It’s the middle of Summer here in the northern states of Australia and we are sweltering in the heat and humidity that comes with living in Queensland and in a sub-tropical climate. When it gets hot and sticky like this we close up our homes and put the air con on or sit inside in front of a fan desperately wishing for air con! Meanwhile in the southern states, and in particular Tasmania, they are experiencing temperatures in the low to mid 20s and this is just one of the 10 reasons to visit Tassie now!

1.  The Cooler Weather in Tassie

The average maximum daily Summer temperatures in Tassie are between 17 and 23 degrees Celsius and Winter daily temperatures sit between 3 and 11 degrees Celsius. So if you are going to holiday in Tassie, Summer is definitely the best time as it makes for perfect conditions to experience the abundance of natural beauty and the great outdoors.

Walking Path on top of The Nut, Stanley

2.  The Untouched and Untrodden Wilderness Areas

The Tasmanian Wilderness is one of the largest conservation reserves in Australia. At approximately 1.6 million hectares it is one of the three largest temperate wilderness areas remaining in the Southern Hemisphere.

Most of the west coast to the interior of Tassie is Wilderness area and is virtually untouched and free of commercialism. You won’t find any McDonalds or high-rise apartment buildings here!

Lake St Clair

It is renowned for its diversity of flora, and some of the oldest living trees and tallest flowering plants in the world and is a stronghold for several animals that are either extinct or threatened on mainland Australia. Plus the region is home to some of the deepest and longest caves in Australia.

3.  The Pristine Beaches

Forget Whitehaven or Bondi Beach! The beaches on the east coast of Tassie are some of the most pristine, snow-white sandy, turquoise blue waters and uncrowded beaches I have ever seen.

Beaches along the East Coast are absolutely stunning with the best of the best being on the Freycinet Peninsula with Wineglass Bay, Friendly Beach and Hazards Beach and the Bay of Fires spectacular beaches around Bicheno and Binalong Bay. You can free camp right on the beach just north of Binalong Bay at one of the beachside camping areas.

Bay of Fires Beach at Cosy Corner

Meanwhile the beaches on the North Coast aren’t bad either with some of the more popular ones located at Devonport, Ulverstone, Boat Harbour, Sisters Beach and Penguin.

4.  The Convict History

Everywhere you go in Tassie you will be confronted with a convict history that dates back to when Tassie or Van Dieman’s land was a penal colony for the convicts shipped out from England. The British sent more than 165,000 convicts to the colonies during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The first Tasmanian jail was built at Risdon Cove in 1803, but in 1804 the prisoners were moved to Sullivans Cove – which is now known as Hobart.

Spiky Bridge near Swansea

There are old gaols, stone bridges, churches, barracks, court houses, hospitals, inns, cottages, breweries, warehouses and colonial mansions, all waiting to be explored. Most of these heritage-listed buildings were constructed between 1808 and the late 1800s, with some of the best examples being located in Hobart, Richmond and Port Arthur.

5.  The Food & Wine Scene

If you are a lover of fine wines, boutique beers, freshly trawled seafood, creamy cheeses, succulent lamb and stone fruits picked from the orchard you are in for a treat in Tassie.

Tasmania’s north west is a veritable food bowl, full of nutrient-rich red volcanic soil, vegetable and dairy farms plus a growing list of artisan food producers, wineries and eateries. It’s easy to explore the region by car, passing through inland towns and valleys towards Cradle Mountain and hitting the scenic coastal roads all the way to Stanley.

Views from Brady’s Lookout over Tamar Valley Farmlands

Ramble through the Tamar Valley where you can follow the wine trail of 32 vineyards all ready for your appreciation or indulgence as it may be. Or drive through the Huon Valley and stop by the Cider House and Providore at Grove and discover the traditions behind the once flourishing apple orchards of the region along with contemporary techniques for making organic cider.

6.  The Quaint Little Villages

Jump in a campervan or drive your own car staying at homely little Bed & Breakfasts, as you go village hopping from one gorgeous little place to another. Explore seaside villages boasting harbours where the fishing trawlers come in with their fresh catches; beachside holiday retreats where the locals spend their weekends off; historical little villages with rows of quaint little cottages; and villages with moon crater landscapes caused from decades of mining.

Stanley Historical Buildings

Don’t miss the unique Pub in a Paddock in Pyengana, the tragedy of the old mining towns of Derby and Beaconsfield, the kitsch coastal town of Penguin, the famous Nut in Stanley, Hells Gates in Strahan, the interesting convict stronghold of Eaglehawk Neck and the charming village of Richmond.

7.  The Cosmopolitan Capital of Hobart

Under the watchful eye of Mt Wellington and located at the entrance to the Derwent River, Hobart is exceptionally beautiful with heritage-listed buildings, a pretty harbour and cosmopolitan ambience.

Salamanca Place

Hobart is Tasmania’s capital city and the second oldest capital in Australia, after Sydney. With its captivating history, picturesque waterways, rugged mountains and gourmet experiences, the city has something for everyone. Points of interest include Salamanca Market, Hobart Waterfront precinct, Cascade Brewery, MONA, Mt Wellington, Cascades Female Factory and Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

8.  The Walking Trails

Start with 3 of the top walking trails in the world: Freycinet National Park walks, 3 Capes Walk on the Tasman Peninsula and the Overland Track from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. These walking trails boast some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, walking over rugged alpine terrain, up steep rocky mountains and through dense forests with vistas of mountain ranges, tranquil mountain lakes, steep cliff faces with the Tasman Sea lashing below, giant dolerite sea columns and wineglass shaped bays with white sand and calm turquoise seas.

Overland Track Sign Lake St Clair

Tassie would have to be high up on the list for the most experienced hikers and walkers in the world with its challenging and stunning terrain.

9.  The National Parks

Around forty per cent of Tasmania is protected in national parks and reserves with some included in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage area in recognition of their unique natural and cultural values.

Freycinet National Park

There is Ben Lomond National Park, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park,  Douglas-Apsley National Park,  Freycinet National Park, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, Hartz Mountains National Park, Maria Island National Park, Mole Creek Karst National Park, Mt Field National Park, Narawntapu National Park, Rocky Cape National Park, Tasman National Park, Mt William National Park and Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

10. The Islands of Tassie

Although Tassie is Australia’s only island state it has islands of its own that are a must see when visiting. There are 334 islands off Tasmania, ranging from rocky outcrops to three sizeable, inhabited islands, linked to the outside world by maritime services and air strips, being Bruny, King and Flinders Islands. Or discover the Maria Island Wilderness – its convict history, world heritage, bush walks, wildlife and pristine beaches.

Maria Island Image Credit: Maria Island Ferry

It is definitely worthwhile popping on a ferry or boat cruise to one or two of these islands to experience their uniqueness and diversity. You will see abundant coastal wildlife such as seals, dolphins, migrating whales and sea birds and get to sample some of the most exquisite farm fresh produce that is grown on the islands.

Tassie is one of those travel destinations that gets deep under your skin. Once you have been you will want to go back to explore more and more of its beauty, majesty and nature’s bounties.

Have you been to Tassie? Where is your favourite part?

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