Hobart Harbour TasmaniaTasmania is a heart-shaped island 150 miles off the south east coast of Australia. It’s the 26th largest island in the world and home to half a million people. That’s less than 3% of Australia’s population – but Tasmania has 9% of Australia’s artists.They are highly inspired by its’ beauty.

37% of the island is given over to National Parks and World Heritage Sites. Tasmanian wool is rated as the finest in the world…have we whet your appetite?

Here are just a few of the fabulous places to visit on this unique island…

Popular Attractions

Cataract Gorge

The Gorge is unique in that you can walk to it from a City! Start in Launceston and follow the river Tamar – part of the pathway from Launceston was built along the face of a cliff in the late 1800′s – and in 15 minutes you’ll be in the wilderness. If you prefer to drive, it’ll take two minutes!

On the south side is a café, swimming pool and bushland and the shadier north side has a Victorian garden of exotic plants. There are peacocks in the trees and wallabies come out at dusk. If you want to cross the river, there’s a footbridge or a chairlift.

If you’re a little more adventurous, why not try climbing or abseiling in the Gorge. For the ultimate view and adrenaline kick, it’s also a great place to try hang gliding.

Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park

Lake St Clair, Cradle MountainA quarter of all visitors to Tasmania come to see the spectacular Cradle Mountain. It’s at the northern end of the National Park and is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Cradle Mountain is the highest in Tasmania at 1,617 metres.

Gustav Weindorfer, born in Austria, was so devoted to this beautiful area that he built a wooden chalet there in 1912. He worked for ten years to get the area declared as a National Park and his work paid off in 1922. You can still visit Weindorfer’s chalet today.

The area is amazing for hiking and walking. Cascading rivers give way to rainforest and from late April to May, the only deciduous tree in Australia called Fagus (which is endemic to Tasmania) puts on a stunning display of foliage turning from gold to a deep red.

Short Walks -
• Dove Lake Loop Walk – one-two hours
• Hike to the Summit of Cradle Mountain – six-eight hours
• Circuit of Crater Lake (two hours)
• Enchanted Walk (20 minutes)

For a real taste of the wilderness, you could try the Overland Track which takes around six days if you also take other walks associated with the main track. Campsites are dotted along the track. If you don’t fancy doing it on your own, Guided Walks are available but do book up if you’re travelling in Australia’s summer (November to April). These offer more comfort too as some include staying in huts with catering.

Flinders Island

The norh east point of Tasmania was once connected to Australia. That land mass is now a group of 51 islands called the Furneaux Group and Flinders is one of them. The landscape is varied with rugged pink and gray cliffs of granite, rolling green farmland and idyllic empty beaches. It’s a mecca for divers as it has many shipwreck sites. Flinders is a real ‘get away from it all’ experience.

Freycinet National Park

This beautiful area on the east coast is home to one of the ‘Top Ten Beaches of the World’ as named by the American magazine “Outside”. Wineglass Bay is a semi circle of pure white sand with turquoise sea. There are also mountains of pink granite and eucalyptus forests to explore.

Gordon River

Two rivers, the Collingwood and the Franklin, flow through rainforest and deep valleys to merge and become the Gordon River which then makes its’ wayto the huge Macquarie Harbour on the west coast of Tasmania.
There is whitewater rafting on the Franklin or cruising on the Gordon. For an unforgettable experience, take a flight from Strahan that will follow the Gordon to Sir John Falls and areas of trees over 1,000 years old.

Hastings Caves

These caves began to form around 40 million years ago but were not even known about until they were discovered in 1917. The cave system includes Newdegate Cave which is the most visited cave in all of Australia.

It’s ideal for visitors as it has no narrow passages to squeeze through and it’s well lit and roomy. There are approximately 240 stairs but these are broken up into small sections. The cave is spectacular with stalactites and stalagmites but also flowstone, columns, shawls and beautiful filaments of calcite called helictites. The temperature is a comfortable 9 degrees Celsius – 48 degrees Fahrenheit – all through the year.

Why not finish off your experience with a dip in the natural hot pool (28 degrees C / 82.5 degrees F) in the glorious setting of the surrounding forest. There are changing rooms, showers and toilets and has a paddling pool area for children. If you’re peckish there are electric barbecues and there is also a licensed café back at the Visitor Centre where you buy your tickets.

If you walk back along the track from the hot springs, you will come to the place where two streams meet, one warm and one cold. Children especially are fascinated by by putting their hands in the water and feeling the two meet!

King Island

The ‘Roaring Forties’ are strong westerly winds that continually blow in the southern latitudes of the world. King Island is right in their path. It’s home to approximately 1,000 hardy souls who make their living from farming meltingly tender beef, rich cream and amazing cheeses. They also fish for cray and dive for abalone shells.

Not surprisingly, there are over 70 shipwrecks off the coast of the island so it’s a must-see for divers.

These are the main tourist attractions but there is so much more to Tasmania. Here’s a quick run-down of what else you won’t want to miss:

Wildlife - Wallabies, peacocks, albatrosses, sea eagles, parrots, platypuses, fairy penguins, fur seals, pheasants and turkeys.
Mole Creek Karst National Park – 3,324 acres of 300 deep limestone caves and sinkholes, with two spectacular caves open for visitors.
Mount Wellington – is only 20 minutes drive from Hobart and includes the windiest place in the city! In 1836, Charles Darwin climbed up but it’s easier to take a 13 mile drive to the top of the mountain, passing through rainforest, alpine scenery and glacial rock. The view from the top (1,270 metres / 4,000 feet) takes in Hobart, Bruny Island, South Arm and the Tasman Peninsula. Take a bushwalk – there are trails for all levels of fitness or go cycling or abseiling. Picnic and barbecue facilities are all around.

Port Arthur – The historic site of a convicts’ prison from 1830 to 1877. There are 90 acres of landscaped grounds with over 30 building, restored homes and ruins.
• Guided tours
• Harbour cruises
• Cruises to the Isle of the Dead (convict and staff burial ground)
• Point Puer Boys’ Prison (where boys from 9 – 18 were incarcerated and put to work building with stone – including the Church on site)
• Visitor Centre with interactive experiences
• Museum
• Convict Study Centre

Salamanca Place - in Sullivans Cove, Hobart. Arts and crafts, jewellers, designers, bookshops, cafes, restaurants all housed in Georgian warehouses built in the mid 1800′s. Each Saturday, there is a great market where you can buy pretty much anything. Salamanca Square is close by and is a great place to sit with a coffee and watch the world go by.

Strahan – the last stop before Patagonia. Forests, gorges, lakes and the tallest waterfall in Tasmania. Gold, silver and copper mines, entrance to the World Heritage Wilderness Area.

The Nut, Stanley – the remains of a gigantic volcanic plug. Take the chairlift or hike up for an amazing view across the beaches of Bass Strait and the historic town of Stanley. Take a wildlife trip to see seals, penguins and other wildlife. Visit Highfield House, built in the 1830′s in the Italianate style. The managers of Van Diemen’s Land lived here.

Adventure and Outdoor Activities – Abseiling/Rapelling, All Terrain Vehicles, Bicycle Touring, Camping, Caves and Caving, Coastal and River Cruising, Diving, Fishing, Gardens, Golf, Hang Gliding, Horseriding, Jet Boats, Kayaking, Off Road Touring, Recreational, Sports, Rock Climbing, Sailing and Yachting, Scenic Flights, Surfing, Walking and Trekking, Whitewater Rafting, Wildlife Watching

Tasmania really does have something for everyone and is so often overlooked. Make sure that you don’t miss it!

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