Journeys Feb/Mar 2022 by ract-journeys

Journeys y YOUR RACT MEMBER MAGAZINE // FEB / MAR 2022

SPEED AND YOU’LL MISS IT It’s not worth the risk

This issue

Egg-cellent Tassie dishes Cruising the Central Highlands on the BMW F 750 GS Road tripping from Low Head to Bridport

Low level speeding is contributing to deaths and serious injuries on our roads. And it’s something we’re all doing. We think there aren’t any consequences, but that’s simply not true. We’re passing our bad habits onto our children. We’re normalising it in our community. And we’re increasing the likelihood of a devastating crash. The reality is, if you drive just a few kms over the speed limit, it’s over.

THE

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contents.

FEB / MAR 2022

Welcome note

Travel

Inbox

Travel news

The pit stop

The perfect pitch

The sparkling coast

A word from our President

Our members share what’s on their minds

Lifestyle

What’s on

Tassie’s top 5 eggs

18 28 inside

Road test

Photos: Chris Crerar; courtesy Lady Jo; iStockphoto

We take the BMW F 750 GS for a ride through the Central Highlands

Cover in partnership with the Road Safety Advisory Council. For information on their speeding campaign, see page 59. Image: Tourism Tasmania and iStockphoto

Our branches are open Mon–Fri 8.45am to 5pm For customer service, call 13 27 22 For roadside assistance, call 13 11 11 anytime Visit ract.com.au Email journeys@ract.com.au

Your new to-do list

Get cracking with these diverse dishes

A mile in the shoes of ...

Southport mapmaker Jo

Wellness

When wilderness and wellness meet

Drive

23 27 28

on the cover

Auto news

Developments in the car world

0–100 review

The Hyundai Ioniq 5

Road Test

We hit the road with BMW’s F 750 GS

Inspiration for exploring Quick stop in New Norfolk

Top camping holidays for everyone Road tripping from Low Head to Bridport

7 must-do drives Dramatic drives around the world

Community

The latest

Changing gears

News from the RACT community Road safety programs

Speed reduction

Member rewards

When it comes to speeding, over is over Savings available now

Puzzles

Rear view

Crossword and quiz Snapshots of Tasmania

Have your say on Member Hub and social media

To unsubscribe from Journeys, visit ract.com.au/update

Will you leave 1% to give them a life worth living? Your legacy is important to them. With just 1%, you can make a world of difference. Scan the QR code for more information

welcome. ABOUT YOUR RACT PRESIDENT Alison Flakemore VICE PRESIDENTS Jenny Richardson BOARD Peter Dixon, Jude Franks, Risden Knightley, Pieter Kolkert, Sue Smith RACT GROUP CEO Mark Mugnaioni JOURNEYS MANAGING EDITOR Amira Vaatstra

A word from our President It is a privilege and an honour to be appointed as the new President for the RACT. I have formerly served as a Director and Vice-President, and am very eager to continue the excellent work and direction which has been set by our former President, Kathryn Westwood. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kathryn for all of her diligence, commitment and passion in leading such a well-established and foundational member organisation for 15 years. I’d also like to acknowledge Jenny Richardson as Vice President and Deputy Chairperson. Jenny has demonstrated her governance and leadership, and I look forward to working alongside Jenny into the future. As one of Tasmania’s most trusted brands, we’re resolute in our commitment to retain that trust and it is something I will continue to pursue during my tenure. I am a passionate advocate for road safety and I am committed to ensuring good governance in all RACT Board activities, so that we achieve our strategic objectives for the benefit of our members and the Tasmanian community. At the time of writing, we have formally been integrated as one RACT organisation,

The board members, vice president and president are current to 31 Dec 2021.

encompassing insurance and the Auto Club. The Board wishes to extend its sincere appreciation to our Group CEO Mark Mugnaioni and his team and to CEO RACT Insurance Trent Sayers and his team, who have worked together to bring this to a successful transactional completion spanning many months. We have been working to bring our teams together and share knowledge across our broader business. It has been a busy time and one of growth and opportunity. These changes won’t affect the great service we deliver to our members but will enhance the experience by becoming one wholly owned Tasmanian organisation. I am also pleased to welcome three highly respected and experienced non-executive directors to the RACT Investment Holdings and insurance board entities; Ian Gillespie, Elaine Collins and Tony Coleman. They will join the existing insurance board directors Pieter Kolkert, Peter Joyce and Kathryn Westwood to form the new insurance board. Ian Gillespie has been appointed Chair of the insurance-related entity boards. Lastly, I look forward to working hard to deliver real benefits for our members in what will be a year of significant opportunity. Alison Flakemore // PRESIDENT

Journeys is published for The Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania by Hardie Grant Media, Building 1, 658 Church Street, Richmond VIC 3121 hardiegrant.com Managing Director Clare Brundle Managing Editor Sophie Al-Bassam Editor Constantina Demos Art Director Dallas Budde Design Sue Morony Advertising Sales and Partnerships Director Lauren Casalini laurencasalini@hardiegrant.com Senior Account Manager Amanda Travers amandatravers@hardiegrant.com Printer Ovato Mailhouse D&D Mailing Services Distribution Australia Post Australia Post No. 100003899

Competition terms and conditions can be found at ract.com.au/competitions. No part of Journeys may be reproduced without permission. Copyright 2021 RACT. The opinions contained in this publication may not be shared by The Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania Limited or its related bodies corporate (together “RACT”) or any of its directors or employees. Advertisements in Journeys are the responsibility of the advertiser. No person should act or rely upon such opinions or advice and RACT accepts no liability for them. Any rewards or rights provided to a member cannot be transferred, assigned, sold or redeemed for cash. Inclusion of a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RACT.

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

inbox. LETTERS

Car manufacturers missing the point

Nick thinks manufacturers should offer something like the Hyundai i20 as an EV.

It’s good to see more EVs coming out from different manufacturers. What is disappointing is they seem to mostly be based on premium versions of a particular model, increasing cost unnecessarily. A lot of people just want a good reversing camera, parking sensors and something to plug their smartphones into. A lot more EVs would be sold if they were also available in basic, cheaper versions. Also where are all the small EVs? People buy small cars for their fuel efficiency. Isn’t it logical that they would buy small EVs for the same reason? For example, in Australia, you can only get the Hyundai i20 in a performance hatch for a premium price. Why not offer the same car as an EV? Seems a lot of missed opportunities as I believe many people would like an EV but baulk at the initial cost. Nick Sorensen // Burnie

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

Charging infrastructure needed in the north-west As the owner of an electric vehicle, the biggest problem in north-west Tassie is a lack of charging infrastructure, and an unwillingness to install it. There are almost no public chargers west of Devonport. I’ve talked to people in towns like Stanley, which has no charge points, and there’s no interest at all, even when I pointed out that the Tassie government is funding charger installation at businesses. So, having a somewhat shorter-range EV, we don’t visit any of those towns like we used to, and those whole regions will be missing out on a lot of tourism as EV numbers ramp up. I think the biggest issue is not changing the minds of vehicle owners, it’s convincing business owners that they should install destination chargers. This is something RACT really needs to be working on. Lance Turner // East Ridgley

Speeding in Scamander Speeding through Scamander has increased to a dangerous and unacceptable level. Although the limit is 50km/h and 60km/h through the town, I have observed flagrant disregard for any limits. I know State Growth is aware of the problem, however, nothing is done and will not be done until a tragedy occurs. A typical buck-passing exercise. Preferably three speed cameras are required for the almost 3km stretch through Scamander. Adrian Nolan // Scamander

ROUNDABOUT ROUND-UP FORCED SLOW DOWN

Images: Tasmanian Road Rules, Department of State Growth 2021

May I suggest that each entrance/exit on a roundabout have a slightly raised section to make people slow down as they approach a roundabout? This will help avoid collisions and also give those waiting a chance to get onto the roundabout and thus keep traffic moving. The same should also be placed just before crossings. Again, cars would be forced to slow down and would give the pedestrian a better chance of crossing safely. Ray Quinn // Blackmans Bay IN THE MIDDLE

There have been some great letters about roundabouts but what about the safety aspect? They are primarily a large island for traffic control and safety. People now see them as places for advertising or other displays which are not only distracting but, in some instances, dangerous. The one on the old Midland Highway between Brighton and Pontville has a huge steel sculpture in the middle; so many sharp edges!

WRITE TO US

In an emergency, a vehicle should be able to travel over the roundabout. Andy Beasant // Bothwell ROUNDABOUT REVIEW

I think that the letter by Neville Cooper (Oct/Nov issue) about roundabouts might be more insightful than its author intends. I’d like to suggest an idea that might be more helpful. Over the years, many motorists have complained in this magazine and elsewhere about roundabout problems. But those complaints seem to have been ignored or, at best, considered only as individual complaints, with no one asking if there might be a pattern. We’ve had grandiose visions by the Hobart City Council, the state government and the RACT all claiming to address traffic problems. I hesitate to suggest another grandiose review, but maybe a simpler, smaller review just addressing roundabouts. Even if it described and documented the problems, we’d be on a path towards a solution. Keith Anderson // Kingston

Merging misunderstanding We would like to give clarity around Peter Le Comte’s letter in our previous issue. Peter’s letter referenced both examples below. We would like to clarify that if your lane markings end, or the lanes of traffic are reduced, you must merge by giving way to any vehicle that is ahead of you.

Car B must give way to car A. Car A has right of way.

Car A must give way to car B. Car B has right of way.

We’re keen to hear your thoughts on any motoring or travel-related topics and auto questions. Please keep them brief – we reserve the right to edit.

Still proudly Tasmanian Consider the PDS and TMD available at spiritsuper.com.au/pds before making a decision. Issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 238 718, ABN 14 008 650 628).

journeys@ract.com.au @ractofficial

spiritsuper.com.au

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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Join the hunt

WHAT’S ON TASSIE’S TOP 5 EGGS A MILE IN THEIR SHOES WELLNESS

After a sold-out summer of foraging tours, Sirocco South is hosting an autumn–winter run of events from May through to June. Each foodie treasure hunt on the shores of Frederick Henry Bay is limited to just six people. You’ll learn how to identify local flavours including native greens, wild asparagus, tasty and safe mushrooms, salt bush and more. Your efforts will be rewarded with a six-course lunch prepared using your finds paired with seasonal meat and seafood, and local wines.

P For more, visit siroccosouth.com.au

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

what’s on. YOUR NEW TO-DO LIST Until 18 April

TRIUMPHANT DEBUT If you visit Mona this month you’ll see James Capper’s Prototypes of Speculative Engineering. It is an amalgamation of Capper’s interests in mechanical engineering, industrial design and evolutionary biology. His mobile sculptures steal the show.

All event details are up to date at time of print, but can change.* For updates, consult organisers directly, and support Tassie’s events industry through these challenging times.

UNTIL 17–19 MARCH

ON TRACK

It’s the holy grail of mountain bike rides. The Dragon Trail MTB race weaves its way through Tassie’s wilderness. Day one sees riders take to the Blue Derby trails; day two, Blue Tier to the Bay of Fires; and day three, St Helens.

5 MARCH

WILD FOR TRIATHLON

13–14 MARCH

A weekend of fine produce, food, live music and family fun? Sign us up, please. In its 29th year, A Taste of the Huon food and wine festival showcases all that is grown and produced in the bountiful region.

26 FEBRUARY

GARLIC, ANYONE? Head to the Koonya Garlic Festival for a quirky and uniquely Tasmanian experience. At the heart of the harvest festival is the Garlic Competition, open to both amateur and pro growers who compete for the coveted ‘Golden Globes’. Chefs Analiese Gregory (above), Tino Carnevale, Ishan Acharya and more will be hosting masterclasses. 12

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

Photos: Dragon Trail/Murilo Mattos; Nikko To; Nick McKinlay

HEART OF THE HUON

Don’t let the scenic setting fool you. The Coles Bay Half Triathlon is a tough course. Held within the natural reserves of Coles Bay, the course includes a 1.9km swim, 90km ride and 21.1km run. This is not for the faint-hearted.

lifestyle Want to tell us about your event or product? Reach us on journeys@ ract.com.au

Made in Tas Schedule in some self-care time with Honeymoon Yourself. This socially conscious beauty brand features products – such as its Vanilla Orris Matcha Brightening Masque – full of natively grown organic ingredients and packaged in compostable, recyclable and reusable jars and sachets that are cute to boot.

New in town

Make a note

On 19 March, Hobart will welcome the Out Here in the Field Festival at Cascade Brewery to its events calendar. The team behind the festival promise it will go beyond the common music festival offerings, with local craft beer on tap, wine by local producers and seasonal cocktails, all of which can be enjoyed on a country club-themed tennis court. Forget food trucks; expect a curated dining experience instead. And what is a music festival without music? The Teskey Brothers (pictured) are headlining so we’re calling it: this will be a hit.

Podcast From the brains behind the Blue Derby Pods Ride comes Flow Seekers, a podcast that welcomes local talent to discuss life, nature, motivation and focus.

Book Congratulations to Tassie author Amanda Lohrey, whose intimate novel The Labyrinth has won the $80,000 Prime Minister’s Literary Award. It also won the Miles Franklin and Voss literary prizes.

See This is your last chance to see the iconic Sidney Nolan’s Ned Kelly Series, at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, ending 20 February.

WHAT’S BLOOMING?

with SADIE CHRESTMAN from Fat Pig Farm It’s time to celebrate the Mediterranean: zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers, including our favourite Spanish padróns. The latter can be toasted in a hot pan with olive oil and salt (one in every 10 is hot, but like life, you never know what you’re going to get). We love roasting eggplants and smashing the soft charred insides with yogurt and Middle Eastern spices. We make a similar dish with roast zucchini. Basil goes with everything. Out in the garden, it’s time to plant the winter brassicas: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and soft curls of spigarello. We do four successions: January, February, March and April. The Brussels sprouts were planted in January and, along with all the brassicas, have been netted to deter the dreaded cabbage moth. The netting is stretched over a low frame made from irrigation pipe arched over steel rods and held down with tent pegs. Sow now Plant out brassicas successions in Feb, March and April Harvest now Tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, corn, basil ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

TA S M A N I A N S Y M P H O N Y O R C H E S T R A

Subscriptions to the TSO’s 2022 season January to July - now on sale.

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lifestyle

Tassie’s top 5 egg dishes FOODIE finds

Tassie’s top egg dishes can be eaten at any time of day, writes Nola James.

Eggs are as useful as they are delicious. They’re versatile, used as a binding agent in cake and the key ingredient in custard, for example, and they’re also good for you. The Heart Foundation recommends them as part of a healthy diet for their high protein, high-nutritional content, and essential amino acids and vitamins. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the five cafes and restaurants dishing out the best eggs in lutruwita/Tasmania right now. We recommend you get cracking!

1 TASMANIAN OCTOPUS AND

CHORIZO SCRAMBLED EGGS Born in Brunswick NORTH HOBART This “Melbourne-style” cafe (named for the hip suburb of Brunswick in Melbourne’s inner north) also attracts Melbourne-style queues. Visitors are more than happy to wait for a seat at this bright and airy spot, and for good reason. The cafe is regularly named Hobart’s best by the likes of Delicious magazine and The Mercury. Strap in because the all-day brunch menu takes no prisoners in the flavour

department. Order a plate of silken scrambled eggs folded with sizzling chorizo, local octopus and herby salsa for breakfast and you’ll be all right to skip lunch.

2 EGG HOPPER

Lucky Sri-Lankan Kitchen SOUTHERN TASMANIA

Egg hoppers look like a bowl-shaped crepe — a fermented batter of ground rice and coconut milk is swirled around a concave pan to make a crisp ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

lifestyle

casing and a whole egg is cracked into the base. Nirmalee and Lucky of Lucky Sri-Lankan Kitchen, a food truck that moonlights around southern Tasmania’s market scene, put hoppers on their menu last October. So many people asked for the dish they added it to their roster of curries and roti. It’s made to order and served with fresh coconut sambol and veg or meat curry. Tear off bits of the ‘bowl’ and use it to scoop up the spiced side dishes.

3 FEISTY EGG BUTTY Sweetbrew LAUNCESTON

We recommend two hands for this egg sandwich – with its double dose of fried egg, crumbed eggplant, sliced tomato and deep-fried jalapenos (not to mention lashings of mayo). It’s also an egg butty on the move. By the time this magazine lands in your letterbox, a new Sweetbrew in the Tatler Arcade 16

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

development on St John Street should be just about open. The new site promises all-day dining, a wine bar and roastery, with the George Street location going back to basics with coffee and snacks.

You’ll also find a modern take on traditional Finnish munavoi (egg butter) where the chopped hard boiled eggs are swapped out for whipped egg butter topped with Olasagasti anchovies and fresh lemon zest.

4 ANCHOVY TOAST,

5 PRAWN OMELETTE

WHIPPED EGG BUTTER Institut Polaire HOBART Institut Polaire, a wine bar and restaurant from the team behind Süd Polaire gin and Domaine Simha wine, does a lot of interesting things with eggs. While the menu is seasonal there is one dish that keeps coming back and it’s the saffron silk handkerchiefs with walnut butter and duck yolk dish. The handmade saffron pasta is folded in creamy Tasmanian walnut butter and topped with a rich duck yolk that comes from the Central Highlands. And it’s not the only item featuring egg on the menu.

Me Wah LAUNCESTON This Hong Kong-style omelette, or egg foo young, has been on the menu at Me Wah in Launceston since the restaurant opened in 1998 (also available by request at the Tso family’s second location in Sandy Bay). Each omelette features five eggs, whole prawns, and locally grown shitake mushrooms. It’s cooked until barely set — with a justgolden exterior — and served with a jelly-like gravy made from soy and oyster sauces. This dish serves four people banquet style. Pair with succulent roast duck (generously deboned) and deluxe fried rice to make a meal.

Laugh and the whole world laughs with you! Presenting the first-ever Peter Carl Fabergé-inspired music box dedicated to our beloved Kookaburra!

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An intricate 18-note musical movement brings you the heartwarming melody of “Beautiful Dreamer”

u more than 80 hand-set faux gems!

Exquisite from every angle!

Smaller than actual size of 16cm high

hen Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree, he’s a truly wondrous sight. But when the King of the Bush joins forces with Peter Carl Fabergé, the King of Jewelled Treasures, the magic really begins! Now, you can enjoy both in the “King of the Bush Music Box”, an enchanting new Peter Carl Fabergé-inspired musical premiere, available only from The Bradford Exchange.

Painted by hand to create a unique one-of-a-kind treasure

Centuries-old hand-crafting creates a modern masterpiece Skilled in the traditions of the great porcelain houses of Europe, our Master Artisans craft each edition by hand using only the finest Heirloom Porcelain®. The base showcases a charming pair of ‘kookas’ created by Joy Scherger, one of Australia’s most celebrated wildlife artists. Lavished all over with hand-applied 22-carat gold, the music box features more than 80 faux gems, each one set by hand in the Fabergé tradition. The egg opens to reveal a kookaburra sculpture, so realistic you can almost hear his laughter echo through the bush! The sculpt is painted entirely by hand, creating a treasure as rare and beautiful as one of Fabergé’s own masterpieces! Plays the melody of “Beautiful Dreamer” as a lovely finishing touch.

Exceptional Value. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Attractively priced at just two easy, interest-free instalments of $49.99, a total of $99.98, plus $14.99 postage and handling, the “King of the Bush Music Box” is also risk-free thanks to our world-famous 365-day money-back guarantee. Intensive hand-crafting may limit supply, so hurry! Send no money now. Just fill in and mail the coupon today or go online at www.bradford.com.au/birds

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1. ONLINE at www.bradford.com.au/birds quoting promotion code: 123303 2. MAIL no stamp required, to: The Bradford Exchange, Reply Paid 86369 Parramatta NSW 2124 3. PHONE: (02) 9841 3311 8am-5pm EST Mon – Fri Please allow between 2-10 business days for delivery. All sales subject to product availability and reservation acceptance. Credit criteria may apply. Our privacy policy is available online at www.bradford.com.au. You must be over 18 years old to apply. From time to time, we may allow carefully screened companies to contact you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please tick this box. q

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

lifestyle

In her remote southern shack Jo is charting a different course, writes Sophie Al-Bassam.

map maker

o* was in the middle of travelling through 60 countries over 12 years when she lost her sense of direction. She sustained a head injury snowboarding in Canada, and it still affects her today. “I lost my sense of direction overnight. I never knew where I was,” she says. So, she became more observant of her surroundings and started to draw maps to feel more grounded. Soon Jo was supplementing her work in cafes by selling local maps, wherever she was. Years later she settled in a “little shack” on the edge of a World Heritage site in Southport, Australia’s southernmost settlement, with her partner Sarah, their blended family of four kids, and dog, Poppy. 18

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

Photos: courtesy Lady Jo. * Jo chose not to include her last name

A mile in THE SHOES OF A

lifestyle

“It’s this quiet time I desire to get my head around the detailed work. I love this time. I love this work.”

When Jo’s creative flair united with a rustic family lifestyle in Southport, it gave her mapmaking a whole new direction.

She now has many strings to her bow, leading cave tours for Tasmania Parks and Wildlife, operating an antiques shop, running the creative catch-up Cakemates, and creating custom maps. Jo has drawn maps for anniversaries, Airbnbs and even largescale murals on exclusive estates. The maps offer a stylised, birds-eye view of an area with much more charm and personality than a drone photograph. To harness the quiet and creative motivation she needs, she hand-draws her maps in the early hours, often starting at 4am. “This is my time,” she says on Instagram. “I brew coffee, listen to the chorus of birds slowly build outside … it’s this quiet time I desire to get my head around the detailed work in these wee hours. I love this time. I love this work.”

Sometimes what she leaves out is just as important as what she puts in. “I show what I like [on some maps]. There are lots of hidden gems where I live. So, what do you share? There is a fine line of what you keep secret and not.” She also collects old maps, and this makes her feel like a treasure hunter or detective unravelling historical mysteries. “Hunting for old school maps you realise there is lots of history here. Southport used to be the second-largest town in Tasmania.” Not bad for a town that now only has a population of 135. Her philosophical Instagram account (@ladyjo_and_co) has 13.2k followers, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison. When she first noticed he was a follower, she thought he was in a band, and it took a while for the penny to drop. So, after living in many countries, how does Tasmania compare? “Tassie tests you. After a while I thought ‘Hell, this is what I’m in for’.” But once she settled in, she embraced a humbler existence. “There are lots of reasons I like this part of the world. The community, the simple lifestyle. You need to live autonomously and adapt well. You have lots of really odd characters around you, too.” ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

lifestyle

wild

into the

ellness suggests different things to different people. But to Tasmanians it seems to be intrinsically linked to the wilderness. Considering the abundance of untouched landscapes it has on offer it comes as no surprise that Tassie’s version of wellness is found in the calm and restorative nature of the great outdoors. This is something the local travel industry has discovered. Pumphouse Point (pictured) held its inaugural Wilderness Wellness retreat in November last year. An antidote to the daily stresses of life, the itinerary featured relaxing activities such as yoga, breath work, Qi Gong and meditation, which are not uncommon offerings in the luxury wellness market. But what made it truly unique was the inclusion of wild lake swimming and forest bathing. “Wilderness and wellness are inexorably linked,” says Priya Tahere, Pumphouse Point’s general manager and the brains behind its Wilderness Wellness retreats. “Surrounded by the healing elements of ancient myrtle forests, alpine moorlands and glacier-formed Lake St Clair, Pumphouse Point is immersed in World Heritage Wilderness.”

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

Having long been aware of nature’s healing powers, for Priya the pairing of wellness and the wilderness was a no brainer. She’s clearly onto something. After welcoming over whelming success with its first Wilderness Wellness, Pumphouse Point will now be hosting four seasonal retreats each year. And it’s not alone in its endeavours into the wellness market. Tasmanian Walking Company has launched Special Interest walks. The popular tour operator has teamed up with wellness gurus to host walks that focus on wilderness. Its Bay of Fires Lodge Yoga Retreat will be hosted by Pure Yoga Tasmania’s Rebecca Chabot and promises to help you unwind and connect with nature. Its selection of Wild Wellness walks sees Alice Hansen and Piet Blokker guide you through the power of breath work and cold-water submersion, while taking in Tassie’s spectacular vistas. Stay Pumphouse Point’s summer Wilderness Wellness retreats will be held from 25 February with a three- or four-night option. To book, head to pumphousepoint.com.au Plan Tasmanian Walking Company hosts wellness walks throughout the year. Find one that suits you at taswalkingco.com.au

Photo: Pumphouse Point/Rachel Vasicek

Tasmania has its own brand of wellness, and it goes together with the wilderness, writes Constantina Demos.

advertorial lifestyle

BACK IN ACTION THE NEW YEAR has been and gone and with it often comes a great many resolutions. For others this is merely a ‘wish’. A New Year’s Resolution is really a goal that we set at the beginning of the year and 5 out of 10 of these resolutions are related to health, fitness, and wellness. Then for others of us adversity can strike at any time, and we can be left with no choice but to commit to recovery and rehabilitation. Well, that is what Neil faced in April last year, when he was involved in a horrific bike accident. Neil is a keen cyclist, with several bikes who would ride 4+ times a week and think nothing of riding 50km+, together with regular gym work to maintain strength and good functional movement. Neil sustained significant life-threatening injuries resulting in him being transferred to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne and having many intensive surgeries. “22 broken ribs, 2 punctured lungs, 2 major surgeries & 13ish titanium plates and who know how many pins in his chest, blood clots in his lungs and legs, 3 fractures in his pelvis, C5 fracture in neck, T3 fracture in back, broken clavicle, fractures in his eye socket & post traumatic amnesia” Kate his wife says. Neil overcame the odds and made an incredible recovery and was transferred back to the Royal Hobart Hospital in June of 2021.

Being so fit and healthy has been a definite and significant advantage in Neil’s recovery. In the last 6 months Neil has worked progressively and vigilantly with his medical team and he is now back at Personal Best, following this rehabilitation program and adding in some ‘extra’ exercises of his own on occasions. At the end of October Neil had his first bike ride, just a ‘lazy’ 10km and then progressed to 20km and 30km rides on the bike track. It’s incredible to think that just 6 weeks prior that Neil was on a walking frame, learning how to walk again. If you ask Neil how he is, he jokingly says, ‘everyday above the ground is a good day’, having starred death in the face. A doctor who attended the accident scene did not expect Neil to live. Neil credits his remarkable recover to being fit and having a strong heart. ‘When I was in a coma, it was as if my heart just took over and kept me going

while my body was fighting all of the other trauma.’ Neil’s doctors, physiotherapist and friends regularly comment on how advanced he is in his recovery, more than they were expecting. However, Neil has high expectations for himself, but is learning not to rush the recovery and rehabilitation as he works towards being able to ride his bike every day! We are all inspired by Neil’s inner strength and tenacity, an inspiration to us all as he continues his recovery. Often getting started in your journey is the biggest hurdle for us. Remember you have the power to change the way you look, feel and function. Personal Best Fitness have helped and inspired hundreds of people to feel, look and function better. Their certified Personal Trainers have simple tips and easy to understand advice that will give you amazing results.

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Hyundai TUCSON. Tomorrow wants its car back.

The Hyundai Tucson is so advanced that the future has come to take it back. With innovative technology like the Blind-Spot View Monitor1 and customisable power tailgate1, it’s like driving tomorrow’s car, today. hyundai.com/au/tucson

BEST MID-SIZE SUV 2021

Available from the below Hyundai dealers: Burnie Motors Hyundai | Launceston Motors Hyundai Hobart Motors Hyundai | Devonport Motors Hyundai

Highlander variant shown. 1. Available on the Highlander variant.

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Big rev Corvette

24 / AUTO NEWS 27 / 0–100 REVIEW: HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 28 / ROAD TEST: BIKING WITH BMW

GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) has confirmed Australia will be among the right-hand drive markets to receive the 2023 Model Year Corvette Z06. The high performance Z06 is the pinnacle of the Corvette sports car range but has previously only been available in left-hand drive. Confirmation of the all-American supercar follows the September arrival of Australia’s first right-hand drive C8 Corvettes: its first production run sold out in record time. The more potent Z06 debuts a naturally aspirated 5.5L DOHC V8, with its flat-plane crank enabling a heady 8600rpm rev ceiling, and bristling outputs of 500kW/623Nm. It’s been a big first year for GMSV, which rose from the ashes of Holden in 2020, and has since launched a model portfolio comprising the Chevrolet Silverado LTZ Premium, LT Trail Boss and Silverado Heavy Duty LTZ Premium, as well as the C8 Corvette.

P For more, visit gmspecialtyvehicles.com

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

auto news.

The latest developments in the car world

Outstanding Outlander

Number crunch: safety car standards Australian Design Rules (ADR) have been introduced, mandating autonomous emergency braking (AEB) in light vehicles. ANCAP SAFETY says this will ensure all new vehicles will have the technology by 2025.

89.5%

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

580

Number of lives that could be saved by mandatory AEB.

55%

The reduction of policereported crashes that studies have shown AEB delivers, along with a 40% reduction in rearend crashes and 28% reduction in vehicle occupant trauma.

20,400 Serious injuries which will be prevented by the implementation.

Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) & Highway Loss Data Institute USA; ANCAP, Euro NCAP, DoIRD research by B. Fildes, 2015; Monash University.

Described by Mitsubishi execs as “a game changer that will set new benchmarks for the brand in Australia”, the 2022 Outlander has plenty riding on its shoulders. And those shoulders are broader and stronger, thanks to this fourth-generation model having undergone a ground-up transformation. Based on the same platform as the Nissan X-Trail and powered by its 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, albeit with specific Mitsubishi tuning, the new Outlander has made changes in almost every area, including interior space, refinement, technology and safety. Prices range from $34,490 (MRLP) for the Outlander ES all the way to $49,990 (MRLP) for the Outlander Exceed Tourer AWD. We drove the second-from-top Outlander Exceed AWD ($47,490) and came away impressed by its practical seven-seat layout, engine performance and luxury fit-out. The 135kW/245Nm engine drives through a CVT auto and all-wheel drive system with six different traction modes. It’s smooth and reasonably responsive, but no fire-breather. On the road it feels bigger and more substantial than its predecessor, with a long-legged ride that’s tuned more for comfort than cornering.

Percentage of all new light vehicle sales that are currently available with AEB, totalling 222 models.

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Keep the classics rolling Classic car owners worried about what a zero emissions vehicles future might mean for their pride and joy can take heart from a trial Porsche is involved with to develop “nearly CO₂ neutral” e-fuel. The German sports car maker has invested in the development of a new Chilean manufacturing plant that will produce fuel for its own race cars, and customers with older internal combustion powered models. Porsche has committed billions to the electrification of its range, but with approximately 70% of all Porsches ever built still on the road today, the development of a viable renewable fuel source is seen as a vital step. Porsche claims the use of e-fuel will make it possible to reduce fossil CO₂ emissions in combustion engines by up to 90%, and plans to use the first fuel from the Chilean plant in the Supercup race series from 2022.

Electric dreams Australia’s first locally designed and manufactured electric motorcycle is set to roll off a Melbourne assembly line in late 2022, thanks to state and federal government funding that has helped make it a reality. Melbourne-based Savic Motorcycles confirmed it will move from prototype to manufacturing stage with its C-Series cafe racer, following completion of a $1.83 million capital raise, which included contributions from the Victorian State Government and the Federal Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre. Former Ford Australia automotive engineer Dennis Savic and Perth-based designer Dave Hendroff have been working on their electric bike concept for many years. The high-performance electric motorcycle is stylistically based on 1970s cafe racers and comes in three variants with different prices, power outputs and range. Pricing starts from $12,990 for the C-Series Omega, rising to $23,990 for the C-Series Alpha with 60kW of power, 200km of range and rapid 0–100km/h acceleration of just 3.5 seconds.

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Returns are net of fees and are likely to change in line with changes in market interest rates. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. There is a risk that an investment in the fund will achieve lower than expected returns. An investment in the fund is an equity investment in a managed investment scheme. It is not a bank deposit. An investor faces a higher risk of losing some or all their investment than is the case with a bank deposit. This information does not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any investor. Before making any investment decision, investors should consider taking professional advice.

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0 –100 review

HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 It feels like the future has arrived when behind the wheel of Hyundai’s all-electric Ioniq 5, the cool new EV that’s not a Tesla. Story Harry Weller HYUNDAI WAS EARLY TO THE EV party in Australia, compared with most car makers, launching electric versions of its Ioniq and Kona in 2018 and 2019 respectively. While technically impressive, neither set the world alight from a design perspective, mainly because they were electrified versions of internal combustion models. But with the arrival of the all-new Ioniq 5, built on Hyundai’s dedicated Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the South Korean car maker has delivered on the much-vaunted EV promise of freeing designers from internal combustion constraints. With its low, wide stance, grille-less front end, aluminium clamshell bonnet, narrow LED headlights and futuristic detailing, the Ioniq 5 looks like a concept car that’s escaped from a motor show. That impression is reinforced the moment you approach it with key in hand, and its flush-fit door handles pop out to greet you. The roomy, high-tech interior features sustainable eco-processed leather, materials

made from recycled PET bottles, natural wool yarns and bio paint made with plant extracts. The absence of a driveshaft delivers a clean, flat floor, which in conjunction with the open-top sliding centre console enhances the refreshing sense of space. This is accentuated by a full-length sunroof and light interior trims, including the Mac-like colour palette of crisp twin screens that stretch halfway across the minimalist dash. The shapely front bucket seats are electric, of course, with lower leg cushions that emerge from the seat base like those of an expensive home lounge. Rear passengers are generously catered for too, with electric seat adjustment, large windows with privacy glass and sun blinds. The driving experience is superbly quiet, partly by dint of the hushed electric motors mounted front and rear, but also good isolation of wind and road noise. Performance in the dual-motor, all-wheel drive version we road tested proved hairraising, the Ioniq 5 piling on the pace with instantaneous, jaw-dropping urge. Pleasingly, it didn’t lose its composure at the first sight of a bend. But, while it can certainly be hustled decently hard between its 430km battery refills, the Ioniq 5 more ably fits the mode of quiet, comfortable and sophisticated newage transport.

THE SPECS PRICING • $71,900 BODY STYLE • Five-door hatch SEATING • 5 ENERGY CONSUMPTION • 17.4kWh/100km SAFETY • ANCAP 5-Star (2020) ENGINE TYPE • Dual front and rear mounted electric BATTERY • 72.6kWh liquid cooled lithium-ion (IVT) RANGE • 430km TRANSMISSION • Single speed DRIVE TYPE • All-wheel drive MAX. POWER: • 225kW MAX. TORQUE: • 605Nm 0–100KM/H: 5.2 seconds For more, visit hyundai.com.au

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ROAD TEST

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his road test begins in Bothwell but, as every motorcyclist knows, the adventure is underway the moment you fire up the bike. In this case, it’s the keyless start of a BMW F 750 GS on a bright Hobart morning. I ride against peak-hour traffic smiling under my helmet at the Motorrad sales exec’s parting words: “I’m jealous.” Bothwell marks the southern end of Highland Lakes Road (A5). Lakes Highway, as it was once called and is still referred to, is 128km of my preferred route between Hobart and Launceston. In a park littered with blossoms and surrounded by Georgian architecture I brew coffee and admire my ride. It’s obvious why this black and yellow beauty’s nickname is ‘Bumblebee’ but its idling purr, gravelly growl and raw power are giving me big-cat vibes. The GS turned 40 in 2021. BMW essentially invented the adventure-bike market segment. Before this series, road-trail bikes were designed far more for off-road. GS stands for Gelände/ Strasse (terrain/street) and these have roadtouring features and capabilities but also manoeuvrability, seating position, ground clearance and so on suitable for off-road. From Bothwell, the A5 gradually rises more than 500m in 35km. I engage cruise control for the straights and sweeping bends leading from cultivated valleys up into the Steppes State Reserve where I stop to see sculptures and follow a short bush track to the old settlement.

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

The BMW F 750 GS is a celebration-year adventure bike up for the challenge through the Central Highlands, as Elspeth Callender discovers. Photos Chris Crerar

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Riding, rather than driving, this road increases my awareness of smells in the air and the magnificence of the enormous roadside eucalypts. As always, I’m conscious this is palawa Country – the traditional homelands of the First Nations peoples of lutruwita/Tasmania – and I pay my respects to the Old People of this area. The Central Plateau sits mainly at around 900m elevation and is scattered with lakes and shack-heavy fishing settlements. Up here, the well-maintained A5 continues as a sealed single carriageway with speed limits of 80km/h and 100km/h. Pinky-red guide posts indicate the prevalence of snow. Even in November I’m taking advantage of heated grips. This sleek machine is dripping with stateof-the-art engineering, safety features and technology, for which BMW is renowned. A 6.5inch colour display tells me everything I need to know, and more. The performance-enhancing riding modes are rain, road, enduro and dynamic. Being six-foot-tall, I’m also appreciating the 830mm seat option. People gravitate whenever I stop. They lead with “nice bike” followed by questions about engine capacity, fuel efficiency – I end up getting 3.9lt/100km – and where I’m headed on this “perfect day for it”.

Its nickname is ‘Bumblebee’ but its gravelly growl and raw power are giving me big-cat vibes. “Bit small,” says someone in the carpark of Great Lake Hotel, Miena. “Jealousy’s a curse,” I reply with a grin and he laughs, nodding. Though, to his point, for two-up touring with loads of gear I’d consider BMW’s R 1250 GS. At the northern end of Great Lake, after Breona, the road enters Central Plateau Conservation Area. I wind up the hill and park at Pine Lake Walk. It’s only a few hundred metres of boardwalk, between ancient, gnarled pencil pines, to the water’s edge. Lunch is a fresh-filled bagel from Hobart’s Pigeon Whole Bakers. From here the rocky landscape gets increasingly dramatic and the riding far more active. After an awe-inspiring 90-degree sweeping corner and more views of the escarpment I’m

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(Top to bottom) Highland Lakes Road living up to its name; cruising the quiet backroads; the bike's stylish design.

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THE SPECS PRICING • $18,490 BODY STYLE • Adventure SEATING • Comfort FUEL CONSUMPTION • 4.2lt/100km (Combined) ENGINE TYPE • 2-cylinder 4-stroke in-line (unleaded regular 91) ENGINE CAPACITY • 853cc TRANSMISSION • 6-speed DRIVE TYPE • Chain MAX. POWER • 57kW @7500 rpm MAX. TORQUE • 83Nm @ 6000rpm FUEL TANK • 15lt Visit build-my-bike.bmwmotorrad.com.au

on, a road sign announces wiggles for 7km. The bike is agile and balanced round the wellcambered sharp bends. I try out the quickshifter (no clutch required), which is useful for offroad standing and twisty sections like this. I stop to hike Projection Bluff – a trail that quickly becomes indistinct with minimal indicators. It’s a 30-minute walk and scramble to the ridgetop for an incredible view but takes a bit longer on the return when I lose the track and bush-bash to the road as an afternoon storm threatens to break. At Meander, after more hairpins through deep-green forest, I’ve exchanged the A5 for backroads through Caveside where lambs scatter, calves stare and the scent of mown grass makes me feel nostalgic. The powerful World Heritage-listed bluffs of kooparoona niara/ Great Western Tiers are ever-present. Unsealed sidetracks confirm the bike handles well on dirt. At Mole Creek, local people along the hotel porch describe the mills that, back in the day, were just across the road. That evening, at nearby Wandering Trout Taphouse, I eat crispy pork belly and grilled eggplant, sip Tassie pinot noir and climb into bed in a corner room upstairs as rain begins to fall.

On the road? Roadside assistance is there, 24/7, on 13 11 11. Test ride the BMW F 750 GS (40-year edition) at Hobart BMW. Learn more at hobartbmw.com.au Safari The 2022 BMW GS Safari is coming to Tasmania in May. The annual trek invites around 200 off-road enthusiasts to join in a multi-day ride. The GS Safari is open to any BMW GS owner. Head to bmwsafari.com for more details.

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

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(Top to bottom) Hiking in the Steppes State Reserve; the historic Steppes site; taking in the view on Highland Lakes Road.

Endorsed by the Defence Force Welfare Association of Australia

VIETNAM VETERANS HONOURED

55th Anniversary of Australia’s First Troop Deployment Remembered

$29.99 + $9.99

Historic 24-carat Gold-layered Coin Honours One who was Only 19

Gunship, troop carrier, med-evac – the Iroquois “Huey” chopper became an iconic symbol for our Vietnam veterans

He was only 19, yet served his country with honour like his father before him

Available now for just $29.99, plus P&H

Vietnam 55 th Anniversary Commemoration

Our Vietnam veterans remain unique heroes in the Anzac legend. No service personnel before or after the conflict have endured as much on and off the battlefield. Like the diggers of previous generations, they are deserving of our respect.

freely or were conscripted ‘nashos’, they became unwitting casualties of a war nobody understood or wanted. The worst was to face them upon their return home. Spat at, abused, denied return servicemen status that their fathers had enjoyed, they retreated from society. By 1987, our Vietnam veterans were duly given the recognition they so justly deserved. Their call to duty has reverberated through the Anzac legend, a lone voice seeking solace amongst the heroes of Gallipoli, Kokoda, Korea and other conflicts which have become part of our collective history. That voice is now given substance and form in the “Call of Duty – Vietnam 55th Anniversary Commemorative” golden proof coin.

From 1962, when the first military advisors entered the region, the Vietnam theatre has polarised popular opinion. As our troops were committed to action against the Communist People’s Army of Vietnam in 1965, it became apparent that the Vietnam conflict would be a war unlike any other. Waged on the nightly television news as much as on the battlefield, civilians saw war in all its ugly brutality. By the time of the Tet Offensive in 1968, serious questions were raised as to why our troops were fighting there in the first place. Were the Communists really a threat to our freedom? As the casualties mounted, so did the political rhetoric. Caught in the middle were our diggers. Whether they joined up Shown larger than actual size of 38.6mm

How to order: Call: (02) 9841

Due to the extreme limitation, only the earliest responders will successfully secure this proof coin honouring our Vietnam veterans. A Certificate of Authenticity detailing important provenance information pertaining to the coin will be issued with the coin. Peak collector interest is all but assured for this long overdue commemoration to those who were only 19 and with it the potential of a swift, early sell out of the “Call of Duty – Vietnam 55th Anniversary Commemorative.”

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THE BRADFORD EXCHANGE, REPLY PAID 86369 PARRAMATTA NSW 2124

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www.bradford.com.au/veterans

A.B.N. 13 003 159 617

The earliest applications will receive the lowest edition numbers. For this reason applications will be processed on a strictly first-come, first-served basis and are limited to one per Australian household. Successful applicants also qualify to view the next coin in the Veterans Remembered Commemorative Collection for only $79.99 (plus $9.99 postage and handling) sent entirely without obligation on our 14day home approval service. All the coins are minted to Proof quality, the highest possible collector quality. Applicants may cancel at any time and all purchases are covered by The Bradford Exchange 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee.

DELUXE PRESENTATION CASE

Each commemorative is individually numbered, meaning no two are alike. Yours is the one and only issue of its kind – the ultimate collector’s item

Open 8:00am-5:00pm EST Mon-Fri QUOTE REFERENCE

Struck to a high specification and layered in pure 24-carat gold, only 9,999 numbered issues will ever be minted. It is available now for only $29.99 – a saving of $50.00 – plus $9.99 postage and handling.

VIETNAM 55TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE

Certificate of Authenticity

Our Vietnam veterans remain unique heroes in the Anzac legend. Perhaps no service personnel before or after the conflict have endured as much on and off the battlefield. And like the diggers before them, are just as deserving of our respect. The story of our Vietnam diggers can now be told proudly, clearly and with a voice that acknowledges our debt of gratitude to them. 1962: Honouring those who were only 19. They were the forgotten diggers. A generation of young men who fought for Australia like their fathers before them. But they returned as outcasts. 55 years after our first troop deployment, a new crown coin has been struck to honour the men whose bravery will never be forgotten.

This limited edition commemorative depicts a digger ‘in-country.’ Ever vigilant, he surveys a terrain in which snipers may lay in wait. A flight of Iroquois “Huey” choppers loom overhead. Gunship, troop carrier, medivac, the Huey was an ever-present symbol of war and of home to the Vietnam digger as he answered the call of duty. The obverse features a commemorative seal depicting the “Huey” chopper, the years of military involvement and the heartfelt message “A Nation’s Gratitude”. Struck to a high specification and layered in pure 24-carat gold, with a limitation of only 9,999 issues worldwide.

Alloy Fully layered in pure 24 carat gold Diameter 38.60mm Edition limit 9,999 issues Issuing authority The Commonwealth Mint Reverse Portrait of lone digger, his battalion in relief and the iconic “Huey” Obverse Commemorative seal depicting the “Huey”, years of service and the heartfelt message “A Nations Gratitude” Quality Proof, the highest possible quality, struck especially for collectors

403-COM85.01

An elegant, high gloss case to display the coin will also accompany a future delivery and is yours FREE as part of your collection. Shown with a Certificate of Authenticity.

This coin is not legal tender and bears no monetary face value

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travel Get some air time

36 / TRAVEL NEWS 39 / THE PIT STOP 40 / CAMPING

44 / NORTH-EAST COAST 49 / BEST ROAD TRIPS

AROUND THE WORLD

Do you have family or friends visiting for a short trip, but want them to see as much of Tassie as possible? We recommend taking to the air. Treat yourself and loved ones to a scenic helicopter flight with Tasmanian Air Tours. Whether you have a group of foodies, nature lovers, history buffs or wine enthusiasts, there’s a tour to match their tastes. A personal favourite? The Flight and Feast tour, which choppers guests from Hobart over the River Derwent and Coal River Valley to Frogmore Creek where a seasonal lunch is served, paired with fine wines.

Photo: Courtesy Tasmanian Air Tours

P For more, visit tasmanianairtours.com.au

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

travel news.

Inspiration for exploring our state

3 of the best

Congratulations to the following restaurants for being named finalists for the Gourmet Traveller 2022 Restaurant Awards.

VAN BONE Found in Marion Bay, here chef Timothy Hardy works with fire and smoke in the open kitchen. The daily changing menu is focused on closed-loop sustainability.

SET THE BAR STILLWATER Like fine wine, this 21-year-old Launceston mainstay keeps getting better. Tassie is the focus of the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus where ingredients can include everything from local eggs to truffle, abalone and wallaby.

SONNY A walk-in only, this 18-seater wine bar in the heart of Hobart focuses on natural wines. There’s also a snack menu that has enough options to make a meal. 36

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

Say hello to Hobart’s newest addition, Mary Mary. Nestled in just-opened The Tasman hotel, this is a cocktail bar that celebrates Tasmania. The menu has classic cocktails enriched with native ingredients such as Braeburn apples sourced from the Huon Valley and pigface, a salty succulent. “We hope people will feel as though they have discovered something special each time they visit, whether we have a rare whisky to taste from Sullivan’s Cove, or a cocktail showcasing an exciting new distiller,” says bar manager Ronán Kavanagh.

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Adventure awaits Fancy some serious sea kayaking? Southern Sea Adventures have the trip for you. Spend six days paddling through the Freycinet Peninsula, exploring Schouten Island, inaccessible parts of the eastern coastline and hiking to Mount Freycinet. You’ll paddle, hike and camp your way through one of the country’s most iconic national parks.

PERFECT FOR TWO A stone’s throw from Launceston, Wahroonga on Bourke is the perfect spot for a couple’s retreat. You’ll find the luxury apartment inside a majestic 1901 Federation home. The stylish space is decorated with local art and the mini bar is stocked with homegrown wine at cellar-door prices. What makes the stay even sweeter? The host’s friendly kelpie and springer greet you at the gate.

Now serving Lark Distillery, the producer of Tassie’s oldest single malt whisky, has opened the doors to its Hobart whisky and cocktail lounge, The Still. Located in the old Mercury Print Room, there are more than 150 local whiskies to taste or purchase by the bottle.

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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travel What’s old is new in New Norfolk, where historic buildings have been reinvented as fine restaurants and hotels, and antique emporiums have transformed the town’s shopping, writes Andrew Bain.

New Norfolk The PIT STOP

STAY Slip back into New Norfolk’s headiest days with a stay at The Woodbridge, a grand 1825 mansion on the banks of the River Derwent. Guest rooms look out across the river, and rooms and corridors are filled with artworks and artefacts in what feels like an elegant English country estate.

Photos: Courtesy Tourism Tasmania/Stu Gibson; The Agrarian Kitchen; Two Metre Tall /Greg Power

EAT It’s an incongruous setting for one of Australia’s top restaurants, but the Agrarian Kitchen Eatery brings refined touches and tastes to a former ward in Willow Court, the country’s first purpose-built psychiatric institution. The set lunch menu celebrates local, seasonal produce, and you can now enjoy takeaways from the kiosk.

ESSENTIAL STOPS

SHOP Fitting its status as Tasmania’s third-oldest settlement, New Norfolk does a fine line in antiques, from top-of-the-line Drill Hall Emporium to the sprawling Willow Court Antique Centre. Drill Hall’s sister store, Flywheel, combines a letterpress studio with a lovely range of stationery. SEE The River Derwent flows like an artery through New Norfolk and was the town’s original highway, linking it to Hobart. It’s now best seen in a couple of ways: on a riverside walking trail that rises over cliffs with a good view back to the town; or from across the river at Pulpit Rock Lookout, perched high above a wide bend of the Derwent. DRINK Head upstream to find farmhouse ales and ciders at Two Metre Tall craft

• • • • • brewery. An old shearing shed serves PLENTY as the brewery, with an open-air bar serving a range of wild-fermented beers that use ingredients grown on the farm or sourced from other Tasmanian farmers.

Agrarian Kitchen Eatery Drill Hall Emporium Pulpit Rock Lookout Two Metre Tall The Woodbridge

PLENTY

HAYES

MAYFAIR

MAGRA

TWO METRE TALL

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(Top to bottom) The River Derwent; The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery; Two Metre Tall.

GLENFERN

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

perfect The

With so much natural beauty to experience in the island state, there’s no better place to plan a down-to-earth camping holiday, with or without frills, says Brady Michaels.

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Relax in a wombat hotspot on Maria Island.

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

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Photo: Tourism Tasmania/Jamie Douros and Camille Helm; Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service; Tourism Tasmania /James Bowden.

South: Tasman National Park & Bruny Island On the Tasman Peninsula about 1.5 hours from Hobart, Tasman National Park features spectacular elevated views, towering dolerite cliffs and tall-tree forests that meet the sea. It also includes one of Tasmania’s most popular and family friendly campsites at Fortescue Bay, with a famous multiday walk to boot. The Fortescue Bay Camping Ground is an excellent base for adventure activities, such as scuba diving and rock climbing, but has enough soft white sand to relax on if you feel like doing nothing at all. If you’re thinking of heading south, then South Bruny National Park on Bruny Island has some idyllic camping options. Cloudy Bay is perfectly located for surfers thanks to its proximity to the waves. Jetty Beach is family friendly, with a curving sandy beach which offers safe swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and fishing. The Neck sits outside national park boundaries in a sheltered area behind sand dunes at the south of the isthmus.

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(Clockwise from top) Hiking through Tasman National Park; Tassie caters for all levels of camping, with or without frills; ascending the lookout at the Neck, Bruny Island

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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Expansive beaches and a variety of ecosystems make Narawntapu National Park an ideal place for horseriding; (below) camping at Bakers Point Campground.

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

An easy drive from Devonport and Launceston, Narawntapu National Park offers abundant wildlife, open plains, long, sweeping beaches and wonderful walks through a variety of ecosystems including coastal heathlands and grasslands, wetlands and dry sclerophyll forests. Named by the Tasmanian Aboriginal people after the West Head and Badger Head promontories that sit within the park’s boundaries, Narawntapu is rich in natural and cultural heritage. Protected shell middens and artefacts reveal the Tasmanian palawa’s way of life for thousands of years. Take a day walk to Archers Knob for the best views in the park or lay your towel on Bakers Beach and swim in the cool and calming waters. You can even bring your horse with you (permit required). Narawntapu National Park is considered to be one of the best spots to camp in Tassie, with four campsites to choose from. The main campsite is at Springlawn, which has powered sites for caravans, campervans and camper trailers. It also offers the best facilities and is wheelchair accessible. Further afield, Bakers Point offers unpowered sites for camping and caravans, while Koybaa and The Horse Yards are tentonly sites with more basic facilities.

Photos: Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service; Tourism Tasmania/ S. Group; Tourism Tasmania/ Luke Tscharke; Tourism Tasmania/Stu Gibson; Tourism Tasmania/ Jamie Douros & Camille Helm

North coast: Narawntapu National Park

travel

East coast: Spring Bay Mill & Maria Island Spring Bay Mill makes it easy to settle into your camp-style stay. Located on the site of a former woodchip mill, Spring Bay Mill has been reinvented as an eco-resort and events space which has to be seen to be believed. Its ‘Glamping Field’ forms a quaint village of lotus-shaped canvas tents set among a light eucalyptus forest. The facilities are next level, including an impressive communal camp kitchen, complete with fire pit, and excellent toilet and shower facilities. If pitching your own tent is more your thing, then Maria Island is for you. There are three campsites to choose from. Encampment Cove is free and a great starting point for exploring the convict ruins; Darlington is close to the heart of the island; and Frenchs Farm is the perfect base for McRae’s Isthmus adventures. Thrill seekers will be keen on kayaking and mountain biking, while those who like to take it easy will relish in some fishing and walks suitable for all levels of experience. Pack your hiking boots as some walks can be lengthy.

North-east coast: Mount William National Park If you’re keen to go off the beaten track, Mount William National Park in the state’s far north-east is one of Tassie’s most wild and remote nature spots. Surrounding wukalina/Mount William at the northern end of the iconic Bay of Fires, this far-flung park offers the same lichen-coloured rocks and windswept beauty but without the crowds. The camping facilities might be basic but you’re in the perfect place for beach walks. The powder-white sand beaches seem to go on forever, while the namesake mountain provides expansive views of the coastline and the Furneaux Islands beyond. Despite its lack of people, the park is richly populated with native fauna including kangaroos, wallabies and pademelons, that graze in large numbers at sunset – a sight to behold.

THIS PAGE

(From top) The pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters are a drawcard for Mount William; camping at Darlington in the heart of Maria Island; Spring Bay Mill glamping.

Permit at the ready A valid National Parks Pass is required for entry to all of Tasmania’s national parks, with a range of short and longer term options. For frequent Tassie campers, the two-year pass provides access to all listed parks and reserves in Tasmania. And you can feel good that your park fees are being spent on the ongoing maintenance and protection of these invaluable natural and cultural places. Visit passes.parks.tas.gov.au for more information and to explore the impressive network of public parks and reserves.

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

THIS SPREAD

(Left and right) Barnbougle’s coastal course was designed by golf architect Tom Doak and Australia ex-European tour pro and course designer Mike Clayton.

The

sparkling

COAST Road tripping from Low Head to Bridport, you can experience history, wine tasting and, for adventurous types, mountain biking, writes Fiona Stocker.

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

travel

Photos: Barnbougle/Jacob Sjoman

he Bridport Road is modestly named for a route that passes through ozone-fresh air and sparkling wine country to a world-class golf links. For my husband and I, these are the hallmarks of an enticing weekend away. Discrete signs to the south of George Town point us up a hill, through whispering she-oaks and fragrant goodenia, to the trail heads of the new Mount George mountain-bike trail network. My husband, a biker, is keen. As he pelts down ‘helter skelter’, I’m heading up the boardwalk to the historic semaphore site. I always wonder what elevated places mean to the Indigenous population. At the top, there’s a sign reminding me that from this lookout, the Stoney Creek Nation looked out across the kanamaluka/River Tamar and its surrounds, long before semaphore arrived. Squinting in a northerly direction, I can almost make out Low Head and its more recent history. At the convict-built Pilot Station, an undeniably picturesque precinct of cream brick buildings with red roofs crouches on neat grasslands. The Maritime Museum is run by a team of dedicated volunteers, and curator Des hosts me on a tour of new exhibits, with maritime and personal artifacts beautifully displayed.

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

travel

LULWORTH STONY HEAD LOW HEAD LEFROY

WEYMOUTH

BRIDPORT

PIPERS BROOK

There’s a sense of personal connection with history here. “Our volunteer Don dived in that suit at the age of 17,” Des tells me, pointing to the diving suit with its brass helmet in a majestic timber case. After coffee at Pilot Station Café, whose tiny square windows overlook the modern-day pilot boat station, I collect husband and bike, unscathed, from the trails. We arm ourselves with a single-origin brew from the Tasmanian Devil coffee van on the corner of the Bridport Road, where Kate and Tim have been supplying quality coffee and chat for three years, and head east. The name Pipers River trips off the tongue of anyone acquainted with Tasmanian wines, and there are enough pre-eminent sparkling houses here to occupy serious wine buffs for a week. Drops like Arras, Jansz and Clover Hill seem to flow from the landscape, now internationally held to rival the doughty Champagne region. We’re heading to the two boutique establish ments of Sinapius and Delamere, their vineyards draped side-by-side across the hillside, the chardonnay fruit quivering to the sound of the distant sea pounding. At Delamere, owner Fran Austin gives us a tasting of four sparklings, eloquently guiding us through the creamy blends, and the vintages which light up the palate with signature hints of brioche and oyster shell. Next door, the Sinapius cellar door feels like a French hilltop courtyard, all gravel underfoot and roses winding around the pergola. We spend an hour sitting at petite iron tables with a glass of Jean Morice gamay rosé, as Vaughn and Linda’s closeplanted vines cascade down the hillside before us.

THIS PAGE

(Top to bottom) Spa 180 offers 180-degree views of the rugged Tasmanian coast; Bridport’s scenic wharf is the perfect spot for a sunset stroll.

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

THIS PAGE

(Clockwise from below) A soak with a view at Spa 180; Delamere Vineyards; a Delamere traditional-method sparkling; Sinapius grapes being picked off the vine.

Photos: Tourism Tasmania/Brian Dullaghan; Adam Gibson; Olivia Claire

There are enough pre-eminent sparkling houses here to occupy serious wine buffs for a week

After all the sea air and sparkling, we’ll be resting our heads at the Barnbougle Lost Farm Golf Resort. There’s plenty to appeal to the traveller here, even those not heading onto the links. The atmosphere is hushed, with heavy timbers and damped-down sound, and our spacious room feels hidden in the dunes. General Manager Penny Sattler joins us for a pre-dinner drink in the dining room with vast, sweeping windows over Bass Strait, and tells us the story of her family’s business. Converted from coastal land on the Sattlers’ farm, Barnbougle Dunes has ranked as high as 13 among the world’s top courses. Even so, the resorts have a down-toearth welcome that appeals to both Tasmanians and the visitors flying in to the private air strip. “I thought I’d come back for a few years, and I’ve never left,” says Penny. In the morning, Spa 180 owners and therapists Jaclyn and Alex ease our cares away with an aromatherapy couples treatment. Bathed in oils, scents, spa bubbles and coastal light from the windows, we reconnect with nature and each other, as the pelicans soar past outside. We top off the weekend with an amble along the beach at Bridport, past the timbers of the historic pier to Mermaids Pool. We enjoy everything this village-by-the-sea’s main street has to offer the weekend-tripper before turning reluctantly for home. Plan Head to visit northerntasmania.com.au/northeast to curate your own trip to the north east coast.

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

travel

7 TOP ROAD TRIPS AROUND THE WORLD With borders reopening, we can once again dream about international adventures. From high in the Austrian Alps to stunning coastlines a little closer to home, these dramatic drives are worth travelling for, says Andrew Bain.

Route 66

Photo: iStockphoto

UNITED STATES

PICTURED

Passing through the dramatic Monument Valley on Route 66, Utah.

The ‘main street of America’ has fragmented into parts – it was decertified in 1985 and no longer officially exists – but the 3940km drive from Chicago to Los Angeles remains as evocative and nostalgic as any road trip in the world. Eulogised in popular culture since it was completed in 1938, Route 66 crosses eight states and a multitude of landscapes. Natural highlights include the coloured cliffs of Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park and the Grand Canyon, but this epic drive is more about American road culture – it’s the kind of road trip that’ll have you seeking out greasy diners and drive-in cinemas. ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

3 6 1

Grossglockner High Alpine Road

AUSTRIA

Garden Route

7 4

SOUTH AFRICA

Africa’s southernmost coast is at full strut on the Garden Route, showing off its national parks and reserves and extraordinarily beautiful shores. The official route stretches for 200km between Storms River and Mossel Bay, but is better extended to start and finish in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Cape Town, stretching it out to 750km. It’s coastal driving par excellence, all wrapped inside the World Heritagelisted Cape Floral Region, often described as the world’s hottest hotspot for plant diversity. The drive also takes in Africa’s southern tip, Cape Agulhas, which is a renowned whale-watching location.

Get high on Austria’s loftiest road, crossing through the Alps in the shadow of the country’s tallest mountain. Stretching 48km from Bruck to Heiligenblut, the audacious road is revered by motorcyclists and sports-car enthusiasts, climbing to a 2500m-high mountain pass and coiling through 36 dizzying hairpin bends as it traverses the largest national park in the Alps. The scenic showstopper is FranzJosefs-Höhe, a visitor complex that stares across the longest glacier in the eastern Alps to 3798-metre-high Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain. It’s a mountain spectacular.

Wild Atalntic Way IRELAND

Great Eastern Drive

TASMANIA This 2600km drive, running the length of Ireland’s west coast, is the full Atlantic highlights reel – cliffs tipping into the ocean, Tasmania’s own great ocean road skims along the state’s eastern edge prehistoric sites, wind-whipped detours onto coastal loops such between Orford and St Helens. The drive climbs over rocky headlands and as the famous Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula. skirts white-sand beaches through its southern half before pausing for wine Stretching between Inishowen Peninsula in the north and Kinsale in Cranbrook, where half-a-dozen cellar doors are nestled and a rest around the south, it clings to Ireland’s wildest edge, dipping into towns rich in and bush. among the vines Celtic heritage as it wriggles along one of Europe’s most battered and The road returns to the coast at Bicheno and stays pinned to the shores beautiful coastlines. through a string of holiday towns into St Helens. Enticing detours beckon to Maria Island, Freycinet Peninsula and larapuna/Bay of Fires. 50

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

travel 5

Wild Atlantic Way IRELAND

Photos: iStockphoto; Tourism Australia/Daniel Tran; Tourism Victoria/Rob Blackburn

This 2600km drive, running the length of Ireland’s west coast, is the full Atlantic highlights reel – cliffs tipping into the ocean, prehistoric sites, windwhipped detours onto coastal loops such as the famous Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula. Stretching between Inishowen Peninsula in the north and Kinsale in the south, it clings to Ireland’s wildest edge, dipping into towns rich in Celtic heritage as it wriggles along one of Europe’s most battered and beautiful coastlines.

Icefields Parkway CANADA

There are good reasons why this 230km road between Lake Louise and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies has often been labelled the most beautiful road in the world. As it squeezes between high peaks, glaciers burst through the mountains at its edge, and the road is lined with impossibly blue lakes. Wildlife regularly stops traffic – ever been in a bear jam? – and the driving is at its best as the Parkway climbs up and over two high mountain passes. In a civilising decree, trucks are banned on the Parkway to enhance the experience as a scenic drive.

Great Ocean Road VICTORIA

Whoever named the Great Ocean Road wasn’t kidding. Australia’s most famous drive is a coastal masterpiece sculpted by nature, bringing together sea stacks and surf, rugged shores and rainforest, whales and waterfalls. The abrupt nature of the coast, with its hills and cliffs emerging direct from the sea, gives shape to the road

as it twists and turns for 250km from Torquay to Warrnambool, seeming at times to almost overhang the sea. The drive presents motorists with immense variety, from the thunderous surf of Bells Beach at one end to the statuesque Twelve Apostles at the other, with a string of holiday towns and the deep-green slopes of the Otway Ranges in between.

On the road Planning on driving overseas? If so, you’ll need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) to hire a car and drive without sitting an additional test. If you’re in a hurry our RACT branches can issue an IDP on the spot. You can also apply at ract.com.au or via post. Resources You should always expect the unexpected on holidays. Make sure you’re covered with the RACT range of travel insurance products. Contact us via email, phone or in person for more information.

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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54/ 56/

COMMUNITY NEWS CHANGING GEARS

60/ 65/

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community

Photo: Unsplash

59/

STOP SPEEDING

66/

Blinded by the lights?

REAR VIEW

RACT members have raised concerns over the impact of the new generation of driving lights now being fitted to many vehicles. The Northern Regional Advisory Committee has also brought the issue to RACT’s attention. LED light bars are an aid to safety in regional areas and off-road, but many drivers are telling us that they are being blinded by vehicles failing to dip these lights. See the next page for guidelines.

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

the latest. Shedding light on

LED light bars

It’s not a new issue – the RACT has fielded many complaints over the years about drivers with a powerful new generation of lights. But the complaints are mounting because of the brightness delivered by LED technology.

CAR

MEDIC

Some light bars may not be fitted in accordance with the regulations. Under the regulations: • The number of additional lamps can’t exceed four • They must be forward facing • Can only be switched on when main lights are on • Not to be fitted in a position that causes a dangerous protrusion • Not to be fitted above the bonnet line. More detail on the regulations is available at http://bit.ly/additionallights

Q How do I make my

car battery last longer?

A After working on the

roadside for more than 15 years and attending thousands of breakdowns, I recently attended two breakdowns in a row where both cars’ batteries were fitted in 2012. Wow, nine years old! The first one was in a mid-90s Corolla, driven regularly and parked outside. The second was in a mid-90s Commodore, also driven regularly and parked in a garage. Usually, I will fit a new RACT battery with a threeyear warranty and suggest 54

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

that typical life is around four or five years. It’s good knowing we are fitting topquality batteries that last the distance. Tips to look after your battery include: • Ensure all lights are off when leaving and locking your vehicle, especially the interior light. • Ensure the vehicle is serviced regularly, the battery clamp is secure and the terminals are clean and tight. • Don’t leave your car undriven for extended periods (install a maintenance charger if periods extend past four weeks). • Avoid using too many

accessories without the engine running eg charging phones, listening to the radio or leaving the heater fan on. • If you do drain your battery, ensure it is fully recharged on a manual charger. Depending on the battery this can take up to 72 hours. Locking your vehicle ensures that your car’s computer systems shut down completely and don’t drain your battery. Hybrid and electric vehicles also have a 12-volt battery for running lights, radio and door locks, so are still susceptible to flat batteries. RACT Roadside Patrol // Julian McGarry

Photos: iStockphoto

Tasmanian road rules prevent the use of driving lights or high beams: • When you are less than 200m behind another vehicle • When you are less than 200m from any oncoming vehicle • To dazzle another road user, or in a way that is likely to dazzle another road user

community

Revamped Glenorchy branch opens The RACT has expanded its presence in Glenorchy and is reinvesting in the community after launching its refurbished branch. The RACT has doubled the size of the branch and increased staff to accommodate a virtual call centre and serve more customers. RACT Group CEO Mark Mugnaioni says it’s vital to continue to connect with the community after witnessing some of the impacts of COVID. “The RACT is committed to investing in the organisation’s state-wide network of branches. “We saw some of the devastating effects to businesses and growth during COVID, and we think it’s important to continue to serve and grow the local economy. “With more than 210,000 members we are Tasmania’s largest membership-based organisation and we need to make sure we continue to have a strong presence,” Mugnaioni says. Glenorchy Mayor Bec Thomas says the upgrades are a welcome addition to the Glenorchy community. “Having a physical branch is extremely important to the local community – consumers rely on branches to reach out to staff when they need it most. Having an enhanced, new facility is a great asset to the Glenorchy community.” Around $55,000 has been spent upgrading the branch which will not only benefit members but also support the local economy. “The enhancements will allow us to better service more of our members via phone or face-to-face, with the same great community-connected service offering,” Mugnaioni said. “Thanks to this investment, the Glenorchy branch can continue to serve the community for years to come.” The Glenorchy branch is one of seven branches around the state ready to serve the community.

Our 2021 AGM results On 30 November 2021 we held our 98th Annual General Meeting. The event had a terrific turnout where many important items were voted on by our members. Below is a summary of the results: 1. Confirmed the minutes of the 97th AGM. Results: 910 for and 17 against. 2. Received the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the 12 months ended 30 June 2021. Results: 906 for and 24 against. 3. Ordinary Resolutions passed at AGM. a. Auditor resignation and appointment. Results: 895 for and 37 against. b. B oard Limit. Results: 848 for and 84 against. c. Director’s Fees. Results: 559 for and 370 against. 4. To elect two members to the Board in accordance with Clause 9.10 of the Constitution. Result: As less than 2% of eligible RACT members cast votes in the election, there can be no result as per RACT’s Constitution. The RACT Board has now begun a search and selection process to fill the two vacant positions on the Board. For further information on our 2021 AGM head to ract.com.au.

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

community

the right Changing gears

start

here’s a lot to learn about being a safe road user. In fact, to be a really safe driver requires lifelong learning. Vehicles change, rules change, roads change, we change. The earlier you start on being a safe, considerate road user – whether you are a pedestrian, bike rider or vehicle driver – the better it is for everyone. Being safety-focused doesn’t just benefit yourself, it makes the road safer for all users. That’s at the heart of the RACT’s road safety program that we roll out in Tasmanian schools. It’s not just about rules and regulations: it’s about behaviour, it’s about sharing, it’s about being a good citizen. These are not just safety lessons, they are life lessons. Every year the RACT’s two community co-ordinators deliver road safety education

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

to almost 4000 students – from the Yippee program for year 3 and 4 students to the critical engagement with year 10 to 12 students who are on the cusp of learning to drive or are about to go for their licence test and those muchcoveted P plates. “Visiting Tasmanians from a young age really sows the seeds for them to make safe choices when they’re navigating the roads throughout further stages of their lives,” says RACT’s Hobart-based Community Co-ordinator Grace Ring. “From starting out as a pedestrian, learning how to ride a bike near the road and eventually learning to drive a car, our programs are designed with the intention to instill safe behaviours for life,” she says. Mary Gill, the RACT’s Launceston-based Community Co-ordinator, says young children pick up safe and unsafe behaviours very quickly.

Photo: Austock/Caro Telfer

RACT’s extensive road safety programs are just the start of life-long learning, writes Garry Bailey.

community

“I love hearing children tell me that they ‘buckle up’ and ‘don’t yell’ in the car. The language might be different between families, but the messages are the same: be a safe road user,” she says. “Visiting schools, particularly rural and small schools, is so much fun. We not only get to meet the children and staff but get a snapshot of their community. I heard a mum in the street last week, talking to her infant children about holding hands near the road, and stopping to look and listen before crossing the road. They were very young, but I could hear them repeating her words and modelling the behaviour. It was great.” The program is funded by the Department of State Growth and there is a second program targeting years 11 and 12 students in regional schools that is funded by the Motor Accident Insurance Board. The challenge for Tasmania is that we cannot reach every school and every student. As a result, one of the key recommendations by the RACT to the Legislative Council Select Committee into Road Safety in Tasmania is that we establish road safety programs in all schools. We have also called for a review of the programs to ensure we are delivering what is best practice. As Grace says: “It’s so important to share a contemporary approach to learning about road safety. The effectiveness of our programs can ultimately contribute to the prevention of serious injuries, or worse.”

RACT road safety 2020–21

3824

students and experienced drivers engaged in road safety programs

Tasmanian suburbs visited

1648

year 3 and 4 students participated in RACT RoadSafe

453

year 10–12 students participated in safe driving activities

695

infants engaged through our road safety storybook

862

senior drivers engaged in community programs

PICTURED

RACT’s road safety programs reach kids from primary school all the way through to learner drivers.

Online Keep up to date with road safety at ract.com.au/advocating-change

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

Advertise with us

Advertise in Journeys to get your message throughout Tasmania – we’re the highest-circulation publication in the state.

For more information, please email your enquiry to Lauren Casalini laurencasalini@hardiegrant.com or 03 8520 6451

community

When it comes to speeding, Scott Tilyard, Chair of the Road Safety Advisory Council, says over is over.

Speed No need for

SLOW DOWN

a 1% reduction in average speed on our roads creates a 4% decrease in deaths.

magine promoting smoking as a healthy pastime. Or saying that a gambling addiction is ‘just a bit of fun’. Or that bad relationships with alcohol aren’t a big deal, even in teenagers. It’d be shocking, right? Totally unacceptable. So why does one in five of us think that speeding is okay? Speeding is the everyday crime of the law-abiding. You might be on the fence. And you might think that speeding isn’t a problem because most of us think driving a bit over the speed limit is fine. We think: “we do it every day, we’re good drivers, we know we can handle the conditions, we know the roads… speeding isn’t in the same category as smoking, gambling addiction or alcoholism.” The comparison is unfair. Speeding accounts for one in three deaths on our roads. Road trauma is the second biggest killer of young Tasmanians aged 17–25. On average, between 2011 and 2020 in Tasmania, 32 people died and 269 were seriously injured on our roads each year. So why aren’t we slowing down? These are sobering facts. But if you think about it, you don’t really need them. It’s a simple matter of physics: the faster you go, the harder you crash, and the more damage you do. More people are speeding than ever before, which is driving up the average speed on our roads. Make no mistake, these findings

are linked. There are more than 100 studies, national and international, that prove that when average speeds increase, so too do serious casualties. It’s not enough to just survive. Hundreds of people are living with injuries that have changed their lives forever. All because we’re running late, or we’re keeping up with the general flow of traffic, or it’s just a bit of fun. The truth is, speeding kills. And it’s something we’re all doing. We all go a little over every now and then. But it could cost us – and others – our lives. But here’s the good news. By driving even just a bit slower, we can make a huge difference to our road toll. For example, a 1% reduction in average speed on our roads creates a 4% decrease in deaths. And it’s not like it’s a tricky thing for us to do – we just need to drive within the speed limit. That’s why the Road Safety Advisory Council’s latest campaign, Over is Over, is a call for social responsibility. We need to rethink our attitudes to speed and change our behaviour. Because as it is, we’re normalising our actions, and passing on dangerous habits to our children. We need to stop driving over the speed limit. We need to look after ourselves, and each other. It doesn’t matter if you’re speeding by 15km/h or 4km/h because driving even a few kilometres over the speed limit is still over the speed limit. ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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puzzles

hgc008 1

9 10

1 In which year was gold discovered in the area near Ballarat in Victoria?

16 17

19 22

4 Which climate type best describes Tasmania?

A) cool temperate B) dry tropics C) wet tropics D) arid desert

Crossword

5 What is the international telephone code for Australia?

26 Apparently but not really; seemingly (5)

27 Waterway 9 Be presentin south-eastern at (6) Tasmania (4,5)

8 Catch sight of; behold (6) 9 Be present at (6)

repeatedly with bombs or 17 As a further matter; besides (8) machine-gun fire 18 Flat marine creature with a (6) poisonous tail (8) 15 Containing as part of the whole being considered (9)

Punctuation used to join 28 Supply energyas (8) 1 A1words 15 Containing large cask for (6) 29 Large fish-eating bird beer wine (8) (8) part of the whole 4 Theor world of nightclubs of prey (6) being considered 10 Small town on the 20 (In computing terms) 2 Exercise Huon River (9) 25 half (Inbytes, folklore) (9) or four bits (7) Down requiring no (5) 11 Goodbye; farewell 21 Run at full speed over a man-eating 1 A large cask for beer or wine (8) 12 Low-pitched, hoarse voice (5) 17 As equipment (5-3) a further short distance (6) giants (5) 2 Exercise requiring no 13 Station wagon (6,3) 22 Muslim place of worship (6) matter; besides equipment (5-3) 3 Poem of serious 14 Put to practical use (7) 23 Attack repeatedly with (8) 3 Poem of serious reflection, reflection, bombs or machine-gun fire (6) 16 Coffee shop (4) typically a lament for the dead (5) 25 (In folklore) man-eating 19 Glance over 18 Flat typically a (4) marine 5 Foolish person who is giants (5) 21 A betrayal of one‘s “moonstruck” (7) lament for the creature with a principles (4,3) 6 Pleasing the senses or mind dead (5) poisonous tail 24 Be more numerous than (9) aesthetically (9) 25 A very large expanse of sea (5) (8) 7 Individually; for each (6) 5 Foolish person 20 (In computing who is "moonstruck" JOURNEYS (7) terms) half CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS DECEMBER–JANUARY Across: 1 Deploy, 4 Osculate, 10 Spaghetti, 11 Hi-fis, Gamer, 13 Modernise, 14 Endemic, 16 Glee, 19 Scab, 21 Cast-off, bytes, or12four 6 Pleasing 24the Oven-ready, 25 Ankle, 26 Steak, 27 Uncounted, 28 Ring road, 29 Velour. Down: 1 Disagree, 2 Psalmody, 3 Other, 5 Shindig, bits (7) 17 Cockatoo, 18 Offender, 20 Bravura, 21 Chyack, 22 Wowser, 23 Demean, 6 Unharness, 7 Affair, 8 Ensued, 9 Atomic, 15 Muckraker, senses or mind 25 Acute, 17 Hedgehog, 18 Terrapin, 20 Elliott, 21 Piping, 22 Umlaut, 23 Schism, 25 Torso. 21 Run at full speed aesthetically (9) over a short 7 Individually; for distance (6) Photos: iStock

2 What was the name of the bulk ore carrier that ran into the Tasman bridge? 3 When and where was the first drive-in theatre built?

Down Across

Quiz

6 Which two Australian cities have hosted the Olympic Games? 7 Who wrote “Waltzing Matilda”? 8 What is country singer Keith Urban’s home town? 9 At 190m, which is the deepest lake in Australia? 10 What was Henry Ford most famous for?

Want to find out how you did? Find the answers online at

ract.com.au/puzzles

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

rear view.

Tasmania as captured by our talented members

PICTURED (clockwise from top) // Elijah Sargent (@elijah_sargent_photography) snaps a peaceful stroll on Ocean Beach; Georgie Heart (@georgiesheartspace) starts

the day right with sunrise at Carlton River; Valmai Trotter captured an admirer of the blow hole at Bicheno; Susan Mace takes in one of many murals in artsy Sheffield.

Want to see your photo here? Send your shots of our beautiful island to journeys@ract.com.au or tag us with both @ractofficial and #yourjourneys on lnstagram, Facebook or Twitter.

JOURNEYS // FEB / MAR 2022

SOME CONSEQUENCES TAKE YEARS TO HAPPEN.

Low level speeding is contributing to deaths and serious injuries on our roads. It’s something we’re all doing. We think there aren’t any consequences, but that’s simply not true. We’re normalising it in our community. And we’re passing our bad habits onto our children. If you drive just a few kms over the speed limit, it’s over.

SOME CONSEQUENCES HAPPEN IN A MOMENT. Low level speeding is contributing to deaths and serious injuries on our roads. It’s something we’re all doing. We think there aren’t any consequences, but that’s simply not true. We’re normalising it in our community. And we’re increasing the likelihood of a devastating crash. If you drive just a few kms over the speed limit, it’s over.

Journeys Feb/Mar 2022

Articles inside

Rear view

Speed reduction

Changing gears

The pit stop

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The perfect pitch

Thesparklingcoast

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A mile in the shoes of ...