Sue and I chose to spend four days at Freycinet in late May 2026 to celebrate a very special milestone—our 50th wedding anniversary. Leaving Howrah on a sunny Sunday morning, we travelled up Tasmania’s East Coast through Sorell, Orford, Triabunna and Swansea, enjoying stunning beaches, sunshine and coastal scenery along the way.

Living locally here in Tasmania, I’m always reminded how lucky we are to have incredible places like this right on our doorstep. Even after spending years exploring different parts of the state, there are still moments that completely surprise me, and this recent trip to Maria Island was definitely one of them.

Tasmania in spring is a bit of a lucky dip - some days feel like summer, others like winter. About four weeks ago, I embraced the unpredictability and took my one-year-old puppy on a hike to Snug Falls, one of the dog-friendly trails not too far from Nipaluna (Hobart).

We set off from Hobart at 8am for a 160km journey into Tasmania’s stunning Southwest National Park. After a quick stop in historic New Norfolk for lunch—your last major town before the wilderness—I passed hop fields along the River Derwent. My mum used to go hop picking by horse and cart as a girl, and it’s one of her fondest memories.

After four unforgettable weeks exploring the wild beauty of Norway and Iceland - two bucket-list destinations I’d dreamt of for five years - I returned home to Lutruwita / Tasmania with a renewed sense of appreciation.

Last week, the TTIC crew packed their bags (and snacks) and hit the road to Launceston for the Tasmanian Tourism Conference. I was joined by four fantastic team members, and together we dove into two days of inspiration, innovation, and a whole lot of learning.