The Gents: Travel-writing storytellers

“Tasmania is a place apart. It is really different to the rest of Australia. In Tassie, you can create your own business. You can find what’s fantastic and unique.” Dale Campisi.

Brady Michaels and Dale Campisi have arrived in Tasmania and they’re seriously good storytellers. Better known as The Gents, Brady and Dale have collaborated on several best-selling books including Melbourne Precincts, Coles’ Funny Little Picture Book, A Day in Hobart and Hide and Seek Hobart.

In their 14 year personal and creative partnership they’ve created exhibitions, pop-up shops, art installations and pocket history books. Now, they’ve bought a property in the Southern Midlands (which they named the Hunting Ground) and proudly call Tasmania home.

Why Tasmania and a property in the midlands? “We love history and have written history books – the Hunting Ground hasn’t been inhabited for at least 60 years. The chapel had animals living in it. It just has that essence and magic.”

“You step on the land and it’s full of stories, yet untold. It was love at first sight. It’s an 1850’s property and the buildings are all from that era. The chapel was convict built. It’s visceral, it’s evocative and has a sense of place.”

Brady grew up in Tasmania, with Victorian-born Dale now discovering Tasmania for the first time. Dale produces the annual Open House Hobart Architecture Festival, and a short, easy flight back to Melbourne means that he can also continue to deliver his well-known walking tours including the popular Unlocked Tour of Melbourne Central. Meanwhile, Brady writes, illustrates, photographs and is about to take his camera to the road for their latest book, Signs of Australia.

The Gents is a young business and the couple see great potential in what Tasmania can offer. Brady and Dale travel extensively for their work and Tasmania’s small size and close proximity to mainland Australia means nowhere is ever too far. And with world-class internet speeds and cloud-based technology, Tasmania meets all of their business needs while providing the lifestyle they love and enjoy.

For Brady and Dale the Hunting Ground is their base and there is no other place they’d rather be. “For us it’s a retreat, a hideaway from the world. It’s where we go to dream up ideas. I call it my dream factory.”

For more on Brady and Dale’s work, check out their website or follow them on Facebook.