GRINDLEWALD

Our next stop was the picturesque village of Grindelwald, nestled in the heart of Tasmania's beautiful Tamar Valley. We stayed in a stunning apartment on a winery, where floor-to-ceiling windows framed sweeping views across the Tamar River. Waking to the sunrise each morning was simply magical, with soft golden light reflecting across the river and vineyards.

Just 15 kilometres north of Launceston, Grindelwald is a charming Swiss-inspired village built around a tranquil artificial lake. Its alpine-style buildings, boutique shops, cafés and restaurants create a unique atmosphere that feels quite unlike anywhere else in Tasmania. Having previously travelled through the real Switzerland, we found the village a little kitsch, but that didn't stop us enjoying our visit. We spent a relaxing morning wandering through the shops before treating ourselves to a delicious morning tea at the local bakery.

On our second day we treated ourselves to a visit to Anvers Chocolate Factory in Latrobe, a must-stop for anyone with a sweet tooth. Set amongst beautiful gardens in a charming historic home, the factory offered a fascinating glimpse into the art of handcrafted Belgian-style chocolates. After watching the chocolatiers at work through the viewing windows, we couldn't resist sampling some of their delicious creations before enjoying a hot chocolate. It was the perfect indulgence!

One of the main reasons we based ourselves here was its proximity to Ben Lomond National Park. Seeing snow had been high on our Tasmania wish list, and throughout our trip I had been checking the weather forecast almost obsessively. We couldn't believe our luck when snow was forecast for just two days and those two days happened to fall perfectly within our four-night stay.

The journey to Ben Lomond is an adventure in itself. The famous Jacobs Ladder is one of Tasmania's most spectacular alpine roads, climbing the mountain via a dramatic series of tight switchbacks that cling to the mountainside. While many visitors choose to drive it themselves, we opted for the shuttle bus, and I'm so glad we did. Sitting back and taking in the incredible scenery was far more enjoyable than negotiating those intimidating bends!

Although Ben Lomond is beautiful in every season, winter is when it truly comes alive. Home to one of Tasmania's only two ski fields, the mountain transforms into a snowy playground where visitors can ski, snowboard, cross-country ski or simply enjoy a toboggan ride. Others relax beside a warm fire with a hot chocolate, soaking up the atmosphere of this authentic Tasmanian alpine village.

For Lynette and me, simply experiencing the snow and completing the summit walk was more than enough. Standing surrounded by snow-covered peaks with crisp mountain air filling our lungs was an unforgettable experience, and the smiles never left our faces.

Then, just when we thought the day couldn't get any better, nature delivered one final surprise...

As we began walking back, I stopped to film the dramatic clouds racing across the mountain. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed movement only a few metres away. To my amazement, a wombat casually wandered towards me before strolling right past and over to Lynette. Completely unfazed by our presence, it began scratching through the snow in search of vegetation hidden beneath the surface. Watching such a beautiful wild animal at such close range was a truly magical moment and without doubt the icing on the cake of an already unforgettable day.

On our final full day in the area, we experienced another highlight of a very different kind. We caught up with a dear couple who have been treasured friends throughout our married life. Our friend serves as an Anglican minister here in Tasmania, and for many years we had talked about visiting them. After all this time, it was wonderful to finally spend the day together, reminiscing, sharing stories and creating new memories. It was the perfect way to conclude our stay in this beautiful part of Tasmania.











































































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