February 2026 (Tasmania and Sydney and then returning to Tasmania!!)

 



What a great month – we spent most of it in our motorhome, Vandie, travelling from Devonport to Cradle Mountain, Launceston, Coles Bay, St Helen’s, Maria Island, Hobart (including Bruny Island and Richmond), Strahan and back to Devonport. 3 and a half weeks with only a couple of “down days” (ie no activities planned on those days) and we still didn’t have enough time to see the coastal areas! Another trip beckons…

We took Vandie over on the Spirit of Tasmania and were blessed with two smooth sailings (I was still a bit seasick both times). For years, we have seen the Spirit from our deck at Rye so it was cool to finally be sailing on it!

We loved travelling in Vandie – it is super comfortable and it is so easy not having to pack and unpack and having food with you and even a toilet when you need one on a long drive!

Have to be real though and the Tasmanian roads were almost always single carriageway and often windy. It was hard driving at times and slow driving always. Didn’t matter to us too much but not the place for a whirlwind trip. Definitely a slow travel destination.

We have a lot of trips this year (lucky us!) so we’re not sure when we’ll use Vandie next but we loved travelling in her.

I have some travel stories coming out in Australia and NZ about the trip but, in short, we were blown away, particularly by the scenery and wildlife. We learnt a lot of history too, especially convict history.

The scenery was even better than we expected with real highlights being Wineglass Bay/Freycinet, Bruny Island and the Gordon River. The Bay of Fires beaches were gorgeous too but we had a few overcast days in that area with a bit of rain which impacted our experience there.

The wildlife was incredible – everything from pademelons (small wallabies) to fur seals to dolphins to sea birds to Tasmanian devils and more! 

We arrived home in time to have a fun family occasion at my step-mum’s 80th. All my kids plus cutie pie little Grandbaby went along and it was a lovely afternoon.

The end of the month found me in Sydney at the International Media Marketplace (IMM) which happens annually. Last year, I was excited and nervous about attending this and, although I enjoyed the Thursday speakers and Friday speed dates, I “hid” in the networking breaks as I knew no one and felt like an imposter.

This year, I only flew in Thursday morning and flew out once the speed dates are over but I was excited to learn, speed date, mingle and network. I was also looking forward to seeing some colleagues and friends. How much changes in a year!!

Last year, I had a few meetings but this year I had nearly all 22 slots filled with a few other catch-ups outside the meeting slots. I was one tired girl on the plane home on Friday night! So many opportunities…so many places to visit…Next year, I need to go for two or three nights though. Once night (which happened to be a night of torrential, horizontal rain) was too rushed.

The only reason I made it a super quick trip this year is that we had only just returned home from Tasmania and, on 28 February, I flew out for a solo trip. The first solo trip of my life, the first camping trip of my life and the first guided walking holiday of my life. Stay tuned for that one in my next blog entry and in Mamamia. Funnily enough, the walk is in….Tasmania!! Flinders Island this time.

On this walking trip, I am a “Granfluencer” for the first time with Mountain Designs from Anaconda supplying me with some gear in return for some Instagram coverage. Me – an influencer!!??!!

Writing Wins – a few this month and some from the end of January too, five travel stories and seven flash fiction stories (the last one is inspired by my stay at Song Saa Private Island last December):

• Decadence afloat fairytale rivers - https://pressreader.com/article/281835765113716

• We found an Aussie paradise only a short flight away. Three generations loved it -https://www.mamamia.com.au/palm-cove-travel-guide/

• More Than Sweethearts: The Heart Behind Cambodia’s Most Awarded retreat https://thepaige.au/song-saa-private-island-cambodia-luxury-eco-resort/

• Marina Bay Sands review in “Paradise” (the Air Niugini in-flight magazine). 

• Journey through the colours and cultures of Morocco https://www.racq.com.au/articles/international-travel/spice-of-life

• Family Business https://chewersmasticadores.wordpress.com/2026/01/30/family-business-by-leonie-jarrett/

• My Odyssey https://www.impspiredpublishing.com/post/leonie-jarrett-issue-35

• Chugging Along https://www.impspiredpublishing.com/post/leonie-jarrett-issue-35

• Sisters https://chewersmasticadores.wordpress.com/2026/02/04/sisters-by-leonie-jarrett/

• Papa November Golf https://chewersmasticadores.wordpress.com/2026/02/11/papa-november-golf-by-leonie-jarrett/

• My Celeste https://chewersmasticadores.wordpress.com/2026/02/18/my-celeste-by-leonie-jarrett/

• A Deal for Sweethearts https://www.cafelitmagazine.uk/2026/02/a-deal-for-sweethearts-by-leonie.html








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