Rectango!

Playing Friday nights in Salamanca Square, just up behind the Peacock Theatre, Rectango is free salsa music that seems to have become a Hobart institution.
We went along tonight, and it was packed. Crammed with Hobart's bright young things, and some not-so-bright-or-young (me, for example, although I had one of the most popular accessories there - a hip-slung toddler. And there were kids of all sizes there. A very family-friendly atmosphere.), the small courtyard backed by a raw rock wall was like an instant party. Beers were being drunk everywhere, though I didn't see any sort of bar per se in the immediate vicinity. Which isn't to say there wasn't one behind a thicket of people that a short-stuff like me couldn't see. We made do with excellent homemade ice cream from Cargo Bar and Pizza Lounge ($3.50 for a huge single scoop - I recommend the caramelised fig!), just down the street in Salamanca Place.

If you can't find a comfortable pozzie in the square to listen to the music - there is, after all, a lot of loud mingling to compete with - we found the acoustics to be excellent at the top of Kelly Steps!

Where: Salamanca Square, down the arcade off Salamanca Place
When: Friday nights, I think through February only, but don't quote me.
How much: FREE!!!!

Australian Wooden Boat Festival

The Hobart docks filled with masts, rigging and beautiful planked decks (please forgive any awkward, un-boatsy language - I am but an ignorant landlubber!) last weekend for the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. We went down for a look on its final afternoon, under a rather grim grey sky, and peeped through the temporary fencing at the wonderful array of wooden vessels both large and small. We were unfortunately taken aback by the steep entry fee - even at the last day discount of $15 we thought it a bit rich to get a slightly closer view than that seen through the fence, so we looked for free!!


(I love this photo. "Mate! Come back! The festival's this way!")

Bicheno Hideaway

Bicheno Hideaway is about 3km before Bicheno heading north along the Tasman Highway. There are a number of cabins available, ranging from small couple-sized ones to large family cabins, like the Boathouse which we hired at $300 a night and which slept four families (8 adults and four children - two big and two little). It's only a few minutes walk from a stunning rocky beach and maybe a half-hour stroll to a sandy beach. The location is absolutely gorgeous. There are peacocks, wallabies and potoroos, parrots, ducks and chickens all wandering about like they own the place (I guess they do in a way). Kids will love the animal life abundant here, adults will love the ocean views from most vantage points. I for one was pretty happy lying on our king-sized bed looking out over our private deck at a rugged coastline, blue sky and sea. You fall asleep at night listening to the waves, or maybe the possums fighting! The cabins are completely self-contained. All bedding, towels, utensils, microwave, TV and DVD, stereo, books are provided. The proprietors even went out and especially bought a high-chair attachment at our request, which meant peaceful meals three times a day, and you can't put a price on that during a holiday! (Funnily enough, their website states that Hideaway is not suitable for children under 10, but we had a one and two-year old, which they knew all about, and the kids LOVED it and were fine in the cabin as long as we stashed some of the more fragile/dangerous artifacts and objects in a closed room.)
The cabins themselves are those cool airplane hangar-style buildings that I know as RAL Homes, and the glass-walled end makes for a beautiful ocean vista.

Bicheno itself is absolutely beautiful. There are so many stunning beaches, and it's a really friendly town with a lively and relaxed surf-culture feel. We loved it, and were very sad when it was time to go home. Diamond Island, at the end of Redbill Beach, was an especial highlight. You can walk out to it at low tide along a sandbar, and see the penguins living on the island, then you race back through the surf before the tide turns! (Or sit on the island for 6 hours, which with a hat, a book and some sandwiches, would be a pretty fine way to spend a day!) Our slogan for Bicheno was "Looks like Queensland, feels like Tassie!" Mostly referring to the contrast of the tropical aqua colour of the water with the actual temperature!


(Redbill Beach, Bicheno - Diamond Island visible distant right)

Where: Harvey's Farm Road, Bicheno, a comfortable 2-hour drive from Hobart.
Check website for prices and off-season specials.

Boronia Beach

Boronia Beach in Kingston is a hidden-away gem of a place. I call it the secret beach in my head. About a 10 minute walk from Kingston Heights, down a long
set of steps and along a bush track, you round the bend and see through the trees this glorious little cove that transports you to some remote Greek island!


We went with the clan on a 30-degree day the other week, and although it was for once a bit busy with a few other families, there was such a nice vibe that we were happy to share out little paradise with others. Emerging from the cool, crystal clear water onto the clean sandy beach embraced by tall shaggy bush and totally out of sight of civilization is enough to make you fling your arms wide and sing "I'm aliiiiive!" Which I did, unashamedly.

Where: Walk from Kingston Heights, Kingston.

TMAG

TMAG, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, has had something of a serious facelift since I was a kid. It's now a very contemporary, lively and exciting place to visit. There was a stunning exhibition about Tasmania's indigenous people, the old faithful natural history section, but with some fresh new animal pelts for petting (see photo) and a fantastic and interactive Antarctic exhibit, complete with drawers full of taxidermied antarctic birds and a big slab of ice to touch! There is a scale model of Mawson's hut which I could've spent all day peering into. See bottom left image. Or better yet, go to TMAG and peer in yourself!



There is also a discovery centre for the kids, and its heart is in the right place, but I look forward to it receiving a bit more attention in coming years. There are some very exciting looking artist's models of future plans for the museum, so I think it's only going to get bigger and better. The museum shop is also new (to me, anyway!) and was a pleasure to browse through with some gorgeous books. The courtyard area to the side of the museum, near the Bond Store, is a lovely open area. It's just a great, easygoing place with a relaxed vibe and will become much more of a hangout as my son gets older.

Where: 40 Macquarie St, Hobart
Opening hours: 10am -5pm daily (excluding Christmas day, Anzac Day and Good Friday)

Shameless self-promotion

My partner and I have launched an etsy store, Zando Design, where we will be selling all manner of original handmade items. So far it's in the process of getting well-stocked with one-inch badges. Check it out for some fun and quirky button badges, made right here in Tasmania!

Cool house

Barossa Rd, Glenorchy.