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Why Pick Tasmania as Your Next Holiday Destination?
"If Traveling was Free, You Would Never See Me Again!" - Tasmania Diaries.
This laid back and quaint little state in Australia also happens to be its biggest island. Tasmania has an interesting mix of the best bits of Australia. When you visit this lovely island-state, you can expect to find a rugged coastline, mesmerizing beaches, rich history, exotic wildlife and some English-style country living. If you are coming from a fast-paced metro city, the life out here could make you time travel in the past. People are trusting, simple, content and happy.
Tasmania is the perfect destination for an avid wildlife enthusiast. With its rich history, it is often thronging with history lovers. And for those looking for a gastronomic treats, this state has more than you can devour. It is one of the most-untouched habitations on earth. With pristine clear waters, magnificent sun-kissed beaches, lively people and loads of festivals to entertain you, a visit to Tasmania should be at the top of your bucket list. Let us see some more intriguing features of Tasmania before you pack your bags!
Geographical Importance
Although full up to the brim with attractive tourist destinations, the basic land area of the state is quite small and you can easily drive from the north coast to the south coast in just 5 hours. Tasmania is 26,383 square miles in total area and you easily need more than a week to cover all its tourist destinations. A great place for hiking, surfboarding and kayaking, Tasmania has some of the best mountains, lakes, beaches and forests of the country and also perhaps the world.
The rich diversity of this land is fun and quirky and you can easily access two extreme diversities within a gap of few hours. Tassie, as the state is fondly called, has some rich connections with France and you might find weekend celebrations oozing of the apparent bond. If planning a trip, ensure that you visit Tassie at the time of the year when you might stumble upon the racing Penny Farthing cyclists, a popular festival of wassailing to get back the hibernating apple trees back to life after winter.
Tips on Planning Your Visit to Tasmania
A Unique Landscape
Tasmania has such rich biodiversity that picking the time of your travel is very important. The state hibernates in winter and gets lively in summers. While you are planning your itinerary, ensure that you book a ferry ride from Melbourne and take an overnight journey to Tasmania. The magnificent view of the virgin waters and the summer sun are enthralling while you sail on your ferry. As you disembark at the north of the island, book a taxi or get your own rental car to start a fun road trip to get the maximum view of the beautiful scenery. Also, do not miss out on Tasmanian seafood. The local seafood is caught and cooked fresh. If you are an avid climber, rock-climbing on the ‘Totem-Pole’ should definitely be on your list.
Climate
Being in the southern hemisphere, it snows in June and July here. The snowfall in higher altitudes can get pretty heavy and spring begins in October. If you are visiting Tasmania in winter, you can book yourself a stay in any of the log cabins in the mountains where you can sit by the fire and sip some soothing hot chocolate. Hiking in the snow can be fun as well. The cooler months used to be quiet a few years earlier but now you can find festivals like Dark MOFO (run by Hobart’s ground-breaking MONA museum), the festival of Voices and Ten Day on, etc. to entertain you. Summer months here are quite lively and are between December to March.
Best Time to Travel
Tasmania summers are very mild with the maximum temperature reaching 23 degrees celsius. One can enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities between December and January. You can also enjoy long daylight hours during these months. The best weather and time to travel to Tasmania is from November to April.
Fresh and Delicious Food
The Oyster Farm at the Bruny Island is a must-visit as you get to relish some large and tasty oysters cooked and served fresh. You should also try the diverse fish varieties in the fishing villages here. Also, do try the sinfully delicious scallop pies offered in cozy country pubs. Hobart is the capital city with many spectacular waterfront dining options while the East Coast near Freycinet is also an emerging food and wine venue. The local wine in Tasmania is a must-try. There are around 20 distilleries on the island.
A Rich Culture
You get a gist of the local culture by being a part of its many festivals. The most popular festival here is the Taste of Tasmania in Hobart and also the Festival in the laid-back Launceston, where you can relish some delicious local and seasonal food and tap your toes to some live country music. To know more about country-state’s history, do visit the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. A visit to MONA – the largest privately owned museum in Australia, outside Hobart, cannot be missed.
How to Get There?
As Tasmania is Australia’s only island-state, one can reach there by sea or air only. You can take regular flights from Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney directly to Hobart or Launceston. You can also get direct flights to other destinations such as Devonport, Wynyard, King and Flinders Island. An overnight ferry ride from Melbourne is an option for travel via sea.
10 Exciting and Must Visit Places in Tasmania
So now that you have an inkling of what your trip to Tasmania will be like, here are some 10 must-visit tourist attractions which you must include in your itinerary.
Cradle Mountain - Lake St. Clair National Park
The Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park is one of the scenic destinations in the state. A breathtaking view with cascading rivers, glacial lakes, ancient pines, dense rainforests, rich vegetation and wild alpine moorland, this region has everything to get you smitten. Hikers love to explore this national park as it has many walking trails. Many hikers also love to challenge themselves to reach the iconic summit height here. Distance from Launceston: 140.9 km
Freycinet National Park
A mesmerizing coastline of pink granite mountains catches your eyes on the way to Freycinet National Park. You will be amazed to see how these mountains descend into white coloured beaches and bays with crystal clear turquoise water. The iconic Wineglass Bay is here and is also the most famous beach in Tasmania.
The Wineglass Bay here is ranked in the top 10 beaches of the world. It derived its name because of the appearance of the double-sided beach that resembles the stem of a wine glass. The water in the bay is stunning and a walk along the white sandy beach gives you plenty of time to soak up the coastal scenery. Distance from Hobart: 110 km
Hobart
The capital city of this state, Hobart is charming, walkable and very inviting. It is one of Australia’s oldest cities and offers ancient monuments and buildings which are worth visiting. You will find many 19th Century sandstone warehouses here which have now been reconverted into modern-day cafes and artists’ studios. You must also visit the colonial mansions in the city. The Mount Wellington standing wide and proud at the backdrop of the city has River Derwent racing through its heart. The incredible MONA museum deserves at least a few hours and you should also include the historic harbour and the intriguing Salamanca in your itinerary.
Richmond
The lovely ancient town of Richmond has plenty to offer to a history lover. Australia’s oldest bridge, built-in 1825 is located here. You can also visit Australia’s oldest Roman Catholic Church, St. John’s. There are many other heritage-listed buildings which you can find here.
Distance from Hobart: 25 km
Port Arthur Historic Site
Port Arthur is an infamous historic site for the convicted. It is on a narrow strip of land called Eaglehawk Neck that separates the prison from the mainland. Two centuries back, this place was heavily guarded and to escape from here from nearly impossible. A visit to this ancient heritage site is a must when you visit Tassie.
Now it has been converted into an open-air museum where you can find the old penitentiary, church, hospital and asylum. Rumour goes that when you visit this place at nighttime, you can see many ghosts that continue to haunt the grounds till today!
Distance from Hobart: 101 km
Tamar Valley
Tamar Valley is famous for producing many varieties of local wine. Tassie is the leading producer of premium cool climate wines and has 20 distilleries and seven wine regions. The Tamar River runs alongside this region and goes beyond Launceston to the Bass Strait. While here, do taste some unique sparkling wines including sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. Also try some local cheeses available here. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the stunning scenery and the wide expanse of vineyards and orchards.
Distance from Launceston : Around Two Hours. You can stop at George Town and Beauty Point on the Way.
Bruny Island
A very beautiful and tiny island with towering sea cliffs and deep-sea caves, this place is just at a short distance from Tasmania. You can also find fur seals, fairy penguins and some exotic bird species here. If you are lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of some migrating whales. To get to Bruny Island, you need a short day trip from Hobart. The best way to experience is with a guide.
Distance from Hobart: 83.1 km
Bay of Fires
If you have read about orange-hued granite rock formations, then Tasmania is the place where you can actually see them. Towards the north-east of Tassie is the Bay of Fires. A region with pristine white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and these orange-toned rock formations. The color is produced by a lichen. The Bay of Fires is regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Australia and if you are fond of scenic destinations, then you cannot afford to miss this one.
Distance from Launceston: 189.7 km
Tasman Peninsula
The Tasman Peninsula has some of the most rugged sea-cliffs and stunning views. You will find bird and marine life in abundance here. The interesting rock formations and the spectacular coastline of this place make it worth visiting. The different rock formations have been named as Devil’s Kitchen, Blow Hole, Tessellated Pavement, Remarkable Cave and Waterfall Bay. You can also see these attractions by car.
Distance from Hobart – 95.5 km
Strahan
Strahan is a tiny town at the edge of the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. It is the last town on the west coast and one of the most isolated places on earth. It has a main street facing the magnificent waters of the Macquarie Harbor. You can soak in the beautiful sceneries on boat.
Distance from Hobart – 300 km
Distance from Launceston – 271.4 km
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Plan a Visit to The Amazing Island-State of Tasmania in 2019
With so many breathtaking sceneries and stunning waterscapes, Tasmania is God’s place. You will be warmly welcomed by the locals here who are simple and laid-back people. The region has everything to offer from hiking in the mountains, beaches, national parks, historical sites, harbours and wildlife. It also has the purest air in the world. So if you are looking for your next destination to travel, Tasmania is should be!!