Jul
28
2012

Hobart, Tasmania’s cultural centre

Shared by |tags, , , , ,
Leave a comment 0

Hobart’s thriving arts and culture scene have made it the envy of many other cities around the country.

And with a mix of old and new, it is easy to see why so many of the city’s residents and visitors dedicate their free time to getting to know Hobart’s every nook and cranny.

From morning trips to the Salamanca markets to historical tours of the island state’s convict past and fine dining experiences of an evening, it can sometimes feel as if there is an endless list of things to do in this harbourside metropolis.

But despite its rich history and commitment to the arts, many people are still unaware of the fact that Hobart is also the state’s entertainment capital.

For the latest plays and productions, you can’t go past the Theatre Royal, which first opened its doors to the public in 1837. With regular performances from some of the country’s best performers, it is a true cultural icon in the region and one of the most hotly anticipated productions of the year, The Flood, will be on stage at the theatre this August.

For those who are keen to go bar-hopping after a performance, it is best to head to Salamanca Place where your choice of designer pubs will be waiting to greet you.  You can also grab a bite to eat while you are in the area and try some of the region’s best locally sourced produce.

Another must-visit cultural destination is the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), which has regular jazz performances each weekend, as well as cutting edge exhibitions.  A 15-minute drive from the city’s north, it is easy to stop by and explore your artistic side at what has been described as a world-leading museum.

Posted in Discoveries, Holiday suggestions | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment
Jul
27
2012

Hobart Comedy Festival

Shared by |tags, , ,
Leave a comment 0

Hobart Comedy Festival is back again this year and celebrating its tenth anniversary with a long list of standout performers.

Described as “up close and personal as well as quite a bit gala” by producer Craig Wellingtion, it is clear before the curtains are drawn that this year’s festival is going to be big.

From Tommy Dean to Jeff Dean and Simon Palomares, you won’t lack for people to see at this three-month rolling festival.

Other headlining acts include Dave O’Neill, whose regular appearances on ABC music show Spicks and Specks helped introduce him to households across the country.

While special guests Charlie Pickering and Fiona O’Loughlin will be on hand for The Bloodstone Big Finale, it seems that the who’s who of home-grown talent are getting ready to wow local audiences and try out some new material.

Damien Callinan, the beloved legend of UK comedy, is back in the island state by popular demand with a fast-paced show that is sure to have you in stitches and contemplating life from a slightly different perspective.

And for those who feel inspired to take to the stage themselves, there is also the option to contact organisers about the possibility of appearing in next year’s show. After all, sometimes all it takes is seeing your idol on stage to make you want to leave the day job behind and cut your teeth on a local production.

Shows are scheduled for August 10, 11 and 23, as well as Saturday September 1 – and it seems that the town is set to come alive with a string of lively, tongue-in-cheek performances from some of the international comedy circuits best known acts.

You may have already bought tickets for this once a year comedy feast, but if not there is still time to order your advance sales now.

Posted in Discoveries | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment
Jul
26
2012

May Queen

Shared by |tags, , , ,
Leave a comment 0

Sitting on board the May Queen, you could be forgiven for thinking that you had suddenly stepped back in time.

With its handcrafted wooden masts, sweeping sails and made-for-industry slick frame, it is all too easy to imagine yourself rolling up your sleeves and heading off for a day on the sea.

Built on the banks of the Huon River, the May Queen is something of a Tasmanian institution, and speaks to a bygone era when the state’s coastal towns were still dependent on these magnificent vessels for basic supplies.

Internationally recognised as an authentic example of leading sea-craft technology in the 1880s, it is clear to most visitors that climbing aboard this ship is a unique experience.

It is also Australia’s oldest sail trading vessel, which makes it something of a rarity in a country defined by its seafaring past.

Spending most of its time at Constitution Dock, the best time to visit the May Queen is during the summer months when volunteers will gladly share their own knowledge of the region’s maritime history with keen listeners.

Another reason to visit jump on board the May Queen is that it is one of the few free activities in the city – which is welcome relief to any parents worried about holding onto any loose change that is currently lining their hip pocket.

After your personal tour, you can have fun soaking in the sun and enjoying the view of the city from the water.

With this in mind, you might want to add a trip down memory lane to your list of activities to do on your next Tasmania adventure.

Just remember to try and arrive early in the morning, so that you can beat the crowds and still leave time for more sightseeing in the city’s maritime museum and harbourside historic quarter.

May Queen sternAboard the May Queen

Posted in Discoveries, Holiday suggestions | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment
Jul
25
2012

150th anniversary of Henry Jones

Shared by
Leave a comment 0

Tasmania’s greatest entrepreneur Sir Henry Jones wasn’t around to celebrate his 150th anniversary the other week, but that didn’t stop supporters throwing a party.

The morning tea event was held at the Henry Jones Art Hotel and attended by a number of high-profile Tasmanians from the Federal Group business community and public sector, as well some of the well-known figure’s descendants.

Helping to toast the publican was Federal Group director of corporate affairs Mr Daniel Hanna, who spoke affectionately of one of the state’s most recognisable industry identities.

“Sir Henry Jones was a phenomenal individual who, perhaps more than any other person in the state, helped to grow the Tasmania economy and Tasmanian exports,” he said.

“Sir Henry is a Tasmanian icon and his name has a strong level of recognition with Tasmanians. It is hoped that in the future there can be other ways to celebrate the life and contribution of this extraordinary man.”

The life of Sir Henry Jones has been passed down from one generation to the next, but it never fails to entertain and enthral young listeners.

Born in 1862 in Hobart Town and of Welsh descent, Sir Jones was originally a jam manufacturer who started his career pasting labels on tins and eventually became an expert jam-boiler.

During a difficult period for the industry in the mid-1880s, Jones was promoted to factory foreman and later went on to take control of the jam factory where he was first employed.

He then set up a partnership with his former boss’ son to start IXL – a pun on “I excel” – and went on to build a successful business within the food industry.

Ventures in mining also helped to boost his personal wealth and public profile. However, it was his role in building Australian industry that saw him knighted in 1919.

The factory floor before redevelopment by Morris Nunn Arctitects winning an international award for the transformationfactory floor redeveloped into large covered atrium areaThe imposing facade of the buildings today still paying homage to its originsHenry Jones relatives at the function - image credit: The Mercuryatrium area todayThe pierside factory in early times

Posted in Discoveries, Featured in the Press | Leave a comment
Jul
24
2012

Waratah

Shared by |tags
Leave a comment 0

Tasmania is dotted with small towns with a big story to tell from coast to coast, but every so often you manage to stumble across one that is truly special.

Sitting on the edge of the famous Tarkine Reserve, this once rich mining town is now a popular tourist attraction.

Along with the magnificent Waratah waterfall – which can be found in the main street – you will also find a number of sites and artefacts that tell the story of the town’s long history.

On your list of things to do in the region is the Waratah Museum, which has a large collection of antique goods and photos on display.

To help you step back in time and really gain an appreciation of the town’s mining history, you will want to make a beeline for the replica of Philosopher Smith’s Hut sits which sits alongside the museum.

Here you can find a real-life depiction of what life would have been like for miners at the turn of the 1900s.

As you head back into town, you will want to stop for a picnic or coffee overlooking the waterfall and stroll around the lake looking for platypus!

Waratah is a 4.5-hour drive from Hobart and 75 minutes from Devonport.

Posted in Discoveries | Tagged | Leave a comment
Jul
23
2012

Discover North Hobart

Shared by |tags, , ,
Leave a comment 0

For many people, the best part of Hobart is a short walk away from the tourist centre and uphill from Elizabeth Street towards NoHo – the cheeky name locals have come up with for North Hobart.

For almost six city blocks – the distance between Elizabeth and Burnett and Federal Streets – you can lose yourself in a sensory and culinary explosion of bright colours, tasty food and the some of the best shopping in town.

Even the sidewalks have an artistic edge to them, featuring brightly coloured pavers in a range of designs that are sure to lighten your mood.

And it is this almost carnival-inspired atmosphere that separates NoHo from other parts of Hobart and Tasmania.

As you turn into Tony Haigh Walk, it is hard not to feel as if you are entering an imaginary world where the boundaries between make believe and reality blur into one Trompe L’oeil inspired streetscape – which features murals of dogs, roosters and everyday items that play a trick on the eye by fooling you into thinking they are real.

Making art accessible is obviously important to the residents of NoHo, who have added photographs of their beloved city to numerous light posts and in the process helped to turn an otherwise mundane object into something inspiring.

Catching up with friends is also easy due to the large number of public places to mingle in without feeling any pressure to buy, while the so-called cultural billboard is something of a hotspot when it comes to finding out the latest news and events that are on in the area.

For those who like to understand a place by learning about its history, you want to keep an eye out for the historical pavers and old, brightly painted post office.

by elmoraux

Posted in Discoveries, Holiday suggestions | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment
Jul
22
2012

Tasmania Unbottled 2012

Shared by |tags,
Leave a comment 0

Mainlanders with a taste for Tasmanian wines will have the luxury of sampling some of their favourite drops a little closer to home this winter, as Tasmania Unbottled 2012 kicks off around the country.

Bookings are now open for Australia’s largest showcase of Tassie wine and gourmet produce in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – which is a drawcard event for the country’s wine enthusiasts, as well as trade and media specialists.

Featuring both consumer and trade sessions, it seems as if there will be something for everyone on offer at this one yearly event.

Sydneysiders and Melburnians will be treated to a crash course on cheese and wine matching with the Bruny Island Cheese Company.

Sommeliers Australia members attending the event will also have the opportunity to attend an exclusive masterclass – which is based on the International Cool Climate Symposium workshop facilitated by Julian Alcorso and Dr Andrew Pirie.

The talk will focus on difference between actual and perceived sugar levels in wine and how they influence consumer habits.

Those who are living north of the border will want to make a beeline for the tradeshow tutorial entitled Wines from a Small Island.

Adding to the various reasons to take part in the food and culture exchange is the recent track record of Tasmanian wines performing well on the world stage.

In the last year, the island state has so far won a number of prestigious awards for its wine making and expert blends, including the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy, Best Pinot Noir in the Sydney International and International Cool Climate Wine shows, Champion Wine of the National Cool Climate Wine Shoe, Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine’s Winemaker of the Year and Young Wine Maker of the Year.

To find out more about the event and any booking information, you can visit the Wine Tasmania website.

Posted in Discoveries | Tagged , | Leave a comment
Jul
21
2012

Tasmanian Waterways in black and white

Shared by
Leave a comment 0

From rivers to lakes and wild beaches, the waterways of Tasmania do their best to inspire and refresh those who visit them.

And while it is easy to unwind relaxing on a riverbank in the afternoon sun, the same isn’t always true when it comes to photographing these places.

The Hobart Photographic Society Mono group is currently exhibiting a series of works in black and white that attempt to recreate these priceless moments, while also presenting its own unique interpretations of the natural environment.

In addition to water-based photos, the exhibition will also take a closer look at the many eco-systems that are supported by these waterways and the wildlife that lives alongside our coastlines and inland rivers.

Featuring works from a range of artists, including Ian Robertson, the event aims to not only inspire people with the rich tapestry of images but also generate greater appreciation for the importance of water for our survival.

In this way, the artists manage to share their own love of the outdoors in all its beauty, while also helping to educate visitors about environmental issues.

Tasmanian Waterways is currently on show at Salamanca Place and the exhibition will come to a close on July 22.

Posted in Discoveries | Leave a comment
Jul
20
2012

Port Sorell

Shared by |tags
Leave a comment 1

Looking for a quiet getaway? You may want to make a beeline for the seaside town of Port Sorell.

Located just a stone’s throw from Devonport, this seafaring town is often overlooked by tourist who are keen to see the state’s main attractions.

However, it is still a popular holiday destination among locals who are keen to getaway from the hustle and bustle of city living to relax on the coast.

With white sandy dunes, fantastic fishing spots and a top of the line golf course, you will find something for people of all ages.

It is also a great place to gain new appreciation of the simple things in life such as taking a walk along the picturesque foreshore or snacking on a mean of fish and chips with friends.

And with some of the best views in Tasmania, Port Sorell is a popular destination among artists and photographers wanting to reconnect with nature.

Families will benefit from the child-friendly activities including mountain biking, bushwalking and swimming in summer.

There are also a number of wildlife parks nearby, which make for a fun outing when you have little kids to entertain and keep amused during school holidays or family vacations.

Posted in Journeys | Tagged | 1 Comment
Jul
19
2012

Visiting Seahorse World

Shared by |tags
Leave a comment 0

Seahorse World is a truly unique aquarium that is suitable for anyone with a passion for one the ocean’s most fascinating inhabitants.

Featuring a touch pool, behind the scenes look at seahorse farming practices and a variety of sea creatures in the Wonders of the Southern Ocean Aquarium, a trip to Seahorse World really is an unforgettable experience.

You will also learn some interesting facts that are sure to come in handy at your next trivia night. For example, how many people know that seahorses have what’s known as “prehensile tails” – which means they can grip onto almost anything in much the same way as a monkey?

Or the fact that seahorses regularly change colour with the help of special organs in the skin that can be expanded or contracted to display different hues?

Mums will surely be impressed by the male seahorses’ ability to take on responsibility for carrying the fertilised egg in his pouch, taking on the weight of the gestational period.

However, you can learn about all this and more when you go on your own tour of the aquarium and see these fascinating creatures up close.

For those who have to been to the underwater museum before, there are a few beginners’ tips that might help you to better organise your visit.

It is always a good idea to book ahead to ensure that there are places available for the many guided tours that are on offer almost hourly.

Admission prices for adults start at $20, while children between the ages of four to 16 can enter for $9 and concessions are $18. You may want to take advantage of the family pass for $50 if you are travelling in a group of two adults with children.

Seahorse World is located at Shed 1A, Inspection Head Wharf, Flinders Street, Beauty Point.

Posted in Discoveries | Tagged | Leave a comment
-->
Page 25 of 68« First...1020...2324252627...304050...Last »