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Exploring |
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Places to Explore East Coast The
East Coast of Tasmania offers pristine sandy beaches, breathtaking
ocean views, untouched rainforests, rugged gorges and headlands, world
class National Parks, as well as some
of the oldest sandstone buildings in Australia. There are famous scenic
coastal walks along with incredible fresh and saltwater fishing, evening
penguin tours available at a private penguin rockery at dusk in Bicheno.
Superb food and delicious wines tempts the gourmet diner.
Coles
Bay and Freycinet National
Park Some of Australia’s most spectacular stretches of
coastal scenery, overlooking Maria and Southern Islands. Unique flora
and fauna, pink granite mountains rise steeply out of pristine blue
waters. Wineglass bay, one of Tasmania’s and the world’s
most acclaimed beaches. The perfect place to enjoy bushwalking at all
levels.
Maria
Island was originally a convict settlement, and the ruins are well
preserved. The former penitentiary has been converted to a bunkhouse,
and there is a large attractive campground. South East Peninsula The Tasman peninsula, while only one and half hours from Hobart is almost an island apart. It has stunning bushwalks, delightful stretches of beach and beautiful bays, incredible coastal formations, dramatic cliffs and very friendly locals. You can travel the route the convicts took as they were transported to the penal settlement at the historic site of Port Arthur. Today it is a place uniquely preserved as a mixture of intact buildings, ruins and historical lore. The Visitor Centre includes an interpretive gallery and museum. Port Arthur is now a place of softened stone, green lawns, English gardens, majestic trees and quiet memories in contrast with its dark memories. South
Hobart, Tasmania’s capital city, is set under the dominant peak of Mount Wellington and has a deep-water port rivalling Sydney Harbour. It is a favourite stop of cruise ships in the Southern Ocean and the jump off point from Australia to Antarctica. The city is an intriguing blend of history and lifestyle, scenery and vibrant culture, and a unique natural beauty. There are many fine examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture including more than 60 historic buildings classified by the National Trust as historic buildings. Hobart is the home of many museums, art galleries, the renowned Salamanca market, the Antarctic Division, the Cadbury Factory, Cascade Brewery, Moorila wine Estate, with many organized tours, cruises, festival and events to experience. Outside
Hobart are many day or multiday excursions.
The
historic Huon Trail, takes you to the Huon Valley, d’Entrecasteaux
Channel and Bruny Island, all named after early French explorers. Bruny
Island, accessible by car ferry, provides
unique wildlife and superb scenery, and excellent bushwalking.
In
Geeveston, you can visit the Esperance Forest Heritage Centre while
in Hartz Mountain National Park, another World Heritage area, you can
walk among rugged mountains, glacial lakes, gorges, alpine regions
and dense rainforest.
In
the Arve Valley you can walk in the treetop canopy at the Tahune Air
Walk. This is a truly magical forest experience, taking visitors more
than 30 m above the forest floor to get a bird’s eye view.
As you continue south, you can visit
Hastings Cave and thermal pool, where cavers from all over the world
come to explore the mysteries below in the 40 million year old underground
chambers. You can finish
the day with a swim in natural thermal pools. At
the end of the road at Cockle Creek you arrive at Recherche Bay, the
start of the famous Southwest Track. Here you are at the southernmost
road in all of Australia.
West Follow the majestic Derwent River towards the rugged mountains and wilderness of western Tasmania, passing through historic towns , forests and farmlands, crossing rivers where power stations harness the energy of falling water, and climbing to the Central Plateau and Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest natural freshwater lake. The western region of Tasmania is one of the most rugged and spectacular places in Australia, much of which is included in Tasmania's acclaimed World Heritage Area. If you enjoy bushwalking, the West Coast and the mountains offer some of the most rewarding tracks in the country, whether it’s visiting the Wildlife Sanctuary in Mount Field National Park to spot platypus, Tasmanian devils , and wombats in their natural habitat or taking a short walk to Russell Falls through manferns and rainforest, you know you are someplace unique to the world Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair are located high in
the mountainous area, ranging from 820 to 1550 meters above
sea level, one of Australia’s best-known National Parks, listed
by the World Heritage Commission as one of the most precious places
on the planet. The spectacular mountain peaks, granite cathedrals,
deep gorges, wild open moorlands, deep crystal glacial lakes, and the
incredible variety of wildlife, will captivate you. In the middle of a million hectares of natural wilderness
there is the world class walking track that threads its way from Cradle
Mountains to the shore of Lake St Clair. You can enjoy day walks from
either Cradle Mountains or Lake St Clair, or attempt the full 5-7 day
bushwalk through the park. Other attractions include exhilarating
white water rafting and some of the best trout fishing in the world,
sightseeing by small plane, nighttime animal viewing trips, bird watching,
or simply enjoy a massage and spa or a meal at the fine restaurant
at the Cradle Lodge. There are many different accommodation options
available, ranging from 5 stars hotels, huts to rent, or campgrounds.
Heading west, you wind through steep, eroded, multicolored
hills to the historic mining area of Queenstown, where you can visit
the Galley Museum to learn about this rich history. Strahan
From Strahan you can take the historic West Coast Railway journey, a 35 km railway
ride of tight curves and spectacular bridges, which clambers through
rugged wilderness, dense rainforest and steep gorges. Evoking the spirit
of the pioneering past, trains are once again running between Strahan
and Queenstown using the extraordinary rack and pinion third rail Abt
system to conquer the mountainous terrain.
North The
northern region of Tasmania is an area of rugged coastlines, beaches
and is the gateway to Tasmania. Devonport,
as well as having one of the three airports in the area, is the port
for the car ferry, Spirit of Tasmania, which runs daily across Bass
Strait to the mainland.
Launceston, situated at the head of the picturesque
Tamar River, is not only the commercial centre of northern Tasmania
but its city buildings, streetscapes and parks form the backdrop to
a lifestyle centered around outdoor activities, special events, and
a sophisticated café culture. Launceston is also a walking city
where you can browse through the many boutiques, specialty shops and
antique stores. You can walk along the boardwalk to Seaport, and on to Inveresk,
the cultural center of the region, featuring museums and art galleries
and York Park, the home of football in Tasmania. The Penny Royal is
a world-class entertainment complex featuring a working 19th century
watermill and windmill, an underground gunpowder mill and model boats.
Cataract Gorge is only a
10-minute walk from the city centre . There you can hike among vertical
cliffs that line the banks of the south Esk River. As a wildlife reserve,
it offers several easy walking tracks that allow the visit to enjoy
spectacular scenery, swimming holes, native exotic plants, cafes and
an interpretive center at the historic Duck Power Station. For the more adventurous, there is an exciting cable hang gliding
experience. Launceston
is the essential Tasmania – history, charm, fine food, excellent
wine and wilderness Midlands Take an enchanting trip back in time around the Midlands of Tasmania, a region of country roads and huge pastoral properties. Tasmanian’s Midlands region has a definite English feel due to the diligent efforts of early settlers who planted English trees and hedgerows. European heritage is ever-present. You can see one of the last surviving windmills in Australia in Oatlands, and in Ross, visit the historic Wool Centre and see the historic Ross Bridge, built by a convict stonemason. In the Lake Country, the Central Plateau is a region of breathtaking scenery with steep mountains, hundreds of glacial lakes, crystal-clear streams, waterfalls and a good variety of wildlife. It is also the best place for trout fishing. This area is host to Australian largest hydroelectric power system. On the edge of the Central Plateau is the Walls of Jerusalem National Park, which is a focal point for mountaineers, bushwalkers and cross-country skiers. |
