#solotravel

Coronet Peak snow fields of Queenstown New Zealand

Helen Avaient

Aug 21, 2022
3 min

Coronet Peak snow fields of Queenstown New Zealand

I have never been skiing or snowboarding, but during my recent visit to Coronet Peak, 16kms from Queenstown in New Zealand, I was asking myself… why not? Visiting a friend, we decided to go up the mountain and have a bit of a look see. What I discovered was joy and excitement hovering in the air, and on the faces of the people enjoying the slopes. This is a 280-hectare wonderland of snow and adventure. It was the first commercial ski field in New Zealand, open since 1947. “I

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Sailing on the TSS Earnslaw in Queenstown New Zealand

Helen Avaient

Aug 17, 2022
2 min

Sailing on the TSS Earnslaw in Queenstown New Zealand

On Lake Wakatipu, in Queenstown New Zealand, sails the TSS Earnslaw, a beautiful wooden twin screw steamer. Launched in 1912 (the same year as the ill-fated Titanic) this is the only remaining commercial passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship in the southern hemisphere. Even before you board the boat, you get an opportunity to watch the coal being delivered and shovelled by hand onto your vessel. Sailing away from the port in Queenstown is an opportunity to see how closely t

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Passive activities at Highlands Motorsport Park in New Zealand

Helen Avaient

Aug 13, 2022
2 min

Passive activities at Highlands Motorsport Park in New Zealand

Supercar fast dashes, muscle cars, track laps and go carts are among the many adreneline filled activities on offer at the Highlands Motorsport Park near Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand. If you are not able, or willing, to partake in these fuel-driven fun adventures, there is still much to attract visitors to stop here for a while. The views alone are spectacular. I visited in winter and the snow-covered majestic mountains in the background were mesmerizing. A l

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Number one Loos with a View are in New Zealand

Helen Avaient

Aug 12, 2022
2 min

Number one Loos with a View are in New Zealand

It is hard not to smile and laugh out loud when you visit the greatest public loos (also known as toilets or bathrooms) I have ever had the pleasure of doing my “business” at. Named "Loos with a view" they are located at the Highlands Motorsport Complex at Cromwell on the South Island of New Zealand, near Queenstown. This pit stop is definitely a tourist attraction in its own right. There are six different rooms, each with an excellent view out over the motorsport track, than

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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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Reliquaire is a wonderful gift and gadget paradise

Helen Avaient

Apr 9, 2022
3 min

Reliquaire is a wonderful gift and gadget paradise

Absolutely everyone who knows Tasmania recommends going to Reliquaire gift shop in Latrobe. They rave about it, usually advising that you cannot fully describe it to anyone, you must EXPERIENCE it for yourself. So, intrepid traveller that I am, I decided to venture to this store and see for myself. Nutcracker soldier statues standing to attention outside give a slight hint that this will be no ordinary store. It blew my mind! What an incredible, fantastic shop. I mean, going

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Monclairs gift shop and cafe is for collectors of beautiful things

Helen Avaient

Apr 5, 2022
2 min

Monclairs gift shop and cafe is for collectors of beautiful things

Stepping into the French inspired gift shop of Monclairs in Latrobe Tasmania was a fabulous feast for the eyes. This boutique store is definitely worth spending time, if not money, wandering around and admiring the beautiful wares they have for sale. Located in the main street of Latrobe and housed in a renovated bank, this building originates from the 1870s. There are five elegant rooms to admire, both for the building itself and the goods. My fondness for handmade jewellery

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Product recommendation - Travel sewing kit

Helen Avaient

Mar 29, 2022
1 min

Product recommendation - Travel sewing kit

This is one of those things that you don't realise you need it until you need it. In an emergency situation you can sew on a button and fix a rip or tear, no matter where you are, and what time of the day or night it is. It is also a money saver, as you don't have to go and buy new clothes if you can repair a tear. Lightweight and in its own zippered case, this product lives permanently in my suitcase, and I am surprised by how often I have used it. Not just for obvious repai

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The trees of the world await visitors at the Tasmanian Arboretum

Helen Avaient

Mar 26, 2022
3 min

The trees of the world await visitors at the Tasmanian Arboretum

Imagine being able to see plants for all over the temperate world in one pleasant place. This 66ha botanical garden in Northern Tasmania is home to over 4,800 tree species. With one metre of rainfall per annum, it rarely snows here in the sheltered valley on the banks of the Don River. The Arboretum is also migrating plants to warmer and drier species as the rainfall declines over the years. The plantings are arranged geographically, and include areas such as Tasmania, Austra

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Product recommendation - Selfie stick tripod

Helen Avaient

Mar 22, 2022
1 min

Product recommendation - Selfie stick tripod

When travelling solo, getting photos of yourself can be difficult. Often we hold the phone at arms length for a selfie, and only get a partial shot. Or we ask a stranger to take a photo, and risk getting the camera or phone stolen. This tripod is ideal to solve these problem. With up to 10 metres distance with the remote control, or as an extra long selfie stick you can be finally in the picture. It is also suitable for cameras and gopros. Made of an aluminum alloy, it is lig

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Emu Valley Rhododenendron Garden is a must any time of the year

Helen Avaient

Mar 22, 2022
3 min

Emu Valley Rhododenendron Garden is a must any time of the year

Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden is promoted as “A Garden for all Seasons”, which means that at whatever time of year you visit, there is something beautiful to see. There are over 24,000 rhododendrons here, but there is more to see. This is an award winning botanical garden with many different types of plants, in addition to the rhododendrons. The peak flowering season is between September to November and March to May. Companion trees and plants thrive in the rich volcanic soi

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Product recommendation - All in one travel adaptor

Helen Avaient

Mar 15, 2022
1 min

Product recommendation - All in one travel adaptor

This smart travel device is just 77mm x 50mm x 40mm and fits easily into your travel bag. I love that it can be used in almost all countries, which means just one adapter needs to be used. It has dual usb ports which is great for charging small appliances. Rated power: 110V~/650W, 220V~/1300W Power output: 100-240VAC~50-60HZ 6A Max Usb output :DC 5V 2.1A Only to be used on small power appliances such as mobile phones, computers etc. Do not use for items such as microwave oven

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Product recommendation - Memory foam travel pillow

Helen Avaient

Mar 8, 2022
1 min

Product recommendation - Memory foam travel pillow

If you have ever slept on a memory foam pillow you will understand how comfortable your sleep can be with one. This is just one of the reasons I love my memory foam travel pillow. It provides wonderful support and comfort. This product comes with a washable storage bag, earplugs and eye mask. Perfect for long flights when you need to sleep or just relax. I also love the clip on the pillow as it attaches to a backpack or suitcase, without it falling on the ground or getting lo

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Product recommendation - Aeropress Go Coffee Maker

Helen Avaient

Feb 15, 2022
1 min

Product recommendation - Aeropress Go Coffee Maker

Coffee, the morning heartstarter, is one of my favourite drinks. I often find when travelling that the quality of coffee can vary greatly, from hey-mumma, knock my socks off good, to oh-no, is this dishwater? poor. An aeropress is a coffee maker that I use at home, and have a travel one for when out and about. The Go holds everything you need in one package, the mug has a silicone lid, and everything packs conveniently inside the mug when not needed. Why an aeropress? If you

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CONTACT

Perth, Western Australia

helen@maturesolotraveler.com