What To See and Things To Do In Tasmania

Written by Nipun on . Posted in Australia, National Parks


What to see and what things to do in Tasmania? Tasmania is a pure and rejuvenating destination where you will find the freshest in regional produce and intriguing wildlife including the iconic Tasmanian devil.

Come and enjoy our pristine nature and vast open space, the purity of our air and water, and the friendly welcome from our local people. Here you have a look  at the things to do and what to see in Tasmania.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

What’s special about Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park? Cradle Mountain, the start of the 65-kilometre (40-mile) Overland Track, is the northern end of the 161,000-hectare (397,840-acre) Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Tasmania’s highest mountain, 1,617-metre (5,305-foot) Mt Ossa, is in this park, just off the Overland Track, while another beautiful national park, the Walls of Jerusalem, abuts its eastern boundary.
The sheer magnificence of Cradle Mountain inspired Austrian-born Gustav Weindorfer to build a chalet of King Billy pine here in 1912 and work tirelessly for a decade to have the area declared a national park “for the people for all time”. His dream was realised in 1922, and today a quarter of all visitors to the state travel here to share his vision.
Take one of the many short walks through the ever-changing vegetation of the shores and mountainside to gain a full appreciation of the magic of this area.

Hobart

hobart tasmania

Hobart is Tasmania’s harbour capital, located in the south-east of the state at the foot of majestic Mount Wellington.

What’s special about Hobart?

  • Australia’s smallest and most historic capital in close proximity to beautiful natural surrounds.
  • Your start point to explore south east Tasmania.
  • A provocative mix of historic and contemporary art and culture.

Head down to Salamanca Place where you will find 19th-century waterfront warehouses dating back to the 1830s whaling days. Today, they house cafes, restaurants, galleries and art studios, the ideal place to wander or enjoy alfresco dining.Polished glass winks in the windows of settlers’ cottages in nearby Battery Point, and brass doorknobs gleam in the lofty porches of colonial edifices. Hobart is a city of warm sandstone, bright spinnakers on the water, fish punts at the docks and coffee under the sun umbrellas of Salamanca where the famous Salamanca Market is held every Saturday.

Launceston

launceston tasmania

Launceston is Tasmania’s second largest city and has redefined itself as a cultural hub with vibrant cafes, museums and open parkland.

What’s special about Launceston?

  • Gateway to the cool-climate wineries of the Tamar Valley.
  • The Cataract Gorge – a striking urban reserve.
  • It is graced with magnificent Victorian buildings.
This small compact city is easy to explore. You can walk the elegant streetscapes and through century-old parks, which sit beside revitalised areas such as Launceston Seaport, with its waterfront eateries. A boardwalk links the Seaport to Inveresk, where you can visit one of Australia’s best regional galleries, the Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk.
Launceston is an ideal base for visiting the vineyards of the Tamar Valley. Follow the Tamar Valley Wine Route and sample some of Tasmania’s finest cool-climate wines. You may also enjoy a river cruise, an ideal way to explore the Tamar River and wetland area.

Port Arthur

Port Arthur tasmania

Port Arthur is a quaint village, which is better known for the well-preserved penal colony buildings at the Port Arthur Historic Site.

What’s special about Port Arthur?

  • The UNECSO World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site.
  • Spectacular coastline.

Be sure to spend some time in the village of Port Arthur, often missed because of the significance of the Historic Site. There is so much to experience in the area that you may want to consider staying overnight; particularly as entry passes to the Site are valid for two days.Surfing, sea kayaking and bushwalking are popular and the coastline is spectacular. A short drive south of Port Arthur will take you to Remarkable Cave, a cave-like opening that leads out to sea. From here you can walk to Crescent Bay, a secluded curve of striking beauty backed by huge sand dunes. For a different view, take the plunge and dive amongst rich marine life in waters that offer some of the best temperate diving in Australia and explore the local shipwreck sites.

Just 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) north-west is the (also UNESCO World Heritage listed) Coal Mines Historic Site, where interpretive signs explain the harsh lives and working conditions of repeat offenders from Port Arthur who worked underground extracting coal. Look out for Doo Town, a quirky shack community devoted to homes with a theme: “GunnaDo”, “She’ll Doo”, “Humpty Doo” – and many more.

Strahan

Strahan tasmania

Strahan is the major harbour town on Tasmania’s wild west coast with a unique pioneering heritage.

What’s special about Strahan?

  • A picturesque fishing village offering comfort and convenience on the wild west coast.
  • Start of the famous Gordon River cruises through Tasmania’s World Heritage Area.
  • 1980′s base for one of the most significant environmental campaigns in history – the successful battle to save the Franklin River.

Cruises on the Gordon River take you deep into the World Heritage Area wilderness. You travel through one of the last pristine examples of temperate rainforest in the world. Make sure your cruise stops off at Sarah Island where you can hear the stories of the convicts who logged the Huon pine for shipbuilding.

Take the steam railway journey of a lifetime from Queenstown to Strahan. The journey takes you through dense rainforest, beside rushing rivers to experience life as the early miners did. However, today, your journey includes fine Tasmanian wine and food.

Wineglass Bay

Wineglass bay tasmania

Let your eyes follow the perfect curve where white sand meets turquoise waters and you will know why Wineglass Bay consistently rates among the top ten beaches in the world.

What’s  special about Wineglass Bay?

  • A 45-minute uphill walk rewards you with breathtaking views at Wineglass Bay lookout – and that amazing photo opportunity which everyone knows.
  • Enjoy the sheer beauty of The Hazards, pink granite peaks forming the park’s dramatic  backdrop.
  • Join the only cruise into Wineglass Bay and see it as only a privileged few can, aboard a Freycinet Cruises vessel.

Wineglass Bay, along with Cradle Mountain, is recognised across the world as one of Tasmania’s iconic destinations. But, there is more to this east coast gem than simply capturing your perfect-postcard snap from the lookout. Located in Freycinet National  Park, the region is so naturally stunning and blissfully pure that it’s easy to feel as if you are an early French explorer first setting foot on Wineglass  Bay.

Things to do in Tasmania

  • Bicycle Touring and Mountain Biking in Tasmania
  • Biking in TasmaniaThere are some Great places to ride your bicycle in Tasmania. Australia By Bike offer fully supported tours of Tasmania include all accommodation and meals throughout the year.
  • Wild Life Watching in Tasmania.
  • Wild Life Watching in Tasmania
  • Because of it’s separation from mainland Australia, Tasmania is the home to many of the animals or plants that are rare or even extinct in other areas around the world. If visitors are watchful, they are very likely to witness these species on trails or near streams. Tourists can also be accompanied by a tour guide to point out these animals so you won’t miss them! Some of these rare mammals include the Tasmanian Devil, Platypus, Echidna, Sugar Glider, Eastern Quoll, and Forester Kangaroo.
  • The Great Tasmanian Bike Ride, - held in early February.
  • The Overland Track, The iconic bushwalk from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair – bookings essential during the main walking season (November to April).
  • Scuba Diving in Tasmania – This is another great thing to do in tasmania . Tasmania is home to some of the best temperate diving in the world. Along with its giant kelp forests and numerous shipwrecks, the waters reefs also offer an array of unique marine plants and animals. There are many dive sites situated along the coast, the most popular sites are at BichenoBay of FiresFlinders IslandFortescue BayTasman Peninsula and Maria Island.
  • Off Road Touring. Because Tasmania is a very rugged and heavily forested region, tourists happen to miss out on some incredible places if they do not have a vehicle with four-wheel-drive. Visitors can explore these trails with an experienced operator or either form or tag along with a group. Before exploring, make sure you have a current map of the area. In 2003, Tasmania changed the co-ordinate system used for all maps from AGD 66 to GDA 94. Also, ask local land manager for the latest information on the condition of the area you plan to use and permits.
  • Kayaking in Tasmania. After landing in Hobart’s Airport, you are a mere 20 minute drive away from beginning your kayaking experience. Visitors can explore Tasmania’s beautiful coastlines and search out secret coves by kayaking. There are professional kayak guides based in Hobart, Kettering, Port Arthur, Coles Bay, Lanceston, and Strahan. Kayak travel through Tasmania’s beautiful landscape offers relaxation and exhilaration that tourists will not want to miss out on.
  • Trout Fishing. Trout Guides and Lodges Tasmania Incorporated (TGALT) is the industry body, that was voluntarily formed in 1981, initially called the, Tasmanian Professional Trout Fishing Guides Association. Its primary purpose was to provide anglers with a source of guides that they could be assured, would provide a safe, appropriate and professional service. During 1995 the Association was expanded to specifically include trout fishing lodges as full members.
  • Hang Gliding and the Flying Fox,  Hollybank Treetops Adventure takes visitors across treetops and gives them the experience of seeing Tasmania’s forests in a whole new way – bird’s-eye view! These canopy tours last for 3 hours and are led by highly-trained professionals. Not only do guests take part in this unique adventure by soaring across about a kilometer of cable but they also learn about the forests below them.

 

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Nipun

Nipun

An Amateur Traveler, photographer, writer and blogger. MBA from IMI Brussels, Belgium and a travel professinal. Currently stay in the capital city of Royal Rajasthan - Jaipur.

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