Travelways

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Detour sure to jog the memory

THIS year's travel section started with a visit to a new Swansea property seeking luxury travellers and wound up last week with a clamber up Mount Direction on the East Tamar. In between, the section has paddled the Franklin River, walked to the wild south-west tip and dived the waters of Fortescue Bay. The Franklin trip was wild _ we camped in a cave, practised rescue drills in the freezing river and when the guides said "paddle'' - we dug in as if our lives depended on it. Although camping, we weren't really roughing it. The guides from Rafting Tasmania whipped up gourmet meals every evening so we were never going to emerge from the wilderness as gaunt survivors. More like plump paddlers. Still, the sight of Trevor Norton's  Stormbreaker coming up the Gordon River to rendezvous with our group was a welcome one. Back in Strahan, the presence of parking meters tells visitors just how much this fishing village has transformed into a buzzing tourism hub. Strahan Village was my base for a rattling good trip on the West Coast Wilderness Railway - and premier class is all about the creature comforts. Fine food, wine and personalised commentary to breathe life into the historic twists and turns of the rail journey to Queenstown. From far west to the North-East, the travel section followed the Trail of the Tin Dragon to  Weldborough and discovered a mountain-biking mecca and a cosy base at the Weldborough Hotel. To the north, at Ansons Bay, the Bay of Fires Lodge was a wonderful place to learn the ropes from experienced landscape photographer Grenville Turner. In and around Launceston, walks to the First Basin and Duck Reach were a reminder that some of the most interesting places are right under your nose. Tamar Island was another example _ within 10 minutes' walk of a suburban bus stop yet an important wetlands habitat acting as the lungs of Launceston. Tasmanian tourism welcomed a new star _ the Federal Group's Saffire resort opened to international acclaim. Down South, Mount Wellington turned on a spectacular winter's morning with clear views to Ben Lomond and the sprawling suburbs of Hobart. Cascade Brewery and Lark Distillery are both attracting visitors in droves, each serving up  world-class fluids to discerning customers. Harmony Hill Wellness and Organic Spa Retreat at Margate has given Japanese healer Ami Nakamura an outlet for her considerable talents. In August, an invitation from the Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre led to stories about the centre's museum and Yarns, Tassie's version of the Bayeux Tapestry, before a snoop at Huntsman Lake. A summer bushwalk to the far South-West Coast provided the inspiration for a series of stories. From a light plane flight to Melaleuca, boggy walking and New Harbour's extraordinary vistas, this was a look at one of Tasmania's most remote coastal areas. This month's stories were up and down the Tamar River. From Bradys Lookout to Notley Gorge on the West Tamar, to hooking a salmon at George Town and walking up to the signal station at Mount Direction. The island state is full of travel possibilities and they all seem to open up when you take that first step.