#solotravel

The intoxicating Edge of the World in Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Feb 11, 2022
2 min

The intoxicating Edge of the World in Tasmania Australia

The longest uninterrupted expanse of water on the globe is the Indian Ocean to the west of Tasmania. Keep sailing west from the shores of Tasmania and you will travel more than halfway around our beautiful planet, before hitting land again, in Argentina. Located just south of Arthur's River, this is a destination that has been mainly untouched by human hands. I stare in awe at the power of the sea. The rhythmic surges sweeping in and out, seem like the pulse of the earth. At

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Product recommendation - Insulated Drink Bottle

Helen Avaient

Feb 8, 2022
1 min

Product recommendation - Insulated Drink Bottle

I enjoy the ambience of a hot or cold drink in a pub or cafe when travelling, it is a great way to meet locals, share the vibe of your surrounds and contribute to the local economy. There are times when it may be impractical to by either a hot or cold drink, and this is where one of my travel essentials is definitely a must have. A good insulated drink bottle should be double walled. This will keep your cold drink cold for up to 24 hours and your hot drinks hot for up to 12

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The Zig Zag garden of Ulverstone in Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Feb 5, 2022
2 min

The Zig Zag garden of Ulverstone in Tasmania Australia

The award-winning zig zag gardens were a delight to visit. They are located in a residential area of Ulverstone, from Maud to Upper Maud Street . A great admirer of gardens, I decided to include this on my list of things to do in this north Tasmanian town. The gardens were glorious. As I walked up the zig zag path to the top (yes, it does zig and zag), the hike was rewarded with panoramic views over the town once I reached the top. Visitors can start at the top but it was the

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Product recommendation - Pegless Travel Washing Line

Helen Avaient

Feb 1, 2022
1 min

Product recommendation - Pegless Travel Washing Line

At 2.5m (8ft) this travel washing line can fit most of your clothes. The unique 'twist' feature means you don't need to carry and use pegs. The two suction cups are very handy as you can put the line up in a bathroom as they attached to the walls. I really like how little room this line takes up in my luggage. Click here to buy the washing line If you order more than $100 at the mydeal website using the link above, use this code: SOLOTRAVEL10 to receive $10 off. Happy Travels

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Historic Entally House in Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Jan 29, 2022
5 min

Historic Entally House in Tasmania Australia

Entally House near Hadspen in Tasmania is an elegant two storey brick building that is open to the public. Visitors can wander through the house and see it as the home it would have been to the Reibey family for three generations. Starting as a single storey cottage in 1819, one hundred convicts were loaned from the Government to work on the building. It was intended as the home for Thomas Haydock Reibey II (1796 - 1842) and his wife Richarda nee Allen. Thomas is the son of M

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Product recommendation - Laundry detergent sheets

Helen Avaient

Jan 25, 2022
1 min

Product recommendation - Laundry detergent sheets

No more spilling of liquid or powder. No more carrying heavy boxes and bottles of laundry powder. These Ultra concentrated sheets with detergent, fabric softener and static control all in one sheet are perfect when you travel. They are fantastic space savers. I found they clean my clothes wonderfully and the sheet dissolves in the wash. Suitable for hot and cold washes, also safe for septic tanks. You can also purchase them unscented. One packet contains 32 sheets and takes u

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A taste of colonial history at Franklin House

Helen Avaient

Jan 23, 2022
4 min

A taste of colonial history at Franklin House

Franklin House near Launceston is the birthplace of the National Trust (Tasmania) and was the first heritage property taken over by the Trust in 1960. Originally built in the Franklin Village four miles from Launceston, it is now in the middle of an industrial estate. This can be a little difficult to locate, but once you do, it is most assuredly worth the visit. Passing through the ornate portico and into the house, I was greeted by two knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides.

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Product recommendation - Travel Squeeze bottles

Helen Avaient

Jan 20, 2022
1 min

Product recommendation - Travel Squeeze bottles

These squeeze bottles I use for both camping and travelling. They hold 60ml of liquid so are TSA compliant, which means you can carry them in your onboard luggage when flying. They are leak proof with a non-drip cap, and that is so handy when packing in cases with clothing etc. I have had containers leak on me before and it is no fun to open your suitcase and have to worry about washing everything because your shampoo or other liquid has spilt on them. You can even wash the b

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10 things to see and do in Hadspen Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Jan 19, 2022
5 min

10 things to see and do in Hadspen Tasmania Australia

Only eight kilometres (5mi) from Launceston is the town of Hadspen. With a population of just over 2000, it is situated on the banks of the South Esk River. Most buildings here are residential. Yet, there is a lot this town has to offer for visitors. It still retains a country vibe, even though close to the large town of Launceston with a population of around 123,000. Declared a town in 1866, Hadspen was on the original main road from Launceston to Devonport. The town has bee

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10 Things to See and Do in Evandale Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Jan 15, 2022
6 min

10 Things to See and Do in Evandale Tasmania Australia

Evandale is a National Trust classified Georgian Village. The unspoiled heritage buildings vary from grand homes built to impress, to more practical but still lovely smaller cottages. Evandale is situated on the South Esk River, 20 km south of Launceston. The 2016 census records the population of the village at 1,345. In 1811 it was originally a military outpost. The name Evandale, named in 1836, was in honour of the first Surveyor-General, G.W. Evans. The main street of Evan

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Product recommendation - Digital Travel Scale

Helen Avaient

Jan 13, 2022
1 min

Product recommendation - Digital Travel Scale

Imagine being at an airport and having to take things out of your suitcase because the airline won't accept an overweight bag. I have done this. Embarrassing right? In fact, I have even been known to start wearing several shirts, jackets etc in the airport, just so the case will come in below the weight limit. Well, no more of that, thanks to a wonderful small digital travel scale. It is small at 19x15x3 cm and weighs just 100gms. 23kgs (50lb) is the heaviest luggage can be w

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Picturesque Historical homes in Evandale Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Jan 11, 2022
2 min

Picturesque Historical homes in Evandale Tasmania Australia

Evandale is a National Trust classified Georgian Village. Today this town, just 20kms south of Launceston is home to around 1,345 people (2016 census). In the main street, the houses and businesses are built almost on the main road, there are rarely front gardens here. It is only as you venture away from the main thoroughfare that gardens start to appear in front of buildings and the houses become set back from the road. The largest and grandest Georgian house in Australia is

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Clarendon House is Australia's greatest Georgian house

Helen Avaient

Jan 7, 2022
6 min

Clarendon House is Australia's greatest Georgian house

The grandest classically Georgian house in Australia is open to the public in Tasmania. As a lover of both beautiful old homes and history, visiting Clarendon house near Evandale was a must see and do on my list of gorgeous Tasmanian heritage homes. This National Trust property is open to the public, enabling the visitors to come experience and enjoy this colonial treasure. It definitely lived up to my expectations, in fact – it surpassed them. Even before you enter the house

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10 things to see and do in Sheffield Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Jan 3, 2022
4 min

10 things to see and do in Sheffield Tasmania Australia

As with most inland small rural towns, there may not seem to be a lot to see and do at first glance, but look deep into the area and you will discover hidden gems. Sheffield with a population of just over 1,500 is 23kms inland from Devonport and 88kms from Launceston. Visitors will often stop for a quick coffee and snack break on their way through to Cradle Mountain, but this town nestled near the majestic Mount Roland deserves a long visit. Surrounded by areas with the unlik

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The Town of Murals in Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Dec 30, 2021
5 min

The Town of Murals in Tasmania Australia

Sheffield had once been a thriving country town but had fallen into an almost depressingly derelict town. Buildings were being demolished and their materials recycled elsewhere. In an effort to save their town from disappearing, a few of the local citizens gathered together. They had heard about Chemainus, in Canada. That town too, had been suffering a similar fate to Sheffield, until Chemainus resident, Kark Schultz, created the town’s history in murals. Thousands of tourist

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Helen Avaient

Dec 26, 2021
4 min

Getting lost in Tasmazia is so much fun

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

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Go Around the world at the Embassy Gardens in Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Dec 22, 2021
4 min

Go Around the world at the Embassy Gardens in Tasmania Australia

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

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The incredible village of Lower Crackpot in Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Dec 19, 2021
5 min

The incredible village of Lower Crackpot in Tasmania Australia

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

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Living history at the Don River Railway in Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Dec 10, 2021
4 min

Living history at the Don River Railway in Tasmania Australia

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

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Coffee with cats in Devonport Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Dec 10, 2021
2 min

Coffee with cats in Devonport Tasmania Australia

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

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Perth, Western Australia

helen@maturesolotraveler.com