Being another island,
Tasmania has a charm all of its own. There are no deserts or sunburnt plains, it is in fact covered with mountains, streams, rivers, forests and swamps. Enjoying a small
population for its size, more than 25% of the island is protected by National Parks and
reserves. World
Heritage areas take up one fifth of the island in a region stretching from
Cradle Mountain in the north to South
West Cape and the island beyond. This area contains pristine wilderness, raging rivers and more than 1000 km of walking trails. It is the most wooded and rugged state with much of the southwest still unexplored. With very few roads,
Tasmania remains a naturalists delight.
For scuba divers that can brave the cold
Tasmania's water are full of fascinating marine creatures. Deep water sponge gardens are plentiful and much more colourful than any coral reef. Kelp forests, caves,
pinnacles and shipwrecks make diving Tassie memorable. Encounters with dolphins, seals, whales and penguins are also highly likely, so the fact that the cold diving conditions keep people away is infact a blessing for nature.
Separated from mainland
Australia by the treacherous Bass Strait visitors come either by plane or ferry. Two vehicle ferries operate from
Melbourne to
Devonport daily which is a great way to continue your self-sufficient tour of
Australia.
Devonport sits on the northcoast of
Tasmania, with
Hobart the state's capital on the lower south-east coast on the Derwent River. The trip south along the east coast is delightful through rolling rich green farmland before reaching the rugged mountains around
Hobart.
4WD highlights include
Bruny Island, just 35km from
Hobart; the St Helens - Launceston loop in the North East taking in Mt William National Park and
Bay of Fires; the World
Heritage wilderness area around the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers NP and
Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair; and the Lake Pedder region on Gordon River Rd.
Much of the interior is high country, with rocky mountains and large snow fields. Snow is guaranteed during winter and occasionally during summer. Many unique plants and animals survive on the island due to its isolation including the Huon Pine, one of the world's best timbers; the leatherwood tree that results in leatherwood honey; and the now extinct Tasmanian tiger.
Walls of Jerusalem NP is a sub-alpine wilderness where 5 steep mountain peaks form a natural amphitheatre. Mount Field NP 75km west of
Hobart also contains glacier lakes, alpine moorlands and rainforests. Freycinet NP 60km from Swansea on the east coast has mountains, wetlands, lagoons, beaches and rocky shores that are home to a diversity of wildlife and is popular with bushwalkers, and scuba divers. Bicheno is the favourite scuba diving site with kelp gardens and inquisitive seals that love to swim alongside divers. Bicheno is a small holiday and fishing town on the east coast. Known as the Sun Coast this area boasts the warmest climate and the most sunshine in Tassie. The surrounding area is marked by virgin beaches, granite headlands and scattered islands.
Tasmania's historical significance is well preserved with many stone buildings, ruins and memoirs of our early convict beginnings that began with just 49 settlers in 1803. You'll notice the distinct English charm of many of these rural areas with apple crops, potato farming and beautiful cottage gardens.
Tourism contributes greatly to
Tasmania's economy. The natural beauty of the island is astounding. Visitors can explore remote wilderness areas, raft the wild rivers, ski the highlands, tour the historic ruins at
Port Arthur, visit museums and art galleries, fish for trout, observe native wildlife, take a scenic flight or enjoy local crafts.
