St Marys Hotel

Eco fashion, art, gifts and more! Gone Rustic specialises in ethical shopping, classes, and exhibitions, plus vintage, upcycled, and new products. You can also see the artist Rita Summers in action. Rita Summers is a Canadian-born eco-artist living and working in the island state of Tasmania. She found her true calling after having an illness in 2002 and opened her gallery/studio exactly one year later to the day. She discovered eco-printing and dyeing in 2008. Rita has always loved textiles and stitching and part of her mission is to raise awareness of them as a valid art form. Her underlying philosophy is to create products and source materials as ethically as she can. finding and reinventing vintage and preloved clothing, fabrics, and other materials with natural dyes, paints made from the earth and deconstruction techniques. Materials for natural printing and colour are mostly foraged from her and her husband Ian’s own property, where she can manage the trees and plants respectfully. Qualifications: Bachelor of Education (Art Major, distinction) Diploma of Art Craft Design (Textiles) ‘art is like breathing to me - life and thoughts impressed on paper, cloth, the air; fleeting sounds and images captured before they escape forever’ (c) Rita Summers

Nestled in the heart of St Marys, Tasmania, within the picturesque Fingal Valley, Purple Possum Wholefoods and Café combines the allure of a wholefoods store with the warmth of a café. It showcases a curated mini-gallery and a tranquil garden, creating a unique experience for visitors. The mini-gallery celebrates local creativity, featuring works from area photographers, artists, and craftspeople. The café serves as a vibrant community hub, offering fresh, healthy fare like vegetarian burgers, salads with garden herbs, and house specialties. Notably, its rhubarb cake, acclaimed by Lonely Planet Tasmania in 2018, and the coffee, recognized as the best on the East Coast, highlight the menu. In addition to café delights, the Purple Possum offers a wide range of wholefoods, local honey, organic vegetables, and special dietary products, emphasising sustainable eating. Conveniently located, it’s a short drive from Bicheno, St Helens, and the East Coast beaches, making it an ideal stop for travelers. The garden provides a peaceful spot for guests to unwind, enhancing the café’s appeal as a haven for relaxation. Purple Possum is not just a destination but a vibrant testament to community spirit and a sanctuary for those seeking nourishment and peace. Whether you're a local or a traveler, it offers a blend of culture, cuisine, and natural beauty, highlighted by its famous rhubarb cake, unparalleled coffee, and a relaxing garden.

A tall but typically low-flowing waterfall, Gray Mares Tail is nonetheless a worthwhile stop a short distance from St Marys, just before the road starts descending down St Marys Pass. To find the falls, look for an easy-to-miss pullout with a sign marking the St Marys Pass State Reserve on the left. From here a sign points to Gary Mares Tail, just a 5-10 minute walk away. The short and easy trail winds through the forest, before coming to a lookout platform overlooking the top section of the falls. While the part that can be viewed easily is a decent 20 metre drop, the creek looks to keep cascading further below, and the total height of the falls is likely to be well in excess of 50 metres.