Journeys Dec/Jan 2022

Journeys YOUR RACT MEMBER MAGAZINE

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This issue

SUMMER ON THE MOVE

Tassie’s top five pies The new electric Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 A day in the life of a platypus whisperer

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Photos: Bruny Island Oysters/Tourism Tasmania; Zsolt Faludi; iStock

contents.

DEC 2021 / JAN 2022

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Welcome note

Travel

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Inbox

35

Travel news

39

The pit stop

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Meander up north

A word from our President Our members share what’s on their minds

Lifestyle

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What’s on

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Tassie’s top 5 pies

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Photos: Bruny Island Oysters/Tourism Tasmania; Zsolt Faludi; iStock

inside

Travel with your tastebuds A moving feast of Tassie produce in our sweetest season on the cover

Testing out the Apollo Motorhome, shot by Stu Gibson

Our branches are open Mon–Fri 8.45am to 5pm For customer service, call 13 27 22 For roadside assistance, call 13 11 11 anytime Visit ract.com.au Email journeys@ract.com.au

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Your new to-do list From chunky lamb to creamy cauliflower

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There’s more to Port Arthur than history Feast and explore in the shadow of the great Western Tiers

Community

A mile in the shoes of ...

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The latest

Tassie by design

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Changing gears

57

Road safety

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Learning curve

61

Member rewards

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Puzzles

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Rear view

Platypus whisperer Pete Walsh Shop local for creative gifts

Drive

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Inspiration for exploring

Auto news

Developments in the car world

0–100 review

The latest electric vehicle from Mercedes-Benz

Road test

Camping with the Apollo

News from the RACT community Common sense required for pedestrian safety The crossing guards protecting our kids Tips for P-plate drivers Savings available now

Take on the crossword and quiz See your snap of Tasmania here

Have your say on Member Hub and social media

To unsubscribe from Journeys, visit ract.com.au/update

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welcome.

ABOUT ABOUT YOUR RACT RACT YOUR PRESIDENT PRESIDENT Kathryn Westwood Westwood Kathryn VICE PRESIDENTS PRESIDENTS VICE Alison Flakemore Flakemore Alison Jenny Richardson Richardson Jenny BOARD BOARD Josephine Archer, Archer, Peter Peter Dixon, Dixon, Josephine Ralph Doedens, Doedens, Jude Jude Franks, Franks, Ralph Phil Jones, Jones, Risden Risden Knightley, Knightley, Phil Pieter Kolkert, Kolkert, Sue Sue Smith Smith Pieter RACT GROUP GROUP CEO CEO RACT Mark Mugnaioni Mugnaioni Mark JOURNEYS JOURNEYS MANAGING EDITOR EDITOR MANAGING Amira Vaatstra Vaatstra Amira The board members, vice president and president are current to 30 Nov 2021.

A word from our Group CEO This year RACT has taken significant strides forward in our strategy to transform our business and provide more for our members.

At time of writing we are very close to finalising our investment to purchase the remaining 50% share of our insurance business, RACT Insurance, from the Suncorp Group. Once finalised, RACT Insurance will become Tasmania’s only 100% owned, located and operated insurance business – a great outcome for our members and Tasmanians more broadly. Significant work has taken place to implement appropriate governance and operational structures that will set us up for success, and I’m proud that we’ve been able to do this and ensure that all our people continue in their roles, providing our members with the level of service for which we are known.

I’m also pleased to see the continued focus on road safety through the Select Committee’s Inquiry into Road Safety in

Tasmania. With nearly 100 submissions to the inquiry, there is a high degree of interest and a range of ideas on how we might improve our road safety statistics. Our submission contained 38 recommendations, themed around speed, enforcement and deterrence, roads, vehicles and vulnerable road users. I’d like to thank our members who provided us feedback on issues. We received more than 2000 responses which helped form the basis of our recommendations. We watch with interest as the inquiry continues, and we expect to see a range of changes arising from the process.

This year, we’ve continued to expand our regional footprint, and during November we upgraded our Glenorchy branch and doubled our employee numbers in this location to provide an expanded, localised call centre and branch team.

December is a busy month for all of us.

Remember to stay alert on our roads during this period and have a safe and happy festive period with friends and family.

Mark Mugnaioni // RACT Group CEO

Journeys is published for The Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania

by Hardie Grant Media, Building 1, 658 Church Street, Richmond VIC 3121 hardiegrant.com Managing Director Clare Brundle Managing Editor Sophie Al-Bassam Editor Constantina Demos Art Director Dallas Budde Design Sue Morony Advertising Sales and Partnerships Director Lauren Casalini laurencasalini@hardiegrant.com Senior Account Manager Amanda Travers amandatravers@hardiegrant.com Printer Ovato Mailhouse D&D Mailing Services Distribution Australia Post Australia Post No. 100003899

Competition terms and conditions can be found at ract.com.au/competitions. No part of Journeys may be reproduced without permission. Copyright 2021 RACT. The opinions contained in this publication may not be shared

by The Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania Limited or its related bodies corporate (together “RACT”) or any of its directors or employees. Advertisements in Journeys are the responsibility of the advertiser. No person should act or rely upon such opinions or advice and RACT accepts no liability for them. Any rewards or rights provided to a member cannot be transferred, assigned, sold or redeemed for cash. Inclusion of a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RACT.

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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inbox.

LETTERS

Trial to ease Hobart traffic?

(Left) Rob reckons Switzerland has the right idea when it comes to road rules, signage and safety. Do you agree?

Turning right from Campbell Street into Davey Street [Hobart] traffic is unimpeded as there is not a pedestrian crossing on the southern side of the junction. This could be applied where Elizabeth Street meets Liverpool Street by not having the mountainside pedestrian crossing at peak periods.

This could be applied at lots of meetings of any two one-way streets. Is this worth a trial?

Jim Garrigan // New Town

Service stations for EVs Due to the ascendency of electric and hydrogen powered vehicles, privately owned internal combustion-engined cars are already on the decline.

The change will have repercussions on several industries and employers.

The principal function of service stations, that of fuel supply, will cease to exist unless existing stations can exchange low-charged batteries for fully charged ones.

For this to occur every car produced will need to be equipped with identical batteries that can be exchanged robotically in less time than it takes to fill a tank with fuel.

In the early days of mobile phones every manufacturer had their own unique recharge connectors in the belief this would increase sales until realisation came that identical connectors were unanimously accepted by populations everywhere.

Alan Churchill // Glenorchy

Lessons on safety from Switzerland

Your articles on road safety caught my eye. We need to look at absolute basics, road design and signage. Tasmanian roads are full of poor messages, for example, you are informed repeatedly that might is right. When lanes are reduced it is always the slow lane that disappears. The slow lane should be rethought as ‘the lane’, right lanes to be used when and if available and when not available you carefully merge back into ’the’ lane. One rule I loved from my time living in Switzerland is no passing in the left lane. So you can always change back to the ‘slow’, or as I call it ‘the’ lane without worrying about someone unexpectedly cutting in from behind.

Speed limits need to be clear and predictable. Again from Switzerland, there were three basic limits and you knew which one applied from the road type and surroundings.

Most of our country roads should have an 80 limit, not 100. We seem to have a limitless variety of limits.

Take responsibility and keep limits safe.

Rob Bester // via email

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Photos: iStock

CURRENT PERFORMANCE:

RACT ONLINE

Brush up on the manual for merging As a motorist of over 40 years, I am bewildered at the lack of knowledge of motorists who don’t know the Tasmanian road rules, specifically of how to merge into traffic on federal and state highways.

The road rules clearly state that when merging “if your marked lane ends”, which it does when using an on ramp to the Bass Highway, you must give way to any traffic in the lane you are moving into. Even if the “on ramp lane” markings do not continue to the end of the lane, then you are changing lanes, and you must give way to any traffic in the lane you are moving into.

Peter (Pete) Le Comte // via email

Perhaps the solution to the above might be to erect reminder signs in the on-ramp lanes when entering either a federal or state highway as to the correct and lawful process of how to merge?

WRITE TO US

Have you got any concerns about the Leith Overpass proposal on the Bass Highway?

Here’s what some of you had to say on Facebook:

WHEN I SPOKE with a consultant at the meeting on Friday morning about the overpass with ramps, I mentioned ‘blind Freddy’ can see that this overpass is designed for B double access.

So, when they get over the overpass, where are they going to go?

Leith Road to Forth has a 10-tonne limit on it, so the consultant said. If Leith Road needs to be upgraded to heavyvehicle access, as much of that road is landslip prone, who will pay for a road to be built for heavy-vehicle access in a landslip area? Central Coast rate payers, that’s who – and it will cost a fortune.

Gra Har

We’re keen to hear your thoughts on any motoring or travel-related topics and auto questions.

Please keep them brief – we reserve the right to edit.

IT’S GOT ME totally baffled how some of these accidents occur in places where you have got a clear line of sight both directions. Is it inattention, impatience or plain stupidity of some drivers? It’s irrelevant what you do to the roads/highways because you can’t fix these behaviours. A roundabout is the best solution as I would be livid if my home was acquired due to stupid drivers.

Brett Chatwin

WHAT’S WRONG WITH putting in a roundabout? There’s one in Latrobe and two headed into Burnie. Surely that is a viable option? And a cheaper one at that.

Denelle Young

DRIVERS CAN’T EVEN adhere to the 40km/hr speed reduction that is in place currently due to bridge works. Maybe some speed cameras might deter the speeding drivers to reduce risk in the area.

Deidre Campbell

journeys@ract.com.au @ractofficial

It all starts with spirit Photos: iStock

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We can seesaw from diet to diet, depriving ourselves of food, then binge and feel guilty and move in and out of exercise with minimal success and often put on more weight. It doesn’t have to be like this, says Amanda Coombe, owner of Personal Best Fitness, Tasmania’s most-awarded Fitness Business.

Pauline was no different; when she started at Personal Best, she was overweight and needed to re-gain some fitness in order to cope with the demands of being a busy medical practitioner.

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lifestyle 12/ 15/ 17/ 20/

WHAT’S ON TASSIE’S TOP 5 PIES A MILE IN THEIR SHOES TASSIE BY DESIGN

Photo: Adam Gibson

a-

Lap of luxury

Hike Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park by day, and rest journeyed legs at Pumphouse Point by night. Walk into Luxury’s new four-day small-group walk sees you visiting Russell Falls, hiking the western side of Mount Field National Park to crisp alpine lakes and tarns, before arriving at Lake St Clair. Here, you can choose to explore via rowboat or e-bike, or simply by foot. Adventure awaits.

P For more, see walkintoluxury.com.au

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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what’s on.

YOUR NEW TO-DO LIST 21–30 JANUARY

MONA’S MOMENT

14–16 JANUARY

JUST FOLKS

All event details are up to date at time of print, but can change.* For updates, consult organisers directly, and support Tassie’s events industry through these challenging times.

Huon Valley acts as the scenic backdrop to one of Australia’s most iconic folk music festivals. Celebrating 40 years, The Cygnet Folk Festival always showcases leading talent in the eclectic music genre and 2022 is no different with Lior and Domini and Albi & The Wolves headlining.

8–9 JANUARY

NOT SO DRY JANUARY 28–29 JANUARY

We’ve got good news for gin lovers: Gin-uary is back for another year.

Come January, Tasmania’s leading distilleries will head to Hobart with their best drop in hand. This is your chance to get a taste of gin brands you’ve yet to try and chat to other aficionados about what brought you together: gin.

ISLAND TIME Against the backdrop of Currie Harbour, Festival Of King Island (FOKI) is a laid-back music festival inspired by the spirit of this rugged island. Make a weekend out of it and nab one of the camping spots.

28 DECEMBER–3 JANUARY

IN GOOD TASTE

The Hobart waterfront becomes the setting for festive feasting during Taste of Summer. More than 80 local eateries, breweries, distilleries and wineries will set up shop on Princes Wharf No. 1. If you’re looking for NYE plans, Taste will ring in 2022 with a party featuring live local acts. Put on your dancing shoes.

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Photos: MONA/Jesse Hunniford Image courtesy of the artist and MONA Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania; Tourism Tasmania/Adam Gibson; @ginuaryhobart_; Kimberley French © 2021 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The Museum of Modern Art’s annual summer music and art festival, Mona Foma, needs no introduction.

Innovation and creativity are what it’s all about. Days are filled with live music acts and art, and the evenings are awakened by light installations and warehouse parties.

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lifestyle Want to tell us about your event or product? Reach us on journeys@ract.com.au

Off the beaten track Fancy an adventure? Undiscovered Tasmania

by Rochelle and Wally Dare takes you beyond the run-of-the-mill attractions. Venture deep into the Corinna wilderness, take a dip in Lake Derby’s floating sauna and explore Queenstown’s moon-like mining town. $39.99, hardiegrant.com

Photos: MONA/Jesse Hunniford Image courtesy of the artist and MONA Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania; Tourism Tasmania/Adam Gibson; @ginuaryhobart_; Kimberley French © 2021 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Blockbuster season

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City Once the booming home of pharmaceutical giant Umbrella Corporation, Raccoon City is now a dying town. When that evil is unleashed, a group of survivors must work together to uncover the truth.

In cinemas 9 Dec.

To market, to market If you leave festive shopping to the last minute and want to get your loved ones something unique then you’re in luck as market season is in full swing come December. Put together a gift hamper at Willie Smith’s Artisan Produce Market, which showcases growers and local artisans producing honey, baked goods, jam and more. It’s on every Saturday ‘til 15 January.

Artisan goods can be picked up at the Hobart Handmade Makers Market on 12 December and everything from fine wine, handmade chocolate and good books can be found at Salamanca Market every Saturday leading up to Christmas.

Spider-man: No Way Home A first in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high stakes of being a superhero.

When he asks for help from Doctor Strange the stakes become even more dangerous.

In cinemas 16 Dec.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (pictured) When a family arrive in a small town, they discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind. In cinemas 1 Jan.

P Keep an eye out on your inbox and our social channels for a chance to win free movie tickets.

WHAT’S BLOOMING?

with SADIE CHRESTMAN from Fat Pig Farm in the Huon Valley Summer means zucchini!

We pick them small.

Mostly because they’re sweeter and much tastier, but it also means we’re not overwhelmed.

There are only so many neighbours that are delighted by more than one box full of zucchinis.

A home-grown tomato, on the other hand, will make anyone’s day richer and more delightful. We have cherry tomatoes (for children to gobble), as well as chunky beefsteak and saucing varieties.

During summer, tomatoes are precious, so we use them sparingly in salads with fresh goat’s cheese or toss them through lightly sautéed zucchini. We must wait until autumn for the true tomato harvest. The first summer beans have started: we’re loving a variety called Cherokee Trail of Tears (look up the history!) which are delicious fresh and later in the year can be podded as a glossy black bean and dried for winter.

Sow and plant Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, chard.

Harvest now Zucchini, broad beans, peas, beans, tomatoes. ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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Photos: Bread + Butter; Banjo’s; Summer Kitchen Bakery/Chris Crerar; Oliver’s Bakery; Migrant Resource Centre RACT Magazine_Full Page_DecJan2022_OUTLINES.indd 2 14-15_RACT_Lifestyle_Top 5 pies-3.indd 14

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Tassie’s top 5 pies

Photos: Bread + Butter; Banjo’s; Summer Kitchen Bakery/Chris Crerar; Oliver’s Bakery; Migrant Resource Centre

FOODIE finds

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With the season of road trips and lazy lunches upon us, there’s no better time to pick up one of Tasmania’s best pies, writes Nola James.. They’re designed to be handheld and range from party to family-sized – perfect for a picnic.

1 LAMB PIE

Bread + Butter LAUNCESTON This Launceston bakery makes its own butter and sources from female-owned, free-range and local businesses. Its chunky lamb pie is unapologetically meaty, thick with rich gravy and topped with a flaky disc of puff pastry.

2 CAULIFLOWER CHEESE PIE Banjo’s STATE-WIDE The cauliflower cheese pie from Banjo’s, the beloved chain’s original vegetarian option, has been a fan favourite for 25 years. Chunky cauliflower florets are bathed in bechamel then topped with melted tasty cheese. Tasmanians (and tourists) eat 200,000 each year.

3 WALLABY PIE Summer Kitchen RANELAGH When a bakery starts out vegetarian then adds meat to its menu, you can be sure it has sustainability in mind.

The wallaby for this stew-like pie (roux-based gravy, potato and onion) comes from Bruny Island and the flour is wholemeal and certified organic.

4 STEAK PIE

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Oliver’s Bakery and Cafe

5 FATAYER BI JIBNEH

Meat lovers can choose between steak and cheese, steak and mushroom or pepper steak pies at Oliver’s.

Top-quality chuck comes from Cape Grim or King Island. The cheese is tasty, the mushrooms are roasted in butter and the green peppercorns are hot.

These triangle-shaped Syrian cheese pies can be found at the Migrant Resource Centre’s social enterprise cafe. Sometimes filled with feta and sumac, sometimes with haloumi and dried mint, always handmade with love.

ULVERSTONE + BURNIE

Migrant Resource Centre GLENORCHY

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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12/11/21 10:44 am

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(03) 6234 7009

Find us on Facebook

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lifestyle

Equipped with a camera and plenty of patience, Pete Walsh has become an ambassador for the platypus of the Hobart Rivulet, discovers Krysia Bonkowski.

platypus whisperer A mile in THE SHOES OF A

Photos: Lochie Bevis

O

n its way from the heights of kunanyi/ Mount Wellington to the Derwent, the Hobart Rivulet flows through the heart of South Hobart. On its leafy banks, along with the many locals commuting, jogging, cycling and walking the dog, you’ll often find Pete Walsh. With camera in hand, Pete is a citizen scientist on a mission to document Hobart’s most elusive residents – the platypus.

Sunrise reveals Pete at his post most mornings, ready with the telephoto lens he uses to capture platypus portraits for the Hobart Rivulet Platypus website and social pages. Pete started photographing platypus during COVID-19

lockdowns, when he noticed the monotremes foraging in more exposed areas (emboldened, he believes, by a reduction in foot traffic). But his hobby transformed into activism after he encountered a platypus entangled in rubbish for the second time in a matter of weeks.

“At that moment I was like, oh my god, I’ve spent so much of my life enjoying nature but not really – it’s not the same thing as caring for it. Caring is definitely an act, outside of yourself,” Pete says. He started posting his platypus pictures online and advocating for their habitat, and it wasn’t long before his reputation as the ‘platypus whisperer’ was fixed.

The urban waterway, which until recently ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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lifestyle

was not treated as much more than a polluted stormwater drain, might seem an unfavourable habitat, but Pete regularly tracks a number of highly territorial platypus as far as the foothills.

Over time, the softly spoken Pete has come to know the platypus, and in their own way they know him.

Zoom, the rubbish-entangled female that kickstarted Pete’s quest, regularly ‘zooms’ up to Pete with a distinctive bill waggle. Jeffrey is a hefty male Pete can hear clomping down the rivulet from way off. One little male, Junior, has taken to scurrying right up to Pete and depositing a fresh scat beside him – a potential marking behaviour even veteran platypus researchers had never previously observed.

“It would be nice to think they know me, but you don’t want to get too carried away,” Pete says. “I think that they probably see me as a familiar thing that hasn’t harmed them over a long period of time, so it’s probably all right to go about their business when I’m there.”

These days, in-between his day job in a bike shop, Pete spends every spare moment beside the rivulet. His partner is resigned to sharing 18

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Pete Walsh advocates for protection of Hobart Rivulet, home to the platypus.

him with the cause: “well, we’ve got platypus poo in the freezer,” Pete laughs. “It’s a little bit addictive… Once you’ve seen one and you get a sense if they’re comfortable with you that day – because their mood changes, a bit like people I think – then it’s a beautiful thing to sit there for hours and just watch them.”

Propelled by Pete’s quiet determination, the Hobart Rivulet platypus fan club is growing.

Pete runs education sessions for local schools and aged-care homes, started the Friends of the Hobart Rivulet Platypus with Wildcare Tasmania and petitions council to protect the waterway.

Around Hobart, it’s not uncommon to see the platypus stickers for sale on Pete’s website, the proceeds of which fund conservation work. A crowdfunding campaign has secured a 10m-long platypus mural in South Hobart, to be painted by artist Jimmy Dvate this summer.

Despite the growth of the movement, the heart and soul of the Hobart Rivulet Platypus group remains a man, his camera and the platypus.

“They’re kind of like your buddies,” Pete says.

“It’s a really sweet, kind of peaceful world.”

Photos: Lochie Bevis

The heart and soul of the Hobart Rivulet Platypus group remains a man, his camera and the platypus.

JOURNEYS // DEC 2021 / JAN 2022

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Photos: Lochie Bevis

TA S M A N I A N S Y M P H O N Y O R C H E S T R A

Subscriptions to the TSO’s 2022 season January to July - now on sale.

1800 001 190 | tso.com.au

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lifestyle

Tassie by

’Tis the season to be gifting. This year, treat someone – or yourself – courtesy of these top Tasmanian makers and collectives, writes Brady Michaels.

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asmania is full of talented, independent creatives who make a living doing what they love, while making beautiful things in the process. From market stalls to online stores, there’s a wealth of local art, craft and design to discover, often with affordable pieces that exemplify the spirit of our beautiful state.

Hasa THIS PAGE

(Clockwise from top left) Christine Hannan jewellery; Hasa’s kitchenware made with Tasmanian timbers; Emma Bugg earrings from State of Flux; Zsolt Faludi ceramics.

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I’m biased when it comes to Hasa: we already have two of their elegant rolling pins in our kitchen, and we’re not even avid bakers. We love the beauty and simplicity of these functional objects. Hasa’s collection comes in a range of Tasmanian timbers including blackwood, sassafras and Huon pine and includes cheese boards, platters and utensils, all of which honour the materials from which they are made. Creative

JOURNEYS // DEC 2021 / JAN 2022

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Photos: Peter Whyte Photography; Brady Michaels; J Barclay

design

couple Maureen and Ron have been making their signature pieces for more than 20 years, gracing kitchens across Tassie and the world.

Blackspace Creative Blackspace Creative is a Burnie-based collective that showcases palawa arts and culture and represents around 20 makers whose work spans art, craft and design. Cultural objects such as woven baskets, intricate shell necklaces and wooden hand tools all have a powerful connection to culture. Emma Robertson’s petroglyph-marked timber jewellery and textiles merge ancient Aboriginal rock markings with contemporary design to create wearable works of art.

Zsolt Faludi Hungarian-born Zsolt Faludi was trained as a potter in his birth country, before migrating to Tasmania and settling in the Huon Valley in the 1980s. His diverse work is an evolving union of form and function, using clay to create pieces that celebrate colour, texture and the marks of the maker, sometimes combined with materials such as wood and rope. Faludi’s ceremonial cups glow in a rich gold glaze while utilitarian mixing bowls and water jugs have a muted palette and refined elegance that works in any kitchen.

He uses clay to create pieces that celebrate colour and texture

Photos: Peter Whyte Photography; Brady Michaels; J Barclay

State of Flux State of Flux is a small contemporary jewellery collective with a studio, gallery and store in Hobart’s Salamanca Arts Centre. Here, creatives Jane Hodgetts, Anna Weber, Emma Bugg and Gabbee Stolp make and exhibit jewellery, small objects and textiles that are thoughtful, beautiful and inspired. Each artist’s work stands out for its imaginative use of materials, from Emma’s mix of concrete and precious metal and Anna’s reimagined Laminex creations to Gabbee’s water-cast silver splash pieces and Jane’s metallic moon and raindrop earrings.

Christine Hannan Christine Hannan’s kiln-fired glass art, jewellery and homewares are inspired by nature and range

from the colourful to the sublime. Delicately fused glass bowls are vibrant explosions of colour and texture, while Christine’s slump necklace is a minimal masterpiece. Everything she makes is a celebration of the beauty and potential of the materials she uses, and her experiments in glass are simply stunning. See her work at instagram.com/c_m_hannan and find it as part of the curated collection at Design Tasmania in Launceston.

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(From top) Jane Hodgetts’ jewellery from State of Flux; Zsolt Faludi’s meditative tea set

Visit the Tasmanian Government’s Collect Art Purchase Scheme at collect-art.com.au. It offers 12-month nointerest loans for purchasing contemporary Tasmanian art, craft and design from participating arts businesses.

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Remarkable i30.

3 Year Free Scheduled Maintenance Servicing.1

The i30 is pretty impressive. It knows where you live2 and it knows the best way there. It knows what’s behind you, beside you, and what’s in front of you, just like that.3 It uses ultrasonic sensors to help you reverse park, can plug you into just about any song ever recorded4 and it’s connected to a network of satellites in space. Yes. Space.

The Hyundai i30. Remarkable.

Elite variant shown. Subject to stock availability. 1. All cars must be ordered & delivered between 1st October 2021 and 31st December 2021. Offer applicable to PD.3 and PD.V4 i30 models only.

Excludes i30N. Eligible vehicles are entitled to free scheduled maintenance (i.e. logbook) services at participating and authorised Hyundai dealers for the first 3 years or 30,000 km, whichever occurs first (petrol turbo), or the first 3 years or 45,000 km, whichever occurs first (petrol non turbo or diesel), commencing from the date of first registration. Free scheduled maintenance services must be redeemed within specified service windows and are of limited scope. Offer valid whilst stocks last and excludes govt, fleet and rental buyers. Hyundai reserves the right to change, supersede or extend these offers at its discretion. Metallic and Mica paint are optional extras and are an additional cost. Subject to stock availability. See your participating Hyundai dealer for details. 2. Destination must be entered. 3. Safety features are not a substitute for attentive driving. 4. BYO Device & Data.

HMCA21606/FP

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Photos: Subaru

hyundai.com/au/i30

/21 2:23 pm

Subaru’s BRZ buzz

24 / AUTO NEWS 27 / 0–100 REVIEW: MERCEDES EQA 28 / ROAD TEST:

APOLLO EURO DELUXE

Subaru has opened its order books for the second generation of its BRZ sports coupe. The BRZ and its co-developed clone the Toyota 86 have been providing Aussie enthusiasts with their uni ue brand of affordable rear-wheel drive excitement since 2012 and 2011 respectively. This second-generation BRZ is again a joint development project with Toyota. Featuring an upgraded version of Subaru’s trademark horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, with capacity increased from 2.0 to 2.4 litres, Subaru says this model delivers between 18 and 20% more torque, depending on the transmission. The BRZ will feature a two-variant line-up when it arrives in December, comprising BRZ coupe and BRZ coupe S, both with the choice of six-speed manual or six-speed paddle-shi automatic and priced from $35,270 manufacturer’s recommended list price (MRLP).

P For more, visit subaru.com.au

Photos: Subaru

y. er ce to ai FP

drive

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auto news.

The latest developments in the car world

Rugged and ready

Number crunch: EVs in Australia Despite progress in the past 12 months Australia’s uptake of electric vehicles remains on trickle charge, according to the Electric Vehicle Council’s annual State of Electric Vehicles report.

8688

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3000

The approximate number of public EV chargers in Australia, including 470 fast chargers, up from last year’s 2307 and 357 respectively. Charging infrastructure is a key enabler of EV uptake.

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Electric vehicle models currently on sale in Australia. Drivers in the UK have access to more than 130 models, plus a greater variety of vehicle segments.

Photos: Toyota; iStock; Hyundai

Drivers who prefer their 4WD vehicles on the utilitarian side will be intrigued by the prospect of a rugged new rival for the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series. Confirmed for Australian launch in late 2022 and priced from $84,500, the European engineered and manufactured INEOS Grenadier is billed as an all-new no-nonsense 4x4. Available in dual-cab ute and five-door wagon body styles, the Grenadier was conceived to fill a gap in the market “abandoned by a number of manufacturers, for a utilitarian off-road vehicle”, says its maker INEOS Automotive.

Under the Grenadier’s purposeful aluminium body is a steel ladder-frame chassis, six-cylinder BMW turbo petrol or diesel engine, and a 4x4 system developed in partnership with Austrian engineering specialist Magna Steyr. A prototype recently arrived in Australia for testing and INEOS Automotive says it plans to have 16 retail sites in operation ahead of its launch, including Buckby Motors in Launceston.

For more, visit ineosgrenadier.com

EVs sold in Australia in the first half of 2021, eclipsing the 3266 sold at the same time in 2020. EV sales now represent 1.6% of light vehicle sales but Australia still trails countries such as Norway, where nearly three-quarters of all light vehicles sold in 2020 were electric.

JOURNEYS // DEC 2021 / JAN 2022

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drive

Click to order Hyundai

Tassie’s EV scorecard

Photos: Toyota; iStock; Hyundai

Tasmania has scored seven out of 10 on the Electric Vehicle Council’s annual EV policy scorecard, placing the state on a par with the Northern Territory and ahead of Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia, which all scored six. However, Tassie’s ranking places the state behind the Australian Capital Territory, which scored eight, and the front-runner NSW on nine. The report describes the NSW Government’s position as “Australia’s best electric vehicle policy to date”.

The scorecard cited Tasmania’s focus on funding public-charging infrastructure as a strength, along with expanded purchase incentive policies, including a two-year stamp duty exemption for all EVs, plus free registration for the next two years for car rental companies and coach operators. The state has also committed an additional $600,000 in funding for more public-charging infrastructure and has set a 100% electric government fleet target by 2030.

“Tasmania is establishing a good foundation for greater EV adoption, but there remains scope to offer greater financial incentives,” the report states.

For more, visit electricvehiclecouncil.com.au

Hyundai’s new IONIQ 5 electric vehicle (EV) is set to become the first vehicle from the Korean car maker to be sold exclusively via a fixed price online-only model.

Hyundai calls it a “direct-to-consumer model” and says the sales process has been chosen in light of “high demand for IONIQ 5 in Australia and limited initial supply”.

The first allocation of 240 vehicles scheduled for 2021 delivery sold out within hours of the online ordering opening.

The battery-electric medium SUV will initially be offered in a single, highly equipped ‘launch variant’ specification, with a choice of 2WD (rear) or all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrains.

Pricing starts from $71,900 (MRLP) for the rear-wheel drive model, rising to $75,900 (MRLP) for AWD. Both models feature a high-voltage 72.6kWh lithiumion polymer battery, with the electric range (WLTP) of the 2WD single motor quoted as 451km, while the dual motor all-wheel drive is good for 430km. The IONIQ 5 boasts ultra-fast 400v and 800v charging capacity.

For more, visit hyundai.com.au

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THIS IS FOR A NEW GENERATION. The EQA takes electric driving to exciting new heights as the first luxurious compact vehicle by Mercedes-EQ. Experience its athletic design, impressive range, high-speed charging capabilities, intelligent MBUX multimedia system and advanced driving assistance systems.

Photos: supplied

Discover the all-electric EQA.

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drive

0-100 review

MERCEDES-BENZ EQA 250 SUV

Mercedes-Benz’s second electric vehicle may be smaller than its big brother but it’s designed to appeal to a wider audience.

Story Harry Weller

Photos: supplied

WHEN MERCEDES-BENZ launched its first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) the EQC 400 here in late 2019, it did so with the tagline “electric now has a Mercedes”. This clever copywriting was perceived by some as a thinly veiled dig at EV market leader Tesla, and a declaration that the three-pointed star brand was about to go all-in on electric powertrain technology.

Like the rest of the world’s luxury car makers, Mercedes was caught napping by the early success of the Silicon Valley start-up, which quickly positioned itself as the EV brand of choice for a new generation of prestige buyers. Now the giant is stirring, with Mercedes announcing earlier this year a shift in strategy from ‘electric-first’ to ‘electriconly’, with the goal of a having a new vehicle portfolio comprised of BEVs from 2030, “where market conditions allow” .

Just the second example of this BEV assault arrived in Australia mid-year in the form of

the Mercedes-Benz EQA 250, a smaller, more affordable compact SUV that’s based on the brand’s existing GLA and priced to appeal to a broader demographic than the circa $140K EQC 400.

Mercedes describes the EQA 250 as “the electric athlete of the compact segment”, and it is an impressively nimble machine, with the refinement and polished dynamics that buyers expect of the brand. It’s also quick off the mark, with instantaneous mid-range surge that is strong enough to pin you to the seat. That acceleration is delivered near silently, so that inside the well-appointed cabin it feels as if you’re surging along inside a video game. A widescreen array of sideby-side 10.25-inch digital screens reinforces the theme, the displays accompanied by an attractive interior ambient lighting palette that can be altered to suit your mood.

There are plenty of cool features for techheads, like the ever-improving ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant, which operates dozens of common features, and the way the interior lighting predicts when nighttime is nearing and illuminates accordingly.

The 66.5kWh lithium-ion battery provides a useful 480km range, aided by a regenerative braking system that’s adjusted via steering wheel paddle shifters.

THE SPECS PRICING • $79,300 SAFETY • ANCAP 5-Stars (2019) ENGINE TYPE • Electric asynchronous MAX. TORQUE • 375Nm MAX. POWER • 140kW TRANSMISSION • Single speed (IVT) with sequential manual mode DRIVE TYPE • Front-wheel drive BATTERY • 66.5 kWh ENERGY CONSUMPTION • 16.2kWh/100km (ADR) BODY STYLE • Five-door SUV SEATING • 5 0-100KM/H: 8.9 secs

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Photos: Name Here

ROAD TEST 28

JOURNEYS // DEC 2021 / JAN 2022

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drive

WHILE THE WEATHER gods are sleeping, Amanda Ducker – an intrepid mother – wakes up to the benefits of travelling the east coast with her girls in a spacious motorhome.

Photos Stu Gibson

Photos: Name Here

I

t may sound like hell on wheels, but I’ve just discovered it’s possible to enjoy a wet weekend in a motorhome with a nineyear-old child, two 14-year-old teenagers and a nine-year-old toy poodle. Rain may have put a dampener on a weekend on the east coast, but thankfully we had a mobile nest to hole up in and nip out of for bursts of activity between showers.

Having recently returned to Tassie from a road trip to the Northern Territory in a 35-year-old Toyota LandCruiser Troopcarrier without air conditioning, we were always going to relish the mod cons of an Apollo Euro Deluxe motorhome.

Sure enough, we lapped up the ‘luxury’, but it was the ease and flexibility that was most appreciated: we were well-stocked and self-

contained, with hot water to boot.

We set out from the Apollo hire base at Cambridge (just behind the Hobart Airport BP) for St Helens and the Bay of Fires on the north-east coast. I didn’t get the chance to watch the how-to videos Apollo emailed with my booking details, but staff were on hand to run me through the basics. They advised me to download the ApolloConnect app. It would be my best friend, they said, with its tips for safe motorhome driving, managing power and water supplies, transforming tables and seats into beds and more.

First impressions of the Euro Deluxe? It’s big, really big.

“It looks as if it will take up one-and-a-half lanes,” my youngest said, as I navigated the ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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THE

IRONWOOD COOK WITH WOOD

AT THE PUSH OF A BUTTON THE ORIGINAL WOOD PELLET GRILL

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEB SITE LIST OF RETAILERS

WWW.TRAEGERGRILLS.COM.AU

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drive

THIS PAGE

(top to bottom) Cosy Corner North is just a stone’s throw from Binalong Bay; whether you’re a daredevil or beginner, St Helens Mountain Bike Trails have a trail for everyone; the kids enjoying a well deserved ice-cream after a mountain bike ride.

For the most part, we’re alone, immersed in nature and, thanks to the Apollo, with all our creature comforts

roadworks at the Tasman Highway/Hobart Airport roundabout and proceeded to my second driving challenge, the narrow Midway Point causeways. All good.

By Sorell, I was laughing. The motorhome was easy to manoeuvre and kept politely to its lane. It was responsive, too. When I braked sharply at about 50km/h in the wet we didn’t skid or wobble. My second fright was a buffeting on a gusty beachside highway stretch north of Bicheno, but it too was minor. I eased off the accelerator and it was no longer discernible.

By mid-afternoon we had reached Cosy Corner North, a free beach-site campsite in the Bay of Fires Conversation Area that allows leashed dogs. Just steps from pristine waters, Cosy Corner North is hot property come the holiday season. For the most part, we’re alone, immersed in nature and, thanks to the Apollo, with all our creature comforts.

Before dinner, we celebrated reaching our destination with some Lease 65 Pacific oysters we picked up on the way. Lease 65 sits along Binalong Bay Road, just 10 minutes before Cosy Corner North.

We prepared most meals in our Euro Deluxe.

It comes fully equipped with a gas cooker, microwave, fridge and is well stocked with crockery, cutlery, pots and pans. All you have to pack is the food. ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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After a late swim ... where moody skies and sea enhanced our sense of being cosseted in nature, we were ready to do it all again

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(Top to bottom) Cosy Corner North is dog friendly; don’t forget to pack the bodyboard for fun in the water; the Euro Deluxe is spacious and comfortable to drive.

WHAT‘S INCLUDED? •

•

Shower and toilet

•

Hot and cold water

•

Gas stove top and oven

• •

•

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Three large double beds, one above the cabin and two reconfigured from seating and tables at centre and rear

Kettle Microwave (only when connected to mains power) Spacious gas/electric fridge with freezer

•

All bedding and kitchen equipment

•

Six seats with seatbelts.

We did treat ourselves to a night off cooking and indulged in dinner at St Helens restaurant Raida, where they plate up a fusion of modern Australian and Japanese cuisine. The vegetarians among us went crazy on mushroom-filled gyoza while I savoured a spicy whole pink snapper.

Between downpours the next day, we went mountain biking on hired wheels from Giant St Helens. We stuck to family-friendly loops off the St Helens Mountain Bike Trails trailhead, but we plan to return to make a day of it and use the shuttle service for longer downhill rides. When it was raining, we were comfortably nestled in the Euro Deluxe. The teens hung out in the cubby above the cabin, talking, laughing and, of course, scrolling on their phones. My littlest kept herself entertained with games while I read.

After a late swim at Binalong Bay, where moody skies and sea enhanced our sense of being cosseted in nature, we were ready to do it all again. Next time, though, I would plug into mains power on night two. And I’d refill the water tank earlier, so we didn’t run out of water as well as power by Sunday morning. Should have watched those how-to videos.

I am of the ‘winging it’ ilk, but I’d suggest that anyone planning to hire the Euro Deluxe book it for a minimum three-night outing. There’s always going to be a bit of trial and error, but with good management the Euro Deluxe is worth its weight in rain.

On the road? Roadside assistance is there, 24/7, on 13 11 11.

Hire an Apollo Euro Deluxe motorhome from Campervan and Motorhome Hire Hobart.

JOURNEYS // DEC 2021 / JAN 2022

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With savings at over 550 Tasmanian and interstate outlets, choosing a business in the 2021-2022 Seniors Card Directory has never been easier.

Remember to look for the sign or ask if Seniors Card is accepted.

To live more and pay less pick up your free copy of the Directory at Service Tasmania, Libraries Tasmania or Visitor Information Centres. You can also access a copy online at seniors.tas.gov.au or by calling 1300 13 55 13.

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Photo: Eton Lodge/Adam Gibson

travel

A house we want to call home

36 / TRAVEL NEWS 39 / THE PIT STOP

40 / MEANDER UP NORTH 45 / TRAVEL WITH YOUR TASTEBUDS

Eton Beach House is only a few minutes’ drive from the seaside town of Swansea, but thanks to its secluded location you’ll feel worlds away. This thoughtfully designed and curated stay has taken full advantage of its position – just 50 steps from the ocean – with floor-to-ceiling windows boasting sweeping views of Great Oyster Bay. Inside, the hand-built bluestone walls are decorated with evocative art, the bathrooms are stocked with Aveda products, the kitchen is fitted with swish Miele appliances and the living room furnished with plush Arflex Marenco sofas. Even the coffee cups are curved to comfortably fit your hand. This lush beach house sleeps six, so bring your friends or family along, or don’t, and treat yourself to a little R&R.

P For more, visit etonbeachhouse.com ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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travel news.

Inspiration for exploring our state

3 TO TRY

must-visit list

EAT THE WILD Part tour bus, part kitchen.

Owner Josh Phillips acts as chef, driver and tour guide on day excursions from Hobart, turning iconic locations into impromptu dining spots.

BEYOND THE BENCH

THE TASMAN, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL Say hello to Hobart’s newest addition. The swanky 152-room hotel resides within an 1840s era heritage-listed edifice in Parliament Square.

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Photos: The Truffle Farm; Penguin Beer; Melshell Oyster Shack; Tasmania Boat Charters

Clover Hill has launched new tasting packages. The Museum Benchmark Tasting pairs current sparkling wine vintages against Clover Hill’s back vintage cellar.

ON THE HUNT

Truffle season is back. If you’re a true aficionado of the rare delicacy, then The Truffle Farm’s Truffle Hunting and Lunch is for you. Join the truffle dogs sniffing out rare black truffles.

Once you unearth the treats with your bare hands you’re rewarded with a farm-style lunch, paired with local wines.

JOURNEYS // DEC 2021 / JAN 2022

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travel

Feeling crafty?

Penguin Beer Co. has begun pouring its first four craft beers. The beachside taphouse only opened its doors six months ago, and the husband-and-wife team behind it have been in overdrive ever since.

Alongside locally brewed beers, Penguin offers its own session ale, pale ale, IPA and chocolate ale.

A tasting paddle is best enjoyed on the deck overlooking the beach. Bliss.

Shell yeah!

Photos: The Truffle Farm; Penguin Beer; Melshell Oyster Shack; Tasmania Boat Charters

All aboard A first of its kind for the region, Tasmania Boat Charters has just launched an East Coast Expedition Cruise. The five-day voyage sees guests depart Hobart’s waterfront on the 20m Odalisque and head east to explore Port Arthur, Cape Hauy, Maria Island, Wineglass Bay and more. Guests can opt to stay aboard or venture out for excursions, bushwalks, kayaking and more during their trip.

The Melshell Oyster Shack is back with a new look and menu.

This family-run farm gate tasting experience in Great Oyster Bay will still be serving the freshest natural oysters, but now – thanks to a newly acquired liquor licence – you can pair the bivalves with some bubbles. Cheers to that.

Save 10% as a member off Activities, RV & Caravan overnight camping and Accommodation

Open 7 days – Pet friendly!

Visit the Airwalk, the Eagle Hang Glider or book the Twin River Rafting adventure. ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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Photos: Alastair Bett; @portarthurlavender; Tourism Tasmania

travel

More famous as a convict prison than a town, Port Arthur has a paradoxically beautiful setting, pinched between bush and sea, and sprinkled with enough features to fill a day or a few, discovers Andrew Bain.

Port Arthur The PIT STOP

EAT In a corner of the Port Arthur Historic Site visitor centre, 1830 Restaurant and Bar combines simple menus with perfect views: the slit windows peer onto the convict penitentiary.

Come early for a breakfast view across an empty prison.

Photos: Alastair Bett; @portarthurlavender; Tourism Tasmania

DRINK Wrapped in bush on the slopes of Mount Arthur, 350 metres above Port Arthur, McHenry Distillery’s simple cellar door offers tasting paddles of three gins or whiskies. Head to the outdoor deck to relax and imbibe.

Distillery tours and gin-making workshops are also available.

SHOP It’s an aromatic welcome at Port Arthur Lavender, where you can pick a simple lavender sprig or find candles with curious sensory mixes such as lavender, cucumber and sage. Browse through lavender heat packs (including a Tasmanian Devil), foot soaks, scarves and blankets and even a lavender malt liqueur.

SEE Beauty and brutality intermingle at the Port Arthur Historic Site.

Among the World Heritage-listed collection of convict and colonial relics, standout structures include the penitentiary, Separate Prison and the shell of its unconsecrated church. The Isle of the Dead, reached on boat tours, has brand-new walkways.

STAY With 40 cabins sprinkled through beautiful coastal bushland, Stewarts Bay Lodge is an ideal base. Each cabin has its own variation on the Ladies Bay view, and a 15-minute walking trail connects the lodge to the Historic Site. The in-house On the Bay restaurant is one of the area’s best.

See our website for information on how you can save at Port Arthur through Experience OZ.

ESSENTIAL STOPS

• • • • •

1830 Restaurant and Bar McHenry Distillery Port Arthur Lavender Port Arthur Historic Site Stewarts Bay Lodge

PORT ARTHUR

STORMLEA

CARNARVON BAY

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(clockwise from top) Port Arthur from above; fragrant lavender; McHenry Distillery.

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Meander up north

Photos: Think/Sam Shelley

Journey into the Meander Valley to sate the soul, feast and explore in the shadow of the Great Western Tiers, writes Fiona Stocker.

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DELORAINE WESTWOOD MAYBERRY MOLE CREEK

MEANDER

CRADLE MOUNTAIN

MEANDER VALLEY

THIS SPREAD

Photos: Think/Sam Shelley

(Right, top to bottom) Getting the firepit started at Cedar Cottage; no matter the season Cedar Cottage’s alfresco hot tub is a must; Ashgrove’s menu may be seasonal but cheese is always the star ingredient; Christmas Hills’ juicy raspberries.

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Photos: Sam Shelley/Tourism Tasmania

M

e nt ion t he Me a nder Valley to any local, and they’ll smack their lips in anticipation. Known for its lush pastures, Meander generates some of Tasmania’s most sumptuous dairy produce.

The recently expanded Ashgrove Cheese Dairy Door exemplifies the best, and creamiest, of what the region tempts us with, and it’s a great place to stock up on a few days’ provisions. Gourmet cheddars are stacked high in the factory, visible through viewing windows in the new visitor centre.

Definitely leave room for more, because further along the Bass Highway are Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Cafe and the Van Diemens Land Creamery. Like many who live nearby, we often take our visitors on this ‘triple dip’, and the car always sinks a little lower when we get back into it.

Head off the highway into Deloraine, and you’re at the heart of the Meander region. It feels like a picturesque mountain village, the main street climbing a slope lined with shops and cafes, with glimpses of the Great Western Tiers through gaps in the buildings. These dolerite bluffs and forested escarpments form the edge of the Central Highlands plateau. Always there, hazy and blue in the distance, they’re a constant, spectacular backdrop.

If a gentle stroll is all you feel like after all the gourmet dairy feasting, take a wander along the kooparoona niara/Great Western Tiers Cultural Trail, in the riverside parkland. The inspiration of proud palawa man Greg Murray and the work of local artists, the trail features native plants and bush tucker, with stone artwork depicting ancestors’ life along the river. “Kooparoona niara is the Aboriginal name for the Great Western Tiers, it means mountains of the spirits,” Greg explains, as we chat on the riverbank, a platypus flopping around midstream. It’s also the name of his tour company, which offers stories of Indigenous culture told from ancient rocky lookouts, and mouth-watering visits to the local truffle orchard and salmon farm.

If you prefer striking out into the bush on your own, the Great Western Tiers visitor centre at the top of town is a great place for information. Meander is known as the ‘short walk capital’ of Tasmania and there is plenty here for the ardent walker to stay and explore. The rural roads snaking west and south pass

JOURNEYS // DEC 2021 / JAN 2022

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travel THIS SPREAD

(clockwise from top left) Ashgrove Cheese showcases its cheeses and locally grown produce in its dishes; satisfy your sweet tooth at Van Diemens Land Creamery; stop to take a breather at Meander River; Ashgrove’s impressive Dairy Door; double take: they’re not where Ashgrove’s milk comes from; Mole Creek Caves’ ancient karst cave system.

We enjoy a picnic lunch ... with views from the rocky bluff across plains to the coast through farmland into wilder parts of the valley and the Conservation Area, with its deep gorges, thick bushland and waterfalls.

We set off on the Higgs Track, a favourite with locals that wends its way up through gnarly, moss-covered myrtle forest. The path emerges on the plateau in the Wilderness World Heritage Area. On the deck of Lady Lake Hut, we pause to enjoy a picnic lunch courtesy of the Deloraine Deli, to the sound of mountain springs gurgling through the button grass, with breathtaking views from the rocky bluff across the plains to the coast.

Below the heights, back in Chudleigh Valley, the underground world at Mole Creek Caves is no less spectacular. This ‘karst’ cave system was formed over millions of years, as glacial waters eroded layers of

limestone sediment. Guided tours help you absorb the atmosphere and ancient geological history. Guides point out the glow-worms and Tasmanian cave spider, which has evolved to live without light. The cool silence of the caves is a fascinating counterpoint to the mountainous landscape towering above.

Exploring above ground and below is thirsty work, and the Wandering Trout Taphouse at Mole Creek answers this need. The provenance of the smallbatch craft beers served by owners Justin and Susie is second to none: brewed on site from local rainwater, malt and hops.

If you’re not ready to leave the ‘mountains of the spirits’ yet, Cedar Cottage Meander is the place to hang your beanie for the night. Owner Sarah Williams’ grandfather built the cottage using Tasmanian timbers.

“Sunset in the hot tub, looking across to Mount Roland with a glass of wine is absolutely beautiful,” Sarah says. “It’s a good place for dark-sky watching, too.”

Soaking in the solitude of this bushland retreat seems a perfect way to prepare for another day’s exploring.

On the road? Roadside assistance is there, 24/7, on 13 11 11.

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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EXPLORE THE

WILD SIDE

WITH YOUR RACT MEMBER DISCOUNT Enjoy a 35% accommodation discount when you book a Gordon River Cruise and stay two nights or more at Strahan Village.

Offer applicable with our daily morning Gordon River Cruise and summer Evening Dinner Cruise.

BOOK NOW

PHONE: (03) 6471 4200 OR VISIT STRAHANVILLAGE.COM.AU

GOLD 2021 2020

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Photos: The Berry Patch; Tasmania Natural Garlic and Tomatoes; Blue Hills Honey. Courtesy Emily Armstrong/Tourism Tasmania

Offer available to RACT members only, is subject to availability and not available 25 December 2021 – 2 January 2022. Please note that the Evening Dinner Cruise is available only from 3-15 January 2022. Our morning Gordon River Cruise runs daily. Package is not available in conjunction with any other offer. Please see website for details.

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travel

Photos: The Berry Patch; Tasmania Natural Garlic and Tomatoes; Blue Hills Honey. Courtesy Emily Armstrong/Tourism Tasmania

TRAVEL with your TASTEBUDS SUMMER IS TASMANIA’S SWEETEST SEASON. Berry farms transform into pick-your-own pleasures, orchards bulge with fruit, and seafood beckons fresh from the sea. A road trip can be a moving feast, with flavours as fresh as the sunshine, says Andrew Bain. ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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North and north-west Tasmania’s prime food trail is the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail, stretching from near Launceston to Smithton and dotted with almost 40 gourmet stops.

It’s a chance to pick up honey – summer in a jar – from Blue Hills Honey or Melita Honey Farm or join the timeless Tasmanian tradition of summer berry picking at the Berry Patch.

Prefer the fruits of someone else’s labours? Find all things berry on the menu at the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Cafe, making sure to leave with some of its chocolate-coated raspberries for the road.

Piece together a platter with visits to the salmon and ginseng farm at 41° South Tasmania, Ashgrove Cheese Dairy Door, Cradle Coast Olives, Tasmanian Natural Garlic and Tomatoes, and the Pickled Pantry at Tasmanian Pickled Onions. Spice it all up at KimchiMe, where you can purchase

kimchi made from home-grown cabbages or book yourself into a kimchi-making class.

As you hit the tasting trail’s finish in Smithton, celebrate with oysters plucked fresh from local waters in the licensed cafe at Tarkine Fresh Oysters.

The Harvest Launceston community market, held each Saturday morning, is a bounty of fresh produce, while you can venture beyond the farm gate at Mount Gnomon Farm, compiling a platter of farm-made charcuterie, pickled vegetables and local cheese (or a full lunch service on weekends), washed down with cider from the property’s heritage apple orchard.

THIS PAGE

(clockwise from top left) Mount Gnomon Farm serves homemade produce that’s been cooked over an asado grill; Blue Hills Honey is as fresh as it gets; seafood aplenty on Pennicott Wilderness Journeys’ trips.

OPPOSITE PAGE

(clockwise from top) Lavender picking at Campo de Flori; Bruny Island Oysters from Get Shucked; Fat Pig Farm’s homemade gin.

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Photos: Pennicott Wilderness Journeys; Tasmanian Tuxedo; Tourism Tasmania

It’s a chance to pick up honey – summer in a jar...

JOURNEYS // DEC 2021 / JAN 2022

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travel

Photos: Pennicott Wilderness Journeys; Tasmanian Tuxedo; Tourism Tasmania

South There’s no freshness quite like foraged freshness. Summer sees Sirocco South’s foraging tours focus on the beach and dunes, gathering wild asparagus, seaberry saltbush and sea lettuce for a leisurely multi-course lunch.

The sea is the star on Pennicott Wilderness Journeys’ Tasmanian Seafood trips, with guides diving for abalone and sea urchins, and oysters and lobster adding to a decadent feast on the boat.

Berry farms are always on a summer menu in the south.

Pick strawberries at Littlewood Berry Farm, blueberries at TruBlu Berries, and raspberries, blackcurrants, blackberries and silvanberries at Westerway Raspberry Farm.

Hobart’s Farm Gate Market is devoted to Tasmanian produce, sold personally by farmers and producers, while it’s worth venturing upriver to the Saturday New Norfolk Market.

The Huon Valley is the region that gave Tasmania its Apple Isle moniker, and roadside farm stalls abound in summer, from Provenance Growers in Neika, to Griggs’ unique Rubigold apples and the wooden cabin at Whispering Spirit. Mix things up with olives, saffron or lavender from Campo de Flori, and join a seasonal multi-course farm feast at Matthew Evans’ Fat Pig Farm.

Cross the D’Entrecasteaux Channel to Bruny Island, where the spread continues at Bruny Island Cheese and Beer Co, Get Shucked oyster farm, Bruny Island Honey and Bruny Baker’s old roadside fridges stocked with sourdough.

Berry farms are always on a summer menu in the south

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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travel

THIS PAGE

(top to bottom) Oysters are picked and shucked right in front of you at Oyster Bay Tours; it’s not just wine and olive oil on offer at Freycinet Vineyard – there’s also a stunning view to take in.

The summer sun beats strongest on the east coast, and the produce responds in kind. Eureka Farm is replete with berries, fruit, syrups and sauces, while Kate’s Berry Farm is a perennial favourite pit stop on the journey along the coast.

Bream Creek Farmers Market, held the first Sunday of each month, is one of the state’s original produce markets, while the Tasman Peninsula is home to Pickers Pantry, a White Beach cafe and honestybox fridge tucked into the side of a packing shed.

When you fill the car boot at Freycinet Vineyard, it might not be just wine, with the vineyard also pressing extra virgin olive oil from its four hectares of olive trees. The journey from sea to plate is short at Freycinet Marine Farm, which serves up oysters fresh from the racks, alongside mussels, abalone, lobster, salmon, octopus and sea urchin roe, on the deck of its roadside farm eatery. Exploring the farm with Oyster Bay Tours will have you eating oysters straight from the racks.

As the Tasman Highway swings off the coast at St Helens, detour into the lush Pyengana Valley to find the Pyengana Dairy Farm Gate Cafe. Take a cheese platter out to the back deck and graze in sight of the cows as they wander in and out of the milking shed.

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Photos: Walter Kennard ; Tourism Tasmania

East

JOURNEYS // DEC 2021 / JAN 2022

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Photos: Walter Kennard ; Tourism Tasmania

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THE LATEST CHANGING GEARS CROSSING GUARDS

61/

65/

MEMBER REWARDS PUZZLES

community 58/

LEARNER ROAD SAFETY

66/

REAR VIEW

24%

Photo: Unsplash

Dangerous driver distraction

of fatal and serious crashes on our roads are caused by distracted driving.

In August, RACT made a submission to the Legislative Council Select Committee into Road Safety (read more on page 52).

One of the key recommendations was around reducing driver distraction, which accounts for 24% of fatal and serious crashes on our roads. Research has shown that distraction while using a mobile phone is equivalent to driving with a blood-alcohol level of between .07 and .10. Recently, the government purchased eight new road safety cameras which can detect people using their phones while driving, speeding or not wearing a seat belt.

While legislation is needed to allow these cameras to be rolled out, this is a critical step forward in reducing road trauma.

P For more, visit ract.com.au/community/advocating-change

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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the latest.

RACT’s no.1 priority were received, examining the state of our roads, road maintenance, driver behaviour and education, vehicle safety and enforcement.

The voices of those Tasmanians are a compelling part of the RACT’s submission to the inquiry. And there are many common themes in the 92 other submissions the committee members must consider.

The RACT has made 38 recommendations which we believe will have a real and lasting impact.

Our key message is that government can begin implementing these now by embedding road safety into decision-making across the board.

Every head of department, every government business enterprise, every government instrumentality needs to ensure road safety is part of their responsibilities.

Sweden, a road safety leader, has given road safety real authority within government. Tasmania should adopt that approach, with its Road Safety Office reporting directly to State Cabinet.

As Tasmanians told us loud and clear, road construction and maintenance is also a major issue, so we have called on the government to provide a clear 10-year plan for maintenance and upgrades to our major arterial roads.

The Legislative Council’s findings and recommendations, based on the evidence they have, can set the foundation for Tasmania’s roads to be the safest in the nation.

View RACT’s submission to the inquiry at ract.com.au/community/ advocating-change Garry Bailey

Photos: Tourism Tasmania/Pete Harmsen

The National Road Safety Strategy 2011–2020 aimed to reduce the number of deaths on our roads by 30% but in the past 10 years fatalities and serious injury in Tasmania have remained stubbornly high.

We have the worst road safety record of any Australian state – 6.6 deaths per 100,000 population compared with the best performing state, Victoria, with 3.17.

Now we have an unprecedented opportunity to turn that around with the Legislative Council Select Committee into Road Safety.

As our submission to the inquiry says, we need to do things differently.

Before preparing our submission, we asked Tasmanians to share their concerns and their ideas to make our roads safer. Nearly 2000 responses

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JOURNEYS // DEC 2021 / JAN 2022

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community

CAR

MEDIC Q I recently flattened

my battery, and the RACT patrolman said I needed a new one. Last time I flattened my battery, I was able to be jump started and it was fine. Why did I need a new battery this time, but not last time?

Elliott Cromer // Hobart

A When your battery is in

Photos: Tourism Tasmania/Pete Harmsen

RACT and Kennerley working together to help young Tasmanians A partnership between Kennerley Children’s Homes and the RACT is helping young Tasmanians get their driver’s licence.

Amira Vaatstra from the RACT says that with more than 210,000 members, the RACT is Tasmania’s largest membership organisation and an important part of the local community.

“We have a big role to play and we are committed to supporting the community that supports us,” says Vaatstra.

Since 2019, RACT has been working closely with Kennerley Children’s Homes to help young Tasmanians living in state foster care gain their independence as part of the Moving On program. Around 14 participants over two years have accessed lessons and gone on to obtain their licence.

“This age group is more at risk of accidents and serious injury on our roads, so to give them confidence behind the wheel makes them safer drivers,” she says.

“Teaching someone to drive is really empowering for young people who might not otherwise get the opportunity to have lessons with a professional driving instructor. As Tasmania’s largest driver

training provider, this is a simple yet powerful way that we can support young people in our community.”

Kennerley Children’s Homes General Manager Andrea Sturges says RACT’s support was vital.

“To many people, getting a driver’s licence is a rite of passage, but to some of the young people we support, it’s a crucial step in helping them become more independent and connected to their community,” Sturges said.

“So many young Tasmanians miss out on this opportunity because they don’t have access to driving instructors or a vehicle to learn to drive in.

“With the RACT’s support, we are doing something practical that is helping to unlock a brighter future for young Tasmanians.

“The program helps young people leaving foster care learn vital life skills.

We are very grateful that RACT has partnered with us to provide driving lessons to kids who need a hand.”

For more information, visit kennerleykids.org.au/ moving-on-program

a good state of health, it will have a high charge acceptance; meaning it will charge very quickly after it has been discharged.

As your battery gets older, it degrades, developing a resistance to taking a charge from the vehicle charging system. After jump starting your car, our patrolman will check the charge acceptance of your battery. If the battery can’t accept at least 15 amps of charge, the battery is deemed no longer fit for reliable service and needs replacing.

Low charge acceptance is the main reason that old batteries need replacing. In a standard drive, if a battery will not replenish the charge that is removed from it by starting the car, it is no longer a reliable battery and could let you down at any moment.

RACT Roadside Assistance

Batteries naturally lose their charge after about 3–4 years. ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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COURTESY AND COMMON sense can change the pedestrian experience for everyone, writes Garry Bailey.

These streets were made for

walking N ot everyone drives a vehicle but just about everyone is a pedestrian. You become one after you park your car, your bike, your scooter, or get off a bus, or out of a taxi.

Walking is a great transport choice. It’s healthy and you get to soak up the city sights you wouldn’t see behind the wheel. It helps the environment as it means lower vehicle emissions and less congestion. And it’s great for the economy too – if you’re strolling around the city you are more likely to make a quick decision to duck into a shop and spend.

If we can instill in our children the benefits of walking, the impact will be even greater in the years ahead.

Just walking to the bus is a plus, or if you have a long commute, parking further from the city will give you an invigorating 30 minutes or so to get your heart pumping.

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Of course, being a pedestrian – and in particular, a child walking to school – is not without its rules and responsibilities for both walkers and drivers.

Children are our most vulnerable road users and with more traffic and more transport options, teaching kids to be safe on and around our roads is more important now than ever before.

Even outside the 40km school zones, drivers need to be extra vigilant. And we need to ensure children know the rules around pedestrian crossings, light-controlled intersections and roads where there are no footpaths.

The RACT conducts government-funded programs in our primary schools, high schools and colleges to hammer home the road safety message. They have served the state well but unfortunately, they don’t reach every school.

JOURNEYS // DEC 2021 / JAN 2022

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Photos: iStock; RACT

Changing gears

community

We know that school-based road safety programs are an incredibly powerful way to help educate the next generation.

But even over the past two or three years so much has changed that isn’t included in the school-based programs on offer. And we need to ensure we also reach parents so they can encourage good habits that will translate from the footpath to the road.

That’s why the state government needs to commit to reviewing school-based road safety education programs to extend them and to ensure they remain relevant.

Adults need to be setting the example with their own behaviour, not just behind the wheel, but as pedestrians. Footpaths are a shared space, just as our roads are. They therefore require the same courtesy, patience, understanding and co-operation that are part of being a good, safe driver.

The same poor behaviour we see from some car drivers easily translates to the footpath.

We curse drivers who run red lights, but we often ignore the red light when we become a pedestrian.

We are seeing more risky behaviour by pedestrians, particularly with mobile phones causing distraction, just as they do behind the wheel. That’s why the state government has launched its new pedestrian behaviour campaign.

When you are behind the wheel or on another wheeled device, we all know the rule: you keep to the left. It’s an unwritten rule when you’re walking.

Keeping left on a footpath used to be one of those common courtesies. Now we more often wander at will when we walk, with the added multi-tasking challenge of using our phones.

Photos: iStock; RACT

g

Even outside the 40km school zones, drivers need to be extra vigilant Or we might be having a group conversation, three abreast, as we take a stroll.

It is even more important to keep to the left and walk a steady course, especially if you have headphones in and cannot hear approaching walkers or vehicles. It will be equally important for e-scooter riders to observe the same courtesies as we move towards trials of this latest transport mode in Launceston and Hobart.

Tasmania’s cities and towns are wonderfully walkable places – even more so when we think about the best way to share the experience and the space with thousands of others every day.

So, be bold today and do something simple to make your city a better place.

PICTURED

(clockwise from top) School kids safely cross the road at a pedestrian crossing; RACT runs school road safety programs; pedestrians are often distracted by phones.

Online Keep up to date with road safety at ract.com.au/advocating-change We offer a range of road safety programs to schools.

Find out more on our website.

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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12/11/21 11:01 am

PAID SCHOOL CROSSING OFFICER JOBS NOW HIRING

Permanent part-time and casual positions in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie.

Training and equipment provided.

For more info call (03) 6166 3248 or email scpo@stategrowth.tas.gov.au

Department of State Growth

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g

community

THE SCHOOL JOURNEY starts at the crossing, with the bright orange outfit and the lollypop sign. The smiling, happy faces that greet kids as they cross the road on their way to school are our school crossing guards.

Crossing guards

The unsung heroes of school drop off and pick up

A

s a crossing guard, you become an integral part of the school community. You take care of the children at often the riskiest, most-exposed time in their journey to school. Many think this important job is a volunteer role, but it’s actually a paid role.

More than that, it’s a fulfilling and rewarding job, says Sue Lovell (pictured). A school crossing guard for more than five years now, Sue says she has no intention of stopping anytime soon.

“I think it’s good for me to still be physically active and I just I love the kids,” she says. “You can’t have a bad day. You can arrive for the day grumpy and then along comes a happy, smiley child and they tell you such funny little stories,

“There’s a lot of satisfaction knowing that you are helping families get safely to school”

I just love it. It’s also a great feeling to give back to the community.”

With a chronic shortage of school crossing guards around the state, Sue has some words of advice for anyone who thinks they might have what it takes to join the team.

“I’d highly recommend giving it a go. There’s a lot of satisfaction just knowing that you are helping families get safely to school. I think it helps keep me young too.”

You will get all the training you will need, all of your protective equipment, uniform and your very own stop sign.

Schools all around Tasmania need more crossing guards for this important role. With only minimal hours required, it could also be the perfect semiretirement option for many people looking for their next step. Importantly, if you are in receipt of an Aged Pension Benefit you are likely to still be able to undertake this role without your benefits being affected and enjoy the additional income.

If you think you might have what it takes, register your interest with the Department of State Growth. ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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community

learning

curve

P

rofessor Teresa Senserrick, from Queensland University of Technology’s Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety, says the first 12 months of driving solo is a critical time for learner drivers.

Prof Senserrick says that the learner stage is safe. But when you look at the risk curve for the first six to 12 months on your P-plates, we see one of the highest spikes of crash rates throughout a driver’s lifespan (see last issue).

In Tasmania, the Department of State Growth recently implemented an enhanced Graduated Licensing System (GLS) to support young people to become safer drivers by making sure they get more on-road supervised driving experience in a wider range of conditions before being allowed to drive without supervision.

Prof Senserrick's top advice for P-platers is to make sure they have plenty of space between them and the vehicle in front.

58

80 HOURS

of driving practice (at least) significantly reduces a learner’s risk of a crash

Record your learner driving hours with the Plates Plus logbook app. Visit platesplus.tas.gov.au

Photo: RACT

The

Why P-plate drivers are the biggest risk to themselves.

“New drivers of all ages are focused just immediately ahead because they‘re now suddenly intensely aware they haven‘t got somebody else looking around for them,” she says.

“If you leave a longer gap behind the vehicle you‘re following, you open up your vision to see so much more.”

Prof Senserrick says while young drivers had very sharp reflexes and reacted well to dangerous situations, they identified them later than experienced drivers. Leaving that gap gives you a greater time to react to something unexpected.

“These are instincts that you learn from driving.

You can‘t teach that.”

It’s the hazard perception skills – scanning the environment for potential dangers – that take time to develop.

Driving is a complex skill and the more practice a learner gains, the safer they will be when they start driving solo. There is no substitute for on-road practice under supervision. Gaining a minimum of 80 hours of driving practice significantly reduces a learner’s risk of a crash once they do start driving solo.

Prof Senserrick says young drivers were also more easily distracted as their developing brains were “wired” to take everything in rather than concentrate on a single focal point.

“If you have a computer screen and you tell children and adolescents and adults to just look at the centre of the screen and don‘t look at the flashing light at the bottom of the screen, kids can do it and adults can do it, but the adolescent brain will always look at that flashing light.”

This natural trait increases the level of distraction and risk when a young adolescent is driving, especially when others are in the vehicle.

The new GLS recognises P1 drivers still have limited experience and need to devote most of their attention to the task of driving. That’s why removing distractions like peer passengers and mobile phones is important.

When drivers continue to progress through the licensing system, the risk of crashing starts to reduce, and drivers see an easing of restrictions.

So, while your learner might be in a rush to get their Ps, as a supervisor, remember that the more experience they get in that learner phase, the safer they’ll be as a solo driver.

JOURNEYS // DEC 2021 / JAN 2022

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10/11/21 3:10 pm

Safely parked, Jack logs the driving hours recorded on his phone.

Download the Plates Plus logbook app and use your phone to record every minute of your learner driving hours. Simply start and stop it at the beginning and end of each trip.

Plates Plus logbook app, the more convenient way to get your licence.

platesplus.tas.gov.au

Photo: RACT

Download the app today

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10/11/21 3:10 pm

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Save 15% off first aid kits and training courses and 5% off defibrillators.* Go to ract.com.au/st-john

Save at least 10% when you book online through Experience Oz and enter your membership number.* Go to ract.com.au/experience-oz-tas

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Go to ract.com.au/rewards/ activities-and-experiences

Visit ract.com.au/member-rewards for more

STAYING HOME? Home & Garden There’s always something to be done around the home. Save on the big things like energy and home services and then put the extra cash towards those home improvements.

Make your house a haven with expert advice from our partners.

Go to ract.com.au/rewards/ home-and-garden

*Terms and conditions apply. Please see ract.com.au/member-rewards for more details.

Woolworths eGift Cards

Driver Training

Roadside Ultimate

A simple, waste-free gift for loved ones close to home or interstate.

The Woolworths group eGift card range offers Big W, BWS, Woolworths, Caltex and Dan Murphy’s store gift cards.

Can’t decide which one? Opt for the WISH eGift card which can be used at any of those outlets.

Buy through your member hub account to receive a discount of up to 5%.

Is someone in your life learning to drive?

By buying a driver training package of 5+ lessons, you could win one of five $500 United fuel cards (to share or keep for yourself). There’s a winner drawn every week, competition closes 19 Dec 2021.*

Still searching for the perfect Christmas present? Share the gift of peace of mind with your loved one with Roadside Ultimate cover, knowing they will always have someone to call when you can’t be there yourself. And as a bonus, it doesn’t need wrapping and it certainly won’t be regifted.

Visit our website for more details.

Visit us in branch or call 13 27 22.

Photos: iStockphoto

RACT gift ideas

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AS N O

TV

EN SE

Cracked wall?

Fix it with Teretek®

Sinking floor?

Our non-invasive proprietary technology is designed to raise, re-level and re-support sunken homes with less mess, less disruption and less cost*

Sticking door?

For an obligation free, expert opinion contact us

Jammed window?

1800 623 312 www.mainmark.com

Photos: iStockphoto

Mainmark Ground Engineering Pty. Ltd. TAS BLD Licence No. 104771555 *Compared to traditional underpinning.

Scan to see how Teretek works

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 10.00AM – 4.00PM t: 03 6383 1473 a: West Street, Beaconsfield

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It's always a nice day for a drive

OPEN EVERY DAY

296 GILLESPIES RD NABOWLA, NORTH EAST TASMANIA

Photo: iStock

IMAGE CREDIT; NB MEDIA

RACT September for Oct-Nov 2021 Half page 120 outlines.indd 1

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puzzles

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3 How did the Ford Mustang get its name?

23

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27 Very numerous Across (9)1 Move into position for military action (6)

4 Australia is located in Oceania between the Indian Ocean and which other ocean?

25

5 What is the name of Australia’s first legal casino?

27

6 What would you tie with a Windsor knot?

29

or discarded (4-3)

fittings from a horse (9)

24 Food prepared before sale to heat and eat (4-5)

7 A matter of public interest and

importance (6) 17 Australian 5 A large, lively parrot 8 Happened or occurred 25 Joint connecting the foot with with an erectile party (7) afterwards or as a result (6) the leg (5) crest (8) 9 Relating to an atom or atoms (6) 26 High-quality beef cut into 6 Remove leather

28 A 4bypass Geometry to bring into close thick slices (5) A personwho who searches for and 18 A 15 person straps and encircling a town contact or union (8) tries to expose real or alleged 27 Very numerous (9) commits 10 Pasta made in solid strings (9) fittings from a (4,4) corruptionan (9) 28 A bypass encircling a town 11 More than one set of equipment horse illegal act (9) 17 Australian(8) parrot with an (4,4) 29 Plush woven for playing recorded music in high-fidelity sound (2-3)

29 Plush woven fabric resembling velvet (6)

erectile crest (8)

Photo: iStock

20 The 7 A matter of ofcommits an fabric 18 Adisplay person who 12 A person who plays video illegal act (8) great daring (7) public interest resembling games (5) 20 The display of great daring (7) Down and importance velvet (6) 13 Adapt to modern needs or 21 Good humoured 21 Good humoured banter habits (9) (6)1 Have or express a different (colloq.)

(6) banter (colloq.) opinion (8) Regularly found among 22 A puritanical or censorious Down 14 or for singing (8) (6) particular people or in a certain8 Happened 2 Psalms arranged person (colloq.) (6) area (7) occured 3 Denoting the second of a 1 Have or express Do something or that is beneath 22 A 23 puritanical 16 Great delight (4) specified or implied group of two afterwards or as one’s dignity (6) a different (5) censorious 19 A person who takes the place 25 Relating to an angle less than a result (6) of a striking worker (4) opinion (8) 5 A large, lively party (7) person (colloq.)

90 degrees (5) 21 No longer wanted; abandoned 6 Remove leather straps and 9 (6) Relating to an 2 Psalms arranged atom or atoms for singing (8)JOURNEYS OCTOBER–NOVEMBER 23 DoSOLUTIONS something CROSSWORD (6) that beneath Across: 1 Flabby, 4 Spectral, 10 Namatjira, 11 Tie-up, 12 Amass, 13 Hallowe’en, 14 Indulge, 16 Page, 19 Isle, 21is Pinkeye, 24 MacKillop, 25 Tiger, 26 Adieu, 3 Denoting the 27 Ownership, 28 Tempests, 29 Noggin.

Down: 1 Fantasia, 2 Arm candy, 3 Bates, 5 Phar Lap, 6 Cotton gin, 7 Reefer, 8 Lupine, 9(6) Richie, 15 Lassitude, 15 one's dignity A person who second of a 17 Hedgehog, 18 Terrapin, 20 Elliott, 21 Piping, 22 Umlaut, 23 Schism, 25 Torso. searches for and specified or 25 Relating to an tries to expose implied group of angle less than real or alleged two (5) 90 degrees (5) corruption (9) 64-65_RACT_ Puzzles.indd 65

1 What is the name of the Tasmanian men’s state cricket team?

2 How many sides are there on a 50-cent coin?

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7 What is the name of the caped lady on top of the Rolls Royce radiators?

8 In what year did the First Fleet arrive in Australia?

9 Which famous Australian native animal will you never see wild in Tasmania?

10 Who created the comic character Sandy Stone?

Want to find out how you did?

Find the answers online at

ract.com.au/puzzles

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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rear view.

Morgan

Tasmania as captured by our talented members

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PICTURED (clockwise from top) // Helen Tiffin captured an evening rider in Penguin; Gary Hosking spotted a Giant Egret at the Tamar Island Wetlands;

Mason Doherty (@masondoherty.co) showing tulip season in full bloom; and Angela Pugh was greeted by a pair of dolphins at Cape Raoul.

Y W a

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Want to see your photo here? Send your shots of our beautiful island to journeys@ract.com.au or tag us with both @ractofficial and #yourjourneys on lnstagram, Facebook or Twitter.

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JOURNEYS // DEC 2021 / JAN 2022

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Will you leave 1% to give them a life worth living?

Your legacy is important to them.

With just 1%, you can make a world of difference.

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