.

I did contemplate putting a price on it, mainly because it took so darn long to do. In the end, I thought it was best to use as my little pressie to you all to say thanks for being such incredible supporters of this wee li’l blog. It means more to me than the half block of Cadbury’s chocolate I devoured last night – and that’s saying something. I hope you enjoy it.

You can download it here, by clicking on the image below or on the My Tasmanian Backyard Calendar page.

Are you a risk taker? Do you have goals set for the New Year?

December 20, 2011
My Tasmanian Backyard: Gordon River Cruises Strahan

IT’S hard to believe Strahan’s Macquarie Harbour is six times larger than Sydney Harbour. In Sydney you don’t get to experience the narrow and treacherous Hell’s Gates, see the salmon farms which supply to some of the world’s top restaurants or be entertained by real life stories of cannibalism while on notorious Sarah Island. Oh yes, believe it.

However, after two days in Strahan and riding the West Coast Wilderness Railway, our final day was discovering all this aboard Gordon River Cruises.

It’s been a while since I’ve done the cruise. It all takes place onboard the Lady Jane Franklin II, which is nothing short of pure class. And this is the cattle class,

not the premium section.

If she was a real lady, she’d be wearing Prada and having her hair set weekly (do ladies still have their hair set?).

Hell's Gates

We scored comfy seats at the front of the vessel – near the toy box. Make a note: take children.

I don’t know how many people with purple rinses told Princess Ella to: “look out, you have a snake around your neck’’. They thought it was funny. Ella thought it was funny. Really, what else matters?

Without exaggeration, the pristine World Heritage area on the world-famous Gordon River is breathtaking and was even more so on the stunning day we headed out (it’s world famous because a fight to save the river in the ‘80s attracted national attention).

Although, a dead whale wasn’t so pleasant. Poor fella.

When we reached the salmon farms, Ella’s main point of question was whether they had pigs at the farm. Hmm, not that sort of farm, darling.

We then came in to moor at the feared penal colony Sarah Island – the highlight of the trip. However, it’s also where we chose to end our trip, because of mechanical problems with the boat. Of all the days.

We decided not to continue on with the other boat that was offered for a few reasons: the Bloke in The Shed and I had done it before (actually, I’ve done it twice – that’s how much I enjoyed it) and the boat we were being transferred to already had a full load (we weren’t keen on battling the girls on a crowed boat).

But please, don’t be put off by our decision. I highly recommend doing the entire tour. You would not want to miss witnessing the ruins from the old penal buildings. Nor hearing about how the convicts built incredible boats from Huon pine. And don’t miss the gory tale of cannibalism by one very desperate convict. This is not your average history tour. To top it all off, there’s a chef prepared buffet lunch.

The kids will love wandering around the island and it’s a good way to get them to be good – if you’re naughty, this is where we’ll send you. Maybe. As far as family experiences go, this one is hard to pass up. The staff onboard were so accommodating, especially with the girls. The toys are plentiful. Space is abundant. And the penal settlement is unlike what you’re likely to have seen before. Truly sensational.

How to travel: Cruise in Comfort with two-levels of seating and buffet lunch; or Captain’s Premier Upper Deck, with leather seats, Tasmanian produce and beverages and private deck.

Duration: 5.5 hours. Leaves at 8.30am and, in peak season, 2.30pm.

Christmas Day: 10.30am to 4.30pm

Children: Aged 3-14 are entitled to child fares. Aged 2 and under travel free. Child fares are not available on Captain’s Premier Upper Deck, but children and infants may travel on an adult fare. See the website for more details.

Cost: Between $85 and $210, depending on the time of year and travel class.

More information: Visit Pure Tasmania

Read more from the My Tasmanian Backyard series, along with our stay in Strahan Village.

DISCLAIMER: We received Cruise in Comfort tickets to board the Gordon River Cruises, thanks to Pure Tasmania. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

December 13, 2011
My Tasmanian Backyard: West Coast Wilderness Railway

AS MOST of you know by now, we spent three heavenly days at Strahan last month and had the chance to board Gordon River Cruises and ride the now famous West Coast Wilderness Railway on Tasmania’s West Coast. This one is particularly special to me having been part of trying to get it up and running again (then known as the Abt Railway) through all the media coverage at the time. Well, that’s what I tell myself, anyway.

While on paper it didn’t sound like the most riveting of experiences for a one year old and four year old, it couldn’t have been further from the truth. In fact, I think it was a pleasant surprise for The Bloke in The Shed too.

The trip is steeped in history from its start at the fishing village of Strahan through to the finish in mining town Queenstown. Pay attention now, because here comes a brief synopsis. The railway, built in 1896, is regarded as one of the engineering marvels of Australia. At some points the railway is etched along the side of plunging gorges (photos down lower) and you get to see some of the many bridges they built while standing in freezing rivers. Of course, this one’s now off limits.

It gives you chills thinking about the fact pioneers achieved such a feat 100 years ago. You’ll see what I mean soon. With some incredibly steep grades along the line (at its peak it hits 1:16), the railway works through a unique Abt rack and pinion system. Conventional locomotives couldn’t cope. And you get to still experience that.

The beautifully recreated steam train and carriages with exquisite detail inside wind along the faithfully reconstructed line through some of the most rugged scenery in Tasmania.

See what I mean? This is what you get to see a lot of. Picture perfect.

Although, if you’re wondering about the colour of the water in the King River, that’s pollution – yes, on the edge of a pristine World Heritage area. But you can learn about that on the trip.

Among the highlights (other than being able to get Holly to sleep in the pram they supplied for us), were:

Getting to stop at Lower Landing, Dubbil Barril and Rinadeena, which were once home to small populations. Hard to believe.

Falling in love with the Christmas hills honey at Lower Landing. That’s Ella’s second dip, by the way.

The chance to see the train in action at the turning stations.

The Tasmanian produce on offer at lunch, which Li’l Holly thoroughly enjoyed.

There’s also a great little walk at Dubbil Barril, which would have been quite peaceful if not for a four year old singing Christmas carols at the top of her lungs. We’ll thank Michael Buble for inspiring those ones on the two-hour trip down.

One of the real jaw dropping moments is when the wonderfully entertaining guide explains how the locals used to climb down that

to pick up balls and toys swept down the river. Seriously, that is crazy.

As the journey came to an end, I was expecting we’d stop at Lynchford. I’d told Ella – and Twitter – all about how we were going to pan for gold and therefore make our fortune. Back when it first opened that was what I had the chance to do. And I scored gold. A tiny little speck on the end of my finger. Instead we stopped briefly and I got this photo.

What a fitting end – Princess and Queen River Gold Mines. Now if that was created especially for us, I don’t know what was. That beats gold any day.

Coming into Queenstown you get to see the now famous barren hills, a result of the sulphur from the smelting at the copper mine. For the non-Tasmanians, Queenstown’s other famous landmark is its gravel oval – and yes, the fellas still play AFL footy on it.

It’s easy to see why this is an Australian Tourism Award winner. It really does transport you back to a time when dishwashers were created by having lots of children. The trip is quite eerie in parts, but mostly you will be captivated by the beauty of this place. Families with older children would enjoy this even more than our two preschool-aged girls. There’s seriously no where else like it. The trip is worth every penny.

A quick half hour stop and it was time to board the bus at Queenstown for the 50-minute drive back to Strahan. In a car it takes about 35 minutes – if I’m driving. It’s a pretty windy road, so we were thankful both girls were so exhausted from their day they were out to it within a few minutes of the trip.

Travel dates: October 3 to April 28, 2012 timetable now available online.

Queenstown departure: 10am and arrives in Strahan at 2.30pm and a 4pm coach back to Queenstown by 5pm.

Strahan departure: 10.15am and arrives in Queenstown at 2.30pm and a 3pm bus back to Strahan by 4pm.

Duration: About 5 hours.

Travel options: Tourist carriage (includes lunch and return coach) or Premier Carriage (includes lunch, snacks and beverages – that means sparkling!).

Cost: Vary between $110 and $210 per person. Children 3-14 years are entitled to child fares. Children two years and under are free. Child fares are not available for the Premier Carriage, but children and infants may travel on an adult fare.

More information: Visit www.westcoastwildernessrailway.com.au

Have I enticed you enough to want to go?

Read more from the My Tasmanian Backyard series, along with our stay in Strahan Village.

DISCLAIMER: We received Tourist Carriage tickets to ride the West Coast Wilderness Railway, thanks to Pure Tasmania. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

December 6, 2011