Tasmania week 2 : One last road trip…

This is the last full day, tomorrow we fly back home. How the 2 weeks have raced by.

One day left to explore the beauty of the Tasmanian country side. So we head west to Deloraine. I’d been told it was an interesting village with many art and craft shops to explore. Definitely sounds like our sort of place. Of course I had “Googled” it…

“Deloraine has been classified as a National Trust town of historic significance. Located on the banks of the Meander River it is often promoted as an ideal location to use as a base while exploring Cradle Mountain, the attractions at Mole Creek, the north-west coast and nearby Tamar Valley. This is not entirely fair as the town has many interesting historic buildings and it is definitely worth spending time exploring the rich street sculpture and the sculptures that are scattered around the area as well”

Arts and crafts still dominate with the town’s many local galleries, craft shops and antique stores.

Deloraine’s streets are lined with Georgian and Victorian buildings and make for a charming morning or afternoon stroll. The town’s excellent bakeries and cafes are also popular local hotspots.

We turned off the main highway to wend our way along narrow country roads, passing through quaint, small villages. finding the occasional impressive church.

This large cruciform bluestone church in the Decorated Gothic style was begun in 1869 and the building consecrated in 1874. It was designed by Henry Hunter, Tasmania’s most prolific Victorian architect. The tower was added early this century.¹ The marble high altar and reredos were designed by Alexander North.

But again what most captured my eye and the camera lens was the roses. Even this austere blue-stone church had roses softening its walls. But stopping and walking along quaint village streets the roses were every where.

Arriving in Deloraine we drove right along the main street looking for parking. It was bustling and alive with a vibrant atmosphere. finally found a park right at the far end of town. Deloraine didn’t disappoint with countless art and craft shops to browse around. And also sculptures along the main street. These are just a couple of them.

Choosing somewhere for lunch was a difficult decision so many to choose from. But locally baked scallop pies and a crowded cafe with a delicious aroma drifting out onto the street enticed us in. The last art/craft shop along the main street was just closing, but when she saw us gazing in the window she unlocked the door and let us browse around. She also told us about the river walk. So we followed that trail back to where we had parked the car.

In one of the art shops we’d been told about a nearby town called Sheffield. Know as the “mural town”. This we had to see. Another delightful drive along the winding back roads with always interesting things to see.

I think these hairy highland cows were as interested in us, as we took their photos, as we were in them.

The roads were lined with lush pasture and sprinkled with wild daisies.

How fertile the rich red soil looks.

We only have a short time left to look around Sheffield. But what an amazing place.

Sheffield has reemerged as an arts community. Now it is a town covered in beautiful murals.

In the centre of Sheffield, you’ll find Mural Park. The park hosts an annual Mural Fest Painting Competition. Nine artists compete for over 6 days to be crowned with the prize of the town’s best mural. Now with over 140 murals, this rural town is its own outdoor gallery worth an afternoon walk. Sheffield became the Town of Murals due to the pioneering work of the Kentish Association for Tourism and a local named Brian Inder. The first murals went up in the mid-80’s and depicted the towns history as well as its thundering natural surrounds. More murals are added every year and Sheffield now attracts over 200,000 tourists annually

The murals were everywhere. On whole walls, tucked down alleyways, decorating private houses. An almost overwhelming number. An old horse and wagon trundled by as I was busily taking photos. What a lovely sight. Gave a real old fashioned flavour to the town.

Time was slipping by, so sadly we only had time to see, and photograph the ones along the main street.

The mural festival had been held 2 weeks earlier. So we left for home, consoling ourselves that we, hopefully, would come back to explore this area more next year.

And, of course the houses were festooned with roses and old fashioned cottage garden flowers. A real feast for the eyes.

Tomorrow will be our last day here before flying out at 9-00pm. But I have one more interesting day planned….