Tasmanian Explorer

Spend a couple of days in the shadow of photogenic Kunayani/Mount Wellington in Tasmania’s state capital Hobart, a small, yet perfectly formed city. Explore the pretty harbour, with its heritage Georgian architecture, plus a wealth of museums and art galleries at Salamanca Place, then head up the mountain itself for panoramic views over town and the ocean beyond. Hobart throws a number of food and wine festivals and cultural events, as well as the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht race that celelbrates through New Year's Eve, so if you’re in town at the time, be sure to head on down and join the party.

Accommodation at 4.5* Wrest Point

Pronounced ‘straw-n’, Strahan is found on Tasmania’s west coast, an isolated region of rainforests and crashing waves. A former penal colony, it’s now an impossibly pretty town, with cute cottages and charming gift shops boasting handmade items by local craftsmen created from rare timbers like Hyon pine, sassafras and myrtle. Why not experience the region’s wild side too on a Gordon River cruise, gliding past vast forests and World Heritage Convict Site landmarks like Hells Gates and Sarah Island. Just outside town, 25-mile-long Ocean Beach is backed by towering dunes and overlooked by the Cape Sorrell Lighthouse, constructed in 1899.

Accommodation at 4* Strahan Village

Admire the dramatic views in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Filled with lakes and mountains, this World Heritage-listed park is best explored on foot. Perhaps take a walk around Dove Lake, with the towering peak of magnificent Cradle Mountain reflected in its cool waters, or explore 650-foot-deep Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest lake. The plunging waters of Pencil Pine Falls are also worth a look, as is the cosy Waldheim Chalet museum, built by Gustav Weindorfer, the man who campaigned to have this stunning area declared a national park.

Accommodation at 4* Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain

With its stunning location on the banks of the Tamar River, Launceston is a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Take a wander along the boardwalks in the wetlands and view countless water birds, watch the yachts coming and going or perhaps sample the wines of the Tamar Valley. In town, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, opened in 1891, is stuffed full of assorted art and artefacts, and has an excellent café. Don’t leave Launceston without cruising through the magnificent Cataract Gorge, just outside town at the confluence of the North and South Esk rivers.

Accommodation at 4* Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston

Gaze over the unspoiled turquoise waters and pure white sands of Freycinet National Park, overlooked by the pink granite façade and rugged beauty of the Hazards. Here a variety of activities are offered, from guided bushwalks, to cycling and bird watching. Board your boat and head out along the shoreline of the celebrated Wineglass Bay, blessed with a perfect curve of white sand and frequently named one of the best beaches in the world – and keep an eye out for dolphins and fur seals.

Accommodation at 4* Freycinet Lodge

Discover Port Arthur’s fascinating yet turbulent history as a former convict settlement. With more than 60 heritage buildings, some in ruins and some restored, Port Arthur Historic Site covers a large area. The dark history of the site is juxtaposed with its gorgeous setting, with green hills on three sides and glittering blue sea on the other creating a picturesque backdrop. If you dare, take a spooky lantern-lit ghost tour of the site after dark – explore when the crowds have gone home and listen to the eerie night-time noises, hear ghostly tales and see if you can discover the truth behind the supposed hauntings and mysterious goings on.

Accommodation at 4* Port Arthur Villas