Tasmania may not be the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of a dream vacation. After all, most people would probably think of it as a wilderness, far removed from the comforts and luxuries of civilization, an appropriate environment for the location’s best-known creature, the Tasmanian devil. But unbeknownst to all but a few tourism savvy travelers and travel professionals, Tasmania is quickly emerging as the next hot vacation spot where pristine wilderness and civilized luxuries meet. Some of the rapidly developing areas of the new Tasmania are:
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Hobart
Hobart is Tasmania’s largest city, located on the southeastern end of the island. Of all the city districts, Salamanca has proven to be the most appealing to tourists, who enjoy its Georgian architecture and its selection of nouvelle Aussie bistros and bars. The Saturday market (named for the only day that it is open) offers a wide variety of the fresh, organic produce and scrumptious maritime delicacies like salmon, oysters, etc. Wine and cheese lovers will also find something to suit their tastes in this lively market.
The Tasmanian Peninsula
2 hours driving distance from Hobart lies a rugged coastline, the Devil’s Kitchen, the Tasmanian Arch, the Blow Hole and many interesting caves, all of which can be found in the area known as the Tasmanian Peninsula. This is a favorite place for sightseers who want to take photos of the amazing geographical landmarks that seem to be crammed into this single area. The waves off the beach are also ideal for surfers.
Richmond
For those who want to get a taste of the history of Tasmania, a guided tour of the island’s oldest surviving town is in order. Only about twenty minutes away from Hobart, it is a convenient place to visit for a day or half a day.
Huon Valley
South of Hobart lies the lush Huon Valley, with its pretty apple orchards and berry farms. Fruit lovers can drop by these places and buy fresh produce for a quick and healthy snack. People can also find a few workshops where you can watch local craftsmen at work with Huon Pine. Huon Pine can be very old (up to two thousand years old) and is unique to Tasmania. Anyone who wishes to purchase craftworks (bowls, salt and papper shakers, furniture, etc.) made from this unique pine will find them available at galleries.
Southport and Dover
Traveling south from the Huon Valley, travelers will find themselves in the fishing towns of Southport and Dover. Nearby lie the Hastings Cave and the Thermal Pool, where people can take a cave tour, or have a nice, relaxing dip to refresh there weary bodies. Further south is where off roaders can find a terrain worthy of their vehicles and their maneuvering skills.
There is so much more to see and do in Tasmania, and with all the tourism-oriented development that has been happening on that oft-neglected island, vacationers can enjoy pristine coastal environments by day and urban comforts and entertainments by night.
What's wrong with Tasmania?
Tasmania's underlying problem is simple but intractable: it has developed a way of life, a mode of doing things, a demographic, a culture and associated economy, that reproduces under-achievement generation after generation. ... They don't need to change because their way of life is financed by the mainland.
Tasmania is very safe.
Locals and visitors agree that the island has a small-town feel with very friendly residents. It is ranked as the safest Australian state for people and properties, so you can feel secure while living and studying in Tasmania.
Is Tasmania the poorest state in Australia?
Despite the recent economic renaissance, however, Tasmania remains Australia's poorest state. On average, Tasmanians work less or not at all, earn less and produce less than their counterparts in other states.
Does Tasmania have dangerous animals?
Tasmania is home to three snake species: tiger, white-lipped and lowland copperhead snakes; see www.parks.tas.gov.au/wildlife. All three are venomous, but they are not aggressive and, unless you have the ill fortune to stand on one, it's unlikely you'll be bitten.
Is Tasmania safe to visit?
Tasmania is considered a relatively safe place to visit, but you should take precautions when enjoying the island's outdoor activities. Be mindful of any undertows at Tassie beaches. If you find yourself caught in one, swim parallel to land until you're out of the rip current, then swim to shore.
Can I sleep in my car in Tasmania?
It's not illegal to sleep in your car in Tasmania, South Australia, or Western Australia, but there are stricter laws around doing so near beaches and in parks. ... However, sleeping in your car while drunk can be interpreted by police as illegal, so do whatever you can to avoid it.
What is the most expensive suburb in Tasmania?
The most expensive unit markets at the end of 2021 were Battery Point, Hobart, Sandy Bay, North Hobart and West Hobart, with medians ranging from $543,628 to $673,624. Petrusma Property senior consultant Tony Dion said it was “not a surprise at all” to see Battery Point topping the hot list of expensive suburbs
Things to do in Tasmania
Tasmania Hobart city Mona Museum
The Museum of Old and New Art is an art museum located within the Moorilla winery on the Berriedale peninsula in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. It is the largest privately funded museum in the Southern Hemisphere. MONA houses ancient, modern and contemporary art from the David Walsh collection. Noted for its central themes of sex and death, the museum has been described by Walsh as a "subversive adult Disneyland". MONA was officially opened on 21 January 2011. Along with its frequently updated indoor collection, MONA also hosts the annual MOFO and Dark Mofo music and arts festivals which showcase large-scale public art and live performances.
Tasmania Launceston Cataract Gorge Reserve
The Cataract Gorge is a river gorge in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, approximately 1.5 km from the city centre. It is one of the region's premier tourist attractions. It is found at the lower section of the South Esk River.
Port Arthur Historic Site
Port Arthur is a town and former convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, in Tasmania, Australia. It is located approximately 97 kilometres (60 mi) southeast of the state capital, Hobart.
The site forms part of the Australian Convict Sites, a World Heritage property consisting of 11 remnant penal sites originally built within the British Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries on fertile Australian coastal strips. Collectively, these sites, including Port Arthur, are described by UNESCO as "... the best surviving examples of large-scale convict transportation and the colonial expansion of European powers through the presence and labour of convicts.
In 1996, the town was the scene of the Port Arthur Massacre, the worst mass murder event in post-colonial Australian history.
Freycinet National Park
Freycinet National Park is a national park on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia, 125 km northeast of Hobart. It occupies a large part of the Freycinet Peninsula, named after French navigator Louis de Freycinet, and Schouten Island. Founded in 1916, it is Tasmania's oldest park, along with Mount Field National Park. Bordering the national park is the small settlement of Coles Bay, and the largest nearby town is Swansea. Freycinet contains part of the rugged Tasmanian coastline and includes the secluded Wineglass Bay. Features of the park include its red and pink granite formations and a series of jagged granite peaks in a line, called "The Hazards". Because of the range of rare and endemic flora and fauna species present, as well as the diversity of landscapes and communities at Freycinet National Park, its role in conservation is particularly significant. The area within the park is also of cultural importance, with many Aboriginal and European sites protected, though deeper investigation into human history within the park still needs to be undertaken. Large sections of the park remain undisturbed by humans, including parts of the catchment and the landscape.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is located in the Central Highlands area of Tasmania, 165 kilometres northwest of Hobart. The park contains many walking trails, and is where hikes along the well-known Overland Track usually begin. Major features are Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff in the northern end, Mount Pelion East, Mount Pelion West, Mount Oakleigh and Mount Ossa in the middle and Lake St Clair in the southern end of the park. The park is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
The Neck Lookout
Scaling up to the top of the Rockery lookout platform, you can see the amazing view of Reidle Bay and Shoal Bay acting like two sharp blades slashing onto the Neck. Often that one side of the Neck is claimed and the other side is rushing in with waves!