Less than 50 days before we head off. A huge thanks to my Dad, Max Leahy who has built us a platform to put our brand spanking new mattress on.

We don't have a Winnebago or Caravan to sleep in with all that extra space. We are doing the entire trip in our 2009 Kia Carnival which is basically just a station wagon. With space at a premium we decided we need a platform for our bed that will fold up and provide additional storage space underneath.

So we purchused a custom made inner spring mattress from the Slumber Shop in Hobart which folds back on itself (Thanks Gavin!) and after giving my Dad a very rough sketch of what we need he's built us this awesome addition to the Carnie which should allow us many, many great nights sleep during our trip.

It's all happening - Exciting times!

The Coal Mines Historic Site, near Saltwater River on the Tasman Peninsula is a collection of ruins at the site of Tasmania's first mine just 25 minutes from Port Arthur.

Following the discovery of coal in the area in 1833, plans were soon made for the construction of a mine and the first shipment of coal left the mine in June 1834 to be used at the nearby settlement at Port Arthur.

The coal mines settlement was a punishment station for repeat offenders and recalcitrant prisoners from the Port Arthur penal settlement. By 1839, 29 officers oversaw 150 prisoners and by the early 1840s, the numbers had swollen to nearly 600 prisoners with additional sandstone buildings built to house them and the increased number of guards.

Wandering through the sandstone ruins of those buildings today it's easy to get a sense of the harsh and cramped conditions they would have lived under.

Operated for just 15 years by the government, the mine was closed in 1848 for financial and moral grounds and subsequently leased to private concerns until the 1870s.

With plenty of information and interpretive boards, the Coal Mine Historic Site offers a fascinating look at Tasmania's first mine and the first use of convict labour in an industrial setting.

From the carpark the main settlement and Plunkett Point are accessible. For those with mobility issues, the Inclinde Plane and the road leading to the Main Shaft are not advised.

If you're in Tassie's North West and are looking for a unique and quirky tourist experience, then Tasmazia and the Village of Lower Crackpot certainly fits the bill.

This whimsical attraction is located in the shadows of the majestic Mount Roland at the wonderfully named Promised Land, and is billed as the "world's smallest village." We decided to check it out for ourselves and were not disappointed!

Tasmazia had its beginnings in 1987 when the self-professed Laird of Lower Crackpot, Brian Inder, planted the hedges for what was then the largest maze in the world. It's grown a bit since then, and now includes 8 mazes, the village of Lower Crackpot, Embassy Gardens, and a lavender farm.

There are also the ever-present views of magnificent Mount Roland which overlooks the magical complex.

The attractions here are geared towards kids (and big kids like me), with plenty of mazes to explore, tunnels to crawl through, and bridges to cross. Obviously, I left the tunnel crawling and bridge crossings to the kids and more able!

From an accessibility viewpoint, Tasmazia does everything it can to be wheelchair-friendly. The main maze is wide with a pine bark base and all obstacles have a way around them. The Village of Lower Crackpot and Embassy Gardens have wide, flat paths and there are wheelchair-friendly toilets available in the complex.

The other mazes don't suit mobility-impaired people, but my experience was not diminished in the slightest for it.

Wandering through the main maze reveling in the experience of being wonderfully lost and entertained by foraging potoroos and seemingly the world's largest collection of signed dad jokes, was a fantastic way to spend an hour or so.

Then you hit the village of Lower Crackpot and it's exactly what it says on the tin - a small village with one road, two pubs and a post office. Magically though it's as if Willy Wonka and Mary Poppins have leaped from the pages and combined to build a village for Oompa Loompas.

Brian Inder's irreverent and irrepressible sense of humour is everywhere, with signs poking fun at the weather, politicians, and just about anything else he thought of and the humour keeps rolling next door in the Embassy Garden.

Sadly Brian passed away in 2019 which strangely brings me a feeling of loss. He was a larger-than-life character who dedicated decades of his life creating this magical place and you get an almost tangible sense of who he was as you progress through the complex. I feel the poorer for not having met him.

If you're looking for an interesting day out that's a little different, then Tazmazia is well worth a visit. With something to delight visitors of all ages, it's perfect for a family day out. The cafe on site serves up light meals, snacks, and drinks, or you can take a picnic and wander back in and out of the various attractions as you feel. A pass lasts all day.

We'll definitely be back!

In the heart of Tasmania's beautiful Derwent Valley, 45 minutes from Hobart, Salmon Ponds has long been a favourite picnic spot for Hobartians. With plenty of wide paths and peaceful spots to sit, it's easy to spend a few hours here enjoying the beautifully manicured gardens and peaceful atmosphere.

There's a lot of history to be found here, too. Salmon Ponds is Australia's oldest trout hatchery and continues to replenish Tasmania's river systems and lakes with the fish that entice fly fishermen from all over the world. The Historic Trout Hatchery, Museum of Trout Fishing and the Anglers Hall of Fame all provide insight into the evolution of Tasmania's world-renowned recreational trout fishery.

Guests are welcome to feed the enormous fish that dwell in each pond, and if they're lucky, they may catch a glimpse of the Platypus that have made the ponds their home.

Salmon Ponds is wheelchair friendly, with wide paths and disabled facilities.

The on-site cafe serves light meals and beverages, while the on-site barbecue, picnic tables and shaded areas under ancient 150-year-old trees make it a great spot for a family picnic or relaxing timeout from a hectic traveling schedule.