Jul
17
2012

Getting to know Swansea

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If you have ever travelled to Tasmania, you will know that it is the state’s many small towns that make it so unique.

The historic town of Swansea overlooks Great Oyster Bay and the world-famous Freycinet National Park – which means that it may just have some of the most spectacular views in all of Tasmania.

However, it is not just the area’s jaw-dropping good looks that will make you want to take out your camera and start clicking away.

It is also a great tourist destination for people who have a love of the great outdoors and enjoy reconnecting with nature.

Among some of the things that you will be able to do on your next visit to this coastal town are swimming, diving and fishing.

Or for those who prefer to completely unwind while they are on vacation, you will have fun spending hours lying on the white, sandy beaches.

A number of self-guided walks are on offer for those who like to get to know a little about the history of the local area.

You can take a trip through Swansea’s past by visiting the Schouten House, Meredith House and Morris’ General store.

For tips on leather staining and design, you will want to make a beeline for the Swansea Bark Mill Tavern.

While it is hard to go past the quirky profile of Spiky Bridge, you will have plenty of time to get to know the town between early morning swims and late afternoon hikes.

And after spending a day out and about in town, you will probably want to refuel – which is a great excuse to try the regions best seafood.

In fact, the perfect Swansea day is one where you get to enjoy dining on oysters as you sip on local wines and soak in the afternoon sun.

 

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Jul
16
2012

Simon Tedeschi takes on Tasmania

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For those who are passionate about classical music, you will know that there is nothing better than hearing a top artist perform.

And when that top artist is also young, daring and possibly one of the finest musicians of his generation, you know that you are in for a great night of music.

Enter Simon Tedeschi. The Sydney-based composer is something of a teen idol in classical music circles.

In fact, the talented performer already has a string of awards to his name, including the prestigious Symphony Australia Young Performers Award, a recording contract with Sony Music and movie appearances in Shine (where he played the hands), as well as an Archibald-winning portrait of himself – and this all happened before his 21st birthday.

Tasmanian audiences will have a chance to hear works from some of the world’s best composers – Schubert, Rachmaninoff and Gershwin – played by one of the industry’s rising stars for one night only this August.

Ticket prices start at $42 to $72 for adults and the performance will take place as part of the Musica Viva Tasmania festival – which is showing at Hobart Town Hall. For more information, you can visit the Musica Viva website.

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Jul
15
2012

Getting to know the west coast

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You may have spent time in Hobart or even travelled to Cradle Mountain, but did you know that there are also plenty of things to see and do on the west coast?

Along with a rich mining and convict history, the area between Strahan and the Arthur River is also a gateway to the World Heritage Wilderness Area, famous Gordon River, Hells Gates, Sarah Island and Macquarie Harbour.

But for those who are keen to head off the beaten track and really get to know the regions and the people who call them home, you will want to explore the small towns and communities that have come to define the west coast.

Rosebery and Tullah were once bustling metropolises and home to thousands of miners who were in Tasmania to find their fortune. These days things are a little quieter, but you can still catch a glimpse of that bygone era when you walk the main streets or stop off for a coffee at one of its quality cafes.

Nature lovers won’t be disappointed with a trip to Rosebery either due primarily to the fact that the tiny town is just a stones throw from Montezuma Falls – the tallest waterfall in the whole of Tasmania and a natural wonder in its own right.

Anyone travelling to the west coast from Hobart will want to make a beeline for Queenstown. While larger than the other destinations, it still has an old-world charm to its neighbourhoods that is sure to make you want to visit again.

Another popular destination is Zeehan – which is similar to Queenstown in terms of its mining history, but with a distinctive character of its own. The West Coast Pioneers Memorial Museum will help you get to know more about the community’s past.

054 Gordon River Scott Sporleder

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Jul
14
2012

Top 3 Tassie travel destinations

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Planning a trip to Tasmania? Then you will want to know about the island state’s most popular attractions.

Each year people of all ages make the pilgrimage to Tasmania and while there are always fun things to do and see during your stay, you will find that there are some places that take your breath away no matter how many times you visit.

Whether you are embarking on your first ever trip to the island state, enjoying a yearly sojourn or just a curious local, you will want to add these destinations to your travel itinerary.

Cataract George – If you are from Launceston, you are probably already familiar with the rugged beauty nature reserve. Located just 15 minutes from the city centre, it is hard to believe that clean mountain air, sweeping views and rushing rivers are so close to civilisation. Enjoy relaxing with friends by the water’s edge or test your endurance on a nearby hike to really make the most of this must-see travel spot.

Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair National Park -  It doesn’t seem to matter how many times you see Cradle Mountain, you can always find something new to discover. Along with horse riding, hiking and wine tasting events to help you pass time, you can also relax at one of the holiday venue’s many luxury spas – which means that this national park really does cater to everyone’s needs.

Flinders Island – For a real taste of island tourism, you will need to pack your bags and book a flight to Flinders Island. From adventure tours to bush walking and fishing, you will find something to keep you occupied in this part of the world. It is also a great place for photographers to hone their skills given the area’s natural beauty and unique inhabitants.

Cataract Gorge and The Basin Launceston

weather - winter at fabulous cradle mountain

Flinders Island Trousers Point - Tourism Tasmania Visual Library

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Jul
13
2012

Montezuma Falls

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Are you in the mood for adventure? If the answer to this question is a resounding yes then you may want to add a trip to Montezuma Falls to your travel itinerary.

Montezuma Falls is Tasmania’s highest waterfall and a main tourist attraction on the state’s west coast.

Its unusual name is of Mexican origin and seems to have been adopted during the time when the Montezuma Silver Mining Company was one of the main employers in the region.

And along with a rich mining history that is evident among some of the ruins you get to see in the nearby bushlands – which happens to feature a once imposing wooden trestle bridge – you will also get to catch a glimpse of the unique birdlife that calls this part of the world home.

However, it is also a great place to go to reconnect with nature and take in the sights and wonders of the park-like rainforest that guides you on your way to the falls.

Beginning at Willamsford, you will need to take an easy three-hour walk to Montezuma Falls – which is made up of a number of historic tracks including the former North East Dundas Tramway.

Depending on the weather, this walk could take a little longer than originally expected, so make sure to pack rainproof clothing, thick socks and good hiking boots to your travel bag before you leave.

Another hot tip is to take your camera with you as budding photographers won’t want to miss capturing this natural wonder on film.

For those who are near Burnie, you can make it to main attraction via car in 90 minutes or less depending on traffic and weather conditions, while anyone in Rosebery won’t need to be in the car for more than a few minutes.

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Jul
12
2012

Junction Arts Festival

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They say that members of the art world belong to an exclusive club, but every now and then a new festival comes along that disproves old myths.

Enter the Junction Arts Festival – an annual arts festival in Launceston that has built its reputation on audience participation.

You will enjoy exploring the city from a new perspective when you see the streets come alive with installations, pop-up live music and seeing art in the places you would least expect to find it!

Now in its third year, the festival’s organisers have learnt a thing or two about want people like and where they want to go in Launceston.

And the list of activities that they have in stall for this year is not for the fainthearted! Along with the regular artistic displays in the city’s cafes and eateries, you will also find works in parks, sitting on rooftops, on the side of buses and sidewalks, as well as the odd heritage listed building.

If this is not enough to spark your interest, you can take a short walk to The Junc Room and Big Top circus tent to get your music fix.

Interpretative dance is another event must-see (or do?) event, while encounters with the occasional guerrilla gardener may turn into something less of a rarity during this time.

While the 2012 program is an opportunity for the festival to branch out into new and exciting areas, it is also a family friendly event that caters to people of all ages and demographics.

Sporting fanatics and hipsters will be able to come together in the city centre to share a mutual appreciation of having fun in their home town.

Junction Arts Festival is on from August 22 to 26 in the city of Launceston, Tasmania.

Junctions Arts

Performance, display, workshops and artscape

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Jul
11
2012

School for Wives

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Ever wanted the perfect wife? Well, it seems you may not be alone if this adaptation of the 17th century classic is anything to go by.

The School for Wives received widespread applause when it first went to stage in 1662 at the Palais Royal theatre in Paris.

And the story of an older man desperate to control the affection of a much younger woman is as true today as it was for previous audiences.

Written by French playwright Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, who went by the stage name Moliere, the play takes a closer look at man’s unfailing ability to look for love in all the wrong places.

It tells the tale of an unconventional courtship between Arnolphe and Agnes – which makes for fantastic comedy and a remarkable insight into the frailties of the male ego – that simply won’t go to plan.

After spending years in a nunnery, the young and impressionable is sent to live with her older steward Arnolphe who has plans to marry the 17-year-old.

However Agnes’ arrival at the house of Arnolphe is accidentally intercepted by Horace (the son of one of Arnolphe’s closest friends).

Instead of bestowing all of her affection upon her male steward, the young and impressionable Agnes falls in love with Horace.

And it is this comedic train-wreck of a love story that is able to relate so well to modern theatregoers.

Under the direction of Lee Lewis, the play receives a new lease on life and builds on the success of Lewis’ previous production the Twelfth Night, while it is also adapted to the taste of contemporary audiences.

To find out more about this play, you can visit the Theatre Royal website and reserve tickets for the August 29 to September 1 production.

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Jul
09
2012

Laughing Golden

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Art can be a serious subject area, but there are times when it is also a great medium to make you laugh.

Laughing Golden explores the areas where land, craft and tourism cross paths in a humorous, light hearted way.

Artist Julie Munro-Allison is behind the quirky and irreverent take on Australia's bush history and production of historical artefacts.

The irony of turning convict settlements into tourist hotspots is not lost on Munro-Allison and the artworks that feature in this body of work were developed during a two-month residency during the later half of last year at Birrarung House, Victoria.
And while it may not be integral to the exhibition, it is interesting to know that this residency is located on Laughing Waters Road.

However, she doesn't let criticism override her works and instead uses this as a starting point for highlighting the more amusing aspects of human folly, while softly pointing out the subjective nature of retelling the past.

Australia bush crafts are distinct from other versions of this art due to the materials and techniques in use that are unique to this country.

An emphasis on innovation and creativity means that many of the works feel relatively untouched despite being reformed, while the need to 'make so' with what is available to the artist leads to surprising twist and turns.

It will also help to renew the way you look at the everyday objects in the world around them and how easily their meaning can change once they are no longer used for their original function.

Laughing Golden is currently showing at Artspace, 146 Elizabeth Street, Hobart.  However the screening will end on August 2 this year. Entry is free and visiting hours are 09.00 to 17.00.

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Jul
08
2012

Tasdance production is high voltage entertainment

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If you are keen to see some of the country’s best dancers put their years of training, skill and determination to the test, you will want to book tickets to Voltage.

High-energy, electric and at times provocative, the two new dance works from young Australian choreographers Larissa McGowan and Anna Smith are sure to take you on an unforgettable journey through time.

According to Tasdance artistic director Annie Grieg, Voltage explores the themes of rupture, shock and rapid change in a way that will leave you feeling optimistic about the future and reflective about years past.

“Energy and the increasing impact of technology on our lives concern and challenge us all. Larissa, Anna and the dancers meet this challenge head-on and have created two breath-taking and compelling dance works that are not to be missed,” she said.

Sydney-based composer Charlie Chan makes sure that the score does not just accompany or respond to the dancers’ movements, but adds a new level of depth which underpins a slightly more complex and almost confronting story about the rising impact of technology on our lives.

Cutting-edge costumes from Lexi George come to life under the direction of lighting expert Frog Peck of Bluebottle.

However, it is up to the dancers to connect the audience with these two realities, namely electricity currents that can’t be seen or controlled and the impact harnessing this energy in the form of technology has on the world around us.

The result is a compelling narrative that balances the seemingly unbounded energy that drives technological innovation alongside the more thoughtful reflections on society and us.

Voltage is, as the name suggests, high energy featuring two dance works that explore the themes transducer and singularity.

It will be showing at Launceston’s Princess Theatre from 26 to 28 July and Hobart’s Theatre Royal from 2 to 3 August. Tickets are on sale now and you can visit the Tasdance website for more information.

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Jul
07
2012

Where to stay in Tasmania during winter

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Winter is one of the best times to travel if you are keen to see Tasmania at its most picturesque. Snow capped mountains, log fires and icy rivers are all made that much more magical in the cooler months.

For those who are regular travellers, you will know that accommodation can often make or break a trip.

However the cold also means that you need to think carefully about accommodation. After all, you warm and comfortable during the chilly nights.

Whether you are looking for cabins along your mountain hiking route or the ultimate bed and breakfast, you will want to make sure that the venue accommodates your traveling needs.

When you first search for accommodation, it is important to have a rough idea about the dates you will be travelling.

School holidays are notoriously busy and during peak seasons like summer, you can expect many places to quickly book out.

Another important point to consider is the type of experience you are looking for – this means matching your expectations with what is on offer.

With a little planning and research, you can make sure that the time you spend escaping daily routines is memorable for all the right reasons. However, you will need to think carefully about the type of holiday you want to take.

Lodges are a popular accommodation choice during winter and there is a huge variety to choose from in the state's wilderness areas.

From Lemonthyme Lodge near Cradle Mountain to The Lodge at Tarraleah and Tall Timbers Resort on the North West coast, you will be sure to find something that suits your needs.

Other popular options include Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, Tahune Airwalk Lodge and Eagle Nest Resort.

067 Mt Wellington looking West Michael Walters
007 Cradle Mountain by Jeff Crowe from Somerset Tasmania

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