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@ Greens Beach, Tasmania
Rick O'Shade begins his walkabout in Tasmania!
Greens Beach, Tasmania
At the mouth of the Tamar River lies Greens Beach, a starting point for the Narawntapu National Park, in Tasmania. There are easy trails for walking and stunning views, with plenty of wildlife to take photographs of.

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@ Forest Walk, Cradle Mountain

Navy Flower Power Egg
The first painted eggs came from Mesopotamia, and because eggs were forbidden food during Lent, people painted eggs while Lent was being observed—after Lent, they would eat the eggs on Easter Day.

Beautifully decorated eggs “pysanka” are associated with Ukraine, and the oldest painted egg that was unearthed in northern Ukraine is dated to the end of the 17th century.

Forest Walk, Cradle Mountain
Weindorfers Forest Walk, Cradle Mountain

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@ Dove Lake
"Chef's making the famous Tassie Scallop pie for us all tonight, followed by pavlova, Silky!" commented Rick O'Shade.
"Wow! I'll put these Lamingtons away then—I'd better leave some room for that treat!"
Dove Lake
Found in the Cradle Mountain National Park, this is a beautiful scenic lake, shown here shrouded in mist on a grey day, while the waves gently lap the shore, and with a picturesque little boathouse at the forefront.

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@ Crater Lake
"Tasmania is a lot larger than I thought it was, you know, Rianna!"
"Well, did you know Tasmania is the 26th largest island in the world, Rick O'Shade?" responded Rianna. "At 25.105 sq miles (68,332 sq km) it's almost the same size as Sri Lanka, and a bit smaller than the Republic of Ireland."
Crater Lake
This beauty spot is found in the Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park. The walls of the "crater" were carved out by glacier ice thousands of years ago. The water is deep blue, as tannins from tea trees lining the banks leach into the water. It makes for an extremely scenic walk so don't forget your camera!

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@ Blue Lake at Cradle Mountain
"So, according to our tour guide, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman 'discovered' the current Tasmania, which he called Van Diemen's Land, on 24 November 1642. But as we know, it was already occupied by Aboriginal peoples—are you listening, Rick O'Shade?"
"I was thinking. In that year, Cardinal Richelieu died—and Galileo—and the English Civil War was in full swing, Rembrandt finished The Night Watch and Isaac Newton was born. 1642 was a busy year, Icicle!"
Blue Lake at Cradle Mountain
It must be well worth every step of the hike through the forest trail to be able to gaze down on this peaceful blue tree-fringed lake.

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@ Spooky Train Tunnel, Zeehan
Tasmania has the largest privately owned lavender farm in the world, called Bridestowe Lavender Estate, located in Nabowla. It is open everyday and entry is free.
Spooky Train Tunnel, Zeehan
In former times steam locomotives ran regularly in Tasmania but now they are used as tourist services in a few places only.

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@ West Coast Wilderness Railway
"It says here that Tasmania has water so pure, it produces the only internationally approved bottled rainwater!" remarked Rick O'Shade.
"Wow! I'm loving this place!" responded HOot.
West Coast Wilderness Railway
If you fancy a train trip drawn by an old steam engine, you've come to the right place! These special services run for tourists to view the West Coast Wilderness.

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@ Macquarie Harbour
"Tasmania is a lot larger than I thought it was, you know, Artie!"
"Well, did you know Tasmania is the 26th largest island in the world, Rick O'Shade?" responded Artie. "At 25.105 sq miles (68,332 sq km) it's almost the same size as Sri Lanka, and a bit smaller than the Republic of Ireland."
Macquarie Harbour
Near Strahan on Tasmania, this white lighthouse has been standing guard over the harbour and preventing ships from going aground in fog for many years. The harbour was named after a former governor of Tasmania, Lachlan Macquarie, who was born in Scotland.

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@ Red-Necked Wallaby
"Hey! We're going to an olive oil tasting today, Rick O'Shade!" enthused Brigit.
Disappointed, her friend pulled a face. "I don't fancy drinking olive oil, Brigit."
"No, you mop it up with some freshly made sourdough bread. C'mon, it'll be great—it says here that thanks to the rich volcanic soils and a cool climate, Tasmania is able to produce some of Australia’s best olives."
Red-Necked Wallaby
Australia has an amazing variety of unique wildlife! This is the red-necked wallaby, also known as Bennett's wallaby - macropus rufogriseus.

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@ Shrieking Tasmanian Devil
"Next trivia question, Tassie! Name the highest mountain in Tasmania?"
"That's easy, Rick O'Shade, it's on our itinerary, or we're going nearby, at any rate. Mount Ossa, at 5305 feet (1617 m)."
Shrieking Tasmanian Devil
These animals have an extremely powerful bite, so you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of it! They are strong swimmers, can run at 15 mph for an hour without stopping, and when young, they are excellent at climbing trees!

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@ Tasmanian Devil
The six main languages spoken in Tasmania in order of frequency include English, Mandarin, Nepali, German, Greek and Italian.
Tasmanian Devil
Tasmanian Devils are named after the scary screeching noises they make. The first European settlers on Tasmania would hear unearthly, blood-curdling screams and growls from deep within the bush, making them imagine that demons were surrounding them in the wilderness!

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@ Tasmanian Beech Tree
"Next trivia question, Grayson! Name the highest mountain in Tasmania?"
"That's easy, Rick O'Shade, it's on our itinerary, or we're going nearby, at any rate. Mount Ossa, at 5305 feet (1617 m)."
Tasmanian Beech Tree
In mid-autumn these trees produce a myriad colours in Tasmania's high country. The crinkle-cut leaves turn from bright gold to orange and dark red and orange. The colours reach a peak around the end of April and usually stay vibrant until May. The Latin name for a beech is fagus. ??In Celtic mythology, Fagus was the god of beech trees. The tree was thought to have medicinal properties and its leaves were boiled to make healing poultices.

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@ Shipwreck, Derwent River
Do you suppose we could take a wine and cheese tour while we are in Tassie, Rick O'Shade? All this sight-seeing is making me feel a little peckish!
Shipwreck, Derwent River
The sad, derelict remains of the Otago, a three-masted barque which had had a very busy life. It was built in the Glasgow shipyards in 1869, sailed from Scotland to New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore and then Australia, where it was put to use hauling coal before being abandoned in the Derwent River, Tasmania, in 1931.

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@ Shell collector's paradise
"Hey! We're going to an olive oil tasting today, Rick O'Shade!" enthused Camo.
Disappointed, his friend pulled a face. "I don't fancy drinking olive oil, Camo."
"No, you mop it up with some freshly made sourdough bread. C'mon, it'll be great—it says here that thanks to the rich volcanic soils and a cool climate, Tasmania is able to produce some of Australia’s best olives."
Shell collector's paradise
A beautiful little sandy beach in Tasmania. Who knows what treasures will be turned up by the tide?

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@ Better in Kettering
Oh look ... you won a pet!
Better in Kettering
This coastal town is noted for its orchards of apples, pears and cherries. It is situated on the D'Entrecasteaux Channel opposite Bruny Island. It haa sheltered harbour full of yachts and fishing vessels.

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@ Snug, North-West Bay
Watch out for snakes! Many dangerous snakes live in Tasmania. The lowland Copperhead Snake and the Tiger Snake are the two most venomous and can cause harm to humans. In fact, be more wary of ants… a stinging ant presents a greater problem than snakes in Tasmania! The Jack Jumper Ant is said to cause roughly one death every four years, though its attacks are also said to cause plenty of discomfort. And the ‘animal magic’ doesn’t stop there… wood scorpions also live in Tasmania. Their stings are painful, but not known to be fatal.
Snug, North-West Bay
An aptly named little bay! It looks so cosy, having the beach to yourself and relaxing with the view to the far side while the sun sinks further down.

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@ Driftwood Debris
"Capital city of Tasmania, mucki?"
"Easy, Rick O'Shade! It's Hobart."
Driftwood Debris
The action of wind and tides and waves washes ashore pieces of wood. Once ashore, driftwood can provide shelter for birds and plants. Artists often like to work with driftwood for its decorative qualities.

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@ North West Bay at Sunset
"There's loads of wineries here, aren't there, Rick O'Shade? We'll be going to one called Puddleduck Vineyard—what a lovely name!"
"Sounds quirky! And look, Sweetums, it's near the Wicked Cheese Company! I think we're going to have a very good time this afternoon!"
North West Bay at Sunset
The world at peace: water laps lazily against the jetty, yachts bob gently to and fro having moored for the night, and the clouds show a pinky glow as the sun sets. Thus ends another beautiful day in Margate, Tasmania.

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@ Tasman Peninsula
"Our tour guide was saying that one of the highest suspended canopy walks in the world is here on Tasmania," remarked Rick O'Shade. "The Tahune Air Walk was installed amongst the treetops overlooking the Tasmanian Wilderness."
"So how high up is it?" asked Midnight.
"It's 164 feet (50 m) high! Not for the faint of heart!"
Tasman Peninsula
This area of south-east Tasmania is known for its beautiful beaches, bays, large surf, soaring cliffs and abundance of wildlife.

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@ Wetlands, Australia
The Aurora Australis Southern Lights are best seen from Tasmania. The best spot is the furthest point south, closest to the South Pole, which is Cockle Creek. The best time is winter and you need a good camera and tripod to see them properly.
Wetlands, Australia
Australia has a variety of wetland areas, marshes, peatlands, lakes, rivers, and floodplains. Wetlands have a significance that extends across national borders. Australian wetlands are found mainly near the coast. Precious and beautiful wetlands help prevent flooding and are used, by animals and birds in part of their life cycle. Twenty percent of the bird species in Australia depend on wetlands.

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@ Pacific Gull
"Tasmania is a lot larger than I thought it was, you know, Boo! Call me George!"
"Well, did you know Tasmania is the 26th largest island in the world, Rick O'Shade?" responded Boo! Call me George. "At 25.105 sq miles (68,332 sq km) it's almost the same size as Sri Lanka, and a bit smaller than the Republic of Ireland."
Pacific Gull
The Pacific gull is a native of the coasts of Australia. It is a very large bird (the picture is of a juvenile). It monitors the shoreline, either on its own or with a companion, flying high up.

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@ Lime Bottlebrush Tree
Do you suppose we could take a wine and cheese tour while we are in Tassie, Rick O'Shade? All this sight-seeing is making me feel a little peckish!
Lime Bottlebrush Tree
Only found in Tasmania, this plant grows spiky yellow or yellow-green flowers in early summer.

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@ North West Bay, Tasmania
"Why do they call Tasmania The Apple Isle, Rick O'Shade?"
"Just look around you, Millicent! There is almost as much orchards and market gardens here as there is temperate rain forest."
North West Bay, Tasmania
The perfect scene! A beautiful place to relax as the sun sets over the water of this rush-fringed bay. North West Bay opens out into the Tasman Sea which is part of the South Pacific Ocean.

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@ Tasmanian Red Bottlebrush
"Gotcha hiking boots ready, Rick O'Shade? There's over 1250 miles of walking trails in Tasmania!"
"Oh gosh, Sea Breeze, we'll have to take it in easy stages!"
Tasmanian Red Bottlebrush
Callistemon are evergreen shrubs with aromatic lance-shaped leaves and bottlebrush-like spikes of flowers in which the long colourful stamens are prominent. Tasmania has many varieties, and this is one of the most striking.

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@ Lavender Farm
Rick O'Shade has now completed his walkabout in Tasmania! As he prepares to go home, he receives a wonderful gift!
Parachuting Sugar Glider, Green
Gliding, going gliding, whee! This new parachute enables me to glide much further than I usually can. I love this feeling of freedom. I just need help attaching it to myself, though it is always more fun to glide with someone else. I like to sprinkle seeds or flower petals when I am in the air. Please join me, and we can make a day of seeing just how far we can glide.

Lavender Farm
This huge lavender farm, one of the largest in the world, is situated in Nabowla, in the northeast of Tasmania. Just imagine walking down paths in between banks of waist-high lavender with its glorious scent! There is a gift shop selling a cute lavender teddy bear to help soothe sore muscles!
Rick O'Shade has enjoyed his walkabout in Tasmania, but it is time to go home now! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy an Australian Walkabout!