I was fortunate enough to be one of the lucky 100 travel agents from right around Australia to be invited to participate in the Rejuvenate Weekend in Tasmania.

THURSDAY 26TH AUGUST
Agents met at the Spirit of Tasmania II, boarding at Beacon Cove, Port Melbourne. Melbourne's city skyline looked almost ablaze as we started to depart at 2100 to set sail for a 10 hour journey across Bass Strait to arrive in Devonport, Tasmania at 0700 the next day. Dinner aboard the ship was provided after an inspection of the facilities, activities provided and cabins.
Guests travel on the three superb Spirit of Tasmania ships for many reasons, which set them apart from any other travel option. Day fares for one-way sailings and over night cruises include twin share inside cabins and access to bars, lounges and entertainment can be obtained. Both the Spirit of Tasmania I and II have 222 cabins providing a wide range of accommodation options from Twin, Deluxe to Four berth cabins which all contain private facilities and air-conditioning. We were all lucky enough to be given our own cabins for the night. I stayed in a porthole four-berth cabin. I strongly recommend selecting a cabin with a porthole as I feel it would have been very dark and claustrophobic without one.

Don't forget the flexibility and availability of taking your own family car, which allows you to explore the state at your own leisurely pace.
For the budget conscious traveller, booking a cruise seat might be more practical. Cruise and Business class seats are located in a private lounge. Business seats provide extra legroom and more horizontal recline. The floor to ceiling windows provided a spectacular ocean view.

FRIDAY 27TH AUGUST
Breakfast was provided at 0500 for the early risers and we departed Devonport on our 'Tas Vacations Coach' for Latrobe. We then headed into Sheffield for morning tea and a stroll in 'the town of murals'. We were amazed at the approx. 50 life sized murals that are painted around the township, telling stories of historic events and impersonations of poems.

We then did a site inspection of Kentish Hills Retreat, which is nestled below the ranges of Mount Roland in the township of Sheffield. A 4/12 star property, which provides 12 luxury units and is an ideal location to base yourself whilst discovering Cradle Mountain and the Northwest Coast.

We were back on the coach headed for Cradle Mountain Hotel whom provided us with a lunch and a site inspection. Doherty Cradle Mountain Hotel is an ideal 4 ½ star getaway for the corporate and leisure traveller, containing stylish rooms with ensuites and are all located on the ground floor and featuring a small private deck. After a short circuit walk around Dove Lake we were able to take a peak at the spectacular Cradle Mountain. Opportunities for day walks are provided varying from easy grade to difficult and from 10 minutes to a full day.

We concluded the day at Lemonthyme Lodge, located in Moina, 65km from Devonport. Lemonthyme Lodge offers luxury accommodation, superbly appointed cabins featuring huon pine and black sassafras Tasmanian timbers. I was immediately drawn to the structure of the lodge. Ground and tree top cabins vary from two bedrooms for families or sharing couples to single bedroom with either a bath or spa. Conferences, seminars, weddings and other functions are professionally catered for. We were separated into groups of 2 or 3 and were given our cabins. Walking into our deluxe two-bedroom cabin with the wood fire already alight made you feel suddenly relaxed. This property would be ideal for people wanting to get away from the stress of civilization, couples wanting a romantic weekend for two and for the nature enthusiasts.

Further south is the roaring 250m Leven Canyon that has been extorted by torrents of rainwater over tens of thousands of years. The scenery from the viewing platform was absolutely breathtaking. It's only a kilometre drive to reach the bottom of the canyon.

Agents were then taken to Dismal Swamp near Smithton. Here we were able to take a sneak peak of Tasmania's newest attraction, opening to the public on the 19th September 2004. Dismal Swamp is set in a naturally occurring sinkhole, which supports the largest concentration of blackwood trees in the world. The entry will whisk visitors from treetops to swamp floor on a giant 20m slide. The slide weaves through the maze of sights, sounds and smells. Dismal Swamp will be a great attraction for the kids to see and enjoy, with aboriginal dreamtime objects and historic animals hidden amongst the trees.

We checked into our overnight accommodation at Dovecoat Motel and Restaurant in Stanley and headed off 'The Rejuvenate Gala Dinner' at Tall Timbers. The theme chosen for Saturday night was 'Nature or Wildlife and it was suggested people may wish to dress accordingly to this theme. Here we would meet the rest of the 100 travel agents participating on this educational. A fantastic night, full of many travel agents including myself getting up on the dance floor, being able to let down our hair and to start singing out loud……terribly loud to the pumping band that was provided.

SUNDAY 29TH AUGUST
A drive westward along the north coast approaching the historic town of Stanley you'll see The Nut, a huge flat-topped circular headland that dominates the town. It's 152 meters high, with a path and a chairlift to the top. Up there you can take a bracing walk around the edge and enjoy the wind in your face, the sun on your back and wonderful views up and down the coast. There is accommodation and an excellent campground in Stanley the town is a good base for exploring the forests and coastlines further west. See seals, penguins, sea birds and other wildlife close to Stanley local operators offer a range of observation tours.
The chairlift was a great way to end the rejuvenate weekend.

A big thankyou to Tas Vacations General Manager Cameron Bret and Marketing Manager Paul Munday for taking me on tour giving me a new and refreshed outlook on the wonders of Tassie. And to the great group 14 travel agents who did not once stop having a great time….thanks for making my weekend very memorable.

Shelley