On arrival, we all started breathing deeply when we found out that the West Coast of Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world.  Myself and a group of intrepid travellers were in Tassie for 14 days, travelling with Will from McDermott’s in his coach, Priscilla, Queen of Tasmania.  After a day’s travel, we were happy to arrive at Wrest Point Hotel and Casino in Hobart.
 
On our first day of touring, Tassie really turned on the weather for us with wonderful views from Mt Wellington and sunshine making Port Arthur seem less austere.  Lucky for us, the weather man got it wrong.  Don’t let anyone tell you Tassie is cold and wet. It’s been superb so far.
 
It was a very scenic but winding drive up to Strahan on the west coast.  The wilderness forest areas really glistened as we made our trip on the West Coast Wilderness Railway as the occasional shower made the leaves shine and brought out the colours. Those who constructed that railway certainly earned our respect.  We did decide that we wouldn’t be moving to Queenstown, even though there are homes for sale from about $85,000.  If you have ever been there you will understand why with the road in over the mountain a heart in your mouth experience!   There was a whole salmon on the buffet at Strahan and the Kiwis in the group said that the Tassie oysters were almost as good as their famous Bluff oysters. (high praise indeed) and of course, everyone had fun at the play ‘The Ship that Never Was’.
 
In Stanley, The Nut looked spectacular in the sunshine and a walk down the main street revealed panels of scenes from the making of the movie, ‘The Light Between Oceans’ in 2014.  Unfortunately, Bryan Brown wasn’t still at Highfield House when we visited, it was his home in the movie.  Highfield was looking particularly lovely though as they had had a garden show on the weekend.
 
Next day, we experienced one of the tour highlights, the cruise on the Arthur River.  It is true wilderness and we only saw two other people all day.
 
At Seahorse World we learnt that passengers Michael and Will wouldn’t do well as a seahorse because a male needs a big potbelly to be sought as a father. Even with a big belly, a male also needs to be a good dancer, clearly something neither felt they were good at!  Next, the echidnas at Platypus World were a big hit. You had to be careful not to tread on the little critters. They definitely knew the guide was going to feed them. With their eighteen centimetre tongues, they made short work of the snack.
 
After trying lavender oil and lavender scones, we left Bridestowe Lavender Farm well satisfied. Some managed to do half their Christmas shopping too.    We had to wake up the Tassie Devils at East Coast Nature World. They nearly set off an epidemic of yawning as they yawned and yawned until they were offered a tasty wallaby treat.
 
Who would have thought Tasmania grew so many varieties of apples?  The Apple Isle is an apt name, even though the industry isn’t as big today as it once was. Willie Smith’s Apple Shed was a hit with their cider tastings.
 
October was a fabulous time to be here as the rhododendrons, azaleas, tulips and Tasmanian Waratahs were all in bloom.  A tiger snake sleeping by the path was a bit unexpected at the Tahune Airwalk. It’s like the Treetop Walk in W.A.’s south but with a cantilever over the river as a bonus. Now we really are experts on Tassie trees.
 
Our driver Will, drove us around the bend every day, well lots of bends actually. He did a fabulous job…Thanks Will!
 
Chris Slee
Tour Leader