Tasmania Blooms this Spring

Tasmania Wilderness Adventures

Tasmania’s breathtaking ancient World Heritage Wilderness covers approximately 20% of Tasmania's total land mass (1.3 million hectares). Tasmania has an astounding 19 national parks. Some of Tasmania’s most spectacular wilderness can be found on the West Coast, around the mighty Gordon and Franklin Rivers. One of the only commercial vessels allowed to visit the upper reaches of Gordon River, the Stormbreaker will assist visitors to venture all the way up to Sir John Falls, some 75 kilometres by boat from Strahan. Here you will see rainforest with ancient Huon pines and myrtles growing right down to the riverbank as well as steep cliffs and gorges. It’s a secret place few will ever see.
 

Another treasure within Macquarie Harbour is Round Head Beach. It’s a magnificent place to take the family. The water in summer is almost like a bath and is nice and shallow for about 20 metres before it drops away. Safe for kids to play and swim, the beach is near Bonnet Island and its lighthouse. Charters boats can glide right up to the beach.

Tasmania's East Coast

One of the coast’s best kept secrets is in the Douglas Apsley National Park. You’ll come across a waterhole, the kind of thing you see in a Walt Disney movie. This place is so magic that many people who go there feel almost compelled to take their clothes off and to go for a swim!

Lifting the east coast’s cloche reveals a bounty of fresh and good food. In Swansea there is a restaurant (The Banc) in an old Commercial Bank. The chef John Bailey is a debonair; he was the private chef for many years to Kerry Packer.

Gallery Art Spaces, a cafe and art gallery, opened in Triabunna just a few months ago. It is run by a husband and wife team from Vienna. They have opened an almost Viennese cafe and have the most exquisite cholesterol-loaded cake. The couple has noble goals: to be the best maker of coffee in Tasmania. Works of local artists – including sculptures, jewellery and paintings – are on display. It is a place of good taste in every sense of the word.

North West Coast

A trip up the coast to Stanley makes for the perfect getaway. Driving up the coast allows you to take in the beauty of the Old Coast Road (from Ulverstone to Penguin) and the tulip farms near Wynyard.  Stop-off at stunning Boat Harbour and the Big Tree at Dip Falls before driving on to Stanley for dinner at the Old Cable Station in Stanley. Its owners Charlotte Brown and Michael Whatley are Slow Food aficionados. They utilise local produce in spectacular fashion including Stanley crayfish and scallops, Blue Hills organic honey (sourced from the flowers of trees in the Tarkine) and King Island yoghurt.

The north-west is full of regional tasty delights. A picnic basket of local specialties should include Brandsema’s angel tomatoes, which are incredibly sweet. Turners Beach strawberries, Perfecta cherries, Ashgrove wasabi cheese and beautiful fresh artisan bread from the Delish delicatessen at Wivenhoe also have a place on the picnic blanket. Room should also be spared for wine from Barringwood Park Vineyard and handmade truffles from Anvers chocolates.

Food and Wine Recommendations

It doesn’t matter where you go in Tasmania, you won’t be far away from a scrumptious feast or local drop.

When food matters, head to Koukla’s at Gravelly Beach. There, Mediterranean cuisine is served up with views of the Tamar River. Novaro’s Restaurant, a Launceston institution but not well-known on the tourist trail, is a perfect place for fine dining.

Eating your way through Tasmania is an experience to savour. Visitors can source fresh food from the state’s plethora of farm gates or from restaurants where chefs covet the freshness of their produce. Trendy tapas, fresh seafood, prime beef, handcrafted cheese and chocolates, and freshly picked berries are all waiting for you. Tasmania has been described as “the most exciting wine area in Australia”. Experience world-famous cool climate wines on the Tamar Valley Wine Route, almost on the doorstep of the city of Launceston. Spend the day meandering through the vineyards, meeting the makers and sampling a drop or two.

Hotels in Tasmania

With all the exciting places to see and events listed above, there's so much to see and do in Tasmania. To end the day, why not stay in comfort at one of the great hotels listed below? You'll save on your stay if you book now.

Salamanca Inn All Suite Hotel Hobart from $170*p/n

The Old WoolStore Apartments Hotel Hobart from $145*p/n

Leisure Inn Penny Royal Apartments Launceston from $91*p/n

View more great deals on hotels in Tasmania.

* Prices based on check-in on 15 September 2011 and check-out on 17 September 2011 and are subject to change without notice.