[Mystic]

After surviving one of the hottest summers of my life, with regular temperatures of over 100f, I decided that South Australia was not fit for this particular human's habitation. I needed somewhere cooler, and more scenic. (Adelaide is basically flat, and, in my opinion, best seen on a day trip).

I had always wanted to visit Tasmania, having heard a lot about it from friends, and seen many photographs that demonstrated a place of immense beauty and diversity. Plenty of mountains, lakes, trees, and rainforest. This was my kind of place.

Around this time, in 1996, major things were happening to put Tasmania in the international news on a daily basis. Some crazy had lost it and gone on a killing spree in one of the major tourist centres. While most people anguished over the tragedy I was awe struck by the scenery the images regularly broadcast over television showed me. A tragedy, for sure, but what a place it happened in. I made my mind up that I had put it off way too long, it was now or never.

My partner of the time, and I, packed our house up, sent the boxes to a removals company for storage and began a trek to this remote southern land. We had no idea where we were going, nor how we would manage to find a new house to live in, we simply knew that this was the place for us.

After visiting my family on the east coast of the mainland, and spending a little time in Melbourne, we finally boarded the ship that would transport us to this penal colony that was Tasmania of old. I will never forget my first images of the island. Out on deck, just on sunrise, the light still filtered with the sun not quite awake yet, I saw a rugged coastline, nothing appeared flat, it was as though this was the land where nature had let loose her fury and thrown things up in a random manner. In short, it was one of the most beautiful coastlines I had ever seen. I knew, then and there, that this was the kind of place I had been searching for, this was my kind of terrain.

We landed in Devonport and boarded a bus to take us down south to Hobart, the capital. As we journeyed south, through the midlands and historical townships, my sense of awe grew beyond belief. Every corner produced a new vista to excite the senses, my jaw constantly dropped open as I gazed upon the natural beauty that filled every moment of that trip.

A week after landing in Hobart we located a quaint cottage with a private beach, a little to the east of the main city. A rural and peaceful setting with water as our backyard and a mountain rising from the front. Water and mountains I have always had an affinity for, to me, this was heaven. It did not matter that we were around 7k/m from the nearest store and without a car, I simply had to take this house.

For me, it was perfect and idyllic, the nicest and most relaxing location I had ever lived in. My partner found the isolation too much to bear and soon announced she was leaving to find more populated locations. Life is like that, and we each must seek what we need for ourselves, I remained in my hideaway, she moved to a township nearby.

After 6 months of enjoying the beauty of the region I had settled into I was forced to return to the mainland. Reluctantly I returned to the smog of Sydney and work. My uppermost thoughts being on the beauty and serenity of the Tasmanian landscape and lifestyle, vowing to return as soon as I possibly could.

2004 was a turbulent year for me, loads of stress through the kind of work I was doing, living a hectic lifestyle, virtually in the centre of Sydney, the smog capital of Australia. I had taken way too much on board and needed to get away. Reducing my workload to a single major project involving civil liberties and social activism I left the partner I was with at the time and moved to the mountains west of Sydney.

The project I had undertaken was shaky, a small team persevering against public ignorance and resistance to change. It was challenging though, and stretched my abilities to their limits. During the time I was working on this project Margie came into my life, an interesting person with an openness to new ideas and potentials rarely found. By the end of the year she had settled into my mountain home and life was taking interesting twists and turns.

Early in 2005 it became clear that the opposition we faced in the project I was working on was far too great. It was going to take a long term commitment that promised no results in the foreseeable future. We decided it was time for a change, and where better to make that change than Tasmania. Margie had never been there before, but had heard enough about it to have a desire to explore the environment. Her willingness to explore new places and desire for adventure took over and we soon found ourselves reducing our possessions to only that which would fit in the car before driving off for new places and experiences.

It was a long drive from Sydney to Melbourne before boarding the ship once more to cross Bass Strait. I am not certain who was more excited about the prospect of being Tasmania bound, myself or Margie. Both stood with mouths agape as we caught first sight of the land from aboard the ship, eager to make landfall and begin the search for a new domicile and the new experiences that awaited us.

If there was ever any doubt in my mind as to the validity of my memories of the beauty and grandeur of the Tasmanian countryside, the drive south dispelled them. As soon as we got out onto the open road I fell in love all over again with the magnificence that I saw. Each corner of the road forced my jaw to sag a little lower as I soaked up the beauty that surrounded me, in what I knew was to be our new home for a very long time to come.

We decided to take a side road from the main highway and head out to Richmond, a quaint and very historical village east of Hobart. It was in the surrounding area of this locale that I had hoped we would be able to locate a house to live in whilst we got our footing in Tasmania. One phone call, and we had located a nice, isolated, mountain top home, set in natural bush. Surrounded by the sounds of nothing other than the wind and bird song. It was perfect, and more than either of us could have hoped for on this first day in our new homeland.

We spent 18 months in that location, day tripping to various locations around Tasmania, falling in love over and over again with a land that is truly unique on the earth, and one which every person should visit at least once in their life.

Returning to Tasmania has been the fulfillment of a long held yearning for me. It is a journey that I could not be happier to have made, and one that has brought a great degree of richness and satisfaction to my life. It is so very nice to be home.

When day tripping was not enough, and it never is in order to explore this land, the real journey began. Three months on the road, living out of a tent, with no set itinerary, simply a desire to explore.But, that is for another post.

[Son of a Beach]

That's a very passionate description on Tasmania. I agree with the sentiments.

There is one exception though... Sydney is only the smog capital of Australia for about 8 months of the year. Sadly, my home town of Launceston, Tasmania, is the smog capital of Australia during the winter.

[Mystic]

We DO have a place here to have political discussions, and I am just waiting for someone else to start the obvious one. I have heard, and read a reasonable amount on the inversion layer over the Tamar valley, though, and I hate to disappoint, if your image is anything to go by, that would be classified as an exceptionally clear day in Sydney with excellent visibility. Just before we finally left Sydney, we lived in Katoomba (Blue Mountains) and worked in the city. When you drive down the mountains it provides a view of what you are heading into that is unmistakable. It does not really matter what time of year it is either.

If you wish to continue a discussion along the lines of where this is pointing, please do so in the Issue forum. We do not need to detract from other discussions through politics.

[tassiesim]

what a interesting story Anna and a lovely introduction you had to Tasmanian,

I didnt know how much I loved and needed Tasmania untill I go away from my Island home and she calls to me to come back, I wasnt born here but have spend most of my life here except for a few years in Queensland and a year not so long ago in Western Sydney where every day I wanted to come home, Im settled again in Launceston where I will never live far from , she certainly is a magical Island , Tasmania

[Hummingbird291]

Ok, firstly if I had never been in Tasmania before I definetly would be packing up and moving here after reading that post Anna!. and considering other than a total of 13 weeks of my life I have been no where else that is saying something..... (12 of those weeks were spent in Adelaide, which I must say I did fall in love with and if Tassie somehow sunk, would be where I would consider moving to till they refloated Tassie ) secondly WOW!.

[nineteenineteen]

I've lived in Tassie virtually my entire life (I was born in Sydney & lived there for about 18 months total), and have done a bit of living in most of it.

As a little kiddy, I didn't care much about Tasmania in particular because I didn't know any different. Of course, when I became a teenager I took all my angst out on where I lived - I HATED Tasmania, and it was an easy target! So I was another in a long line of Tasmanian teenagers who is convinced that their future lies somewhere on the mainland (Perth, Melbourne & the Gold Coast seem to be the most desired destinations), and determined to move to Melbourne as soon as I was able. Melbourne is "cool", and there are much better "things" to do than in Tas. Ask any 16 year old who has lived in Tasmania all their life.

Anyway, I went through a rough period of time from 1997 to 2000. During this time I moved to Launceston for love (a girl, not Tasmania - yet) and a change, and got myself a conservation job on farms in the Northern Midlands. I spent 6 months building fences, planting trees and removing a feckload of gorse & blackberries, and during this time I got to spend time in some not-so-well-known areas of Tas - like Blackwood Creek, Nile, and Cressy. It's pleasing to be out in the country, even if it isn't nature at it's finest (see comments about gorse). So I started to grow attached to Tas. I also spent a week at Rocky Cape, which still ranks as my favourite national park. Try it and see, there's no other park quite like it.

Anyways, a few years went by & I got myself a job which meant I had to move to Cradle Mountain & work in tourism. This is when i started to appreciate the things that are special about Tasmania - dolerite...spotted-tailed quolls...pygmy mountain shrimp...cushion plants that have no relatives this side of NZ...rainforest...Mt Read volcanics...the Blue Tier...Charles Whitham's Western Tasmania...clean air! And on a couple of trips on time off, I was reminded that the west coast is a freakin' interesting place. I lived there when I was very young, and it still has a hold over me in some way I can't explain. So it kind of snuck up on me, in a way.

Anyways, talking about Tasmania 8 hours a day is a great way to realise that you've loved it all along. It has it's faults, like anywhere else, but the positives definitely outweigh them.

[Mystic]

Great story nineteenineteen, and thanks for sharing that. teenagers just have to rebel against something I guess, and most often it is something they later realise they were actually in awe of all the time.

Amusing that while you were writing and posting....

Anyways, a few years went by & I got myself a job which meant I had to move to Cradle Mountain & work in tourism.

I was putting together a small post on Cradle Mountain . Now that you have let the devil out of the bag and informed us of this wisdom you have regarding the area, I will be looking forward to seeing you expand on the short piece I wrote.

Thanks again for sharing the story

[Shane V]

Great story nineteenineteen. Look forward to hearing what you have learned about this beautiful place since your rediscovery of it.

Do you mind if i ask what your name is, nineteenineteen is a bit to long to type everytime

[frank_in_oz]

Anna, just read your piece at the top of this post. It is a delightful post, from the heart and open. Thanks very much for taking the time to write it. Bet it is delightful down that way today!

[taralotus]

That was a truly beautiful story about you falling in love with Tasmania, Anna! This is my first post on your forum and I consider myself very lucky to have found such a great forum

I came from Brisbane (well, Redcliffe actually) where I grew up and ended up down here to live in Tasmania 6.5 years ago after making a snap decision on my first holiday here. Six months later and one job landed to finance it all, I would now never live anywhere else!

I love it like you do hon. You just can't beat Tasmania!

TL

[Mystic]

Thank you TL, and welcome.

Tasmania is definitely the kind of place you never want to leave.

Hopefully we will learn more about you and your experiences here. Looking forward to the discovery.

[dave]

well done Anna, expressed my feelings precisely and, as I say, I have only been over here twice, if my wife would allow it I would be over there in a shot

[Mystic]

Thank you Dave. this is definitely one of those places that simply gets under your skin and refuses to let you go. Most especially for any person who has a love of photography as there is always soemthing fresh to capture. Looks like you may have to nudge that wife a little more and convert her as well. Those South Australian summers are a killer.

[dave]

oh I've tried, our house is on the market, upscaling for retirement, so perfect time to consider a "tree change", I had the perfect property in my sights down the huon valley in amongst remnant rainforest with 5 acres, all rainforest, I got all relevant costings but she simply said "no" so thats the end of it, our SIL's sister has a house on the west side of Hobart (up the hill) very swish and scenic, but not for me

[di on the wallaby]

oh I've tried, our house is on the market, upscaling for retirement, so perfect time to consider a "tree change", I had the perfect property in my sights down the huon valley in amongst remnant rainforest with 5 acres, all rainforest, I got all relevant costings but she simply said "no" so thats the end of it, our SIL's sister has a house on the west side of Hobart (up the hill) very swish and scenic, but not for me

Have just jumped in here. Anna, I read your story of coming to Tasmania with delight. My partner and I came visiting in February and are now committed Taswegians with a church to look after in Derby. My partner had been in Tas in the 90s and adored it. Both being retired we can do the Grey Nomad bit whenever we want in our trusty campervan. Just lock up the church and off. We're heading off tomorrow to the mainland to sell my place there, hopefully getting back here in a month or two. I agree with your comments about this being a photographer's paradise. It is indeed, although I've hardly seen any of it yet. That will be dealt with soon.

[dave]

half your luck! I'm jealous!!

[Mystic]

Thanks Di. Best of luck with everything up on the mainland. Look forward to seeing you back here as soon as is possible. Derby is definitely a lovely area, and I did have my eye on that church. You got a very nice spot there and I am certain you will miss it.

Dave, you are just going to have to get your wife to spend more time down here and point out all the benefits, especially if you are both looking for somewhere to retire to. Pack that camper, take advantage of the cheap fares, and get on down here LOL

[dave]

oh I've tried, believe me I've tried, she loves the place as much as I do but cant see a future for us there

[Joss]

I too just read your post. How I remember the events at Port Arthur. I was a telephone counsellor in Hobart at that time. It didn't help when I remembered when I went to Port Arthur, 3 days prior to the shootings and I saw two guest houses painted in musty pi.nk. I said'those people should be shot for apinting those houses that colour' to the friends I was with. Three days later that couple was shot an killed and the houses set on fire! It makes one stop and think. I also remember the Gay Rights struggle, which we took part in. Being gay in Tasmania was not good back in the 90s. There was so much hatred and mistrust and several brave people suffered horribly before the law was enacted, giving gay men the right to live together legally.

Apart from this, I remember how beautiful Hobat was. How around every street corner one saw a scene worthy for any postcard. the bush walking was amazing. The oportunities that opened for me here were something I never believed possible. I sang in a choir, studied at uni, became politically active, took part in protest meetings and flourished in so many ways. Then my struggling part time relationship went haywire and i ran back to the mainland. I can only say that I missed Tasmania every day for just on 10 years. Now i am back and it will take a lot to get me to leave it permanently.

Who said life begins at forty. For me it began in my 50's and now ten years later it is beginning all over again!

[Mystic]

Thank you Joss, a lovely story in itself.