#solotravel

Tour a Prime Minister's home in Devonport Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Dec 10, 2021
5 min

Tour a Prime Minister's home in Devonport Tasmania Australia

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

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My favourite coffee shops in Devonport Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Dec 7, 2021
3 min

My favourite coffee shops in Devonport Tasmania Australia

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

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10 things to see and do in Longford Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Dec 3, 2021
5 min

10 things to see and do in Longford Tasmania Australia

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

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Stop and smell the Roses at the National Rose Garden in Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Dec 1, 2021
3 min

Stop and smell the Roses at the National Rose Garden in Tasmania Australia

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

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The authentic Woolmers convict and colonial estate in Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Nov 29, 2021
5 min

The authentic Woolmers convict and colonial estate in Tasmania Australia

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

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Visiting the Brickendon convict Colonial farm village in Tasmania Australia

Helen Avaient

Nov 24, 2021
4 min

Visiting the Brickendon convict Colonial farm village in Tasmania Australia

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

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Helen Avaient

Nov 21, 2021
3 min

A puzzling mystery in Railton Tasmania

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

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Helen Avaient

Nov 17, 2021
2 min

Stunning Peonies in Tasmania Australia

The cool weather in Tasmania Australia is perfect for growing the delicate and fabulously showy flower, the peony. They are a rare and difficult plant to grow. It was a joy to visit the Gateforth Peony farm in Black River to see over six acres of them growing with such abundant beauty. These colourful flowers range in colour from pale yellow to reds, pinks and even an almost black. They are among the largest garden flowers, and their profusion of blooms make for gorgeous cut

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Helen Avaient

Nov 8, 2021
1 min

A Topiary town in Tasmania Australia

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

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Table Cape Tulip Farm in Tasmania, Australia

Helen Avaient

Oct 30, 2021
2 min

Table Cape Tulip Farm in Tasmania, Australia

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

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Did the first Coles Myer store open in Wilmot, Tasmania, Australia?

Helen Avaient

Oct 22, 2021
3 min

Did the first Coles Myer store open in Wilmot, Tasmania, Australia?

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

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QLD, SA and WA residents can win $300 travel voucher to Tasmania in 2021

Helen Avaient

Oct 13, 2021
1 min

QLD, SA and WA residents can win $300 travel voucher to Tasmania in 2021

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

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10 things to see and do in Wilmot, Tasmania, Australia

Helen Avaient

Oct 12, 2021
3 min

10 things to see and do in Wilmot, Tasmania, Australia

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

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Let us enjoy the Wilmot Letterbox Trail in Tasmania, Australia

Helen Avaient

Oct 8, 2021
3 min

Let us enjoy the Wilmot Letterbox Trail in Tasmania, Australia

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

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Cruise in the Tarkine Wilderness of north-west Tasmania, Australia

Helen Avaient

Sep 24, 2021
3 min

Cruise in the Tarkine Wilderness of north-west Tasmania, Australia

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

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Stay in the Tarkine Wilderness of north-west Tasmania, Australia

Helen Avaient

Sep 20, 2021
2 min

Stay in the Tarkine Wilderness of north-west Tasmania, Australia

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

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Walk in the Tarkine Wilderness of north-west Tasmania, Australia

Helen Avaient

Sep 15, 2021
2 min

Walk in the Tarkine Wilderness of north-west Tasmania, Australia

Quiet and serene was my hike through the ancient cool temperate rainforest at Corinna. This is the second largest temperate rainforest in the world (the first is in the Pacific area of the United States). Located in the north west of Tasmania, this area is known as the Tarkine Wilderness. 477,000 hectares is home to creatures and sights not seen anywhere else in the world. The uniqueness is the untouched beauty. Once there were mining towns here, but they are long gone and th

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Step back in time at Fern Glade Reserve, Tasmania, Australia

Helen Avaient

Sep 10, 2021
2 min

Step back in time at Fern Glade Reserve, Tasmania, Australia

A TripAdvisor review stated that visiting Fern Glade Reserve was “like stepping into a prehistoric paradise.” Fern Glade Reserve is located just 4kms from Burnie in the north west of Tasmania. The sound of fast flowing water greets you as soon as you get out of your vehicle. Tall trees with fern filled undergrowth line the riverbanks. Gorgeous green grass invites you to sit down and watch the river as it passes by. Wanting to connect with nature, I found the area to be perfec

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Grindelwald - a Swiss Village in the middle of Northern Tasmania, Australia

Helen Avaient

Sep 6, 2021
2 min

Grindelwald - a Swiss Village in the middle of Northern Tasmania, Australia

I had heard about the purpose built Swiss-style village of Grindelwald and was curious to visit and see it for myself. It was built in the 1980s. Dutch immigrant Roelf Vos created the village after taking his wife on a holiday to Switzerland where they fell in love with the scenery and buildings. In this suburb, located 24km south-east of Beaconsfield and 19km north-west of Launceston, live just under 1000 residents. Houses are built in a Swiss style with wide eaves, flowerbo

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Go underground at Gunns Plains Caves in Tasmania, Australia

Helen Avaient

Sep 2, 2021
2 min

Go underground at Gunns Plains Caves in Tasmania, Australia

Standing on solid ground gazing out at the vista of the Gunns Plains farmlands, it is difficult to imagine the beautiful cave system below your feet. Tours operate six times a day. Our group was led by Geoff Deer who started working here fifteen years ago. Geoff has an excellent sense of humour and engaged all members of the tour, from a young preschooler to the older members. We descended down a steep flight of fifty four concrete steps then the path leveled out. Due to the

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Perth, Western Australia

helen@maturesolotraveler.com