The devil in disguise
For all their blustering, open-jawed aggression, Tasmanian Devils are basically wimps according to those who handle them day by day. Patsy Hollis investigates their undeserved profile and their sad decimation by a vigorous facial cancer that evades solution. More here.
Out of devastation
Marcus Tatton creates statuary from the debris of clearfelled forest. With his own two chainsaws, affectionately known as ‘Constantine’ and ‘Claes’, he carves monumental tributes to life from the chaos around him. More here
Calendars galore
Rob Blakers, Andy Townsend and Lyn Irvine all have photographs in Leatherwood Online’s portfolios — and now they are also in print with an amazing collection of calendars.
We’ve got more information in our Creative Tasmania section.
Lemon, vanilla, the spark of rhubarb
The Sweet Debate continues with ambrosial fervour. The latest contribution comes from Simon West, head chef of Meadowbank Estate, who has come up with a tantalising combination. More here.
Raptor refuge a net success
Australia’s largest raptor flight aviary stands just a short walk from Craig Webb’s shack on his 10ha of bushland on the outskirts of a pretty Tasmanian fishing village. Read his fascinating story here.
Green entrance to Hobart
An impressive new enviromentally-sensitive Centre for Learning is being constructed by the followers of the Bahá’í faith on what was formerly the ABC parking lot in Hobart. More here.
Tassie sheep farmer rugs up
What do prayer flags fluttering at the top mountain passes in Tibet have to do with a fifth generation Tasmanian sheep farmer? Find out more here.
Google loves us
Our new Bed & Breakfast in Tasmania blog has got to Number 1 position on Google if, like most visitors, you search for “bed and breakfast in Tasmania”.
Other variations on the theme also get us on the home page.
Tasmanian rock
A climbing road trip to Tasmania had its challenges for Phil Box and his mates from Queensland — including a cold snap that demanded they wear all their clothes at the same time, and an errant rock that nearly ended Phil’s climbing days. He has more to say here.
Climax of a canine career
The Supreme Australian Sheep Dog Championships are hard-fought competitions, as their name might suggest. Tim Dub was on hand to record their finesse and finality. More here
The Pipeline Track
A popular walk winding through the foothills of Mount Wellington, the Pipeline Track has historical significance as well as great scenic beauty. For more than a century it played a major part in the supply of water to Hobart. Nick Osborne walks the Track with camera and pen here.
Three Stones
Sculptor Peter Adams has written an evocative essay on three stones he found near Roaring Beach that had obviously been taken to the site by a people long ago. He tries to imagine the lives of the people involved, and the consequences of later actions by today’s inhabitants. Read more here.
The shape of Tasmania
The whimsical, wonderful and weird ways in which Tasmania’s distinctive triangular shape has been used by illustrators, cartoonists and graphic designers are featured in an online exhibition created by the State Library of Tasmania. More is revealed here.
Birds of Heard Island
The bleak landscape of Heard Island, with its volcano, glaciers, and volcanic soils, is an isolated outpost which happens to be home for hundreds of thousands of birds — including several species of albatross, skua and petrels. Photographer Roger Kirkwood captured their many moods here.
Black gold
For our Food & Wine writer, Graeme Phillips, the excitement of holding freshly-dug truffles “in your hand, putting them to your nose, inhaling their heady aroma and realizing that they’ll never smell better than they do right now, straight out of the ground, and that we’re holding and smelling the only fresh truffles available anywhere in the world at that moment, is indescribable”. The saga continues here.
