You can check out some of our own local seals by taking a cruise on the Sylvia C from Stanley.

Between 150 - 600 seals can be seen during the cruise playing in the water or sunbaking on rocks. On occasions Bottlenose Dolphins will also make an appearance.

The Australian fur seals living at Bull Rock make the top four rare seals of the world. This makes them pretty special and they are well worth the visit.

On the seal cruise you will also see some of the feathered locals including Crested Terns, Blackface Cormorants, Pacific Gulls.

The seal cruise leaves from the pontoon at the fisherman’s dock at the wharf in Stanley.

It lasts abou 80 minutes and also takes in spectacular views of the Stanley Nut, the township of Stanley, the old burial ground and Godfrey’s Beach.

To find out about cruise times or how to book go to Stanley Seal Cruises.

Australian Fur Seal photo by John Catsoulis, Wikimedia Commons

Tasmania's Famous Son Errol Flynn

Many people don’t realise that Hollywood star Errol Flynn was Tasmanian.

The swashbuckling star of the 1930s and 1940s had a reputation for drinking, fighting, womanising and sailing.

He has recently been honoured in his home town of Hobart.

A star has been unveiled on the footpath outside Hobart’s heritage State Cinema in North Hobart.

Tasmania’s famous son was born in Hobart 100 years ago on June 20, 1909.

His father, Theodore Thomson Flynn was a lecturer, and professor of biology at the University of Tasmania.

If you are a big fan of Errol Flynn you might be interested to hear that there is now an Errol Flynn Society of Tasmania.

This Youtube clip is the introduction to a documentary about his life and gives glimpses of Flynn in his many roles.

In the meantime treat yourself to this virtual tour of the Arthur River and the Tarkine Wilderness.

Tasmanian Devil

It is good news that the local Tasmanian Devils in the Tarkine continue to be healthy and unaffected by the disease.

Devils are cute and pretty timid. To get a good look at one of them, I recommend that you book yourself on the Kingsrun Devil Tour.

In the meantime I think you should check out this very dramatic video I found on youtube. It’s more like a horror movie trailer - The Bite of The Devil.

Tasmanian Devil photo courtesy of jamesstrewart at Flickr Creative Commons.

The Swift Parrot

It is not surprising that a wilderness as wild and magnificent as the Tarkine is an important habitat for birds. This is especially true as the Tarkine offers our feathered friends a fantastic choice of landscapes, treescapes and places to forage.

Tarkine is home, at various times, to more than 130 different species of birds, throughout its variety of habitat types and landscapes. This includes eleven of Tasmania’s twelve endemic birds. The two migratory species that breed only in Tasmania, the Swift Parrot, and the Orange-bellied Parrot, forage in the Tarkine. The latter, a critically endangered species, breeds in south-west Tasmania but migrates along the west coast and forages on coastal plants. Consequently the Tarkine’s coastal vegetation is extremely important habitat. The endangered Swift Parrot breeds predominantly in south-east Tasmania and feeds on the nectar from the Tasmanian Blue Gum, and in the Tarkine, the Swift Parrot forages on these trees during the post-breeding dispersal and migration season.
Tarkine National Coalition

If you are a bird lover, I recommend you visit the Tarkine National Coalition website for a full run down on the important role the Tarkine plays in the lives of many of Tasmania’s most endangered birds.

Swift Parrot photo courtesy of ianmichaelthomas at Flickr Creative Commons.

The 2008-09 male rock lobster season is open until the 31 August 2009. It reopens usually on in the first week of November 2009.

To purchase a recreational fishing license see the Department of Primary Industries website for more details.

National Australian Wave Sailing Titles 2009

All week saw Marrawah bathed in sun with little to no swell (shoulder to head high); however, spirits were still high as there was always plenty to do; surfing, diving, SUP boarding, four wheel driving, beach volleyball, ultimate frisbee, table tennis -the list goes on and on. Oh! Did I mention the pub! The sponsors and organisers had done a fantastic job, every night there was a social event to go to, be it the local bands, Nationals table tennis tournament, a huge spit roast and crayfish night or just a gathering of friends for a few quiet drinks.

If you would like to read more about the titles and see some more great action shots go to Tim’s blog at Word On The Beach.

Images by White Caps Photography

MV George Robinson

The folks at MV George Robinson are now on their winter break.  They will be back on board around the beginning of September.

If you are planning a trip to the Arthur River or the Tarkine region in the Spring I can recommend booking yourself on the cruise.  It is a relaxing way to pass the morning and see the Arthur River as well as the Tarkine forrest.

It is also a chance to meet some of our delightful local personalities and hear a few amusing stories. Any time I have friends or family visiting I make sure they fit a cruise into their holiday plans.

You can find out more at Arthur River Cruises.