Hobart: Road Trip
An amazing Triple Cream Brie, shopping heaven for a stylist from Donna Hay, and the oldest bridge in the land...otherwise known as things we came across on our road trip from Hobart.
My top three favourite things about Tasmania: 1. It's small enough that you can make a day trip of almost anywhere and come home afterwards if you really want to...so you can be adventurous and a homebody almost simultaneously :) 2. They have amazing food...in this case cheese...I declare that all road trips from now on should include mandatory cheese tasting stops...could someone look into that along the freeway between Melbourne and Bendigo please? 3. Beautiful old historic buildings and towns are everywhere....one of my favourite things to photograph is old buildings...and I do love pawing through vintage stores looking for that one of a kind rustic find.
So basically, we ended up going on a road trip to Richmond that included all of the above on our last day in Hobart...starting with coffee in Battery Point at a sweet little place called Pollen Tea Room. I should've taken more photos...it was cosy with vintage books and a sunny courtyard, and a menu that made me wish Second Breakfasts were a real thing. Battery Point in itself is one of the oldest parts of Hobart...up high with views of the water...sandstone buildings, cobblestone streets...sweet little signs and beautiful homes. Definitely have to return for a bit more exploring.
Halfway there we just happened to stop by Wicked Cheese to sample their entire cheese range...as you do. I surprised myself by liking some that I wouldn't normally choose...like Chilli Camembert and Whiskey Cheddar. But, their award winning Triple Cream Brie was hands down the favourite amongst the group. So we picked a selection of three cheeses + a fruit paste (let the record show that I turned down the inclusion of chocolate for an extra cheese!) and we were on our way.
Only half an hour from Hobart, the little town of Richmond is bursting at the seams with history. It's famous for being the home of Australia's oldest bridge...built by convicts, and was the scene of the murder of one of the guards from the jail. Incidentally, the jail is also Australia's oldest...and Richmond has the oldest Catholic church as well. The buildings are beautiful...there's a maze and a ghost tour, nearby vineyards, and devonshire teas to be had...but we were content with our cheese picnic for five :)
The streets are lined with stores filled with goodies by local artisans...whether you're after lace-doily-ye-olde-antique vintage, or rustic might-be-seen-as-a-stylist-prop-in-donna-hay vintage, you're sorted for both. AND there's an old school lolly store with the biggest gobstoppers you ever saw. Honestly, what more could you need to while away a few hours on a sunny afternoon?
The famous Richmond Bridge
My fellow road-trippers from under the bridge
I wish I'd taken more photos but our sun gave way to rolling grey clouds and a sprinkling of rain. Can't wait to plan another Tasmanian road trip...that Triple Cream Brie will be hard to beat :)
What's something you couldn't drive past without stopping to explore on a road trip? I can't tell you how many times we've driven past a crumbling old hay shed or building in just the right afternoon light and I've begged Luke to stop so I can take a photo :)
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