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Extended Description:
When searching for Tasmania accommodation you will surely be impressed by what is affectionately known as the jewel of Australia's crown. Australia's smallest state, Tasmania is a heart-shaped island of lush green valleys, uncrowded towns and undeveloped coastlines that boast heritage, wilderness and unspoilt beauty abound. The air is scientifically proven to be just about the world's cleanest, hence, soils are rich and fertile and produce, seafood and wines taste wonderful. Tasmania is so geographically diverse, that the landscape can change from rainforested valleys and highland lakes to long white beaches, all within a 90-minute drive. Even for the most enthusiastic holiday maker the choices are endless - cycle through historic villages, sip on premium cool-climate wines or journey deep into the western wilderness. It's all right here for you to discover.
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Activity Info:
Attractions..
One of the best things about travelling around Tasmania is that it doesn't matter what day you arrive, or what time of year it is, there is always something to see and do on your Tasmanian vacation - rain, hail or shine!
Perhaps you would like to explore Cataract Gorge Reserve, or The Gorge as the locals call it, a unique natural formation within a two-minute drive of central Launceston - a rare natural phenomenon in any city.Challenge yourself by abseiling or climbing in the Gorge or go for a short walk through tree fern glades - this is definitely one of Australia's most enticing urban parks.
Maybe Hasting Caves is more to your liking, which includes Newdegate Cave, the largest tourism cave in Australia. Here you can tour magical chambers of flowstones and shawls, then relax in a thermal pool. which include Newdegate Cave, the largest tourism cave in Australia. Formations in the cave are spectacular and include flowstone, stalactites, columns, shawls, straws, stalagmites and the unusual helictites - tendrils of calcite that grow in all directions in tiny filaments.
For a more historical excursion head to the Port Arthur Historic Site on the Tasman Peninsula - Australia's most intact and evocative convict site. The Port Arthur Historic Site has more than 30 buildings, ruins and restored period homes, dating from the prison's establishment in 1830 until its closure in 1877. Today, the Site sits in 40 hectares (90 acres) of landscaped grounds, and you need to allow plenty of time to fully experience all that the Site has to offer.
For the Adventurer
Abseiling..
Australia's most mountainous state has some of the world's most challenging abseiling or rappelling opportunities. Whether you are just learning the ropes or looking for your next adrenaline rush you can head out on your own or with a guide. Popular locations include Mount Wellington's Organ Pipes, which tower over Hobart, White Water Wall and the Hazards at Freycinet, and Cataract Gorge in Launceston.Experienced and skilled commercial guides offer a range of climbing and abseiling adventures in spectacular locations.There are excellent indoor climbing gyms in Hobart and Launceston - they're good spots to make contact with Tasmanian climbers and maybe link up with a partner for a day on the local crags.
White Water Rafting..
Forge your way through our World Heritage Wilderness on one of the planet's last wild rivers. Tasmania has one of the world's most celebrated wild rivers, the Franklin. Rafting the Franklin is an outdoor experience to challenge even the most experienced adventurer. The river roils and gouges its way through some of the Island's most pristine and wild landscapes, in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Not far from Hobart, you can bounce gently down the lower Picton into the Huon River, passing Huon pines overhanging the river and enjoying the fun of negotiating easy rapids.Experienced commercial river rafting companies with skilled local guides operate a range of rafting experiences, from half-day trips to extended expeditions.
Diving..
Home to some of the best temperate diving in the world, come and see why National Geographic magazine underwater photographer David Doubilet describes diving in Tasmania as 'an exquisite combination of lyrical beauty and the wistfully bizarre.'The spectacular coastline and clear, cool-temperate waters are superb for diving in Tasmania. The visibility ranges from 12 metres (13 yards) in the summer to 40 metres (43.5 yards) or more in the winter.Tasmanian waters are home to a host of unique marine animals and plants.You can scuba dive in the clear waters of Tasmania's Bay of Fires, weave your way through an impressive kelp forest on the Tasman Peninsula or explore a shipwreck off Flinders Island. Tasmania is well known for its many shipwreck sites, which provide fascinating insight into Australia's maritime history. Search out handfish and rare species such as the weedy sea dragon.If you're not a diver already, Tasmania is a great place to take the plunge and learn. Diving courses are available as well as guided charters, gear hire and diving packages.
Food and Wine
Tasmania offers you the chance to savour hand-crafted wine, beer and fresh produce, and to meet the makers, chefs and growers.The Island has restaurants to suit all palates and budgets - you can even eat among the vines in the wine regions - some serve tasting platters with their wines, others elegant a la carte, and each location tells a story. While combining food and wine with serenity, modern architecture and vineyard or water views visitors can savour the freshest local seafood, local game and cheeses alongside a glass of Tasmanian pinot noir, riesling or pinot gris.
On a Saturday why no visit Salamanca Market, in Hobart, and look for local produce. You can sample special herb vinegars, mustards, bush honeys and organic goods and meet the producers. Or visit one of the specialist delicatessens across Tasmania to taste locally produced condiments, smoked and fresh produce and luscious cheeses.
Vineyards..
Tasmania's quality wines are made from grapes grown in climates similar to those of the famous European wines - with mild summers and long autumn days that ripen the grapes slowly and surely.
You can tour the Tasmanian Wine Route easily by car or on a guided tour. The island's Wine Route includes the Tamar Valley, north of Launceston along both sides of the Tamar River and east to Pipers River; the Derwent, Coal River and Huon Valleys (together comprising the Southern Wine Region), an easy drive from Hobart; and the growing wine regions of the north-west and east coast. Tasmania now produces such elegant cool climate wines as pinot noir, riesling, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, pinot gris and sparkling wines.
Shopping
It is a little known fact that while Tasmania has less than three percent of Australia's population it has nine percent of its artists. Artists living in Tasmania will tell you it is the landscape that has inspired their work, and you can find examples of quality furniture, painting, photography, clothing, jewellery and artefacts in private galleries, arts and craft shops and markets. In our major public art galleries, in Launceston and Hobart, you can browse historic collections that take you back to the days of 19th century settlement. You will also find fine contemporary works.
Tasmanian wool is rated as the finest in the world and you can buy natural spun wool or hand and machine knitted and woven fine garments.
Tasmania's isolation, rich colonial past and passion for preservation means we have antique shops and bazaars featuring intriguing and varied collections of furniture, memorabilia, silver, books, coins and other collectibles. The perfect way to spend and afternoon - antique browsing. Look for items featuring Tasmania's specialty timbers - Huon pine, myrtle, blackwood - and other fine furniture timbers such as colonial cedar and kauri. You may be interested in fine china, colonial artworks or even Georgian silver. You will find excellent antique shops in most Tasmanian cities and towns.
There are also many private galleries throughout the island and they offer you the chance to ship or take home a special piece that will always remind you of your Tasmanian holiday.
Accommodation
From luxury apartments and resorts to authentic B& B's and family camping grounds, Tasmania offers accommodation to suit the tastes and budgets of every traveller.
Weather Info:
Climate in Tasmania
Tasmania has four distinct seasons. The warmest months are December, January, February and March. Autumn has still sunny days and riotous colours as 200 year-old oaks, elms, birches and our own native beech, turn from gold to red in preparation for winter. Winter runs from May through August. However, because we sit in the Southern Ocean, the world's weather engine, and our climate can vary greatly - on any given day.
The average maximum daily summer temperatures sit between 17 and 23 degrees Celsius (62 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit) and winter daily between 3 and 11 degrees Celcius (37 and 51 degrees Fahrenheit).
Rainfall varies dramatically across the Island. Hobart, with an average of 626 millimetres (24 inches) is Australia's second-driest capital city (after Adelaide). While on the west coast an annual average of 2,400 mm (95 inches) ensures the rainforest thrives.
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Brief Description:
Tasmania
Travel Info:
Travelling to Tasmania, Australia
By Air..
Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Tiger Airways operates low-cost services to Hobart and Launceston, and from Adelaide direct to Hobart. Qantas flies daily into Hobart from Melbourne and Sydney, and daily into Launceston from Melbourne, while Qantas subsidiary - Qantaslink flies into Devonport. Regional Express (REX) operates daily services to Burnie and King Island. Tasair operates commuter services between Hobart and Burnie (Wynyard), Devonport and King Island. Airlines of Tasmania operates airline and charter service throughout Tasmania and Australia. The airline provides essential services to remote destinations such as Flinders Island, Cape Barren Island and Tasmania's west coast.King Island Airlines flies into King Island from Moorabbin (Victoria).
Hobart Airport is located 16km from the city of Hobart
Launceston Airport is located 17km from Launceston CBD
By Ferry..
Spirit of Tasmania operates between Melbourne and Devonport (Tasmania), sailing from both locations most nights and some days during peak periods. Passenger fares start from $119 for children and $132 for adults. Fares for standard vehicles start at $65 (one way).
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