Sure, Tasmania is just across the Bass Strait.
Yet the Apple Isle delivers mind-blowing landscapes, a vivid history, and so much else that it’s easy to feel like you’re in another country.
Delve into these unforgettable Tasmanian attractions and experiences.
This historical penal settlement is so well-preserved that it will likely transport you to another place in another time. In fact, it’s this preservation that has led to Port Arthur’s World Heritage status and aids its positioning as one of Australia’s most iconic attractions. The site erupts with fascinating yarns from previous centuries; some are revealed on introductory tours that are included in the admission price. And after-dark Port Arthur ghost tours reveal a whole new side to this historical attraction.
Explore from: BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park or NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park.
You can certainly get lost in your own world by pedalling along these first-rate trails – the diverse scenery is absolutely magnificent. The multi-million dollar network of bike tracks opened in late 2019 and features the 42km Bay of Fires Trail alongside shorter loop options. And there's appeal for all riders, including family-friendly trails. It all complements the established Blue Derby network, found inland from St Helens.
Explore from: BIG4 St Helens Holiday Park or Tasman Holiday Parks - St Helens.
Travel the Lyell Highway approaching Queenstown and you won’t just feel like you’re in foreign land but rather on another planet. On the town’s outskirts, the hillsides look like they belong on the moon – a throwback to Queenstown’s harsh mining past. It’s an incredible sight, particularly as it’s juxtaposed with sprawling wilderness encapsulated along vast stretches of this highway, which links Hobart with Strahan.
Explore from: BIG4 Strahan Holiday Retreat.
If you’re searching for more visual highlights when in and around Queenstown, head for Mt Jukes. A 20min drive or so from Queenstown’s centre leads to a spectacular vantage point that overlooks Lake Burbury. From here, the jaw-dropping views are reminiscent of those you might expect to find in some parts of Europe. A wow-factor experience.
Explore from: BIG4 Strahan Holiday Retreat.
Wander the streets of this inner-city suburb and you’ll swear time has stood still. Once a maritime village, Battery Point has retained its old-world charm, evidenced through its cute collection of 19th century sandstone and weatherboard cottages and other such buildings. And while it didn’t begin this way, it’s now one of Hobart’s most desirable suburbs.
Explore from: BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park.
Tasmania’s west coast has the power to feel like another world altogether, and getting swept up in it all is as simple as joining a cruise. From Strahan, explore the vast reaches of mammoth Macquarie Harbour, stop at the engrossing former penal colony on Sarah Island, and snake along Gordon River where you can marvel at the expansive rainforest of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. On dry land, the West Coast Wilderness Railway allows for a trip back in time among magnificent scenery on a 35km journey between Strahan and Queenstown.
Explore from: BIG4 Strahan Holiday Retreat.
This is one of the most visually stunning national parks on the planet. And at its far reaches, Tasman National Park provides an aura likened to being at the end of the world. Giant cliffs faces and cloud-piercing sea stacks – some among the southern hemisphere’s tallest – mix with wild seas and a backdrop of towering forests. This is also a prime spot for dolphin and whale watching. Discover it all by foot, car, boat, or even helicopter.
Explore from: BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park or NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park.
For more mountain-biking brilliance, tackle these trails in northern Tasmania. Found near Latrobe and Railton and easily accessed from Ulverstone, the tracks vary in difficulty, from green to black, and weave through a vast selection of dazzling, oft-dramatic scenery. And there’s plenty of other paths for cyclists in and around Ulverstone.
Explore from: BIG4 Ulverstone Holiday Park.
This iconic stretch of coastline delivers an array of unworldly scenery. Well, in truth, it’s more about one particular feature – the bright orange lichen-covered granite boulders that dominate the coastline. It appears as if Mother Nature splashed paint all over these rocks in a state of fury or clumsiness – either works! And the addition of white sand beaches and deep blue water adds to the excessive eye candy.
Explore from: BIG4 St Helens Holiday Park or Tasman Holiday Parks - St Helens.
Many would happily travel thousands of kilometres for a scene like this, and yet here it is just across Bass Strait. Think secluded bay, gorgeous blue-green waters, and a backdrop of the iconic granite peaks that make up the Hazards mountain range. And if you weren’t aware, this is not even the most popular attraction in this treasure-filled national park.
Explore from: BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park.
The vibrant colours that burst from this attraction are not a sight for everyday eyes. Wander among row after row of French lavender – a staggering 650,000 plants at best guess – and frame perfect Insta-worthy pics. The best time to see the lavender fields at their boldest and brightest is from December through to early February.
Explore from: BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park or BIG4 Kelso Sands Holiday and Native Wildlife Park.
Isn’t it time you delved into the delights of Tasmania? Check out our Tasmania accommodation options here.
