We're celebrating this week as co-host Belle Jackson is once again named Travel Writer of the Year by the Australian Society of Travel Writers! See https://globalsalsa.com
Belle takes us to Tasmania's Central Highlands, where wine, wombats and walking are all on the menu at the beautiful Pumphouse Point. Set in the glacial Lake St Claire, the lake lodge has recently opened its new Retreats, which look to the pumphouse. It's also a hub for walkers, wine and wombats; https://www.pumphousepoint.com.au/
Also, leading wine reviewer the Halliday Wine Companion reveals Australia's top cellar door to put on your travel list https://winecompanion.com.au/ and we're sharing some great tips to save when travelling around Switzerland on its Swiss Rail Pass, https://www.swissrailways.com/en
And a spot of trivia; what do you think is the most expensive thing left in Brisbane Airport's Lost & Found? Lloyds Auctions recently put all the items under the hammer, including one pretty surprising, pretty pricey item that would be hard to forget...
A shout out to Trapper & Smiggins gin from Lake St Clair https://www.trapperandmiggins.com/
And if you'd like to read Belle's three stories that won her the title of TWOTY:
Why AlUla is the hottest place to be now, Saudi Arabia https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/why-this-hidden-oasis-is-the-coolest-luxury-destination-right-now-20230905-p5e22i.html
Flamenco & fino with Inntravel, Spain https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/this-southern-spain-train-odyssey-is-ruled-by-two-f-words-20240822-p5k4cs.html
Rose Harvest in Oman https://luxuryescapes.com/inspiration/a-journey-through-oman/?srsltid=AfmBOoo6azH50gGVmPuFV-B0Ktoq1fgru_Vfe_-9WgKjncPHagxQBOL8
and you can see more on her website https://globalsalsa.com
Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:01):
Welcome to the World Aways.
Travel tales to inspire yourwanderlust.
Welcome back to the World Aways.
How are you all?
SPEAKER_01 (00:11):
How's your week been, Val?
Well, I've got to say the pastcouple of weeks have been pretty
fabulous, actually, Kirsty.
I am actually recording thisissue, uh, this edition from
Niyama Private Island in theMaldives, which I'm happy to
report is deeply, deeplyfabulous.
I'm not going to tell you anymore about it because I'm saving
it all up.
Um, we're going to do a pod in acouple of in a week or so, and
(00:33):
I'm going to tell you all aboutthe Maldives.
And oh God, I love it.
I love it so much.
SPEAKER_02 (00:38):
But hang on, you need to tell us the real reason
why you're so fabulous.
Because I am sitting here like alittle proud, I don't know what
I am, work wife, sister, friend,my um, but I am just like
literally bursting with prideabout your news.
So please do tell.
SPEAKER_01 (01:00):
Oh, yes, that is the other one.
I have actually been namedTravel Writer of the Year by the
Australian Society of TravelWriters.
I'm just, you know, I'm I'm I'mreally sure um I'm really
shocked by it because um the twoother journalists I was up
(01:21):
against are phenomenally goodwriters.
So and I completely respectthem.
So I just, yeah, I'm I'm I'm I'min shock.
I won it a couple of years ago,um, but it does not get old.
So um the thing is to to enterthe award, you've you've got to
submit three pieces of publishedwork from the past year.
So I I'm putting two coverstories that I'd written for the
traveler section of the SydneyMorning Herald and the AH.
(01:43):
Um, and one of them was on theAlula, which is a northern oasis
in Saudi Arabia and why it'scurrently the hottest place to
be right now.
It's hot, not just because it'shot, but also because it's just
incredibly beautiful, especiallyif, like me, you're a bit of a
desert rat.
And the next story was a tripI'd done with a fabulous British
travel company called In Travel,it's INN Travel.
(02:04):
And they specialize inself-guided walking tours.
It's right up your alley,Kirsty.
Um, but then they've alsobranched out into cycling and
rail journeys.
And their whole ethos is um issustainable travel, so that
you're using public uh railnetworks, not you know, private
trains and stuff like that.
So I traveled from Seville toCadiz down the sea in southern
(02:25):
southern Andalusia by train, andit was an exploration of
flamenco and Fino Sherry, and itwas so good.
Like I just had the best time.
And I was on my own, you know,it was a it was amazing.
I was traveling up solo on thatone.
And the third was a feature Iwrote for Luxury Escapes Dream
magazine, which was aboutvisiting Oman during its rose
harvest scene.
So I did actually chat aboutthis on the podcast.
(02:47):
If you'd like to take a listen,but you've got to dial way back
to episode 40.
So that is my fabulous news.
I'm really feeling the love.
And I'm just gonna send out aspecial thanks to the Australian
Society of Travel Writers forconducting the awards to the
editors of those travel sectionsand also to in-travel emirates,
you know, the Shangri-Lara andthe Anantara Jebalel actor in
(03:10):
Oman and also Experience Alula,because um, you know, without
them, there wouldn't be thestories, right?
SPEAKER_02 (03:18):
Well, then without them, there wouldn't be the
stories, but without yourbeautiful storytelling and
words, there wouldn't be a win.
So, I mean, you are just aremarkable storyteller, and um,
and and I've always said, and Isay this to everyone I talk to,
that you're one of the bestwriters, travel writers in
Australia, and obviously now thebest.
So, um officially.
So, yeah, so you absolutelydeserve every success.
(03:41):
And I'm just so, so proud.
I was like just bursting like apopping like a bottle of bubbly
um yeah, at this news.
Just so excited.
So yeah, I'm so happy and proudof proud of you.
So yeah, well done.
Um and as this goes to air whileBelle is basking in her glory in
(04:02):
the tropical Maldives, um, Iwill be wandering around split
in Croatia after doing a hike inGreece and another one in
Montenegro.
Let's hope I uh drop this coldby then, which I probably won't
have.
Um and yes, because I amactually currently time
traveling too, and I'm also umalready on board the adults only
Viking.
So um I am super excited aboutthat.
(04:24):
And again, we'll tell we'll tellyou all about that later.
Um, but yes, moving on.
SPEAKER_01 (04:31):
From away from our glamorous lives.
Sometimes the glamour is real,other times we're just trapped
in our rooms writing likemaniacs meeting deadline.
So um, yeah, what a great, whatgreat lives.
Okay, we better get this podcastrecorded before the next
seaplane pulls into the resort.
So let's go.
I am going to share someglamorous travel trivia, which
comes from Brisbane Airport.
(04:52):
So stay with me here.
Um, it recently held thelargest, its largest ever lost
property auction.
And Kirsty, can you guess whatthe most expensive thing was
that they were auctioning off,which had been left in the
airport?
I know you know, you're gonnatell us.
SPEAKER_02 (05:08):
It was a Bulgari 18k gold diamond necklace valued at,
wait for it,$11,000.
$11,000.
SPEAKER_01 (05:19):
That's where I left an Eddie Carrot gold diamond
necklace.
Somebody left it in the airport,so they auctioned it off.
I think that's just astonishing.
Um so um that was my little bitof trivia, but from lost diamond
necklaces to Australia's topdrops.
The also um happening lately isthe Holiday Wine Companion,
(05:39):
which has named its top wineriesfor 2025.
Halliday has been issuing thisdefinitive guide to Australian
wines for almost 40 years, andit I like the wine tasters are
incredible.
They review around 8,000 wines ayear.
So um it's like a little it's alot of wine, don't you think,
Kirsty?
SPEAKER_02 (05:57):
Yes, that is, and that's my Sunday night right
there.
Um there were 1,100 wineries inthe list, which they whittled
down to 100.
And the best winery, accordingto Halliday, was Vass Felix in
the Margaret River region inWestern Australia.
So Margaret River is best knownfor its cab serves as well as
its Stella Chardonnays, and VassFelix Heightsbury Chardonnay was
(06:21):
named Chardonnay of the Year.
Gosh, Chardonnay's come a longway, hasn't it?
It's not lighter now than itused to be.
Not that I'm a big shardydrinker.
Um, and white wine of the year.
And so the wine maker VirginiaWilcock was also named Winemaker
of the Year.
SPEAKER_01 (06:37):
Um I don't mind a little Chardonnay, um, oats,
preferably because that's like,you know, shoulder pads of the
80s.
Um coming in at number two isthe Hunter Valley storewood,
broken wood.
Um, best known for its graveyardSheraz.
And the judges say its celladoris one of the finest in the
country.
So put that on your travelplans.
If you are going up that way inthe hunter, you can pop in for a
(06:58):
quick tasting or do the fullimmersion at the cellar door,
which is three hours north ofSydney.
SPEAKER_02 (07:03):
And in third was Oak Ridge and Victoria's Yarra
Valley region, which did reallywell because it was also the
home to the fourth on the list,Mount Mary, which whose Pinot
Noir also hit the top note,Pinot Noir of the Year in 2026.
I love Pinot Noir, actually.
It's probably my favourite drop.
And six, which was Yarra Yearingand Giant Steps.
Also, Giant Steps do a lovely,um, some lovely reds.
(07:27):
I do particularly like those.
Um, so yeah, if you're planningon sort of going around um the
best wineries in Australia,you'd be on solid ground by
heading up to Yarrow Valley.
And it's only an hour or so,depending on traffic, northeast
of Melbourne.
SPEAKER_01 (07:44):
Yeah, we're so lucky we've got some of the greatest
um vineyards of wine regionsjust outside Melbourne.
So fifth, and the list goes backto the Hunter Valley, um to one
of Australia's most recognizablelabels, and that is Tyrrell's
Wine, which was home toAustralia's oldest continually
produced Chardonnay.
I reckon a few people probablycut their teeth on that little
baby.
(08:04):
And there's uh Yangara Estate inMcLarenvale and Giacomba in
Beechworth as well.
SPEAKER_02 (08:10):
And special mention for number 10 because neither of
us mine's a little sparkling,and that goes to House of Arras
in northern Tasmania.
30 years of creating fabuloussparklings and a great reason to
visit our most southerly state.
SPEAKER_01 (08:23):
And we'll put a link to the show notes uh to
Halliday's top 100 wineries for26.
So take a look and plan yourdriving tours preferably without
somebody with somebody elsedriving.
SPEAKER_02 (08:46):
This week we're going to our own lovely island,
Stave Tassie, because Belle wasback there recently and we're
chatting about what's new in theCentral Highlands.
SPEAKER_01 (08:56):
Oh, thank you, Kirsty.
Yes, look, love Tassie.
Can I just put in a fulldisclosure?
My dad comes from Tasmania, so Ido have a vested interest in
this destination.
SPEAKER_02 (09:05):
Oh, so great.
There's so much to do on Tassie.
I love it, love it, love it.
Um, and so where were you onthis visit, pal?
SPEAKER_01 (09:12):
Um, I was in the Central Highlands, so at Lake
St.
Clair.
So um it but fun fact, Lake St.
Clair is Australia's deepestfreshwater lake.
Um, and this is at the southernend of the Cradle Mountain Lake
St.
Clair National Park.
Um so it's it's uh it's actuallyhalfway between um it's it's
equidistant to Launceston and toHobart as well.
(09:35):
So um if you are it's about twoand a half hours west of Hobart
on the Lyle Highway.
And um if you're coming fromLonnie, you're going via
Longford as well.
SPEAKER_02 (09:45):
And where did you stay while you were there?
SPEAKER_01 (09:48):
Well, this was the whole reason I was there at the
moment.
I visited Pump House Point,which is um this incredible
hotel in the wilderness.
I have wanted to go here foryears.
It is set so so the setting ismountains, glacial lakes,
ancient myrtle forests.
It's just the most dramaticscenery.
The thing about I mean, I mean,it's a strange name for a hotel,
(10:09):
right?
Pumphouse Point, because thewhole thing is it's hinged it's
hinged around an old pump house,um, which was built in the 1940s
by the Tasmanian HydroElectricity Commission, because
of course Tassie um runs itselectricity on hydro.
And um the the pump house wasbuilt.
The sole reason for it is thisArt Deco building for housing a
(10:31):
giant pump.
And then on the shore house, ithad um all of the other
machinations for for the um forthe hydro commission.
And then it was actuallyconverted into an 18-room
property um about uh about 10years ago uh by a fantastic
architectural firm, CumulusStudio.
So what it is, I mean it's it'sit's incredible because you've
(10:52):
got this absolute industrialheritage, this, you know, this
this um uh machinery ofbuilding.
And then inside it, you've gotthese absolutely beautiful,
quite paired back rooms that arebuilt into the into the into
what was the pump house.
So they barely change theexterior and the buildings are
just weathered, uh, you know,they're 70-year-old buildings in
(11:13):
this really harsh environment.
But when you go inside, it isabsolute simple luxury, it's
comfort, and it does not makeany apology that um you know the
origins of it was was a pumphouse.
Yeah, and and the rooms, therooms in it, and and the rooms
in it are just looking out onthese um these glacial peaks of
(11:36):
the Cradle Mountain Lake St.
Clair National Park.
And it's such a distinctiveproperty because to reach the
pump house, it's actually set inthe lake, and you have to walk
this 250-meter flume, which is aa long walkway that takes you
out into the lake to get to therooms, and then there's also
more rooms on shore.
SPEAKER_02 (11:54):
Gotta love a property with a story like that.
Like it's just so it's it's soum it's so nice to say somewhere
that's a little bit unique, youknow.
You get sick of staying on thesame old same old places, and
it's great when it's got a suchan interesting history.
Um so why should why shouldpeople go there now?
Sort of what makes it what makesit a great place to visit now?
SPEAKER_01 (12:14):
Well, they've they've just opened two new
retreats, which are back onshore because you can't build
more onto a pump house.
Um, and these are part of a morethan a$2 million refurbishment
and a development by thepumphouse owners, which is the
NRM8.
Um so keep hold that thought forthat one.
So these two new retreats arejust just take the whole thing
(12:35):
up a notch.
They are separate buildings andthey're new, but they're they're
built from timbers and stone umfrom around the region and
they're hidden into thelandscape and they are just so
dramatic.
They've got these incredibleviews over the lakes, over the
mountains.
Um, in them in the rooms in thepump house and the rooms in the
(12:55):
shore house, they've got anelement of communal living to
them.
So while you have your beautifulroom with these full-length
windows looking out onto themountains, um, then you have a
communal, it's kind of gotalmost like a walker, you know,
a walker's retreat feel aboutit.
You've got communal kitchens andstuff.
You go down, that's where youhave your cup of tea sitting in
front of big fires looking atthe view.
Um but the retreats are justthat bit more secluded as well.
(13:20):
So um they're fullyself-contained.
Incredible beds that uh from thebed, of course, you've got these
views, your wood wood-firedstove.
Um, I don't think I've ever beenon a press trip where we just
spent an afternoon playingScrabble.
I just saw it was one of thoseplaces where you just rug up
with your gorgeous knits andyour beanies and things like
(13:40):
that, um, and and and walkaround the area.
You have deep baths, you wake upearly to watch the sun rising
over the mountains.
Um, you know, you sit in frontof your fire and you just really
are in the moment.
And and I I just um and andthese retreats, this is uh also
what kind of blew my mind alittle bit, and this is make
(14:02):
gonna make me sound like anabsolute raging food-obsessed
tragic, which is possibly true,but um but they're absolutely
they're stocked with everythingin them.
You wouldn't have to leave.
Um, you know, from andeverything is so Tasmanian, from
the coffee that's supplied, fromthe the wine.
And I counted seven bottles ofwine in there red, white, and
sparkling.
It was like from just fromreally unusual.
(14:24):
Well, the frightening thing isthat they refresh everything
daily, so you could get yourselfin a little trouble if you
didn't plan it right.
So um, yeah, they just got uh,you know, these incredible
picnic packs, Tasmanian wines.
It really is an exercise inTasmaniana.
That's I just made that word up.
Does that work?
Tasmaniana.
There you go.
Yeah, there you go.
SPEAKER_02 (14:44):
Um your Australian travel ride of the year.
You can make up any word youlike.
Um so what do the what do theyactually include?
Like what if I go if I want togo down and stay there and I'm
not part of a famile hostedgroup, what am I gonna get?
SPEAKER_01 (14:58):
Yeah, right.
Well, I mean, you could youcould just go down there and and
lock in because when you stay atthe when you stay at Pump House
and it's not open to it's openonly to guests, so you can't
even just wander through andhave dinner or something.
So it is fully catered forbreakfast and dinner are in a
communal restaurant, and theyactually encourage people to
share tables and you'd see you'dsee people just making
(15:19):
connections, um, you know, andtalking about why they were
there and uh, you know, maybethey were celebrating an event.
There was um, you know, peoplejust were sharing their stories.
You know, there was a guy who'dbeen uh working in paramedics
and was there decompressing andstuff like that, you know, and
and people are talking about howthey they you know lived in
Sydney but they were from the USand missed the mountains and
(15:39):
things.
So it's just really it's got ait's got a curious um communal
vibe that I think is is isreally unique.
Often in you know, particularlyin hotels, you you cocoon
yourself away from from otherpeople.
And and that is that is not likeit.
And again, you know, I said, youknow, the the everything that's
in the retreats is totallyTasmanian, and that is the same
(16:01):
on the menu.
It is things like you know,Tasmanian, blue-eyed Trevelyan,
local lamb, um and um which youat which you you experience at
breakfast and dinner in theShore House dining room.
And um so uh and and just hotand I think one of the biggest
delicious things there isactually they were making hot
sourdough every day, all throughthe day.
(16:22):
So if at one moment you said, Ithink I need a bit of hot
sourdough, then they would justwhip it out of the oven and and
you you could go there and justlock yourself in and eat
yourself into a coma.
When you're staying at theretreats, it all it also
includes well, I gave it a go, Igave it a hard, I gave it a hard
shot.
And then when you're staying,when you're staying at the
(16:43):
retreats, it also has a coupleof hosted experiences.
So um there was a whiskeytasting with Sullivan's Cove,
which is based down in um, whichis based uh down in Hobart, and
that is one of the um absoluteum incredibly expensive um
whiskies, you know, these singlecask whiskeys that they only
(17:04):
produce a couple hundredbottles.
So, you know, some of thosebottles sell for thousands of
dollars when they're at auctionand are very rare.
And another one that we did wasa chocolate tasting from the
House of Anvers, which was justfascinating because you kind of
go, oh yeah, you know, chocolateand stuff like that.
I can I can take it or leave it.
But we were eating these singleestate, single origin chocolates
and learning how to taste them.
(17:25):
They were pairing them withthings like um Tasmanian um
stouts and you know, so you'redrinking beer and chocolate,
champagne and chocolate, uh,sparkling wine and chocolate.
And and because everything is soTasmanian, you really feel like
you've just had this little umgourmet adventure without, you
know, without leaving your verybeautiful space.
(17:45):
It's around you.
SPEAKER_02 (17:46):
It's all gonna it's it's all gonna help you float
better in Maldives, right?
I've seen that photo of youfloating on your back.
SPEAKER_01 (17:55):
I'm not sharing that ocean.
That one doesn't need to beshared out in public.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (18:01):
No, you look gorgeous.
So who's it best suited to?
SPEAKER_01 (18:06):
Uh well it is actually an adults-only retreat.
So um, so no kids, and I'm kindof okay with I'm kind of okay
with that.
Um the retreats, the umPumphouse says that it's ideal
for couples, honeymooners, andinvent and adventurers seeking a
bit of indulgence after a day ofbushwalking.
I would say if you had everthought of doing the overland
track, which is to my mindAustralia's best multi-day walk,
(18:30):
this would be my last nightstay.
So, I mean, it is a luxuryresort, and the retreats are
priced um uh actually aboutdouble the price of the of the
regular rooms.
So you're looking at about um$2,000 a night, and that but
that is with everything.
That is with all dining, baby,food, drinks, experiences, which
are replenished daily, cannotpush everyone enough.
(18:52):
So if you drunk everything, itjust turns up again the next
day.
SPEAKER_02 (18:56):
And then that's if you buy if your partner finds it
in your suitcase when you gethome.
SPEAKER_01 (19:02):
I may have travelled home with a little bit of um
extra chocolate, extra handluggage.
Yes, definitely.
Um, and and can I look hot tipon this one?
It is because Pump House is nowowned by NRMA Resorts, if you
are an NRMA member, you actuallyget an automatic discount of
about 10%.
And they will even let you joinon the spot when you turn up at
(19:22):
the property to get thatdiscount.
So great little insider tip.
SPEAKER_02 (19:26):
So what if you don't do the overland track and um and
just go there just to eat allthe food and drink all the wine,
what what are you doing whenyou're there?
SPEAKER_01 (19:34):
Well, they do have short walks around the property.
Um, and and all of those walks,you know, you're following the
shore of Lake St.
Clair, you know, tiny littlewalks, stuff we're talking like
half an hour trots around theplace because you just ate
yourself a second backside atdinner and you think I've only
got to get out and do something.
I think that walking is reallythe best thing to do there.
You've also got history, youknow.
I I I took a book with me, youknow, and you just read and just
(19:57):
be in the moment or playingScrabble and things like that.
That area, around that area, youknow, you've got fishing in St.
Clair Lagoon, which is um, ifyou are totally, if you are up
for fly fishing for brown troutor rainbow trout, I've got this
weird fascination um with flyfishing.
Um they also have massageservices there as well.
And um, and if you go to theLake St.
(20:19):
Clair National Park Office,which is only about um five
minutes' drive away, you it itis the trailhead.
So I'm sorry, it is very walky.
Um it is the trailhead, it isthe end of the overland track,
which is that 65 kilometersix-day trek coming down from
Cradle Mountain to Lake St.
Clair.
But then it's got a whole seriesof fabulous walks from one hour
(20:39):
to um to a day walk.
There's an Aboriginal culturalheritage walk, which is which is
absolutely brilliant.
Um, a really gorgeous littlewalk called the Waters Meet
Trail, which I like because it'salso wheelchair and if you've
got kids, pram friendly as well.
So it's completely accessible.
You've got a wide, mostly flattrack, um, and it rolls into the
(21:00):
slightly longer Platypus Walk,which is an absolutely beautiful
hour and a half's walk to thelake edge.
But the other thing to do thereis wildlife spotting.
So we, I mean, it's just full ofnative, native wildlife in the
area.
So we saw wallabies, um, huddymelons, which are those
gorgeous, fat-bottomed littlecousins to the wallabies.
They're just beautiful,sweet-faced little things.
(21:21):
Um, we saw echidnas, um, therewere quals as well, and of
course, wombats.
You know, if you've if you everwanted to see a wombat in the
world, the place is riddled withthem.
There was one that has taken upresidence at Pump House Point,
and it just goes there and mowsthe grass and and and just
wanders through even as the snowpelting down, it just wanders
(21:41):
and it's completely unconcerned.
I mean, you've you've got tostay a couple of meters away
from them and and not to scarethem.
But um, they were not, yeah,they were not easily scared.
So there's wildlife crossingseverywhere, and you'll see the
sign saying wildlife here.
And it was kind of funny becauseit's like e caution, wildlife
crossing ahead.
And we get ahead, and there'sactually a wombat walking across
the road.
(22:02):
And I thought, oh, wombats canread in Tasmania.
I guess it's gorgeous.
They know exactly where tocross.
So so that um so that trailheadat the at the national park is
really um is a is a great groundzero to base yourself.
So, you know, you don't have todo the overland track, although
I would thoroughly recommend itbecause I think it's one of the
(22:23):
best multi-day hikes that I'veever done.
But Tassie also has a collectionof 60 great short walks.
So there, and there are three atthis point: Echo Point, Shadow
Lake, and the Mount Rufus Walk.
And they range from like threeto four hours to a full
seven-day walk.
And um, and actually the EchoPoint one incorporates the Lake
St.
Clair Ferry, which takes you outto Echo Point.
(22:46):
Um, it's a 28-kilometer roundtrip and it goes out three times
a day.
So, you know, so yes, you can doyou can do walks, but then
you've also got thosewheelchair, um, accessible
walks, and then you've got theferry as well.
That is actually, here's alittle bit of a um fun fact for
you, it is Australia's highestaltitude ferry service.
And it's a great way way toreach walks that start and
(23:08):
finish from Narcissus Hut, whichis located at the northern end
of Lake St.
Clair.
unknown (23:13):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (23:14):
So Kirsty, because I was think I was thinking of you
for this one, because I do knowyou like a good walk, a good
walk.
Um, I know you also don't mind alittle gin tasting as well.
So I did take one for the teamon this one.
As I was as I was leading theNational Parks um head office,
um, the the the parks officebecause all of its maps and
(23:34):
things like that, um, I justhappened to walk past a set of
shelves with um gin selling agin.
And um says to me, Would youlike to taste a gin?
I'm like, it's 9.30 in themorning or something.
Yeah, just like we'll see whatsee what we can do.
Um these the there the the lodgeat like at St.
(23:55):
Clair Lodge um actually has beendistilling its own gin, which is
called Trappers and Migan'sOverland Gin, sold in the
restaurant that is there,looking out over the lake.
Um 120 bucks a bottle, free plugfor you.
I will put the address in theshow notes.
And um, yeah, so so that wasjust a nice way to wrap up that
very Tasmanian uh experience orthat very local experience as
(24:18):
well.
But when you are driving backdown to Hobart, of course, you
know, in Hobart you've got allof those great things like Mona.
Um, but you can also stop at NewNorfolk on the way through,
which is home to theaward-winning agrarian kitchen,
which is part restaurant, partcooking school, and part kitchen
garden.
And if you don't have time to dothat whole restaurant thing, or
you're absolutely full, it alsohas a kiosk.
(24:38):
I think this is a bit of a um abit of a sly aside that they
don't necessarily telleverybody.
It also has a kiosk sellingthese delicious pies and
pastries, so you can even packyourself a little picnic.
Um and New Norfolk is yeah, Imean, New Norfolk is a it's an
amazing little town.
Okay, oh I full disclosureagain, this may be the town
where my dad comes from, so Idid pop in and have a cup of tea
(25:01):
with my auntie Molly.
Um, and I've got to say, when Iwas a kid visiting family there,
I totally didn't appreciate it.
It's um New Norfolk is it's justbeautiful.
It is also um Tassie's fourtholdest European settlement and
the 12th oldest in Australia,which is insane.
Um, and speaking of insane,actually, it was also home to
(25:21):
the Willow Court Asylum.
So you can actually take a ghosttour through there now.
When I was a kid, it was stillfunctioning via um the asylum,
but now it's it's turned over totourists and ghosts.
SPEAKER_02 (25:33):
Yes.
No, I love that.
I love New Norfolk.
It's so beautiful, it's such aquaint little, pretty little
place.
And um walks and wombacks andgin, right?
You've just got me right there.
So um so what was the weatherlike when you went, and what's
the a good time of year to go?
SPEAKER_01 (25:50):
Well, I went in early October, which is right in
the middle of spring.
So I was in the 10th of October.
On that day, I experienced snow,hail, high wind, temperatures
temperatures of about twodegrees.
And the funny thing was that theum you cannot just look at what
the temps are in Hobart and go,oh, that gets 12 degrees, we'll
(26:11):
be fine.
It's 10 degrees difference, youknow.
Like I said, wombat's mowing theground in the snow.
Um, I wasn't going to pack myhiking boots for the weekend,
um, but I relented and I'm soglad that I did because I really
think even just for a couple ofhours walk, we need to have the
right gear.
And they do enforce that at thenational park.
(26:32):
Yep.
So even for just an hour ortwo's walk, I would pack all of
I I packed, you know, I packedmy rain gear, um, I packed my
boots and stuff because thismonth has seen a couple, you
know, has seen several deaths inour alpine wilderness due to
fast changing weather in themountains, in Cradle Mountain
and also in the Victorian HighCountry.
So I think the moral of thestory is better to be over
(26:52):
prepared than under.
And the National Parks um hasalso shared some tips because
mobile phone coverage is spottyat best.
If you are not on Telstra,forget about it.
So don't rely on your phone.
And the weather is spectacularand spectacularly changeable.
So there you go.
There's a wrap of the CentralHighlands.
If you'd like to visit PumpPumphouse Point, you can check
(27:13):
out the website,pumphousepoint.com.au.
And to find out more what's innew in Tassie, you can visit
discoverTasmania.com.au andwe'll put all those details in
the show notes.
SPEAKER_02 (27:23):
Amazing.
Love Tassie.
SPEAKER_00 (27:28):
You're listening to The World Awaits.
Subscribe through our website attheworldawaits.au.
SPEAKER_01 (27:36):
Our tip this week is about how to make your Swiss
travel paths go further.
And this is a great tip becauseit will save you pots of money.
And um, this tip comes from thefabulous team at Switzerland
Tourism.
SPEAKER_02 (27:49):
So Switzerland has a fantastic network of public
transport by train, bus, andalso boat, and they're all
interconnecting.
They've got they've just gotsuch a good system going, and
they all cross these gorgeousglacial lakes.
And Swiss tourism says the bestway to get around is using the
Swiss travel pass.
SPEAKER_01 (28:06):
Yeah, look, we all know that Switzerland is not a
cheap country by any stretch ofthe imagination.
So imagination.
So any budget tips are mostappreciated.
So the travel pass has first andsecond class versions, which
range from three days, uh, whichcosts about$340, up to 15 days
travel in one month, which costs$670.
Um, and these are the secondclass fares.
(28:27):
So obviously, the you know, theper day charge of the pass gets
cheaper the more days youpurchase.
SPEAKER_02 (28:33):
The great thing about the pass is that no matter
which pass you buy, it includesthree additional mountain
excursions at no extra cost, andthe three experiences are all
nearly certain.
SPEAKER_01 (28:44):
Yeah, you actually travel on Europe's oldest
mountain railway.
Um, there's an aerial cable wayum which climbs up into the
Stanzerhorn Mountains and a tripon the Stews Cranicular, which
is the steepest in the world.
And another great tip is thatchildren under six travel free,
and kids up to 16 years of agetravel who are traveling with an
adult on um the pass also travelfree.
(29:07):
And then on top of that, there'salso a youth fare which gives um
you a 30% discount if you areaged between 17 and 25 years.
And passes also include freeentry to more than 500 museums.
And look, Kirsi, I just did alittle research with a weirdest
Swiss museum and came up with amuseum of stuffed frogs and also
the Swiss witchcraft museum.
SPEAKER_02 (29:28):
And if you'd like to know more about Swiss travel
plans or traveling inSwitzerland, visit the country's
website, which isswitzerland.com, next week we
are going to the mostaspirational travel destination
(29:52):
in the world.
SPEAKER_01 (29:52):
Yes, it is the island nation of the Maldives.
Come with me as we venture intoa couple of the atolls and find.
Find out why everybody's going.
SPEAKER_02 (30:03):
And we'd love it if you follow us on socials.
You'll find us at the WorldAwaits Podcast on Instagram,
Facebook, and LinkedIn.
And feel free to drop us a lineat hello at the worldawaits.au.
And if you're enjoying thisepisode, please give us a rating
or review.
SPEAKER_00 (30:16):
That's a wrap for the World of Waits this week.
Click to subscribe anywhere youlisten to your favorite pods.
Thanks for listening.
See you next week.
Welcome to the World Aways.
Travel tales to inspire yourwanderlust.
Welcome back to the World Aways.
How are you all?
SPEAKER_01 (00:11):
How's your week been, Val?
Well, I've got to say the pastcouple of weeks have been pretty
fabulous, actually, Kirsty.
I am actually recording thisissue, uh, this edition from
Niyama Private Island in theMaldives, which I'm happy to
report is deeply, deeplyfabulous.
I'm not going to tell you anymore about it because I'm saving
it all up.
Um, we're going to do a pod in acouple of in a week or so, and
(00:33):
I'm going to tell you all aboutthe Maldives.
And oh God, I love it.
I love it so much.
SPEAKER_02 (00:38):
But hang on, you need to tell us the real reason
why you're so fabulous.
Because I am sitting here like alittle proud, I don't know what
I am, work wife, sister, friend,my um, but I am just like
literally bursting with prideabout your news.
So please do tell.
SPEAKER_01 (01:00):
Oh, yes, that is the other one.
I have actually been namedTravel Writer of the Year by the
Australian Society of TravelWriters.
I'm just, you know, I'm I'm I'mreally sure um I'm really
shocked by it because um the twoother journalists I was up
(01:21):
against are phenomenally goodwriters.
So and I completely respectthem.
So I just, yeah, I'm I'm I'm I'min shock.
I won it a couple of years ago,um, but it does not get old.
So um the thing is to to enterthe award, you've you've got to
submit three pieces of publishedwork from the past year.
So I I'm putting two coverstories that I'd written for the
traveler section of the SydneyMorning Herald and the AH.
(01:43):
Um, and one of them was on theAlula, which is a northern oasis
in Saudi Arabia and why it'scurrently the hottest place to
be right now.
It's hot, not just because it'shot, but also because it's just
incredibly beautiful, especiallyif, like me, you're a bit of a
desert rat.
And the next story was a tripI'd done with a fabulous British
travel company called In Travel,it's INN Travel.
(02:04):
And they specialize inself-guided walking tours.
It's right up your alley,Kirsty.
Um, but then they've alsobranched out into cycling and
rail journeys.
And their whole ethos is um issustainable travel, so that
you're using public uh railnetworks, not you know, private
trains and stuff like that.
So I traveled from Seville toCadiz down the sea in southern
(02:25):
southern Andalusia by train, andit was an exploration of
flamenco and Fino Sherry, and itwas so good.
Like I just had the best time.
And I was on my own, you know,it was a it was amazing.
I was traveling up solo on thatone.
And the third was a feature Iwrote for Luxury Escapes Dream
magazine, which was aboutvisiting Oman during its rose
harvest scene.
So I did actually chat aboutthis on the podcast.
(02:47):
If you'd like to take a listen,but you've got to dial way back
to episode 40.
So that is my fabulous news.
I'm really feeling the love.
And I'm just gonna send out aspecial thanks to the Australian
Society of Travel Writers forconducting the awards to the
editors of those travel sectionsand also to in-travel emirates,
you know, the Shangri-Lara andthe Anantara Jebalel actor in
(03:10):
Oman and also Experience Alula,because um, you know, without
them, there wouldn't be thestories, right?
SPEAKER_02 (03:18):
Well, then without them, there wouldn't be the
stories, but without yourbeautiful storytelling and
words, there wouldn't be a win.
So, I mean, you are just aremarkable storyteller, and um,
and and I've always said, and Isay this to everyone I talk to,
that you're one of the bestwriters, travel writers in
Australia, and obviously now thebest.
So, um officially.
So, yeah, so you absolutelydeserve every success.
(03:41):
And I'm just so, so proud.
I was like just bursting like apopping like a bottle of bubbly
um yeah, at this news.
Just so excited.
So yeah, I'm so happy and proudof proud of you.
So yeah, well done.
Um and as this goes to air whileBelle is basking in her glory in
(04:02):
the tropical Maldives, um, Iwill be wandering around split
in Croatia after doing a hike inGreece and another one in
Montenegro.
Let's hope I uh drop this coldby then, which I probably won't
have.
Um and yes, because I amactually currently time
traveling too, and I'm also umalready on board the adults only
Viking.
So um I am super excited aboutthat.
(04:24):
And again, we'll tell we'll tellyou all about that later.
Um, but yes, moving on.
SPEAKER_01 (04:31):
From away from our glamorous lives.
Sometimes the glamour is real,other times we're just trapped
in our rooms writing likemaniacs meeting deadline.
So um, yeah, what a great, whatgreat lives.
Okay, we better get this podcastrecorded before the next
seaplane pulls into the resort.
So let's go.
I am going to share someglamorous travel trivia, which
comes from Brisbane Airport.
(04:52):
So stay with me here.
Um, it recently held thelargest, its largest ever lost
property auction.
And Kirsty, can you guess whatthe most expensive thing was
that they were auctioning off,which had been left in the
airport?
I know you know, you're gonnatell us.
SPEAKER_02 (05:08):
It was a Bulgari 18k gold diamond necklace valued at,
wait for it,$11,000.
$11,000.
SPEAKER_01 (05:19):
That's where I left an Eddie Carrot gold diamond
necklace.
Somebody left it in the airport,so they auctioned it off.
I think that's just astonishing.
Um so um that was my little bitof trivia, but from lost diamond
necklaces to Australia's topdrops.
The also um happening lately isthe Holiday Wine Companion,
(05:39):
which has named its top wineriesfor 2025.
Halliday has been issuing thisdefinitive guide to Australian
wines for almost 40 years, andit I like the wine tasters are
incredible.
They review around 8,000 wines ayear.
So um it's like a little it's alot of wine, don't you think,
Kirsty?
SPEAKER_02 (05:57):
Yes, that is, and that's my Sunday night right
there.
Um there were 1,100 wineries inthe list, which they whittled
down to 100.
And the best winery, accordingto Halliday, was Vass Felix in
the Margaret River region inWestern Australia.
So Margaret River is best knownfor its cab serves as well as
its Stella Chardonnays, and VassFelix Heightsbury Chardonnay was
(06:21):
named Chardonnay of the Year.
Gosh, Chardonnay's come a longway, hasn't it?
It's not lighter now than itused to be.
Not that I'm a big shardydrinker.
Um, and white wine of the year.
And so the wine maker VirginiaWilcock was also named Winemaker
of the Year.
SPEAKER_01 (06:37):
Um I don't mind a little Chardonnay, um, oats,
preferably because that's like,you know, shoulder pads of the
80s.
Um coming in at number two isthe Hunter Valley storewood,
broken wood.
Um, best known for its graveyardSheraz.
And the judges say its celladoris one of the finest in the
country.
So put that on your travelplans.
If you are going up that way inthe hunter, you can pop in for a
(06:58):
quick tasting or do the fullimmersion at the cellar door,
which is three hours north ofSydney.
SPEAKER_02 (07:03):
And in third was Oak Ridge and Victoria's Yarra
Valley region, which did reallywell because it was also the
home to the fourth on the list,Mount Mary, which whose Pinot
Noir also hit the top note,Pinot Noir of the Year in 2026.
I love Pinot Noir, actually.
It's probably my favourite drop.
And six, which was Yarra Yearingand Giant Steps.
Also, Giant Steps do a lovely,um, some lovely reds.
(07:27):
I do particularly like those.
Um, so yeah, if you're planningon sort of going around um the
best wineries in Australia,you'd be on solid ground by
heading up to Yarrow Valley.
And it's only an hour or so,depending on traffic, northeast
of Melbourne.
SPEAKER_01 (07:44):
Yeah, we're so lucky we've got some of the greatest
um vineyards of wine regionsjust outside Melbourne.
So fifth, and the list goes backto the Hunter Valley, um to one
of Australia's most recognizablelabels, and that is Tyrrell's
Wine, which was home toAustralia's oldest continually
produced Chardonnay.
I reckon a few people probablycut their teeth on that little
baby.
(08:04):
And there's uh Yangara Estate inMcLarenvale and Giacomba in
Beechworth as well.
SPEAKER_02 (08:10):
And special mention for number 10 because neither of
us mine's a little sparkling,and that goes to House of Arras
in northern Tasmania.
30 years of creating fabuloussparklings and a great reason to
visit our most southerly state.
SPEAKER_01 (08:23):
And we'll put a link to the show notes uh to
Halliday's top 100 wineries for26.
So take a look and plan yourdriving tours preferably without
somebody with somebody elsedriving.
SPEAKER_02 (08:46):
This week we're going to our own lovely island,
Stave Tassie, because Belle wasback there recently and we're
chatting about what's new in theCentral Highlands.
SPEAKER_01 (08:56):
Oh, thank you, Kirsty.
Yes, look, love Tassie.
Can I just put in a fulldisclosure?
My dad comes from Tasmania, so Ido have a vested interest in
this destination.
SPEAKER_02 (09:05):
Oh, so great.
There's so much to do on Tassie.
I love it, love it, love it.
Um, and so where were you onthis visit, pal?
SPEAKER_01 (09:12):
Um, I was in the Central Highlands, so at Lake
St.
Clair.
So um it but fun fact, Lake St.
Clair is Australia's deepestfreshwater lake.
Um, and this is at the southernend of the Cradle Mountain Lake
St.
Clair National Park.
Um so it's it's uh it's actuallyhalfway between um it's it's
equidistant to Launceston and toHobart as well.
(09:35):
So um if you are it's about twoand a half hours west of Hobart
on the Lyle Highway.
And um if you're coming fromLonnie, you're going via
Longford as well.
SPEAKER_02 (09:45):
And where did you stay while you were there?
SPEAKER_01 (09:48):
Well, this was the whole reason I was there at the
moment.
I visited Pump House Point,which is um this incredible
hotel in the wilderness.
I have wanted to go here foryears.
It is set so so the setting ismountains, glacial lakes,
ancient myrtle forests.
It's just the most dramaticscenery.
The thing about I mean, I mean,it's a strange name for a hotel,
(10:09):
right?
Pumphouse Point, because thewhole thing is it's hinged it's
hinged around an old pump house,um, which was built in the 1940s
by the Tasmanian HydroElectricity Commission, because
of course Tassie um runs itselectricity on hydro.
And um the the pump house wasbuilt.
The sole reason for it is thisArt Deco building for housing a
(10:31):
giant pump.
And then on the shore house, ithad um all of the other
machinations for for the um forthe hydro commission.
And then it was actuallyconverted into an 18-room
property um about uh about 10years ago uh by a fantastic
architectural firm, CumulusStudio.
So what it is, I mean it's it'sit's incredible because you've
(10:52):
got this absolute industrialheritage, this, you know, this
this um uh machinery ofbuilding.
And then inside it, you've gotthese absolutely beautiful,
quite paired back rooms that arebuilt into the into the into
what was the pump house.
So they barely change theexterior and the buildings are
just weathered, uh, you know,they're 70-year-old buildings in
(11:13):
this really harsh environment.
But when you go inside, it isabsolute simple luxury, it's
comfort, and it does not makeany apology that um you know the
origins of it was was a pumphouse.
Yeah, and and the rooms, therooms in it, and and the rooms
in it are just looking out onthese um these glacial peaks of
(11:36):
the Cradle Mountain Lake St.
Clair National Park.
And it's such a distinctiveproperty because to reach the
pump house, it's actually set inthe lake, and you have to walk
this 250-meter flume, which is aa long walkway that takes you
out into the lake to get to therooms, and then there's also
more rooms on shore.
SPEAKER_02 (11:54):
Gotta love a property with a story like that.
Like it's just so it's it's soum it's so nice to say somewhere
that's a little bit unique, youknow.
You get sick of staying on thesame old same old places, and
it's great when it's got a suchan interesting history.
Um so why should why shouldpeople go there now?
Sort of what makes it what makesit a great place to visit now?
SPEAKER_01 (12:14):
Well, they've they've just opened two new
retreats, which are back onshore because you can't build
more onto a pump house.
Um, and these are part of a morethan a$2 million refurbishment
and a development by thepumphouse owners, which is the
NRM8.
Um so keep hold that thought forthat one.
So these two new retreats arejust just take the whole thing
(12:35):
up a notch.
They are separate buildings andthey're new, but they're they're
built from timbers and stone umfrom around the region and
they're hidden into thelandscape and they are just so
dramatic.
They've got these incredibleviews over the lakes, over the
mountains.
Um, in them in the rooms in thepump house and the rooms in the
(12:55):
shore house, they've got anelement of communal living to
them.
So while you have your beautifulroom with these full-length
windows looking out onto themountains, um, then you have a
communal, it's kind of gotalmost like a walker, you know,
a walker's retreat feel aboutit.
You've got communal kitchens andstuff.
You go down, that's where youhave your cup of tea sitting in
front of big fires looking atthe view.
Um but the retreats are justthat bit more secluded as well.
(13:20):
So um they're fullyself-contained.
Incredible beds that uh from thebed, of course, you've got these
views, your wood wood-firedstove.
Um, I don't think I've ever beenon a press trip where we just
spent an afternoon playingScrabble.
I just saw it was one of thoseplaces where you just rug up
with your gorgeous knits andyour beanies and things like
(13:40):
that, um, and and and walkaround the area.
You have deep baths, you wake upearly to watch the sun rising
over the mountains.
Um, you know, you sit in frontof your fire and you just really
are in the moment.
And and I I just um and andthese retreats, this is uh also
what kind of blew my mind alittle bit, and this is make
(14:02):
gonna make me sound like anabsolute raging food-obsessed
tragic, which is possibly true,but um but they're absolutely
they're stocked with everythingin them.
You wouldn't have to leave.
Um, you know, from andeverything is so Tasmanian, from
the coffee that's supplied, fromthe the wine.
And I counted seven bottles ofwine in there red, white, and
sparkling.
It was like from just fromreally unusual.
(14:24):
Well, the frightening thing isthat they refresh everything
daily, so you could get yourselfin a little trouble if you
didn't plan it right.
So um, yeah, they just got uh,you know, these incredible
picnic packs, Tasmanian wines.
It really is an exercise inTasmaniana.
That's I just made that word up.
Does that work?
Tasmaniana.
There you go.
Yeah, there you go.
SPEAKER_02 (14:44):
Um your Australian travel ride of the year.
You can make up any word youlike.
Um so what do the what do theyactually include?
Like what if I go if I want togo down and stay there and I'm
not part of a famile hostedgroup, what am I gonna get?
SPEAKER_01 (14:58):
Yeah, right.
Well, I mean, you could youcould just go down there and and
lock in because when you stay atthe when you stay at Pump House
and it's not open to it's openonly to guests, so you can't
even just wander through andhave dinner or something.
So it is fully catered forbreakfast and dinner are in a
communal restaurant, and theyactually encourage people to
share tables and you'd see you'dsee people just making
(15:19):
connections, um, you know, andtalking about why they were
there and uh, you know, maybethey were celebrating an event.
There was um, you know, peoplejust were sharing their stories.
You know, there was a guy who'dbeen uh working in paramedics
and was there decompressing andstuff like that, you know, and
and people are talking about howthey they you know lived in
Sydney but they were from the USand missed the mountains and
(15:39):
things.
So it's just really it's got ait's got a curious um communal
vibe that I think is is isreally unique.
Often in you know, particularlyin hotels, you you cocoon
yourself away from from otherpeople.
And and that is that is not likeit.
And again, you know, I said, youknow, the the everything that's
in the retreats is totallyTasmanian, and that is the same
(16:01):
on the menu.
It is things like you know,Tasmanian, blue-eyed Trevelyan,
local lamb, um and um which youat which you you experience at
breakfast and dinner in theShore House dining room.
And um so uh and and just hotand I think one of the biggest
delicious things there isactually they were making hot
sourdough every day, all throughthe day.
(16:22):
So if at one moment you said, Ithink I need a bit of hot
sourdough, then they would justwhip it out of the oven and and
you you could go there and justlock yourself in and eat
yourself into a coma.
When you're staying at theretreats, it all it also
includes well, I gave it a go, Igave it a hard, I gave it a hard
shot.
And then when you're staying,when you're staying at the
(16:43):
retreats, it also has a coupleof hosted experiences.
So um there was a whiskeytasting with Sullivan's Cove,
which is based down in um, whichis based uh down in Hobart, and
that is one of the um absoluteum incredibly expensive um
whiskies, you know, these singlecask whiskeys that they only
(17:04):
produce a couple hundredbottles.
So, you know, some of thosebottles sell for thousands of
dollars when they're at auctionand are very rare.
And another one that we did wasa chocolate tasting from the
House of Anvers, which was justfascinating because you kind of
go, oh yeah, you know, chocolateand stuff like that.
I can I can take it or leave it.
But we were eating these singleestate, single origin chocolates
and learning how to taste them.
(17:25):
They were pairing them withthings like um Tasmanian um
stouts and you know, so you'redrinking beer and chocolate,
champagne and chocolate, uh,sparkling wine and chocolate.
And and because everything is soTasmanian, you really feel like
you've just had this little umgourmet adventure without, you
know, without leaving your verybeautiful space.
(17:45):
It's around you.
SPEAKER_02 (17:46):
It's all gonna it's it's all gonna help you float
better in Maldives, right?
I've seen that photo of youfloating on your back.
SPEAKER_01 (17:55):
I'm not sharing that ocean.
That one doesn't need to beshared out in public.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (18:01):
No, you look gorgeous.
So who's it best suited to?
SPEAKER_01 (18:06):
Uh well it is actually an adults-only retreat.
So um, so no kids, and I'm kindof okay with I'm kind of okay
with that.
Um the retreats, the umPumphouse says that it's ideal
for couples, honeymooners, andinvent and adventurers seeking a
bit of indulgence after a day ofbushwalking.
I would say if you had everthought of doing the overland
track, which is to my mindAustralia's best multi-day walk,
(18:30):
this would be my last nightstay.
So, I mean, it is a luxuryresort, and the retreats are
priced um uh actually aboutdouble the price of the of the
regular rooms.
So you're looking at about um$2,000 a night, and that but
that is with everything.
That is with all dining, baby,food, drinks, experiences, which
are replenished daily, cannotpush everyone enough.
(18:52):
So if you drunk everything, itjust turns up again the next
day.
SPEAKER_02 (18:56):
And then that's if you buy if your partner finds it
in your suitcase when you gethome.
SPEAKER_01 (19:02):
I may have travelled home with a little bit of um
extra chocolate, extra handluggage.
Yes, definitely.
Um, and and can I look hot tipon this one?
It is because Pump House is nowowned by NRMA Resorts, if you
are an NRMA member, you actuallyget an automatic discount of
about 10%.
And they will even let you joinon the spot when you turn up at
(19:22):
the property to get thatdiscount.
So great little insider tip.
SPEAKER_02 (19:26):
So what if you don't do the overland track and um and
just go there just to eat allthe food and drink all the wine,
what what are you doing whenyou're there?
SPEAKER_01 (19:34):
Well, they do have short walks around the property.
Um, and and all of those walks,you know, you're following the
shore of Lake St.
Clair, you know, tiny littlewalks, stuff we're talking like
half an hour trots around theplace because you just ate
yourself a second backside atdinner and you think I've only
got to get out and do something.
I think that walking is reallythe best thing to do there.
You've also got history, youknow.
I I I took a book with me, youknow, and you just read and just
(19:57):
be in the moment or playingScrabble and things like that.
That area, around that area, youknow, you've got fishing in St.
Clair Lagoon, which is um, ifyou are totally, if you are up
for fly fishing for brown troutor rainbow trout, I've got this
weird fascination um with flyfishing.
Um they also have massageservices there as well.
And um, and if you go to theLake St.
(20:19):
Clair National Park Office,which is only about um five
minutes' drive away, you it itis the trailhead.
So I'm sorry, it is very walky.
Um it is the trailhead, it isthe end of the overland track,
which is that 65 kilometersix-day trek coming down from
Cradle Mountain to Lake St.
Clair.
But then it's got a whole seriesof fabulous walks from one hour
(20:39):
to um to a day walk.
There's an Aboriginal culturalheritage walk, which is which is
absolutely brilliant.
Um, a really gorgeous littlewalk called the Waters Meet
Trail, which I like because it'salso wheelchair and if you've
got kids, pram friendly as well.
So it's completely accessible.
You've got a wide, mostly flattrack, um, and it rolls into the
(21:00):
slightly longer Platypus Walk,which is an absolutely beautiful
hour and a half's walk to thelake edge.
But the other thing to do thereis wildlife spotting.
So we, I mean, it's just full ofnative, native wildlife in the
area.
So we saw wallabies, um, huddymelons, which are those
gorgeous, fat-bottomed littlecousins to the wallabies.
They're just beautiful,sweet-faced little things.
(21:21):
Um, we saw echidnas, um, therewere quals as well, and of
course, wombats.
You know, if you've if you everwanted to see a wombat in the
world, the place is riddled withthem.
There was one that has taken upresidence at Pump House Point,
and it just goes there and mowsthe grass and and and just
wanders through even as the snowpelting down, it just wanders
(21:41):
and it's completely unconcerned.
I mean, you've you've got tostay a couple of meters away
from them and and not to scarethem.
But um, they were not, yeah,they were not easily scared.
So there's wildlife crossingseverywhere, and you'll see the
sign saying wildlife here.
And it was kind of funny becauseit's like e caution, wildlife
crossing ahead.
And we get ahead, and there'sactually a wombat walking across
the road.
(22:02):
And I thought, oh, wombats canread in Tasmania.
I guess it's gorgeous.
They know exactly where tocross.
So so that um so that trailheadat the at the national park is
really um is a is a great groundzero to base yourself.
So, you know, you don't have todo the overland track, although
I would thoroughly recommend itbecause I think it's one of the
(22:23):
best multi-day hikes that I'veever done.
But Tassie also has a collectionof 60 great short walks.
So there, and there are three atthis point: Echo Point, Shadow
Lake, and the Mount Rufus Walk.
And they range from like threeto four hours to a full
seven-day walk.
And um, and actually the EchoPoint one incorporates the Lake
St.
Clair Ferry, which takes you outto Echo Point.
(22:46):
Um, it's a 28-kilometer roundtrip and it goes out three times
a day.
So, you know, so yes, you can doyou can do walks, but then
you've also got thosewheelchair, um, accessible
walks, and then you've got theferry as well.
That is actually, here's alittle bit of a um fun fact for
you, it is Australia's highestaltitude ferry service.
And it's a great way way toreach walks that start and
(23:08):
finish from Narcissus Hut, whichis located at the northern end
of Lake St.
Clair.
unknown (23:13):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (23:14):
So Kirsty, because I was think I was thinking of you
for this one, because I do knowyou like a good walk, a good
walk.
Um, I know you also don't mind alittle gin tasting as well.
So I did take one for the teamon this one.
As I was as I was leading theNational Parks um head office,
um, the the the parks officebecause all of its maps and
(23:34):
things like that, um, I justhappened to walk past a set of
shelves with um gin selling agin.
And um says to me, Would youlike to taste a gin?
I'm like, it's 9.30 in themorning or something.
Yeah, just like we'll see whatsee what we can do.
Um these the there the the lodgeat like at St.
(23:55):
Clair Lodge um actually has beendistilling its own gin, which is
called Trappers and Migan'sOverland Gin, sold in the
restaurant that is there,looking out over the lake.
Um 120 bucks a bottle, free plugfor you.
I will put the address in theshow notes.
And um, yeah, so so that wasjust a nice way to wrap up that
very Tasmanian uh experience orthat very local experience as
(24:18):
well.
But when you are driving backdown to Hobart, of course, you
know, in Hobart you've got allof those great things like Mona.
Um, but you can also stop at NewNorfolk on the way through,
which is home to theaward-winning agrarian kitchen,
which is part restaurant, partcooking school, and part kitchen
garden.
And if you don't have time to dothat whole restaurant thing, or
you're absolutely full, it alsohas a kiosk.
(24:38):
I think this is a bit of a um abit of a sly aside that they
don't necessarily telleverybody.
It also has a kiosk sellingthese delicious pies and
pastries, so you can even packyourself a little picnic.
Um and New Norfolk is yeah, Imean, New Norfolk is a it's an
amazing little town.
Okay, oh I full disclosureagain, this may be the town
where my dad comes from, so Idid pop in and have a cup of tea
(25:01):
with my auntie Molly.
Um, and I've got to say, when Iwas a kid visiting family there,
I totally didn't appreciate it.
It's um New Norfolk is it's justbeautiful.
It is also um Tassie's fourtholdest European settlement and
the 12th oldest in Australia,which is insane.
Um, and speaking of insane,actually, it was also home to
(25:21):
the Willow Court Asylum.
So you can actually take a ghosttour through there now.
When I was a kid, it was stillfunctioning via um the asylum,
but now it's it's turned over totourists and ghosts.
SPEAKER_02 (25:33):
Yes.
No, I love that.
I love New Norfolk.
It's so beautiful, it's such aquaint little, pretty little
place.
And um walks and wombacks andgin, right?
You've just got me right there.
So um so what was the weatherlike when you went, and what's
the a good time of year to go?
SPEAKER_01 (25:50):
Well, I went in early October, which is right in
the middle of spring.
So I was in the 10th of October.
On that day, I experienced snow,hail, high wind, temperatures
temperatures of about twodegrees.
And the funny thing was that theum you cannot just look at what
the temps are in Hobart and go,oh, that gets 12 degrees, we'll
(26:11):
be fine.
It's 10 degrees difference, youknow.
Like I said, wombat's mowing theground in the snow.
Um, I wasn't going to pack myhiking boots for the weekend,
um, but I relented and I'm soglad that I did because I really
think even just for a couple ofhours walk, we need to have the
right gear.
And they do enforce that at thenational park.
(26:32):
Yep.
So even for just an hour ortwo's walk, I would pack all of
I I packed, you know, I packedmy rain gear, um, I packed my
boots and stuff because thismonth has seen a couple, you
know, has seen several deaths inour alpine wilderness due to
fast changing weather in themountains, in Cradle Mountain
and also in the Victorian HighCountry.
So I think the moral of thestory is better to be over
(26:52):
prepared than under.
And the National Parks um hasalso shared some tips because
mobile phone coverage is spottyat best.
If you are not on Telstra,forget about it.
So don't rely on your phone.
And the weather is spectacularand spectacularly changeable.
So there you go.
There's a wrap of the CentralHighlands.
If you'd like to visit PumpPumphouse Point, you can check
(27:13):
out the website,pumphousepoint.com.au.
And to find out more what's innew in Tassie, you can visit
discoverTasmania.com.au andwe'll put all those details in
the show notes.
SPEAKER_02 (27:23):
Amazing.
Love Tassie.
SPEAKER_00 (27:28):
You're listening to The World Awaits.
Subscribe through our website attheworldawaits.au.
SPEAKER_01 (27:36):
Our tip this week is about how to make your Swiss
travel paths go further.
And this is a great tip becauseit will save you pots of money.
And um, this tip comes from thefabulous team at Switzerland
Tourism.
SPEAKER_02 (27:49):
So Switzerland has a fantastic network of public
transport by train, bus, andalso boat, and they're all
interconnecting.
They've got they've just gotsuch a good system going, and
they all cross these gorgeousglacial lakes.
And Swiss tourism says the bestway to get around is using the
Swiss travel pass.
SPEAKER_01 (28:06):
Yeah, look, we all know that Switzerland is not a
cheap country by any stretch ofthe imagination.
So imagination.
So any budget tips are mostappreciated.
So the travel pass has first andsecond class versions, which
range from three days, uh, whichcosts about$340, up to 15 days
travel in one month, which costs$670.
Um, and these are the secondclass fares.
(28:27):
So obviously, the you know, theper day charge of the pass gets
cheaper the more days youpurchase.
SPEAKER_02 (28:33):
The great thing about the pass is that no matter
which pass you buy, it includesthree additional mountain
excursions at no extra cost, andthe three experiences are all
nearly certain.
SPEAKER_01 (28:44):
Yeah, you actually travel on Europe's oldest
mountain railway.
Um, there's an aerial cable wayum which climbs up into the
Stanzerhorn Mountains and a tripon the Stews Cranicular, which
is the steepest in the world.
And another great tip is thatchildren under six travel free,
and kids up to 16 years of agetravel who are traveling with an
adult on um the pass also travelfree.
(29:07):
And then on top of that, there'salso a youth fare which gives um
you a 30% discount if you areaged between 17 and 25 years.
And passes also include freeentry to more than 500 museums.
And look, Kirsi, I just did alittle research with a weirdest
Swiss museum and came up with amuseum of stuffed frogs and also
the Swiss witchcraft museum.
SPEAKER_02 (29:28):
And if you'd like to know more about Swiss travel
plans or traveling inSwitzerland, visit the country's
website, which isswitzerland.com, next week we
are going to the mostaspirational travel destination
(29:52):
in the world.
SPEAKER_01 (29:52):
Yes, it is the island nation of the Maldives.
Come with me as we venture intoa couple of the atolls and find.
Find out why everybody's going.
SPEAKER_02 (30:03):
And we'd love it if you follow us on socials.
You'll find us at the WorldAwaits Podcast on Instagram,
Facebook, and LinkedIn.
And feel free to drop us a lineat hello at the worldawaits.au.
And if you're enjoying thisepisode, please give us a rating
or review.
SPEAKER_00 (30:16):
That's a wrap for the World of Waits this week.
Click to subscribe anywhere youlisten to your favorite pods.
Thanks for listening.
See you next week.
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