Freshen up in Tasmania
Australia’s smallest state is jam-packed with scenic wonders, and with picturesque treats around nearly every corner, it’s the ideal place for a road trip.
Take your own vehicle aboard the Spirit of Tasmania, which sails regularly across Bass Strait between Geelong and Devonport, or hire a car locally and hit the road.
City scenes
If you’re heading for Hobart, make sure you’re in town on Saturday when the dockside Salamanca Market is held among graceful Georgian-era warehouses.
Grab a coffee and pastry and explore 300-plus stalls, selling clothing, arts and crafts, antiques and collectibles, and a waistbelt-popping range of local produce.
For a distinct change of pace, take the short drive to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), 12km from the CBD. Here you’ll find an eclectic mix of sculptures, artworks and dazzling visual displays. No matter what you’ve been told, MONA will still surprise you.
For stunning views of Hobart and a fair chunk of southern Tasmania, wind your way up to the peak of kunanyi/Mount Wellington. Pack a fleece – it can get chilly up there.
Take a day trip from Hobart to the former penal settlement of Port Arthur, at the end of the relentlessly scenic Tasman Peninsula. At this remarkably well-preserved historic site, stone ruins rise up from manicured lawns, against a backdrop of towering eucalypts and the clear, sheltered waters of Stewarts Bay.
In this place of beauty and tranquillity, it’s hard to imagine the harsh conditions endured by the early convicts.
Trees and treats
The road west of Hobart leads to the orchards and farms of the Huon Valley. Prepare your tastebuds for Tassie’s famous apples, available as a road-trip snack or as sweet and tangy cider.
The region is renowned for its range of farmgate produce, including top-notch dairy and cool-climate wines. This is a good spot to stock up on wine and cheese for the next leg of your trip.
Further west lies the vast and mysterious Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, which is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. On the shores of Macquarie Harbour, the fishing village of Strahan is the base for tours up the remote Gordon River.
The tour boat Spirit of the Wild carries passengers deep into ancient rainforest, beyond roads and trails.
Strahan is also the starting point for a thrilling ride on the West Coast Wilderness Railway. This engineering marvel, completed in 1939, follows the shoreline of Macquarie Harbour, before climbing high into the ranges along the King River.
Northern highlights
The highway north of Strahan reaches the coast near the delightful seaside village of Stanley. The Nut, a mighty volcanic plug that forms a dominant north coast landmark, rises high above the town.
Visitors can take the steep walking trail or chairlift to the top for superb views of the coast and surrounding farmland.
Launceston – or ‘Lonnie’ to the locals – is Tasmania’s second-largest city. Located 52km from the north coast as the seagull flies, the town straddles the broad channel of the Tamar River.
The restaurants and bars along the waterfront are ideal for sampling dishes using Tassie’s famous fresh farm produce and seafood.
Just a stone’s throw from downtown, Cataract Gorge is home to the longest single-span chairlift in the world. Enjoy a leisurely ride above the South Esk River, overlooking the narrow gorge.
Beaches and bays
Some of the most picturesque coastline in the country can be found along Tasmania’s east coast.
The Bay of Fires, on the north-east coast, is a magnet for travellers seeking the white, sandy beaches that fringe the turquoise waters of the Tasman Sea. The fiery orange of lichen-covered boulders adds a vibrant splash of colour to the palette,
Although the Bay of Fires is a popular location, you’re quite likely to find a stretch of sand to call your own – at least for a day.
Further south lies one of the most iconic coastal views in the world. The uphill walk to the lookout takes a moderate level of fitness, but stiff muscles will soon be forgotten when you catch a glimpse of Wineglass Bay (main photo: Daniel Tran).
Framed by mountains and lush green woodland, the snow-white sand and blue water of the arc-shaped bay are picture-perfect.
If hiking and awe have left you peckish, Tasmania’s east coast is renowned for fresh seafood and cool-climate wines. Back from your hike, start your culinary adventure in the nearby towns of Bicheno and Swansea, then see where you stomach leads you.
Mountain high
If you’re lapping Tasmania, a side-trip to Cradle Mountain is a must. The rocky spires of the mountain’s jagged peak, tower above pristine Dove Lake. When clouds settle on the summit, it adds a dreamlike mood to this magical place.
Immerse yourself in an alpine wonderland with a stroll around the lake’s edge.
Tasmania has managed to squeeze a remarkable number of attractions into a fairly small patch of land.
It’s like a travellers’ theme park, offering world-class food and drink, dramatic mountain scenery, glorious uncrowded beaches and fascinating cultural features, all within a relatively short drive from any spot on the map.