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Our Adventure to North West Tasmania

Jen Adams | December 18, 2013 | 9:15 pm | Comment

Tasmania is just one of those places that as soon as I arrive, I can breathe a little easier. It could well be because it’s home to some of the freshest air in the world, or maybe it’s because the locals are so warm and welcoming. Either way, with its world heritage listed wilderness, and incredible food and wine, it’s home to some of the most spectacular drives in our country.

Our adventure to North West Tasmania starts where the Spirit of Tassie pulls in, the town of Devonport, which sits on the banks of the Mersey River. There’s no better introduction to this port town, than onboard the recently restored Julie Burgess – a 64 ft wooden ketch built in 1936, and now open to the public to enjoy her beauty.

Amidst a flurry of excitement, we sail out onto Bass Strait, seven sails up, and our captain and crew passionately bring her maritime history alive and set the tone of our entire trip.

North West Tasmania travel
On board the Julie Burgess, Devonport

Now we have visited plenty of wineries in our time, but never before a ‘cidery’. The families behind the Spreyton Cider Company have been growing apples for a hundred years. We spent the morning with passionate cider maker Damien Viney, tasting more varieties of cider than I knew existed – and Damien doesn’t hide his excitement as we relish in each drop, even matched with local cheeses from down the road.

We continue our journey and set up camp in the BIG4 Ulverstone Holiday Park. Ulverstone is the gateway to the northwest and the Tarkine, which is often referred to as the ‘edge of the world’ – and it’s not just a catchphrase! The Tarkine wilderness area is a wild, rocky geographical point right on the North West of Tasmania belted by the fierce winds of the roaring 40s, where no land stands between us and the islands of Patagonia in South America!

North West Tasmania travel
Jen and the ‘Penguin’

We enjoy the most beautiful drive following the coastline, through the town of Penguin, and at almost every corner sneaking ‘just another’ photo. But the historic town of Stanley is waiting. “Haven’t you heard of The Nut?” the locals keep asking. Well, no, I haven’t. We all think it must be something like the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour as every time I ask someone to describe it, they simply reply, “You just have to see it to believe it”.

Of course we all Googled it. It looked impressive. But nothing, and I mean nothing, like what it looks in reality.

As soon as we’re in the vicinity of the historic town of Stanley, this imposing, ancient volcanic plug that rises before us, 150 metres above sea level, silences us. Perched right on the edge of Bass Straight, acting as the backdrop to the most charming town you can imagine.

Abundant with rich history, Stanley was settled in the 1820’s. A town of just 500 or so people, it’s filled with 19th century cottages. Meeting a 5th or even 6th generation local is not uncommon. We are welcomed by one of them, local man Graeme, who takes us up The Nut on the chairlift, and together we share the incredible views, bracing against the wild winds of Bass Strait and mesmerised by the rolling green hills in front of us.

After a leisurely day on a boat ride to watch the fur seals bask in the sun on the rocks at the back of The Nut, we make our way further south to a place I’m sure we’ve ALL heard of. One of Tassie’s icons. It barely needs an introduction. The world heritage listed Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park.

North West Tasmania travel
Jen & Clint in Lake St Clair National Park

We set up at our Jayco at the BIG4 Cradle Mountain Holiday Park, nestled amongst the gumtrees and welcomed by wallabies with babies in their pouches. We’re blessed with blue skies and 25 degrees, ideal conditions to enjoy a walk around one of the most photographed lakes in our country, Dove Lake.

It’s a postcard perfect day, the area is filled with the buzz of trekkers starting and finishing so many different walks, from a half hour stroll to the week long overland trek and everything in between (I even met a great group of women who had just climbed Cradle Mountain itself!).

But my lasting impression of our time at Cradle Mountain is a man I’d love you all to meet – Jeff. Park Ranger by day. Rock God by night. Jeff has found his place in life, where it’s his mission to protect our incredible backyard through his colourful stories and passion for the region. And every second Thursday you’ll find him wowing the crowds on stage at the Cradle Mountain Lodge with his incredible tunes.

North West Tasmania travel
Enjoying a glass of red at Josef Chromy’s Estate

Our journey ends in Launceston and the Tamar Valley – home to some of the state’s best wines. Eminent winemaker Josef Chromy and his Chief Winemaker Jeremy welcome us to their estate. With jazz playing in the gardens, wine flows freely and we chat over a superb lunch in the restaurant and hear of Josef’s colourful past fleeing Czechoslovakia that got him to where he is today.

I never want to leave when I visit Tassie. Today is no different. Just a two-minute drive from the city is the Cataract Gorge. Like an oasis so befitting for this beautiful state, it’s a place of beauty and natural wonders that locals have been enjoying for over a century. It’s the kind of place where time slips away, and all of a sudden the sun goes down, and it’s time to leave…

Jen x

So, tell us, had you already heard of “The Nut” in Stanley? Or have we uncovered another hidden North West Tasmania gem for you too?

About Jen Adams

Places We Go is Jen's dream come true. As the founder, she simply wanted to 'share the world with the world'. With the tag line “It’s not just the places we go, but the people we meet that capture our heart” Jen knows that it's always the locals that bring our travels alive.

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I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earli I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earlier in the year (between lockdowns!), and tour the Goldfields with @big4holidayparks – Sure, I got my much-needed fix of the outdoors and was able to feed my insatiable curiosity as I explored the regions utterly fascinating history & culture, but it was sitting up at the old bar of family run Munari wines, just outside of Heathcote that got me.
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 Chatting to the chief winemaker Adrian Munari, and his daughter India (over a lovely red, of course) I heard all about the historic sheep station that was established in 1871, and life on the property today. (I wonder how the farmers endured the pandemic in 1919?)  
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Here’s to a happy summer holiday for us all, of enjoying those ‘moments’, wherever we are. 
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 I based myself at the @BIG4BendigoAscotHolidayPark 
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 See link in bio if want to plan your own getaway 😍
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#holidayhearthisyear #ExploreBIG4 #BIG4HolidayParks #VisitVictoria @visitmelbourne
WHO WANTS TO **WIN** A LUXURIOUS 2-NIGHT GETAWAY? WHO WANTS TO **WIN** A LUXURIOUS 2-NIGHT GETAWAY?
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How would you (and a friend!) like to escape to NSW’s New England Tablelands on a 2-night LUXURIOUS getaway, experiencing the best of Armidale’s premium accom, stunning food, wine & beer, an immersion in the local arts AND a World-Heritage Listed backyard to cap it off? 
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Your weekend will include: 
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- 2 night premium suite package at the historic Tattersalls Hotel (including food & drink from their award-winning restaurant & breakfast included) 
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- A special "Private Directors Tour" at the New England Regional Art Museum of HINTON: Treasures of Australian Art, plus some goodies to take home! 
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- Grabbing a beer at Great Hops Brewing Company PLUS some special gifts delivered to your home
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- A special Hema Australian Atlas & Guide plus a NSW State Map 
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Take it from me, this is worth entering, and if you do in fact WIN, set your alarm and get up for sunrise in the New England National Park, followed by a trip to Wollomombi Falls (the second highest falls in the county!) - it was sincerely exceptional.
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Oh and say hello to John at the Tattersalls Hotel, Rachael from the Art Gallery, and Sam from Great Hops Brewery. 
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 **TAG A FRIEND YOU'D  LOVE TO TAKE, and increase your chances of winning by both entering.. I know I would 😉❤
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 **LINK IN BIO **
Good luck, 
Jen xx
WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!! ON TV TODAY 😎🕺 . Would WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!! ON TV TODAY 😎🕺
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Would love you to join me as we celebrate the locals of #armidale on TV today
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Tune in (or set your record buttons) @ 1.30pm, ON TEN **TODAY**
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A special thanks to all those that not only shared their magnificent backyard with us, but who opened their hearts and let our TV cameras in.
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Armidale, you can no longer use the term “hidden treasure” 😉
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Ps did I say “today” enough times? 😆🤪🙏 Jen xx
ARMIDALE IN THE SPOTLIGHT Ready for another cele ARMIDALE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
 
Ready for another celebration of a brilliant person and travel experience for us all?
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Meet James Rainger from @fleetadventures 
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He not only spends his life taking us travellers on scenic chopper tours over his World-Heritage Listed backyard of the #newengland region – he’s one of the many brilliant pilots who you’ll find hovering above the blazing heat helping fight our Australian Bushfires.
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When I shared my nerves about flying, he settled me with in seconds. Super grounded, in safe hands kind-a-feeling, with the biggest sparkle in his eye.
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“To be part of the firefighting team is being in the #armidale  community - we all live here, our kids go to school here, so we love it. Armidale is a community where we all band together, we’re very passionate about our backyard, and we hope it shows.. and we certainly hope people come and see what it’s like. We’ve got a unique view of part of the world that not many people get to see. And there are not hordes of people here, so it’s very personal, we like to bring people into our world and our life – and share it – thank you for taking the time to come and visit us… “
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As for the flight? Put it on your @theaustralianbucketlist
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Jen xx

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