A Tassie Adventure
We are off again exploring this wonderful country of ours – Australia! On this occasion we are heading to the little known (and sometimes forgotten) island state of Australia, Tasmania. During our trip around Australia we never got to visit this wonderful Southern state full of natural beauty.
Tasmania, or Tassie as we call it, is located off the south coast of Australia and is known for its vast, rugged wilderness areas, largely protected within parks and reserves. It is also renowned as being one of Australia’s first penal colonies where the British sent their convicts in the early 1800s.
Apart from Tasmania’s World Heritage wilderness, it also offers delectable food and wine, spectacular coastlines, an intriguing history with many convict sites, 17 National Parks, coastal islands, compact cities and clean air.
So here is the proposed route of our trip which we intend to undertake in a small campervan:
Stop 1. Hobart to Richmond
Fly into Hobart, pick up our Hertz campervan and drive to the historical town of Richmond in the Coal Valley wine region just north of Hobart. Richmond features more than 50 Georgian buildings, the oldest Gaol in Australia and the Richmond Bridge built by convicts in the 1820s.
Stop 2. Port Arthur
World-Heritage Listed Port Arthur located on the Tasman Peninsula is Australia’s most well-preserved and poignant convict sites. The Historic Site has over 30 buildings, ruins and restored period homes set in 40 hectares of landscaped grounds.
Stop 3. Freycinet National Park
Situated on Tasmania’s east coast is the Freycinet National Park which features amazing scenery with pink granite peaks, secluded bays, white sandy beaches and abundant birdlife. The biggest drawcard of the Park is the secluded horseshoe shaped bay called Wineglass Bay.
Stop 4. St Helens/Bay of Fires
St Helens is on the north-east coastline of Tassie and is the gateway to the magnificent beaches of the Bay of Fires. The Bay of Fires feature perfect white sandy beaches and lichen-covered granite boulders.
Stop 5. Launceston/Evandale
The second largest city in the state is Launceston, a vibrant hub for food and wine, culture and nature. It’s surrounded by the rich farmland of the Tamar Valley and nearby towns of Evandale and Longford, with their grand old estates.
Stop 6. Stanley
Stanley is a town of perfectly preserved colonial buildings, sheltered by the imposing shadow of the Nut, an immense flat topped, volcanic plug and close to some great nature experiences and Tasmania’s Tarkine wilderness.
Stop 7. Cradle Mountain
Part of the Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness Area, Cradle Mountain and the surrounding landscape is diverse and includes grassland, rainforest and ancient plants. With a range of walks ranging from easy to difficult, there’s plenty of opportunities to experience the beauty of Tasmania’s wilderness first hand.
Stop 8. Strahan
Strahan is a harbour-side village with a dark and fascinating convict past set on the edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Nestled on the shores of massive Macquarie Harbour, Strahan is the gateway to the World Heritage listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.
Stop 9. Lake St Clair
Lake St Clair is Australia’s deepest freshwater lake and can be explored on a scenic cruise with spectacular views of the mountain peaks surrounding the lake.
Stop 10. Mt Field National Park
Mt Field National Park is Tasmania’s first national park, with stunning vistas, great walks, abundant wildlife and excellent visitor facilities. There are many gems to be discovered in Tasmania’s most diverse national park, including Russell Falls, Lady Barron Falls, Horseshoe Falls and many more on the way to the summit of Mount Field itself.
Stop 11. Hobart
Hobart is Tasmania’s capital city and the second oldest capital in Australia and is located at the entrance to the Derwent River and nestled amongst the foothills of Mt Wellington.
Hobart combines heritage charm with a modern lifestyle in a setting of exceptional beauty with its captivating history, picturesque waterways, rugged mountains and gourmet experiences.
Doesn’t it look like an amazing place? I can’t wait to show you more of what this gorgeous state has to offer. Stay tuned!!!
WOW!! I had no idea that’s what Tasmania looked like! I don’t know which stop I love the best. How wonderful you got to take this adventure :)
Hi Kim, I’m still in Tasmania touring around and I’ve been overwhelmed by the beauty and ruggedness of this small Australian Island state. I will have lots and lots of photos and stories to tell on my return home next week! :)
Can’t wait to read about your travels. What a wonderful route. Wondering how much it’s all costing, how you find the campervan and how long you’re taking too? Have fun!
Thanks Jo, we are about half way through our adventure and I’m already knocked over by the beauty of the place. We are travelling in a small campervan (Toyota High Ace Van), which cost us $1400 for 12 days, plus our flights to get here which were around $400 each return. Camping fees in caravan parks are around $30-$35 per night. The campervan is a little small without a lot of room to move and the bed not very comfy, but we are managing ok. Next time we would go up in size we both think.
Looking forward to more, I never thought about touring in a camper van x
The campervan is turning out to be ideal for travelling through the many hills, bends and narrow roads of Tassie. Anything too big would be a nightmare. Loving it so far Rae! :)
Kathy, we also found the campervan a great way to see Tassie. It’s a while ago now but I remember every stop especially when I look at your plans. We followed a similar route.
We saw many fellow travellers towing big caravans and wondered how they negotiated the windy hilly roads of Tassie. The campervan was ideal for this terrain, although we were a little cramped and the bed so uncomfortable. I think the route we took is pretty similar to what all travellers do. :)
wonderful Tasmania. I am looking forward to going back one day. Did you climb up the Nut? At the time I said you would have to be a nut to climb the Nut! So steep, but on the day we were there it was blowing a gale and no way I was going on the chair lift. Enjoy Tassie.
Thanks Jill, we are about halfway through our tour of Tassie and have enjoyed it immensely. So much rugged and untouched beauty everywhere. We did climb The Nut at Stanley yesterday, and although it was challenging we enjoyed the 2km walk around the plateau on top with majestic 360 degree views.
Fabulous plans; Tassie is an undervalued tourism destination. Then again we are lucky to live on such a beautiful continent. Hope you have a wonderful time and let us know the highlights :-)
Thanks Jan, we are enjoying our tour around Tassie immensely. There is so much beauty everywhere on this small island state. I can’t wait to show off my photos and write about our journey. :)
We can’t wait to visit Tasmania. I’m very jealous that you’re going to do it!
Tassie has always been on our bucket list and we are finally here. So far it has been amazing, even though the weather is a little chilly – 12 degrees today and blowing a gale with rain and hail squalls. :)