A nosy emu
Vines and Vines and Vines !
Fantastic Oysters with garlic and chilli !
Heather and Shona sitting on a random rock
Getting up close and personal with a sheep
Hobart 'city' from above
Launceston
Harbour views in Hobart
The delightful Puddleduck Vineyard
How could a place called Tasmania with a national icon of a devil and with place names like Paradise,Dismal Swamp, Snug, Eggs and bacon Bay, Squeaking point, Nowhere else and milkshake hills be anything but fantastic !?
Tasmania has always been one of those places I have never quite got to on all the trips I have made over this side of the planet, this time I was determined to fit some time in to see Tasmania and so did just that! Shona travel pal of Western Australia decided to meet me there and so the adventure began.
We spent a few days looking around the sleepy yet happening 'city' of Hobart, steeped in history and heritage compared the the rest of Australia the city famous for port Arther and its convict importing past and the Hobart to Sydney boat race. It has a vibrant art scene with private dealers and quirky converted warehouses serving as galleries for aspiring post modern artists. The harbour area hosts a happy mixture modern bars restaurants and more traditional 'pubs' a favourite of ours was the 'Drunken Admiral' a very popular restaurant with an old world feel serving only seafood we had a wonderful meal here. At the weekend the areas near the bars and cafes known as Salamanca becomes a massive market of Tasmanian produce from carvings, paintings and weaving to cheap devil memorabilia its all there. Shona and I enjoyed a wander round followed by a rest under a tree with the paper in the nearby park.
Moving on we caught the local bus to Launceston the other town of Tasmania about 3 hours North of Hobart.launceston does not have the same immediate charm as Hobart but has some nice walks near to the town and the scenery between the two towns is well worth the trip.
We toured the South West coal valley wine region which hosts some wonderful boutique vineyards such as Puddleducks and Poole wines all very nice.
The pace of life in Tasmania is much more laid back, slower and forgiving things seem to happen in their own time weather it waiting to be served to checking into a hotel everything is slower and sleepier. One thing I am sure of Tasmania is another world and not at all like mainland Australia in its landscapes character or people. I will defiantly be back be it to pick fruit for a few months or a permanent move to live !
Tips for Tasmania...don't go without hiring a car it will seriously impede travel (i managed to leave without my licence !) the buses are few and far between and don't go to the places you want to visit...visit the small vineyards they are far superior to the larger ones offer free tastings as opposed to charging and are passionate about the land they work on and wine they produce...be prepared to never want to leave this beautiful place !
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