Visit Tasmania
With its pristine natural beauty, Tasmania is not so much off the beaten track as a few yards from it. A short flight from the mainland, it’s becoming more and more popular with nature enthusiasts, and rightly so. See unspoiled white beaches, pool-blue seas, bizarre rock formations, and stick-out-your-hand-and-touch-it wildlife. An welcoming island state in an island nation, Tasmania sits somewhat under the radar, a natural theme park for fishing, climbing, hiking, and biking, and a world away from the glitzy resorts along Australia’s East Coast.
Length of Trip : 7 days
Cost :
Tasmania, like the rest of Australia, is not cheap. There are a variety of accommodation and dining options available for those on every budget. It costs $26 per adult to visit the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary where you can encounter the Tasmanian devil, kangaroos, wallabies and koala bears.
Best time to go : December to February (summer) although still bring layers as the weather can turn chilly.
Wheelchair friendly : Yes
Family friendly : Yes
Where to eat :
Fish Frenzy, Hobart - Regarded as the best fish and chips in all Australia, and not without reason. Pretty jammed with locals and tourists, the Frenzy is located at the bottom of Elizabeth Street on the pier. You order at the counter, and get the goods in cone-shaped paper, old-school style. Melt-in-the-mouth fish, seafood, and great fries.
There are a number of great budget dining options in Harrington Street in Hobart. And of course, there are always freshly-baked meat pies!
Official Site :
Discover Tasmania
The Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
Experience Tasmania's east coast by foot, bike and kayak with World Expeditions
Where to Stay :
Budget: The Pickled Frog - great atmosphere in this popular longstanding Hobart backpackers.
Mid-Level: The Henry James Art Hotel - huge rooms right on the waterfront, a stylish and popular hotel
High-End: Saffire Freycinet - blending into the surrounding landscape, 20 luxury suites with world-class spa facilities, dining and level of service.
Getting There :
There are daily flights to Hobart from Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast. On the ground, look into car rental to explore the island, or look into a local tour operator. For those on a budget, look into Under Down Under. The Pickled Frog, a great hostel in Hobart, offers tours to nearby highlights like the Tasmanian Devil and Mount Wellington.
Note from Robin :
In Hobart, start with with an all-downhill bike ride from atop Mount Wellington. The view from the top is exquisite, across Tasmania’s capital Hobart, the port, islands and Cascade, the oldest brewery in Australia. Located about an hour and half from Hobart, Port Arthur is Tasmania’s premier tourist attraction, a convict theme park complete with wax models and bad period actors. It is also the site of one the worst spree killings history, when a lunatic opened fire on staff and tourists in 1996. Check out the coastal village of Bicheno, and don't miss a short (or longer) hike in the magnificent Freycinet National Park. Other attractions not to miss include the Tasman Arch and Painted Cliffs.
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