Brian Inder was a man with a dream, and the fortitude, craziness and perservance to make it come true. Side by side with his wife Laura they built Tasmazia together. Proving that you are never too old to follow your passion, Brian started this when he was 54 years young. Since 1994 it has been the delight of thousands of visitors to discover this wonderland. Brian and Laura grew medical lavender and sold lavender bags to tourists. There were over 12,000 lavender plants at the

Over 60 embassies grace the Embassy Gardens in Tasmania, dedicated to over 40 countries. And not just countries, there is even a building dedicated to intergalactic worlds and time travel. Visitors from overseas are most likely to be found locating “their” embassy and having a photo taken with it, and of course, the Australian embassy. The Aussie embassy is a typical outback house with its wide verandahs. Out in the yard is the typical outdoor dunny (toilet) water tank and wi

Nestled in the interestingly named Promised Land, in Tasmania Australia, is a unique tourist attraction. In fact, it has been voted one of the ten top attractions in the world by www.gotravel24.com, as well as thousands of annual visitors. I visited the towns of Lower Crackpot and Upper Lower Crackpot (with its distinct yellow brick road) with Laura Inder as my guide. This was an insight into the outstanding and interesting little townships, and a discovery of Laura’s incredi

Train buffs, families, children and solo travellers such as myself, all enjoy visiting the Don River Railway (DRR) just one kilometre from Devonport. This is a fascinating hands on experience of train travel in Tasmania over the years. This not-for-profit organisation is owned and operated by members and hard-working, talented and dedicated volunteers. It is a wonderful thing to have these restored historical locomotives and carriages on display. There is a lot to see and do

On my recent research of coffee shops to visit in Devonport, I was recommended several times to The Cat Lounge. I had never visited a pet café before, and this is one of only two in Tasmania. The other is in Hobart. The Cat Lounge makes sure the cats are in a happy and healthy environment. Visitors can sit in the café style lounge area and play with any of the eight cats. The cats love being patted and stroked. They rule here, if they want to play they will, otherwise, you ca

The story of Joseph and Enid Lyons is a true-love fairy tale. Joseph (Joe) was the Australian Prime Minister from 1932 to 1939, and his wife Enid was the first woman to sit in the House of Representatives. Today, we can take a small part in that story by visiting Home Hill, their elegant home in Devonport, run by the National Trust. Joe and Enid were the parents of twelve children, one died in infancy. The six girls shared rooms at Home Hill, two to a room. The boys shared a

Coffee is subjective. Each person can have a different interpretation of what makes a good coffee. In rating my coffee shops of Devonport, I looked not just for taste and satisfaction in the actual product. A good coffee shop should be clean, offer something different to other venues, be individual, have friendly and competent staff and be somewhere that I enjoy visiting and want to come back to, again and again. Giocondo Coffee Roasters at Verona Restaurant and Wine Bar My a

The classified historic Georgian town of Longford is only 27kms (a 20 minute drive) southwest of Launceston. It is nestled at the convergence of the Macquarie and the South Esk Rivers. The Great Western Tiers are a spectacular backdrop to the town situated at their foothills. The buildings in the town are beautifully preserved and a treat for admirers of old colonial homes and business premises. Charming hotels have been restored, with some now private residences while others

One of the most beautiful places to view over 5,000 blooming beaties in Tasmania is at the Woolmers National Rose Garden in Longford. They range from early European roses right through to those of the twenty first century. The garden was created to showcase the history and development of the rose, grown in Tasmanian conditions. Begun in January 2001, it continued to develop in stages over the next five years. (from a sign at the garden) Opened in December 2001, it continues t

Around 1815 Thomas Archer request a land grant near Longford, Tasmania where the Macquarie River and South Esk River meet. His extensive estate was passed down through six generations of Archers, until Thomas Archer the sixth died childless in 1994. The first born son in each generation was named Thomas, and the property was handed down to each in turn. The estate was bequeathed to the State in 1994, on the proviso that it was kept the way it was. The large impressive family

Brickendon near Longford, Tasmania in Australia is a farm settled by William Archer in 1824, after he emigrated from Hertford, England. Today, visitors have the opportunity of visiting this historic site, which seven generations have been, and are still, farming. I felt something special as I drove towards this Colonial Village. As you drive, English hedgerows line the sides of the road, so it is like unwrapping an anticipated Christmas gift when the estate suddenly comes int

Before he died in 1981, Norman Sykes most generously left a 40 acre block of land to the Kentish Council. He instructed them that the land be used as a nature sanctuary. Today, visitors can enjoy walking through this Sanctuary and marvel at the natural beauty and wonder about the generous man who bequeathed it to his adopted land. The serenity of the place moved me as I wandered around the walking tracks. It was peaceful with a tranquility that was only broken by the sound of

Railton is known as the Town of Topiary in Tasmania, Australia. There are more than 100 topiary characters growing in and around the town. 81 kilometres west of Launceston, with a population of 1000 people, locals wanted to attract visitors to this rural town. Neil Hurley, a local resident, had the idea to plant a topiary, and the idea has grown since then (pun intended). This is a whole-of-town project with many locals having a topiary on their front lawn. As I drove around

Tulips only flower for one month a year, and how glorious that month looks when you get the chance to visit Table Cape Tulip Farm in northern Tasmania. With the oceans of Bass Strait in the background and a glimpse of the Table Cape Lighthouse, this is a dream location for a visit and photographs. Flowering in the Southern Hemisphere Spring, the best time to visit Table Cape Tulip Farm is between late September and mid to late October. There are over six hectares in this fiel

Since coming to Tasmania, I have frequently heard that the Coles Myer shopping emporium opened its very first store in Wilmot here. It was a suprise when visiting the town that they did not have any information verifying this. The reason is, that the rumours are not true. In fact, the first ever GJ Coles store was opened in Collingwood, Victoria in 1914. That one Victorian shop was the beginning of the Coles Myer shopping empire. It would be a great story for Tasmania if it w

Hi For all my readers from Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, I have some fantastic news for you. A ballot will be open from 9am 29 October 2021 (AEDT) and closes at 5pm 2 November 2021 (AEDT), for residents of the above three states. 10,000 vouchers valued at $300 each will be chosen at random. Winners will be notified by SMS and the voucher emailed on 3 November 2021. The vouchers consist of $200 for accommodation plus $100 for tours and attractions and must

Wilmot is a small town in the north-west of Tasmania (population 298 in the 2016 census) and is definitely worth a visit. Located 39km (24mi) south west of Devonport, the drive through this rural area is a pleasure for all the senses. Winding country roads, stunningly green hills dotted with sheep, cows and occasional llamas make it a fabulous journey to a lovely destination. Known as the Valley of Views, stopping at the designated lookout gives you a breathtaking vista of co

Around 80 novelty letterboxes adorn the sides of a 25km stretch of road from near Forth to past Wilmot in the north-west of Tasmania. Known as the Wilmot Letterbox Trail, this drive takes you through beautiful farmlands and breathtaking valley views. The scenery is spectacular and that alone is worth the trip. However, it is the quirky letterboxes that also capture the eye. Not every property has a decoration outside, so it is the alert eye that spies the prizes. I ventured o

Cruising on the Pieman River in the middle of the Tarkine Wilderness was definitely a glorious experience. It has been described as remote, beautiful, magical, memorable, wild, peaceful, serene and more. The air here is one of the cleanest in the world. We set off from near the Corinna Wilderness Lodge at 10am and arrived back at 2.30pm. The 53m long vessel started its sailing career in1939 as tourist boat, built in Hobart and consisting of a hardwood frame. The original owne

Peace and tranquillity await the traveler in the isolation of the Tarkine Wilderness at Corinna. Without internet or mobile phone coverage, it is a wonderfully secluded time out from the rush of modern life. I recently had the great pleasure of staying a weekend in a comfortable and modernly decorated one bedroom cottage at Corinna. There are ten, one bedroom cottages and four, two bedroom cottages in this little village type accommodation. Looking at the cottages from the ou