#australia

Helen Avaient

Nov 30, 2022
3 min

Wacky about Doo Town

Wackadoo means "a little bit crazy and fun". It is a perfect word to describe the cheeky larrikins in Doo Town Tasmania Australia. Way back in 1935 residents of this small town started a tradition of naming their holiday cottages with the word Doo in them. All the shacks (this is what a Tasmanian calls their holiday cottage, no matter the style or size) have a quirky name. Well, except for one in town, it is called Medhurst! If I lived in town, I would want to call my shack -

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The absolute best place I have stayed in Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Nov 14, 2022
5 min

The absolute best place I have stayed in Tasmania Australia

Hands down, one of the best ever places I have ever stayed is at The Cove near Devonport in the north of Tasmania. It isn't just me, there are rave reviews all over the internet about this fantastic oceanside retreat. Opened in 2021, it is perched on the land's edge with 180-degree views of Bass Strait literally right outside your front door. The views are similar to those on a balcony suite of a luxury cruise ship! The sight of the night sky lit up with stars and the moon ri

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My favourite ten food places in Richmond Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Nov 10, 2022
3 min

My favourite ten food places in Richmond Tasmania Australia

The difficulty with making a '10 things to see and do list' in a town is narrowing it down to just 10. Over several days in Richmond, Tasmania I set out to discover some delicious and delightful venues. 1. The Richmond Bakery The long lines at this shop are testament to how good the food is. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, depending on the weather, this is a delicious dining experience. Their scallop pies are little parcels of mouthwatering goodness. The most popula

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10 things to see and do in Richmond Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Nov 7, 2022
5 min

10 things to see and do in Richmond Tasmania Australia

The difficulty with making a '10 things to see and do' list in a town is narrowing a favourite place down to just ten. Richmond in Tasmania has many attractions to delight people of all ages, including their famous convict-built bridge. As this bridge appears in almost every article about Richmond, I am going to share some of the lesser known but no less wonderful sights. 1. Repurposed buildings Many of the old buildings in Richmond have been converted into bed and breakfasts

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Australia's oldest existing colonial gaol at Richmond Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Oct 28, 2022
3 min

Australia's oldest existing colonial gaol at Richmond Tasmania Australia

Tasmania Australia has a rich convict history due to the demands of agriculture development. However, not all convicts were hard-working, well-behaved persons. England was sending a steady supply of convict labour between 1788 and 1853 to this new colony. Its own gaols were overflowing with people for crimes as simple as stealing a handkerchief all the way up to murder. Today visitors can enter the Richmond Gaol, undertake a self-guided tour, and leave an hour or so later, u

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Unique accommodation in Richmond Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Oct 24, 2022
2 min

Unique accommodation in Richmond Tasmania Australia

Horses and chickens came to greet me at my garden door when staying at Hatchers, near Richmond in Tasmania Australia. How delightful it was to be welcomed to a country retreat in this friendly way. Hatchers is a very interesting place to stay. Warmly welcomed by owners and their cute dogs, this is not a modern hotel, but a country oasis with old fashioned décor. If you are a fan of the TV show Fawlty Towers, then this unique venue is sure to delight you. There are various acc

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Old Hobart Town model village is a masterpiece

Helen Avaient

Oct 21, 2022
3 min

Old Hobart Town model village is a masterpiece

The marvellous miniature model village of Old Hobart Town, in Richmond Tasmania, presents a visual history in a fun environment. Often, when we look at books or paintings, we cannot “see” the actual three-dimensional realities of daily life in the past. This exceptional village provides that stimulus and visitors walk around and admire the displays. They are presented in a way that enable you to see the ordinary everyday situations that would have been the harsh, pioneer real

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10 things to see and do in Perth Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Oct 10, 2022
3 min

10 things to see and do in Perth Tasmania Australia

Tasmania has many small towns with populations around 3000, each one packed with history, charm and lots of things to see and do. Perth in Tasmania (not to be confused with Perth, the capital city of Western Australia) is 20km south of Launceston, 180kms north of Hobart. Here are my favourite ten things to see and do in this lovely little town cosied up on the banks of the South Esk River. 1. Exclusive Cars Located at 68 Main Road, Perth is a smorgasbord of shiny vehicles tha

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My favourite ten things to see and do in Deloraine Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Oct 6, 2022
5 min

My favourite ten things to see and do in Deloraine Tasmania Australia

Picture a quaint and pretty town, population around 3,000, with the calming Meaner River flowing right through the centre. The river is well named, as it entices you to take your time and enjoy what the town has to offer. Here, you can slow down and enjoy the vibrant green grassy banks, the sound of the water passing by and the smell of fresh clean air. This country town set amongst rural farms has a lot to offer tourists. 1. The Yarning Circle and fire pit Created by both lo

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12 things to see and do in Oatlands Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Sep 10, 2022
4 min

12 things to see and do in Oatlands Tasmania Australia

1. Historical Sandstone Buildings Over 150 convict built sandstone buildings still survive in Oatlands, Tasmania from the 1800s. Eighty-seven alone are along the main street and are now repurposed into private residences, cafes, bars, bakeries, antiques, arts and craft stores and shops. Many are owned by the National Trust of Tasmania. The sandstone was obtained from the nearby Lake Dulverton. Oatlands offers visitors the opportunity to connect with history, having Australia

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Over 150 Georgian Sandstone Buildings from the 1800s are located in Oatlands Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Sep 4, 2022
1 min

Over 150 Georgian Sandstone Buildings from the 1800s are located in Oatlands Tasmania Australia

Over 150 sandstone buildings still survive, in Oatlands. Eighty-seven alone are along the main street and are now repurposed into private residences, cafes, bars, bakeries, antiques, arts and crafts and shops. Oatlands offers visitors the opportunity to connect with history, having Australia’s largest collection of Georgian sandstone buildings in one township. It is wonderful to see the care that has enabled these old buildings to be conserved and utilised for almost two hund

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More than just fabulous pancakes in Oatlands Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Aug 31, 2022
2 min

More than just fabulous pancakes in Oatlands Tasmania Australia

Tasmania excels itself with delectable food and divine drinks. One of my favourite places to eat is The Pancake and Crepe Shop in Oatlands. Located at 85 High Street, this delightful café in situated in one of the historical buildings on the main street. The food is divinely delicious, and the ambiance is wonderful. Coming here makes me feel as though I am visiting the home of a beloved friend. I loved sitting in the old Stables building, built in 1832. Today we can enjoy th

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Australia’s only working 19th century windmill is in Tasmania

Helen Avaient

Aug 28, 2022
2 min

Australia’s only working 19th century windmill is in Tasmania

The historic town of Oatlands, Tasmania was settled in 1821 and in 2016 the population was just under 700. 84kms (52mi) north of Hobart and 115kms (71m) south of Launceston, it is off the main highway, and definitely worth a detour to see its splendour and also the Callington windmill precinct. The windmill is a Lincolnshire tower mill, built in 1837 by John Vincent. John and his wife Susannah emigrated in 1823 from England to Tasmania. Both were aged 44. They operated two li

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Helen Avaient

Jul 22, 2022
4 min

Overtourism - it is a real thing

From 2023 Venice will be the first city in the world to introduce an entrance fee. Venice is introducing a system where visitors will need to make a reservation and pay a fee to enter the city. This is seen by some as a money making venture. Instead, it will help the historic city to manage the millions of people who visit each year, making it a more pleasant experience for both tourists and local residents. This city of just 260,000 citizens attracts around 25 million touris

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12 things to see and do in Westbury Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Jul 4, 2022
5 min

12 things to see and do in Westbury Tasmania Australia

Located in the central north of Tasmania, this town of around 2000 people, is what people often come to Tassie for. Friendly people, nature, and history. Westbury has all this and more. 1. Quamby’s Store Coming into town, one of the first wonderful historic buildings you see is the old Quamby store. This two storey brick building was originally an unlicensed hotel when built in 1854 by George Clancy and his wife. At various times it has been a tailor shop, a doctors surgery,

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The Village Green is a delight to be seen in Westbury Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Jun 27, 2022
2 min

The Village Green is a delight to be seen in Westbury Tasmania Australia

I have never been to an English country town, but when visiting Westbury in Tasmania, I can imagine that this is pretty close. This town is full of historical homes and it is a delight to wander the streets and just enjoy seeing the excellently preserved heritage buildings. The Village Green would have to be my favourite place in this town of many delights. Way back in 1828 this large expanse of grassed land was planned as the centre of a garrison town by Lieutenant Governor,

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Helen Avaient

May 22, 2022
3 min

Plans, signs and COVID

This is a story of a sign, a message, and a reminder to Go For It. After successfully avoiding catching COVID for over two years, I finally succumbed and caught a heavy dose of it. Like a bad cold, I coughed and sneezed, head pounding, nose running, and went to bed for several days. However, mine was not the familiar bed of home. I was away working, and had to quarantine in a hotel. Not a fancy five star hotel, but a country town hotel with only a view from my door of the car

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Helen Avaient

Apr 25, 2022
1 min

Anzac memorials in Tasmania Australia

Sheffield Happy Travels! #maturesolotraveler #ayearintassie #solotravel #solotraveler #solotraveller #australia #caravanning #lowercrackpot #nationalgeographic #tasmania #discovertasmania #seeaustralia #sheffield #murals #maze #tasmazia #brianinder

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Edward Sheean VC was a true Australian hero from Tasmania

Helen Avaient

Apr 25, 2022
3 min

Edward Sheean VC was a true Australian hero from Tasmania

In the town of Latrobe Tasmania there is a 2.9km walking trail named - the Teddy Sheean Walk, named after a true Australia hero. Edward (better known as "Teddy") Sheehan was born near here and soon after his birth, the family moved to Latrobe, where he grew up. The walk is a favourite of mine and takes around an hour to complete. Notice the word walk there, but some people do run it in less time. Any time of the year is a good time to enjoy this trek that takes you from the

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Product recommendation - Electronics organiser travel bag

Helen Avaient

Apr 12, 2022
1 min

Product recommendation - Electronics organiser travel bag

Having lost many electronics cables over the years in my travels or not being able to find them in my luggage, I was delighted to have a storage bag that holds most of my electronics in one place. There are two compartments. The top has multiple elasticised loops to hold cords in place and a zippered mesh pocket for smaller items such as flash drives, sd cards, power adaptors etc. The larger compartment on the bottom is an ideal size to hold larger items and also has a zipper

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Perth, Western Australia

helen@maturesolotraveler.com