WOODBRIDGE, CYGNET & FRANKLIN

Our next accommodation was a beautifully restored one-bedroom cottage nestled within a stunning 12-hectare olive grove containing around 1,000 olive trees in Woodbridge, about 40 minutes south of Hobart. Once an old tack shed on the farm, this charming cottage had been lovingly transformed while retaining its original footprint and old-world character. Surrounded by peaceful countryside and with the D'Entrecasteaux Channel forming the eastern boundary, it was the perfect base for exploring the beautiful Huon Valley and Channel region.

Before heading off to explore the surrounding area, we spent some time driving through the small village of Woodbridge and discovered some delightful little community touches. Among the photos I captured were several charming street libraries lined up together, each one adding a little character and kindness to the neighbourhood. But my favourite discovery was a tiny “dog library” sitting underneath them, with a sign that simply read, “Take a stick, leave a stick.” How adorable and thoughtful is that! Such a simple idea, yet it perfectly captured the welcoming and community-minded spirit we found throughout Tasmania.

One of the main reasons we chose to stay in Woodbridge was its close proximity to Fat Pig Farm, made famous through the TV series Gourmet Farmer. Having watched the series for years, I was so excited to finally visit the farm in person. We joined a wonderful tour led by Sadie Chrestman, Matthew Evans' wife, wandering through the vegetable gardens, meeting the Wessex Saddleback pigs, goats and Jersey cows, and learning about the farm's sustainable approach to producing food. Afterwards we enjoyed a delicious farm-to-table lunch where almost everything on our plates had been grown or raised on the property, even the fresh milk in my cappuccino came straight from the Jersey cows. We stayed chatting with Sadie afterwards, and Lynette discovered they shared a teaching background. We were honoured to have our photo taken with her before leaving. It was such a memorable day and everything I had hoped it would be.

On another day we explored the charming township of Cygnet, known for its thriving arts community, galleries, boutique shops and cosy cafés. We spent quite some time wandering through The Artisan's Hand, admiring the incredible work of local artists and craftspeople.

A furniture maker struck up a conversation with us, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he looked incredibly familiar. Curious, I asked about his background, and he mentioned that he had previously been a wedding coordinator at a very popular wedding venue in Sydney. Instantly it clicked! That was exactly where I knew him from! I had photographed several weddings there over the years. What are the chances of meeting again in a small gallery in southern Tasmania? It really is a small world. We had a wonderful chat, and his handcrafted furniture was absolutely stunning.

We also met Deborah Wace, a talented Tasmanian botanical artist, printmaker and fabric designer whose work I remembered seeing featured on an episode of Gardening Australia. Her beautiful creations celebrate and preserve Tasmania's native and endangered plant species, and we found ourselves completely absorbed in her gallery, spending well over an hour admiring her remarkable work. Connecting with such passionate and creative people was one of the highlights of our visit to Cygnet.

Before leaving the Huon Valley, there was one more place I was especially keen to visit... the Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin, Australia's only traditional wooden boat-building school. We joined a guided tour through the workshops where skilled shipwrights and apprentices were crafting magnificent timber boats using traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations.

The tour also introduced us to the extraordinary Huon Pine. Found only in Tasmania's south-west, this remarkable tree is one of the slowest-growing in the world, taking around 1,000 years to reach just one metre in diameter. Its naturally oily timber is incredibly durable, resistant to rot and insects, and highly prized by boat builders and furniture makers. With strict protections and very limited supply, Huon Pine has become one of Australia's most sought-after and valuable timbers.

Afterwards, I spent ages photographing the beautiful wooden boats moored along the Huon River. The water was mirror calm, creating stunning reflections, while the soft winter light made the whole scene even more magical. I was in photography heaven, happily wandering along the river with my camera, while Lynette wisely stayed warm in the car.