I left Kingston around 6:30 am, the sky still dark and my mind racing with nerves. I was heading to Long Beach in Sandy Bay for the Dark MOFO nude solstice swim — something I never imagined I’d do. The idea of stripping down and plunging into 12C cold water with thousands of strangers felt overwhelming. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew I had to see it through.

The opportunity to visit Launceston over the Easter school holidays just couldn’t be passed up. We planned to experience adventure, great food and feel the vibe of Launceston in an overnight trip.

Day 1: Arrival and Camping at Swimcart BeachOur adventure began with a drive to the stunning Larapuna / Bay of Fires area in the Northeast of Tasmania. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, this region did not disappoint.

If you’re from Sydney or Melbourne or even Brisbane and just coming to Tassie and more specifically Nipaluna / Hobart what would I do? Hmm… of course, it depends on one’s interests, so here are a few of my thoughts:

At the beginning of 2025, my wife and I journeyed over to the west coast of Tasmania to spend 3 nights in Strahan. Located a 5-hour drive from Hobart, we left early, around 7 am, and headed for our first stop, New Norfolk, home to some great antique shops and great viewpoints such as the Pulpit Rock Lookout. While we didn't stop off at any of the distilleries or breweries, as it was a little too early in the morning, there’s a few that are open for tastings.

Eaglehawk Neck is a small, scenic area in Tasmania, known for its natural beauty and unique rock formations. To get there from Hobart, it takes around 1.5 hours along the Tasman Highway and Arthur Highway.