Australia 2023 AUS | Page 90

TASMANIA

~ Pristine wilderness ~ Haunting convict history ~ Fab food & wine ~ ~ World-Heritage listed areas ~ Picture-perfect Wineglass Bay ~ Unique wildlife ~
Bay of Fires
Old meets new in Hobart , Tasmania ’ s capital , which sits at the foot of Mount Wellington . Top sights include the converted Georgian warehouses of Salamanca and the lively Saturday market for handcrafted gifts , MONA for an encounter with mind-blowing modern art ; the quaint colonial houses and whaler ’ s pubs of Battery Point , and not forgetting the must-see Botanical Gardens .
Launceston mixes city and country charms , with heritage streetscapes , a slice of urban wilderness and all the ingredients for a gourmet experience . Take a walk beneath the high walls of Cataract Gorge just a short stroll from the city centre , dine on the riverfront , or cruise the Tamar ’ s waters .
Around 40 % of Tasmania is protected in national parks and reserves . Most are stunningly beautiful and within easy reach of Hobart and Launceston . Freycinet National Park , on the east coast , is one of the state ’ s favourite coastal playgrounds . Headlined by Wineglass Bay , the park ’ s other assets include the pink granite peaks of the Hazards Range and the lighthouse topped Cape Tourville . Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is also pretty special , with glacial lakes fringed by ancient pines and icy streams cascading down rugged mountains . The park also provides a rich habitat for wildlife including Tasmanian devils .
Feel the immensity of nature at the remote town of Strahan , your launchpad to World Heritage listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park . Bruny Island ’ s dramatic landscapes provide a retreat for wildlife , while it ’ s also wellknown for its great produce , including oysters , cheese , honey , whisky and chocolate .
Delve into history at Australia ’ s most notorious convict settlement in the idyllic coastal setting of Port Arthur ; drop into the seaside town of Bicheno for a feast of stellar seafood ; the Bay of Fires , near St Helens , is your go to place for glorious beaches ; while Smithton is the beginning of the Tarkine wilderness .
Launceston Port Arthur
90 AUSTRALIA visit your local travel agent or call 08444 937 900