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Tasmania A BUSHWALKER’S NIRVANA, WITH UNIQUE WILDLIFE, ARGUABLY THE COUNTRY’S FRIENDLIEST LOCALS AND THE COUNTRY’S BEST MUSEUM, TASSIE IS STILL A WONDERFUL SECRET
Photo: Tourism Tasmania
Tassie can take your breath away
Let’s get down to business... Australia’s very own Emerald Isle, Tasmania has a very different flavour from what locals call “the North Island”. More than 20 per cent of the island state is World Heritagelisted national park. It’s a magical wilderness of mossy forests, rugged mountains and cascading waterfalls, and home to many a rare and unique species. Natural wonders aside, Tassie is renowned for its colonial history. Sandstone relics still stand proud and picturesque today. The state is easy to cover, and – with super-friendly locals, backpackerfriendly prices and few tourist crowds – it’s rapidly becoming de rigeur among travellers in the know.
Getting to Tasmania Tasmania is well serviced by air, and the Spirit of Tasmania ferries run from Melbourne to Devonport daily; you can also take vehicles across on the ferries. Your arrival point could be Hobart, Launceston or Devonport, depending on how you get there. Air: Shop around for the best price. Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia all fly from the Australian mainland to Hobart and Launceston. Qantas also has connections to Devonport and Burnie through Qantaslink. For schedules and prices, see qantas.com. au, jetstar.com, virginaustralia.com or tigerairways. com. Regional carrier, Regional Express (REX), 80
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operates services to Burnie and King Island, with special deals for backpackers (see rex.com.au). Sea: The over-sea route to Tassie from Melbourne is covered by two superfast ships, Spirit of Tasmania I and II. These vessels offer an overnight service in both directions to Devonport seven days a week, year round, with additional daytime services in the high season (December-January). The ferry also takes cars over for $89, motorbikes for $64 and bicycles for $6. Check spiritoftasmania.com.au
Getting around Tasmania Coach services link all the main towns (some services close during winter), as well as bus tours geared for independent travellers. Cycling is an option for fit legs. See discovertasmania.com.au. If you don’t have much time but want to see it all, Fun Tassie Tours do three-seven day tours at very reasonable prices. See: funtassietours.com
Hobart Australia’s most picturesque city has a rich heritage, Georgian architecture, an expansive harbour and beautiful nearby areas to visit. With sandstone wharves, yachts, Antarctic icebreakers, quaint streets and a vast harbour all nestling under the protective slopes of Mount