EAST COAST OF TASMANIA
ACCORDING TO SURFER DION AGIUS
As kids, we ran wild – riding motorbikes, horses and whatever else we could get our hands on. Now it’s about solitude. Tasmania’s east coast is such an amazing place to go to slow down. Simple stuff like sitting by the fire in winter with a glass of wine, reading a book with no distractions – time moves in slow motion here. There are lots of beautiful beaches and secret spots you can easily find if you get a bit adventurous. The scenery blows me away every day. And the people in Tasmania are some of the nicest and friendliest you’ll ever meet, so don’t be scared to ask a local for hot tips. DION’S PICKS
COFFEE: Coffee Away in St Helens. BRUNCH: The green eggs at The Lifebuoy Cafe & Quail Street Emporium in St Helens are the best, or Room For A Pony in Hobart for eggs benedict. roomforapony.com.au
LONG LUNCH: Oyster Buoy Wine And Seafood Shed in St Helens has amazing seafood and an awesome patio overlooking the bay.
CULTURE HIT: The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart. I usually leave exhausted but brimming with creative energy. mona.net.au
LIVE MUSIC: The Odeon Theatre in Hobart gets some great acts. And the live music scene is amazing during Dark Mofo or MONA’S Foma.
AFTERNOON TIPPLE: A pinot noir at the Devil’s Corner Cellar Door in Apslawn is hard to beat. Bangor Wine & Oyster Shed in Dunalley is amazing, too. brownbrothers.com.au; bangorshed.com.au
SWIM: Bay Of Fires, Freycinet beaches and the river at Halls Falls.
HIKE: Maria Island is beautiful – there are no cars so hiking is a must. Freycinet Circuit has incredible scenery as you hike around the Hazards mountain range.
FARMERS’ MARKETS: Farm Gate Market in Hobart and the Saturday markets at Salamanca. farmgatemarket.com.au; salamanca.com.au
BOOKS: Hobart Book Shop has a nice range of Tasmanian themed reading. hobartbookshop.com.au
DAY TRIP: The Great Eastern Drive takes you through so many amazing spots. Listening to Nick Drake goes nicely with the scenery.
SPECIAL FINDS: John Hounslowrobinson is a Damascus steel knifemaker who forges incredible knives. David Hamilton makes beautiful silver jewellery using a lost wax technique. And my mum, [artist] Kerry Agius, has a little studio and store in Scamander. thecutlersgalley.com ]