Unforgettable experiences await in Tasmania

The remote island of Tasmania is emerging as an increasingly popular tourist destination and with good reason. Protected land accounts for almost 40% of the state and provides habitats for some of the world’s most unique and endangered animals. Additionally, Tasmania’s dramatic scenery and intriguing past are other compelling reasons to visit this far-flung region.

Located roughly 240 kilometres from mainland Australia, Tasmania is its smallest state but the world’s 26th largest island. At 68,401 square kilometres, it is around the same size as Sri Lanka, which has a population of 22 million people. Tasmania, however, is home to roughly 570 000 people - just 2% of the country’s population.

One of the major reasons for this is that Tasmania lies in the region dubbed the ‘Roaring Forties’. This latitudinal zone between 40 and 50 degrees experiences persistent westerly winds, often gale force. The island’s blustering winds and heavy rains may deter some travellers. However, Tasmania’s intense elements are part of what makes it so unique. Furthermore, its spectacular scenery, unspoiled national parks, and rich wildlife make it an unforgettable travel destination. The following are among the top Tasmania attractions.

1. Top cultural and culinary attractions

Hobart

Tasmania’s capital, Hobart, is a vibrant city with plenty to entice travellers. If you are a foodie, head to the atmospheric waterfront, lined with restaurants serving excellent seafood and other fine local fare. Alternatively, head to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) for a dose of culture. The gallery is a standout feature of Hobart and among the top Tasmania attractions for art lovers. It is Australia’s biggest privately owned museum, exhibiting almost 2000 pieces of historical and contemporary art. The collection includes many controversial and evocative artworks, and the owner describes it as ’a subversive adult Disney World’. However, if you prefer scenic views to art, head up Mount Wellington, just 20 kilometres outside the city. This formidable peak rises 1271 meters high and offers incredible vistas over Hobart and its surroundings.

Port Arthur Historic Site

This abandoned jail is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and undoubtedly falls among the top Tasmania attractions. The area allows visitors a poignant glimpse into the island state’s dark and intriguing past. Lying on the Tasman Peninsula, it sprawls across almost half a square kilometre and encompasses over 30 historic buildings. Established in the 1830s, the Port Arthur penal colony was a timber supplier, using convicts as labour. Many criminals feared Tasmania’s remoteness and isolation and dreaded incarceration here. Therefore, it was an optimal place to send the most dangerous and despicable offenders for a fittingly severe punishment. Approximately 12,000 prisoners moved through Port Arthur’s penal system in the 47 years it was operational. In addition to the penitentiary quarters are the old prison employees’ homes and the ruins of community buildings. Entry tickets are valid for two days, which allows ample time to explore this evocative site and its beautiful gardens. Moreover, tickets include a 40-minute guided tour of the grounds and a 20-minute boat cruise on the harbour. For historical insights, Port Arthur undoubtedly rates among the top Tasmania attractions.

Bruny Island

Situated just a 20-minute ferry ride from mainland Tasmania, Bruny Island offers breathtaking coastal scenery and seaside trails. Furthermore, it is among the best culinary Tasmania attractions, offering excellent seafood, artisanal breads and cheeses, and other local delicacies. Tourists who enjoy a tipple can also choose from a wide selection of excellent local wines, whiskies, and craft beers. It takes around 30 minutes to drive from Hobart to Kettering, from where you can take a ferry to the island. Alternatively, you can also take a bus to Kettering. However, there is no public transport on Bruny, so having your own wheels is helpful. Alternatively, you can visit the island on a guided tour.

2. Best nature attractions

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

This rugged reserve in Tasmania’s far northwest is one of its natural highlights. The park’s lush rainforests, mountain peaks, and glittering Lake St Clair are a magnet for outdoor lovers, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts. It is home to some of the country’s most interesting animals, many of which exist only on this remote island. Resident fauna includes platypuses and echidna - the world’s only two monotremes, i.e., egg-laying mammals. Echidnas are among the world’s rarest and most unusual wildlife species. With their spines, they resemble large hedgehogs or undersized porcupines - but their closest relatives are platypuses. Furthermore, the park is home to carnivorous marsupials like quolls and the renowned Tasmanian devil.

Hastings Caves State Reserve

This amazing sanctuary lies in Tasmania’s far south, in the beautiful and beguiling Huon Valley. The drive from Hobart takes around 1.5 hours and is well worth the journey. The area’s underground caves and hot springs provide magical travel experiences - from sparkling geological formations to therapeutic waters. Hastings' dolomite caverns are spectacular, containing a diversity of glittering mineral deposits. Many travellers are acquainted with stalactites and stalagmites, which occur in caves worldwide. When water drips through rocky layers, it collects minerals in the process. This dripping creates mineral pinnacles suspended from cave roofs (stalactites) and mineral build-ups (stalagmites) on their floors. However, you can also find more unusual mineral structures in subterranean stone chambers. Among them are columns, which occur when stalactites and stalagmites fuse, and ‘soda straws’ - small stalactites forming from above. Additionally, the caves feature rare helictites. These fascinating formations grow in any direction, sometimes even spiraling, seemingly defying the law of gravity.

The Tessellated Pavement

The Tessellated Pavement is arguably the most phenomenal geological feature among Tasmania attractions. Nature’s forces have crafted this captivating coastal stretch into a series of perfectly geometrical rocky tiles. These stony squares and rectangles create a dramatic visual spectacle along this section of the southeastern seashore. The best time to visit this amazing place is around sunset, optimally at low tide. When the ocean recedes, residual water remains in the Tessellated Pavement’s rocky recesses. These calm pools reflect the fiery pre-dusk skies, intensifying the region’s magnificent natural beauty.

Discover Tasmania: Culture, nature, and wildlife awaits

Tasmania beckons with a rich tapestry of attractions; from Hobart's vibrant culinary scene and MONA's cultural allure to the historic echoes of Port Arthur, the island offers diverse experiences. Nature enthusiasts will find solace in Cradle Mountain's pristine landscapes, Hastings Caves' underground wonders, and the mesmerising Tessellated Pavement. Tasmania's unique wildlife, from echidnas to the iconic Tasmanian devil, adds a touch of the extraordinary to everybody’s travel schedule. With almost 40% of its land preserved, Tasmania's untamed beauty, dramatic scenery, and unparalleled wildlife make it a must-visit destination.