Tasmania - Wilderness and Wine Routes
Australia's island state of Tasmania is a unique destination and Spring is the ideal time to take a holiday in Tassie. Explore its untamed wilderness, discover the mysteries of its brutal colonial history and convict built towns, soak up its amazing scenery and sample its fabulous food and wine.
Explore Tasmania’s grim heritage - visit Port Arthur Historic Site and follow the Convict Trail. Hike some of the most rugged and scenic hiking trails in the world - much of Tasmania remains untouched by human habitation, protected as the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Take a step back in time – most of Tasmania’s towns are steeped in history. They have preserved their colonial charm by recycling their historic buildings as B&Bs, art and craft galleries and restaurants.
Port Arthur Historic Site
Port Arthur is Tasmania’s premier tourist attraction – its historic value as Australia's most infamous penal settlement and the meticulous restoration of the original prison buildings are drawcards for over 200,000 visitors each year.
Spend a few days just wandering around the 40ha site, exploring the ruins, enjoying the tranquility of the lawns and gardens, and taking in a lantern-lit Ghost Tour. The new Visitor Centre is a world class complex – admission includes an interactive interpretation gallery for a realistic convict era experience. The site pass is valid for two days and includes a harbour cruise, a guided walking tour and access to over 30 convict buildings and ruins.
Tasman Peninsula
If you are visiting Port Arthur Historic Site, then its location on the Tasman Peninsula is a huge plus for outdoor-lovers who will also want to spend time enjoying the rugged beauty of the forests, surf beaches, rock formations and wildflowers of the Tasman National Park. Just a few kilometres from Port Arthur is the highest and most spectacular sea cliff line in Australia. It takes two to three days to make a circuit hike of the cliffs, or a long day walk to Cape Pillar and back.
Tamar Valley Wine Route
Between Launceston and the sea, the picturesque Tamar Valley is a tourist mecca, not only for its amazing scenery but also for its history and vineyards.
Wineries and vineyards are extremely tourist friendly with many offering accommodation, cellar doors and restaurants. The wineries in this region are found on both sides of the Tamar River and the Pipers Brook region to the north-east. This region is renowned for its Pinot Noirs, Rieslings, Sauvignon Blancs and sparkling varieties. Just 15 minutes from the centre of Launceston is the start of the Tamar Valley Wine Route – follow the yellow and blue signs along highway A8 and visit all 21 of the region's wineries.
Strahan
Take a trip to the very heart of Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed wilderness. On the north-west shores of beautiful, unspoiled Macquarie Harbour is the pretty town of Strahan - gateway to one of the world’s last true wild river systems.
With the full range of accommodation and amenities, it is an ideal base for exploring this rugged wilderness area - the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and Southwest National Park, the expansive Henty Dunes to the north, the 30km Ocean Beach, and infamous Sarah Island, Tasmania’s most brutal penal settlement.
The historic West Coast Wilderness Railway (ABT Railway), which runs between Regatta Point and Queenstown, takes in the Lychford Gold Mine and Rinadeena Gemstone Mine during the 35km journey. Trains run throughout the day, seven days a week. For the ultimate adventure, take a cruise on Macquarie Harbour which includes passing through the wild waters of Hells gates and a guided tour of Sarah Island.
Ben Lomond
It may be spring in the valleys but it’s still skiing weather on Ben Lomond, Tassie's premier ski resort. An easy one hour drive from Launceston and two and half from Hobart, Ben Lomond has the full range of facilities for enjoying the winter wonderland. There are good novice and intermediate trails for skiing and snow boarding, and excellent cross country skiing.
Cataract Gorge
Take a walk on the wild side, right in the heart of the city! Cataract Gorge is Launceston's own piece of wilderness, just 15 minutes from the CBD. Here you'll find walking and hiking trails, lookouts, a suspension bridge across the rapids and the world's longest single span chairlift. There are also peacocks and wildlife, gardens, swimming pool, restaurant, kiosk and Interpretation Centre.
Cradle Mountain
World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park is easily Tassie's most recognised wilderness area.
Thousands of people come here every year to hike the famous Overland Track – either independently or with the fully catered and equipped Cradle Mountain Huts. The 10 day hike is a truly rewarding experience - stunning mountain scenery, ancient rainforest, glacial lakes and tarns, unique wildlife and migratory birds, not to mention the sense of achievement that accompanies a trek of these dimensions. For those who are not up for the whole rugged excursion, then the scenery and mountain air can be enjoyed on a series of one-day hikes or shorter walks, or with a ferry cruise on Lake St Clair. Ranger guided walks are available in season.
Freycinet Peninsula and Wineglass Bay
Spectacular panoramas, abundant wildlife and a wealth of outdoor activities are just some of the reasons that make Freycinet Peninsula one of Tassie’s most popular national parks. Most of the park is coastal heathland, brilliant with wildflowers in spring and home to some endangered wildlife species and thousands of birds.
Beautiful Wineglass Bay, with its pristine stretch of beach and stunning pink granite backdrop of The Hazards, is one of the most photographed spots in the state – and one of the favourites for hikers. There are a number of ways to explore the Freycinet Peninsula – take the 11km trek to Wineglass Bay lookout for spectacular views, take some short walks around the coast, or take a guided Wineglass Bay Circuit Hike, which includes information on wildflowers, wildlife and the area’s Aboriginal shell middens. Dedicated hikers will probably want to take two days to cover the whole peninsula.
More information