SSoP Podcast Episode 36 — Tasmania: The Heart-Shaped Island at the Edge of the World

SSoP Podcast Episode 36 — Tasmania: The Heart-Shaped Island at the Edge of the World

Monday, 6 June, 2022

This might be a bit too cheesy, but we’re going to say it anyway: This small-ish, heart-shaped island in the Southern Hemisphere has stolen our hearts. There’s so much to love.

Sure, Tasmania may have started with the sinister-sounding name Van Diemen’s Land. And yes, it was founded as an inescapable penal colony for the most hardened criminals in Britain.

But now, Tasmania is an epic playground for anyone who loves outdoor adventures. There are soft sand beaches for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and lazing around in the sun — perhaps at the poetically-named Bay of Fires or Wineglass Bay. The island’s network of rivers means lots (and lots) of waterfalls, along with kayaking and rafting. Foodies can enjoy a leisurely drive along the Tamar Valley Wine Route dotted with inviting wineries and an exciting food scene.

But if (when!) we visit Tasmania, it will be for the animals. It’s home to ridiculously cute animals like wombats, wallabies, and, yes, the Tasmanian Devil. If we’re being honest, these adorable creatures might also kill you — or at least cause grave bodily harm. But truly: Cuddling up to a furry, tank-like wombat or seeing a Tasmanian Devil IRL might be worth it.

In this episode, we briefly dip into Tasmania’s dark history, learn about a truly unusual museum, talk about the Roaring Forties, and mourn the loss of the Tasmanian Tiger. Then we recommend five great books that took us there on the page, including true accounts of a rip-roaring sea adventure and the search for the lost Thylacine, a murder mystery set on the craggy coast, a family story set in a lonely lighthouse, and a coming-of-age novel that’s also a magical realism road trip.

transcript

Read the full transcript of Tasmania: The Heart-Shaped Island at the Edge of the World.

Wildlight

buy | read review

Carnivorous Nights

buy | read review

The Survivors

buy | read review

Ten Rogues

buy | read review

Flames

buy | read review

other books we mentioned

rule

other cool stuff we talked about

A few snaps to get you oriented…

Hobart:

Photo courtesy of Deebva Sood/Unsplash.

Port Arthur:

sandstone prison building
Photo courtesy of Keith Davey/Unsplash.

Wineglass Bay:

Photo courtesy of Jordan Redshaw/Unsplash.

Bay of Fires:

 gray rocks with orange lichen and dark blue waves of water
Photo courtesy of David Clode/Unsplash.
 

tasmania 101

  • The Port Arthur Historic Site is a UNESCO World Heritage site and open-air museum with guided tours through building ruins and beautiful gardens.
 

two truths and a lie

 
  • Statement 2: One of the weirdest and most remarkable museums in the world is in Hobart, Tasmania. This is a can’t-miss place if you’re a certain kind of person — it’s the Mona Museum just outside Hobart. Read more about it.
  • Statement 3: A 5-year-old boy got lost in Tasmania in 1986. He found his way home 25 years later. Read Saroo Brierly’s memoir A Long Way Home or watch the movie adaptation Lion.
 

 black and white photo of a lighthouse on maatsuyker island in 1891
Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse, probably taken at the official opening on 1 June 1891. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
  • The Roaring Forties are strong winds in the southern hemisphere. Surfer Today explains what they’re like here and introduces the idea that there are other famous winds. Who knew?!
  • Jane Harper is the author of The Survivors. Here’s her website and an insightful interview with her about her book.
  • Peter Grose is the author of Ten Rogues — and here he is in an interview with Carpool Book Review:
  • Robbie Arnott is the author of Flames. Here’s his author page and a really excellent video in which he shares behind-the-scenes info about his (fantastic) book. This is one of the best ‘author talking about his book’ videos we’ve ever seen.
 

finally…

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There are so many reasons to visit Tasmania — rugged and sandy beaches, majestic hiking trails, world-class cuisine, and fascinating history. But if we're 100% honest, we want to go for the cute-and-cuddly wombats.

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