The Long Way Home - The Happy Optimists

The Long Way Home - The Happy Optimists The Happy Optimists on 27 December 2023 took off for 9mths of wonderments travelling AU in a van. Though we do have a generator, but rarely need it.

Follow (Nic and Dani) Dic and Nani’s wayward wanders around AU.
Travelling in a Snowy River SR20 van being towed by an MUX Isuzu, we can stay off grid as long as we have water and a stock of food. We run solar and a 3 way fridge and have a Dometic fridge in the car. The only luxury we don’t have when off grid is the air-conditioner. In the cold we have a diesel heater and generally we follow the sun - headed clockwise around AU - The Long Way Home

Life is very chilled and we absolutely are loving nature.

Bay of Fires Tasmania 🩵💚 🦭 The Gardens and Binnalong - WoW Rock and Rockpool Sealife ParadiseThe coastline opens to a br...
30/10/2025

Bay of Fires Tasmania 🩵💚 🦭

The Gardens and Binnalong - WoW

Rock and Rockpool Sealife Paradise

The coastline opens to a breathtaking sweep of white sands and crystal-clear water, shifting from turquoise shallows to deep cobalt blue. Scattered along the shore are giant granite boulders, rounded…. smoothed by centuries of wind and tide.

Each one smudged with burnt-orange and rust-red tone, created by a lichen that thrives in the salt spray. This natural pigment, part algae, part fungi, paints the rocks in fiery hues that seem to ignite under the sun.

Interestingly, the name wasn’t originally about the rocks, it came from a shipsighting, who recorded traditional land keepers campfires along the shore. Like ‘A Bay of Fires’

The sealife - mutton birds - seals, playing Dolphines - whales off the shore.

It’s here, between the green of the land and the blue of the sea, that Tasmania reveals her masterpiece, a living contrast of elements, light, and time.

I hope the pictures inspire you to go. They are only such a small capture of a gorgeous journey.

H30ML⭕️♾️⭕️

Everyone said Do Mona! And Oh MONA you do not disappoint. Museum of Old and New Art Hobart From light into the darkness ...
27/10/2025

Everyone said Do Mona! And Oh MONA you do not disappoint. Museum of Old and New Art Hobart

From light into the darkness of shadows, to the light and dark of humour and controversy.

The wall of V is gone - 😔 yet there was so many wild moments of Oooooo and ahhh and even OH MY! It’s like a playground for the mind - to think or not to think became the question - occasionally we also had to U turn and revisit a certain few to deal with the ethical lines lol - like art of Defication Processing 💩- interesting- but….. 🤮 or imprisoning a bonsai tree to see it it screams 😭….

I loved this art Sidney Nolans Serpent is SPECIAL ! The work and faces and size WOW
And those Drop Bears 😁😂 the Black and white room that made your balance waiver - awesome experience- next time we want 3 days to go slow and listen to each one one the self touring O app

Some fun facts

You must have the App to enter - you can also book ‘experieces’, buy your tickets and get a self guided tour with ‘The ‘O’’ app.

🎟 Ticket / Admission Costs
• For non-Tasmanian visitors (i.e., from interstate or international):
• Adult: AUD $39 
• Concession (healthcare, pension, senior, student): AUD $33 
• Ages 12-17: AUD $17 
• Ages 4-11: Free entry (proof of age not required) 
• Ages 0-3: Free entry 
• For Tasmanian residents (locals):
• Adult: A $5 deposit (refundable after visit) 
• Under 18s: Free 

📌 Note: These fees are museum entry only; getting to MONA (e.g., via ferry) may incur additional cost.

🕒 Opening Hours
• MONA is open Thursday to Monday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm from October 31 2025 otherwise before then Friday to Monday
SO CHECK


It’s a BIG day of walking so be comfortable and bring nibbles and water!

Have fun and prepare to be shocked lol in a good weird way

Tasmania North West is so worthwhile. So many wonderful places to see on this incredible Island. We drove from Launcesto...
23/10/2025

Tasmania North West is so worthwhile.

So many wonderful places to see on this incredible Island. We drove from Launceston out Evendale- to Lulworth, George Town both sides of the Tanmar, town hopping all the way up to Stanley - top spots for us - Deloraine, Penguin Mole Creek - even Mersey Bluff WOW very beautiful places, and Stanley and the Nut stunning.

Yes it’s cold, yes it’s raining, yes it’s windy - but it’s also stunning and incredible interesting to wander and explore.

One of our stops - Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden So many wonderful places to see on this incredible Island. We drove fr...
23/10/2025

One of our stops - Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden

So many wonderful places to see on this incredible Island. We drove from Launceston out Evendale- to Lulworth, George Town both sides of the Tanmar, town hopping all the way up to Stanley - top spots for us - Deloraine, Penguin Mole Creek - even Mersey Bluff WOW very beautiful places, and Stanley and the Nut stunning.

We stopped at Emu Valley Rhododendron
Garden which was stunning, an easy meandering walk - as you can see the place is beautiful.

Entry to the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden is
Adults: $15
Concessions: $13
Members and children: Free
Hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM, except for Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Whens the best time to visit - typically spring, to late September to mid-November, to see the peak rhododendron and azalea blooms. However, we imagine the gardens are beautiful year-round.

You can purchase plants, and there is Rosetree Cafe that serves homemade food, including home-baked treats, light lunches and traditional Devonshire teas. They also offer homemade soups, sandwiches, and barista coffees.

Or bring your own picnic to enjoy in the gardens they really are lovely.

TOP TIP: when it cones to flowers - this region has much to offer. Do your own research, with so many beautiful flower farms - you might also get lucky and see the tulips around this time of year (Oct) too.


17/10/2025

One more sleep and Tassie here we come
🙌🏻
What’s your top tips for road tripping
Tasmania?

Address

Thirlmere, NSW

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