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.

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.