T
he world’s air quality is
measured against that of
Tasmania and giant swells can
pound its shores from Antarctic
blasts and storms that roll unimpeded
from South Africa. South West Cape is one
of the iconic Southern Ocean landmarks
for adventurous sailors – along with the
notorious Cape Horn – while the east coast
presents a mellower face.
In recent times Tasmania has been
‘discovered’ as a travel destination. The
Bay of Fires in the north east was named
the hottest destination by Lonely Planet
- “White beaches of hourglass-fine sand,
Bombay Sapphire sea, an azure sky - and
nobody”. This description fits many of the
east coast beaches, while in other parts the
sea turns a translucent emerald green, and
there are even fewer bodies.
Tasmania is an island off the south
eastern tip of Australia, about the size of
Ireland or West Virginia, with a population
of only half a million. Nearly half the
total land area is in some form of reserve,
with over 23% listed as World Heritage
Wilderness. The island’s coastline is
spectacular to say the least and largely
inaccessible by road.
Sailing
SOUTH & WILD
88 Ultimate Adventure Pass
There are hundreds of pristine (mostly
deserted) white sandy beaches, often with
tall forests down to the shore or amazing
rock formations and giant cliffs that plunge
up to 900ft (274m) into the sea. Australian
fur seals, albatross, shearwater and other
seabirds make good use of 334 smaller
islands surrounding the main island. Superpods of dolphins, whales and Orca are also
regulars in these waters.
The human history of the place is written
on the landscape. An indigenous history
that goes back over 40,000 years shaped
the natural ecology of the island, with
button grass plains bordering some of
the tallest forests in the world - individual
trees reaching nearly 300 feet (90m) - and
stands of endemic ancient pine that can be
3 thousand years old. The short and often
brutal European history is dominated by
the island’s convict past as the infamous
Van Diemen’s Land. In many places the
ruins of this past nestle in hauntingly
sublime contrast to the natural beauty that
surround them.
The whole island screams adventure
and, like the early explorers, the best way
to experience it is from the sea. There
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IT’S TASMANIA
IT’S THE SOUTHERN OCEAN
IT’S AWESOME
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