Tasmania

Tasmania

Tasmania is historic, timeless and naturally beautiful. Isolated from mainland Australia by the cold waters of the Bass Strait, Tasmania is a destination unto itself, filled with vestiges of its convict and colonial heritage set amongst some of Australia’s most unusual flora and fauna, including the legendary Tasmanian Devil.

As Australia’s most geographically diverse state, Tasmania offers rain forested valleys and highland lakes to long white beaches- all within a 90-minute drive. Tasmania boasts an amazing 20 National Parks, making it the perfect vacation destination for those looking to get away from it all.

Visitors looking to step back in time can travel along Tasmania’s country roads between charming Victorian villages dotted with abundant gardens and quaint tea shops. Gourmets will delight in Tasmania’s fresh organic foods served alongside wines produced by the island’s numerous vineyards.

How to See Tasmania

As Australia’s island state, Tasmania is accessible by either air or sea. Most visitors opt for the short (1 to 2 hours) flights available on any number of Australia domestic airlines. Flights leave regularly from Melbourne and Sydney going to the northern Tasmanian cities of Devonport or Launceston or more likely into the capital of Hobart.

Another option is to travel from Melbourne to Devonport on the Spirit of Tasmania cruise ship. The 11 hour, overnight journey is a great option for those traveling with a car!

Tasmania’s size (and lack of crowds) makes it ideal for driving vacations. It’s easy to pick up a car in Hobart and sightsee using Hobart as a base; or take your time driving from one great Tasmanian sight to the next, overnighting along the way in any variety of quaint hotels and pastoral lodges.

If you’d prefer not to drive, there are plenty of tours that show off Tasmania, from one day sightseeing trips from Hobart to week-long gourmet vacations that show off Tasmania’s food and wine.

What to See and Do in Tasmania

Hobart

Hobart is a city seemingly stuck in time, but with a modern edge that makes it a very livable – and visit able - city. Tasmania’s capital city, Hobart is one of the oldest cities in all of Australia. Its streets are lined with Victorian buildings that take visitors back to Hobart’s days as a maritime capital. But today, Hobart’s charming streets throb with a modern pulse as stylish cafes and shops open their doors to the city’s trendy residents.

Hobart boasts a magnificent harbor and more days of sunshine than Sydney. Surprising, considering the seaside port is Australia’s southern most city and the gateway to the Antarctic. A great way to get a feel for Hobart’s isolation is by visiting the top of Mt Wellington, the city’s natural landmark and a great viewpoint for taking in Hobart, the Derwert River, Stormy Bay and the distance sea.

While in Hobart, make sure to see Tasmania’s amazing flora the Royal Tasmania Botanical Gardens, take a cruise on the historic Derwent River and, if you’re lucky enough to be in town on a Saturday, check out the extraordinary Salamanca Markets.

Just 15 miles and 100 years from Hobart is the historic town of Richmond. Here, in the narrow cells of the old Richmond Gaol, Tasmania's convict past seems just a clink of chains away. Also close by are the vineyards and wineries of the Coal River Valley, home of superb cool-climate wines.

And just a couple of hours from Hobart along the stunning southern coast is Port Arthur, Tasmania’s first penal settlement and now the country’s leading historic site. Connected to mainland Tasmania by only an incredibly narrow strip of land, Port Arthur was used to confine convicts during the establishment of Australia and Tasmania as settlements. The 309 acre site has an interpretation center, over 30 historic buildings and beautiful gardens, convict quarters, asylums, a hospital and a grand church. The adjacent bay contains notorious stories of convict escape attempts and an Isle of the Dead.

The village of Port Arthur also offers a limited number of hotels for those wanting to stay overnight in the area. For overnight guests, the nightly Port Arthur Ghost Tour is a must!

Cradle Mountain and Western Tasmania

About 20% of Tasmania has been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites, with almost the entire western part of the country made up of national parks. Arguably, the most famous of Tasmania’s National Parks is Cradle Mountain, epitomizing the feeling of Tasmania’s wild landscape.

The park was formed by glaciers over thousands of years and is breathtakingly beautiful, with alpine vegetation and some of the world's last remaining cool temperate rainforest. Cradle Mountain National Park contains Tasmania's highest peak, set amid beautiful waterfalls, lakes, rivers and unspoiled greenery.

Visitors to Cradle Mountain can take in a wide range of adventures- from leisurely bushwalking and picnicking to more extensive hikes into the wilderness. And the lucky may spot wildlife on their stay - sleek little Tasmanian devils, or possums.

With so much to see in the area, we suggest that you plan on spending at least one night in Cradle Mountain National Park. Voyages Cradle Mountain Lodge sets the standard for luxury, but there are lots of other places to stay in the park for all types of visitors.

Freycinet National Park and the East Coast

Tasmania’s east coast offers a striking contrast to the alpine scenery of the east. Here, a very temperate climate and crystal clear waters combine to create a very laid-back coastal vibe. Jutting out into the sea about halfway down Tasmania's east coast is the rugged and beautiful Freycinet Peninsula, home to Freycinet National Park. 

The park’s landscape consists of knuckles of granite mountains all but surrounded by azure bays and white sand beaches. One of the most photographed spots in Tasmania is the scenic Wineglass Bay, a perfectly shaped beach surrounded by granite peaks.

Visitors can enjoy beach strolls swimming, kayaking and wildlife spotting. And if you’re looking to really unwind, plan on staying in Freycinet at the Freycinet Lodge, perched on a hill overlooking the blue waters and featuring a stylish waterfront restaurant.

Freycinet National Park offers a wide variety of activities. Take a walk to the pass overlooking the perfectly shaped Wineglass Bay or try less strenuous activities like beach strolls, swimming or wildlife spotting.

Arts and Crafts in Tasmania

A breath of inspiration fills Tasmanian galleries, studios and retail outlets, which display an astonishing array of local paintings, sculptures, arts and crafts, all inspired by the distinctive island lifestyle, wilderness and specialist timbers.

Tasmania can lay claim to a higher percentage of craftspeople than any other Australian state. The range of exquisite jewelry, fine arts, ceramics, photography, textiles, glassware and the creations of the state’s woodcraft artisans is living proof of this exceptional inspiration. Leatherwork, gorgeous handmade clothing, knitted sweaters, hand-dyed silk and embroidered linen add to the impressive line-up of rich creative items. Many of these locally made products can be seen at the Salamanca Markets in Hobart of a Saturday morning.