They say it is history that moves you. Hop aboard the steam train at Queenstown Station and you’ll feel its pull. It doesn’t take long for the steam and gentle thudding along the tracks to pull you back to a time when the wild west coast was so much more wild. The railway operates original Dubs & Co. Abt steam locomotives and features the steepest railway section in the southern hemisphere. Journey deep into the heritage and wilderness of the west, where tales of resilience and triumph showcase the iconic local spirit. Discover how the feud of the Irishmen helped shape the rugged and isolated region. Feel for those who worked on a railway others said was impossible, wearing wet leather boots and spending damp nights by the unfinished track. For early pioneers the conditions were harsh. For you, the West Coast Wilderness Railway is quite the opposite. Sparkling wine is interspersed with Macquarie Harbour views, home-baked goods are followed by bridges over old-growth forest. Today, there is romance and warmth, a story only possible through those who came before. With a range of full- and half-day experiences departing from Strahan or Queenstown, the West Coast Wilderness Railway offers a steam railway experience like no other.
WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY 1 Driffield Street, Queenstown wcwr.com.au (03) 6471 0100 Words & Images from the book: Tailored Tasmania 2 Wild Pedder offers fully-guided and all-inclusive wilderness experiences, bushwalking and kayaking in Tasmania’s rugged south-west wilderness. Their signature trip, named the Pedder Experience, is four days and three nights in length, departing and returning to Hobart. It features bushwalking within the incredible Mount Field national park, along the rugged Anne Range, through the massive forests of the Upper Florentine Valley, and kayaking on majestic Lake Pedder. The Pedder Experience is designed to give the intrepid traveller a taste of all that south-west Tasmania has to offer. With jagged mountain peaks strewn with endemic flora, and magnificent temperate rainforests lined with a myriad of mosses, fungi and ferns, the south-west is home to some of the tallest hardwood trees on earth. The Upper Florentine Valley, visited on day four, lays claim as the site of capture of the last Tasmanian Tiger found in the wild. Evenings are spent at the Pedder Wilderness Lodge, with a private dining area and fireplace and the pick of the best lake view rooms. Their menu is designed around Tasmanian produce and wines.
WILD PEDDER www.wildpedder.com.au Words & Images from the book: Tailored Tasmania 2 The Franklin River is one of the last truly wild rivers on Earth; a complex system of breathtaking scenery, powerful energy and moments of utter tranquillity, threading its way through Tasmania’s unique World Heritage Area. There are few environments in the world as ancient, untouched or majestic as the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.
Rafting the Franklin River is one of those adventures that stand out in a lifetime. Join Elias, Franzi and their friends on an 8 or 10 day personalised expedition through one of the most amazing and remote wilderness areas on the planet. Everyone wants to have a experience in their lives that reaches far beyond their dreams. After spending 10 days rafting down the Franklin River with this mob, I believe I had that experience. – Sean Bowen FRANKLIN RIVER RAFTING www.franklinriverrafting.com Words & Images from the book: Tailored Tasmania 2 Nestled in the heart of the seaside town of Ulverstone on the north-west coast of Tasmania, Under the Oak Handmade Gallery and Gifts promotes the work of around 50 Tasmanian artists and makers. Open since 2011, its purpose is to offer the community the opportunity to buy local handmade items on a regular basis rather than wait for a market date. Selected makers are able to rent their own space in the store for set periods of time and are then reimbursed with their sales each month. In humble surroundings, Under the Oak was born from a notebook of ideas, a business mentor and just 24 makers. Gathering some local and national awards on its journey has been a great encouragement to its steady growth. Their large gallery-style premises includes a small art space that has already presented several exhibitions. One of the monthly highlights which has proved very successful has been the ‘Designer Spotlight’, where a selected maker has an entire window frontage display plus website and social media promotion. The community embraces getting to know each maker through this activity. The store is now a popular shopping spot for locals and tourists alike. Customers can expect to find an array of beautifully handmade jewellery, homewares, soy candles, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories, Tasmanian timber items, paper craft and vintage inspired wares.
UNDER THE OAK 2/39 Reibey Street, Ulverstone www.undertheoak.com.au Words & Images from the book: Tailored Tasmania 2 Room for a pony is a bit different. To begin with, it’s a renovated petrol station. Owners Drew and Mendel started the transformation in early 2014 and opened the doors in November that year. Now almost two years in it has become somewhat of an institution in North Hobart. Serving an all-day breakfast and lunch menu inspired by international flavours combined with proven favourites, RFP also boasts an enviable sun-drenched beer garden where a relaxing beer or wine can be enjoyed while watching the Elizabeth Street Shuffle pass on by. Open seven days, good times guaranteed.
ROOM FOR A PONY 338 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart Words & Images from the book: Tailored Tasmania 2 On a prime site in the historic fishing village of Stanley 20 metres from the water’s edge is @ VDL Stanley, one of Tasmania’s most historically-significant properties. Built in 1843 this warehouse-style accommodation offers three individually-designed suites that have come about with the greatest respect of the building’s original architectural elements. All suites offer custom beds that you will never want to leave, modern bathrooms with deep-soaking baths and large separate showers. The spacious Loft Apartment offers everything you need for an extended or self-catered stay. Whether cycling around town in summer, escaping a winter’s chill by the fire or simply sleeping in, @ VDL Stanley offers plenty of reasons to pack your bags. @ VDL Stanley
16 Wharf Road, Stanley www.vdlstanley.com.au Words & Images from the book: Tailored Tasmania 2 Want a weekend experience like no other? Experience foodie heaven like never before as you’re taken on a boutique food tour through Tasmania’s stunning North West Coast designed by the host of Ben’s Menu, Ben Milbourne. See the food bowl of Tasmania and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
Take the true ‘one degree’ experience as you meet the characters behind Tasmania’s finest produce on a tour that has been personalised to your desires. See how Ben transforms this world-class produce into fine dining fare as you dine at Ben’s long table degustation dinner to conclude the tour. Tasmania is fast becoming a leader in food tourism and produce. Ben can arrange a tour around some of our finest producers and farm gates. You’ll meet the farmers and makers personally, get behind-the-scenes access and gather produce along the way to create a dining experience that you'll remember forever. With pickup and drop off from the Devonport Airport, Spirit of Tasmania terminal or your hotel, all you need to do is enjoy the day. FOOD BY BEN Devonport www.benmilbourne.com.au Words & Images from the book: Tailored Tasmania 2 Arthouse Bay of Fires is an architect-designed beach house nestled in a protected natural bush amphitheatre setting. Your private haven is just 50 steps from north-east Tasmania’s Binalong Bay – luminous white sands, pink granite boulders encrusted with orange lichen and aquamarine shoreline. The Bay of Fires stretches north from here, with its deserted beaches, clear waters and abundant wildlife. The Arthouse is a fusion of nature and art – an individual space that inspires and restores the mind, body and spirit. It is no surprise that Arthouse Bay of Fires (and sister property Arthouse Salamanca) are owned and operated by a family of artists. Thoughtfully appointed, your east coast escape is a place to relax, walk, swim, fish, dream, write, listen, sleep, love and restore.
ARTHOUSE BAY OF FIRES Bay of Fires, east coast www.arthousebayoffires.com.au Words & Images from the book: Tailored Tasmania 2 Cruising on the Gordon River is one of Australia’s most exceptional and iconic wilderness experiences. Departing from the picturesque town of Strahan each morning, their purpose-built luxury catamaran cruises upstream on the Gordon River and into the UNESCO Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Be first on the water to see the mirror-like reflections that make the Gordon River so famous and step ashore at Heritage Landing to witness firsthand the ancient beauty of the Tasmania’s temperate rainforest. For an unparalleled experience, cruise with the skipper on the Captain’s Premier Upper Deck and experience luxury in the wilderness.
GORDON RIVER CRUISES www.gordonrivercruises.com.au Words & Images from the book: Tailored Tasmania 2 The ultimate reward after climbing to the Wineglass Bay lookout is sitting on the balcony of one of Australia’s most spectacular eco-lodges and enjoying a glass of well-earned local sparkling wine. Freycinet Lodge is located within Freycinet National Park and is open to all visitors, whether it’s for a quick visit to take in the views over Great Oyster Bay, lunch in Richardson’s Bistro or to stay for a relaxing night in a secluded cabin.
Freycinet Lodge offers all-day dining to visitors as well as complimentary daily tastings in Providore Wineglass, which is also the perfect place to grab some snacks or a walker’s picnic pack before you explore the national park’s walking trails. Freycinet Lodge offers free public wifi to all visitors and is open seven days. FREYCINET LODGE www.freycinetlodge.com.au Words & Images from the book: Tailored Tasmania 2 |
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