Everyone loves a road trip right? Get out of Hobart for the weekend explore what lies beyond the city.

Spring Bay Mill, at Triabunna, was once home to the world’s largest wood chip mill. After a huge restoration project up-cycling the mill to a once-again usable space, it’s now a catch-all for a bunch of creative and thought-provoking pursuits – with entertainment spaces, accommodation, culinary garden and lots of fresh open spaces.

These upcoming events will make it even easier to convince your family or mates to come along for the ride.

Want to up your shutter game?

Over the next couple of months there are a few very cool events that you can get on board. Photographers will love the upcoming photography workshop with acclaimed landscape photographer and experienced teacher Cam Blake.

It’s on from 14-16 May and you get to explore Maria Island with the shutterbug himself. Over the weekend, he will coach you on professional techniques – from the basics to advanced skills – to capture the colours and light of this spectacular place. You will be shooting sunrise to sunset and even some night time astrophotography if the weather is clear.

There’s a package on offer which includes exclusive boat travel to Maria Island, beautiful accommodation at the Spring Bay Mill, delicious food and professional photography tuition.

This is a very special opportunity to have an exclusive experience of these two very special places while learning the secrets of professional landscape photography. Sign up here.

No time for long films?

The Very Short Film Festival is a national competition, open to anyone who’s ready to tell a story. There are no real rules of what that story might be or how it’s told – that’s purely up to you. The only stipulation is that ‘Tasmania’ needs to sneak in somewhere. The deadline for submissions is 23 April this year.

The prizes and awards include cash prizes in two categories – Junior: 21 years of age and under, Open: 22 years and over; plus there’s also masterclasses and the shortlisted films are being screened on the Guardian Australia website and more.

The mentors and judges are award-winning actor Marta Dusseldorp, artist Rocco Fazzari, writer and editor Leta Keens, and Leah Purcell, one of Australia’s most eminent cultural figures. Spring Bay Mill will host the screening event on Friday 21 May 2021.

Image: Maria Island by Cam Blake