Tasmania

Green Island
Some travellers associate Tasmania with an unusual animal. This animal’s name simply enough, derives from its habitat, Tasmania, and the Devil attached to that more than justifies that animals appearance. Visitors from all over the world come here to see this creature in its natural environment.

Tasmania, making up only one percent of Australia’s land mass, offers so many attractions, it is difficult to list them all. Even after 10 days of intensive travelling, you will leave Tasmania with the realisation that there is still so much to see and do. Imagine how long it would take to visit all 19 National Parks and 400 reserves if that was your wish for example.

Tassie not Aussie
Tasmania is Australia’s smallest state, but its pristine beauty and fresh climate is envied by Australians living in the drier states of the mainland. The locals do not call themselves Aussies, but Tassies, and see Tasmania as one thing and Australia as another. Even Australians find themselves in a completely different country when they set foot in Tasmania for the first time. Even the quarantine control at the airport in Hobart is a surprise. Dogs sniff around luggage looking for unprocessed food, especially fruit. The locals are afraid that viruses, larvae or even spiders introduced from the mainland could wreak havoc on Tasmania’s agricultural industry. Up to 12 thousand years ago, Tasmania was connected with the Australian mainland, but the rising seas over time gave it a geographic independence. Many unique species of animals and birds inhabit Tasmania, on top of a truly large assortment of flora. There are rain forests, fern forests, and Eucalyptus forests, as well as Huon pine forests - one of the slowest-growing and longest-living trees in the world.

Mountain tracks
The mountainous of Tasmania are as old as time itself, and these parts of the island are accessible by many walking tracks. The most difficult and beautiful, the five day Overland Track takes hikers through the central parts of the island from Lake Dove to Lake St Clair. A much easier three hour stroll around Lake Dove is recommended if you don't have much time to spare. The sight of sharp mountain peaks and waterfalls is truly spectacular. It is very common to come across kangaroos on Tasmania’s walking tracks; with more luck an encounter with the pig-like wombat is also possible. For lovers of botany, a walk through the Tahune forest in the valley of the Huon river is a must and if the endless walking tracks were not enough, the 600 metre walking platform, 20 metres above the forest floor is also worth doing, and will take you close to the many tree species found in Tasmania. During winter it is possible to go skiing, and the ski fields in Ben Lomond are very popular. Another ski field is located in Mt Field National Park, west of Hobart. In the north is the Bass Strait, a rocky shore line with caves once inhabited by aborigines, as well as a white lighthouse which adds to the character of the area.

Tasmanian Capital
Hobart, the capital of Tasmania numbers around 300,000 people and has a quiet provincial town feel to it. Everything seems to stop at 6pm, then a few moments later the streets are empty, including the popular Elizabeth Mall. Only the eating quarters of Salamanca and Hampton Road spring to life. Salamanca is famous for the Saturday markets, where you can buy local souvenirs, fruit, jewellery and post colonial antiques; it is also the place where local artists show their works. Hobart is located at the foot of the 1270 metre Mt Wellington. The view from the summit, especially in good weather is incredible. Below you is the urban city, in the distance the Pacific Ocean, not far away is the Dervent River, and there are mountains on the horizon. Hobart invites visitors to learn about the history of Tasmania. Before its discovery by Abel Tasman in 1642, the island was peacefully inhabited by the aborigines. British colonialism changed this forever, and many aborigines were killed or evicted from the island in the 19th century.  

Heritage Highway
Tasmania is split in half from north to south by the most important road on the island, the Heritage Highway. It connects Hobart with Launceston, and can be covered in three hours. The road and its bridges (the most famous bridge being in Richmond), was constructed using convict labour. Along the highway the towns of Kempton, Oatlands, Ross and Campbell Town have sprung up. Today these places are popular for their restored Gregorian and Victorian houses and churches.

Launceston and the Cataract Gorge
In the north part of Tasmania lies Launceston, with its distinct European character. The must see attraction in the area is Cataract Gorge, with its sandstone cliffs rising high above the Esk river below. The popularity of the area have resulted in the building of a swimming complex, and a chair lift which takes you for a ride above the Gorge. At 308 metres it is believed to be the longest single chairlift span in the world. Peacocks and Kangaroos can often be seen. From Launceston a visit to the Ben Lumond National Park is highly recommended. The park boasts Legges Tor, which at a height of 1573metres is Tasmania’s second highest mountain. Departing Launceston, you can travel up the Tamar Valley Wine Route, which takes you amongst endless wineries and fruit plantations, to George Town, located close to the Tamar River mouth. Crossing the impressive Batman Bridge, you can continue on all the way to beautiful Greens Beach. The combination of golden sand, dark green seawater and blue sky is an impressive sight. On the way be sure to stop in the historic city of Beaconsfield, where there is still a real chance of finding gold. 

A Large Gulag
Evidence of Tasmania’s convict history is visible around every corner. The island was treated as a large penal camp, with extraordinarily punishing conditions for its many convicts from the British Isles. For a petty crime such as the theft of an apple, the punishment could have been a seven year prison sentence in Tasmania. The treatment of the convicts here was extremely brutal. It was they who by hand cut down thousands of hectares of forest, and built ships, road, bridges, and even entire cities. Many Tasmanian locals trace their ancestry to the convicts that survived their sentence. At Port Arthur and on Sarah Island visitors can see the tiny cells where the most insubordinate convicts were kept, sometimes for years, in isolation from the outside world, and even from fellow inmates. It is no wonder that in such isolation many went completely mad. Port Arthur made a loud return to the headlines in 1996 when a mad gunman shot 35 people on the grounds of the former prison.

An island of lighthouses
Tasmania has an impressive coastline, with many golden sand beaches and towering cliffs. There are literally hundreds of lighthouses dotting the coast, and many of these being impressive feats of engineering and architecture. The days of the lighthouse keeper are long gone and today these lighthouses are powered by electricity and controlled by computers. Lighthouses have played an important part in Tasmania’s short history. Shipwrecks along Tasmania’s coast were frequent, and these lighthouses allowed for safer passage in the very turbulent waters of the Bass Strait, the Tasman Sea and the Southern Ocean. While in Tasmania it is well worth visiting at least some of the most popular lighthouses, such as the one at Table Cape near Wynyard, or the one in Davenport, which guides passenger ferries arriving from Melbourne into the port.

Like a fairytale
People looking for peace and quiet will fall in love with Tasmania. For the young it can be a boring place, and many head to the cities of Melbourne or Sydney on the mainland for adventure and opportunities. Many years ago Mary Donaldson, a real estate agent form Hobart, moved to Sydney. There she met a real prince, Frederick, Crown Prince of Denmark. The prince fell in love with the girl from Tasmania, and in this way Mary became a princess, and the future Queen of Denmark. It’s like something out of a fairytale, and Tasmanians are very proud of their princess.

Information for tourists
National Parks i Australia are easily accessible by well maintained roads. Entry permits can be purchased at National Park Visitor Centres and Travel Information Centres. If travelling by car, the best option is to purchase a $60 holiday pass which is valid for up to 8 weeks. Accommodation naturally varies in price, however sound and comfortable accommodation can be obtained for around $100 per room per night. If travelling on a low budget Tasmania has many caravan and holiday parks, as well as backpacker accommodation. Getting to Tasmania is quite easy, and there are flights from Melbourne, Sydney and other main Australian centres.  There is also a daily ferry service from Melbourne.
BOGUSŁAW NOWAK