Tasmania
Tasmania is an island located 150 miles off the southeast mainland Australia. Encircled by the Southern Ocean, Tasman Sea and Bass Strait, Tasmania breathes the world’s cleanest air and enjoys pure water and fertile soils – part of what brings its wine and food world-wide acclaim. It is an island of dramatic coastlines, rugged mountains, tall forests and sparkling highland lakes. Over a third is reserved in the National Parks Network and Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, a refuge and habitat for rare plants and animals. The island’s European heritage dates back to the early 1800s. Tasmania also has a vibrant cultural life, boasting one of the best small orchestras in the world and literary authors such as Richard Flanagan, winner of the 2002 Commonwealth Writer's Prize. Wilderness, heritage, art & culture, wine & food – they’re waiting for you in Tasmania.
Hobart
Hobart
Don't miss this small, scenic capital, famous for its Georgian buildings and crisp air. Browse bustling Salamanca Markets and run your hands over the sandstone buildings in Salamanca Place. Climb craggy Mount Wellington for sweeping views over Hobart and the wide Derwent River. Do a ghost tour in Battery Point, walk across Australia's oldest bridge in Richmond and visit the cute coastal hamlet of Kettering. Wind past forest and farmland to the cool-climate wineries of the Coal Valley. See bright spinnakers on the water and dine on fresh seafood from one of Hobart's waterside restaurants.
Five must-have Hobart experiences:
1. Wander Salamanca Place
Step back in time in Salamanca Place, the captivating cobblestone square on Hobart's waterfront. On Saturday mornings, you can wander through bustling Salamanca Markets and see glassblowers, potters and painters selling their wares. Buy a one-off piece of craft or pick up organic fruit and vegetables, farmhouse cheeses and freshly-cut flowers from the friendly local growers. Drink coffee under the sun umbrellas while listening to the slap of sails on masts and busking string quartets. Explore the galleries, theatres, craft shops and restaurants in the 1830s Georgian warehouses, once the haunt of sailors, whalers and workmen.
2. Climb Mount Wellington
Take in panoramic views over Hobart, Bruny Island, South Arm and the Tasman Peninsula from the interpretation centre at the top of windswept Mount Wellington. Stroll through cool forested gullies along the historic Pipeline Track or traverse Wellington Range on the back of a horse or mountain bike. Climb Sphinx Rock and see the Octopus Tree, the forest's tallest tree. Abseil or climb the Organ Pipe's craggy dolerite towers. Camp under the stars, four wheel drive along rough mountain trails or bike-ride down the mountain on an exhilarating tour. Mount Wellington's wilderness experience is 1,270 metres above sea level but just 20 minutes from the city centre.
3. Stay in Hobart's oldest suburb
Stay in bed and breakfasts next to grand old mansions and simple fishermen's cottages in Battery Point, named after a battery of guns put on the point in 1818. The guns have long been dismantled but Battery Point has retained its original seafaring charm. Visit elegant old buildings such as Arthur Circus Cottages, St. George's Anglican Church and Van Diemen's Land Folk Museum, a Georgian building on landscaped grounds. Check out Kelly's Steps, built by legendary adventurer James Kelly in 1839. Or walk in the footsteps of convicts, bushrangers, whalers, sailors, barmaids and prostitutes on a ghost tour.
4. Visit Richmond and Kettering
You can walk across Australia's oldest bridge and stand in the cell of its oldest jail in picturesque Richmond, a 30-minute drive north-east from Hobart. Explore the cobblestone streets by the lantern light of a ghost tour or picnic on the banks of the Coal River. Check out local art and craft in the galleries and cafes. On your way back to Hobart, stop off at one of the Coal Valley's many wineries. South from Hobart, you'll find the sleepy seaside town of Kettering on the shores of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. Have lunch watching the yachts and fishing boats bob on the sheltered harbour or take the ferry to Bruny Island.
5. Fill up on seafood and fine wine
Savour classic cool-climate wines at the cellar doors and wineries of the Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley and Huon Valley, all a short drive from Hobart. You can team them with a plate full of fresh produce in a sunny vineyard restaurant. Feast on freshly shucked oysters at Barilla Bay and fresh-off-the-boat fish from Salamanca Markets. Or you can watch the catch being unloaded from the balcony of one of Hobart's waterside restaurants. Wrap yourself in the aroma of ground coffee in the cafes of Salamanca Place. Or spice up your holiday with a meal at one of Hobart's many great Indian eateries.
Perth (Fremantle)
Fremantle is located at the mouth of the River Swan on the east coast of Western Australia. Fremantle is one of the oldest settlements in Australia and has a sense of history with many well-preserved examples of colonial architecture including the Maritime Museum (1852) and the Fremantle Museum and Arts Centre, built by convicts as a lunatic asylum in the 1860s. It is gateway to Perth, capital city of Western Australia, located on the banks of the River Swan (10 miles) from its mouth. From Freemantle you can also visit the outback sites of the Pinnacles and Wave Rock
Cook
This town is a railway station established in 1917 that delivered tea and sugar, Cook stretches from Ooldea to Loongana, South Australia. Present-day, Cook is a ghost town that welcomes overnight train drivers providing accommodations to those whom are intrigued by the history of Cook.
Kalgoorlie
The town of Kalgoorlie, 375 mi/600 km east of Perth in Western Australia, is still considered the Queen of the Golden Mile, a gold vein discovered in 1893 that contains one of the richest lodes ever found.
Kalgoorlie's 20,000 residents continue to make their living from mining. You can descend 200 ft/60 m underground to tour the drifts of the old Hannan's North Tourist Mine. You can also see gold ingots being poured, view the nuggets at the Museum of the Goldfields and go pub hopping in the classic Outback pubs.
Neighboring Coolgardie (25 mi/40 km west) is nearly a ghost town—but it still has the Goldfields Exhibition housed in a handsome old building dating from the boom days. We found a two-day visit to these cities very worthwhile. The area can be reached from Perth by air, train or car (it's a seven-hour drive).
Margaret River
The town of Margaret River is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city lifestyle. Offering top-notch wining and dining, the creature comforts do not have to be left behind to enjoy the stunning, picturesque landscape characteristic of the south west. With stunning beaches, majestic forests, spectacular caves and a cosmopolitan lifestyle Margaret River will please even the most discerning visitors. So escape from it all and visit Margaret River - A Very Special Place.
Freycinet National Park
Jutting out from the sea on Tasmania ’s mild east coast is the rugged and beautiful Freycinet Peninsula. The Freycinet National Park, reserved in 1916, consists of knuckles of granite mountains,surrounded by azure bays and white sandy beaches.The mountains create a spectacular sight from numerous vantage points along the east coast.
The scenic grandeur of Freycinet has long been admired,with the size and barren composition of the granite peaks of the Hazards rising from the low lying coastal vegetation. Freycinet National Park offers a range of opportunities that provide full immersion into the Tasmanian coastal environment. Wildflowers,birds and native animals can be seen,along with various marine creatures.
There are so many things you can do within this beautiful coastal park. You can take a explore the miles of unspoiled, white sandy beaches, go kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving or rock climbing.
It's important to be prepared while exploring the park. Bring in plenty of water, sun protection, insect repellent, sturdy walking shoes and wear weather-appropriate clothing.
Kangaroo Island
Enjoy one of the world's most beautiful and unique wilderness holiday destinations in which the locals include wallabies, goannas, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, dolphins,
sea lions, penguins, fur seals, eagles, whales and ospreys.
Share with them the pure air and clean water that makes Kangaroo Island one
of the last unspoiled wonders of the world. The people of Kangaroo Island see prosperity in tourism but know the value
of what they have and are working hard to find the right balance between development
and conservation.
Adelaide
Adelaide
This elegant city is known for its colonial stone architecture, expansive parklands, lively festivals and incredible sense of space. Explore the museums and libraries of North Terrace, dine on dedicated 'eat streets' or picnic in gardens that sprawl over almost half the city. Go bike riding in Botanic Park or row past rose gardens in Rymill Park. Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg or fish from the jetty in Henley. Just beyond the city centre you'll find the picturesque Adelaide Hills and the world-class wineries of the Barossa Valley.
Five ways to immerse yourself in Adelaide:
1. Hit the eat streets
Sample everything from Asian fusion to Argentine cuisine in the exotic, bustling foodhalls of Chinatown. Embrace the alfresco ambience of Rundle Street in Adelaide's East End or live it up in one of the city's many elegant wine bars and fashionable restaurants. Enjoy a beach sunset with your meal in the coastal suburbs of Glenelg and Henley Beach or wind down with a wine at the National Wine Centre. If you're a fresh food addict, Adelaide Central Markets offer premium produce from growers across the state.
2. Feel green and serene in Adelaide's parks
Hire paddleboats and bikes in Elder Park or row past formal rose gardens in Rymill Park. Picnic in the local's beloved Botanic Park or cycle from the hills to the coast in River Torrens Linear Park. For serious tranquility, head to the classic Japanese oasis of Adelaide-Himjei Garden. Adelaide's 29 parks take up almost half of the city, and come with walking trails, quiet spaces and sporting fields for everything from football to archery.
3. Head for the coast
Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg, which bustles with sidewalk cafes, alfresco dining and summer entertainment. In the beach suburb of Henley, you can fish from the jetty or go on a culinary world tour at the ethnic food stores and eateries. Explore the museums, markets and historic harbour of Port Adelaide, the city's maritime heart. Or see heritage buildings and colourful summer sideshows in family-friendly Semaphore. Further along the spectacular Le Fevre Peninsula, you can swim on protected beaches and walk one of the state's few heritage-listed jetties at Largs Bay.
4. Soak up Aboriginal and European heritage
Do a cultural tour of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens with traditional custodians the Kaurna people. You'll learn how native plants have been used for sustenance, shelter, ceremonies and medicines for thousands of years. Browse the world's largest collection of Aboriginal antiquities at the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australian Museum and visit Tandanya, the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Adelaide also has a proud European heritage for you to explore -in the museums and libraries of North Terrace, in Adelaide Town Hall and in Port Adelaide, the state's first declared heritage area.
5. Escape to the hills
Drive to the Adelaide Hills, where the picturesque farmlands and charming villages have inspired many generations of artists. Stay in Bavarian-inspired chalets and browse the bakeries, craft shops and galleries of Hahndorf, Australia's oldest surviving German village. Visit The Cedars, once the gracious old home and studio of famous landscape artists Sir Hans Heysen. Then hit the markets of Lobethal, a fairytale town which celebrates Christmas with metres and metres of colourful lights.
Tasmania is an island located 150 miles off the southeast mainland Australia. Encircled by the Southern Ocean, Tasman Sea and Bass Strait, Tasmania breathes the world’s cleanest air and enjoys pure water and fertile soils – part of what brings its wine and food world-wide acclaim. It is an island of dramatic coastlines, rugged mountains, tall forests and sparkling highland lakes. Over a third is reserved in the National Parks Network and Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, a refuge and habitat for rare plants and animals. The island’s European heritage dates back to the early 1800s. Tasmania also has a vibrant cultural life, boasting one of the best small orchestras in the world and literary authors such as Richard Flanagan, winner of the 2002 Commonwealth Writer's Prize. Wilderness, heritage, art & culture, wine & food – they’re waiting for you in Tasmania.
Hobart
Don't miss this small, scenic capital, famous for its Georgian buildings and crisp air. Browse bustling Salamanca Markets and run your hands over the sandstone buildings in Salamanca Place. Climb craggy Mount Wellington for sweeping views over Hobart and the wide Derwent River. Do a ghost tour in Battery Point, walk across Australia's oldest bridge in Richmond and visit the cute coastal hamlet of Kettering. Wind past forest and farmland to the cool-climate wineries of the Coal Valley. See bright spinnakers on the water and dine on fresh seafood from one of Hobart's waterside restaurants.
Five must-have Hobart experiences:
1. Wander Salamanca Place
Step back in time in Salamanca Place, the captivating cobblestone square on Hobart's waterfront. On Saturday mornings, you can wander through bustling Salamanca Markets and see glassblowers, potters and painters selling their wares. Buy a one-off piece of craft or pick up organic fruit and vegetables, farmhouse cheeses and freshly-cut flowers from the friendly local growers. Drink coffee under the sun umbrellas while listening to the slap of sails on masts and busking string quartets. Explore the galleries, theatres, craft shops and restaurants in the 1830s Georgian warehouses, once the haunt of sailors, whalers and workmen.
2. Climb Mount Wellington
Take in panoramic views over Hobart, Bruny Island, South Arm and the Tasman Peninsula from the interpretation centre at the top of windswept Mount Wellington. Stroll through cool forested gullies along the historic Pipeline Track or traverse Wellington Range on the back of a horse or mountain bike. Climb Sphinx Rock and see the Octopus Tree, the forest's tallest tree. Abseil or climb the Organ Pipe's craggy dolerite towers. Camp under the stars, four wheel drive along rough mountain trails or bike-ride down the mountain on an exhilarating tour. Mount Wellington's wilderness experience is 1,270 metres above sea level but just 20 minutes from the city centre.
3. Stay in Hobart's oldest suburb
Stay in bed and breakfasts next to grand old mansions and simple fishermen's cottages in Battery Point, named after a battery of guns put on the point in 1818. The guns have long been dismantled but Battery Point has retained its original seafaring charm. Visit elegant old buildings such as Arthur Circus Cottages, St. George's Anglican Church and Van Diemen's Land Folk Museum, a Georgian building on landscaped grounds. Check out Kelly's Steps, built by legendary adventurer James Kelly in 1839. Or walk in the footsteps of convicts, bushrangers, whalers, sailors, barmaids and prostitutes on a ghost tour.
4. Visit Richmond and Kettering
You can walk across Australia's oldest bridge and stand in the cell of its oldest jail in picturesque Richmond, a 30-minute drive north-east from Hobart. Explore the cobblestone streets by the lantern light of a ghost tour or picnic on the banks of the Coal River. Check out local art and craft in the galleries and cafes. On your way back to Hobart, stop off at one of the Coal Valley's many wineries. South from Hobart, you'll find the sleepy seaside town of Kettering on the shores of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. Have lunch watching the yachts and fishing boats bob on the sheltered harbour or take the ferry to Bruny Island.
5. Fill up on seafood and fine wine
Savour classic cool-climate wines at the cellar doors and wineries of the Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley and Huon Valley, all a short drive from Hobart. You can team them with a plate full of fresh produce in a sunny vineyard restaurant. Feast on freshly shucked oysters at Barilla Bay and fresh-off-the-boat fish from Salamanca Markets. Or you can watch the catch being unloaded from the balcony of one of Hobart's waterside restaurants. Wrap yourself in the aroma of ground coffee in the cafes of Salamanca Place. Or spice up your holiday with a meal at one of Hobart's many great Indian eateries.
Fremantle is located at the mouth of the River Swan on the east coast of Western Australia. Fremantle is one of the oldest settlements in Australia and has a sense of history with many well-preserved examples of colonial architecture including the Maritime Museum (1852) and the Fremantle Museum and Arts Centre, built by convicts as a lunatic asylum in the 1860s. It is gateway to Perth, capital city of Western Australia, located on the banks of the River Swan (10 miles) from its mouth. From Freemantle you can also visit the outback sites of the Pinnacles and Wave Rock
This town is a railway station established in 1917 that delivered tea and sugar, Cook stretches from Ooldea to Loongana, South Australia. Present-day, Cook is a ghost town that welcomes overnight train drivers providing accommodations to those whom are intrigued by the history of Cook.
The town of Kalgoorlie, 375 mi/600 km east of Perth in Western Australia, is still considered the Queen of the Golden Mile, a gold vein discovered in 1893 that contains one of the richest lodes ever found.
Kalgoorlie's 20,000 residents continue to make their living from mining. You can descend 200 ft/60 m underground to tour the drifts of the old Hannan's North Tourist Mine. You can also see gold ingots being poured, view the nuggets at the Museum of the Goldfields and go pub hopping in the classic Outback pubs.
Neighboring Coolgardie (25 mi/40 km west) is nearly a ghost town—but it still has the Goldfields Exhibition housed in a handsome old building dating from the boom days. We found a two-day visit to these cities very worthwhile. The area can be reached from Perth by air, train or car (it's a seven-hour drive).
The town of Margaret River is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city lifestyle. Offering top-notch wining and dining, the creature comforts do not have to be left behind to enjoy the stunning, picturesque landscape characteristic of the south west. With stunning beaches, majestic forests, spectacular caves and a cosmopolitan lifestyle Margaret River will please even the most discerning visitors. So escape from it all and visit Margaret River - A Very Special Place.
Jutting out from the sea on Tasmania ’s mild east coast is the rugged and beautiful Freycinet Peninsula. The Freycinet National Park, reserved in 1916, consists of knuckles of granite mountains,surrounded by azure bays and white sandy beaches.The mountains create a spectacular sight from numerous vantage points along the east coast.
The scenic grandeur of Freycinet has long been admired,with the size and barren composition of the granite peaks of the Hazards rising from the low lying coastal vegetation. Freycinet National Park offers a range of opportunities that provide full immersion into the Tasmanian coastal environment. Wildflowers,birds and native animals can be seen,along with various marine creatures.
There are so many things you can do within this beautiful coastal park. You can take a explore the miles of unspoiled, white sandy beaches, go kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving or rock climbing.
It's important to be prepared while exploring the park. Bring in plenty of water, sun protection, insect repellent, sturdy walking shoes and wear weather-appropriate clothing.
Enjoy one of the world's most beautiful and unique wilderness holiday destinations in which the locals include wallabies, goannas, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, dolphins,
sea lions, penguins, fur seals, eagles, whales and ospreys.
Share with them the pure air and clean water that makes Kangaroo Island one
of the last unspoiled wonders of the world. The people of Kangaroo Island see prosperity in tourism but know the value
of what they have and are working hard to find the right balance between development
and conservation.
Adelaide
This elegant city is known for its colonial stone architecture, expansive parklands, lively festivals and incredible sense of space. Explore the museums and libraries of North Terrace, dine on dedicated 'eat streets' or picnic in gardens that sprawl over almost half the city. Go bike riding in Botanic Park or row past rose gardens in Rymill Park. Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg or fish from the jetty in Henley. Just beyond the city centre you'll find the picturesque Adelaide Hills and the world-class wineries of the Barossa Valley.
Five ways to immerse yourself in Adelaide:
1. Hit the eat streets
Sample everything from Asian fusion to Argentine cuisine in the exotic, bustling foodhalls of Chinatown. Embrace the alfresco ambience of Rundle Street in Adelaide's East End or live it up in one of the city's many elegant wine bars and fashionable restaurants. Enjoy a beach sunset with your meal in the coastal suburbs of Glenelg and Henley Beach or wind down with a wine at the National Wine Centre. If you're a fresh food addict, Adelaide Central Markets offer premium produce from growers across the state.
2. Feel green and serene in Adelaide's parks
Hire paddleboats and bikes in Elder Park or row past formal rose gardens in Rymill Park. Picnic in the local's beloved Botanic Park or cycle from the hills to the coast in River Torrens Linear Park. For serious tranquility, head to the classic Japanese oasis of Adelaide-Himjei Garden. Adelaide's 29 parks take up almost half of the city, and come with walking trails, quiet spaces and sporting fields for everything from football to archery.
3. Head for the coast
Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg, which bustles with sidewalk cafes, alfresco dining and summer entertainment. In the beach suburb of Henley, you can fish from the jetty or go on a culinary world tour at the ethnic food stores and eateries. Explore the museums, markets and historic harbour of Port Adelaide, the city's maritime heart. Or see heritage buildings and colourful summer sideshows in family-friendly Semaphore. Further along the spectacular Le Fevre Peninsula, you can swim on protected beaches and walk one of the state's few heritage-listed jetties at Largs Bay.
4. Soak up Aboriginal and European heritage
Do a cultural tour of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens with traditional custodians the Kaurna people. You'll learn how native plants have been used for sustenance, shelter, ceremonies and medicines for thousands of years. Browse the world's largest collection of Aboriginal antiquities at the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australian Museum and visit Tandanya, the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Adelaide also has a proud European heritage for you to explore -in the museums and libraries of North Terrace, in Adelaide Town Hall and in Port Adelaide, the state's first declared heritage area.
5. Escape to the hills
Drive to the Adelaide Hills, where the picturesque farmlands and charming villages have inspired many generations of artists. Stay in Bavarian-inspired chalets and browse the bakeries, craft shops and galleries of Hahndorf, Australia's oldest surviving German village. Visit The Cedars, once the gracious old home and studio of famous landscape artists Sir Hans Heysen. Then hit the markets of Lobethal, a fairytale town which celebrates Christmas with metres and metres of colourful lights.
