Hobart: Tassie's capital is the second oldest city in Australia and offers you a trip back in time. In places there are still cobblestone streets and old architecture. Looming over the town is mighty Mt Wellington and the city also has a great marina where you will find expensive yachts, local fishing boats and marvellous cafes.
To see:
Hobart Museum and Art Gallery
Salamanca market (held every Saturday between 8am and 3pm at Salamanca Place, local arts, crafts and fresh produce, street performers and musicians strike a special note and create a friendly atmosphere)
Mt Wellington, standing at 1270m, it is not only an incredible backdrop to the city of Hobart but it is also an excellent point to enjoy a magnificent view over the city and on a clear day, over the Derwent Estuary. There are numerous walks on the summit.
Cadbury chocolate factory, located in north Hobart since 1921, the Cadbury Chocolate Factory uses more than a million litres of milk every week to satisfy the nation's chocoholics.
Freycinet National Park: located on the sunny east coast, Freycinet is Tassie's oldest national park and is defined by its pink granite boulders and mountains. Explore the magnificent Wineglass Bay or relax on the sheltered beaches of Coles Bay. There are lots of options to get active with both day and overnight bushwalks. There is also climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, snorkelling, diving, swimming, boating, fishing and camping.
Lauceston: Also known as Lonnie by the locals, this is Tasmania's second largest city and famous for having the world's longest spanning chairlift. It may be a bit smaller than Hobart but it is a beautiful spot to relax in a pretty park alongside the Tamar River. A former military base and now a vibrant cultural town with cafes, museums and open parkland. Located on the junction of the North and South Esk River, which runs into Tamar River, Lauceston is the getaway to some fantastic wineries in the Tamar Valley. A great way to explore the Tamar River and its surrounding wetlands is by river cruise.
Tamar River: explore the riverside villages, picturesque vineyards and wildlife sanctuaries as you follow the Tamar River and travel slowly from Lauceston to Bass Strait. En route, try the local sparkling wines which have made this region famous.
Cataract gorge: just a 10mn walk along the banks of the Tamar River are the near vertical cliffs of Cataract gorge. Here you can rock climb, abseil and hand glide. You can amble along the cliff face and get great views over the South Esk River.
Cradle Mountain: part of the famous Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, this is a Tassie icon. Its landscape incorporates ancient rainforest, alpine wonderlands, mountain gorges and tarns. Cradle Mountain is the start of the Overland Track, ne of the world's best multiday hikes. With its clear waters, Lake St Clair is Australia's deepest freshwater lake with depths of over 200m.
Devonport: located on the north coast, Devonport is the hop-on hop-off point for the 14-hour ferry ride across the Bass Strait. It is a good place to start your journey along Tassie's northwest coast and is also close to the high country and places like Ben Lomond National Park. This is the perfect place to make your base in Tasmania's North-West where you will discover some of Tasmania's best national parks, food and wine experiences, history and heritage. Whilst located close to the Tasmanian high country, including spectacular Cradle Mountain, Devonport is favoured with a temperate coastal climate influenced by the ocean. This maritime influence moderates all aspects of the climate and is evident in the small range between summer and winter average temperatures. Devonport is particularly well provided for its reserves and recreational facilities. Parkland, which has been established along the Mersey Estuary, along the whole coastal foreshore and in the Don River valley, contains a cycling/walking track linking many of the city's recreational facilities.
Strahan: a picturesque holiday town near Macquarie Harbour. A place once mined for its rich copper supplies. This is the largest town on the west coast and is a good access point for trips to Sarah Island (a former penal colony) and Macquarie Heads as well as cruises down the majestic Gordon River.
Huon: this is a beautiful, relaxing and hidden spot in the southern region, one of Tassie's pure treasures. Waterways, boutique farms and rugged wilderness mix well with friendly locals, fantastic outdoor activities and delicious cuisine.
Port Arthur: located on the southern tip of the Tasman peninsula, Port Arthur was once a penal colony. Scare yourself on a ghost tour where you will hear some of grisly stories of unfortunate convicts. There are four natural wonders near Port Arthur worth exploring: the Tasman Arch (a natural bridge), Devil's Kitchen where waves rush through a narrow gap in the rock, the Blowhole and the Tessellated Pavement (a remarkable rock formation that looks as if a paver has laid it).
Battery Point, a suburb of Hobart retaining the character of a Cornish fishing village of the last century
Derwent River
Mount Field National Park
Russell Falls
King William Ranges
Marion's Peak
Dove Lake, crystal waters
Champagne Falls
Sheffield
Bicheno, seaside hamlet
Eagle Neck
Doo Town
Richmond, home to Australia's oldest bridge
Bonorong Wildlife Park, Tasmanian Devils
