Which perhaps explains why the locals are mocked by those on the ‘North Island’ so much. Not that Tasmanians care – they know how good they’ve got it.
Indeed, this magical wilderness of forests, mountains and waterfalls is in many ways more similar to New Zealand than it is the rest of its own country. Crammed with colonial history, incredible food and nature at its most spectacular (20 per cent of the state is World Heritage-listed national park) – and all in a handily-sized and generally fairly cheap package – it’s hard to know where to start.
So here’s our top 10 to-do list, in no particular order…
Cradle Mountain
The imposing, craggy peaks of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park are like something straight out of a Rings movie. Only you’ll find no orcs lurking here. Just the occasional walker. And a few wombats.
Sat almost in the middle of Tassie, just south-west of second city Launceston, the jagged contours rise from a wild landscape of ancient rainforest and alpine heathlands. It’s truly stunning stuff. Climbing to the top and back can be done in a strenuous day and will offer plenty in rewards. The more hardy, however, should take on the six-day Overland Track, which is widely considered Australia’s best walk, a worthy rival to New Zealand’s legendary nine Great Walks.
At the other end of the park, looking up at the forest-clad mountains, wallows Lake St Clair, which happens to be Australia’s deepest.
parks.tas.gov.au
Bicheno
This east coast fishing village, with a population of less than 1,000, is brilliant for one small reason. Well, lots of small reasons actually, as it’s home to a colony of unbearably cute little penguins.
Whether you join a tour or just potter about shiftily after dark, you can’t help but meet a few of the waddling locals as they head home after a strenuous day of swimming around and guzzling fish. The diving’s also good, as is the blowhole.
bichenopenguintours.com.au
Bay of fires
This idyllic sweep of white sand dotted with flame-coloured boulders was named one of the world’s best beaches by Lonely Planet a few years ago. And it’s not hard to see why.
But despite the sumptuous feast of glowing publicity, this glorious corner of north-eastern Tassie isn’t that crowded, largely because it’s quite tricky to get there and facilities are minimal. You can even camp there for free. Maximum stay? Four weeks!
parks.tas.gov.au
Port Arthur
History buffs, take note. Port Arthur is arguably the most fascinating glimpse of Australia’s convict past that you could find in the land Down Under.
Once known simply as “Hell on Earth”, this huge site with its partly ruined buildings was home to Australia’s worst convicts between the 1830s and 1870s. It’s now strangely peaceful, with the odd spooky vibe, and is somewhere you can easily lose a day.
portarthur.org.au
Salamanca markets
Tasmania is famous for its gourmet produce plus arts and crafts, so Hobart’s stunningly located weekly market is as good a place as any to check them out.
Held every Saturday under the watchful gaze of Mt Wellington, 300 stallholders, selling everything from antiques to fruit, take their positions in front of the row of splendidly preserved Georgian warehouses that are now filled with shops, restaurants and galleries.
salamanca.com.au
Mona
A relative newcomer on the scene, Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art, or MONA, only opened in 2011 but has made an impression quickly. The biggest privately funded museum in Oz, MONA has rapidly become one of the country’s most exciting cultural destinations.
Indeed, as the man with the cash, David Walsh, famously said, it’s like a “subversive adult Disneyland”. The museum houses hundreds of top-notch works from Walsh’s own eclectic, unusual collection, while also hosting festivals and giving a home to regular, often fairly outhere, visiting exhibitions. If you’re not from Tassie, entry is $20.
mona.net.au
Wineglass Bay
Along with Cradle Mountain, this spellbinding corner of Freycinet National Park is Tasmania’s major postcard pin-up. And yet the pictures still can’t do it justice.
A mainstay on lists naming the best beach in Australia, sometimes the planet, Wineglass Bay really does have it all. Well, it could be a few degrees warmer at times… There’s a bit of a trek to get there, which means you get some gawp-tastic views of it on the way, plus the coach trip crowds don’t bother. Once there, it’s suddenly huge, and there are dolphins. And there’s even a campsite at the far end.
parks.tas.gov.au
Henty sand dunes
Sweeping over western Tassie, a few clicks from tourist central Strahan, rises the state’s largest dune system.
And there’s no better way to explore the shifting landscape than on the back of a quad bike. Roaring over the sand is serious fun. As is much of the stuff that can be done from Strahan. The town may be a little plastic, but there’s no denying the south-west is where adventures are to be had.
adventuretours.com.au
Met a tassie devil
You can’t go to Tasmania and not check out a Tasmanian devil. End of. Don’t even think about it.
Sadly a massive decline in population in recent years, due in part to a grim facial tumour disease, means you’re unlikely to spot Taz in the wild nowadays. Your best bet is to head somewhere like the devil sanctuary by Cradle Mountain. Try to see (and hear) them eating – you won’t forget it!
devilsatcradle.com
Mt Wellington
Get your fill of stunning views of both Hobart and the Derwent River, with as much adrenalin as you’d like thrown in.
Yes, this mountain ain’t really that big and a road goes right to the top. You can even catch a bus there! But that also means you can cycle it. Do it all yourself, or take the sensible option – join a tour, drive up and cycle all the way down.
mtwellingtondescent.com
