Indrani Perera

poet, publisher & mentor

Tag: adventure

The Nut

The Nut is the stunning backdrop to the town of Stanley. It's a huge, looming lump of rock that sticks up and out from the end of a bit of land that pokes out of the northwest coastline. It's a solid and reassuring piece of geology that the town leans against to get out of the wind. It's a solid walk up the steep sides of the Nut and alas we didn't have time to make the climb, not if we wanted to see the Tarkine as well. It's the tough life of a traveller – always having to choose between seeing or doing one amazing thing or another! Luckily it's a task I'm willing to take on 🙂

I didn't think we were going to get a chance to ride the chairlift to the top of the Nut while we were staying in Stanley. I was a little sad as it was one of the things that had been on my list of things to do before we had left Melbourne. Along with the wilderness railway in Strahan which we were also going to miss as it was fully booked out until June when we were going to be back home.

The weather had been stormy with strong winds and rain the whole time we were in Stanley and the chairlift wasn't operational. On the morning of our departure it was a different story altogether as the sun came out to bid us goodbye and the winds died down momentarily. We had a big drive ahead of us as we were aiming to do the coastal part of the Tarkine Drive and then head down to Strahan for the night via the Fatman barge at Corinna. We had to be in Corinna by 5pm to catch the last trip across the Pieman river for the day.

As we jumped in the car, I saw the chairlift going up the side of the Nut with people in it. I managed to convince the rest of the family that we should take a ride on the chairlift. And I am so glad I did!

It was an exhilarating ride up the side of the Nut and then walking on top with the incredible views of the town and out to sea. It was freezing up there and the woman operating the chairlift at the top said she thought it must be snowing in Cradle Mountain to make it so cold.

It was also super windy and we almost got blown off but it was well worth it. The land up there is 13 million years old and still hosts life. Somehow, it hugs the contours of the land and manages to hold on, in spite of the wind and the cold.

Mind-blowing.

May 17, 2022
Don’t Sink! (Tarkine Take One)

Today we did a day trip from our base in Stanley to see the inland part of the Tarkine Drive. Our first stop was the Trowutta arch. We weren't expecting much from our first foray into the temperate rainforest of the Tarkine and were amazed by the sight that awaited us at the end of our fifteen minute walk. Of course, being us, the walk took a lot longer than fifteen minutes as we all stopped several times to take photos on the way!

This part of the world is known as sinkhole country with hundreds of sinkholes in the area. The rocks beneath the surface are dolomite rocks. These carbonate rocks are soluble in water which creates gaps and cracks under the ground that cause slumps and hollows on the surface. This sinkhole and the one at Lake Chisholm are filled with water.

I managed to create a new sinkhole when I walked of the track to get a closer picture of the sinkhole. I didn't realise the earth was so soft here!

Our next stop was the buttongrass meadows at the Desmpster Plains Lookout. After bumping along a gravel road for about ten minutes we came to a wooden lookout by the side of the road. It looked pretty uninspiring until we climbed the track behind it and discovered the actual lookout further up the hill. It started raining halfway up the hill and when we got to the stop we had this breathtaking view. Pus bonus rainbow!

Buttongrass is a sedge that has button like flowers and seed pods. It thrives in infertile and poorly drained soils. Areas such as these that are dominated by button grass are referred to as moorland or plains. First Nations custodians used fire-stick farming to create these moorlands for hunting and ease of movement. During the button grass created some and flames that flushed out animals. Fresh growth after the fires in turn attracted more wildlife.

From there our next stop was the limestone sinkhole of Lake Chisholm and all the amazing trees, ferns and line growing on everything near the 'lake'.

Of all our stops today, the most magnificent scenery occurred in the spur of the moment stops, not the ones that I had planned and marked on our map of the area. I don't know if it was the serendipity if the moment colouring them or the surprise that made them seem so wonderful. Perhaps its something about not having any expectations and letting the splendour of the place carry you away. Whatever it was, I am grateful for this beautiful day in the Tasmanian wilds!

May 16, 2022
The Light Between Dreams

Stanely is a super cute and picturesque Tasmanian town situated in the island's northwest. It has lots of historic buildings and was used as a location for the 2012 movie, The Light Between Dreams.

It looks just as amazing by night as it does by day.

We stayed in a cute little flat in the attic rooms of the old customs house. There was a bathroom, kitchenette, bedroom and a lounge tucked into one of the dormer windows. I loved sitting on the couch staring out to sea, watching the storms ride in on the clouds and the waves. I could drink in that view forever! I didn't get to write any poems while in the attic but I am feeling a little bit more like a poet after having an attic of my own, even if it was only for a few nights!

There was a lot of time spent on this couch, reading books and playing games. When we were in Deloraine I managed to pick up a new game by Gamewright called Zeus on the Loose. It's a super fun, fast-paced family action card game based on Greek myths and featuring the Greek gods Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Hera, Hermes and of course, Zeus. It involves lots of maths, quick thinking and snatching. Super good! If you want to get some easy family games, I highly recommend Gamewright – they seem to know just what makes a great family game. Some of their other titles which we have played and enjoyed are Sushi Go, Sleeping Queens and Hiss.

It was lovely to wander around the town, popping into shops, buying yummy nibbles for supper and stopping off at a cafe for a cup of tea when we got too cold. My favourite shops were the volunteer run Heart and Craft shop that stocked handmade items created by locals and the Providore which had lots of tasty treats including an aged cashew cheese by Loudy. Mmmmm!

We followed our noses past the old church and cemetery and down to Godfrey's beach and the penguin viewing platform.

It was the wrong time of year for penguins but the right time of year for gorgeous landscapes and wonderful swept beauty!

As well as magnificent views of the Nut!

May 15, 2022
Penguin(s)

On our drive from Deloraine to Stanley, we stopped off briefly at Penguin to see the giant, you guessed it, penguin! Penguin is a cute little coastal town with a boutique brewery and penguins everywhere, including rubbish bins and bollards.

I loved the Doctor Who blue telephone box with it's little library inside. I've spied a few of these free little libraries so far on our trip in Tassie.

Penguin statues and penguins peering out windows.

Penguins, penguins, everywhere!

May 14, 2022
An Afternoon Meander And Some Eating

On our last full day in Deloraine the sun decided to come out so we decided to go out and play. We spent a glorious afternoon wandering our way through town, visiting as many shops as possible and eating almost as much!

We started our culinary journey with lunch at Cycles at the Empire. House smoked trout omelette with roquette and aioli for me. Yum! So good I ordered a second and devoured it too! Then a strenuous (not) walk up the hill, popping into some shops followed by afternoon tea at the Deloraine Deli – burnt toffee and almond slice with chamomile tea. Mmmm…

Next a wander along the Meander river spotting ducks. Followed by ice cream from Dixie Blue.

Travelling is hard work I tell you!

May 13, 2022
Leaving Home

After two years of lockdowns and pandemics, it feels so good to be leaving the state and going overseas. Even if that 'sea' is actually Bass Strait and we're not technically going to another country but another state. I'm consoling myself by thinking that if I lived in Europe, Tasmania would actually be another country!

What really matters is that I feel like I'm going on a huge trip. There have been some little camping trips around Melbourne in the last six months or so but this is the first big adventure for my little family and I in a long time. It's a chance to explore new places and discover all sorts of new and amazing things. I also get to organise and pack the bits and pieces I'll need. I love packing for adventures–condensing all my belongings into a bag (or three!) and hitting the road. The lovely G is taking our car across on the ferry and I suspect I have overpacked somewhat without the restriction of an airline baggage allowance!

I wonder what amazing things we will see and do on this trip? I can't wait to find out!

May 9, 2022
Marevellous Museums

Yesterday I went on a family outing. The first in a very long time. We all piled into the car and headed into town to visit the Melbourne Museum. My main reason for going was to buy their Museum Victoria fields guide to marine life and I figured we may as well all go and check out the museum while we were there especially as we haven't visited for years and I knew there would be lots of cool things to see. When I have to go somewhere by car I like to fit in a few things so we're not wasting petrol by taking multiple trips so we also did some grocery shopping at Terra Madre, the organic food mecca. I like to fill the car with people for the same reason.

Our first stop was the outdoor rainforest space filled plants, trees, wildlife and birds. I really like how the museum mixes indoor and outdoor spaces for its exhibits – it's a beautifully designed building. We saw heaps of birds we've never seen before and now I have the fun job of finding out what they are. We also saw fish, frogs, eastern long necked turtles, lizards and ants.

Our second stop was the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre and the exhibition First Peoples. A lot of the interactive exhibits were closed due to COVID-19 but we still managed to see quite a few things. It was great hearing different languages for Australian animals. The girls had a giggle over the fire drill set up for people to have a go at starting a fire. They of course are already very good at using a fire drill to start fires, thanks to the Firekeepers' camps we have been going to for the past few years. I loved seeing all the hand made items – necklaces made from kangaroo teeth, seed pods and other organic materials; axe heads, message sticks and shields.

Within the exhibition there was the Two Strong Sisters Connected art exhibition featuring work by the indigenous artists, Aunty Rochelle Patten and Aunty Eileen Harrison. It was so good to see art again. I didn't realise how much I missed it until I saw the beautiful paintings and drawings from the two elders. I really don't know how to talk about art in a technical or fancy way but I know that the paintings spoke to something within me. Just being in that space, surrounded by all that art was amazing and uplifting.

From there we visited the Milarri garden trail before finally popping into the gift shop to buy the books. Happily they were having a 20% off sale so I snuck in a couple of field guides about Victorian moths as well as Welcome To Country by Marcia Langton.

After our museum visit we thought we'd make the most of being in the city so we walked into Carlton and grabbed drinks and ice cream on Lygon street. I had the richest, thickest, hot chocolate made with soy milk and felt a little queasy afterwards from all the sugar. If you only have one hot chocolate a year, make it a good one I say!

I'm hoping this is the first of many family day trips in and around Melbourne this summer. How are you planning on spending your summer?

December 30, 2020
Amazing Adelaide

I had the best time in Adelaide last weekend. As soon as I stepped into the terminal at the airport I had a smile on face. Traveling around the city on public transport was a breeze and any time I got stuck, I just asked a helpful local. The city itself is beautiful with wide tree lined streets and lots of parks.

WARNING – I got very carried away with my camera. What follows are only some of the photos I took although there are so many in this post it may feel like I included them all! Scroll down at your peril…

There was an exhibition of art work from seven female Australian artists on display in the airport terminal. These paintings by Eleanor Zecchin were my favourites.

I saw grand old buildings, great art and managed to squeeze in visits to the State Library, Art Gallery and Museum. As well as attending the Ginninderra Press celebrations and dinner. Pretty impressive for a two day visit!

I loved all the works by William Morris and his contemporaries. From the handprinted manuscript from Kelmscott Press and the William Morris curtain fabric to the enamelled plaque by someone else which was my favourite piece at the SA Art Gallery.

The museum had an incredible indigenous gallery and a fabulous display of bush tucker foods. They also had fire sticks, baskets, possum skin cloaks, grinding stones and much more.

I've come home exhausted from so much goodness and rather a lot of walking. My heart is full and happy and my head is whirring with ideas and inspiration. I even managed to pen a few poems while I was away. YAY! Travelling is good for the soul!

July 12, 2018
Amazing Adelaide

I had the best time in Adelaide last weekend. As soon as I stepped into the terminal at the airport I had a smile on face. Traveling around the city on public transport was a breeze and any time I got stuck, I just asked a helpful local. The city itself is beautiful with wide tree lined streets and lots of parks.

WARNING – I got very carried away with my camera. What follows are only some of the photos I took although there are so many in this post it may feel like I included them all! Scroll down at your peril…

There was an exhibition of art work from seven female Australian artists on display in the airport terminal. These paintings by Eleanor Zecchin were my favourites.

I saw grand old buildings, great art and managed to squeeze in visits to the State Library, Art Gallery and Museum. As well as attending the Ginninderra Press celebrations and dinner. Pretty impressive for a two day visit!

I loved all the works by William Morris and his contemporaries. From the handprinted manuscript from Kelmscott Press and the William Morris curtain fabric to the enamelled plaque by someone else which was my favourite piece at the SA Art Gallery.

The museum had an incredible indigenous gallery and a fabulous display of bush tucker foods. They also had fire sticks, baskets, possum skin cloaks, grinding stones and much more.

I've come home exhausted from so much goodness and rather a lot of walking. My heart is full and happy and my head is whirring with ideas and inspiration. I even managed to pen a few poems while I was away. YAY! Travelling is good for the soul!

July 12, 2018