TASMANIA: One of Australia's Best Kept Secrets
AN ADVENTURE IN AUSTRALIA’S ISLAND STATE, TASMANIA.
This post is part of an ongoing “EPIC (VIRTUAL) AUSTRALIAN ROAD TRIP” from estCA staff, Lindsay Vacek. Make sure to check back often to read and discover all she has to share.
What makes Tasmania so unique you may ask?
Let me explain...
Rugged mountains, spectacular coastlines, native forests, sweeping bays, picturesque beaches, sparkling lakes all on one island... Tasmania has been described as an "island of contrasts" because there is an immense variety of attractions to enjoy. How can this breath-taking island, the smallest state in Australia, have so much to offer? It's hard to fathom unless you have spent some time exploring this island for yourself — and I, like many others, didn’t know about Australia’s best kept secret.. that is, until I met a local who told me. Let me paint the picture for you.
At this point on my Australian road trip, I had only been in Australia for about a month and was still looking to take in all the different parts of the country to figure out where exactly I wanted to settle down and start my next chapter. I knew I loved Byron Bay - but was there another place that had the culture and the nature that I was looking for?
I was sitting with a new friend in Melbourne one Saturday afternoon chatting about our life journeys and what we hoped was in store for our future. He asked me what I was looking for (in terms of climate and environment). I explained that I need to be near the ocean and mountains and green LUSH trees but that I was not a fan of humidity. Growing up in California, we are so spoiled with the variety of the land. From deserts to mountains to ocean to vineyards… I said to him, “I suppose I’m looking for home”.
He replied with “You need to go to Tasmania”
“Tasmania? Why?”
“You have the bluest waters and red rocks along the east side of the island - and then the west coast is mountains and green and forest. Two weeks would be ideal for you to explore the whole island and I know you’ll absolutely love it”
“I had heard about Tasmania but can I go there with my car? I thought I had to fly there?” I asked
“There’s a ferry that goes from Melbourne!”
I booked my ticket the next day.
While on the 10 hour ferry trip, I started looking through Tasmania Tourism brochures and I started getting really excited! This next week was going to be awesome. I don’t know why I was so surprised - I suppose I had low expectations but as I started to look deeper into this beautiful state, it was exactly the kind of place that feels your soul.
I barely scratched the surface but here are some of the things I discovered while driving around the island.
Bay of Fires:
Located in the North-East part of the island, the Bay of Fires got the name because of its’ fire red rocks. The contrast of the white sand beaches and crystal blue waters make it one of the best beaches in the world. And the best part, camping is free all along the bay!
Crystal clear blue waters meet the fire red rocks on the North East part of the island.
Along the Great Eastern Road in Tasmania.
Wineglass Bay:
Perhaps one of the most famous bays in Tasmania, Wineglass Bay is located in the Freycinet National Park (which also is known for it’s wine!). The hike to the overlook is relatively easy, but expect it to take about an hour. I didn’t realize this when I went and did the hike in flip-flop sandals (whoops!)
Wineglass Bay from the lookout in Freycinet National Park.
The lookout at overlooking Bruny Island.
Hobart:
The capital of the island, the CBD is still quite small and quiet. But I still had one of the best times exploring it’s quirky streets. Born in Brunswick for coffee and brekkie. Pancho Villa for Mexican (and still, to this day, the BEST Mexican I’ve found in Australia) and Preachers for a cheeky afternoon beverage after shopping at the Salamanca Markets.
Also, head up to Mount Wellington for sunrise or sunset (but check the weather as it sometimes is too foggy to see anything). Or hike to Silver Falls and check out the cool history of the Fern Tree Bower.
Tasman Penisula
A short drive from Hobart is the Tasman Penisula. Definitely take some time to check out Port Arthur and learn about it’s rich history of the site of the biggest massacre site in the country and also one of the best preserved convict sites in the world. You can also stop at the Lavender Farm nearby for lunch and fresh lavender. Also worth the stop are Devil’s Kitchen, Tasman Arch and Tessellated Pavement.
Port Arthur Old Prison
Tasman Arch
Coastline of the Tasman Peninsula
Cradle Mountain:
When I go back, the Overland Track is 100 percent on my to-do list. The 65km trail can be hiked over 6 days and you camp along the way (either with a tour company and cabins or you can do it alone with your camp gear). There is a visitors center that you can ride a tram in for a quick day trip as well.
Overland Track in Cradle Mountain. If you book ahead, you can hike this 65km trail over 5 days.
Somewhere in Cradle Mountain.
Hat by Lack of Color, Blanket Spirit Hoods.
Photo by Dan Grady
Penguin Observatory
One of the first things I did when I got off the ferry was go to the Penguin Observatory in Burnie to watch the baby penguins come in at night. While there is no guarantee you will actually see any (as they migrate and it’s seasonal) - I was lucky enough to see a few! The observation center is also run by volunteers and is donation based.
There are “BIG” things scattered all over Australia. This penguin is located in Penguin, Tasmania.
Watch the Penguins migrate in after sunset to seek safety and sleep. One of the few observation centers that is entirely volunteer run and donation based. Located in Burnie, Tasmania.
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Contributed by estCA staff, Lindsay Vacek
