I spent the first couple of days after leaving Woodford trying to will my tired mind into creating some direction as to what I would do and where I would go next. Should I stay near to Brisbane, keeping transport costs low, head north toward Cairns, or south to Melbourne, or Tasmania?

All I knew was that wherever I went I needed a job, soon. Eventually my choice was made simply from a feeling, that Tasmania (my chosen destination), would give me everything I needed in this moment. I’d heard many great things about the state, knew it would be a much less stifling temperature and felt I would have a reasonable chance of finding work.

I also, somewhat impulsively, decided it was finally time to take some action if I was ever to gain the barista experience I have desired for the past couple of years, signing myself into a five hour training course the day before flying south.

Less than one week after arriving, my faith in the southerly, green island was rewarded. Beautiful scenery, warm hearted locals, a treasured reunion with an old travel friend, as well as one job offer and two interviews!

The journey from airport to hostel took me through the centre of Hobart (the quaint capital city of Tasmania), red brick and stone buildings akin to English architecture conjured a strange homely feeling, whilst the backdrop of rolling green hills set against the waterfront impressed upon me familiarity of Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. As a result, I felt a belonging to my surroundings before even stepping from the bus.

With my concentration on job hunting I didn’t spend much time being a tourist. I did take the opportunity to visit the famous Saturday market in Salamanca Place, though found myself feeling a little disappointed as I had hoped for the farmers markets similar to Wellington and was met instead with wonderful, but tourist focused stalls. Salamanca Place itself is an older part of town. Built from stone, it houses an array of cafes, bars and touristic shops. A wonderful open space, it is close to the waterfront and at the forefront of a mountainous landscape.

Japanese gardens

I also made my way to the Botanical Gardens, around an hour walk out of town. My journey took me alongside an expansive river, through tranquil Japanese gardens and large open gardens with grass a lushcious green I appreciated so much more after the dry Queensland ground.  I returned along Soldier’s Walk, a beautiful memorial pathway leading through gentle mounds, each planted tree representing a fallen Tasmanian soldier in the First World War.

Soldier’s Walk

My time in Hobart turned out to be shorter than expected, as I decided to take the aforementioned job offer. It was to take me two hours north of Hobart to the centre of Tasmania, to the small town of Tarraleah.