Australia, a continent known for its natural wonders, has an island state south of Melbourne called Tasmania (affectionally known as Tassie) that appeals to a diverse crowd seeking to connect with the great outdoors, and create deep memories that sustain long after their trip.

Nature lovers will marvel at its rustic landscapes, food and wine followers will be tantalised by the freshest and most interesting produce and chefs, culture buffs will be challenged to deepen their knowledge and photographers will be inspired to expand their horizons. With just a population of 500,000, the island of Tasmania is as intimate as it is beautiful.

Meet its Main Cities

Tassie’s capital city of Hobart, stands out amongst other Australian cities for not having skyscrapers and towering buildings, instead fostering a cultural hub with its historical Georgian buildings, with former warehouses and port buildings converted into small restaurants, cafes and shops. Just three hours up north from Hobart is Launceston – a city meshing well-preserved Colonial and Victorian architecture and century old parks with its unique natural setting. Launceston is also the gateway to the island’s upper region and its hidden treasures.

Whether you start your trip from Hobart or Launceston, there are so many things to do see and do. Visitors can travel along beach-lined coasts for a fun-filled surf day or venture into World Heritage-listed mountain areas, all within several hours drive from one another. Along the way, experience a true-blue farm to table experience with farmers, distilleries, wineries and restaurants that highlights fresh local produce. Below are five ways you can enjoy Tasmania.

5 Ways to Enjoy Tasmania

1. Visit Wildlife Sanctuaries and Conservation Areas

With a plethora of habitats ranging from rainforest to alpine, coastal scrubland to wild open heath, Tassie is a natural haven for Australian wildlife. Like the rest of Australia, Tassie has strict laws in place to protect its flora and fauna, so don’t be surprised to see the local wildlife wandering freely across the roads in the countryside and in the nature reserve parks. There are many unique animals to see, such as the Tasmanian devil, pademelon (they look like mini kangaroos) and spotted-tail quoll. In addition, some of the oldest and most ancient plant species on the planet can also be found there. If you want a more up-close encounter with these unique creatures, stop by Bonorong Wildlife Park or the Devils @ Cradle Tasmanian devil sanctuary to feed them or enjoy a night tour to see them in their nocturnal state.

A drive along the island coastline will not only yield dramatic cliffs and sea stacks, but is also an opportunity to do some whale spotting. Blue, humpback, and killer whales often swim along the east coast during their migratory seasons in June and July and then in September, October and November. You can also choose from the various cruises available, to catch sea birds and sea mammals in their natural habitat.

2. Embark on Adventures in Stunning Outdoor Havens

With towering mountain ridges along the centre of the island and many parks for hiking and camping, Tassie is no slouch for outdoor adventurers. Cradle Mountain and Freycinet National Park are some of the state’s most popular hiking sites, and worth planning a day’s trip for as it offers stunning views of the region at sunrise and sunset. At night, the skies can be so clear that it’s possible to catch the milky way.

There are also many other activities available in the great outdoors of Tasmania, such as golfing, fishing and biking. Tassie has some of the most beautiful golf courses in Australia, with two of them lying next to each other while overlooking the rugged coastline of Bass Strait. Take a leisurely stroll along award-winning guided walking tours through its remote wilderness or embark on an exhilarating adventure through its mountain bike parks and trails. When it comes to fishing, Tassie takes the cake as one of the last great fisheries of the world with over 3,000 lakes and rivers for a memorable fishing experience.

With 334 islands scattered around the main island, Tassie is also great for island-hopping. Take your pick from Flinders, Macquarie, Bruny, Maria and King Islands to enjoy glittering beaches, adventurous ranges and unique natural life found at these paradises.

3. Savour Fresh Produce and Delicious Wine

Tassie has gained a reputation for delivering quality food enhanced by great chefs and restaurants, but the island state knows that the true hero of its stellar quality of food is its fresh ingredients lovingly cultivated and harvested by the local producers and farmers.

Surrounded by the cleanest ocean water on the planet, Tassie undoubtedly has some of the best seafood offerings in the country. You will find that the region’s most prized underwater treasure is its high-quality wild blacklip and greenlip abalone, and some businesses such as Candy Abalone still individually harvest their abalone by hand from the pristine waters of southern Australia, and use traditional and natural methods to dry them.

With the hands-on approach of many eateries in Tassie, one can expect freshness and open communication between guests, farmers and business owners. Foodies can enjoy intimate settings with the farmers and chefs by joining food tours such as the Tasmanian Seafood Seduction or enjoy cooking classes with the Agrarian Kitchen Cooking School.

For wine, Tassie is home to seven distinct sub-regions – each of which offers different wine styles and tourism experiences. The Tamar Valley is great place to start for the wine connoisseur, as it is the oldest and largest wine district in the state. Known for producing sparking wines, pinot noir and sauvignon black, its collection varies from rustic to sophisticated.

4. Marvel at Tasmania’s World Heritage Wonders

A fifth of the total area of Tasmania was included in the World Heritage List, including the Western Tasmanian Wilderness. This area composes of scenic and rugged terrains, enriched with natural wonders such as national parks, rainforests, islands, rivers and remote coastlines.

Did you know that approximately half of all the Australian convict sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list are in Tasmania? These convict sites were officially included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, having been recognised as a key component of Tasmania’s history and settlement, due to its contribution to the development of modern-day Tasmania. Reflect on the historical tales of 76,000 convicts transported to Tasmania from 1804 to 1853 as you venture along the Convict Trail, from Richmond to the Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur, or explore the Heritage Highway from Launceston to Hobart. While many of them played a crucial role as the workforce backbone for the British colony in Tassie, the worst of the worst ended up back in prisons which can be toured and explored today.

5. Soak in Vibrant Arts and Cultural Experiences

Amazing cultural and art experiences can be found all around Tassie, from small artist-run spaces to world class museums. With its dark history during the colonial times and heritage of its palawa people, the aboriginals of Tasmania, the island state’s culture is diverse as it is unique. The cities also feature cutting edge contemporary art galleries and festivals that caters to interests from all walks of life. You will find that the local art scene often draws their inspiration from the natural environment of the state. There's also a strong live music and theatre scene with everything from a world class symphony orchestra to underground acts and performance art.

In 2011, the opening of the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart introduced new world art with its Avant Garde, thought provocative and interactive exhibitions. It also hosts an impressive program of events all year-round including MONA FOMA in summer and Dark MOFO in winter. Meanwhile, Australia’s second oldest museum, the Tasmania Museum and Art Gallery, stays true to the origins of the state with its take on the island’s art and natural history.

Getting to Tasmania

Tasmania is easily reachable by its two major cities of Hobart and Launceston, with direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. International visitors have the option to transit at these mainland cities or use the daily car ferry, Spirit of Tasmania, which departs from Melbourne to Devonport, located near Launceston.

So if you’re planning to visit Australia this year, why not make Tassie your next holiday destination? Amidst a blend of culture, nature and history, come down for air as you reconnect with yourself once more and reinvigorate your inner calm and inspiration, and leave behind the stresses of modern life – even if it’s just for a holiday.

For a truly wholesome experience of Tassie, it’s recommended to spend a week or more in this beautiful island state. To get you started, embark on your Tassie journey with this 10D9 Tasmanian Wonders tour. It will take you to Tassie’s main cities, historical attractions and stunning nature such as Hobart, Cradle Mountain, Launceston and Port Arthur.

To find out more about what Tassie has to offer, check out https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/. To get inspiration for your trip to Tassie, Sedunia Travel can help you get started with these travel packages to Tasmania.