LEN METCALF
The Tarkine, North West TasmaniaWith three meters annual
rainfall, this beautiful environment is decid-
edly damp. The result is plenty of soft light on
rainy misty days, and an abundance of Man
ferns, Moss and wet green rainforest.
The clean fresh air, oxygen rich, and un-
polluted, inspire me with fresh creativity. The
complex mess of forest is a puzzle to unravel
and find order in the chaos.
DON’T MISS
The Pieman and Donaldson River at Cor-
rina. Here you can catch the Arcadia to Pie-
man Heads on a day tour on a majestic old
boat. Philosophers Falls at Waratah is another
stunning location, as is the great Tarkine Drive
out of Smithtown. Each is a photographers’ de-
light, worthy of a full day of exploration.
Lastly, don’t miss the coast. The west-
ern edge of Tasmania is perfect for sunset,
with rugged shorelines and cold winds that
blow straight out of Antarctica. With roman-
tic place names such as ‘The Edge of the
World’, you can’t go wrong!BEST TIME TO VISIT
I personally prefer to go in winter. There’s plen-
ty of rain, and lots of cold, but less tourists.DAVID EVANS
Abisko, SwedenAbisko is known as the best place in the world
to see the Aurora Borealis, due to a unique rain shadow cre-
ated by Lake Torneträsk, and therefore clearer weather than
most other places at similar latitudes under the ‘aurora oval’.
The gentle and serene landscapes combined with the tradi-
tional reindeer herding Sami culture have also won my heart.
DON’T MISS
Aside from the star attractions of the Northern Lights in
Abisko and the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, reindeer sledding
is a must! Many opt for dog sledding, which is also great
fun, but reindeer sledding is the traditional Sami way and
is a peaceful and magical experience.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Winter! Long nights for aurora viewing, dreamy snows-
capes, thick hoar frosts, reindeer and dog sledding and the
Ice Hotel are all features of a winter visit. The quality of the
mid-winter light is also very special for photography - the
locals call it ‘blue light’, where the sun never rises and in-
stead there is five or six hours of soft twilight. The colder it
gets, the more beautiful the blue light seems to be!
TRAVEL SPECIAL: THE DESTINATIONSThe Tarkine Forest Reserve is roughly bounded by the West Coast, with the Arthur River to the north, the Pieman
River to the south and the Murchison Highway to the east. The area contains a hugely diverse landscape – including
Australia’s largest patch of temperate rainforest. Simply put, it’s one of the best kept secrets on the island state.
Defined by fiercely cold winters, and surrounded by mountains,
Sweden’s Abisko National Park is a landscape photographer’s delight.