Real Tasmania

Anyone retired to Tasmania - Seniors card/cshc concessions

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:04:57 +0000

We came to Australia 2 years ago on a parent visa. We are currently in WA but don't really feel at home here and property prices are sky high. We have been thinking about Tasmania as we love scenery, walking etc and the property prices in Tasmania seem more affordable. Just wondering if there are any other parents in Tasmania who came out on a parent visa. We do not receive Oz pensions nor any Centrelink payments so the only concession cards we are entitled to would be the Tasmanian Seniors card and the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Although property is more affordable we are trying to weigh up the cost of living in Tasmania versus WA. Herewith the WA Senior card we get free travel on buses, trains, ferries etc, help with council rates and water rates, plus a cost of living payment. I have searched but can't see that we would get these things with a Tasmanian Seniors Card. Or maybe these things are less costly anyway in Tasmania?

west coast

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 03:40:07 +0000

I lived in rosebery ten years ago and loved the environment. the people were strange unfortunately, not all but found the gossip too much and left as no future. I should have moved to queenstown as sounds friendlier. I am back on mainland but miss the beauty of west coast. one day may buy again but not rosebery. I should have a blood test to check lead levels as I hear lead found in drinking water..

Hey There!!!

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 02:26:18 +0000

Hey there !originally from Tas and looking at buying a retreat,semi-perm home on the East Coast.
would love to exchange info and inspiration!

heya. I'm living near central melbourne but originally hail from Tas.
I'm currently looking at buying 5 acres on the east coast.
Really as a retreat and with view to living there on and off.
Its a little frightening to take the plunge but theres nothing like the beauty and feel of home.
i plan to stay mostly off grid.Theres a shack on the property  that i think ill do up rather than jump into a build.I really like the tiny house movement, for financial,simplistic and aesthetic reasons.

I guess im asking for help regarding info on how councils consider such ideas(approvals rates and so) since theres an existing dwelling, would doing it up need their consideration?the block is classified residential.

also,does stamp duty work under state or council law

Anyway. glad to find some tasmanians networking and living the dream i plan.
Thanks for any info in advance.

alister

Sooo... have done further research.. asked break o Day council and the shack that currently exists on the property is considered not to be habitable. The charming  woman(really! unheard of here in victoria) has basically said that to stay there i would have to get some sort of septic system and either a caravan or tent to stay in.(thinking caravan or Yurt)

getting a little more expensive but its supposed to huh?! I thought a long drop might suffice.
I wonder how often they would check on it all and wonder if anyone had any recommendations for cheap and simple sewerage options.

I have been in correspondence with conveyancers in Launceston and found the costings on that.

Anyway..  This has been a big BLAAHH..but I am excited and glad there are forums like this.

cheers!

Gardening in Tasmania

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:54:32 +0000

The new house has fruit trees and a greenhouse but it also has mature raspberry canes! What do I do with them? Any good guides on caring for and cultivating the raspberries anyone can help me with, please? I am SO looking forward to fresh raspberries.

Moving Cats to Tasmania

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 03:52:02 +0000

I know my 5 beautiful kids will need vaccinations when they come. Is there anything special that's required? Anyone have advice.

Thanks in advance, Odille

House is Bought, Moving Soon!

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 03:47:28 +0000

Hi all

We have just purchased a house In tasmania and are attempting the BIG MOVE with our 5 cats.

Our house can still be seen online here. I was looking online and saw this one in the ads. My sister has lived in Tassie for 30 years and my Mum since 1999, so I visit at least once a year and know it well. y pessimist sister was against this house because it would take all our money and most of my super, but after looking at 30 or so houses in a week she agreed it was a gem and I got it for slightly less than the advertised price. There was a higher offer but the buyer had to get 95% finance and we are a cash sale.

So I am one happy little camper.

My partner and I are 56 and 60, no kids but five feline children. I am a keen photographer and love the photo opportunities there. We were originally thinking of renting it out for 6-8 months but have decided to go hell for leather and get down there.

Look forward to meeting people online and maybe in person once we are there.

Shipping Container Home/s

Wed, 29 May 2013 04:55:59 +0000

G'day mates,
I am planing on buying a steel kit home for erection on the property but after doing some research on the net, I'm beginning to believe a home built from shipping containers would better suit my needs. It “may” also end-up not cost as much to build as a steel kit home If I went down the shipping container home track, I would use two 40ft containers for the home and one 40ft container for a workshop/solar power-plant and woodshed.
As I have never even dreamt of building a home from shipping containers never mind actually building one, I'm doing as much research as I can...Before committing anything to the project, so I'm asking if any members on the forum is building, or has built a shipping container home, if so would you mind sharing any tips you may have on the subject. I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking of building a home from shipping containers so, I believe, your advice would be most welcome by all persons considering this form of house building.
Information such as, where you bought your containers, how much they cost, tools you used while converting the containers, how you moved the containers once unloaded from the truck, and anything else you believe may help others thinking of going down the shipping container home track.
Thanking you in advance for your advice.

Cheers mates,
(Irish) Bill

Family history

Sun, 26 May 2013 05:40:08 +0000

I am interested in the family of Job Geard (great great grandfather) and Walter Samuel Geard (great grandfather).
I am also interested in the family of Richard Bone (great grandfather) who died in Zeehan on 2/02/1904. I would like to know the cause of death as he was a "patient sufferer" according to his death notice.
My grandfather was also a gold miner in Zeehan till he left for New Zealand around 1910.

Regards

Joan Lynch

Tasmania in December

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:28:14 +0000

Hello everyone,
I am new to this forum.
We are a family of 4 and planing a trip to Tasmania on December for two weeks. We are traveling with two kids 2 and 4.5 years old.
I was wandering if I must bookin accommodation in advance or is it most likely to find a place at this time of the year?
We don't want any obligations. If we like it somewhere then we do not want to leave it because we have reservations in other places.
Thank you

cost of living in Tasmania

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:11:52 +0000

Good Day Everyone,

I just wanted to say, I have just found this site and have been reading some of the threads.

Currently I work overseas in asia and am thinking of heading back to aus  (I feel I have done my time in asia now).

Even tho I am originally from QLD I have been to tasmania a few times and am considering moving there.

Out of interest does anyone know any forums online etc that people post cost of living for parts of australia?

Of course I am mostly interested in tasmania but wasnt sure if there was a aussie forum somewhere that had this.   I looked at whirlpool but couldnt see anything there.  And perhaps no one really is that intersted.   I know i have found a few comments on sites but i prefer to read a forum somewhere with people posts.

Thanks for your help,
Mike

Relocating to Tasmania

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:06:16 +0000

Hello

I've been having a bit of a sticky beak around the forums these past few weeks and am most impressed with not only the information provided here but the sense of community.

A little background information....in 06 my hubby Anthony and I moved with our children from windy Wellington in NZ to Brisbane where we lived for two years before relocating to Perth in 08. Brisbane was just too fast paced for our liking and while we love the relaxed lifestyle here in the West it was only meant to be a temporary thing and after almost 5 years we can tolerate the heat and distance no longer. Give us an excuse to light the fire during winter any day

Just recently Anthony learnt that the owner of the company he works for is starting a business in the Launceston area and that there could be an opportunity to transfer off the Mainland. I cannot even begin to tell you how giddy with excitement I am! Funnily enough Tasmania was always at the top of my list of places to live while Anthony preferred to try the Mainland first and it seems after 7 long years my dream is about to be realised. We have yet to visit Tasmania...planning on coming over in early September and hiring a motor home for 10-14 days to do a bit of exploring with our children but I already know we are going to love your beautiful Island!!

We aren't too sure of the particulars of the job yet but have more or less decided that if things don't pan out with his current employer that we are willing to take the risk of Anthony finding other work and relocating regardless in order to have the life we have been yearning for.

Being an outdoorsy family I think Tasmania has much to offer. We don't spend nearly enough time outside here during the summer months due to the heat but certainly make up for it when the mercury drops. We can't wait to get our teeth into exploring Tasmania's great outdoors...much time will be spent hiking/tramping, camping, snorkelling and sightseeing. As a keen diver/fisherman Anthony is already dreaming of a life near the cost whereas being the foodie that I am I cannot wait to try the delectable foods available and to hopefully have more success growing our own produce than I have had here.

Initially we will look at renting but when we eventually buy we would like a decent size block, say a minimum of 5 acres, near the coast. Being further from the main cities doesn't bother us as long as we are close to schools for our children. Our daughter will be turning 16 and is wanting to train as a Vet Nurse and from what I understand will do Yr 11-12 at Tafe/Polytechnic, once she has completed Yr 12 she is hoping to get a Traineeship through a Vet Clinic and our two youngest sons will be 11 and 4. We will also be bringing our dog who we adopted not long after arriving in QLD...I realise she may pose a few problems for us with obtaining a rental property but hopefully being able to provide great rental references for her will go in our favour.

I have a heap of questions but this is getting rather long winded so I'll end it here. Any info you could provide in regards to living in the Greater Launceston Region would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Tammi

Advice Please On Living at Arthur's Lake (Fulltime)

Sat, 11 May 2013 05:21:18 +0000

G'day mates,

I am seriously thinking of selling or renting-out my home in Victoria (Corio) and moving down to Tasmania to live, at Arthur's Lake.
I have not seen the property but the owner/seller has sent me a few pictures and has told me, if I fly down to Launceston he will pick me up at the airport and drive me up to view the property. I plan to accept his offer ASAP. I would like to view the property in the height of winter, preferably after or during a good dump of snow.
Having never been to Tasmania I did some research online and I see Arthur's Lake is quite remote and the owner/seller tells me, the property is 1100 metres in elevation, so is subject to snow during winter and can be quite cold. Having lived and worked in Canada, (Ontario) and Northern States of the USA where in winter it gets down well below freezing, (the lakes freeze over enough to drive a loaded truck or a bulldozer over the lakes and you get loads of snow), so the cold weather and snow is not a problem for me.

I'm retired and would spend my time hunting/fishing and doing work around the property. If I buy the property after viewing, I would purchase a 2/3 bedroom steel frame flat-pack kit home to erect on the property.
My question is, how much of the construction and service work, i.e. power wiring for a 12 volt system and plumbing from tank water, would I be permitted to do myself and/or what trades people would I need, if any, to get the house built to satisfy the powers that be?
I would install solar and wind power for my electricity and hot water needs, with batteries and back-up generator. All lighting, Fridge/Freezer/s, television, radio and any other in-home units would be 12 volt. I would use 4mm 12V Tinned wire (marine grade) for all the wiring. The water supply would be tank water with a solar water heater; heating the home, domestic water and cooking would be done with a slow burner wood stove with a water coil for the hot water...With a small marine type LPG stove with oven as a back-up.

If anyone know what fruit and veggies, if any, can be grown successfully in Tasmania at around 1100 meters above sea level, I would like to hear of them. For meat, I would keep a few chooks, ducks, geese, a few goats, and I would have trout from the lake and venison from the mountains when in season.

That's about all I can think of at present but I'm sure I'll have other questions before I make my decision.

Thanking you in advance for your advice.

Irish (Bill)

Sustainable Living ideas

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:39:41 +0000

Hi, I am a 60ish female looking for info on sustainable living ideas in Tassy, hubby and I are buying a bush block and because of not much money through a business venture, want to build a small dwelling from recycled materials that we will make as eco friendly as possible with solar power, rocket mass heater etc.

I make as much as possible eg. soap, skin creams, goat milk cheese and butter, beer and lots of other stuff, so if anyone is interested I can perhaps help with advice and ideas in that department, or could even do a workshop for a group
My dream home would be a Straw Bale home, but don't know if I am capable of doing too much to help myself these days as my joints etc are "stuffed" :-)

G'day mates

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:11:19 +0000

G'day mates,

I'm new on the fourm, I'm a retired bloke and live in Corio, Vic' but would like to relocate to Tasmania. I have never been to Tasmania but I hope to get down there pretty soon to have a good look around.

Cheers for now,

Irish

need to find a freind

Sun, 05 May 2013 08:29:17 +0000

hi why cant i find any friends here in queenstown i have been here for 2 years now and found no one are well i mite be moveing back to newcastle i cant evan get a pet things a bad anyway i hope to here from somone thanks rob

Odd Shot

Sat, 04 May 2013 12:41:57 +0000

So, Mystic/Shane (& anyone else who cares to comment)... here is the screen print showing the single AF point - oops, liar liar me, I thought the focus point was right over his eye, quite obviously not though . Anyway, operator ballsup aside...yes, the reed was at a slight angle to me, so the portion of the reed that is sharper was closer. But what confuses me is, look how far away my focus point was? I mean, I realise that the "actual" focus area extends outside that little red square, but all the way over there? How do you think I did this. Would love your feedback.

Earworms

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:13:55 +0000

Did you know (I didn't ) that when one song gets stuck in your head, it's called an Earworm? There you go, you'll be able to sleep better at night knowing that

What's the worst song you've ever had stuck in your head? Today, for me, it's the theme from the Brady Bunch

Tasmanian Thornbill

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:00:12 +0000

As promised, one Tasmanian Brown Thornbill - endemic to Tassie. Am still fairly new to photography & birding but did wonder why this wasn't quite in focus on the bird. Looking through all my shots, that focus square is definitely on the birds eye, but each frame before and after this one either shows a blur of him coming to or leaving the perch, this is the only shot where he is actually perched. So I'm going to go with it being blurry because the little devil was still moving - that's my story anyway He's too cute not to share anyway. (Low light & lots of noise too sorry)

Brown Thornbill

Wed, 01 May 2013 18:19:44 +0000

Hi guys - haven't posted for a while.

Another of Tassies wonderful little avifauna. This little guy landed in our backyard the other morning, and I was lucky anough to snap a shot. Boy they are fast! I struggle to identify Thornbills, but I'm going with Brown at this stage & not Tasmanian, as this little guy has the "buff" pants of a Brown (Tassie Thornbills are more whitish I believe) - happy to be corrected though.

Targa 2013, 99 Bends Leg

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:35:30 +0000

here's a few images I got of the cars flying past at the back end of the 99 bends leg. I have also started an album that I will add to as I finish processing. Enjoy

Here's the link to the album.

Happy Honeymoon

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:16:51 +0000

Heading down to do a lap of Tasmania for our Honeymoon and I was wondering about campsite safety. Is it okay for us to leave the tent unattended while we do some day trips?

Thanks for your help

queenstown info please

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:37:04 +0000

hello , I am thinking of making the move to Queenstown, i am making a fresh start, i am interested in buying a home, a cheap property (which is all i could afford) that i dont mind renovating overtime. i have 2 children , one who has just started high school and is 13 one in primary school and is 9.
questions i have regarding the cheaper homes are they badly run down ? are they worth fixing ? and what schools are close buy and are there other children that live locally that mine can mingle with..
Thanx Guys
Hayley

Hello Everyone :)

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:55:02 +0000

After 3 months in Adelaide, 18.5 years in Melbourne and 13 years in Sydney I am moving to Hobart next month (actually 4th of June). I'm originally from Poland, immigrated here as refugee in 1981 after trouble in my mother country and had an exceptionally good life here. Love Australia and I think after spending more time in Australia than anywhere else I'm almost Aussie ... anyway I and wife fell in love with Hobart after couple visits last year and decided that this is the place for retirement . I am still working but where I live doesn't matter as I work for USA company and have to travel a lot for work overseas. Anyway I am hoping to retire no later than March 2014 (hopefully by end of this year) and enjoy retirement years in this wonderful piece of Earth. I hope to meet alike retired people in Hobart, my main hobbies are competitive bridge and bushwalking and would love to hear from people with the same hobbies.

BRO

Twiggy!

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 23:23:33 +0000

I know, I know, they're a dime a dozen....but I absolutely LOVE Superb Fairywrens, something about their funny twiggy little legs. This (eclipse) male was particularly obliging last week, for about 5 seconds anyway . Not happy with the fern in front of his tail, but pretty happy with the rest. Hope you enjoy!

Hi

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 22:50:17 +0000

Hi all

Been living in Tassie for around 5 years now. Recently taken up photography, wildlife in particular (seems to be mainly birds at present) and I think I am addicted to it . No real skill or technique, but occasionally get a lucky shot - but cruddy shots or not, I find photography a great way to relax and unwind for me.

Looking forward to "meeting" you all.

Cheers