News from the Man
2009—2010 Newsworthy Clips
* 1st November “Murrays Day Out” chosen as Tasmanian State winner to represent the State at the Australian Small Business Awards. Unfortunately unsuccessful at National Level...better luck next time?
Also State Regional winner for Tourism Tasmania.
* The Cruise ships into Burnie and Hobart have been great with many now booking myself for both ports to enjoy what each area has to offer and half the price the cruises charge. So I say thank you to all my clients, who when they leave are now friends and leave kind words of appreciation in my Visitors’ Book.
* Cradle Mountain is still by far the single most sought after Day Tour selected. Clients really love seeing the wombats in the wild and their droppings. {Yes! People end up taking photos of the cube-shaped droppings and proudly tell me they have done so.} It completes an
enchanted walk for them and leaves fond memories as we leave Cradle.
* A day trip with Michael and his wife from Hong Kong was
memorable to me as he has his own website on which are photos from his travels. Yes! Some 2,500, to make sure he got the right ‘shots’ and they look great on his website. They are available for you to view if you wish.
* A 5 day trip down the East Coast with some locals, Vince and Mary from Ulverstone and Nancy and Eric from Devonport, making a difficult sort of trip happen. Talking about local things with the locals was surprising, as they were not always aware of what their region had to offer. This trip has led to them going on other trips like it, to
Corinna on the West Coast and an Arthur River Cruise.
* University students in Australia before heading home seem to leave Tasmania to their last frontier.
All don’t leave enough time [in days] to get around Tasmania and say that they will return. Many photos, laughs and knowledge are
exchanged on our cultural journey of Tasmania.
* The Indian fraternity has really stepped up their visits to
Tasmania and seem to enjoy their brief stay, wishing that more
information was available to be able to do more and stay longer.
There was one person who spent three days with me and their friends and I didn’t know he was with us so he was renamed “Noisy” and from current e-mails the name has stuck.
While touring around, I get to try some different dinners out with the people and the Indians loved to watch my face change to red by the end of the dishes and the evening.
A rare photograph was gained by a Queensland couple and no-one else has seen the phenomenon. It happened late one night up at Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain, [where else?], when it was blowing a gale down over the cradle and two water spouts occurred on the lake. There were only about three other cars there at the time, but we were the
fortunate ones to see and capture the photograph. I will try and place it on this page if possible.
* I will be entering some more awards soon and, who knows, maybe the judges who read some of my Visitors’ pages may think this ‘dude’ Murray does a good job for visitors to Tasmania.
Cheers and thanks to everyone.
Regards,
Murray
The 2008/2009 Tourism Season 30/06/2009 Hi everyone, Time has flown this season, with plenty of highlights for you, my clients and for myself, as I have experienced sights that I wouldn’t have normally done, so I must say thankyou to you, for enriching my life as well. My trips varied from my 13 day trip with the Todd Gang; (wow, wasn’t that fun), (3brothers and wives, sister and friend), as I am sure at the start, they wondered what they were letting themselves in for, but after 13 days of touring this beautiful state,(where everything is big!), they have asked me to go to New Zealand and be their chauffer over there, crazy aren’t they!, to many a 6,5,4 and 3 day trips, all special in their own way. The 6 days with my Russian family from Vladivostok , whom could barely understand my Tassie English to start with, soon picked up with what I was saying on the last day, especially after visiting the Waverley Woollen Mills, to take home, some nice garments. Well the 5 dayers were varied ,from The ladies in Quilting tours from the mainland, trying to keep up with them, to the Asian University students having their last holiday ,before heading homewards to commence their careers. All commented on our beautiful scenery, twisted roads, and tassie culture which I bestowed upon them. The Cruise ships came and went with the tide, and during this period I introduced my son Adrian ( aj) to the tours. (strangely enough, with his curly hair, he was full of it, and had a great repore with his customers. Camera’s were left behind, so forwarding address were quickly exchanged , although all precautions were taken. My funny trip was with the boys from the Navy, who wanted to do a wine tour starting at 8.30am. Well it went like this, 9am, whiskey tasting,10.30, wine tasting, 12noon, Limestone Caves, (beginning to get roudy), 2pm , a couple of beers, then onto another winery,(with some nibbly’s) and then onto the last vineyard by 4.30pm..With a few wine bottles drunk on board while driving around, they were getting ready to explode, somehow, someway ! Well they wanted to strip off and run naked through the vineyard, while I filmed them. Through negotiating some diplomacy I managed to get them to leave their undies on, to the delight of the hen’s party that were enjoying the scenery, who took plenty of photo’s and other female patrons sampling their wine. So here we have all 7young studs showing off their Guns and Bodies to the appreciatives in front of the green ripening vines with Bass Strait as a backdrop. Lots of laughter was enjoyed until I delivered them back to their ship where they were going out to enjoy the rest of their Big Day Out. Another wine trip was with 7 ladies , to go up the East Tamar sampling, stay at the Casino, and go home via the East Tamar . By the end of the trip some 15 odd vineyards were visited,(cellar stocks at home replenished now) with most of the fun was had on the road with stories ,singing, and ditties that made many ache with laughter, and yes what happens on the bus stays on the bus! What a way to spend a weekend ,eh ,girls. Our night trips out to Narawntapu were spectacular! Sunsets over the Rubicon River with red clouds with pale blue skies the setting was perfect for the nightlife to come out and try and feed with camera flashes, lighting up the area, trying to get that perfect shot, with a wombat or wallaby .A night supper with the animals went down a treat, as they wandered around looking for more animals in their natural state, not locked up. It was here that I saw the most amazing site for the year, and that was watching some up to 10 young kangaroo’s jumping a 2 metre to 3metre ditch and then turn around and do it again, and again. Some went down into the ditch, while others jumped over them playing around and others tried landing on them in the ditch, quite amazing, and no I didn’t have my camera with me. Another experience was to go to Tenth Island and see the Australian Fur Seals living ala natural. What a great day, followed with the little penguins coming ashore to feed their chicks, yes we have it all here. Thanks go to all my customers from around the world, and your kind words in my book.. I have a map of the world and a pin in all the spots from where you live to remind me of your time spent with me, so with that, its time to close, and remember all those nice memories you have of Tasmania, and yes come back again and visit moi, Your Tassie devil, Cheers murray. HI EVERYONE 19/08/2008 Sorry that I have been too slack in keeping my web pages up to date, but I think it will change with more practice. Yes this season just gone was fabulous, meeting all new clients and some repeats. As you all know I love getting out and showing off the island’s beauty making it like a long holiday for me as well. The most visited place was Cradle Mountain, and I only hope you all enjoyed the way I expose it. You must of, from your comments in my Visitors Book and guestbook in on my web site. I find it fascinating to be picking up people from all over the world and leaving them with some of Murray’s wisdom, and NA WITCHY WAH WAH., but more importantly some wonderful sites printed into their minds of this wonderful place called Tassie. I have started to get bookings for overnight trips around Tassie now which is keeping me on my toes as to try and remember what I said the day before and not make up another story (only kidding).One group of people I was introduced to was the Quilting ladies who were lucky enough to have me drive for them, and know through Mrs. Lynne Rootes whom I am grateful to, I have regular ladies coming over here touring around and buying up all our nice material, and worrying about excess luggage. The Cruise ships are about to invade us again with some 24 visits over the Summer Season so, some fun will be had there I hope. I must move on and if someone wants to write back or to me on some information, please don’t hesitate in getting in touch. I n closing at this stage , I must say I am looking forward to a 14 day trip with the Jean’s group in November, won’t that be one to enjoy and remember, ( 3 ladies all with the name Jean ). Cheers for now Murray. PS. Many thanks must go out to you my customers who nominated me for the Tourism awards on the northwest coast as I was one of the Finalists for 2008, which I was extremely grateful for, so thank you. My photos should be up within the week for all you good looking passengers to click onto, in the gallery section..
during the month I thoroughly enjoyed the company of 2 ladies from Singapore who spent 3 days out driving around northern tasmania, and putting up with some of my poor humour.
My trip of transporting 5 victorian fishing party into Lake Rowallen, so they could fish Lake Meston was different. Boy were they prepared. After spending 4 days away eating plenty of fish, they certainly looked forward to some big hambergers back in Sheffield. They said they saw plenty of snakes and enjoyed the thunder activity as it echoed up through the valley, and the scenery was fantastic.
My son Adrian, had his birthday last week so I took him to the Natone Fly Fishing complex and he loved it. Lost a big one but finally caught a 4 kilo trout which made his trip worthwhile and a return trip on the cards soon.
I had the pleasure to meet Mr Tarun Kataria and Rouble Sukhija (all the way from New Delhi, pop. only 100 million). They fell in love with tassie straight away.. to think that all of this (rivers beaches countryside forests and mountains) are so close together, makes it paradise as Tarun says. Tarun best discribed himself as a cricket follower and was called by his stature when he played David B(all)oon. Roubel had a sporting background and when asked to try and bounce a football she soon had it under control, not like Tarun, who could only laugh at his attempts. Both said they will be passing on their experiences to their friends and will return soon.
Vera and John Cahill,(repeat travellers)went down the west coast to see Queenstown etc. and met with me Sam & Angela Terlato from Victoria. They enjoyed the 11 hour round trip saying the scenery was majestic, especially from the top of Mt. Dukes looking at the Frenchmans Cap and Lake Burbury.
I was fortunate to meet a worldly lady from Calgary Canada, who wanted to walk cradle mountain. Her age was no barrier and soon walked Dove Lake and was back for more. With time restraints, i drove to the Leven Canyon where Elaine Meewig managed to get partly over the fear of heights to take photos of the Canyon. I did not have to have the radio on at all, thanks to Elaines communicational skills. Elaine and I bonded.
Finally, Barry and Lesley Hibble, from Victoria who at auction bought a highly sought after trip to North-west Tasmania. I was the trusted one to escourt them along the coast and fill them up on cows dung. A great time was had until late in the day when partaking in some wine tasting at the Leven Valley vineyard one dropped a glass. It was amusing to say the least, and i did not say who dropped it, did I Barry. Anyway i am sure they enjoyed the rest of their stay in our paradise.
must sign off now, any problems with re-enactments, laugh with me..
cheers.
I enjoyed a great day out with Mr Kevin Heron, a railway buff from Wynyard. Kevin is a local, but doesnot have any means of transport, and has been hanging out for some time to go and do what he wants to do independently, that appeals to himself.
I had the pleasure of taking him down to Queenstown, placing him on the Wilderness Railway Train and picking him up from Strahan later in the afternoon. He enjoyed the experience so much that he is now planning other railway ventures with me.
We travelled back looking at the Macquarie Heads, Ocean Beach, Zeehan, Rosebery and Tullah stopping to look at the Wee Georgie Train. Some great photos will ensure Kevin remembers his first trip out with Murray.
I have been very Fortunate to meet some wonderful people from all over the world already. Most of the people have come via the Cruise Ships into Burnie.
The latest trip were a group of friends who only wanted bragging rights at the dinner table, at experiencing something that no-one else from on board the ship would have done. I quickly put my mind to work and guaranteed them, that they would see live Platypus's swimming around and Echidna's enjoying a meal, as well as eating Lavender scones,icecreams and drink Lavender Tea. They thoroughly enjoyed their trip to the West Tamar through the pleasnat country side and returned to the MS Statendam loaded with bragging rights and a better under-standing of Northern Tasmania.
I met Mrs Diana Willis from Queensland who is the God daughter of WAS Oldfield(Australia's wicketkeeper during the 1920's and 30's). Her father I believe coached the Australian Wallaby side as well. Mrs Willis was holidaying with her son and lovely family from off the Pacific Princess.
I have had some lovely people from Western Australia, who with family wanted to see where their grandmother was raised and lived in Queenstown. Marie, a nurse working for a spell at the Burnie Hospital, and a photographer Helen who spent 5 days or so touring northern tasmania taking some 24 rolls of film in total paradise with our treasured island.I have since received letters and kind words from them about their enjoyment.
Jean and Pat from N S W were colourful characters and their conversations were great to listen to.
I will get my backside kicked if i do not mention my travellers from America, Russia, Thailand and China. I hope you all take some time to add to my Guest Book and have your say about Tassie and your highlight of your trip.
My University friends from Thailand studing in Melbourne who stayed with me,had a great insight into our culture and how we live.
My news will be updated weekly I hope and I encourage you all to go to my guest book and enter your name to have your say about this little Tassie man and his Day Outs.
by poet Muzza.
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