Richmond and the Coal River Valley

Richmond Bridge, Richmond Tasmania

Lush grapevines in neat lines, stone houses that have been standing for generations, a bridge almost 200 years old still in use today. Where are you? Your mind may transport you to somewhere in Europe but you need not travel so far. The gum trees may give it away that you are not in Europe.

You are in Richmond, a small town in the Coal River Valley, around half an hours' drive north east of Hobart, Tasmania. This town is one of Tasmania's most popular tourist destinations and if you were to visit you would see why. It is a truly beautiful place which I love to visit often.

As you approach Richmond you will pass through the Coal River Valley wine region. Vineyards blanket the hills. Wineries often offer tastings and cellar door sales as well as restaurants and an opportunity to enjoy the scenery.

On the north side of Richmond you will see the Richmond Bridge traversing the Coal River.

Richmond Bridge

Richmond Bridge with its six glorious arches is Australia's oldest bridge. Built by convicts and completed in 1825, Richmond Bridge, with its beautiful sandstone bricks is truly a sight worth seeing.

While admiring the bridge, spend some time sitting on the grassy banks of the Coal River. You can observe ducks paddling by or waddling up to you. You may even see a black swan. Rushes shiver in the breeze. Sandstone cottages are framed by tall English trees. The bridge rises majestically over the Coal River painting an enchanting picture of a country idyll. Time seems to stand still.

In the Richmond township many flock to the much loved bakery and 'the lolly shop' officially known as 'Sweets and Treats.' Filled with all manner of lollies and chocolates, this tantalizing store is every child's dream. (And many adult's too!) There are also many fascinating galleries, gift shops and cafes for you to explore and enjoy.

Richmond Gaol

It is hard to imagine that the picturesque little town of Richmond could have anything but a pleasant past but a trip to Richmond Gaol will reveal a darker history.
Acquaint yourself with a solitary confinement cell and peruse the artifacts on display. Though sad this is a fascinating and informative place to visit.

Zoodoo

For an experience far removed from that of this historic village you can visit Zoodoo in Tea Tree, located 20 minutes out of Richmond. This impressive zoo offers its own safari tour and for an additional cost, your very own encounter with a meercat, marmoset, serval or with three native animals of your choice.

In this unlikely place you can see white lions, monkeys, zebras and meerkats as well as many native animals.

Richmond and the Coal River Valley region are just packed with fascinating places to visit. Wineries, historic buildings, galleries, native and exotic animals. This diverse region can be enjoyed by all!

https://richmondtasmania.com.au/things-to-do/
www.zoodoo.com.au
https://richmondgaol.com.au/

Hobart

Bursting with history and charm, dynamic yet tranquil, there is no other city in Australia quite like Hobart. Upon arrival, you will find yourself immersed in the beauty of the elegant sandstone buildings while at the same time hardly noticing the seamless transition from old to modern.

Salamanca Place

One place which emphasizes this fusion is Salamanca Place. Down by the waterfront, Salamanca consists of a long line of historic 1800's sandstone buildings which were originally warehouses, built to service the wharf area. These buildings have now been converted into galleries featuring the works of local artists, restaurants, bars and shops selling Tasmania art, crafts and other products.

Behind Salamanca Place lies a peaceful square consisting of a striking fountain and various shops and restaurants. You can play a game on the giant chess set, a permanent feature of the square.

Salamanca Place, Hobart

Salamanca Market, Hobart

Salamanca Market

On a Saturday, in Salamanca you can experience the hustle and bustle of the popular Salamanca market which has been run since 1972. Be sure to stock up on Tasmanian leatherwood honey and try some delicious locally made fudge.

As you meander your way through the crowd to the tune of live folk music, take in the aroma of fresh coffee, sizzling sausages and the unforgettable fragrance of huon pine as it emanates from the handcrafted wood products available for purchase.

On a sunny day, looking along the strip of market stalls, above the multi coloured canopies, you will notice how the vivid blue sky contrasts with the bright sandstone buildings while a sombre Mount Wellington looms ever present in the distance.

Battery Point

During your visit to Salamanca Place, you may find yourself ascending Kelly's Steps, completed in 1840, curious to see where this historic sandstone stairway leads. It links the residential area of Battery Point to the wharf and Hobart itself. The sight of the beautiful Georgian and Victorian houses in Battery Point will take you back to the 1800's. You can almost picture the original inhabitants of the cottages walking out the doors, the women seeing the menfolk off to the docks while small children play in the street.

The residences come in an array of colours, mostly pastel. Some residences are humble cottages, some are grand and impressive houses. Materials in the main consist of sandstone, brick or weatherboard. As one of Hobart's earliest residential areas you will find architecture spanning approximately 100 years from the early 1800's to the early 1900's, with a few modern additions.

In Arthur's Circus you can enjoy the bursts of colour in the gardens of the cute little cottages with their picket fences.

Indulge in a scrumtious pastry or two at Jackman and McCross Bakery while looking out at the Victorian era streets of this picturesque residential area.

The Hobart Waterfront

The Waterfront

After enjoying the delights of Battery Point it is only a short walk back through Salamanca and along to the waterfront. Yachts and fishing boats bob in the waves of the sheltered Sullivan's Cove, only a short walk from the the heart of the city.

After a dinner of local seafood, Take a stroll through Franklin Wharf, Constitution Dock and along to Hunter Street.

Take a photo with the Bernacchi Tribute Sculptures at Franklin Wharf. These sculptures commemorate Tasmanian born Antarctic Explorer, Louis Bernacchi, featuring the explorer and his dog. Several lifelike sculptures of seals and penguins are framed perfectly by the piers on either side and make for a memorable photo.

Afterwards you can enjoy a locally made ice cream from one of the punts moored in Constitution Dock.

More warehouses lie to the north of the wharf on Hunter Street, including the old IXL Jam Factory, now a Hotel, bar/cafe and events space. The streetscape almost resembles a muted, pastel version of the famous waterfront strip of Nyhavn, Copenhagen.

The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

Another delightful place to visit in Hobart is the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. This diverse site transports you from the serenity of the Japanese garden, complete with the soothing sound of trickling streams, to the invigorating chill of the Sub-Antarctic House. The garden also features a fernery and a picturesque lily pond complete with resident ducks. The exquisite sandstone conservatory was built in 1939.

At the Anniversary Arch, with its beautiful leaf pattern, many people pose for photos to mark significant events in their lives.There are also two noteworthy walls in the botanical gardens, both of which were constructed by convicts. One was originally heated to protect certain plants from frost but it was quickly found to be unnecessary. The bricks in the walls range from a sandy yellow colour to rich orange with some verging on red, much like a deciduous tree in autumn. They paint a perfect backdrop to the gardens. I can imagine one of the ladies in my artwork enjoying this setting as she looks out over the rose garden.

I am also particularly enthralled by the beautiful magnolias in the gardens with their exquisite petals adorning a bare tree, sturdy yet at the same time delicate.

The Japanese Garden in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

Government House

This grand building rivals any of its contemporaries. Sitting majestically on the hill adjacent to the botanical gardens, it has an almost castle-like appearance. If you ever get the chance to tour this impressive site you will no doubt be amazed by the opulence of its interior, especially the French Room with its hand painted wallpaper. It is truly an interior fit for royalty. Visitors may be surprised to see cows grazing in the paddocks of Government House so close to the centre of Hobart.

Historical Buildings

Some of Hobart's oldest buildings include the Theatre Royal, built in 1837 and the Comissariat’s Complex, now incorporated into the Tasmanian Museum and Art gallery complex. This building is believed to be one of Hobart's oldest, completed in 1810.

No visit to Hobart is complete without a trip up kunanyi/Mount Wellington. As you wind your way up to the summit the thick forests give way to boulders and twisted-wind shaped trees which have completely yielded to the harsh elements.

Mount Wellington Summit, Hobart

If travelling in the colder months, you may be fortunate enough to experience the electric excitement as you ascend, waiting for your first glimpse of snow between the jagged boulders. Once you reach the summit, take refuge in the lookout building and on a clear day survey the city and beyond.

Hobart is a beautiful and diverse place with something for everyone. It is full of places that mean alot to me and have shaped much of my art. I hope you have a chance to visit soon!
Sources and useful websites:

https://www.salamancamarket.com.au/Home
https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/what-to-do/heritage-and-history
https://www.batterypointwalk.com.au/locations/kelly-street/
https://tasmania.com/things-to-do/walks/battery-point-historic-walking-tour/
https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/science/display/70392-louis-bernacchi
http://www.discoverhobart.com/hobart/historical_buildings.html
https://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2012/11/29/3643936.htm
https://gardens.rtbg.tas.gov.au/
https://gardens.rtbg.tas.gov.au/visit/top-locations/
https://www.govhouse.tas.gov.au/

The Port Arthur Historic Site

Let me share with you a place which has been the source of much inspiration to me; Port Arthur. 

After enjoying the picturesque 90 minute drive from Hobart passing luscious forests, windswept foreshores, pasturelands and quiet towns you will arrive at the Port Arthur Historic Site, a Penal Settlement from the 1800s. Many convicts from Britain were sent to Port Arthur as a solution to a lack of prisons  and as a way to expand the British Empire. 

Here many convicts from petty criminals to those who had committed serious crimes and repeat offenders suffered greatly although some were able to make a new life after receiving their 'ticket of leave.' 

The sad history of Port Arthur Historic Site does not mute the rugged beauty of the ruins and the serene calm of the gardens. The Port Arthur Historic Site is a place at once desolate and beautiful.

On arrival it is recommended to take the 40 minute introductory guided walking tour where you will learn more about the site and the people who passed through. ( This tour is also available in Mandarin) 

There are over 30 historic buildings and ruins to explore.

You will be surprised by the elegance of the furnishings in the restored Commandants House overlooking the bay. These furnishings provide insight into how the fortunate of this site lived. I am particularly enthralled by the beautiful craftsmanship of even mundane items. 

Further down the hill are the imposing ruins of the iconic penitentiary. Here you will discover how the lives of the many convicts imprisoned in these walls played out. 

Other restored buildings on the site provide insight to the lives of people trying to replicate the life they had left behind. Extensive and well preserved artefacts tell countless stories of the people and the times they lived in. 

Once you have had your fill of the beautiful historic buildings and the tragic and moving stories that played out in them you will be refreshed by a walk in the Government Gardens. Designed with the ladies of the settlement in mind it has been reconstructed to resemble it's former glory. This garden contains plants from England as well as many other countries including Africa, Asia and South America. 

A feature of the garden is the elegant four tiered fountain surrounded by historically accurate plant borders.  Interestingly, the cottage gardens at Port Arthur also contain plants in keeping with the era of each cottage. Often the seeds are imported from the UK or are propagated from historically accurate plants onsite. 

A ferry to the Isle of the Dead will have you veiwing Port Arthur from a different vantage. 

The Port Arthur Historic Site is a fascinating place full of history and beauty. Maybe you will receive your inspiration here too!

Sources: 

https://portarthur.org.au/history/landmarks/
https://portarthur.org.au/what-to-do/
https://portarthur.org.au/history/

Colouring Pages — Free Download

I now have a selection of my drawings available as colouring pages free to download! It’s the perfect lockdown or rainy-day activity for you or your little ones.

Get creative with watercolour, markers, pencils — the possibilities are endless!

Each illustration is set up as an A4 PDF, ready for printing — just click on an image to download the corresponding artwork. If you do colour in one, please tag #farintotheforestart on Instagram so I can see your lovely work!

Enjoy!

Cartwheels

Cartwheels definition: So not within my physical sphere but nonetheless I’m irresistibly leaping with excitement!

When you wait a smidgen off a decade to launch into the great mysterious cyberspace there’s sure to be unearthly bells and whistles resonating. So, I shall indeed manage half a decent cartwheel in the name of celebration! After moving to the beautiful Tasman Peninsula my mind and heart were convinced that art was going to be pursued. So, here we are! I’m sure you have your stories too...

May you achieve many cartwheeled moments! No matter how long they take.

theflopsybunnies on Instagram allows me to introduce my fine art team players. The purrfect twin kittens who were rescued trying to claw their way out of a ditch on a busy country road. Coco holds up sketching as she try’s to navigate the best way to comfortably spend hours on my lap. Lily zooms through the house intent on distracting. Nefi, the ever loyal assistance dog, attempts to bring order when chaos reigns supreme.  

Nov 2015 Delilah Matild snuggling up

Three bunnies grace me with their presence for afternoon tea regularly. Especially when carrot cake is on offer. Delilah Matild is a Minilop. Or as the Vet ever so sweetly suggested, “not so Mini”. Mei and Ankhesenamun are Netherland Dwarfs. 

How big a part do your pets play in keeping your creativity charged? In life? 

Share your thoughts on art; pets; creative journeys and cartwheel moments!  

Thanks for stopping by :)

Welcome to my new website!

I'm so excited about the launch of my new website showcasing my artwork and inspirations. Please have a look around and let me know your thoughts in the comments below - I'd love to hear your feedback.

This blog is going to be a place for me to share with you my current inspirations and projects. Art news and hopefully your views. Even the pets will get a look in! Really, anything I find interesting, inspiring or informative. I'm looking forward to this new experience and being with you on my creative journey. 

Thank you for stopping by :)

Snow White - soon to be made available as a print on Etsy!