Travelways

Launceston blends history, scenery, creativity, and adventure with all the amenities of a major regional city. You'll find great shopping and superb food, wine and beers. Launceston is at the head of the beautiful Tamar Valley, Tasmania’s most productive and best-established wine region.

Launceston and the Tamar Valley

What to See

The region’s boutique wineries are just beyond the back fence of some Launceston residents. Launceston, with a population of about 70,000 sits on the banks of the Tamar River. It has some of the state’s best restaurants and magnificent Cataract Gorge just a few minutes from the city centre. North of Launceston visitors can take a zip line through a forest, visit seaside Bridport and towns rich in tin mining heritage. Barnbougle Dunes, near Bridport, is one of the best public access courses in the world.

What to Do

The historic Meander Valley, west of Launceston, has charming villages, a wildlife park, farm gates selling berries and smoked fish. The almost impossibly handsome colonial mansions hereabouts are prized features of the valley’s rich history.

History

Tasmania's “northern capital” of Launceston was established in 1806 by free settlers. It has fine Victorian buildings from the 1870s and 1880s and elegant contemporary architecture.

Get expert help from local visitor information centres

Launceston: Cornwall Square, 12-16 St John St. Ph (03) 6336 3133. Email travelcentre@launceston.tas.gov.au

Deloraine: 98-100 Emu Bay Road. Ph (03) 6362 3471. Email: manager@greatwesterntiers.net.au                                   

Exeter: Main Road. Ph 1800 637 989. Email:                   exeter@tasvisinfo.com.au

George Town: Main Road. Ph (03) 6382 1700. Email: georgetown@tasvisinfo.com.au

Scottsdale: 96 King Street. Ph (03) 6352 6520. Email scottsdale@tasvisinfo.com.au

Ross: Church Street. Ph (03) 6381 5466. Email: taswoolcentre@bigpond.com 

The rich and diverse North-West Coast of Tasmania features easy-to-spot wildlife (unflustered wombats and wallabies and if you’re lucky a Tasmanian devil) at Narawntapu National Park, the forests of the Tarkine region and some of the world’s cleanest air.

North West Coast

What to See

In historic Stanley you can walk to the summit of The Nut, a long expired volcano, for views over a swathe of the region. Discovering penguin rookeries, cruising to a seal colony, spotting platypus in forest streams, and sampling delicious fresh produce straight from the region’s farms will ensure you don’t spend too long in your hotel room.

What to Do

Around Burnie, artists and artisans including paper makers and whisky distillers will happily tell you their tales. King Island, easily accessed by a short flight from Wynyard or Melbourne, is half way between Tassie and Victoria in bewitchingly rugged Bass Strait Incredible beaches, diving about ship wrecks, fine food, and friendly locals are just some of its captivating personality.

History

First known as Emu Bay the area around Burnie was settled by the Van Diemen's Land Company in 1827. Famous for its dense rainforest,  forestry and mining generated many fortunes for the early European settlers.

Get expert help from local visitor information centres

Devonport: 92 Formby Road. Ph (03) 6424 4466. Email tourism@dcc.tas.gov.au

Burnie: 2 Bass Highway. Ph (03) 6430 5831. Email travel@burnie.net

Sheffield: 5 Pioneer Crescent. Ph (03) 6491 1036. Email kvic@kentish.tas.gov.au

Stanley: 45 Main Road. Ph (03) 6458 1330. Email info@stanley.com.au

 Ulverstone: 13 - 15 Alexandra Road. Ph (03) 6425 2839. Email info@coasttocanyon.com.au

Wynyard: 8 Exhibition Link. Ph (03) 6443 8330. Email info@wowtas.com

Tasmania's capital city Hobart is furnished with numerous Georgian sandstone buildings, waterside bars, cafes, galleries and restaurants and busy wharfs and marina areas. Mount Wellington is just 22 kilometres from the CBD and rises from the city more dramatically than any towering city building.

Hobart and Surrounds

What to See

Hobart has a population of 200,000 people, which translates to gloriously uncrowded roads and makes it a snap to get to the Tasman Peninsula, home of the Port Arthur Historic Site and the finest convict ruins in Australia. The ruins are a long standing highlight but all over the Tasman are cosy and stylish places to stay, wonderfully friendly cafes, fine restaurants, artists galleries, boat cruises along the peninsula’s extraordinarily fractured coast and coastal walking trails.

What to Do

The Huon Valley is a 30-minute drive south of Hobart. Many visitors take to the neighbouring D’Entrecasteaux Channel to watch whales, dolphins, seals or albatross. Elsewhere there are caves and forests, vineyards and restaurants featuring local produce.

To the north-west of Hobart, the Derwent Valley has a history of explorers and bush rangers. This gateway to the central highlands has much-loved national parks, high-end fishing lodges, golf courses, waterfalls, engaging walks and even whisky distilleries.

History

Hobart was settled by Europeans in 1803 with the first rudimentary buildings being erected at Risdon Cove on the eastern shore of the Derwent River. In 1804 the settlement moved across the river to Sullivans Cove, the present site of Hobart.

Get expert help from local visitor information centres

Hobart: 20 Davey Street. Ph (03) 6230 8233. Email: tasbookings@tasvisinfo.com.au
Web: www.hobarttravelcentre.com.au

Geeveston: Church Street. Ph (03) 6297 1821. Email: tvingeeveston@forestandheritagecentre.com
Web: www.forestandheritagecentre.com.au

Huonville: Esplanade. Ph (03) 6264 1838. Email: huonville@tasvisinfo.com.au

Kettering: 81 Ferry Rd. Ph (03) 6267 4494. Email: kettering@tasvisinfo.com.au

Heritage Highway Visitor Centre. 1 Mill Lane, Oatlands. Ph (03) 6254 1212. Email: tourism@southernmidlands.tas.gov.au

Port Arthur Historic Site: Ph (03) 6251 2371. Email:  portarth@tasvisinfo.com.au

Tasmania's East Coast enjoys a mild climate thanks to the warm currents of the Tasman Sea.  It's long white sandy beaches, pure blue waters and charming villages make it a popular holiday destination for locals and visitors alike. You'll also find abundant seafood and locally grown wines.

East Coast

What to See

Iconic national parks also feature. The Freycinet Peninsula, home of Wineglass Bay, is bushwalker and sea kayaker heaven. Wombats, Cape Barren geese and kangaroos have the run of Maria Island – the entire island is a national park – yet there is plenty of intriguing history to keep them and visitors company.

What to Do

Just a little inland from the coast, around the Fingal Valley and the Blue Tier are worlds where there are more forests than sand. The trees, the valleys and their offerings are no less appealing than a having a white sand beach all to yourself.

Flinders Island, part of the extended east coast, is off the north-eastern tip of ‘mainland’ Tassie. Deserted beaches, friendly locals and great fishing are clues to its recipe. You can get all its ingredients after a short flight from Launceston.

History

Sealers and whalers were the first Europeans to settle Tasmania's east coast in the early 1800s and they were quickly followed by farmers and miners.

Get expert help from local visitor information centres

St Helens: 61 Cecilia St. Ph (03) 6376 1744. Email: sthelensvic@bodc.tas.gov.au

Triabunna: Cnr Esplanade and Charles Street. Ph (03) 6257 4772. Email: triabunnavic@freycinet.tas.gov.au

From Cradle Mountain to Port Davey, Tasmania's world heritage area is superbly wild and rugged but still accessible. The old port of Strahan is the western gatekeeper of the world heritage area and from this harbour-side village you can cruise, sail, fly or paddle into an extrordinary wilderness.

Western Wilderness

What to See

Not far from Strahan, Queenstown once claimed the world's richest copper mine. Now it’s a departure point for a steam powered railway journey that cuts through thick rainforest and it has a burgeoning arts community. The settlement of Corinna and forests of the Tarkine are nearby. Fishers will love the central highlands lakes around Derwent Bridge and Tarraleah.

What to Do

Of course, no matter whether you are travelling from Devonport, Burnie, Hobart or Launceston, you’ll want to visit Cradle Mountain, the centre-piece of the World Heritage Area. The mountain, and the accompanying rivers, lakes and alpine surrounds may be known for their ancient wilderness but all is not wild. There are good coffees, fireside lounges and even day-spas near the entrance to the national park, just a few kilometres from Cradle Mountain.

History

Captain James Kelly circumnavigated Van Diemen's Land in a whale boat in 1815 and explored Macquarie Harbour. On his recommendation a penal settlement was built at Sarah Island in 1822. After the convict prison closed in 1833 the area was settled by miners and foresters and the town of Strahan was established.

Get expert help from local visitor information centres

Strahan, The Esplanade. Ph (03) 6472 6800. Email wcvibcs@westcoast.tas.gov.au