A Brooklyn-based, sixth generation Tasmanian here! They will be so thrilled to have you there, as Tasmanians are known voracious readers! Here are some suggestions in addition to everyone else's great tips:
- First up, dress warm! Even though it's part of Australia, Tasmania is really, really cold this time of year (the next stop south is Antartica, after all). We also don't love central heating like the US does!
- At MONA, be sure to find the Madonna room. And take the ferry to get there!
- In Hobart, grab a coffee at Jackman & McRoss in Battery Point and then stroll around the neighbourhood to marvel at the adorable fisherman's cottages. Then walk down the Kelly Steps into Salamanca Place (the markets are on Saturdays).
- For more delicious baked goods, head to Pigeon Whole Bakers.
- If you have time, take the ferry to Bruny Island and be sure to stop at Bruny Island Cheese.
- Great restaurants in Hobart include Dier Makr, Institut Polaire, Peppina, and Fico.
- A quick roadtrip from Hobart is Richmond, a quaint little town that looks straight out of England (we're a colony, after all) and has the best sweet shop (and also a bakery!)
- For cute native Australian animals, head to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Definitely go up to the top of kunanyi, but see aforementioned tip about dressing warm!
- Another short day trip is Russell Falls in Mount Field National Park, which are stunning—stop by the Possum Shed on the way for lunch and sit on the deck where you might spot a platypus in the creek below. They have a great Devonshire tea there too.
- For bookstores, head to Fuller's, Hobart Bookshop and the Dymocks in Centrepoint (and tell them Mikki Brammer said hello!).
Haha, came here to recommend Bonorong and MONA - I see Mikki has things covered! I'm still kicking myself for not visiting Bonorong when I was in Tassie just before the pandemic; it's become my favorite IG follow by a country mile. And I love eccentric museums, and MONA combines quirk and sleek organization in a manner I've never seen executed so capably. Big yes to the ferry, too! I'd ride that ferry recreationally!
Nothin' like back pain, being on the floor and not being able to move a quarter-inch without keen suffering, and believing that, well, the rest of your life will have to be spent right there. Oh yes. But what I really wanted to say was thanks for the shout-out for Treasure Island !!!--you don't see it mentioned often, but I thought it was a certified hoot.
Melbourne recs: Baker Bleu, wandering around the NGV, Il Solito Posto. Back pain recs: a wheat pack you can stick in the microwave or an electric heat pack you can plug in. A small foam roller you can travel with.
Sorry to hear about your back. Both my husband and I have dealt with back pain over the years. I think I was probably about the same age you are now when I put a small tear in a disc (small tear, big pain). My husband was much younger when he herniated a disc. It can be really discouraging, but don't despair. Bodies heal. They just do. Give it time, and ice (20 minutes at a time, several times a day), and arnica (oral pellets and lotion or gel to rub where it hurts). Rest, but don't go completely immobile. I always find when my recovery from a flare up plateaus and I feel stuck, it's because I'm resting too much. Gentle, easy walks on flat surfaces (no hills at first) can help you get to the next level in your recovery. And here's the most important bit of advice I can give you from age 52: Exercise. Once you're recovered make sure you're moving, stretching, and strengthening your core. Your abs are like security guards for your back. If they're sleeping on the job, your back has to work harder. I recently got back to lap swimming and it feels like a really effective way to take care of my back and abs without harshing on my joints. If you don't have a physical activity that you enjoy enough to do it several times a week, find one. But remember, bodies heals, often times all on their own. Don't be discouraged, you'll start to feel better soon. Good luck.
Happy birthday! Oh, I feel you. The whole back pain thing is a total fecker! I'm similarly afflicted at the mo and - perhaps ill-advisedly - took some painkillers a couple of hours ago and then attempted my gym class... I'm now back at my desk and crossing fingers and toes that keeping moving has been the right thing to do! Oh, get yourself one of those spiky mats, too. A total saviour (perhaps because it's pretty painful, cancelling our the back pain?!) Anyway, last week I wrote smugly about staying limber and approaching 40 and got a shout-out on Substack's Instagram account for my efforts. If you're interested, here it is! Oh, and happy travels. I have zero recommendations for your time away, but will continue to recommend YOU to others (but my pontifications on that I'll save for another note): https://lindsayjohnstone.substack.com/p/what-now-well-armed-for-pushing-40
I once hurt my back picking up a Cheerio off the floor which was the most "mom" injury ever. It was so painful but it did introduce me to the magic of muscle relaxers, the leftover ones turned out to be the best treatment ever for the joy of peri-menopause period cramps. So... yay?
In Melbourne, explore the City laneways and stop frequently for excellent coffee; have a gimlet at the bar at Gimlet;take a riverside walk, or a walk through the Fitzroy Gardens; a boujie high tea at the gracious Windsor Hotel: contemporay art at the Ian Potter gallery. All these are within a small radius in the City and near Federation Sq. Have a great time! https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/things-to-do/the-best-laneways-and-arcades-in-melbourne
My sister (a librarian) and her husband will be volunteer lighthouse keepers on Bruny Island (TAS) for the next little while. If you visit you will find two very keen readers. My sister borrowed two boxes of books from me (including yours I think, I can't see it on my shelf) for their stay. Hope you feel better soon. Safe travels.
Big yes to Jury Duty! My son insisted we watch it last week and we binge-watched the whole thing in one evening. It is simultaneously the funniest and most wholesome thing I have watched in a long while.
I was a grind and a nerd, and no one even gave me weed to try until my senior year. Better you didn't know me then, as I was still working through being on the spectrum, and I wasn't especially pleasant.
Hi Emma, I live on the east coast of Tas, and second someone's comment that Wineglass Bay is worth the day trip north. And, on the way, if you want to wander among wombats (literally) then Maria Island off Triabunna is spectacularly beautiful - just a short ferry ride and you are a million miles from anywhere. Hmm. My favourite sandwiches are from Pigeon Whole Bakery - if you are a fan of egg sandwiches then these are the best! https://www.pigeonwholebakers.com.au/ they also do a good vego one and chicken. Good luck with your back. I hurt mine in my 48th year and well, it's as good as new...now. mm
Omg I love eating in Melbourne. Especially at Cumulus! The best breakfast, best everything. I will find my restaurant list and send it. Happy Birthday Emma!
Oh no, hope you feel better before your trip, and Happy Birthday! Couldn't pre-order from Europe I think? but I wait patiently for release here, the book looks like just my cup of tea and praise from Ann Patchett 😍 woop that's wonderful, can't wait to read it
Ugh! The back injury is the worst! I’ll be 50 next year and the medicine cabinet is definitely getting interesting 😊 Hope you get better soon. And also, Jury Duty on Amazon Prime is excellent and I’m dying to get my hands on The Wager. ⚓️
A Brooklyn-based, sixth generation Tasmanian here! They will be so thrilled to have you there, as Tasmanians are known voracious readers! Here are some suggestions in addition to everyone else's great tips:
- First up, dress warm! Even though it's part of Australia, Tasmania is really, really cold this time of year (the next stop south is Antartica, after all). We also don't love central heating like the US does!
- At MONA, be sure to find the Madonna room. And take the ferry to get there!
- In Hobart, grab a coffee at Jackman & McRoss in Battery Point and then stroll around the neighbourhood to marvel at the adorable fisherman's cottages. Then walk down the Kelly Steps into Salamanca Place (the markets are on Saturdays).
- For more delicious baked goods, head to Pigeon Whole Bakers.
- If you have time, take the ferry to Bruny Island and be sure to stop at Bruny Island Cheese.
- Great restaurants in Hobart include Dier Makr, Institut Polaire, Peppina, and Fico.
- A quick roadtrip from Hobart is Richmond, a quaint little town that looks straight out of England (we're a colony, after all) and has the best sweet shop (and also a bakery!)
- For cute native Australian animals, head to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Definitely go up to the top of kunanyi, but see aforementioned tip about dressing warm!
- Another short day trip is Russell Falls in Mount Field National Park, which are stunning—stop by the Possum Shed on the way for lunch and sit on the deck where you might spot a platypus in the creek below. They have a great Devonshire tea there too.
- For bookstores, head to Fuller's, Hobart Bookshop and the Dymocks in Centrepoint (and tell them Mikki Brammer said hello!).
Hope you feel better soon!
amaaaaaazing! thank you!
Haha, came here to recommend Bonorong and MONA - I see Mikki has things covered! I'm still kicking myself for not visiting Bonorong when I was in Tassie just before the pandemic; it's become my favorite IG follow by a country mile. And I love eccentric museums, and MONA combines quirk and sleek organization in a manner I've never seen executed so capably. Big yes to the ferry, too! I'd ride that ferry recreationally!
Nothin' like back pain, being on the floor and not being able to move a quarter-inch without keen suffering, and believing that, well, the rest of your life will have to be spent right there. Oh yes. But what I really wanted to say was thanks for the shout-out for Treasure Island !!!--you don't see it mentioned often, but I thought it was a certified hoot.
Melbourne recs: Baker Bleu, wandering around the NGV, Il Solito Posto. Back pain recs: a wheat pack you can stick in the microwave or an electric heat pack you can plug in. A small foam roller you can travel with.
Sorry to hear about your back. Both my husband and I have dealt with back pain over the years. I think I was probably about the same age you are now when I put a small tear in a disc (small tear, big pain). My husband was much younger when he herniated a disc. It can be really discouraging, but don't despair. Bodies heal. They just do. Give it time, and ice (20 minutes at a time, several times a day), and arnica (oral pellets and lotion or gel to rub where it hurts). Rest, but don't go completely immobile. I always find when my recovery from a flare up plateaus and I feel stuck, it's because I'm resting too much. Gentle, easy walks on flat surfaces (no hills at first) can help you get to the next level in your recovery. And here's the most important bit of advice I can give you from age 52: Exercise. Once you're recovered make sure you're moving, stretching, and strengthening your core. Your abs are like security guards for your back. If they're sleeping on the job, your back has to work harder. I recently got back to lap swimming and it feels like a really effective way to take care of my back and abs without harshing on my joints. If you don't have a physical activity that you enjoy enough to do it several times a week, find one. But remember, bodies heals, often times all on their own. Don't be discouraged, you'll start to feel better soon. Good luck.
Happy birthday! Oh, I feel you. The whole back pain thing is a total fecker! I'm similarly afflicted at the mo and - perhaps ill-advisedly - took some painkillers a couple of hours ago and then attempted my gym class... I'm now back at my desk and crossing fingers and toes that keeping moving has been the right thing to do! Oh, get yourself one of those spiky mats, too. A total saviour (perhaps because it's pretty painful, cancelling our the back pain?!) Anyway, last week I wrote smugly about staying limber and approaching 40 and got a shout-out on Substack's Instagram account for my efforts. If you're interested, here it is! Oh, and happy travels. I have zero recommendations for your time away, but will continue to recommend YOU to others (but my pontifications on that I'll save for another note): https://lindsayjohnstone.substack.com/p/what-now-well-armed-for-pushing-40
I once hurt my back picking up a Cheerio off the floor which was the most "mom" injury ever. It was so painful but it did introduce me to the magic of muscle relaxers, the leftover ones turned out to be the best treatment ever for the joy of peri-menopause period cramps. So... yay?
(I hope you are better very, very soon)
In Melbourne, explore the City laneways and stop frequently for excellent coffee; have a gimlet at the bar at Gimlet;take a riverside walk, or a walk through the Fitzroy Gardens; a boujie high tea at the gracious Windsor Hotel: contemporay art at the Ian Potter gallery. All these are within a small radius in the City and near Federation Sq. Have a great time! https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/things-to-do/the-best-laneways-and-arcades-in-melbourne
My sister (a librarian) and her husband will be volunteer lighthouse keepers on Bruny Island (TAS) for the next little while. If you visit you will find two very keen readers. My sister borrowed two boxes of books from me (including yours I think, I can't see it on my shelf) for their stay. Hope you feel better soon. Safe travels.
Big yes to Jury Duty! My son insisted we watch it last week and we binge-watched the whole thing in one evening. It is simultaneously the funniest and most wholesome thing I have watched in a long while.
I was a grind and a nerd, and no one even gave me weed to try until my senior year. Better you didn't know me then, as I was still working through being on the spectrum, and I wasn't especially pleasant.
https://mona.net.au/
Fantastic museum
Hobart, Tasmania.
im going! already got my tix!
Hi Emma, I live on the east coast of Tas, and second someone's comment that Wineglass Bay is worth the day trip north. And, on the way, if you want to wander among wombats (literally) then Maria Island off Triabunna is spectacularly beautiful - just a short ferry ride and you are a million miles from anywhere. Hmm. My favourite sandwiches are from Pigeon Whole Bakery - if you are a fan of egg sandwiches then these are the best! https://www.pigeonwholebakers.com.au/ they also do a good vego one and chicken. Good luck with your back. I hurt mine in my 48th year and well, it's as good as new...now. mm
Omg I love eating in Melbourne. Especially at Cumulus! The best breakfast, best everything. I will find my restaurant list and send it. Happy Birthday Emma!
Oh no, hope you feel better before your trip, and Happy Birthday! Couldn't pre-order from Europe I think? but I wait patiently for release here, the book looks like just my cup of tea and praise from Ann Patchett 😍 woop that's wonderful, can't wait to read it
Ugh! The back injury is the worst! I’ll be 50 next year and the medicine cabinet is definitely getting interesting 😊 Hope you get better soon. And also, Jury Duty on Amazon Prime is excellent and I’m dying to get my hands on The Wager. ⚓️
This headline...😎
And of course, HAPPY BIRTHDAY🎉