ROADTRIP
Mooloolaba to Tassie
- 30 April 2026
Salamanca Arts Centre here we come
In August 2025 I was blown away to receive the Hadley’s Art Prize residency award. A studio space at Salamanca Arts Centre and accommodation in a serviced apartment at the Old WoolStore Apartment Hotel. I elected the month of May 2026. Hadley’s also offered me the hotel’s amazing front gallery as an exhibition space if I’d like to show my work.
Packing the car was a head scratching exercise – if I was going to have an exhibition and create for an entire month I would need a few supplies. Had to remember to leave some room for Michelle who would share the drive.
Sydney Arrival
12 hours on the first day saw us arrive Sydney in time for dinner.
Leisurely overnight at Aunty Jans, poached eggs for breaky and we went again. Took in a few of the sights along the way including a very disappointing ‘dog on the tucker box’ surrounded by concrete before rolling into the Manor House Albury late afternoon.
Knitting VHS tape every spare minute
Morning Wander
Early morning walk before breakfast through the botanical Gardens and up to Monument Hill. The colour of the leaves on the trees at the moment is truly amazing. Caught up with friends before hitting the road again.
Next stop Beechworth bakery, ice creamery, honey, community garden, opshop and lolly shop to name but a few. The lolly shop has consumed it’s neighbour and moved in – the shop fit out is a fabulous treat for the senses in every direction.
We took the scenic route through Yae and arrived at our hotel in Geelong after dark. What an adventurous day of sight seeing
Geelong Bound
Good morning Geelong waterfront – the weather simply amazing, sunny and crisp. Breakfast done and dusted I gave the car a little TLC with a car wash then we hit the op-shops and realised we should have left our clothes at home. Soooo many bargains.
Night Crossing
Early dinner, then off to catch the Spirit of Tasmania for an overnight sail. We travelled to Devonport aboard the ferry, settling into our cosy two-berth cabin with a porthole—though we missed the sunset view, caught off guard by Tasmania’s much later daylight, with sunrise not until 7am, a surprise for us Queenslanders.
