Things to do in Tasmania

Given its convict history, it is ironic that Tasmania is a place where one feels totally free. Especially when hiking. With 19 national parks and infinitesimal islands it’s a wonderland of waymarked trails. Totally trailblazing. Long treks include the Freycinet Peninsula Circuit, Bay of Fires Walk, and the 65km Overland Track in Cradle Mt-Lake St Clair NP. You can add in a bit of kayaking along the Ansons River in the Bay of Fires or, after trekking in the Tarkine rainforest region, where you can rest your legs and paddle down the Pieman River. Tasmania’s latest trekking treat is the Three Capes Track, a 46km route on the Tasman Peninsula that taking in Capes Pillar, Hauy and Raoul. Staying in public huts, most people do it in four days. This is beach to beach bliss.

Depending on the trail, there are huts, hipster cabins and homely hotels to stay at en route. Or glamp your way around to really get that wilderness feel. Walking guides open up the wilderness in wonderful ways too. Wherever you hike, rest assured, Tasmania is on it. They even make some of the most popular hiking boots in the world – Blundstones . So leave your battered ones at home and treat yourself to some Blunnies. Those boots, and this island, are made for walking.

There is wildlife everywhere in Tasmania. Particularly precious spots include Bruny Island for white wallabies and all twelve marsupials, Maria Island for Tasmanian Devils and amazing birdlife, the lakes of the Central Highlands for duck billed platypus, Narawntapau National Park for wombats and wallabies, dolphins off the west coast, humpback and southern right whales off the east (May-July and September-November). And although it sounds like the name of a storybook, fairy penguins on Bonnet Island are far from fictional. The Tasmanian devil is also most definitely real. The world's largest carnivorous marsupial, it is nocturnal and so pretty elusive. But wildlife watching by night is often the most exciting way to go in Tasmania, so pack a good torch. You will also see owls at night because birdlife is far from elusive here, day and night, with Tasmania’s eco eclectic landscapes home to 12 endemics including the forty-spotted pardalote, orange-bellied parrot and the swift parrot.

Fine fare is a quintessential part of any visit to Tasmania, an island that is one burgeoning basket. Wine and whisky included. Tasmania is known as the Apple Isle thanks to its proliferation of orchards, Bruny Island Cheese Company is one of just many big cheeses, seafood is sublime, from oysters to scallops. And carnivores will crack at the lamb and wagyu beef.

With over 300 rocky, sandy, historic and heavenly islands to discover here, there’s a lot of hopping to be done, but you won’t ever tire of it. Wildlife walks abound on Maria Island; Bruny is the only home to white wallabies; Flinders is of great historical significance; and Cape Barren is the only remaining Aboriginal island. For serious surf and turf, head to King. Great waves and incredible local food are its crowning glory.