Indrani Perera

poet, publisher & mentor

Tag: Tasmania

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
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