We’d have to say Tasmania is our favourite travel destination, because when we travel there it’s more than just a holiday, it’s our second home. We own a beautiful little block in the country called Hunting Ground; it’s our ultimate off-grid getaway from the worries of the world. We recently finished restoring our two cottages and 1850s convict-built chapel and, now we’re based back in Melbourne, we go back as often as we can. Tasmania is a special place, with some of the most incredible nature – and produce – in the world.
Hunting Ground.
Top tip for holidaying in Tasmania
A three day MONA mini break is great, but a longer visit will give you a real taste of Tassie. We suggest hitting the road there because the journey up the east coast from Hobart is sublime. The west coast is wild and rugged and the midlands is loaded with history. And don’t forget the Huon and Derwent Valleys for amazing produce.
The east coast of Tasmania.
Something they always pack when they travel
Because we travel mostly for work, we always take our laptops and a camera. In fact, we can’t remember the last time we didn’t travel for work! Our trusty Nikon camera was especially important when we travelled around Australia for our “Signs of Australia” photography book.
A destination on their bucket list
We’d love to go to Arnhem Land and experience Aboriginal culture and the burgeoning tourism scene up there. The annual Garma Festival sounds amazing and is a true festival of reconciliation and knowledge sharing. Beyond Australia, Italy is our international dream destination.
A travel disaster – or near-miss – which stays in mind
In 2016/17, we travelled around Australia in an old Tarago campervan, covering over 40,000 kilometres on the road. Amazingly, we only had one near-disaster. We were driving out of Woomera of all places and the sliding door on the side of the van somehow locked itself open, so we drove as slowly as we could – to prevent our belongs from being sucked out the door – to the nearest roadhouse in Pimba. As luck wouldn’t have it, the local mechanic had gone to Marla – 600 kilometres in the other direction! No one could help us, but luckily we had just enough mobile reception to Youtube the solution and fix the door. We were pretty impressed with ourselves, as were the locals! Only in the outback…
About Brady Michaels and Dale Campisi, AKA The Gents
Brady Michaels and Dale Campisi are The Gents. They share a passion for stories, which they tell in words, in pictures and in person. They host walking tours and have written and photographed numerous guide books including “Melbourne Precincts”(Hardie Grant) and their most recent travel photography book, “Signs of Australia: vintage signs from the city to the outback” (New South Books).
The Gents regularly present their “Signs of Australia” storytelling slide show in various locations, including at Open House Bendigo on Saturday 27 October, and Open House Hobart on the weekend of 10 & 11 November.
