Hopping at Kangaroo Island
Sea lions at the Seal Bay Conservation Park, Admirals Arch, Remarkable Rocks, and yes, the odd kangaroo are just some of the sights you will find on Kangaroo Island.
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Just an hour drive from Hobart, and a little more from Launceston, the little town of Oatlands, Tasmania now bypassed by the Midland Highway, is a step back in time.
Once upon a time when you drove the Midland Highway, there were some great examples of topiary beside the road that were produced by one of the road workers (the late Jack Cashion). There were all sorts of shapes, from memory most were animals, and they provided a nice distraction as you drove along.
On my last visit to Oatlands, I spotted a few more examples of this interesting art form right in the town. But you don’t need distractions here – there is plenty to keep your interest. Not the least of which is the restored Callington Mill.
This magnificent structure, fully restored and operating, is now producing quality flours as the winds of the Midlands drive its sails.
Nearby is a blacksmith. And throughout the town are outstanding examples of Georgian buildings dating from the early 1800’s.
On a sunny day, you could buy a nice pie and find a picnic spot on the shores of Lake Dulverton.
UPDATE July, 2022: A recent addition to the Callington mill surrounds is a modern whiskey distillery. You can take a self-guided tour, have a taste, or even mix your own. All the more reason to stop and enjoy the hospitality of Oatlands.
Sea lions at the Seal Bay Conservation Park, Admirals Arch, Remarkable Rocks, and yes, the odd kangaroo are just some of the sights you will find on Kangaroo Island.
Make sure you bring your bucket and spade, it’s the biggest sand island in the world
The Art Silos at Brim in Western Victoria celebrate the local famers who have lived and worked in the area for generations.
The world’s greatest art museum – the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and Winged Victory – just get lost and enjoy it.
It’s worth all the steps up to the Molyvos Castle. Besides the view, you pass a lot of shops on the way up.
There are two things to see in Le Kef – the Kasbar on top of the hill and the Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires.