The Best of Northern Tasmania

Tasmania is an island state of Australia. It lies about 240km south of Victoria and is separated by Bass Strait. Tasmania is popularly known for having the cleanest air in the world and a panoramic scenery. The island state also has a rich history and is a popular tourist destination for outdoor lovers.

Fun facts about Tasmania

The clean air enjoyed in Tasmania is because of the position of Tasmania in the Southern Ocean, and distance from other land masses. Tasmania’s clean air is monitored by the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station. The station is along the Roaring Forties, which are strong currents of westerly winds that carry pollution-free air across the Southern Ocean, for thousands of kilometres.

The island was previously named Van Diemen’s Land, in honour of the then governor-general of Dutch East Indies.

How to get to Tasmania

Tasmania is an island state, and the only island state in Australia. The only ways to get into Tasmania are by air or by sea. You can get regular flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to Hobart and Launceston. You can also get direct flights from Melbourne to Wynyard (Burnie), Devonport, King and Flinders Island.

It takes roughly 9 hours 30 minutes to get to Tasmania by ferry from Melbourne Devonport.

Fun places around Tasmania

Tasmania has so many tourist attractions and fun places to visit that you will be spoilt with choices. The best way to get around Tasmania is in a caravan or camper van.

Travelling in a camper van offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself wholly in the beauty of Tasmania. Many tourists find that towing a caravan from one destination to another is the perfect way to enjoy the sites of Tasmania.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park

Located north of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the park boasts of glacier-carved crags, glittering lakes, alpine, heathland and beech forests. There is a famous Overland Tracks which runs south from the Cradle Valley, to Lake St. Clair.

Hobart

Take your motorhome on a ride through Hobart. Tasmania’s capital has, in recent time, become a hub of activities and culture you would adore. It boasts of museums such as the Museum of Old and New Arts (MONA) which boasts of provocative exhibits from its convict history. The Tasmanian Museum and Arts Gallery also sits in the heart of Hobart, and displays an enormous collection of Australia’s traditional arts.

Freycinet National Park

On the sunny eastside of Tasmania, Freycinet National Park is one of Australia’s most preserved natural reserves. The peninsula has some of the finest powder-white sand and blue seas, and is listed as one of the top beaches in Australia. You can take a drive through the East Coast Escape picturesque drive in a camper.

Richmond

Richmond is about 25 kilometres northeast of Hobart. It gives a complete view of the old Georgian colonial town. The town was once an important military post constructed by inmates under the town’s penal colony.

The background of Richmond Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in Australia, has St. Luke’s Church overarching it. Up north, a little distance from there, is St. John’s Church, the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Australia. You can take a day trip to Richmond, towing your caravan across the Wildlife Park in Brighton, where you may get close to kangaroos and koalas.

What to do in Northwest Tasmania

Seal cruise

In Stanley, Northwest Tasmania. You can enjoy the experience of taking seal cruises. Seal cruises are a great way to see the Australian fur seals in Tasmania.

The cruise includes a 75 minutes boat trip from the harbour to Bull Rock, Calf Rock and Cow Rock. These rocks are in Bass Strait and are usually visited by a gathering of seals.

Bird watching

Not a seal aficionado, you can try watching birds in Northwest Tasmania, as different flocks fly around daily. Another sight to enjoy, which is peculiar to North west Tasmania is Southern Right Whale.

Drive through the Tarkine

The Tarkine is an area in North West Tasmania which includes Savage River National Park, the largest area of Gondwana rainforest in Australia with a high concentration of Aboriginal sites. The drive through Tarkine is scenic and refreshing, especially when moving in a caravan.

There are over 50 caravan parks around Tasmania. Some of these parks have private ensuite facilities for caravan and motorhome travellers.

Regular caravan parks have comfortable, cabin-styled accommodation for tourists in the area. Travelling in a caravan gives the most pleasant and fulfilling way to enjoy the wilderness experience when exploring Tasmania.

Discover Tasmania

Tasmania is home to a plethora of tourist attractions in Australia. They have a rich culture, unique foliage and wildlife, and many fun spots.

Wine lovers relish a trip to Tamar Valley. The valley runs North West from Launceston to the coast on the other side of Tamar River. Along Tamar Valley, there are over 20 vineyards and dedicated guides to give you the most exquisite tastes in Tamar valley.

If you enjoy festivities, the Tulip farms in Tasmania have days set aside to display the rich flora of Tasmania. Table Cape Tulip farm operate all year round and always show off the bright colors of blooming tulips. It’s a spectacular sight to behold.

As stated earlier, travelling across Tasmania is best done with motorhomes. In your visit to Tasmania, you may find motorhomes for sale. It’s a good idea to rent one, instead of spending time, finding camper sales, except you intend making your trip to Tasmania frequent.

[Photo credit Tim Guard]