“I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” ― Mary Anne Radmacher

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Some preliminary dates, mates, plus a little inspiration!

Well, only two days after putting the word out on this, I’m getting more than a little excited, with affirmative RSVPs already starting to come in from some of you good people.  In the spirit of keeping the ball rolling, I want to throw out some dates to give you all a sense of where this Palooza will be occurring at any given time, and to tell you about some of the things you might want to see or do while you’re here (yes, I am talking to you directly and yes, am deliberately using language that assumes you will make it!).

As I launch into hyper-drive “fixer” mode, I want to make sure you all know that the list of activities below are 100% optional.  You could join in on one, none or all of these things.  If you decided to only spend a few days in Tasmania because there are other things on the mainland that take your fancy, I totally understand.  If you want to be in Tassie but prefer traveling solo or in small groups doing other stuff, no worries at all.  And if you want to stay by my side the entire month, that’s great too!  I personally will be doing each of the things listed but there would always be lots of other super fun things to do or see in the same area.  As the months roll on, I’ll start putting those alternate activities in italics at the bottom of the post; anything that is underlined is a hyper link to a website so you can check things out in more detail.

There will always be a range of options as far as transport and accommodation and again, there is zero obligation to follow this schedule if you prefer to dance to the beat of your own drum.  Obviously we’ll get some economies of scale on certain things like accommodation if there are a few more of us, but every aspect of this can be tweaked and added too.  Everything listed here will work for small or large groups… the theme here is flexibility, relaxation and fun.

24th December 2014 to New Years Day 2015 – PRE-PALOOZA.  Check out the post of the same name for details on this…

2nd January – the “official” start of TassiePalooza, kicking off with a gathering on the farm (aka ‘Bomana’) and The Shed (2.0).  A very relaxed night of camping, eating, drinking, laughing, reflecting and catching up, with a bit of an outdoor cinema set-up too.  Options to stay in Hobart (40 mins away) or at beach houses down at Primrose Sands (15 mins down the road) if tents aren’t appealing!

3rd January – the only part of the TassiePalooza that I would very much like you all to be together for.  A day at the beach and a big party that night with great food, local wine and beer, music, dancing and shenanigans.

4th January – a chilled out day for most I reckon, with a trip planned in the afternoon to the Tasmanian Devil Park.  I actually really love this experience so will be putting on my tourist hat to join any of you who are keen to “…come face to face with endangered devils, meet our little endemic quolls and pademelons, hand feed friendly kangaroos and join some crazy parrots in Tasmanian’s only free-flight bird show.”  $33 per adult, $18 for kids between 4-18 years.

5th January – staying around Hobart and heading out to MONA (Museum of Old and New Art ($20 entry fee).  Words can’t really describe this place but this reviewer gave it a crack: “…the $75 million Museum of Old and New Art, which owner David Walsh describes as ‘a subversive adult Disneyland’. The extraordinary installation is arrayed across three underground levels concealed inside a sheer rock face. Ancient antiquities are showcased next to more recent works by Sir Sidney Nolan and British enfant terrible, Damien Hirst. Even if you’re not an art fan, don’t miss this eccentric, but world-class, museum.”

So did this one: “All we can say is thank you David Walsh!! What an incredible vision (and piggy bank) to bring something as wondrous as this to Hobart, Tasmania for all to love and admire.  Make sure you arrive by ferry to see this building in all its grandeur with the rusted facade hugging the native landscape that surrounds it. From the moment you arrive, you can see why this gallery is like no other. The art delights, shocks, puzzles and pleases all the senses and be prepared to spend the day here to uncover hidden rooms and nooks. This place is a must and worth a single trip to the Apple Isle alone. What are you waiting for!?”

I also strongly recommend seeing this place and will be taking a ferry in the morning from the Hobart waterfront  ($20 round trip), spending at least a few hours in the gallery, then tootling back by ferry to the city centre.  If the weather is nice, I’ll pop up Mount Wellington for a hike and view over the city, most likely pop into the Fern Tree Tavern for a refreshing coldie (a beer) then come back down the hill for a relaxed meal of Tassie seafood on the waterfront.  There is a full range of options on the wharf for all budgets, from fish and chip floats to five-star dining.  I’ll be going the fish and chips I reckon 🙂

Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th – although I really couldn’t be more excited about the first four days of the Palooza, these next two are going to be hard to beat.  I’ll be heading up the East Coast towards Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park and all who join me will be staying in some amazing, knock-your-socks-off accommodation.  There are several properties that are being booked within walking distance of each other, ranging from 2-bedrooms (4 people) to 6-bedrooms (10 people), costing between $50-$70 per person, per night.  There is so much to see and do here: a hike to Wineglass Bay is a must; going fishing and diving are always fun and usually produce goodies for eating; climbing and biking if you like; sea kayaking (my favourite); wading out for a private tour of the oyster farm (including shucking and more eatin’!); taking ATVs for a spin; sitting in the sun on the deck of one of the houses we’ve reserved reading a book or just daydreaming; enjoying world class fine dining or simply eating a meat pie with tomato sauce… you name it, Coles Bay will provide it.

Wineglass Bay: a moderately steep climb for about an hour for a massive payoff.

Wallabies on the beach.  We can eat them too.

Sea kayaking – you’ll often see dolphins here.

Biking and climbing for those of you who must!

Susan Engquist (and I reckon a few other revheads in the group) will love this one, I did it once years ago and it was a hoot!

I can’t wait to do this – yes, they are wearing waders and yes, they are eating oysters freshly shucked out of the bay, drinking local wines and generally enjoying themselves 🙂

Coles Bay is about an hours drive south of the Douglas Aspley National Park which is a stunning place with gorges and waterfalls and crystal clear water…

I’m literally almost too excited to type any more!

Thursday 8th – a lazy day meandering our way back to Hobart via the historic town of Richmond which boasts Australia’s oldest bridge and looks a lot like Hobbiton!  For any history buffs amongst you, it’s a gorgeously preserved little town and gives a bit of a sense of how our little island used to look when most of us were only recently out of shackles.

On the way I’ll also be stopping off at Frogmore Creek Vineyard, an award-winning producer of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, having a glass of something lovely  and a little nibble of something yummy so hope some of you are keen to join me here too…

Friday 9th – oh my god, writing all this down is making me too excited to focus!  On Friday I’ll be at the waterfront in Hobart, about to board a seaplane, hopefully with five of you too (around $100 each once my darling friend Elise works her discount magic!), making our way by air to Bruny Island.  There will be vehicle transport leaving Hobart about an hour prior to this (probably an 8-or-12-seater van) which will take those not taking the plane and to meet those flying in.  While I’m sure the scenic flight is going to be pretty amazing, the 40 minute drive is gorgeous too as you head down south to catch the ferry from Kettering ($30 round trip pp, 20 mins).  After we rendezvous at Dennes Point and have a bite to eat at the Jetty Cafe we’ll have wheels to tootle around the island with if folk want to explore beyond walking distance.

Bruny is a pretty magical place, really wild and wooly.  From one side of the island, you can look across the channel to the little town of Southport, where my grandparents had a shack and I spent every holiday for the first 18 years of my life so this is a really significant place for me.

It doesn’t hurt that there are also lots of award winning producers specializing in hand made fudge, chocolate, truffles, berries, cheese and fresh oysters located on the island.  Bruny also has loads of wildlife, including seals and fairy penguins.  No, I’m not making that name up, and these little guys are the freakin’ cutest.

After everyone has had enough, we’ll make our way back to Hobart (no plans that night, I reckon I’ll be ready for a nap!).  If we can figure numbers over the next few months, I reckon the people who drove down should fly back, and the fliers drive.  That would reduce the costs even further (basically $70 each) and give both experiences, so let me know if that sounds appealing and I’ll make it happen.  If you want to drive yourself, that’s easy; if you chose to stay the night there, great; if the idea of Bruny isn’t your thing, no worries mate!  Just be aware accommodation options on the island are limited and not cheap, so if you’re wanting to make a diversion here I’d recommend getting in early to book something (try www.stayz.com.au as an option, it’s like VRBO).

Saturday 10th – a Hobart-based day for me and anyone who wants to join me (and my sisters birthday!).  I reckon I’ll have a bit of eggs benny and a bloody at T42 for brunch before having a leisurely wander at Salamanca Markets.  There are 300 stalls which pop up down this esplanade on Saturdays and are a really fun thing to check out (as well as being excellent for any souvenir-type action).  I’d also really like to check out Lark Distillery for a tasting of their beautiful malt whisky.  It’s quite possible the Cygnet Folk Festival will be on this weekend which is just a great little event, if the whim takes me I might cruise down to check that out.  Maybe you fancy sailing down the river on an old ship like the Lady Nelson?  Or learn about some of my home states truly loopy history by touring the (slightly spookily named) Female Factory?  Or catch some live music at an iconic local venue like the Republic Bar?  The point is there are loads of things to do… so come do ’em!

Sunday 11th to end of January 2015 – POST-PALOOZA.  Check out the post of the same name for details on this…