Tasmania, Australia’s “Natural State”, is home to a handfull of national parks, with one covering a sizeable portion of the island in the south west. In addition to the major parks everyone visits, we visited a few other sites based on the recommendation of residents. Some offered butt-kicking hikes, most rewarded us with beautiful views, and all took us out of the van and into nature.
Cataract Gorge in Launceston
If you’re looking for a butt-kicking incline to start the hike, take the path located on the left of the bridge. If you’re smarter than us, take the path on the right hand side — it’s paved, flatter, and only takes 15 minutes to reach the gorge versus 35 minutes for the steep route.
Camping tip: Camp for free wherever you see other backpacker vans overnight…then head to the toilet block at the gorge for a free shower in the morning!
Yes, they have a pool at the gorge!
Nicole and Adam’s shadows
Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park
The steep incline at the beginning was the most challenging of all our hikes in Tassie. Thankfully I came prepared and wore my work out clothes that day. One of my quirks — I can’t stand hiking in “regular” clothes, even for relatively short distances.
The Tasman Arch, the Blowhole, and the Devil’s Kitchen at the Tasman Peninsula
The Tasman Arch
Mt Wellington in Hobart
Mt Wellington offered extremes — other than a tornado I lived through at age 8, this was the most windy weather I have ever experienced. It was so strong that it tore part of Paul Heinz right off! And it was freezing. I had tears streaming from eyes, my nose running, hands and and my hair became beyond tangled. But I enjoyed some of the prettiest views I’ve seen in Australia to date.
Hogarth Falls in Strahan
Funktastic brown water…
Henty Dunes and Ocean Beach near Strahan
Both of these places are definitely worth a look — two of my Tassie favorites!
Henty Dunes
Ocean Beach
Cradle Mountain
The Boardwalk hike is relatively flat and full of lovely views.
I even had my first wombat-in-the-wild sighting!
The circuit around Dove Lake is easy, and you have a great view of Cradle Mountain for the first half.
Hope you enjoyed the videos and photos! Food and tourist attractions are on the way soon…
Twitter Updates
How CUTE the Wombats !!!!
Ohmigod, beautiful!!!
I guess if you can’t make it over to NZ, this is a good alternative (sort of:-))
I wish I was going to NZ but I am down to 2 weeks budget until we sell the van and I get my half 🙁
Gosh, it’s just so gorgeous!!! I kinda want a wombat as a pet now LOL.
Love the pictures…..There are some breath taking sights you have photographed.
Mt. Wellington looks beautiful and the Wombats ARE SO DAMN CUTE!!!!
I want to know what you guys ate in this trip? Any more foodie posts in Tasmani coming up?
Oh yes, there will be a food post! Have a few more in the works but it’s tricky to keep up on the road.
Ahhh, gorgeous! I want a wombat!!
I really want one now too!!
I <3 wombats!! I still can't believe how fortunate we were to see them in the wild & get so close – the baby in particular was just so adorable! 🙂
Tasmania does look great, didn’t think wombats would be so easy to get so close to.
We didn’t think so either but they walked right up to the path and we stayed still and quiet while snapping away!
I love this picture post! Beautiful photography. So glad you’re capturing it.
Thanks love! Figured it was the best way to communicate about this part of the trip…I have more words (and photos) when I eventually do my food post.
I am now officially the only person I know who’s been to Tasmania and managed to not see a single wombat (other than the toy I bought for my niece). And they’re so cute!! I’m glad you got to spend time in some of the awesome national parks while you were in Tassie!
We felt so incredibly lucky!! Popped out of nowhere and we had to try not to *squee* too loudly!
Gorgeous photos! When I watched the video of sleeting and how you were so cold when you slept, it brought me back to bad memories of my time camping in Africa. While Adam thinks it’s all part of the Aussie road trip, I hope to omit the cold weather if I do it one day 😉
Hoping that one day I can look back at some of the misadventures and laugh O:-) Had to laugh off plenty off quite a few just to keep going. Cold nights build character — at least that’s what Hobbes would tell Calvin.
WOMBATS!!! I’m still determined to get one as a pet… sooo adorable 🙂
Hey, thanks for a great blog.
What was your budget per day on your trip around oZ?
Thanks
Craig in Cape Town
Hi Craig, thanks for checking out the blog 🙂 I’ll send you an email!