G‘day, mate. On the opposite side of the Pacific from Port Townsend and at the opposite side of the globe from Maine is a heart shaped island state “down under” where northerners who love wooden boats (and the wilderness of 40’s latitudes, original art, organic farming and vast ocean views) will wake up from jet lag in a dreamy déjà vu.
It’s called Tasmania (Tassie to locals) and lies 150 miles south of mainland Australia across the infamous Bass Strait.
My first visit was in February 2007 for the 7th Australian Wooden Boat Festival, so that’s where this sries begins. Staged in
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Joy Phillips says:
Thanks to Kaci for coming out to talk on Pax a the symposium and to to Steve for taking some wonderful film of Holger Danske on the D’ Entrecasteaux Channel – the Eggemoggin reach of the antipodes.
Philip Myer
Paul Cullen says:
Hi, Kaci. Really appreciate you telling your stories from Tasmania. Your enthusiasm and zest for life are just delightful. I think you feel at home in Tassie because it’s an island full of people who can’t believe their luck in living here! The 2015 AWBF is just two weeks way and the preparations are going at a rate of knots. I hope that you’ll enjoy this one as much as you have in the past, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you back.
Ellen Massey Leonard says:
Wonderful post, thank you! Great friend of ours on a wooden Lion class sloop spent some time cruising Tasmania and it sounded like heaven! Have to get there someday, hopefully under sail!
Kaci Cronkhite says:
Look forward to meeting you someday Ellen. Wish you were heading down to Australia this year;) If you decide to go for it, be sure to let me know. I fly down early and stay late!
Eric Simes says:
Greetings, I’ve been to the last 5 AWBF shows, taking a trailable boat 4 times. What a way to see the Island from the water. Places like Lake Pedder de Entrecasteau Channel etc.I don’t live in Tassie and it’s not cheap to ferry car and boat trailer across, but it’s well worth it if you spend a couple of weeks checking out the water.
Steve Stone says:
Ah, geez, way to pile on everybody. Hmmm… let’s see, February in Maine, or Tasmania?
Kaci Cronkhite says:
Fantastic suggestion Eric! There’s another fun thing to add to my list. Maybe this year! Hope to see you there. I’ve posted the 1st International Wooden Boat Symposium schedule on my Facebook page called Spidsgatter PAX. It’s not quite on their website yet.
Livio Muench says:
Hi Kaci,
Glad you love my home town as I do.
Born below a mountain and surrounded by sea I’ve been blessed to walk in wild forests and on beautiful beaches alone…now the secret is out of the bag.
Having watched and seen almost everything on this site I’m cheered by your enthusiasm for the wonders down under.
Looking forward to visiting Maine and PT one of these days. But first to build a Oughtred CY,
A boat I fell in love with a couple of AWB festivals back. Built by John Rex, a beautifully crafted four plank CY, gunter rigged with Huon pine and Blackwood strip-planked decks.
Hope to meet you here
Cheers Livio
Kaci Cronkhite says:
Sorry I didn’t respond to your post sooner, Livio. Haven’t quite figured out the technology;) I’m working this morning on more stories from my travels on Taz. You do live in a beautiful place! Seriously, you will love Port Townsend Bay. It’s just an upside down version of Huon Valley!
David Tew says:
Thanks for the links, photos, etc. My daughter lived in Tassie for a year going to the University and worked at that show (not the 2007 one). I envied her but was glad she could tell me about it. It sounded amazing.
Kaci Cronkhite says:
It is, David. Port Townsend x 4. And, you know how much I love Port Townsend! ;)
Steve Stone says:
Kaci. Wonderful post for new dreaming… I look at the first photo of the Melaleuca area and start dreaming about a sail and oar cruise there among the islands. Two questions: is Tasmania like the rest of Australia with snakes and other poisonous creatures, or is it like New Zealand where you can hike for days barefoot through the bush without a care for what may bite you? Also, where might I find more information about this area, or other areas like this, where a camp cruise might be possible? Any of our Tassie members out there with thoughts on this too?
Kaci Cronkhite says:
Steve, you must come early and stay late! Especially in February down there (think Maine or PT summer down under!). I think all the “deadly” critters are up north on the mainland. You can bush walk trails all over the island and there are boating options in every cove and harbor. I’ll track down some answers for you and add them into the next post, ok? Peter Laidlaw with Living Boat Trust knows those inland waters well. LBT is organizing a small boat sailing journey near Festival time and there’s a St. Ayle Skiff race. Definitely great camp cruising options. More to come!
Bruce Harris says:
Hi Steve
I spend six months a year living aboard my restored Huon Pine cutter in South West Tassie.
Got a mate I go camp cruising with. Area round Hobart perfect for that. See link at Camp Cruising 42 degrees south by Alex Jerrim on U Tube.
Plenty of places to go bush walking. There are a few snakes around but you won’t see them. As for bare foot bush walking….unless you got very special feet best wear shoes of some sort.
Cheers
Bruce
Steve Stone says:
Thanks Bruce. Any poisonous snakes?
I’ll check out Alex’s video. Here’s that link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f39n9Zq5-q4
Bruce Harris says:
Three poisonous snakes in Tassie, but they’ll get out of your way if they can. More of an issue are Drop Bears. However if you camp on the beach free of overhanging trees you should be OK.
B
Steve Stone says:
Thanks for the heads-up, and if you get to Texas, where I’m originally from, stay clear of the jackalopes and be sure to go on a snipe hunt.
Kaci Cronkhite says:
Great suggestions and video Bruce! Thanks for posting.
Ken Strangward says:
G’day,
This is a can’t miss event, Hobart is a beautiful old world place, especially around the dock area. The organisers really put on a good show.
Thanks for the article.
See you there, cheers.
Kaci Cronkhite says:
You’re welcome, Ken. YES, I look forward to seeing you at the Festival in February. I’ll be speaking in the Wooden Boat Symposium about PAX and on a panel Monday re: worldwide wooden boat events. Might be doing another talk, too, so be sure to check their schedule or message me with an email while you’re there.