Highlights: The untouched nature and rugged coastlines are largely understated but unmissable. 

Lowlights: The bitterly cold Tasmanian winter and relative isolation of the island can be confronting for some travelers but then bliss for others. 

Wardrobe: Wear practical layers and you’ll be able to explore this small island in comfort. 

Wares: Tasmania has a popular food, wine and arts scene that can be enjoyed in all parts of the island.

Launceston

North of the island, you’ll find Launceston – the largest town in the region. Launceston is home to Cataract Gorge – which comes as a surprise given its close proximity to the city. The Gorge is a stunning slice of nature where visitors can wander along the walking trails and bridge, taking in the views. There’s a chair lift, along which you’ll have a view of the gardens and may catch a glimpse of a peacock, and a restaurant, too.

Close to the river near King’s Bridge, you’ll find Stillwater Restaurant, which offers fresh farm sourced food and water views. It’s nestled in right next to an old flour mill and is a perfect stop in the Tamar Valley on your way to Launceston city. 

Launceston’s Seaport Precinct is home to some great restaurants and cafes such as Mudbar Restaurant, with a lovely boardwalk and boats docked nearby. It’s the perfect way to spend the afternoon or evening in Launceston. 

Other attraction such as the James Boag Brewery Experience and the City Park with it’s monkey enclosure are close to the Launceston city. Further afield, about 20 kms from the city, you’ll find Grindelwald – a quirky little town that was modelled off it’s Swiss namesake. There are cafes, lakeside activities and both a mini and public golf course with the surrounding buildings designed to look Swiss – you’d be forgiven if you thought you’d left Tassie for Europe! 

Launceston has an airport as well as access via the Spirit of Tasmania which travels from Port Melbourne to Devonport, around 100 kms away from Launceston.

Cradle Mountain

Around 150 kms west of Launceston is the famous Cradle Mountain – an absolutely stunning mountain that can be found on the edge of the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park region. There are different ways to experience this untouched piece of nature depending on you – whether that be spending the day hiking to its summit, past Dove Lake, or spending more time in nature by taking the Overland Track for just under a week. 

Hikers will be delighted with the contrasting landscapes, from marshland to rainforest, rocky boulders to mountain peaks. Drink from the pristine rivers, and enjoy some magnificent purple sunsets juxtaposed against the muted tones of the gumtrees and rocky surrounds.  

East Tasmania

East Tasmania offers its own version of untouched nature, and is best explored by car at your own leisurely pace. The Bay of Fires is north east, offering spectacular scenery with the crystal blue of the bay contrasted with the fiery orange of the surrounding rocks.

Following the coastline south, you’ll stumble upon sleepy coastal towns like St Helens and Bicheno before reaching the magnificent Freycinet National Park. The pristine granite mountains – the Hazards, the perfect beaches – like Wineglass Bay, the wildlife and fresh local seafood all make this a unique and unmissable place to visit. Coles Bay is close by, offering a good base for all the adventures this national park has to offer. 

The town of Ross is home one of the oldest bridges still in use in Australia, that was constructed by convicts – the Ross River Bridge.

South Tasmania

 South Tasmania is home to Hobart – the capital of this island state. Dwarfed by Mount Wellington with its stunning look out, this small city has a lot to offer. Walking along the cobblestone streets near Salamanca Market, you’d be forgiven for thinking that again, you were in Europe. The Battery Point area has an old-style Victorian charm and is home to not only cafes, pubs and restaurants but an historic walk, museums and galleries. Further north is the famous MONA – the Museum of Old and New Art - which can be accessed by ferry. One of Australia’s oldest breweries – the Cascade Brewery – is also housed in Hobart. 

About one hour’s drive away from Hobart is Eaglehawk Neck – a thin piece of rugged terrain with many natural wonders which leads to the Tasman Peninsula. Explore the Tasman National Park including the Tessellated Pavement to see the precision of erosion, the Tasman Arch, Blowhole and Devil’s Kitchen.

For those interested in the early history of Australia, Port Arthur surely is a place to visit. In the 1800s, Eaglehawk Neck had a dog line to stop convicts from escaping the Port Arthur penal settlement. Explore this historic site to understand the history of the prisoners, the grounds that they were held in and the stories they left behind. Port Arthur is more recently known for the massacre in the 1990s that was responsible for gun law reform, leaving a significant mark on Australia’s history.