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Welcome to Sapphire and Sommelier, a travel blog about finding the hidden gems and natural jewels of Tasmania, in bush or city

Mt Amos, a rocky outcrop, juts sharply out from scrubby bushes. White streaks are formed naturally by water running down the rocks over time.

Mt Amos, Freycinet National Park

There isn’t much to specifically describe the track by other than ‘steep rock scramble’, it is marked with some permanent light reflective yellow arrows, and some faded spray painted arrows. Occasionally the arrows suggest that some sections have separate paths for people travelling up, and for people travelling down. It is, otherwise, a fairly lawless place, at least as far as navigation is concerned. There are 3 distinctly difficult sections that will have you questioning every decision you made that brought you to the moment you find yourself in now. These feelings will pass (at least until you have to attempt those same sections in reverse).

We are Sapphire, a Tasmanian sapphire engagement ring made by a local jeweller (with a person attached, mostly) and Sommelier, an amateur wine tragic and part time chauffeur. We are madly in love with Tasmania (and each other), and would love to share our travels, impressions, advice and mistakes with you, so that you can fall in love with Tasmania (and maybe us) too.

Be sure to check out our travel articles, which we try to make as info-taining as we can, and Sapphire’s creative works over in “Love, Sapphire.”

For regular updates, and some of our day to day tips and experiences, follow us on Instagram @sapphireandsommelier

Mt Amos, Freycinet National Park

Mt Amos, a rocky outcrop, juts sharply out from scrubby bushes. White streaks are formed naturally by water running down the rocks over time.

There isn’t much to specifically describe the track by other than ‘steep rock scramble’, it is marked with some permanent light reflective yellow arrows, and some faded spray painted arrows. Occasionally the arrows suggest that some sections have separate paths for people travelling up, and for people travelling down. It is, otherwise, a fairly lawless place, at least as far as navigation is concerned. There are 3 distinctly difficult sections that will have you questioning every decision you made that brought you to the moment you find yourself in now. These feelings will pass (at least until you have to attempt those same sections in reverse).

Spiced Plum Fruit Leather

Summer means stone fruits and stone fruits have no chill. If you’ve found yourself in a fruit glut situation then do not panic. Make fruit leather and carry on. Ingredients 1kg plums (or greengages) 2-3 Tbsp honey Rind and juice of 1 orange (tip: use a potato peeler to peel long sections of rind so… Continue reading Spiced Plum Fruit Leather

Cradle Mountain (summit)

Sapphire looks out at the Cradle Mountain summit from the lookout

Where we went: Cradle Mountain Summit, returned via Horse Track When we went: Spring 2020 Estimated time to complete walk: 5-8 hours Time spent on walk: 7 hours Grade of walk: 4 Cradle Mountain National Park is one of the most famous and spectacular national parks in Tasmania. There are a range of hikes to… Continue reading Cradle Mountain (summit)

Fluted Cape (Bruny Island)

Sapphire stands on a flat, protruding rock overlooking the ocean. Her back is turned to the camera. She is wearing a pale pink shirt.

Where we went: Fluted Cape (nuenonne/Bruny Island) When we went: Spring 2020 Estimated time to complete walk: 2.5 hours Time spent on walk: 3 (plus a 1 hour lunch break) Grade of hike: 3 Sommelier and I often struggle to reconcile our love for food with our love of hiking. While such activities are not… Continue reading Fluted Cape (Bruny Island)

Sentinel Range

Sentinel ranges

The path hugs the pink quartzite cliff-face for the entire ascent. We were walking in the wetter season and found that there was an almost constant freshwater drip over the cliff and onto our heads. As we were very hot this was a welcome relief, although it did add a certain slip-factor to some of the stones underfoot and we both found ourselves grateful for our hiking poles.

Marriotts Falls (Tyenna)

Marriotts Falls are surrounded by lush forests scenery. Fallen trees litter the base, but the waterflow is relatively quiet and steady.

The falls are a broad sheet standing in a small opening in the forest which forms a brilliant beam of light. It makes a soft sound, rather than a thundering, but the collection of broken trees scattered at the base suggest that she can, occasionally, put on a spectacular show.

The Needles (Mt Mueller); Southwest National Park

The sign which marks the start of the walk. It reads "highest point on road. 651m annual rain fall. 190cm" The rocky spires that make up the needles are foreboding in the background, cast in shadow.

The Needles is an unsigned, wild walking trail best suited to those with experience. The track is only marked with cairns and plastic ribbon which adds to the sense of wilderness. It is the perfect way to dip your toe in the Southwest National Park and learn what some of the bigger walks might have in store.