WHERE ADVENTURE BEGINS

A Tasmanian entrepreneur, photographer and tourism innovator and leader is set to launch a major new travel book that shines a spotlight on Northern Tasmania’s natural beauty, hidden gems and incredible stories. 

 

Kylie Bell — an award-winning young tourism leader, Tiny House pioneer (Compass Hut and Wagonhaus), photographer and founder of the creative brand Lost Oar — will officially launch her debut book, 50 Incredible Destinations in Northern Tasmania, on Wednesday 26 November at Narryna Heritage Museum in Battery Point, Hobart. 

​

Raised on a farm in the countryside near Devonport, Bell has become recognised statewide as a leader in innovative, sustainable tourism. She co-founded Tasmania’s first Tiny House building company, pioneered the state’s first council-approved Tiny House accommodation and has driven regional tourism development through multiple industry leadership roles. 

​

This book represents a major new chapter in her career — bringing together her skills as an author, photographer, designer, and creative entrepreneur. 

 

Over the past 18 months, Bell has written more than 50,000 words, captured 150+ photographs and travelled from the far North East to the Far North West of Tasmania, visiting 50 destinations to document Northern Tasmania’s extraordinary diversity. The book highlights both iconic landmarks and hidden gems, with a focus on nature, culture, and authentic local/travel experiences. 

​

 

“In many ways, this book allowed me to bring together my love of travel, photography, design and storytelling with my deep passion for Tasmania’s diverse and stunning beauty,” Bell said.  

 

“Having lived and worked in the tourism industry across Hobart, Launceston and back on the Central North Coast over the past decade, my hope is to inspire readers and travellers to visit parts of regional Tasmania that are often overlooked, yet offer some of the most incredible landscapes, experiences and stories. The book dives into rich cultural history, wilderness significance and geological wonders that trace back as far as the Ice Age and beyond.” 

​

​

Bell independently wrote, photographed and designed the non-fiction 253-page publication, using the project to push her creative boundaries and refine her skills in graphic design, illustration, photography, branding, and visual storytelling. She partnered with a hybrid publishing team in Queensland for editing and literary guidance, and collaborated with Tasmanian businesses for the initial print run to support local production. 

 

The book holds deep personal meaning for Bell, who drew inspiration from her late grandfather, Garnet Bell — an author who published ‘Kangaroo Island: This Remote Isle of the Southern Sea’ later in his life. Continuing that legacy of storytelling, Bell has dedicated the book to her late mother, whose creativity, strength and passions continue to shape her work and fuel her creative drive. 

​

 

“Becoming a writer has been a lifelong dream I kept tucked away since childhood,” Bell said. “This project gave me the courage to finally pursue it, and it has become one of the most incredible and rewarding journeys of my life.” 

​

“I was always very artsy growing up – known for my art, music and writing all through school. This project allowed me to come full circle and dare to chase a dream I once thought was impossible, while at the same time giving back to the region I grew up in and deeply love.” 

​

​

In the process of creating the book, Bell established Lost Oar — a new creative brand built around her love of photography, storytelling and travel. Through Lost Oar, she has grown an audience of more than 7,000 followers and growing, who have followed her adventures without realising she was secretly working on a book behind the scenes. After the launch, she will begin sharing the journey in hindsight, offering an inside look at how she became a hybrid/self-published author and built a brand alongside the book. 

 

The official launch event will take place at Narryna Heritage Museum — a historic Georgian home with a personal connection to Bell’s ancestry. The event will be MC’d by Bell’s friend and acclaimed author, tourism storyteller and wellness entrepreneur Alice Hansen, best known for the Tailored Tasmania book series, the Wild Wellness Method, and her feature on Grand Designs Australia. 

 

Members of the public and media are welcome to attend. 

Book Launch details below.

​​