Beautiful. No, make that “Really Beautiful” as Tassie in
late summer and early autumn is a spectacular place.
Wildlife. We have seem more wildlife in Tassie (and not just
justly angry pissums) than anywhere else. This has included snakes (tiger
snakes and a single black snake), possums of different types, padmelons,
poteroos, rats, devils and quolls. Sadly, the devil and the quolls were (like a
heap of the possums) just roadkill, but at least we saw them.
Tasmanian Fairies. No – not Bob Brown, I was thinking of the
Superb Fairy Wren, a tiny little ball of avian energy smaller than a squash
ball that hops around whenever you sit still for more than two minutes and
always makes you smile at their antics. The breeding males, with their blue
caps and collars and (sometimes) tail feathers are particularly endearing.
Camping. Tassie seems to have a huge number of free or very
cheap camping sites, many of them with toilets etc. This is almost unique in
Australia and we loved the freedom that it allowed.
Forests. Yes, Tassie has a lot of forests and while I prefer
the less claustrophobic feel of “Big
Sky” country I have to say that these forests are magical and awe inspiring.
Walking among the giants of these forests is an almost humbling experience.
Roads. Tassie is not very big, but it still takes time to
get from A to B because the roads go up, down, left and right and you can’t go
very fast. A friend of mine living near Devonport has a 4.5 litre Patrol for
off road work but took delight in punting his sporty Mazda MPS around. Until I
saw the roads for myself this was a mystery to me, but now I understand.
East Coast. The whole of the East Coast is littered with
little bays rimmed with white sand and sporting water that is just azure in
colour. Everyone has seen photos of Wineglass Bay, but there are thousands of
other examples equally as beautiful. They look like they belong in Tahiti or
some other Pacific paradise, but they are found in Tassie and are, for the most
part, deserted and simply breathtaking.
West Coast. Totally different experience to the Easy Coast
and it is much wilder. You are more weather aware over there, but it is a
fantastic place.
Mountains. Yep – lots of them and they are beautiful but
generally accessible. Go for a walk!
Beer. Boags in the north and Cascade in the south. Both are
good.
Socks. It has been years since I wore socks every day, but
they are a necessity in chilly Tassie.
Cold. Nothing more to be said, but note the comment about socks above and the fact that I have been wearing a beanie FAR too often. However, watching the change
of the seasons through the colours that the trees display as autumn hits is
fantastic.
Fun stuff – check out this pub!
Fungi – some of the fungi that grow in Tassies forests are
striking to say the least!
Tassie is also full of small rows of letterboxes.
Last of all – and it bears repeating – Tasmania is a
beautiful place.
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