Top 5 Tassie islands

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TOP five Tassie islands

Not ready to dust off your passport? These local island getaways will have you ‘overseas’ in no time, writes Nola James.

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1 FLINDERS ISLAND

This island has had a tourism boom in recent years. It’s still a rugged wilderness escape with pristine beaches and great fishing, but there’s now a range of bespoke accommodation options and new places to eat. These include Wombat Lodge, Crayshack, and Killiecrankie Beach House — as well as a restaurant showcasing local seafood and produce, The Flinders Wharf. The Flinders Island Food and Crayfish Festival runs in April each year, with tickets and dates announced in December. Sharp Airlines runs flights from Launceston and Hobart, and there’s a weekly barge from Bridport. visitflindersisland.com.au 2 SARAH ISLAND

Spooky, windswept and remote, Sarah Island — known to First Nations people as langerrareroune — houses the ruins of the Macquarie Harbour Penal Station. As it’s accessible only by boat, your best bet is the full-day Gordon River Cruise out of Strahan. Visitors sail (very slowly) through Hells Gates, the notoriously shallow and dangerous channel entrance to Macquarie Harbour, which gives the journey a thrilling edge. A one-hour stopover includes a guided historical tour of the old prison (which operated between 1822 and 1833) that preserves important stories from Tasmania’s colonisation. gordonrivercruises.com.au

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3 SATELLITE ISLAND

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a private island, then Satellite Island is the holiday destination for you. Located in Tasmania’s south-east, just off Bruny Island, it’s the perfect place to get away from the world – literally. Up to eight guests have exclusive use of the threebedroom Summer House, the twobedroom Boathouse and a luxury bell tent (for camping diehards). All come stocked with gourmet provisions, and there’s a kitchen garden and orchard to explore, too. Fishing equipment, kayaks, snorkels, stand-up paddle boards and yoga mats are also on hand. As you might imagine, the experience doesn’t come cheap. Rates start at $3350 a night for two guests, with a two-night minimum stay. satelliteisland.com.au 4 KING ISLAND

Did somebody say ‘cheese’? King Island, located in Bass Strait, has been famous for its exceptional dairy for generations. Visitors can drop in to the King Island Dairy cheese store to pick up supplies or chill out with a cheese platter (check the website for opening hours during winter, as operations are limited). The island is also a popular golfing destination, with three courses available to those willing to tackle windy conditions in exchange for crowd-free play with world-class ocean views. There are lots of places to stay, from bed and breakfasts to holiday cottages, plus new luxury eco retreats such as Kittawa Lodge. Flights to the island depart Wynyard, Launceston and Hobart. kingisland.org.au 5 MARIA ISLAND

Despite prior attempts to build luxury accommodation on Maria Island (called wukaluwikiwayna in palawa kani), this UNESCO World Heritage-listed area remains untouched. There are no cars or shops, and certainly no WiFi, just mountains to climb and wombats to watch. It’s BYO everything from food to blankets and please, please take your rubbish with you. Basic bunk accommodation is available in the old penitentiary at Darlington, as well as free camping at designated sites. Visitors should carry in their own water, although rainwater tanks at Darlington, Frenchman’s Farm and Encampment Cove will help those who get stuck. The island, both a national park and native wildlife sanctuary, is accessible only by passenger ferry from Triabunna. encountermaria.com.au

BACK TO YOUR BEST

THE AUSTRALIAN POPULATION is ageing, and the rate of osteoarthritis and other joint pain is escalating with a 60% increase in hip and knee replacements in the last 10 years.

After a joint replacement, regaining strength, stability, mobility and learning to walk with confidence can be a challenge. It doesn’t have to be like this, says Amanda Coombe owner of Personal Best Fitness, Tasmania’s most awarded Fitness Business.

When Meredith started at Personal Best, she had had both hips replaced in the preceding 12 months after several medical interventions that were unable to determine the source of her back pain.

Prior to surgery, exercise was increasingly difficult and painful. During this period Meredith lost significant body strength, muscle tone and confidence in her body and was feeling frustrated.

‘After my second hip replacement I had the standard hospital physiotherapy which assisted my initial recovery from surgery, but I found that my strength and balance were significantly affected. My walking pace was slow and stairs were difficult.’

Meredith, like most people, was aware of the benefits of going to the gym. She knew that she needed to learn how to walk correctly again in order to look after her hips and back for the long term and be active into her late 60’s and beyond.

She also wanted to regain the strength in her legs and hips, improve her balance and stability.

Even though Meredith had been a regular walker for many years she wanted to ensure that she was walking with correct posture.

‘I recognized that I needed the support and accountability that Personal Best’s programs and classes could offer me. I needed someone who could improve my fitness, motivate me through the highs and lows of rehabilitation, teach me to walk again and educate me on why and how, rather than just tell me what to do.”

Meredith now feels a great sense of accomplishment at the progress that she has made and is back to walking briskly and climbing stairs with ease. ‘I just love the Forever Active and stretching classes as they are tailored to individual needs and abilities. This ensures that we all progress at our own rate.’

These classes are low impact and are specifically designed for people 60+ years whose body don’t allow them to partake in mainstream exercise programs.

‘It is very relaxed at Personal Best, and no one judges you. All the staff know my name and they take an interest in me. I enjoy the variety of the classes and see my Personal Trainer Fran once every 6 weeks to update my program.’

“My results speak for themselves, I have a normal walking gait, feel strong and stable, don’t take any pain medications and have excellent bone density.

Personal Best Fitness have helped and inspired hundreds of people to feel, look and function better. Their accredited fitness professionals have simple tips and easy to understand advice that will give you great results just like Meredith.

Restart, Refocus, Readjust and Reset. Whether you want to lose 5kg or • Have you had enough of being in pain, being overweight 25kg or reduce your back pain, we have a solution for you… or not achieving a result. . . • Take advantage of our FREE 1 week pass • Take advantage of our FREE 1 week pass • Change the way you look, • Change the way you look, feel and function NOW REAL PEOPLE, • 6234 5969 67 LETITIA STREET, NORTH HOBART OPENING HOURS: • Mon - Thu 6am to 8pm Fri 6am to 7.30pm • Sat 7am to 12 noon • Sun 8am to 12 noon www.personalbestfitness.com.au feel and function NOW REAL RESULTS. conditions apply, offer valid until 31st August 2022