Journeys Summer 23-24

Journeys YOUR RACT MEMBER MAGAZINE // SUMMER 2023 / 24

SPLASH into SUMMER

Top 5 seafood spots Must-do adventure activities 100 years of festivals

SUMMER WITH

R MEM ACT BERS SAVE

20%

OF PR ELEC EMIUM A F* N TRIC VEHIC D LES

contents.

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05 Welcome note A word from our president

06 Inbox

Our members share what’s on their minds

Lifestyle

11 What’s on 28 inside

Road test

We take the Volkswagen Amarok Aventura to one of Tassie’s most spectacular surf spots, Cloudy Corner on Bruny Island. on the cover

The ultimate Bruny Island surf weekender Image: Chris Crerar

We acknowledge the ancient history of the traditional owners of Lutruwita, and their continuing connection to family, community, and the land, sea, and waterways.

We pay our deepest respects to those who have passed before us and acknowledge today’s Tasmanian Aboriginal people, and their enduring connection to this island.

We stand for a future that profoundly respects and acknowledges Aboriginal perspectives, culture, language and history.

Our branches are open Mon–Fri 9am 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

SUMMER 2023/2024

Your new to-do list of must-do events this season

13 Top 5

Seafood spots around Tassie

15 100 years of

summer festivals Looking back at the history of summer events in the state

Drive

Travel

36 Travel news

Explore our state with Nola James

39 The pit stop Richmond

40 Must-do summer

road trips in Tassie Pack up your family

46 Adventure island Sun’s out, fun’s out

Community

54 The latest

RACT community news

56 Bushfire season How to be prepared

58 Changing gears

The big issues affecting RACT and our members

22 Auto news

59 State growth

25 0–100 review

62 Member rewards

Developments in the car world BYD Atto 3

27 In reverse Leyland P76

Festive season safety

Savings available now

65 Puzzles

Crossword and quiz

66 Rear view

Snapshots of Tasmania

Have your say on Member Hub and social media

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

3

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Everyone’s future looks different. There is no way to predict it, but you can make financial choices that help you maintain your lifestyle in retirement. Find out more at tptwealth.com.au.

This information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether it is appropriate for you or seek independent professional advice before making any decision or acquiring any product. Refer to Fund PDS and TMD for important risk information at tptwealth.com.au. TPT Wealth does not guarantee repayment of capital, performance of the Fund or rates of return. This is a managed investment scheme, not a bank deposit, with higher risk of losing some or all of your money. It may be harder to access your investment in low liquidity periods. TPT Wealth Limited ABN 97009475629 AFSL 234630. A wholly owned subsidiary of MyState Limited ABN 26 133 623 962.

Tassie Funds that work for you At TPT Wealth, our range of Cash and Income Funds aim to provide regular, steady income while preserving the value of your initial investment.

With decades of trusted experience, you can take comfort in knowing our expert, in-house investment team reviews our Cash and Income Funds daily, so you can go ahead and focus on enjoying life.

For investment choices you can feel good about, talk to us today.

1300 138 044 tptwealth.com.au

This information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether it is appropriate for you or seek independent professional advice before making any decision or acquiring any product. Refer to Fund PDS and TMD for important risk information at tptwealth.com.au. TPT Wealth does not guarantee repayment of capital, performance of the Fund or rates of return. This is a managed investment scheme, not a bank deposit, with higher risk of losing some or all of your money. It may be harder to access your investment in low liquidity periods.

TPT Wealth Limited ABN 97009475629 AFSL 234630. A wholly owned subsidiary of MyState Limited ABN 26 133 623 962.

welcome.

ABOUT YOUR RACT PRESIDENT Alison Flakemore VICE PRESIDENT Pieter Kolkert BOARD Tony Coleman, Ralph Doedens, Mark Grey, Alex McKenzie, Keryn Nylander, Jenny Richardson, Sue Smith RACT GROUP CEO Mark Mugnaioni JOURNEYS MANAGING EDITOR Ben Hansen

A word from our Group CEO As we embark on a new journey with this edition, our team heads to Bruny Island in Tasmania’s south. It’s here that we’ve challenged the latest offering from VW – the Amarok – putting it to the test on Bruny’s beaches, illustrating a perfect Tasmanian surf weekender.

Bushfires, an undeniable reality of life in Tasmania, receive our spotlight this issue.

The unmistakable shifts in our climate, accompanied by extreme weather patterns, have elevated bushfire risks, and their footprint now expands to wider communities.

To ensure our members are equipped and vigilant, we’ve curated actionable tips to prepare your homes and loved ones, with additional insights from Tasmania Fire Service Acting Chief Officer Jeremy Smith.

On the topic of keeping our communities safe, we’re continuing to raise the issue of additional speed cameras. Recent data from you, our members, indicates a resounding call for increased government action in expanding the enforcement camera network.

These devices have a demonstrable track record of reducing speeds, which we know is one of the main contributing factors to death and serious injuries on our roads. With your support, our commitment is to persist in our advocacy for increasing the number of enforcement cameras in Tasmania to 32.

Another area we’re shining a light on is understanding the ‘what’ and ‘why’ behind Tasmania’s appalling death and serious injuries rates on our roads. While approximately 35 deaths and close to 300 serious injuries occur on our roads each year, which speaks volumes, these figures don’t paint the complete picture. Our ongoing campaign seeks to shed light on the intricate details behind these tragedies, striving for comprehensive data that will allow our political leaders to invest in life-saving infrastructure.

As we head into the busy summer holiday season, it’s more crucial than ever to prioritise road safety. With locals and visitors to our island hitting the road for holidays and festive celebrations, we urge everyone to plan ahead, be safe and always remain vigilant behind the wheel. From the team at RACT, have a happy and safe Christmas, and we’ll see you in 2024!

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 Editor Mary Weaver Art Director Dallas Budde Senior Designer Sue Morony Account Director Scott Elmslie Advertising Senior Account Manager Colin Ritchie colinritchie@hardiegrant.com Production Coordinator Shahirah Hambali Printer IVE Group 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 2023 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

Feedback on Scandi lessons

I read the letter “Scandi lessons” (Spring edition). As a truck driver for over 40 years, my observation is that the problem drivers are not the ones driving around the speed limit.

It’s the slower ones driving without confidence, usually unaware of their current surroundings.

Dropping the speed limit to 80km/h would destroy the economy. Trucks leaving Hobart every day to deliver to the northwest would not be able to complete the job, and it would turn the job into a two-day trip, which would double the freight cost. Add to that, you

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JOURNEYS // SUMMER 2023-2024

wouldn’t get drivers to do it, because they deserve to be at home at night with their loved ones, just like everyone else.

Constant berating of drivers, telling them that if they go anywhere near the speed limit they will inevitably die, is doing nothing. Giving drivers usable skills and building their confidence and awareness of surroundings is essential to anyone out on the roads. Perhaps we could start with driving on the left unless overtaking. Jeff Elliot

I agree with the author of the letter “Scandi lessons” that we should drop the speed limit. It should be 80km/h on country roads, excepting the Midland/ Bass Highway divided roads.

It is ridiculous to have signage on country roads like the ones to Strathgordon, Dunalley and the East Coast that say “100 changing conditions”. I drive a school bus, ride a motorcycle and have had a driving licence for 50 years. Rarely can you do 90/100 on those roads.

I see dangerous driving everywhere: P-platers going way too fast and erratic, drivers not indicating, tailgating and more.

Authorities need to send out a severe message and follow up with penalties. People caught hooning and speeding should lose their licence and vehicle. I do not support the premise that older vehicles are unsafe. Any vehicle driven by a thoughtless inconsiderate impatient egotistical driver is unsafe.

Some of the latest-model cars have design features that defy common sense. Some have headlights that blind and indicators that blend in with a brighter brake light that renders them almost invisible.

Motoring standards are slipping and authorities who should be checking are either overworked or non-existent. Nick Gill

Photos: IStock

Ill-considered intersection I wholeheartedly support Geoff Wells’ letter (Spring edition) re the atrocious intersection of Domain Highway and Brooker Highway for drivers travelling north.

This is easily the most illconsidered piece of road building in Hobart and in need of urgent remediation. Every time I drive north along the Brooker, I merge into the right lane when approaching that intersection so that cars entering from Lower Domain Highway can merge and some of the queue can clear. In the afternoons, the queue is astonishingly long. I realise the overpass would need serious work to add a merging lane for those cars entering the Brooker, but it should be done anyway. If not, as a minimum,

WRITE TO US

forcing northbound Brooker traffic to only use the right lane would certainly solve some issues (when traffic is light). Sadly, that isn’t in the evening peak when both roads are full.

Fixing this needs to be a top priority for the state government.

I urge RACT to lobby for this.

Adam Fry

It is the most frustrating occurrence to be waiting to enter the Brooker Highway but stopped by one vehicle using the outside lane preventing cars from entering and feeding into the Brooker. Part of the problem seems to be the geography with the overpass preventing the feed in lane being extended further north. Whatever the reason, it is a bad road design exasperating the situation.

Jeff Byerley

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.

Sincere thanks Once again my wife and I would like to congratulate the Roadside Service person Jon who attended to our problem recently. Great attitude and extremely knowledgeable with suggestions that saw our vehicle back on the road without any hassle.

Please pass on our sincere thanks.

Brian and Judy Walker

journeys@ract.com.au @ractofficial

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

7

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lifestyle

11/ WHAT’S ON 13/ TOP 5 SEAFOOD SPOTS 15/ SUMMER FESTIVALS

Photo: Alamy

Time to celebrate

Tassie certainly knows how to ring in the new year with a bang. In Hobart, there are fireworks celebrations over the harbour, launched from barges on the Derwent River. Nab a spot on the Hobart Waterfront from the walkways to the wharves. In Launceston, head to Royal Park for the Launceston Beerfest NYE Celebration. Gates open at 4pm with Tassie street eats and live music. Catch the family-friendly twilight fireworks at 9.30pm or the traditional midnight celebration.

For more, visit discovertasmania.com.au

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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History on the move

Short rail journeys departing from late 2023. Scan for more details. wcwr.com.au | (03) 6471 0100 | enquiries@wcwr.com.au

what’s on.

YOUR NEW TO-DO LIST

All event details are up to date at time of print, but can change.

For updates, consult organisers directly.

27 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY

TASMANIA’S TASTE OF SUMMER Celebrate Tasmanian produce and entertainment at the state’s premium food and drink event, staged along Hobart’s waterfront. tasteofsummer.com.au

28 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH

CLARENCE JAZZ FESTIVAL

Now in its 28th year, Tasmania’s premier jazz festival will bring Hobart’s Eastern Shore to life in a vibrant celebration of music, art and foodie delights. Expect to see some of the state’s finest music talents as well as premier artists from interstate and overseas. clarenceartsandevents.net/clarence-jazz-festival

27 JANUARY

30 JANUARY

Head to Nubeena Oval on the Saturday of the Australia Day long weekend for a community celebration of food, music and children’s entertainment. tasman.tas.gov.au/community events/tasman-peninsula-feast

A huge summer of cricket on Aussie soil comes to Hobart’s Blundstone Arena in Bellerive when Australia takes on South Africa. blundstonearena.com.au

COMMBANK WOMEN’S 3RD T20 INTERNATIONAL

TASMAN PENINSULA FEAST

8–11 FEBRUARY

Photo: @partyinthepaddock

PARTY IN THE PADDOCK Organisers call this “the country’s biggest little music and arts festival”.

Returning to Quercus Park on Tilapangka/Liffey River, ‘The Paddock’ has grown from a few hundred people and a haybale stage to Tassie’s largest multi-day camping festival. partyinthepaddockfestival.com.au

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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Immerse yourself in

ART, SCIENCE & HISTORY at Hive Tasmania

The heart of your North-West Adventure

Explore Hive this summer...

Hive is the perfect starting point for your summer adventure on the North-West Coast of Tasmania including: Inspiring Science Centre

Tasmania’s largest Planetarium

Ulverstone Museum & Art Gallery

Visitor Information Centre

Community Arts & Crafts

Delicious coffee and menu at on-site Café

hivetasmania.com.au e: hive@centralcoast.tas.gov.au p: (03) 6425 2839 50 Main Street Ulverstone, Tasmania Opening Hours: 10am - 4pm daily

lifestyle TOP five

Seafood spots

Summer in Tasmania means warm nights, fish and chips by the beach, and freshly shucked oysters (and a splash of bubbly to go with it, naturally).

Here are our top five seafood spots in the state.

1 BOATYARD, Launceston This casual waterfront eatery opened in the old Hallams Waterfront site earlier this year. In an homage to its predecessor, there’s plenty of seafood on the menu, from fish and chips to pasta marinara, chilli mussels and garlic prawns.

2 LOBSTER SHACK, Bicheno With a waterside open-air patio, you couldn’t ask for a better spot for ocean-to-plate dining. Lobster Shack does oysters, fish, mussels and calamari, but it’s the lobster roll that’s a must, with chunks of lobster, crispy lettuce and house-made lobster sauce in a lightly toasted bun. It’s licensed, too, and the well-priced wine list is stacked with East Coast producers.

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3 THE FISH VAN, Triabunna

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Photos: @boatyardlaunceston; Tourism Australia; Tourism Tasmania / Rob Burnett; @drunkenadmiral; Lusy Productions.

Break up an East Coast drive at the Fish Van, right on Triabunna Wharf. Fish and chips (the former can be battered, crumbed or grilled) are served in a paper cone, with family packs and mixed baskets on offer. The burger is true Australiana: a fluffy white bap with cheese, iceberg, tomato, tartare and a crisp-fried filet o’ fish.

4 THE DRUNKEN ADMIRAL, Hobart If you’re partial to a side of maritime nostalgia, you can’t go past this Hobart waterfront icon.

A crowd-pleasing selection of prawn, salmon and scallop-based fare comes battered, curried and wok-tossed.

5 HURSEY SEAFOODS, STANLEY

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This iconic seafood restaurant recently underwent a refresh, lifting the décor from food court to coastal cool – nab a window seat for views of Hursey’s bright red fishing boats. Crayfish is the hero item here; order it by the whole or half with your choice of flavoured butters.

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100 YEARS

of SUMMER FESTIVALS

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lifestyle

When those summer rays hit the Apple Isle, we know it’s that time of year again – festival time. Chris Crerar looks at the history of these crowd-pleasing events in our state.

Regatta island

The festival calendar wasn’t always this jampacked. Head back to the 1920s, when RACT was established, and our summer was punctuated by foundational events established in the 19th century. Eager to shake off the war years, Tasmanians celebrated at boating regattas, horse races, and running and cycling carnivals.

First held in 1838, the Royal Hobart Regatta was the island’s biggest calendar event for 100 years, and 2024’s event will mark its 186th anniversary.

Across its storied history, the aquatic-focused festival boasts 10 royal visits and attendance numbers of 80,000 on one day in 1955 – close to the entire population of Hobart.

The on-water festivities weren’t restricted to Hobart. Keen sailors and rowers could make 16

JOURNEYS // SUMMER 2023-2024

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race has been a part of Tassie life since 1945; Tattersal Cup 2022 winner Celestial; Comanche in the Sydney to Hobart; the Summer Racing Carnival hits Tassie every February; the Royal Hobart Regatta will celebrate its 186th birthday in 2024.

Photos: Clare Sands, Carlo Borlenghi; Andrea Francolini; mcwooley (Flickr); photobat; Francoi Furie; Nigel Richardson, Ben Wilkinson

S

ummer in Tasmania is always full. Our calendars quickly fill with festivals and parties, weekend escapes and even more festivals. Last summer, as COVID restrictions eased, there seemed to be more festivals than ever – more than any of us could possibly attend during those three jam-packed months.

a summer of it with regattas from Strahan to Dover and all along the Tamar, each with its own local flavour.

Giddy up

Racing on turf and track is as much part of a Tassie summer as racing on water. The Summer Racing Carnival culminates in February with the Launceston and Hobart cups having given Tasmanians a chance to frock up and strut among the thoroughbreds since 1865 and 1875 respectively. Ask almost any Tasmanian about our favourite day at the races, however, and chances are we’ll say the Longford Cup. Held on New Year’s Day since 1845, the picnic races are a much-loved way to shake off the night before and kick off the new year.

Picnics and racing have had a long partnership in Tassie. Growing prosperity and population along the north-west coast in the 19th century saw an explosion of running, cycling and woodchopping carnivals, with many having a family-picnic focus.

Throughout the 20th century, the suite of summer carnivals grew in stature, with the Burnie Gift and Wheel drawing national focus. When four-time world champion cyclist Danny Clark came from 200m behind on the last lap to win the 1977 Burnie Wheel, there was utter disbelief in the stands.

Yacht rock

Since 1945, Sydney has hosted the quintessential Boxing Day spectacle of the fleet leaving the harbour and heading south, but Hobart has always had the afterparty. Often arriving amid waterfront New Year’s Eve celebrations, Sydney to Hobart sailors have always received a big welcome.

Throughout the blue-water classic’s history, Hobart’s waterfront has turned into something of an unofficial festival as we’ve clambered over each other to see the finishers – big and small – and the on-board revelries. Back when Tasmania was more isolated, the arrival of the Sydney to Hobart boats made us feel more connected to the rest of Australia and the wider world. It has always been Hobart’s moment in the sun. Or wind and rain.

The heady days of the ‘Quiet Little Drink’ may be gone but with the Melbourne, and Launceston, to Hobart races growing in popularity and filling the waterfront with colour again, sailing is definitely in Tasmania’s DNA.

Reverber-basin

Hobart may have become globally known for the finish of the race, but Launceston became famous across the country for its legendary Basin Concert.

Like something of a forerunner to the Big Day

“Throughout its history, the Hobart Regatta has seen millions of spectators. The competitors are the people who make the Regatta come to life every year, from those learning a sport to Olympic athletes to those wanting to have a go, from the very young to the very old. It is an event that is entwined in Tasmanian history.”

– STEVE DINE R OYA L H O B A R T R E G AT TA S E N I O R VICE PRESIDENT

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Out concerts, but free and in a beautiful setting, the Basin Concert in its original form ran from 1969 until 1996, attracting crowds of 10,000 plus.

Concertgoers would listen while lounging in the pools, the basin and surrounding rocky outcrops.

Urban myth maybe, but there’s even a story that for many years there was only one female and one male toilet at the concert.

Hippy folk circus

With artistic creativity, alternative lifestyles and environmentalism seemingly more visible in Tasmania than other states, it was only natural that festivals would emerge in celebration.

At a time of high tension in Tasmania amid the Franklin Dam campaign, the Cygnet Folk Festival first kicked its heels together in 1982, closely followed by the pilgrimage to the big trees for the Jackeys Marsh Forest Festival in 1983. The forest festival is no longer with us, but the Cygnet Folk Festival celebrated 40 years in 2022 and is still going strong.

Deep time

Palawa and Pakana people have been gathering and celebrating on Lutruwita/Trowunna for at least 35,000 years. Passed down through the generations, their cultures live on strongly and are shared with our wider community at festivals across the island.

Lunawani/Bruny Island’s Nayri Niara Good Spirit Festival brings First Nations cultural knowledge keepers from around the world to share their traditions. Since 2017, Aboriginal and nonAboriginal people have gathered for three days on the island, hosted by Tasmanian Aboriginal families in a celebratory and enriching exchange.

Taste and Festivale

“We are so fortunate to have such a vibrant event scene in Tasmania.

Festivale is a must on the Tassie summer event calendar.

With all its local talent it’s easy to understand why the event is so successful.”

– H AY L E Y YO U N G , F E ST I VA L E E V E N T M A N AG E R

Photos: Name Here

If there were a genre of festival that has arguably

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JOURNEYS // SUMMER 2023-2024

lifestyle

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT

Festivale; Tassie has a long history of boating festivals; Cygnet Folk Festival; Mona Foma; the biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival.

shaped modern Tasmania’s vision of itself more than any other, it has to be our much-loved food and wine festivals.

Through Launceston’s Festivale and Hobart’s Taste of Tasmania (now known as Taste of Summer), established in 1988 and 1989 respectively, we’ve got to know and embrace the island’s incredible produce and build a collective pride in our global reputation as a foodie’s paradise.

And it’s at these festivals that we’ve gathered with friends and family from near and far to eat, drink and celebrate, year after year. And who could blame us, with what Tassie has to offer and show off? Despite a bumpy past few years, “see you at the Taste” thankfully remains part of the vernacular.

Photos: Name Here

Falls, Foma and full-on

In 2003, the world shifted. Or, more specifically, some of the world’s top rock bands shifted to our island temporarily for Tassie’s first Falls Festival.

Over the next 16 years, music lovers descended on beautiful Marion Bay to bring in the new year wowed by line-ups featuring legendary local performers and some of the world’s biggest acts, the likes of which we’d never seen on the island before. Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand, American indie faves the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover), among many others, all came to play in Tasmania. And then it ended.

But the genie couldn’t be put back in the bottle.

Experiences and expectations had changed, and there was a thirst for more.

Mona’s David Walsh and Violent Femme bassist Brian Ritchie brought us the wild, weird and wonderful Mona Foma. From its beginnings on the Hobart waterfront in 2009, ‘Foma’ then took over the CBD and Mona itself before expanding to Launceston.

“Since Mona Foma entered Tasmanian culture we’ve been thrilled to present artists and projects from every continent, even Antarctica. All in a nonlinear and non-hierarchical format that places ideas in juxtaposition, not competition,” says Ritchie.

“People said Tasmania was not ready for it, but it was. So was the rest of Australia because Mona Foma has been influential on many other festivals in that time.”

The kids kicked up the dirt at Party in the Paddock, while everyone tried to keep quiet about A Festival Called Panama – arguably our best-kept music festival secret.

Now, we’re just so spoilt for choice we can’t possibly attend them all. Take your pick. ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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The Solar Experts

Solar energy and CATCH Power RACT members receive a free* Australian made CATCH Power unit when purchasing a new solar system from I Want Energy: • achieve greater control over your solar with the CATCH Solar Relay • bluetooth and Wi-Fi connected. Offering LIVE data via the Monocle App • remotely turn loads on and off through the App • control a wider variety of loads • control a wide range of Inverters, including export control • valued at $447 RRP plus installation.

Call us at I Want Energy today to arrange a free consultation, and leave it to the experts. * You must be purchasing a new solar system. You must provide us with your RACT membership. There must be sufficient space in your switchboard or further charges will apply. Price does not include a single pole 25 amp contactor (cost $100 if required).

The Solar Experts

iwantenergy.com.au

(03) 6234 7009

Find us on Facebook

drive

A little bit fancy

Spearheading Mazda’s return to the premium segment, the new CX-60 medium SUV arrives three decades after the Japanese brand’s short-lived Eunos luxury car experiment. Think of the CX-60 and other models set to follow it as Mazda’s answer to Toyota’s Lexus and you’ll be on the money.

The CX-60 introduces two new mild hybrid inline six-cylinder engines, a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and a rear-biased all-wheel drive system that promises ‘European style’ dynamics. Positioned above the mid-size Mazda CX-5 and CX-8, the CX-60 comes in Evolve, GT and Azami variants, with prices starting at $58,900 and rising to $85,500 (MRLP). Powertrain choices include a 3.3-litre turbocharged inline petrol six-cylinder, a 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder turbodiesel,

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AUTO NEWS

25 / 0-100: BYD ATTO 3 27 / IN REVERSE: LEYLAND P76 28 / ROAD TEST: VW AMAROK PANAMERICANA

both with 48V MHEV (mild hybrid electric vehicle) systems, and Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol with 100kW electric motor and 17.8kWh battery.

We sampled all three and liked the smooth and steely response of the 209kW/450Nm six-cylinder petrol, which comes paired with a new eight-speed dual clutch transmission, like the rest of the range. Kitted out in top-ofthe-line Azami trim, which includes maple wood inserts, chrome detailing, soft Nappa leather and distinctive Japanese textiles, the CX-60 feels properly premium, with the only qualifier being its annoyingly firm ride on 20-inch wheels.

For more visit mazda.com.au

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auto news.

The latest developments in the car world

The automotive world’s embrace of electrified powertrains continues, as American off-road brand Jeep introduces hybrid versions of its compact Compass SUV and an all-electric Avenger SUV. These new electrified Jeeps follow the August launch of the brand’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. It will be joined in 2024 by two new e-hybrid variants of the compact Compass SUV, followed by the Avenger in the second half of 2024. Due in the first half of 2024, the new Compass variants will replace the existing 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol powertrain with mild-

hybrid electric (MHEV) and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) technology. The Compass e-Hybrid FWD features a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, mated with a 48-volt 15kW/55Nm electric motor incorporated within a seven-speed dualclutch transmission. The Compass 4xe is a PHEV that combines a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and a 44kW electric motor to deliver up to 50km of driving in full-electric mode. The Jeep Avenger will target compact electric rivals including the Hyundai Kona EV and MG ZS EV. With a claimed electric range of up to 400km (WLTP) extra-urban and up to 550km (WLTP) around town, the Avenger features a 51kWh battery and a front-mounted electric motor sending 115kW/260Nm to its front wheels.

Phone and seatbelt detection cameras are live.

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JOURNEYS // SUMMER 2023-2024

Photos: supplied.

Jeep goes zap

drive

The warrior way

In a bid to freshen up the V8-powered veteran, Nissan Australia has partnered with local engineering specialist Premcar to add an off-the-shelf enhancement package that comes with a full five-year unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.

Dubbed the Patrol Warrior by Premcar, the new model is based on the entry-level Patrol Ti but at $101,160 (MRLP) it’s more expensive than the top-spec Patrol Ti-L. Changes aimed at enhancing the Patrol’s on- and off-road performance include longer travel suspension, raised ground clearance, larger 18-inch off-road wheels clad in chunky Yokohama Geolandar allterrain tyres, a wider stance and a side-exit bi-modal exhaust system that allows the lusty 298kW/560Nm 5.6-litre V8 to find its full voice. Outside, the Warrior is distinguished by a red underbody bash plate, new front and rear bumpers, integrated 3500kg-rated recovery points, unique wheel arch flares and mudflaps, a blacked-out grille and mirrors, and Warrior badging. The interior retains the layout, materials and styling themes of the Patrol Ti cabin but adds piano-black surfaces and trimmed Alcantara components.

BMW GETS ITS BOOTS DIRTY The Adventure Bike category continues to boom as more riders discover the joy of motorcycles that blend the off-road capabilities of a dirt bike with the highspeed cruising comfort of a road bike. Due on sale in the first half of 2024 and priced from $26,000, BMW Motorrad’s all-new R 1300 GS will have riders salivating at the prospect of this latest premium “chook-chaser”.

The Bavarian brand continues to innovate with a raft of new technologies including a new 1300cc two-cylinder engine. Weighing 12kg less than its predecessor, the new R 1300 GS engine is claimed to be the most powerful BMW boxer engine ever in series production, with outputs of 107kW /149Nm. Other changes include a stiffer and stronger steel main frame, a new die-cast aluminium rear frame, and revisions to the front and rear suspension delivering 20mm more spring travel along with greater steering precision and ride stability.

There’s also a new Riding Assistant option, comprising Active Cruise Control (ACC), Front Collision Warning (FCW), and Lane Change Warning (SWW). The big Bimmer is available in six variants, starting with the entry-level R 1300 GS ($26,000) and rising to the range-topping GS Option 719 ($36,690).

For more visit bmw-motorrad.com.au

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NAVIGATING TASMANIA’S ROADWORKS If you ignore speed limits or traffic instructions for road works, you are putting lives at risk.

A

s drivers, we know roadworks can be frustrating. However, like them or not they are a vital component of Tasmania’s infrastructure, providing a safer and dependable road network. Moreover, roadworks are essential for the Tasmanian transport industry, enabling the rapid and secure movement of freight across the state and ensuring products can reach global markets efficiently.

In an effort to raise awareness of the dangers around road works for workers and motorists, the Civil Contractors Federation of Tasmania has re-launched their Your Speed is Our Safety campaign around Tasmania. One of the crucial aspects of ensuring safety around roadworks is the enforcement of rules and regulations within these zones.

CCF Tasmania CEO, Andrew Winch says, “even though it may be tempting for some drivers, even driving a little over the speed limit or ignoring instructions around roadworks can be dangerous.

Roadworkers may be within the path of traffic, surfaces may be unsealed, detours enforced, and large machinery and construction materials present.

Apart from the serious risk to human life, these factors can result in considerable vehicle damage for drivers.

Factor in night time and the danger is even higher. For those who work on road work sites, it can be a very dangerous workplace. They are counting on motorists to follow instructions so they can be safe” he said.

When asked about the frequency and duration of road work projects around

SLOW DOWN FOR ROAD WORKERS

our state, Mr Winch says, “roadworks are coordinated in a way that minimises disruptions to motorists. However, we’re often at the mercy of Tasmania’s weather and factors like temperature and rain can all contribute to delays, as they impact the drying and setting of the road surface” he says. “We are urging motorists as they travel around our beautiful state, to follow all instructions around road works, so everyone can make it home safely”.

Road safety around road works is a collective responsibility, and with Your Speed is Our Safety at the forefront, they’re steering Tasmania toward a safer, more cautious future on its highways and byways.

drive

0–100 review

BYD DREAMS BIG The BYD Atto 3 landed with a splash in late 2022 and has quickly become one of Australia’s most popular and affordable electric vehicles.

Story Harry Weller ESTABLISHING A NEW AUTOMOTIVE brand in the competitive Australian market is not for the faint-hearted. The long list of brands that have tried and failed here include Infiniti (twice), Seat, Tata (also twice) and Dodge.

So, for little-known Chinese brand BYD to not only establish itself but quickly become Australia’s second-bestselling EV brand behind Tesla, with a single model, is worthy of high praise indeed.

In its crowded Chinese home market BYD (Build Your Dreams) is well established and ranks as that country’s largest automaker. But until late 2022 most Aussies had never heard of BYD or the mid-sized Atto 3 SUV. Like Tesla, BYD utilises an online sales model so it’s helpful the only choices are paint colour, and whether you want the base 50kWh or larger 60kWh battery. We’re driving the larger battery version here, which costs $3000 more and delivers an extra 75km of range for a claimed 420km (WLTP).

Stylistically, the Atto 3 is a handsomely designed five-seat SUV, with design flourishes including 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and an LED strip running the width of the bonnet.

While the exterior design is reasonably restrained, it’s a different story inside, where a combination of soft-touch dash material,

wavy shapes in the dash and doors, chunky industrial-like door grips, and uniquely shaped air vents create a distinctive look.

The seats are clad in attractive two-tone synthetic leather, and there’s a flat-bottom steering wheel, a dumbbell-like gear selector, and generous storage in the centre console, glove box and door bins.

A steering column-mounted 5.0-inch digital screen acts as the main instrument panel, while a larger 12.8-inch central display screen houses most vehicle functions, including radio, temperature, navigation and more.

For a party trick, at the touch of a button this central screen can be changed from portrait to landscape orientation.

Despite its price, the Atto 3’s standard features would give some luxury cars a run for their money, including an excellent 360-degree camera system, voice control, Over the Air software updates, panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, wireless phone charger and heated electric front seats. There’s also standard safety equipment including seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and more.

Out on the road the Atto 3 doesn’t get off the mark as quickly as some EVs we’ve driven, but once rolling there’s a muscular surge of near-silent acceleration that makes for comfortable highway cruising and overtaking.

The suspension favours comfort over dynamics so the ride is pleasant but the handling not as sharp as some rivals, although perfectly safe and predictable.

With decent performance and driving dynamics, excellent technology, generous

features, and a roomy, practical interior, it’s easy to see why the Atto 3 has established such a keen following in its short time on the Australian market.

THE SPECS MAKE/MODEL • 2023 BYD Atto 3 Extended Range BODY STYLE • Five-door medium SUV RETAIL PRICE • $51,011 (MRLP) SEATING • 5 ENERGY CONSUMPTION • 16KWH/100KM ANCAP SAFETY RATING • 5 star (2022) MOTOR • Single electric motor (150kW/310Nm) BATTERY • 60kWh RANGE • 420KM (WLTP) TRANSMISSION • Single speed reduction gear DRIVE TYPE • Front-wheel drive 0-100KM/H • 7.3 secs (estimate) FOR MORE VISIT bydautomotive.com.au

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in reverse

The enigmatic Leyland P76.

DRIVING A WEDGE ENGINE

Leyland P76

4416cc all-alloy V8, overhead valves (143kW/387Nm)

The Leyland P76 has written its way into Australian motoring folklore with enthusiasts divided over whether it was one of the greatest lemons of all time, or a brilliantly designed and engineered but tragically misunderstood machine.

Story Harry Weller

T Photo: Alamy.

CLAIM TO FAME

MODEL

his year marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most controversial Australian cars of all time, the Leyland P76. The futuristiclooking sedan was conceived by British car maker Leyland to go head-to-head with the dominant Australian-made large sedans from Holden, Ford and Chrysler, and could famously carry a 44-gallon drum in its gargantuan boot.

Featuring an innovative wedge shape originally penned by Leyland Australia’s chief stylist Romand Rodbergh and later finessed by famed Italian designer

British Leyland’s short-lived rival to Australia’s dominant large sedans from Ford, Holden and Chrysler burnt brightly but flamed out quickly.

Giovanni Michelotti, who also worked for Ferrari and Maserati, the P76 looked nothing like either of those marques but offered better dynamics and more interior space than its Aussie rivals, plus innovations like power-assisted brakes and full-length side-intrusion beams.

Despite this, and the media fanfare surrounding its launch, a combination of supply chain issues, poor quality control, production issues and industrial action soon dampened the public’s enthusiasm for the car.

In 1973 the P76 claimed the prestigious Wheels Car of the Year award, an accolade mocked by critics but defended by the magazine on the grounds that it was specifically the allalloy 4.4-litre V8 version that took home the chocolates, and not the inferior 2.6-litre six-cylinder.

As sales grew, so did the list of horror stories from owners, including windows cracking and falling out, poor water and dust sealing, doors that wouldn’t close properly, and a dash that warped in the hot Australian sun. The problems led to the P76 becoming jokingly referred

to as the P38, as it was only half the car it should have been.

Coupled with parent company British Leyland’s mounting financial troubles and the Global Oil Crisis, which curbed the public’s appetite for large cars, P76 production came to a shuddering halt just 18 months after its launch.

Leyland Australia and its British parent company bet the house on the P76 but the car bombed, bankrupting Leyland’s local operations and leading to the company shutting down its Australian manufacturing facility in 1974.

P76 sightings are rare these days, as only an estimated 17,000 to 18,000 were built and the car’s poor reputation meant many found their way to early graves.

One variant that is tightly held and has become a desirable collector car is the Targa Florio, a limited-edition V8 created to celebrate the P76 winning a World Cup Rally stage in 1974.

For more of the fascinating story behind this iconic Australian automotive enigma, check out Gavin Farmer’s insightful book Leyland P76: Anything but Average. ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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drive

ROAD

TEST

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JOURNEYS // SUMMER 2023-2024

drive

We put the Volkswagen Amarok Aventura, the flagship of VW’s new ute range, through its paces at one of Tassie’s most spectacular surf spots, Cloudy Corner on Bruny Island.

Words and photos Chris Crerar

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drive

P

ushing hard through the bends on the windy and bumpy Bruny Island Main Road, I totally forget that I’m driving a dual-cab utility.

On the sealed and gravel sections heading south towards Cloudy Bay, the new VW Amarok Aventura feels like it has more sports-car DNA than any utility I’ve driven before.

We’re heading to the deep south chasing the surf and sun, and a night camping away from it all.

Eager to pull on the wetsuit, I nudge the accelerator a little and the big ute effortlessly takes off. My partner, reading an online review, reminds me that this power might just have something to do with the Aventura’s 2.3- litre TSI petrol engine being sourced from the Ford Mustang.

Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that there’s more Ford in the Amarok than just the engine.

Based on the Ranger platform, and sharing many components, you may start asking yourself, ‘Hang on a minute, is this a VW or a Ford?’

But unless you knew (like us), you’d never guess. VW has distinctly styled and equipped the Amarok sufficiently to make it, well, an Amarok.

And the Amarok Aventura really is in a class of its own in Australia. In a sea of diesel utility offerings, the petrol Aventura package stands out for the appeal it will generate with those seeking a luxury sports utility.

Sitting on 21-inch alloys clad in road tyres, the Aventura is VW’s urban-focused top-of-the-range Amarok. Its sibling, the PanAmericana, is similarly luxurious but is set up for getting off-road, with 18-inch alloys, a different suspension set-up and all-steel underbody protection.

Both models will cost just either side of $80,000 on-road, with the Aventura sitting among Australia’s most premium-priced utilities.

The electric blue Aventura stands out when we arrive at the Cloudy Bay carpark. It’s super busy as it’s a spectacular day and the swell is up, but we still attract some admiring glances from surfers heading off to the break.

Retrieving our surf gear from the tray couldn’t be easier thanks to the Aventura’s electric tonneau cover, easily opened with a double click on the key fob. Knowing our camp gear will be safely locked provides some peace of mind while in the water.

After a couple of hours enjoying the left-

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JOURNEYS // SUMMER 2023-2024

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP

Chasing the surf and sun in the VW Amarok Aventura; functionality and luxury combine in the Amarok’s interior.

and right-handers among a moderate crowd (around 10!) at one of Tassie’s most spectacular surf spots, we return to the Aventura to dry off and head across the beach to the famed Cloudy Corner campsite.

The big ute’s chrome detailing shimmers in the sun as we arrive back at the carpark. I joke that it looks a bit of a show-off parked among the cluster of slightly agricultural dual cabs.

Edging the Aventura down the ramp onto Cloudy Bay beach, the track disappears under the massive square bonnet. We stop when horizontal again and shift into sand/snow and ‘4A’, or AWD, modes.

Since the beach is as smooth as a highway (with a 40km/h speed limit), this mode is all we should need, but it’s good to know there’s low-range 4WD, setting it apart from the old Amarok.

Stopping halfway along the beach, staring out

drive

THE SPECS PRICING • $87,818 BODY STYLE • Dual-cab utility SEATING • 5 ENERGY CONSUMPTION • 9.9L/100km (average) ENGINE TYPE • 2.3-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol TRANSMISSION • 10-speed automatic transmission DRIVE TYPE • 2WD, 4WD and AWD MAX. POWER • 222kw MAX. TORQUE • 452Nm 0-100KM/H • 8.5 seconds ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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drive drive

ABOVE

The bright-blue Aventura provides a talking point for campers at Cloudy Corner campsite.

into the Southern Ocean framed by dramatic headlands, we’re overcome by an edge-of-theworld feeling, knowing that the next landfall from here is Antarctica.

With our gaze still half on the view, we strike up a discussion about the Aventura’s interior.

The leather seats and their sporty stitching are a winner, as is the extension of this finish to the door trims and dashboard.

We love the portrait-mounted 12-inch touchscreen, mounted centrally in the dash, and its impressive functionality. The Harman Kardon sound system is next level and adds to the overall premium feeling.

We’re less convinced about the cup holders at the back of the centre console, some of the hard plastics in the dash trim and the lack of buttons or dials for the climate control system. Accessing the climate controls through a two-step process in the touchscreen isn’t intuitive and can be distracting.

The absence of a sports mode or paddle gear shifting we also found odd, considering the Aventura is pitched as a sporty road-oriented model. However, we’re hugely impressed with the suite of the latest safety and driving technology built into the Aventura. Intelligent cruise-control, lane keeping and pedestrian detection are features not dreamt of in utility vehicles just a few years ago. There’s airbag safety everywhere, front and rear cameras as well as a 360-degree view and fully automated parking assist. It’s an impressive package, especially when you consider the 5-star safety ANCAP rating the Amarok scored.

We get moving again along the beach, noting VW’s smooth stop-start system. Crossing a creek flowing over the beach, we use only around 200mm of the Amarok’s 800mm wading depth, but it’s still fun.

Arriving at the sheltered Cloudy Corner campsite, we pick a spot among a cluster of small eucalypts and get set up.

The Aventura, with its chrome and bright-blue duco, makes a fitting campsite accompaniment, catching our neighbour’s attention, who comes over to chat about it.

We laugh that if you were heading to a rural red-carpet event, this is the utility you’d want.

Who knows – given Australia’s love of big dualcab utes, the Aventura might even be seen at glamorous city events too.

Note: RACT Roadside Assistance does not cover vehicle service on beaches.

Book a test drive of the Volkswagen Amarok Aventura at Jackson Motor Company, Hobart: jmc.com.au

COMPARABLES

32

TOYOTA HILUX ROGUE

ISUZU D-MAX X-TERRAIN

FORD RANGER PLATINUM

Priced from $70,200

Priced from $67,500

Priced from $78,190

• Great stability and capable 4X4 system

• Punchy efficient diesel; reasonable value

• High luxury levels

• Dated interior

• Not a great ride on smooth roads

JOURNEYS // SUMMER 2023-2024

• Quality of some interior trim

Planning your next adventure?

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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 135 513.

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Photo: Expedition Vessel Odalisque III in Bathurst Harbour, Tim Grey

travel

Sweet sailing

36/ 39/

TRAVEL NEWS PIT STOP: RICHMOND

40/

MUST-DO SUMMER ROAD TRIPS

46/

ADVENTURE ISLAND

Saffire Freycinet has partnered with On Board for Coast to Coast, a luxury cruise and stay package. Over three nights, sail through the remote southwest corner of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area followed by three nights on land at Saffire on the stunning east coast (seaplane transfers included).

For more, visit saffire-freycinet.com.au

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travel news.

Explore our state with Nola James 3 TO TRY

Day spas

SILO DAY SPA You don’t have to be a guest at Launceston’s Silo Hotel to enjoy its onsite spa. Half-day pamper packages include full-body massages, scrubs, wraps and hydrating masks.

Still at Freycinet, a new Nordicinspired eco retreat on Tasmania’s east coast, sleeps 10 guests in full-service splendour. In addition to an optional private chef, there’s also a hot/cold sauna and onsite add-ons like private yoga classes, meditation and massage.

All three bedrooms boast ensuites, the floors are heated, and open-plan living spaces feature floor-to-ceiling windows with water views.

WALDHEIM ALPINE SPA The spa at Cradle Mountain Lodge overlooks Pencil Pine River, with a steam room, sauna, hot-tub and cool plunge pool alongside traditional therapies.

THE SANCTUARY This central Hobart spa offers treatments from massages and facials to an infrared sauna.

Choose from rejuvenating, relaxing and chakra-aligning packages, all using organic products.

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JOURNEYS // SUMMER 2023-2024

Photos: Still at Freycinet – seventysixtracks (sauna), Renee Thurston (bedside and daybed)

TAKE IT SLOW

travel

Tokyo dreaming

Discover a slice of Japan at Provider House, a self-contained three-bedroom luxury cabin on the kunanyi side of Lenah Valley. Taking its cues from Japanese design, the house is furnished from top to toe with ethically made homewares from sibling business Provider Store in Sydney. Settle in by the sunken outdoor fire pit or take a soak in the ryokan-inspired cedar bathtub.

Faro goes French

Mona’s flagship restaurant Faro transforms into ‘Nouveau Faux – Bordeaux to Berridale’ this summer to coincide with French artist Jean-Luc Moulène’s first Australian solo show. Think of it as a low-waste, high-end take on bouchon classics: an oyster tartare dressed in an invasive seaweed mignonette and ‘manger le problème’, wild venison with pea purée, white miso and celeriac cream.

SEOUL-FUL STREET EATS Korean-born, Hobart-based chef Dong Chul Lim (aka Chef DC) has set up shop at In the Hanging Garden, taking on the space recently vacated by muchloved Oryza. Anju Food gives Korean barbecue a fast-food twist with kimchi and cheese toasties, bulgogi beef loaded fries, fried chicken burgers and Korean Philly cheesesteak rolls. ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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travel

With history in abundance, Richmond has long been one of Tasmania’s top tourist towns.

Stir in fine wine and good eating, and it’s hard to resist its charms, writes Andrew Bain.

Richmond

Photos: Tourism Tasmania (Pooley Wines, Sweets and Treats – photo by Alastair Bett), Aquila Glamping

The PIT STOP

EAT Pooley Wines, at Richmond’s very edge, might be the current Halliday Wine Companion’s Australian winery of the year, but tucking into its wood-fired pizzas on the tables and bean bags that spill across the lawn behind the 1830s convict-built cellar door is just as enticing as its wine tastings.

shop that’s a nostalgic trip down a very sweet memory lane – think gobstoppers, sherbet bombs, mixed lolly bags and warheads.

Elsewhere, antiques dominate the shopping offerings. Seek out Walker & Walker with its shuffled collection of antiques and homewares, and the high-end antiques of neighbouring Walter & Co.

DRINK Inside an 1820s heritage-listed building, Drink Tasmania Tasting House has an encyclopaedic range of Tasmanian wine, whisky, gin, beer, cider, vodka, absinthe and more. Stock up your cellar or settle into the leather armchairs by the large fireplace with a whisky or gin paddle. Remember to be a responsible drinker and nominate a desginated driver.

STAY Peering down onto the town’s rooftops from the edge of Brinktop Bushland Reserve, Aquila Glamping has accommodation in three converted shipping containers and one large and luxurious glamping tent. As you soak in the tent’s outdoor bath, take in the view of the cliffs from which the stone for Richmond Bridge was cut.

SEE Convict fingerprints are all over Richmond, most noticeably on Richmond Bridge, Australia’s oldest large stone arch bridge, which will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2025. Lighten up a visit with a stop at Pooseum for a quirky peek at all things scat – look for the statue of the defecating dog out front.

ESSENTIAL STOPS

SHOP Richmond’s classic stop for kids aged three to 93 is Sweets and Treats, the comprehensive lolly

• • • • • • •

Pooley Wines Drink Tasmania Tasting House

RICHMOND

Pooseum Sweets and Treats

Walker & Walker Walter & Co Aquila Glamping

TOP TO BOTTOM

Pooley Wines, Sweets and Treats, Aquila Glamping.

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summer road trips Must-do

IN TASSIE

Tasmania is different in every direction, with so many spectacular drives to take in just one lifetime. Fiona Stocker has been packing up her car and family for years. Here are her top picks.

CLOCKWISE FROM THIS PAGE Little Swanport on the shores of Great Oyster Bay; fish and chips on the beach in Bicheno; Bicheno inlet from above; Devil’s Corner cellar door.

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JOURNEYS // SUMMER 2023-2024

travel

3 4

5 1 2

Once the sea breezes have blown the cobwebs away, we head to the deck for the start of our epicurean journey, with wine tastings, local oysters and pizza for lunch.

1 East Coast The call of the vineyard and beach is strong on Tasmania’s eastern seaboard.

The Great Eastern Drive gives you more than 200km of ocean splendour so it’s hard to pick favourites.

Our family’s favourite road to the east is the Lake Leake Highway as it’s the one we take on holiday. Heading east from Campbell Town, we make a beeline for the Devil’s Corner cellar door. The viewing platform, a container up-ended by an architect, sees the sparkling coastal plains laid out before you. Once the sea breezes have blown the cobwebs away, we head to the deck for the start of our epicurean journey, with wine tastings, local oysters and pizza for lunch.

Then it’s a short drive to the seaside town of Bicheno for dolphins in the bay, and yoga at sunrise on those round rocks with the signature orange lichen that’s a sign of the world’s cleanest air.

Photos: Tourism Tasmania

Drive time from Campbell Town: Approx 1 hour

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travel

Fiona’s

top tips for

hitting the road with kids

1 The Facebook group Travelling Tasmania is a great forum for real advice on destinations in Tassie

You don’t have to don your walking boots or take to the high seas to appreciate the Tasman Peninsula, as there are views and experiences around every bend in the road.

From Eaglehawk Neck, the isthmus from which convicts tried to make their escape, head due south to the Doo Town blowhole and award-winning food van.

Keep hugging the coast to Devils Kitchen, where the sea has worn cliffs into arches and rushes in to seethe below the viewpoints.

Break your journey at Port Arthur or mosey on to explore the southern peninsula.

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JOURNEYS // SUMMER 2023-2024

Quiet roads lead to magnificent places like the aptly named Remarkable Cave. A drive and short walk to Cape Raoul puts you atop the tallest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere, 300m-high dolerite rock columns. Expect spectacular views of craggy rock islands and all the sea air you can breathe in. The circuit back through Nubeena and the sheltered western peninsula is sleepier, but jaw-dropping wilderness is never far away on the Tasman.

Drive time from Eaglehawk Neck: Approx 1 hour, add another for Cape Raoul

2 When travelling with teenage kids, take a quiz to do together in the car 3 Pack snacks that don’t leave crumbs on the seats, such as mandarins or strawberries 4 Keep a picnic blanket in the boot; it can double as a tablecloth at picnic tables 5 Sunscreen, wet wipes, hand sanitiser and moisturiser live permanently in our glove box

Photo: Getty Images

2 Tasman Peninsula

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Absorb the splendour of Cape Raoul, the tallest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere; cruise through the majestic Tarkine Forest; the rugged wilderness of Tasmania’s western coastline; hiking to – and arriving at – the limestone Trowutta Arch.

3 Tarkine Arthur River that carves its way through the landscape.

Leave time to experience the raw and untamed west coast and stand in awe as the Indian Ocean crashes over jagged rocks erupting from land and sea. Look for stops at Couta Rocks, and Sundown Point State Reserve for ancient rock carvings. The natural climax of the drive is where the Arthur River surges into the ocean at the township called – aptly – Edge of the World.

Drive time from Smithton: Approx 2 hours return

Photos: Tourism Tasmania

The Tarkine is the secondlargest cool-temperate rainforest in the world. It’s a heady mix of the ancient country of the Palawa people, historic mining sites and stunning geological features buried in heritageprotected forest.

From Smithton, the meandering tarmac road echoes the Arthur River, with many scenic stops.

Look out for the limestone Trowutta Arch and its flooded sinkhole, a silent place steeped in atmosphere. After the cool dim forest, the Sumac Lookout presents views high over the

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travel

4 Cradle The winding road from the entrance to Cradle Mountain National Park up to Dove Lake and views of the mountain is like travelling in a time capsule through an ancient landscape.

Button-grass plains, King Billy pines and glacial ravines roll out alongside you, with the boardwalk accessible at points if you feel like getting amongst it. At Ronny Creek, explore a replica of the chalet built by Gustaf and Kate Weindorfer, who campaigned for this landscape to be protected in the early 1900s. The valley below

5 South Launnie Loop If you love a quiet sense of yesteryear, do a loop through the townships south of Launceston.

Start at Longford and call in to the Loft for gorgeous home décor. Head east through Perth and lunch at Feast among the crockery collectables. End up in Evandale where the village shop has its original timber counter, and the Clarendon Arms takes pub food and deer-park styling to a new level.

Drive time from Longford: Approx 30 minutes If history appeals, do the same loop a little further south and your path will cross Brickendon, plus Woolmers and Entally Estates, elegant reflections of early colonial life.

Drive time from Longford: Approx 1 hour 15 minutes 44

JOURNEYS // SUMMER 2023-2024

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain; gift shopping in Evandale village; The Clarendon Arms; The Village Store.

the chalet is rich wombat territory, with the boardwalk passing right by the burrows.

Reach the top by car or shuttle bus and you’ll find Dove Lake, with a brand-new viewing station hunkered into the landscape offering views of the mountain and shelter from the weather. To venture further on foot, try a stroll to the boat shed, a three-hour lake circuit, or the more challenging Marions Lookout. On foot or by road, the views are stupendous.

Drive time from the entrance: Approx 30 minutes

844 Mole Creek Road, Deloraine, Tasmania Ph. 0437 849 283

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thetrufflefarmtasmania.com.au the_truffle_farm

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Open 7 days Visit the Airwalk, the Eagle Hang Glider or book the Twin River Rafting adventure PROMO CODE RACT

These beachy, fully self-contained waterfront units will suit any traveller looking for a cruisy coastal getaway.

Fresh salty sea air on your skin and the sand tickling your toes is what you’ll experience when staying here at Pelican Sands Scamander.

Base yourselves here and most places are just a day trip away.

National Parks, golf course, the zoo, and endless white sandy coastlines to shell fossick or surf, or just walk and explore…

Pelican Sands Scamander Tasmania 157-163 Scamander Avenue, Scamander 7215 reception@pelicansandsscamander.com.au | pelicansandsscamander.com.au All guests have access to complimentary kayaks and lifejackets on site A waiver signed and deposit must be paid before using

tasmanian_truffles

adventure

ISLAND Sun’s out, fun’s in. Heat up an adventure in Tasmania this summer as the sun pours down onto trails, sea, rivers and mountains.

Words by Andrew Bain.

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travel

W

hen the summer sun shines on Tasmania, adventures are cooking. Hiking and mountain-biking trails are at their best, coastal paths encourage swims, and rivers and seas beckon for kayaking, canyoning and rafting. There’s a warmth in the air, and a heat to the activities.

Splash into summer

Photo: Tourism Tasmania / Stu Gibson

It’s the time of year when the water calls loudest, presenting myriad kayaking opportunities. Setting out from Coles Bay, half-day Freycinet Adventures kayak trips cross to the shores of Freycinet National Park and quixotic Honeymoon Bay. Further south, it’s (rock) wall to (rock) wall drama on Roaring 40s Kayaking’s paddle out of Fortescue Bay to the rock stars of Cape Hauy. Marine company includes fur seals and, on the best of days, whales, but mostly you’ll be looking high above water level to the

200m-high cliffs and the rock-climbing icons of the Totem Pole and Candlestick sea stacks.

Tasmania’s ultimate water adventure, once named the world’s best white-water trip by US adventure magazine Outside, is a rafting journey down the Franklin River. It’s committing, challenging and rewarding beyond measure, floating for more than a week through the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, skirting Frenchmans Cap and ploughing through the Great Ravine, a deeply etched gorge crowded with furious rapids. Counterbalance this with the still-as-a-painting Irenabyss gorge and famed Rock Island Bend – scene of the Peter Dombrovskis photograph that helped rescue the Franklin from dams in the early 1980s – and it’s the complete river experience.

Less arduous, but no less fun, is a sledding trip on the Meander River, with half-day Meander Wilderness Experiences trips bouncing through small rapids atop a li-lo-like sled. Think of it as white-water rafting for one.

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travel

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP

Kayaking opportunities abound with Freycinet Adventures, exhilaration awaits at Cradle Mountain Canyons, spotting an Australian fur seal with Roaring 40s Kayaking.

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JOURNEYS // SUMMER 2023-2024

Beneath the surface

Leave the heat for the cooling challenge of Tasmania’s canyons and caves. Deep in the cracks that radiate through the earth beneath Cradle Mountain, canyoning trips provide a basementlevel view of the alpine area.

In Dove Canyon, trips run by Cradle Mountain Canyons squeeze between rock walls, with canyoners leaping into cold, deep pools from 6m-high ledges and all but luging through the well-named Laundry Chute, a natural water slide carved beneath the cliffs by centuries of water flow. Families can head higher up the canyon, into the so-called Lost World Canyon, where the less-complex terrain makes trips suitable for kids over the age of eight. The further-flung Machinery

Creek Canyon has a character all its own, with taller waterfalls and more open spaces making it a virtual stepladder of high abseils.

Delving even deeper into the earth, Tasmania is perforated with myriad caves. Gentle ranger-led tours operate through Hastings Caves in the south and King Solomons and Marakoopa caves around Mole Creek, but the real adventure begins beyond these show caves.

Mole Creek Karst National Park is punctured with around 300 caves, and Wild Cave Tours leads trips into little-known but feature-filled black holes, from the maze-like squeezes of Honeycomb Cave to caves with reflection pools beneath constellations of glow-worms.

Photos: Tourism Tasmania

When the summer sun shines on Tasmania, adventures are cooking.

A wheely good time

Since Derby opened its first trails in 2015, Tasmania’s mountain-biking momentum has been relentless, with bike parks and trail networks sprouting like shoots across the state. Wherever you ride, the trails are at their firmest and best in summer. Sunnyseason pleasures include St Helens’ Bay of Fires trail, plunging 42km from the top of the Blue Tier to the sands of Swimcart Beach (and a celebratory Bay of Fires swim), and the nearby Dreaming Pools, a 27km inland loop that passes a welcome swimhole.

Maydena provides the natural air-conditioning of a rainforest canopy along its 85-plus trails, and Derby’s lake is the cooling feature on a post-ride session at the Floating Sauna Lake Derby.

The long summer evenings also open up the possibility of after-work rides. For Hobart residents, this is now even more enticing with new trails opening on Kunanyi/Mt Wellington and the Clarence Mountain Bike Park. In 2023, the climbing Rocky Wheel’n and the descending Free Wheel’n opened on Kunanyi, while Clarence launched the well-named Flow Monster. All three trails are rated green (easy), making them accessible to most riders.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT

Discover stunning scenery on St Helens Mountain Bike Trails, natural beauty on the Overland Track, glowworms in Mystery Creek Cave and excitement galore with Cradle Mountain Canyons.

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travel

Tasmania’s original outdoors passion was bushwalking ...

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP

Three Capes Track, Cape Hauy’s Candlestick sea stack, ferry hopping to rest weary legs on the Overland Track.

Tasmania’s original outdoors passion was bushwalking, with a network of trails unsurpassed in Australia and most accessible and enjoyable through the warmth of summer. For mountain folk, the Overland Track wriggles between some of the state’s tallest and most spectacular mountains.

Well-spaced huts divide the walk into a neat six days, with options to climb side peaks such as Cradle Mountain and Mt Ossa – Tasmania’s highest peak – along the way.

Coastal walks have a special appeal across summer, providing ready-made cooling at the end of – and during – long walking days. The South Coast Track connects nine beaches along Tasmania’s southernmost shores on its week-long journey from Melaleuca to Cockle Creek, and while the Three Capes Track might spend most of its four days atop Australia’s highest sea cliffs, it ends in prime swimming country on Fortescue Bay. More instantly rewarding plunges come on day walks along the east coast such as Apsley Gorge or crossing the Hazards to the sands of Wineglass Bay. 50

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Photos: Tourism Tasmania

Foot traffic

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CHANGING GEARS STATE GROWTH

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PUZZLES REAR VIEW

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MEMBER REWARDS

Spotlight on Colin Dennison OAM A valued RACT member since 1958, Colin’s story epitomises trust, community and unwavering support.

After passing his driving test and buying a Morris Minor, Colin joined RACT in 1958. “Wages back then were only about £4.10, but as soon as I saved up enough money, I joined.” This decision proved invaluable when his Morris Minor broke down in Bellerive. “I couldn’t move it, so I called RACT. The patrolman happened to be the same man who taught me to drive.”

Colin’s recollections paint a picture of a simpler Hobart. From leisurely strolls to town for Saturday pictures to treasured drives with his father to the north-west, Colin’s journey unfolded amid a changing city. Life took a poignant turn when his late wife needed treatment in Melbourne. “I hadn’t booked an airfare in over 15 years.

At my age, you get out of touch with how things work, but RACT took care of everything, from the flights to the accommodation.

They even arranged a wheelchair for my wife at the airport.”

After six decades of membership, Colin can’t imagine a Tasmania without RACT. “If they weren’t here, it would be something I’d rather not imagine. There’s nothing else that can replace what they offer, and they’ve been very good to me over the years. RACT is looking after the motoring public. That’s what they’ve always been about.”

For the full story and videos, visit ract.com.au ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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the latest.

CONNECTING OUR ROADS: OUR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY

A helping hand on the path to success A HANDFUL OF OUR TEAM recently spent the afternoon volunteering with Dress for Success Hobart, sorting, ironing and steaming incoming clothing donations. We’ve partnered with this not-for-profit organisation for almost a year, accepting gently used clothing items at our Hobart, Glenorchy, Kingston and Rosny branches. “This was one of the best volunteer days I have ever done,” RACT’s Leah Tierney says. “Having seen the donations come in and to now help prepare some of them to be used in their programs has been a really uplifting experience.”

Dress for Success Hobart has provided clothing and career support to almost 1000 women since supporting its first client in 2019. It’s best known for its pre-employment styling sessions, where clients from all walks of life are literally dressed 54

JOURNEYS // SUMMER 2023-2024

for success, as they’re outfitted in items appropriate for the job they’re seeking to attain. “When our clients first see themselves in the mirror, wearing the new clothes, you can literally see their eyes light up and shoulders pull back with a new level of confidence. It’s so rewarding,” says Clare Moore, Boutique Coordinator.

Our partnership embodies our commitment to community engagement and making a positive difference to the lives of Tasmanians. We’re proud to be able to contribute to supporting women to seek employment and empowering them to pursue their career goals with confidence.

You can find out more about our partnership at ract.com.au/community/communitysupport/dress-for-success

This year, our Community Coordinators journeyed over 11,600km, connecting with more than 4440 Tasmanians. Our team went the extra mile, quite literally, to engage with students and senior groups in less-travelled regions.

From Smithton to Beaconsfield, our team has been there to help educate our community on safer roads.

As advocates of early learning in road safety concepts, Book Week offered an opportunity to infuse a little magic into our community initiatives. Our infants’ road safety storybook program, YIPPEE!, took centre stage at Stepping Stones Childcare, where Southern Community Coordinator Hayley made her TV debut on the local news.

We also established a new relationship with the Launceston Women’s Friendship Group when our Northern Community Coordinator, Sarah, was invited as a guest speaker. “It was a real highlight to contribute to the WFG’s vision of positively impacting the lives of more than two million women throughout Australia by 2023,” she says.

To instill safer driving habits, we visited students at Launceston Big Picture School, with support from one of our dedicated driver trainers, Craig Hopkins. Craig’s firsthand experiences as a police officer, including managing the aftermath of serious car crashes, left a lasting impression on the students. We’re grateful for our driver training team’s dedication to supporting our Tasmanian community.

Find out more about our Community Education programs at ract.com.au /community/community-education

TRAINING OUR TOWIES Tow truck drivers in the US have a fatality rate 15 times higher than other industries, with most fatalities resulting from crashes and equipment-related incidents.

Across Australia there have been multiple fatalities and serious injuries involving roadside workers.

Appropriate training is imperative to protecting our people, and creating a safe environment for our members when they break down.

We recently took the proactive step of conducting Tow Truck Safety training for our team of agents and contractors across Tasmania. A total of 41 tow operators participated in the training, aimed at ensuring they’re well-prepared and equipped to perform their vital duties safely.

Photos: Wallaby / Stu Gibson

Drive to protect Tasmania’s native wildlife It’s a privilege to witness wildlife in its natural habitat, but it comes with a responsibility to protect it – and ourselves. Over 400,000 animals are hit by motorists and die on Tasmanian roads each year, highlighting the urgent need for roadkill awareness and action. At RACT, we believe our members can play a crucial role in making a difference.

The program covered crucial aspects, such as the proper use of personal protective equipment, the safe operation of towing equipment and setting up secure zones around breakdowns. We left no stone unturned in ensuring our team is well-versed in the best practices for towing operations.

RACT has also advocated for changes to laws in Tasmania that require motorists to slow down around roadside assistance workers.

Laws now require motorists to slow to 40km/h when passing stationary or slow-moving emergency or roadside assistance vehicles displaying red, blue or yellow flashing lights on roads with speed limits of 80km/h or less.

There’s also a significant financial cost to roadkill. Wildlife-related insurance claims cost Tasmanians approximately $9.5 million each year.

The hours between 4am and 6am, and 5pm and 11pm, see the highest number of wildlife encounters.

We must slow down from dusk to dawn when animal presence on our roads is at its peak.

Wallabies and kangaroos are encountered most, accounting for 93 per cent of reported claims. These large marsupials often fall victim to road accidents, and we can do more to protect them.

The message is clear: slow down between dusk and dawn, when animals are most active. This can make a life-saving difference. If you hit an animal, please act responsibly and call the Bonorong hotline on 0447 264 62. They provide expert advice and will come to the rescue if the animal is still alive.

Find out more at ract.com.au/community/ related-articles/acting-to-prevent-roadkill

Working together to improve mental health It’s been a big year for our partnership with SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY. We are the major partner of its popular Shorts Day. Together we’ve hosted member and staff events statewide in the name of promoting conversations on mental health.

“The work that the Stay ChatTY team do is so important,” says RACT GCEO Mark Mugnaioni.

“They’ve done an incredible job to help normalise the conversation around mental health. Teaming up with them to offer exclusive sessions for both our members and staff has been so important for us as an organisation.”

This year SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY is celebrating a decade of impact. “Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined we’d achieve all that we have,” says Stay ChatTY founder Mitch McPherson. “Ten years on, it’s an absolute privilege to partner with a wellestablished Tasmanian brand like RACT.” To learn more about our partnership with SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY, visit ract.com. au/community/communitysupport/speak-up-stay-chatty

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How to be prepared this

bushfire season Would you know what to do if your property was threatened by bushfire?

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JOURNEYS // SUMMER 2023-2024

community

DID YOU KNOW?

Photos : IStock

T

asmania Fire Service Acting Chief Officer, Jeremy Smith, is calling on Tasmanians to have a plan and know their options as bushfire season approaches.

“Our bushfire awareness campaign encourages people to ‘protect what they value’ by taking action now and making a plan,” he says. “Tasmania is one of the most bushfire-prone places in the world, and we want to make sure people are informed, prepared and ready for bushfire.

All Tasmanians, regardless of where they live, are urged to visit the TFS website and complete a bushfire plan.

“Your plan will help you know what you need to do right now to prepare, and what actions you will take when bushfire risk increases; what to do, and when to leave early,” he says. “For most people, our loved ones, pets and properties are what we value most.

“For our agricultural sector, machinery, equipment, crops and livestock are also critically important, and having a bushfire plan is an important step to keeping these things safe.”

When the Fire Danger Rating is Extreme or Catastrophic, leaving early is always the safest option.

Preparation matters

No matter where you live, now is the time for everyone to prepare their properties by cleaning out gutters and clearing away potential bushfire fuels, such as long grass and leaves, from around your home.

“People within the agricultural and primary production sectors are urged to plan for the protection of themselves and their assets by creating fire breaks, undertaking fuel reduction and having farm firefighting units on site,” says Smith.

“Having an emergency kit ready with things like a torch, first aid kit, batteries, radio and phone charger is also helpful if you need to leave quickly,” he continues. “Don’t wait until it is too late. Stay informed and know the bushfire warning and alert levels – and the fire danger rating for your area.”

Use your phone camera or a QR code scanner to scan the code and start your bushfire plan now.

Visit fire.tas.gov.au

Make your bushfire plan today Go online to create your personal plan to suit your family, animals and property. You can print copies of your bushfire plan, download it or store it in the cloud, and share it with others. You’ll get a reminder to update it each year.

Reminders include:

• What you can prepare right now • During bushfire risk conditions – what to do and how early you’ll leave • Who to tell, where to go and several options for how to get there • What to pack, ready to take with you • How to prepare animals • How to get your property ready, whether you’re choosing to leave early or staying to defend it •About your back-up options for emergencies

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Take action today.

Protect yourself tomorrow.

Sadly, bushfires have become a regular part of Tasmanian life. They can devastate our communities and take lives. But by taking the right steps today, you can keep your family and home safe tomorrow.

Before buying insurance issued by RACT Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 96 068 167 804, AFS licence 229 076) you should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) which you can find along with the Target Market Determination (TMD) at ract.com.au. Cover is subject to the policy terms.

Prepare your property in the event of bushfire Keep roof and gutters clear of leaves and debris.

Know the Fire Danger Ratings

No rating Moderate – plan and prepare High – be ready to act Extreme – take action now Catastrophic – leave bushfire risk areas

Make sure you have adequate insurance cover.

If you had to leave your home in a hurry, think about the things you’d need to stay safe in those first few hours, and put together an emergency kit. Gather things like bottled water, clothes, first aid kit, blankets, phone (plus charger) and a torch.

If you get stuck and need to defend your home, the right equipment could save your life. Make sure you have protective clothing, face masks, buckets, mops, and extinguishers.

Find a full list of items at fire.tas.gov.au

Build safe outdoor fires ☑ ☑

Make a plan

☑ ☑ ☑ ☑ ☑

Get out early If you’re close to a bushfire, getting out is your safest choice.

Leave yourself plenty of time to avoid being caught in traffic or smoke.

Keep flammable chemicals away from your home.

Put together an emergency kit

Check your risk at tasalert.com

Planning your exit is the best way to stay safe. With your family, write down what you’ll take with you, how you’ll leave, and where you’ll go.

Don’t let your water tanks run dry.

First, check if there are any current fire restrictions.

Ensure you adhere to Tasmania Fire Service advice for creating a clearing from flammable debris / objects.

Always have water or a fire extinguisher handy.

Never leave fires unattended.

Keep looking while cooking.

Don’t extinguish using soil or sand.

To safely extinguish your campfire, soak it with water, stir it, and soak it again.

Scan to Plan!

Create your Bushfire Plan now by scanning the QR code, or visit bushfire.tas.gov.au.

BC • 9588

Remove dry grass, leaves and dead trees around your home.

Changing gears

The push for centralised

ROAD SAFETY DATA REPORTING Every year in Tasmania, an average of 35 people die on our roads. Mel Percival, RACT GM Advocacy & Government Relations, looks at the story behind these numbers.

H

ow can we better understand the causes and consequences of these incidents, not just for the individuals involved, but for our community as a whole?

The simple point is, we’re not armed with enough information to get to the heart of the challenge in turning Tasmania around from having the worst road safety record of any state.

As the leading voice for road safety in Tasmania, RACT believes the first step in addressing our road trauma is understanding the problem, and a significant part of the answer to these questions lies in better data collection and analysis.

While there‘s already a plethora of information about road crashes, it is inconsistent, fragmented and spread

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across several different state and local government authorities, making it difficult to form a clear, comprehensive understanding.

Eve n w it h co mplex c ra s h investigations and coronial inquiries,

we often find ourselves waiting for a clear picture.

Both state and federal governments have recognised the need for improved data for informed decision-making: a commitment that Tasmania has signed up to.

Currently, the road safety data Tasmania does gather is inconsistent and fragmented. We need to urgently prioritise and allocate sufficient resources to improve and centralise how data is collected and analysed.

RACT is pushing for the establishment of a centralised road safety reporting hub to collect detailed data and ensure areas such as such as police, ambulance, hospitals, roads authorities, the Justice Department, the Motor Accident Insurance Board, and local government and other relevant authorities report consistently to this central point.

This isn’t a new idea though. We measure many other essential areas to identify issues; in fact, we allocate funding and track and report outcomes for health and education. We even do it at home to ensure what we’re spending our household budgets on delivers on what we need most.

We believe centralised road safety reporting will result in better information to guide investment and actions to improve the safety outcomes on our roads.

Without our political leaders understanding the full picture, how can we expect them to get anywhere close to addressing the crises occurring on our roads.

3 reasons for advocating for centralised data reporting A budget allocation to the Department of State Growth to establish data gathering and reporting would:

• pinpoint road safety issues and their root causes • measure the impact of any changes and share and replicate successful interventions

• make informed decisions regarding the allocation of infrastructure funding, ensuring your tax dollars are spent where most needed.

community

TOP TIPS FOR SAFE DRIVING

Be safe over the

1

festive season 2 Keep safe during the summer holiday period with these tips from Scott Tilyard, Chair of the Road Safety Advisory Council.

Photo: IStock

W

ith the festive season up on us everything becomes busier, including our roads. Over the next month or so the number of vehicles on Tasmanian roads will increase significantly. More people are travelling to different functions and family events, and we will also see an influx of tourists to our state.

The Road Safety Advisory Council and Tasmania Police are preparing to launch a new campaign that encourages people to think about their driving behaviour this holiday period to ensure they make it safely to their intended destination.

The campaign will highlight the fact that if you break the rules, being caught is one of the best possible outcomes, as it identifies a risky behaviour that could end up resulting in a catastrophic crash.

Christmas is also one of the busiest periods of the year for our police and emergency services. While police are

looking out for bad behaviour, they want nothing more than for all drivers and their passengers to safely complete their journey.

But we need all road users to take responsibility for their actions. It’s easy for people to become frustrated and impatient but making the right decisions both before you get on the road and while on the road can be the difference between life and death. We’re aiming to pick up this bad behaviour before it causes a crash, or worse.

Police will be targeting the ’fatal five’ high-risk behaviours that are the main contributing factors in serious crashes and road fatalities: speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distraction, not wearing a seatbelt and fatigue.

A crash at any time is tragic, but no one wants to see this time of year marred by the death or serious injury of a loved one because of a road crash.

Obey the speed limit

Drivers also need to drive to the conditions. You can’t always drive at the speed limit, especially on rural roads where the default speed limit is 100km/h.

You may need to adjust your speed to suit the conditions particularly on winding and unfamiliar roads.

Pay attention

– it only takes a second to become distracted and cause a crash. Distracted drivers are a danger to not only themselves but also their passengers and other road users. Activities such as texting or even glancing at your mobile phone for a quick second mean your eyes aren’t on the road; it’s like you’re driving blind.

3

Rest if you’re tired

Arriving a little bit late is better than not arriving at all. If you’re planning on a long drive, try to get plenty of rest the night before. If you’re tired, even on a short journey, pull over and rest or postpone your trip.

On longer journeys take regular breaks from driving, at least every two hours, and swap drivers where possible.

4

Buckle up

– seatbelts save lives.

Make sure that everyone in the car has their seatbelt on and that it’s correctly fitted. It’s especially important to ensure that children are wearing a properly fitted seatbelt or harness and that younger children have an approved booster seat.

ract.com.au // JOURNEYS

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Summer ready Stay cool with these member rewards offers

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Members get 10% off the retail price of Tahune Airwalk site entry, Eagle Hang Glider and Twin River rafting experiences.

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puzzles

hgc016 1

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Quiz

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1 Who sang “Down Under”?

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3 Which Italian-Australian actress starred in the film Turtle Beach?

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2 Which model Holden had the first Holden ute in its line-up?

4 What town situated on the Tamar River in north-eastern Tasmania, is the oldest town in Australia?

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5 By what name is Marshall Mathers III better known?

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6 Can opium poppies be legally grown in Tasmania?

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Crossword

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24 Contented; pleased (9)

privacy of (7)

25 Powder obtained by grinding grain (5)

6 Unexpected feature on a DVD,

French words for 18 Aincluded plantasof a or a bonus (6,3) a joke 7 Ensnare (6) 26 A defense pine andof having been genus that somewhere other than at the scene 8 Long, angry speech black (5,4) comprises the of criticism (6) of a crime (5) 9 Lacking the skill or means to do 4 Someone who supports a Old World 27 Entertainment venue that 7 Put upside down something (6) particular party (8) is open from the evening until early pitcher (8) Down 15 Middleplants of a ship, either ormorning in the (9) 10 Tamar Valley winery (4,5) longitudinally or laterally (9) 20 River which has position 28 A sauce for salads (8) 1 Take away a creature (5) opposite 11 Greek mythological 17 Someone who is an official 29 Needing or ready for sleep (6) 12 Musicalfrom instrument with pipes and (6) it'smember source in course number of a group, bellows (5) or college (8) Lake St. Clair another (8) 13 Wide street in a town or city, 8 Obtrusively 18 Very; extremely (8) (7) typically lined with trees (9) bright and 2 Deliciously 20 A knot or coil of hair arranged on Down 14 Catch in or as in a trap (7) the back of a woman’s head (7) 21 Food showy; lurid (6) made from refreshing 1 A surname or any name, especially 16 Alcoholic drink made from yeast, 21 Colour between blue and violet (6) the pressed curds aromatic white a nickname (8) or malt and hops (4) 9 Main body Land surrounded by water (6) 2 Supply energy (8) of22milk (6) wine (8) based on a form of mass 19 Computing of a 23 Trouble or difficulty of any kind (6) microprocessor (4) 3 Criminal act of setting fire to 22 Finding structure 3 (especially of a 25 Causing death (5) property (5) (6) 21 Innocent or unsophisticated something funny young woman (7) previous period) 5 Interrupt the sleep, relaxation or 15 The inability to or entertaining flourishing or feel pain (9) (6) successful (5) JOURNEYS SPRING 17 Range of2023 CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS Across: 1 Stripy, 4 Wrapping, 10 Beetle off, 11 Never, 12 Rally, 13 Gris, 14 Canvass, 23PinotRelatives by16 Drop, 5 Elegant and wavelengths 19 Maid, 21 Cartage, 24 Menagerie, 25 Crepe, 26 Scars, 27 East Coast, 28 Distaste, 29 Foodie. marriage (2-4) cultured in 2 Riesling, 3 Palmy,falling Down: 1 Subtract, 5 Refined, 6between Pinot Noir, 7 Invert, 8 Garish, 9 Corpus, 15 Analgesia, 17 Waveband, 18 Nepenthe, 20 Derwent, 21 Cheese, 22 Amused, 23 In-laws, 25 Cacao. appearance, 25 Dried, two given limits manner, or taste (8) fermented, fatty (7) seed of the fruit Photos: iStock

particular Across interest in food 1 Having the same age or date of (6)origin (6)

7 What are the colours of the Northern Territory’s flag?

8 What was the mid ’90s slogan on Tasmanian number plates?

9 What sort of music does Lee Kernaghan sing?

10 What do philatelists collect?

Want to find out how you did?

Find the answers online at

ract.com.au/puzzles

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65

rear view.

Tasmania as captured by our talented members

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP // Donna Jacobs captured this shot of Hartz Mountains; a fiery sunset at the Flame of Remembrance and Pool of Reflection in Queens Domain, Hobart, by Jules Witek; Hayley Clarke snapped this shot of Moorland Beach; a sunset with a message at Littles Road, Premaydena, on the Tasman Peninsula, by Jules Witek.

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 // SUMMER 2023-2024

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RESERVE YOURS TODAY – 3 WAYS TO SECURE YOUR ORDER 1. MAIL: The Bradford Exchange, Reply Paid 3344 Parramatta NSW 2124 (no stamp required) 2. PHONE: (02) 9841 3311 Lines open 8am – 5pm AEDT Mon to Fri 3. ONLINE: www.bradford.com.au/134226 quoting promotion code:

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WeMoney names Spirit Super best fund for value in 2022 and 2023 As a profit-for-member industry super fund, everything we do is for your benefit. We're proud to be named Best for Value in the WeMoney Superannuation Awards two years in a row. Our members enjoy outstanding value and truly personalised service.

spiritsuper.com.au

Awards and ratings are only one factor to be taken into account when deciding how to invest your super. | Spirit Super has an agreement with WeMoney Pty Ltd (ABN 88 633 007 860) permitting it to use the WeMoney logos, and for WeMoney to promote Spirit Super’s recognition through the WeMoney Awards. Read about the award methodology at wemoney.com.au. | Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) and issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718), the trustee of Spirit Super (ABN 74 559 365 913). Consider the PDS and TMD at spiritsuper.com.au/pds before making a decision. A copy of the Financial services guide for Spirit Super Advice is available at spiritsuper.com.au/financial-services-guide.