Even although the state of our planet continues to deteriorate, there are still some unspoiled places where you can best enjoy nature. Ecotourism is an increasing trend that appreciates places that try to preserve their natural habitats and abundant wildlife – and the island of Tasmania is one of them. A perfect destination for an active vacation (or chill, laid-back if you prefer), it has lots of little nooks and crannies to explore on foot, and the up-close-to-nature experience is priceless. Read on for some of the most charming sights this island has to offer.
Hobart
The state capital which is a lovely historic city located on the Derwent River is nothing short of must-sees. Hobart is framed by Mount Wellington to the west, which, if you decide to climb it, will offer you wonderful views of the city and river. The mountain peaks are normally covered in snow, so be sure you dress appropriately if you go on this adventure. Another nature-friendly destination you should visit in Hobart is the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Here, you can get acquainted not only with hundreds of varieties of plants native to Tasmania, but also thousands of other species from around the globe. It is a lovely place to bear in mind of the variety of flora around us.
Freycinet National Park
Another charming region of Tasmania is obviously Freycinet National Park with its famous Wineglass Bay, Hazards Mountains, Coles Bay and lots of other famous places worth exploring. You can climb Mount Graham for truly incredible views of the peninsula, otherwise you can visit the gorgeous and secluded Hazards Beach in Coles Bay and explore a shoreline that may be all of your own. As well as the sandy beaches, you can see an interesting variety of bird life and even marine life – the wildlife here is overwhelming!
Tasman National Park
However, to fully immerse yourself in the island’s natural beauty, you should make it a precedence to visit several national parks, starting with Tasman National Park, which can be found about an hour and a half drive from Hobart. It’s considered probably the most spectacular national parks in the region, and here, you can even opt for a few hikes with accommodations along the way: on foot The popular Three Capes Track which opened in 2015 is definitely an unforgettable experience. The cliffs rising hundreds of meters above the sea are simply breathtaking: the trail will guide you through Cape Raoul, Waterfall Bay, Fortescue Bay, Cape Hauy, etc., and you can even enjoy charming views of Cape Pillar and Tasman Island. Don’t forget to take your camera to capture it all!
Lavender Fields
To see a different side of Tasmania away from the rocky cliffs and crashing waves, visit Bridestowe Lavender Estate during summer. During this time, you can see over 260 acres of land blanketed in fragrant lavender blooms that dye the plantations purple as far as the eye can see. Plus, the farm swears by sustainability: being fully self-sufficient with smart water use and supporting the use of native plants for pest control and natural solutions over pesticides – not to mention harnessing solar energy to reduce energy use. After a stroll through the fields, appreciating this agritourism wonder, you can even sample some delicious lavender-inspired food at their local cafe.
Tesselated Sidewalk and Devil’s Kitchen
A good day trip if you want to explore some of the points of interest on your own could be the area around Eaglehawk Neck. A little north of the isthmus you can find the interesting rock formation of the Tessellated Pavement. Due to erosion, these beach platforms have formed into perfectly rectangular “paving stones” that look like they were man-made! Catch the dawn here and you will have some really incredible photos to capture! Further south of Eaglehawk Neck, visit the Tasman Blowhole and Fossil Bay lookout for charming ocean views. Just a brief walk from here you can explore the Tasman Arch and at last, the Devil’s Kitchen – the observation decks will offer you charming views of the rocky cliffs!
Teluk Api and Teluk Binalong
You’ve possibly heard of the Bay of Fires which is famous for its rocks that have unique shades of orange and red – this is a lovely sight you should not miss! And while you are there, make sure to visit Binalong Bay as well at its southern tip. This is probably the greatest places for whale watching and spotting other sea creatures like seals, but you can even try some water activities like fishing while you enjoy the view!
It’s no surprise that Tasmania is a nature lover’s paradise and the perfect eco-destination: after all, it has no less than 19 national parks within its borders. Once you are in Tasmania, you will forget about the outside world and begin appreciating nature even more!
