Tasmania is home to some of Australia’s most spectacular wilderness areas and wild, rugged coastline. While Tasmania has many beautiful places to visit all year round, the states’ stunning natural beauty is showcased to perfection during the warmer summer months.
If you’re heading to Australia’s most remote state, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding where to head for a great outdoor adventure. Here are five of our favourites.
1. Jump on a tour to Wineglass Bay
Located in Freycinet National Park on the east coast of Tasmania, Wineglass Bay is continually ranked as one of the best beaches in the worlds and is renown for its pristine white sand and stunningly clear waters. Backdropped by the Pink Granite Mountains, the popular Wineglass Bay Trail is included on the list of the Great Short Walks of Tasmania (as published by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service) and will take you through beautiful national park scenery through to one of Tasmania’s most iconic views at the Wineglass Bay Lookout. Stop off for a swim in the bay’s sparkling waters before exploring the rest of Freycinet National Park. There are plenty of other great things to do while you’re here; sample what some say is the freshest seafood in Tasmania at the Freycinet Marine Farm or explore the beautiful seaside village of Coles Bay.
2. Have a glamping experience in the Bay of Fires
‘Glamping’ has become the outdoor lover’s most popular form of accommodation in recent times and what better place to dip your toes into the world of glamourous camping than in the stunning Bay of Fires on Tasmania’s east coast. The Bay of Fires Bush Retreat offers simple but stylish tents with comfortable beds and quality shared bathroom and kitchen facilities, as well as an onsite chef if you’re keen to leave the cooking duties behind. From here, you can explore the Bay of Fires, once of Tasmania’s most beautiful conservation areas. Here’s you’ll find some of the most stunning beaches in Australia, if not the world, with expansive white-sand beaches and clear ocean waters stretching out for miles and dotted with orange, linchen covered boulders. Lounge about in Binalong Bay, the main beach in the area or explore the many secluded beaches and inlets up and down the coast. Swimming, snorkeling and surfing are popular pastimes here.
3. Explore Bruny Island
Accessible via ferry from Kettering, approximately 40 minutes south of Hobart, Bruny Island is a true Tasmanian paradise and one of the most beautiful Australian islands. Come for a cheeky day trip or stay a while; either way, you’ll be bowled over by the island’s glorious natural attractions. Explore towering sea cliffs, caves and the beautiful marine life with an island cruise. Visit the iconic Bruny Island Lighthouse or take on the Cape Queen Elizabeth Walk to see stunning beaches and unique rock formations. Enjoy spectacular 360 degree views from the wooden steps traversing Bruny Island Neck, a narrow strip of land with sea on either side which connects north and south Bruny Island. There’s also plenty for the culinary lovers on the island; sample fresh oysters from the Get Shucked Oyster Bar, hit up the Bruny Island Cheese Factory or sit down for a classic pup meal at the Hotel Bruny Bistro.
4. Rough it on the Three Capes Track
If hiking is your thing, you’ll know that Tasmania has some of the world’s most beautiful walking trails. Most people will have heard of the famous Overland Trail but increasingly, hikers looking for a multi-day walk to explore Tasmania’s rugged beauty are heading to the Three Capes Track in Port Arthur. Experience 48 kilometers of coast-hugging trails over four days of easy-to-moderate grade terrain comprising of carefully crafted timber boardwalks, stone steps and well-worn trails. Starting and ending at the Port Arthur Historic Site, you’ll be taken by purpose-built boat to Denman’s cover, exploring coves and inlets on the way. From here, your walking journey will begin; highlights include the views out to Cape Raoul, Munro Bight, Cape Hauy and Tasman Island, climbs up the Blade at Cape Pillar and Mount Fortescue, exploring the tip of Cape Hauy and swimming in Fortescue Bay.
5. Explore the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
Tasmania’s west coast is a wild, untouched beauty, dominated by the Tasmania World Heritage Area. Included in this spectacular terrain is the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. A place of exceptionally beautiful ancient landscape, the park is home to the famous Huon Pine trees, some of which are estimated to be over 3,000 years old. A journey into the Wild Rivers region usually begins in the harbor side town of Strahn, approximately 5 hours drive north-west of Hobart. Spend a day here exploring the town, visit the convict settlement of Sarah Island or spot the resident platypus living in the creek along the Hogarth Falls rainforest walk. Explore Wild Rivers via the numerous walks of various grades and lengths; head out to the Franklin River Nature Trail or the Nelson Falls Nature Trail. If walking isn’t your thing, you can explore the national park by boat or with a scenic flight. Canoeing and white-water rafting are also popular activities here, with the Franklin River offering up a chance to explore some of the most remote terrain in the Wild Rivers area.
Get ready to explore the wild side of Tasmania with Virgin Australia's range of great value fares. Head to the Virgin Australia website for information and to book.