Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
An iconic, wilderness area in Australia’s Southern-most state,Tasmania. Visit it, hike it, see it.
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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.
An iconic, wilderness area in Australia’s Southern-most state,Tasmania. Visit it, hike it, see it.
You can see Australian native animals at The Healesville Animal Sanctuary – an amazing place a couple of hours drive from Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Here you will experience up-close encounters with a range of Australian wildlife, including kangaroos, dingoes, koalas, birds, snakes, and the strange platypus.
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.
The Reporters Memorial in Bayeux is an avenue of white remembrance slabs of stone, each seven feet high, and each recording the names of reporters who were killed reporting conflict.
Ypsilos Monastery sits on the top of an extinct volcano. Originally built in 1101 it has had a few reconstructions since.