HOST

 Six friends Haley (Haley Bishop), Jemma (Jemma Moore), Emma (Emma Louise Webb), Radina (Radina Drandova), Caroline (Caroline Ward) and Teddy (Edward Linard) hire a medium Seylan (Seylan Baxter) to hold a séance via Zoom during lockdown.

All was fun and games, until it wasn’t. Seylan had given strict instructions to obey and not make fun of the spirits but there’s always one, who simply can’t or won’t follow the rules and that was Jemma.

Due to Jemma’s careless, selfish actions, an evil entity invades their homes and is not leaving anytime soon, until he does what he sets out to do.

Wow… I normally go accordance with movie length (57 minutes) and already made up my mind, before giving this movie a go, that it was going to be crap. Movies that are generally less than 1.5 hours, are rubbish.

But not this one, it turned out to be quite the gem. Here's an interesting fact, this movie was entirely developed and filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Outback Motor Inn Nyngan. Clean, Compact and Perfect as a Pit Stop

 Travelling from South Coast to the Outback is a 14-hour drive, where I needed a pit stop to refuel, rest and continue on with my journey. 

I have chosen Outback Motor Inn for an overnight stay (great value if you’re on a budget) and chosen this place for two reasons, as it is the midpoint of my travels and I wanted to see the Big Bogan statue. 

To my surprise, the accommodation is across the road from the RSL Bistro and only ten-minute walk to town, which coincidentally, you will find the Big Bogan statue. I found the accommodation compact but unbelievably, all the conveniences were there. 

As a family of four, we fitted quite snug in the one room, including an area to make your tea/coffee and many appliances available (tele, microwave, toaster, ironing board and kettle) within the same room. 

You will also receive complimentary tea, coffee, sugar and a small popper of milk. There are soap/shampoo dispensers in the shower as well. However, being located close to the Barrier Highway, the traffic was continuous throughout the night, very noisy and occasionally you could hear a train whistle when going by. 

I would highly recommend to ask for a room further away from the highway. On top of that, what is with the sheets? Every little move you make, sounds like raincoat noises, very annoying and disruptive, we tried our best not to move, not to disturb others within the room. In short, we didn’t have a comfortable, restful sleep! 

But in all fairness, the motel has no fault with the noise made by traffic, but can make improvements with their rustling sheets. Just a suggestion. 

Another interesting site to visit during your travels to the outback is an open-cut mine at Fort Bourke Hill Lookout… if you’re heading that way – magnificent viewing.

TOM OF YOUR LIFE

 This is an interesting and unique concept. I have read the synopsis and thought it would be similar to the movie ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – 2008’ and how wrong was I. A nurse ‘Jess’ (Baize Buzan), smuggles a baby ‘Tom’ (Judah Abner Paul – Tom age 8; Joshua Paul – Tom age 12; Dominic Rescigno – Tom in his 20s and Jeremy Sklar – Tom in his 30s – 104) out of the hospital, after discovering that the baby ages four years every hour.

With little time to live, Jess wants to show Tom what life is all about before the authorities have a hold on him. An interesting conversation starter with friends and family. What would you do, if you know someone that has only one day to live? Where would you take this person, what life experiences would you try to squeeze in?

Pretty hard trying to cram life’s best experiences as a child to an old person… where would you start? What if it was you in this position? How would you live it as a child, teenager, adult till your last breath?

I underestimated this movie, I believe it is an interesting watch, if you want something different for a change. Acting was pretty good too!

the BIG bogan. Am I Seeing Double?

 My aim is to find as many BIG monuments available within Australia and of course take a selfie as proof. I have already made arrangements to visit the outback, which I purposely chosen Nyngan as my overnight stay, as they have the ‘Big Bogan’ tourist attraction. 

Yes… it is a great opportunity for a photo opportunity with friends and/or family but apart from that, Nyngan doesn’t have much else worth seeing. However, I do believe it is a clever move to have such a large statue, as the Big Bogan works as a draw card to attract tourists – it definitely worked for me. 

By fluke, I also found a smaller version of the Big Bogan (if memory serves me correctly, situation on the Mitchell Highway), and yes… didn’t hesitate to take a photo with the little bogan too.

GREENLAND

People are watching helplessly and fleeing aimlessly for survival, as flying meteors come crashing down on Earth, causing extreme chaos.

The government have notified only selective people who they believe are worth rescueing, those who are skills of value to offer, which the Garrity family were lucky enough to be selected.

Cascade Brewery and HistoryExperience. A 'Cicerone' in the Making

 When checking in for your tour at the ‘Cascade Brewhouse’, each participant receives a brochure outlining the history of Cascade Brewery, the brewing process, the range of beers available and a token that entitles you to a 10% discount on Cascade souvenirs / gift purchases. 

The first question the lady asked us was, if we were wearing flat shoes – to which we replied “yes”. Furthermore, the lady will instruct you where your meeting point is and what time you should be there. We were there about an hour early, so we had dinner there. 

Bruny Island Cruises. Hold Onto Your Pants!!!

 We purchased our tickets online or you can actually buy your tickets in person at their Hobart Waterfront Booking Centre (nearby ‘Constitution Dock Marina’ – you can’t miss it). Purchase price with Kettering pickup is $150 pp but it also includes your return fare on vehicle ferries. Received a confirmation email and a link on Google Maps to drive to ‘Kettering Meeting Point’ (Oyster Cove Marina), easy to get to with the provided Google Maps link and plenty of free parking available at meeting point.

COME PLAY

 Oliver (Azhy Robertson) is a lonely boy due to being different from everyone else and unable to talk but communicates through his technology device.

It is through Oliver’s much needed device, a sinister creature named ‘Larry’ comes through, communicating to Oliver and wanting to make friends with him. Larry preys upon lonely children, promises to be their friend forever and anyone who steps in his way, will die.

BLACK BOX

 Nolan (Mamoudou Athie) is struggling to regain his memory after surviving a horrific car accident but not so lucky for his wife. He has no recollection or connection of his daughter Ava (Amanda Christine), nor the work he used to do, where he was recognised and rewarded with awards of recognition.

Nolan tries his best to return to his former self and with the help and guidance of his friend Gary (Tosin Morohunfola), Nolan undergoes an experimental treatment that may help to regain his memory.

Travelodge ‘Flight Restaurant’. Hobart Airport Tourist Park

 We stayed at the Hobart Airport Tourist Park, there are two restaurant options within walking distance, we had already dined at Tasmanian Gourmet Seafoods (food is very nice) and the other is at Travelodge ‘Flight Restaurant’, so we thought we would give this a go. 

They are opened for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, we went there for dinner, open seven days from 5.30pm to 9pm and it is table service. We wasted no time and arrived there at 5.30pm without reservations – all good, the waitstaff greeted us and walked us to our table for two. 

The Teez Café Teezed Our Taste Buds

 Having left Strahan for Hobart (4.5-hour drive), we found ‘The Teez Café’ in Tarraleah by accident – I was not aware of its existence. 

After traveling for about two hours on the Lyell Highway, we saw this sign displayed on the path on the side of the highway “The Teez Café” and underneath it “Tasty Lunches” (literally we reached midpoint – a sign displayed on the T-Section ‘turn right to Strahan (175km) turn or left for Hobart (125km)’.

Gordon River Cruise. Wilderness at its Best

 We stayed at Strahan Holiday Retreat Big 4 because it is only a ten-minute fast-paced walk to the main wharf and saves you the hassles of finding a parking spot. If you’re driving there, you would have to pay for parking whether it’s off-street or in parking lots. 

Once we got there, we entered their ticketing place / gift shop, to get our tickets. We have already purchased our tickets online but you still need to get your tickets to get your seating number(s) before boarding ‘Spirit of the Wild’ cruise ship – check-in at 8am for 8.30am departure for our six-hour tour journey. 

I AM WOMAN

 Biography of one of the most successful female singers of her time… Helen Reddy. Unfolds the story from rags to riches. Takes place in 1966, Helen Reddy (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) heads from Australia to New York, with her three-year-old daughter Traci (Scout Bowman), having won a recording contract, only to be reneged.

Molly's Cafe Strahan Tasmania. Jolly Molly

 We were staying at the BIG4 Strahan Holiday Retreat Park and wanted something simple, quick and convenient. Molly’s Great Food fits that description perfectly and is conveniently located right next door to BIG4. 

This is a great place for casual dining, where you can dine in or outdoors or takeaway. They even have a chalkboard displayed at the front of the café with specials for the day.

GET DUKED!

 

Ian (Samuel Bottomley), Duncan (Lewis Gribben) and DJ Beatroot (Viraj Juneja) are no-hopers and their teacher Mr Carlyle (Jonathan Aris), has given them a chance of feeling one’s worth or purpose in life, by giving them a mission to complete the Duke of Edinburgh Award trek across the highlands.

CENTIGRADE

 This story was inspired by actual events that took place in 2002. A heavily pregnant American novelist Naomi (Genesis Rodriguez) and her husband Matt (Vincent Piazza) were traveling in a rental car to Norway to attend a small book tour.

Caught in bad weather, the couple decided to pull to the side of the road until the weather settles down a bit, only to wake up buried under snow and caught in a blizzard. With very little food and water and a baby on the way, tells the harrowing story of their struggles they encountered and what they had to do just to survive for over the next three weeks – something they weren’t prepared for.

Hamer’s Bar & Grill. Really... Vegemite Caramel Sauce?

 We actually had plans to dine at ‘Bushman’s Bar and Café’ but they had a sign displayed at the entrance of their door that it is booked out. So we strolled through town and found ‘Hamer’s Bar & Grill’, (bistro dining) no reservations required, a simple walk in (we were there about 6pm), attended to straight away, the dining area was spacious, we were walked to our table and left with a menu to look through.

BIG4 Strahan Holiday Retreat. The Positives Outweigh The Negatives

 I have found Big4 Strahan Holiday Retreat to be a convenient place to stay because it is walking distance to town including local tourist attractions. As a family of four, we booked a ‘Standard Park Cabin’ (1 x Queen bed and 4 x Bunk beds for six people, only because the cabins for four were already booked out) for a two-night stay.

There are no boomgates to access the site, staff are very friendly and when checking in, they will give you keys and a copy of the map so you can find your way around the park quite easily. On the reverse side of the map, you are given Wi-Fi password and a thorough explanation should you experience slow connection but how to overcome the problem with given alternatives how to find ‘hot spots’ to improve your chances (I’m guessing that there may have been a lot of complaints from prior guests, but it’s out of anyone’s control and it doesn’t help when guests are there during the holiday season (we stayed there on 3 & 4 January 2020). 

UNHINGED

 Rachel (Caren Pistorius) is running late getting her son Kyle (Gabriel Bateman) to school and getting to work on time. Frustrated and stuck in traffic, Rachel loses her patience with a driver (Russell Crowe) in front of her, when the lights turn green.

Rather than give him a “courtesy tap”, she angrily blares her horn at him and then overtakes the driver, clearly showing him that she is not impressed… wrong move! This sets the driver’s inner psychotic rage, where you figure that he too is having a bad day, and what Rachel did, just tipped him over.

THE VANISHED

 Paul (Thomas Jane), his wife Wendy (Anne Heche) and their ten-year-old daughter Taylor (Kk & Sadie Heim) takes a family vacation at a serene RV park. While Paul was prepping to go fishing with his daughter, he was distracted by another camper, a beautiful lady named Miranda (Aleksei Archer), got talking with her for a while and during this time, his daughter goes missing.

You learn that the couple have marital problems already, where Wendy blames Paul for their missing child. Having the local Sheriff (Jason Patric) involved, the two stop at nothing, and do their own investigations to find their missing daughter, who disappeared without a trace.

Woolnorth Tours. A Tour That Exceeded Our Expectations

 I had no problem in finding our meeting point ‘Bluff Point Wind Farm Gate’ in Woolnorth, clear easy directions to follow with the provided link sent to me via email from Laura to follow. We arrived in ample time, enough to read the information and history about Woolnorth posted inside their ‘rotunda’ shaped shelter where there is a sign posted ‘Woolnorth Tours’ on the building – just walk around it, there is an opening there for you to enter.

BENNETT’S WAR

 Soldier Marshall Bennett (Michael Roark) returns home after he had sustained injuries from an IED explosion in combat with Afghanistan. Advised by the doctors, upon being discharged from hospital, that he has a long road to recovery with a broken back and leg, Bennett had other plans.

He had found out that his father is behind with mortgage repayments and that his wife is overworked. In order to support his family and save the family farm, as a former motocross champion bike rider, Bennett defies all odds, and with the help from his buddy Cyrus (Ali Afshar), helps him with the impossible comeback.

Discovery Parks Devonport. A Park With A Sense Of Humour

 The first thing I noticed when we arrived at Discovery Parks Devonport was the sense of humour Bryce has with his weather forecast, you will understand what I mean when you see the photo I have attached –ingenious! I may implement his idea at home. 

There are no boomgates to access the site, staff will give you a map of the park and Wi-Fi password – Wi-Fi connection was very slow during the day but reasonably fast early in the morning – I’m guessing the reason behind the ‘slow connection’ is it’s during the summer school holidays but when most guests at the park were asleep, the Wi-Fi connection was considerably good. 

BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC

 Without spoiling this movie… too much… let me tell you that the director / writers used the same basis as the first movie ‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure – 1989’.

But instead of returning with important historian figures to pass their history test, the duo’s children Bill’s (Alex Winter) daughter Thea (Samara Weaving) and Ted’s (Keanu Reeves) daughter Billie (Brigette Lundy-Paine) goes on a time travel to save their fathers and help them to fulfill their rock ‘n’ roll destiny.

Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Café. Raspberry Inspired Meals

 Lunch break at Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Café on our travels. There is plenty of free parking available BUT… this place was overly busy with visitors. If you’re planning on having lunch at this café, please make reservations, as we were put on the waiting list. Staff told us, in the meantime, to have a stroll around their grounds and then come back to see if there are any tables available. 

Their grounds is quite charming, with impressive surrounding lake and native trees / plants - we even spotted an alpaca. From a distance, you can see rows of white greenhouses, which I can only assume to be raspberry farm – you have no access. 

SPREE

 Desperate need of attention / popular as a social media influencer and for his video to go viral, Kurt Kunkle (Joe Keery) tries too hard and goes to extreme measures just to be as popular or outdo the popular ones who are already famous.

Decking out his car with cameras, not wanting to miss an opportunity, Kurt decides to do rideshare called ‘Spree’, but his plan for his passengers are with a “no mercy” attitude. Yet Kurt just doesn’t seem to have what it takes.

Sheffield Tasmania. A Town Saved by Murals

 We continued our journey from Launceston to Devonport traveling on the scenic route, so far we visited Liffey Falls, The Great Western Tiers Sculpture in Deloraine… had a lunch break at Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Café and finally arrived in a town called Sheffield – a town saved by murals. 

There is plenty of free off-street parking. You will find the bulk of murals by starting your treasure hunting of murals on ‘Main Street’. It is a fun activity to do with family and friends trying to find murals OR… choose the easy option and obtain a copy of location map from ‘Information Centre’ or checkout the of the map which is displayed publicly, that I believe to be, inside a bus-shelter. 

 THE 24TH

This is a piece of history that needed to be told. I had no idea that this had happened.

This true story is based on the Third Battalion of the all-black Twenty-fourth United States Infantry Regiment who became involved in the deadly riot, on 23 August 1917, known as ‘Houston Riot of 1917’. The black soldiers and black locals were constantly being racially discriminated and harassed by the Houston Police Officers.

But enough was enough, when push comes to shove, all hell broke loose, that led to a resistance by ‘The 24th infantry against the police force. A bloody outcome and very sad. A very powerful movie with stellar performances by all. A must watch piece of history.

Bald Critic Rating

Liffey Falls. Luscious Forest with Amazing Viewing Platforms to Falls.

 Luscious Forest with Amazing Viewing Platforms to Falls

We made sure to stop at Tasmania’s iconic Liffey Falls on our way from Launceston heading to Devonport - worth a stop and a nice break from traveling. However, the road you need to travel on ‘Riversdale Road’ to Liffey Falls is ‘undesirable’. 

The road is gravel, winding and very narrow – what was more frightening, it is a two-way car access. Not a comfortable driving experience, especially when the vehicles coming the opposite direction are HUGE.

Penny Royal Pass Launceston Tasmania

 Adventures That Would Suit Anyone

We started our new year (1 January 2020) at the Penny Royal to enjoy a family outing. There are lots to do at Penny Royal that would suit anybody. Free entry, you only pay for the adventures you want to take part in or pay for the package deals. For the ‘adventurous’ people, purchase the ‘Cliff Pass’ package (includes: cliff walk; rock climbing; zip lines; quick jump) for $59 per adult / $39 per child / concession. For the ‘less adventurous’ people, purchase the ‘Park Pass’ package (includes: Matthew Brady Dark Ride; Brig Tamar Cruise, Cannon Fire + Sarah Island Ghosts; Convict Barefoot Sensation; Gold and Gemstone Mine) for $59 per adult / $39 per child / concession. 

Or the ‘Penny Royal Pass’ which includes both park and cliff adventures for $99 per adult / $69 per child / concession. Or do what we did and pick and choose what you really want to do. We were ‘less adventurous’ and chose ‘Matthew Brady Dark Ride’ @ $15 pp and ‘Brig Tamar Cruise, Cannon Fire + Sarah Island Ghosts’ @ $10 pp, we paid tickets at child pricing– I’m not too sure if it is a summer holiday deal or that it was the first day of a new year? We enjoyed both rides.

The Gorge, Launceston

'Gorge'ous and it's FREE!

We planned a family get together at ‘The Gorge’. Plenty of parking available but it is meter parking – you don’t need to pay for parking after 5pm and it is open 24/7. What an amazing place to spend time with family and friends. 

Entry is free but the chairlift ride is $13 (one-way) or $16 (return). When we purchased our tickets, the lady suggested one-way up is the best way, as it is uphill and then walking back the rest of the way would be an easy, steady walk downhill – less strenuous. Excellent suggestion.

PEARL

 Pearl (Larsen Thompson), a gifted 15-year-old student, had a promising future ahead of her but all was taken away in ‘a blink of an eye’ when her stepfather murdered her mother Helen (Sarah Carter).

Helen had left instructions in her Will, that her daughter goes to live with her ex-lover… Pearl’s biological father Jack (Anthony LaPaglia), whom she was told by her mother, that he is dead.

The two are awkwardly put together against their will, where they both learn to deal with mutual loss, trying to make sense of their new life and take on responsibilities just to move on in life. The plot felt authentic and to my surprise, I have found out that the story indeed was real and close to the director Bobby Roth.

Character development for Helen and Jack was great but I just couldn’t feel connected with Pearl, she played her part satisfactory level.

MISS JUNETEENTH

 Turquoise Jones (Nicole Beharie), a former Miss Juneteenth pageant winner, lives in a small town in Texas and is a hard-working single mother… sort of, she has a deadbeat, part-time husband Ronnie (Kendrick Sampson) who is good for nothing, comes and goes when he pleases and sponges off her like a leech. Turquoise is trying to live her life through her 15-year-old Kai (Alexis Chikaeze), to correct her wrongs and past regrets just to give her daughter the opportunity she missed out.

Winning the Miss Juneteenth pageant gives you free scholarship that leads you to opportunities in securing a successful but promising career / life.

Unfortunately, Turquoise messed up and made many bad life choices but is so determined that Kai won’t mess up and will live the dream she had always wanted for herself. Turquoise continuously encounters many roadblocks and struggles, but she is one determined, strong-minded woman, who is capable of re-evaluating and assess the situation and figures out another way to ensure that nothing will get in their way this time.

I had the misconception that it was about pageant, but it was deceiving, underrated with stellar performance by Nicole Beharie. You could actually feel her pain and frustrations, trying to get out of the rut-hole, repeated for many generations and trying to break-free out of the loophole, by daring to do something different. But you can also understand why Kai is so rebellious, it is not the life she wants and evidently shows and tells her mother repeatedly.

A very touching mother / daughter story and lessons to learn from. Definitely recommend this movie. I shall leave you with a quote, by Roger Crawford, that best sums up this movie “Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.”

Convenient, Friendly and Family Feel Accommodation - Discovery Parks - Hadspen Tasmania

Convenient, Friendly and Family Feel Accommodation - Discovery Parks - Hadspen Tasmania

Of all cabins we have stayed in Tasmania, I have found Hadspen Discovery Park to be more convenient and with a friendly, family feel to it. 

There are no boomgates to access the site (I like this idea), staff will give you a map of the park and Wi-Fi password – Wi-Fi connection is fast too. 

The self-contained ‘Standard Cabin’ I booked was very spacious, comfortable and well laid out. The beds come with clean linen and towels, with complimentary mini bathroom accessories (shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion). A complimentary coffee and tea starter kit is provided (including 300ml milk in the fridge). Offers one free marked car park space per cabin (right beside the cabin). 

An impressive, neat and clean park but what makes this park more convenient compared with the others I have stayed at, is that they have an IGA Supermarket and Fuel Station next door to Reception. This is great, as I had to find nearby supermarkets to stock up on our groceries, while at Hadspen Discovery Park, it only takes a two-minute walk to IGA – convenient… right? It has all your necessary amenities plus more! 

I asked staff at reception, what are the hours to use their laundry, to which she replied that it is opened 24/7 – terrific! As I have chosen ‘Day 5’ of our Tassie holiday to do our laundry at about 11pm. 

Both washing machines and dryer costs $4 per machine, the washing machine takes approximately 40 minutes and the dryer takes approximately 20 minutes to complete the cycle. 

They have a ‘Guests Herb Garden’ beautifully laid out, that you may help yourself for meal requirements. Amongst the herbs, there were strawberries and a plethora of passionfruit growing. I did have a couple of strawberries, they were yum but unfortunately no passionfruit as the fruit was still green (we were there during late December 2019 / early January 2020). It was their ‘Guests Herb Garden’ that gave it the ‘friendly, family feel’ to this park – just like back at home, having your own herb garden growing. 

Not too far to drive to Launceston if you want to have take-out or better still, take advantage have take-out from the IGA store next door to Reception, they offer hot foods which is cooked on the premise as well, at a very fair price. Along the path on Winifred Jane Crescent, there is a ‘street library’ situated next to the noticeboard, for you to freely choose a book to your liking to take back and read for free – a nice community touch and incentive to read. 

The park is not too far from ‘South Esk River’ if you love to spend some time fishing. Or do what we did and visit ‘The Cataract Gorge’ and ‘Penny Royal’ as a family fun day out. I highly recommend this park if you’re looking for somewhere convenient, friendly and not too far from attractions when in Launceston.

Balt Critics Rating

Returning to the Site for Better Viewing - Port Arthur Historic Site.

I believe it was the ‘Ghost Tour’ we took part in the night before, that the ghosts conjured us to return to this site to do the ‘Introductory Tour’ – an unplanned activity. 

We were so blown away with the experience during our ‘Ghost Tour’ that we all wanted to have a better look at the site during the day. 

Tickets are more expensive but justifiable. At $40 per person, it covers entry to the site for two consecutive days - which I believe you need to take the time to fully appreciate what they have to offer – one day is not enough. 

The price also includes a guided ‘Introductory Tour’, ‘Harbour Cruise’ and access to some of the historic ruins. 

We purchased our tickets at the ‘Visitor Centre’, the lovely staff was very helpful, she told us that the cruise is optional but it comes with the price of the ticket regardless, she highly recommended that we should do this activity. 

It was a no-brainer for us, we wanted to do the cruise but you need to let her know, so that she could reserve your seat. She planned our cruise for 9.45am, a 20-minute cruise (but you need to be there 10 minutes prior to departure time) that left us enough time to join our ‘Introductory Tour’ that was booked for 11am, a 45-minute tour. 

The lady also gave us a ‘Visitor Map’, and Brochures to help guide us around the site and information explaining each building. 

We were so glad we did the cruise, we cruised passed the ‘Dockyard’, ‘Point Puer Boys’ Prison’ and the ‘Isle of the Dead’ with commentary to go with it – very sad but fascinating stories. You could also buy light refreshments on the cruise. 

Then we did our ‘Introductory Tour’, ‘Paul’ our tour guide was great, he did take us to the same places we did on our ‘Ghost Tour’ and told similar stories but differently – both tours unique / both tours a must. 

The ‘Ghost Tour’ had more stories told in comparison. What I enjoyed most about the day tour was that we got to take clear photos and had a better look of the buildings. I did take a photo inside the Commandant’s House and I believe in the photo, there appears to be an orb – I showed it to my family and they believe it’s just light but you can make out what you believe (I have attached it to this review). 

We then headed to the ‘Museum Coffee Shop’ located in ‘The Asylum’ building (open 10.30am to 3.30pm) for something to eat. The café offers pre-packed sandwiches, pastry snacks, cakes, cold drinks and coffee / tea – we had sandwiches and spinach feta rolls and their chocolate mini muffins – highly recommend the muffins, two in a pack, moist and delicious. 

We only had a couple of hours to spare, as we had travelling plans to follow. We were able to squeeze in time to venture on the site, we also found a memorial dedicated to that tragic day, on Sunday 28 April 1996, where a gunman took the lives of 35 people on site, we had the time to read the plaques and also visited the museum. 

The lady whom we purchased the tickets from, also gave us a card each, a clever interactive activity to take part in the Port Arthur Gallery (located in the Visitor Centre) to find the matching picture and discover their fate – it also works out as a nice memento to take home too. 

You need to visit the museum, there is a lot of information to read, artefacts to see and you could also search on their provided device, family names to see if they were convicts during that time and what crimes they committed – excellent idea, that gives it a personal touch. 

Also, read your printed tickets, as it contains valuable information. On the ticket itself, there are further activities that are included in your tickets - ‘Museum House Talks’ which you can join – the lady also told us but very hard to remember times and places to attend. On the ticket, it states scheduled times and locations (easy to find, just follow the map given to you) to join these sessions. Don’t worry, more than one session is available for these talks, to give you a fair opportunity to attend at least one of them. 

For dinner, ‘1830 Restaurant & Bar’ is located in the ‘Visitor Centre’ (from 4pm – you may make reservations for dinner where you purchased your tickets). 

Very important to know… your tickets are non-refundable. Regardless if the weather is cold, wet or hot, the tour will go ahead. 

Bring comfortable walking shoes, umbrella (works great for sunny or rainy weather – perfect shade for both), sunscreen, a bottle of water (there are also bubblers available on site – we found one in the outdoors eating area of ‘Museum Coffee Shop’) and dress appropriately for the weather conditions. 

If you are going to take advantage of using your ticket for the two-days, there are optional tours (for additional fee) you can take part in. Had I known prior, I would have loved to visit ‘Isle of the Dead Cemetery Tour’ – perhaps there may be a next time?

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