Huggables

Huggables are a stall on Salamanca on Saturdays that sells soft toys and gifts for kids, or adults alike! We love this stall and my wife would have one of everything there if she had the chance. We first met Rhonda Fibbens at the Autumn festival at New Norfolk, she was selling a few toys that she'd made herself at home in Geeveston. We got chatting and we let her know that we thought they were cute, awesome and all of the other superlatives that we could think of. As a matter of fact we didn't buy anything this time, but we did take a card. When we next had an occasion we were going to get one!

It wasn't too long until there was a baby in the family, in fact three at the same time! We immediately got in touch with Rhonda and went to her home where we could see a hive of sewing activity. She had all sorts of amazing designs and ideas that were yet to come out, needless to say we bought 4 Huggables there and then. She invited us to join her for a cup of coffee around her kitchen table and we enjoyed chatting about the business and where she wanted it to go.

A little later on we were at Salamanca and there she was, this time with even more amazing toys, designs and ideas. She was inundated with customers and was doing very well indeed. The items Rhonda makes are generally suitable for babies and are cut from a massive range of patterns and fabrics. They are hand stitched, stuffed and made with love. The stall is colourful and cheerful and Rhonda is really happy to talk about what is best suited/popular for different kids.

Its an amazing small Tasmanian business that is full of hard work, love and enterprise. Support local businesses - Huggables!

Fish 349

Fish 349 is a modern styled seafood restaurant in North Hobart. It is on Elizabeth St in the thick of the eateries and cafes in the area. It has a modern but casual atmosphere. It is counter-order, so there is no waitress taking orders. Check out the menu and decide from a good selection of food, ranging from mixed platters and burgers to starters and good old fish and chips. It's the kind of menu that you might find at many similar places, that's not to say it wasn't a good menu, it's just part of the amazing local fayre of Tasmania.

You get to choose how you want your fish, i.e. breaded, battered, crumbed etc and it has the usual range of fish that you might find anywhere in Tasmania. My wife would have like half of her scallops breaded and half battered but unfortunately they couldn't accommodate this. 

Service was quick and the staff were friendly. The food was good but a little pricey for what you might find in comparable places. Therefore, as usual, we were carrying our Entertainment book so got 25% off the bill so we cant complain too much.

Fish 349 Website

Henty Dunes

Just a quick one, Henty Dunes are a series of 30m sand dunes that are easily accissible just off Zeehan-Strahan Rd, about 12-15km north of Strahan. This stretch of road is surrounded by managed Pine forests and there is a left turn onto a short dirt track that takes you to a small turning and parking area. From here you can see a samll hut that has some information about the dunes and local area.

There is a 5km (approx 2 hour walk) across the dunes to the beach and back but a lot of fun can be found much closer, for those seeking a free adrenaline high. Whilst the sandboarding areas might be tricky to access for very small children, it would be possible for 5-6 year olds to access the main slopes with some help. We found that there were lots of old 'for sale' signs left in the information hut for use when sandboarding, otherwise the real thing can be purchased or hired from a few convenience shops Strahan.

From the hut, basically any of the routes takes you to the dunes, at which point you'll have to slog up a steep hill (where the small kids might find it tricky), but after that you should be okay. At the top you reach a plateau which is a nice open area of flat sand to have a picnic. Winds can whip up, so I'd advise putting your backs to the beach if it gets windy. The scenery from here is excellent and there is a lot of exploring to be done.

Point to note: There are no signs or designated tracks in the dunes and it would be easy to lose yourself if you're not concentrating. If you take a left turn just after arriving up onto the plateau, there is 'the main slope'. But other more 'infant friendly' slopes can be found nearby if they want to have a quick go.

The slope is long, seems high and adults do pick up speed, but bear in mind that the sand is soft and you can 'bail out' at any time. This said, you will sacrifice your comfort as you're likely to get a face, and butt full of sand if you have a big spill. Basically, put your board down, stand with legs either side, sit down, legs up onto the board and hold onto the sides. You should rocket down the slope, lean to 'steer' although steering is very arbitrary! At the bottom, climb diagonally up the hill for a longer but shallower climb back up, or just go for it and climb up a steeper, shorter section in order to reset and go again. It is tiring work!

At the very end, when you are worn out, the 'main slope' has a quick exit that can help to avoid having to climb up the slope again. If you look immediately to the left hand side at the bottom of the slope, there is a mildly beaten track that routes you through the bush (on the relative flat) and circles back around to the car park. Do leave the signs for someone else!

Pipeline Track

The Pipeline Track heads out from Fern Tree, Hobart. If you're looking for an indicator, a good place to park up is at the Fern Tree Tavern (or nearby). It's quite useful to be near a pub for when you arrive back thirsty. The track heads up past the small park area and is extremely well managed, you can't get lost! The track is shaded almost the entire way, so you won't likely get overly hot on sunnier days.

There are a lot of users of this track including cyclists, walkers and joggers too. Be respectful of all other users and watch out for pedestrians or cyclists as your heading along the track in whatever method you prefer. It's generally pretty flat and is an easy walk or cycle for the most part. The route follows a steel pipe that in many places you can see underfoot. The pipe goes all the way along to Wellington Falls but many places and routes can be accessed from this track, the Springs, Fern Glade to name a few (I will review these soon).

As you head out from Fern Tree you soon come to the Gasworks where there are a few signs explaining the Pipeline and its link to Old Hobart. You can take a 5 minute detour to Silver Falls if you continue upwards from here, it would be a tricky uphill cycle, especially for kids but many tend to leave bikes at the side of the path for a 5 minute walk up to the falls and then continue along the path after their detour. The falls are pretty and whilst I wouldn't want to publicly recommend drinking this water, I did and there were no adverse side effects, so far!

After visiting the falls you come back down the decent and can then continue along on the flat (back from where you began your detour) or head back to Fern Tree for a 45 minute return. Generally the track is flat and maintained although thin in places if there are lots of walkers. There are many scenic views to be had along the track.

Point to note: Every so often the track comes out across a road (just house accesses normally) but the tracks can be picked up on the other side if you scan down the road a few meters. We had a shock when we couldn't find the rest of the track with the first 'crossing' but we soon noticed a track like entry a little further along the road. Generally, in hindsight, it's easy.

We haven't cycled any of the track, but will do when it warms up a bit. It would be okay for kids, pushchairs and the like for most of the route, except the detour to Silver Falls which would be more challenging. 

Bivouac Bay

Bivouac Bay  is situated in the Tasman National Park and the trail begins at the Eastern end of Fortescue Bay. Fortescue Bay has a camp ground, toilets, walk station and easy beach access. Taking the A9 (Arthur Highway) south takes you through Tarana, where there is a Tasmanian Devil park. As you continue south for a couple of minutes, on your left will soon be a turn off for Fortescue Road, which quickly becomes a dirt road which is easily passable in any vehicle. Boats use this route too, so watch out for big oncoming boats.


When you reach the end of the road you arrive past the walk station and head onwards until you can see the beach. There are benches down there which are a nice scenic place to picnic. The walk begins from the beach just here. You can read the sign for a bit of extra information, I always take a snap of the sign just so I know where I'm going! As you can see it is one of the 60 Great Short Walks.


Walk along the beach to the far end, about three-quarters of the way along there is a river outlet into the sea which requires a run and jump or otherwise a ankle-deep wade. If you're lucky there should be a few handy rocks to hop across without too much fuss. The track continues on until the end of the beach where you head up a bank onto the bush track. You can't get lost! Its a well trodden and managed track (where needed).

(Fortescue Bay from the beginning of the bush track)

Point to note: Trees often fall across the track and can take time to be cut back and cleared. When we went along the route, there was a huge tree down which required some scrambling down the bank, past the now grounded treetops and back up onto the track. Going 'through' or over the tree was impossible. We actually saw wallaby in daylight here too.

(View shortly after the bridge at Canoe Bay)

Continue on for 30 minutes and you come to Canoe bay where an old ship was sunk to create a breakwater for the fishing boats that frequent the bay. Become Indiana Jones on the wire bridge that crosses the small rivulet that feeds into Canoe bay. Upto now it's been easy and flat. From here it gets a little less beaten and steeper. You'll probably remove a layer of clothing or two while you ascend through the fern forests and then descend over the next 35-45 minutes until you round a corner to Bivouac bay.

Its nice to sit out on the rocks and explore a bit while you have a snack. You'll cool off pretty quickly here as the wind fetch is on-shore. This is where you put your jacket back on (in winter). Return the way you came, just be sure to check the track you get back onto from Bivouac bay as the route continues on further.

A relatively easy walk with a few steeper sections that most could do (at the right pace). Walk takes approx 3 hours return at a reasonable pace.

Dark Mofo - Winter Feast

The Dark MoFo Winter Feast is a food (and light) festival hosted by MONA, down at the wharf near Salamanca, Hobart. This year it is on from Thursday 19th June - Saturday 21st June, with the official Dark MoFo events being on in the weeks that lead up to this. The Winter Feast plays host to a surreal and eclectic mix of food stands in Princes Wharf No 1 and has a mix of smaller 'attractions' interspersed within this zone.

When I say smaller attractions, I mean smaller light installations, people in bizarre costumes and a morbidly decked out Ferris Wheel of Death scattered around amongst the food stalls, inside and out. If I'm honest, I don't understand some of the 'art' or even the 'artistic styling' of the performers. 2013 saw a haggedly dressed 1800's, Downton-like woman, lying in the walkway cursing people. Pretty odd. The cost this year is $10, despite it being a free event in 2013. We haven't been down the event yet this year but are heading down there on Saturday for our fill of delicious, often local cuisine.

Speaking from experience last year, Princes Wharf No 1 is lined with food stalls and the central areas of the space are taken up with impossibly long tables and chairs in order to seat the eating hoards. There WILL be lots of people down there and the queues tend to get pretty long, if you are really after something in particular then you will likely have to wait in line a long time, otherwise you could do as I do and take the opportunity to try foods from the less popular stalls. 

There is a good selection of beverages also available and outside areas make the most of the event by having heaters and seating areas for you to socialise and keep warm on the winters eve. The Ferris Wheel of Death is a new addition this year that will host 30 singers, twice nightly singing a commissioned piece of music to fit the occasion.

Its a good night of eating, and despite it being cold out, if you are prepared for that, a great chance to savour the winter season whilst having some Glu-wein (Mulled Wine) by a roaring firepit and friends.

Please note, pictures below here are from Dark MoFo 2013.

Sapa Rose

We decided to head out to Sapa Rose a Vietnamese restaurant this weekend (located here). I’ve never had Vietnamese cuisine before, or at least never when eating out, and it was a great experience. The ambiance was relaxed and modern, it wasn't overly busy on the day we went but i believe that we went mid week and I imagine that peak time, peak season it would be humming nicely.

The menu at Sapa Rose is extensive, seemingly massive and we had real trouble choosing as there were loads of things that we liked the sound of. We did as I believe all first timers should and looked straight at the buffet menu. The prices were very reasonable seeing as you always get more than you need in these kinds of multi-course meals and the prices were about the same as a starter and main per person, except that we got a much larger variety of food and a good range of it too. We began with a kind of meatball wrapped in leaves that were to be dipped in a sauce. Second, we had the pancakes shown below.

The pre-main course was the pork in a fantastic sauce which was to be included with other things and wrapped in a lettuce leaf and eaten. 

Finally, we had a seafood combo (shown) and another beef dish. These were served with both rice and Vietnamese noodles.

As you can see the food was based around wraps and leaves. Vietnamese mint and regular mint being the particular stars. The helpful staff asked us if we’d had these kinds of dishes before and explained how to best incorporate all of the elements to make the perfect authentic Vietnamese mouthful. Generally speaking, we wrapped a bit of everything together in a lettuce leaf, but the pancake was delicious to finish off just on its own. By the end of the giant pancake and pork course we didn't want to fill up on mint leaves and waste all the delicious food to come.

We ended up with more food than we could eat but as they do a lot of take-aways, they were more than happy to box up our leftovers so we could take it home. We, again, used an Entertainment book voucher, saving 25% in total and feeling pretty good about the meal and the deal. I think we'd like to come back with a bigger group and have one of the even bigger banquets so that we get to try even more different dishes as part of the experience.

Sapa Rose Website