Each of us travel to our own beat. Tasmania Travels brings in life stories of Australia mainland and Tasmania (Feb-Mar 2026) with learnings and adventures. Travels would include photos as pictures speak a thousand words. I can just imagine how many travel stories you all have.
First, one week in Adelaide then a short flight to Launceston, Tasmania where after a few days, our group had gathered and was escorted to the dark room space near some mountains. After the retreat and as a group, we visited a few places, Queenstown (once a mining town), Strahan (on the west coast), then to the beautiful city of Hobart (south east and capital of Tasmania). From Hobart, we visited Bruny Island, Huon Valley, and nearby sights. Then for nine days, I stayed with an old friend of my husband, Terry and his wife, Marie (much gratitude for their hospitality A++). That was an adventurous time from climbing mountains to walking the beaches to the farthest southern point of Tasmania.
Cheryl Millett feeding Alpacas Huon Valley
Yes, you would have to be there to experience the experiences in order to bring forth the full flavour of Tasmania. Even I would have to venture there again to see what I didn’t see – for starters, sea horses and the east coast drive. Here it goes…close your eyes, down the hatch, and fly to the mountain top and back!
Adelaide Australia Adventures
After one week, you have discovered a beautiful place to live. Fruit and palm trees, rolling hills, exotic birds, and plenty of beauty in views and a small city feel. Actually sounds like Tasmania as well.
An opportunity to do some hiking, feed the backyard birds, make good food and settle in to the time difference with a good friend. She introduced me to the two ingredient chocolate cake…chocolate (more than just cocoa…oh well) and oranges. Delicious.
In Adelaide, my friend has a few Magpies (know to be intelligent) swoop in regularly to get some ground meat. Their song reminded me of R2-D2 from Star Wars which allowed me to identify them at a distance. A flock of Green Roselas, green, red and blue, would feast on the nearby fig tree. A pair of pink Galah cockatoos would feed from the bird feeder.
We have some beautiful birds here in Canada…today I saw a pair of Mallard ducks, eagles in their nest, snowbirds, and sparrows eating in the grass. The Sandhill cranes are gorgeous prehistoric looking birds that make a loud noise but in the my first year of gardening on the island could easily fly in and eat my purple corn.
Next flight…to Launceston, Tasmania.
Tasmania Travels Begins with the Dark Room Retreat
The key reason for traveling to Tasmania was to participate in the ‘Dark Room Retreat.”
What was it like being without sunshine and sunlight for 12 days? It was peaceful and quiet, and not a soul went bat shite crazy. I had no idea what was happening in the world (Iran) outside the building. It was time to just be and to see what the mind wishes to chatter on about. It was an opportunity to expand my metaphysical learnings and to practice what was taught (sessions and meditations). Everyone immersed in the dark had their own experience with a range of happenings especially in the vein of releases and aha moments but not limited to those.
Tasmania sacred site
Seeing in the Dark
What I will share is that after two days, I could see in the dark. Imagine a bluish tinge to the room but you see the shapes of the bed, the chair, and the door handle. At times, the tinge was red. Was it my imagination? Another part of our brain can see. To be sure, I put on my eye mask and voila, everything was still clearly visible. Hmmm…it took time to get there and it would take time to get there again.
Cheryl Millett feeding kangaroos Tasmania
The Star Light
At night, we were able to stand under the stars. Although, peace and quiet evaded the nighttime, I could still hear noises of birds and cars during the day while in my stillness. We were not in the middle of nowhere…although a dark room retreat could be designed as such to mimic a cave.
Some of us could easily have stayed awhile longer.
What was it like when we completed the dark room retreat and it was time to enter the daylight? Easier than I thought and it was time to get caught up on what was happening in the world. After this ‘well worth it’ experience, the grand thought of going into a shell for a few days even a week at a time is enticing. The learnings expand into my holistic practices and being of service.
Cradle Mountain Tasmania
Landscape Differences
This was not like going to Germany where you could believe you were in Canada although in Tasmania there are clouds, skies, trees, earth and water like most places.
Tree ferns Tasmania
Old growth and very big trees stand tall in some places on the island which reminded me of British Columbia (Canada). Many trees and plants were 3-5 times bigger and house plants grew outside even though temperatures went to zero in the Winter. The soil didn’t freeze. I saw large rosemary bushes (not delicate plants) that stay all year long. Ferns that towered over me along with the massive tree ferns. Could I have shrunk!?
From time to time, the vehicles needed to be fueled up to carry on to our adventures. No one was present at some of the petro (not gas) stations. By the end of my Tasmania travels, petro prices where Regular 2.589 Diesel 3.159 so more expensive than home (Regular 1.75/litre).
Animals and Creatures
As animals are shared in zoos from the four corners of the earth, it is most delightful to see new animals afoot in the wild. There are the ones you don’t find in Canada and the ones that you don’t find in Tasmania.
For starters, the Tasmania Devil still exists in the wild there but I didn’t see one as most animals are shy and nocturnal. What you do see there is plenty of animals where some found their fate in front of vehicles. Injured animals can be rescued and taken care of until they are ready to return to the wild – some of which are pets that turn out to be too much for the owners or they out live them (certain birds). Did you know some birds live to 80 years old?
The Tasmania Devil got its name because their eyes appear red at night so do their thin skinned ears appear red in the light of the night. First explorers took them as devils because they appeared to have horns. Nothing like the Tasmania Devil in the Bugs Bunny cartoons. Most creatures are quick to exit when they see you…deer will run lickety split (very fast).
Echidna touches Cheryl’s boot in Tasmania – also known as a Spiny Anteater
Snakes and Tiger
There are snakes and all of the them venomous. I did get to see a five foot Tiger snake in the last days. With a spray of water from the garden hose, the snake slithered away shyly. It does make sense that many creatures would rather depart than stay. It means watching where you walk…heads up as well as heads down.
Tasmanian Forest
Apparently, there is a Tasmania Tiger which has gone extinct but is remembered in murals.
I did get to see sleepy Tasmania Devils at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary along with a few wombat pats and up close with the kangaroos, food helps. The birds in Australia/Tasmania are colourful and full of character…feeling absolutely in a different part of the world.
Alpacas
My friends took me to visit friends of theirs who raises alpacas (Val and Brian). They are part of the camel family so they are camels with no humps. Watch out they spit! These ones not so much.
From seeing big kangaroos in the wild to being told that an ant could kill you! Jack jumper ants (large venomous ants…but still very small in comparison to a kangaroo or snake!) kill more people than snakes on Tasmania. It apparently really hurts and the dying only comes if you have an allergic reaction to it. My friends recommend traveling with an epi pen.
Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Ah the birds, a whole flock of cockatoos flying over the pasture on a daily basis. Will always remember the Turbo Chooks a.k.a. Tasmanian Hens spotted often in the area of Huon Valley (countryside). Fast hence the name Turbo, and very pretty.
Also saw, Blue Wrens, Gold Finches, Honey Eaters, Oyster Catchers, Plovers, Rainbow Lorikeets, Sparrows, Starlings, Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, Swallows, Yellow Tail Black Cockatoos.
Salamanca Market Hobart Tasmania Travels
Places and Spaces
During the group stay in Hobart, we visited Bruny Island where the neck sticks out so you may cross and explore the south end. It was at the neck where I discovered the sand squeaks. For some, they call it singing sand and I can just imagine the people dancing.
First, you have to cross on a short ferry ride. There is oyster tasting, fresh bread in a fridge, whiskey tasting, beaches and more beaches, cheese shop, raspberry farm, honey shop, and more depending on what you wish to do. This is what our bus planned to do…everything above but the oyster tasting.
Mt Wellington Hobart Tasmania
Cockle Creek is a special place, a grand hike on beaches with traversing rock and trail to get to the next beach and so on until you reach the southern point of Tasmania. Once almost there, we spied some clothes piled in the long grass not far off the beach. The stories in our minds began. After a little while, a young lady appeared from a trail and as it turns out, these were her husband’s clothes. He was out spear fishing. When we took the trail to the other side of the point, we could see the flag bobbing in the water.
Another short walk was near Abel’s Bay…as you can imagine lots of water all round the island of Tasmania.
The Neck, Bruny Island, Tasmania
Adventures on High
Hartz Mountain hike (Wednesday, March 24, 2026) marked the day that a couple of short hikes (nearby lakes) turned into a 4-5 hour hike as in while I am here ‘let’s do it.’ Glad we both (Terry and I) did it. What a view and in the clouds. We had amazing weather for it, however, there was a time while standing on the top a very dark cloud was coming towards us. It came close.
Terry and I saw Wombat shite along the boardwalk so we were definitely in wombat territory. The animal sanctuary had the best view up and close…but they do move fast.
Bruny Island warm Sourdough Bread in a box…fridge – with some surprise dessert inside called Anzac biscuits, rolled oats, flour, butter, sugar, coconut, chocolate – tasty! Both were added to our beach picnic.
Tasmania Travels – Food and Drinks
Guinness beer (a stout) was everywhere along with Tassie brewed stouts too, and Guinness was mostly on tap so there must have been plenty of Irish that came over – surely some in the jails on Tasmania (a penal colony). The first slave recorded in the USA was Irish and apparently, there have been many more non black slaves than black slaves in the world. Did I read that it was their own kind that sold them into slavery? Nothing surprises me these days. Back to Tasmania Travels. 🙂
Speaking of beer and Guinness, hops is an ingredient in the formula. I got to taste some homemade hops water and also some homemade elder flower cordial. Thanks Val and Brian!
Beef cheeks Hobart Tasmania
Bundaberg Ginger Beer was a brew made with homegrown Aussie ginger. It was stocked in most restaurants and bars. Delicious. I did purchase one bottle of Bundaberg Sarsaparilla to give it a go. Didn’t know that it was actually what we call root beer. That brew was truly divine if you like root beer.
Bundaberg Sarsaparilla is made to a genuine family recipe using sarsaparilla root, ground ginger, liquorice root, vanilla bean and molasses to give it that rich, unique colour and flavour.
Way too many food stops to mention here. I can mention that many of the restaurants had lamb shank, porterhouse steak and seafood. A popular fish that is eaten is Barramundi which I discovered is from northern Australia. Plenty of seafood to enjoy on your Tasmania travels.
The forbidden pat of a Wombat!
Language and New Words
For the most part, English is the language but with the accent and some unfamiliar English words (old or modern).
When many, they say ‘yous’ where we say ‘you’.
We say fuel and gas stations where they say petro and petro stations. taspetroleum.com.au
They say chips for both potato chips and french fries.
We say friend and they say mate.
They say shopping trolley while we say shopping cart.
I said ‘home James’ and Marie added ‘Don’t spare the horses.’
There are surly more…keep that for another visit.
Sharing More New Experiences in Tasmania Travels
Picking and eating straight from the grapefruit tree!
Grapefruit trees on Tasmania
Plucking lemons from the tree to make lemonade!
Lemon trees on Tasmania
Touring the Salamanca Market in Hobart where some 10,000 people visit each Saturday. Open every week of the year. Friends Terry and Marie display their glass work! Gorgeous.
Stand on top of a mountain with the clouds!
Dance in large caves and look up the bark of tall trees!
Fun place Sheffield, Tasmania
Buy Tassie pet treats…wallaby and mussels! Yum for the dog.
Taste smoked sheep dung whiskey ‘Wholly Shit’! Entertainment factor for sure…another story.
Swim in the deepest lake on Tasmania…Lake Saint Clair being 700 ft deep in some areas. Brrr…but refreshing and not the coldest water I have dipped in. Check out the cold plunge at the Finnish spa ‘Vetta’ in Ontario.
A visit to the Mona Museum in Hobart. It goes beyond your imagination. Had some tea at The Void bar. Saw plenty of **^!* images in one day. The Ill-umin-ati is there…they have their own wifi selection. Have to see it for yourself. (Photos: wish to not post any here for their graphic nature.)
On a brighter brighter note, Spring is here with longer brighter days.
Happy travels whether near or far. Injoy.
Cheryl Millett
Champion for your better health…
Before the age of 20, it never dawned on me that what I chose to put in my mouth would have such a dramatic effect on my well being.
On my path of discovery, I learned that our eating choices directly affected how much energy we have first thing in the morning or that it would build our immune system strength during flu season. Part of it was coming to understand how gentle nutritional cleansing directly helped overcome my health challenges. People keep telling me how beautiful my skin is or how I look younger.
As my studies continued, it became obvious that there is an intrinsic connection between the mind, body, and spirit which directly affects our health and happiness. Omegas are another critical piece of the wellness puzzle. The Auum omegas alone turned on some switches in my brain in just one day.
I have developed a deep appreciation for the wonderful miracle workers our bodies are in the recovery process. Our bodies have natural intelligence. I am passionate to share the connection between nutrition and wellness in my practice and my presentations.
Book All Guts All Glory 2020 on Amazon
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