50 AMAZING THINGS THAT SHOULD DO IN TASMANIA
50 AMAZING THINGS THAT SHOULD DO IN TASMANIA, the fact that Tasmania is an island with four distinct seasons is one of the key factors that keeps me coming back. Every season in Tasmania offers a unique selection of activities and events, so it’s important to prepare ahead. It’s simple to organize a weekend break in Tasmania because there are so many diverse activities available that are specific to each season.
From warm summer beach days to rugging up on a crisp winter night in the highlands to the freshness of spring and the vibrant colours of autumn, Tasmania is a feast for the eyes all-year-round. Here is our list of 50 things to do in Tasmania in winter, spring, summer and autumn.
Winter is the time of year when Tasmania’s rugged beauty takes on a magical quality.
There’s a nip in the air, but it makes it all the more enticing when you’re rugged up in front of the fire.
If you’re wondering what to do in Tasmania in winter, here are things to do in winter you will love.
1- SEE THE SOUTHERN LIGHTS
Tasmania is the place to gaze at Aurora Australis, most commonly known as the Southern Lights.
The lights are breathtaking and occur when the sun releases bursts of solar winds and magnetic fields into space.
These solar winds carry particles that interact with the Earth’s magnetic field.
The particles collide to produce energy that fills the sky in the form of auroras.
You can see the Southern Lights all year round, the best time to see them in Tasmania is in winter.
2- VISIT MONA
Everyone’s talking about Mona, the Museum of Old and New Art, a private art museum unlike any other in Australia.
See an exhibition at MONA. You’ll soon discover that this is a museum that breaks all rules. And a visit to Mona might shock and delight you.
MONA is a world-class museum that displays artists from around the world.
Many of these artists have exhibited in the world’s top galleries, including the Guggenheim and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
There’s a rotating list of exhibitions all year round and it’s a captivating place to stay warm and spend time in Tasmania a winter.
3- BANG DRUMS AT THE HUON VALLEY MID WINTER FESTIVAL
You haven’t lived until you’ve joined in on a wassailing ceremony to awaken the cider apple trees.
Singing, shouting and banging on drums and pots and pans are fun things to do in Tasmania.
It not only relieves stress, but you might scare away an evil spirit or two!
So go on, help Tassie farmers get a good harvest of fruit.
The wassail Queen is lifted onto the boughs of a tree to place toast soaked in Wassail from the Clayen Cup.
It’s a gift to the tree spirits – the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival (July) is an event to remember.
4- JOIN THE FESTIVAL OF VOICES CHORUS
Hobart is filled with music each July during the Festival of Voices, when thousands of singers gather to create beautiful harmonies.
Thousand choristers and vocalists sing their hearts out in concert halls, churches, pubs, street corners, and historic buildings that dot the city.
The festival offers a program of performances and workshops run by artists and the program highlights Tasmania’s home-grown talent.
5- INDULGE AT CHOCOLATE WINTERFEST
Chocolate lovers take note: this may well deliver you to heaven!
Chocolate and winter fit perfectly together.
In Latrobe, near Devonport, there’s a celebration of chocolate (which some cultures value even more than gold).
Latrobe is a 10-minute drive from the Spirit of Tasmania, nestled alongside a protected seaside inlet.
The richness of chocolate warms up Tasmania’s winter with an indulgent festival that gives chocolate lovers a great reason to visit Chocolate Winterfest in Tasmania in August.
Cocoa trees have been growing for over three millennia and chocolate was first invented around 1100 BC.
For a break from chocolate, there are plenty of other things to do, too, such as visiting Warrawee Forest Reserve to spot platypus, tasting wines at Ghost Rock Vineyard and indulging in more chocolate at the House of Anvers.
7- GO ON A WHALE-WATCHING CRUISE
Although whale watching in Tasmania may not be as popular as whale watching in Hervey Bay in Queensland, there are some great opportunities in Tasmania too.
See southern right whales and Humpback whales on their journey from warmer breeding grounds (June to August) during winter in Tasmania.
Southern right whales, in particular, sometimes hang around for a while.
Top places to spot whales in Tasmania are on a wildlife cruise from Coles Bay, Great Oyster Bay and Mercury Passage near the Freycinet Peninsula, off Maria Island and in Adventure Bay on Bruny Island.
8- SLEEP AT PUMPHOUSE POINT
Rug up in front of the fire at Pumphouse Point and watch Mother Nature’s theatrical show unfold before your eyes.
Pumphouse Point is a focal point of a visit if you want to learn the history and experience the natural environment Lake St Clair is famous for.
The house is now a hotel where visitors receive five-star treatment.
The transformation of the two industrial buildings into a retreat in the bosom of Tasmania’s World Heritage wilderness is pretty special in winter.
9- SNOWSHOE THE OVERLAND TRACK
Tackling the Overland Track in winter may not be for everyone but it’s a worthy challenge.
Tasmania’s most famous alpine walk is a multi-day hike through stunning scenery.
From Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair National Park, trekkers enjoy stunning views of waterfalls, Australia’s deepest lake (Lake St Clair) and highest peak (Mt Ossa).
It’s one of the things to do in Tasmania to tick off your bucket list if you’re fit, experienced at multi-day walking and willing to carry extra gear.
Hiking the Overland Track in winter is a wild adventure to remember as walking through snow, sleet and ice is quite a challenge.
Several companies offer guided winter snowshoe treks where you’ll stay in cabins and climb Cradle Mountain.
10- LEARN THE ART OF MAKING GIN
Polish up on your gin-making skills by joining a four-hour Bespoke Tasmania Tours workshop at William McHenry and Sons distillery.
Besides learning a bit about gin and the four different kinds produced at this distillery, you’ll get to make your own gin according to your own recipe.
It’s a perfect way to spend time in winter in Tasmania and a fun activity if you’re travelling with friends and family.
11- EXPLORE THE TASMANIAN MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
Wondering what to do in Tasmania if you love museums? Explore the exhibits and galleries in the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
It’s a haven for art lovers and there are a variety of artistic and educational exhibits, from the demise of the Tasmanian Tiger to the future of renewable energy in Tasmania through.
The Tasmanian tiger is a rare species that became extinct around the 20th century but a few years ago, a German tourist claimed to have snapped a photo of a tiger.
These images fuelled speculation of a lost population.
There’s a schedule of exhibitions and plenty of knowledgeable volunteer guides who are passionate about various subjects.
12- JOIN A TASSIE COOKING SCHOOL
Winter in Tasmania is a great time to treat yourself to your favourite old-fashioned dishes.
A great way to do this is to attend a cooking school like Red Feather Inn Cooking School and The Agrarian Kitchen to rediscover the classic art of braising, stewing, slow cooking, roasting and baking.
Besides learning new techniques and warming up with comfort food, you’ll also get to meet new friends.
13- SEE SNOW ON MOUNT WELLINGTON
What to do in Tasmania when it snows? Tasmania has two ski fields – Ben Lomond and Mount Mawson.
Ben Lomond is in Ben Lomond National Park near Launceston and Mount Mawson is in Mount Field National Park near Hobart.
If you want to see snow, you may get lucky and may not have to go to the snowfields at all as there’s a mountain right on Hobart’s doorstep.
Mt Wellington is a 20-minute drive from Hobart’s CBD.
A blanket of snow on top of Mount Wellington turns it into a magical winter wonderland.
Recommended tours:
- Day Tour in Mt. Field, Mt. Wellington, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Richmond
- 2-Hour Kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus
14- GO ON A TASMANIAN WHISKY TOUR
Warming up with a tipple is a fabulous excuse to visit Tasmania in winter.
Whisky distillation was outlawed in 1838 and the industry was re-ignited in 1992.
Tasmania has 11 whisky distilleries that are starting to produce world-class single malt whiskies that hold their own on the world stage.
Having won a prestigious World Whiskies Award, Tasmania has cemented its presence in the world of whiskies.
Sullivans Cove’s French Oak Cask variety was named the global winner, beating a top-notch pool of single malt entries.
That’s not bad for a reasonably new industry, so if you love whisky, you won’t be at a loss at what to do in Tasmania.
Sip and enjoy!
15- TAKE A SPOOKY GHOST TOUR OF PORT ARTHUR
One of the most exciting things to do in Tasmania at night is to go ghost hunting at Port Arthur.
Port Arthur is a World Heritage site that was once a prison and a famous historical landmark in Australia.
The spookiest time to visit is at night when guides show you around haunted buildings and recount terrifying stories about ghostly experiences.
If you believe in ghosts, this tour isn’t for the faint-hearted but one of the top Tasmania attractions.
Winter is the spookiest time to take a ghost tour or paranormal investigation experience of Port Arthur Historic Site.
In winter, darkness arrives earlier and lasts longer.
Things that go bump in the night seem a little scarier, too on a chilly Tasmanian winter night.
The weather can be moodier in winter, making it the perfect time to hunt for ghosts at Port Arthur.
16- SURF THE COLD WATER BREAKS
Winter is the best time to go big-wave surfing in Tasmania, where world-class cold water breaks exist.
Shipstern Bluff (or Devil’s Point) on the tip of the Tasman Peninsula is one of the wildest rides on the planet, but you’ll have to walk 45 minutes to the sea cliffs.
There’s also Marrawah, with its Southern Ocean swells, and Martha Lavinia Beach on King Island.
17- ATTEND AN AFL GAME
Tasmania hosts eight rounds of AFL each year in Hobart and Launceston, including two or three games in winter.
The advantage of watching a game in Tassie is the crowds are smaller and you can get up close and personal.
18- EXPLORE THE CONVICT TRAIL
Winter in Tasmania is a great time to explore Tasmania’s convict trail, from Hobart to Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula.
The wintery weather and landscape provide an atmosphere to the countryside and historic towns, such as Richmond.
Richmond was a military post and prison station after the bridge that linked Hobart and Van Diemen’s Land was constructed in 1823.
19- PARTY AT DARK MOFO
Dark MOFO is interactive, and entertaining and it’s a fabulous reason to explore the streets and enjoy performances as Hobart embraces winter.
Take a scarf, warm jacket and revel in the festivities.
Tasmania’s premier winter event is worth marking down in your calendar as it’s one of the top Tasmania attractions.
Hobart’s Winter Feast attracts thousands of foodies and the Nude swim, where hundreds of adventurous people (aged 18 to 89) brave the freezing Hobart temperatures to swim naked in the Derwent River to mark the winter solstice.
20- LEARN ABOUT RAPTORS AT RAPTOR REFUGE
Tasmania’s raptors face several threats, including habitat destruction due to coastal home development, collisions with power lines, vehicles, wind turbines and fences, and boat accidents.
Other threats are shooting, poisoning and trapping, electrocution and pollution.
There are only around 120 wedge-tailed eagle breeding pairs and less than 200 white-bellied sea eagle pairs left in Tasmania, not to mention the dwindling number of grey goshawk pairs, with only around 110 left in the state.
The Raptor & Wildlife Refuge of Tasmania plays a huge part in caring for and protect Tasmania’s raptors.
The not-for-profit organisation is located near Kettering in southern Tasmania and has the largest raptor flight aviaries in the Southern Hemisphere.
These aviaries are large enough for rehabilitating Wedge-tailed eagles and Sea-Eagles to flight train.
You can book a private walk and talk, learn about the rescue and rehabilitation process at a rescue-to-release workshop or learn how to photograph raptors.
THINGS TO DO IN TASMANIA IN AUTUMN
Autumn in Tasmania is when beaches glow in golden light and orchards are filled with fresh harvests.
Visit a garden or a national park and let your eyes soak up nature’s awesome palette.
If you haven’t experienced autumn, here are ten things to do in Tasmania in autumn.
21- SEE THE FAGUS TREES
Autumn in Tasmania is indeed a spectacular time of year to visit as this is when the Fagus trees turn colour.
This remarkable tree is one of the oldest genera of flowering plants listed in the world.
Its history stretches back over 80 million years.
There’s a good reason Tasmanians celebrate this natural event.
They say that the colours of autumn are awe-inspiring, like nowhere else in the world.
The leaves turn from late April to early May and the best locations to see this rare tree include Mount Field National Park and Cradle Mountain National Park.
The landscape of dusty reds, burnt oranges and bright golds is awe-inspiring.
Autumn in Tasmania also offers plenty of things to do in the mountainous regions and a particularly good time to go bushwalking.
Walks at Cradle Mountain suit all levels, from beginners to experienced hikers, and Mount Field National Park is only a one-hour drive from Hobart.
Recommended tours:
- Cradle Mountain Day Tour from Launceston, Including Lunch
- 3-Day Cradle Mountain Photography Workshop
22- EXPLORE DERWENT VALLEY
The towns of the Derwent Valley, near Hobart, are especially pretty in autumn.
Settlers brought many trees from the northern hemisphere to this region.
The third oldest settlement in Tasmania, New Norfolk, was established by evacuees from the abandoned prison on Norfolk Island in 1807.
New Norfolk’s historic buildings look particularly picturesque in autumn. The town’s traditional village square is one of the few left in the country.
A drive to New Norfolk is one of the things to do in Tasmania if you love history.
Located on the Derwent River and surrounded by pretty rural scenery, New Norfolk’s produces most of the hops for Australian breweries.
23- FIND TRANQUILLITY IN THE ROYAL TASMANIAN BOTANICAL GARDEN
If you’re visiting Tasmania in autumn, it’s worth spending time in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Garden.
Located on the Queens Domain next to Government House, the 14ha garden was established in 1818.
It’s two kilometres from Hobart’s CBD.
The Japanese garden is particularly lovely in autumn.
The garden is a popular wedding spot, designed by a Japanese garden landscape architect from Yaizu, Japan, Hobart’s sister city.
It’s also a tranquil place for a quiet moment.
24- VISIT THE TAMAR VALLEY
Visiting a winery in Tasmania is a fabulous way to spend time throughout the year.
Autumn in Tasmania is particularly picturesque, with the changing colours of the vines, and an exciting time to visit a winery or two or three.
Tasmania produces award-winning Pinot Noir and sparkling wines. And a range of cool-climate wines – Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer.
There are wine regions close to Launceston and Hobart; the Tamar Valley in the north and the Pipers River in the east.
The Derwent, Coal River and Huon Valleys are all an easy drive from Hobart.
25- CHEER ON THE RALLY CARS AT TARGA TASMANIA
One of the things to do in Tasmania if you love cars and racing is to attend Targa Tasmania.
Autumn in Tasmania is an exciting time with Targa Tasmania when spectators line the roads and cheer for the rally drivers.
It’s the world’s largest, longest and hardest tarmac rally event, a genuine “red-blooded” sporting event that almost anyone can join.
Targa Tasmania is a six-day festival of motoring starts in the beautiful city of Launceston and finishes in Tasmania’s capital, Hobart.
Tasmania’s circuit has some of the country’s most challenging tarmac road routes.
The organisers picked one of the most visually appealing times of the year for the racers to hit the road.
Each leg is short and allows visitors ample time to enjoy the scenery as the cars make their way through some of the most picturesque countrysides in Australia.
This is one for those that like their motors running hot!
26- EXPLORE HISTORIC RICHMOND
Historic, food, wine and autumn leaves combine to offer a lovely holiday in this heritage town.
Richmond in the Coal River Valley has oodles of charm, with beautiful Georgian historic buildings and convict history.
In the 1820s, Richmond linked Hobart with Port Arthur.
These days, the old stone buildings are home to galleries, cafes and boutiques.
It’s a touch of Europe in the Southern Hemisphere.
27- INTERNATIONAL MURAL FEST IN SHEFFIELD
A mural fest in Tasmania?
You might be surprised to discover the street artists in Sheffield, in Tasmania’s North West, have been painting the town since 1986.
There are 60 murals in Sheffield and the International Mural Fest attracts some of the world’s top mural specialists.
Artists compete in a mural painting competition that’s a spectacular show, with each artist painting giant mural. Each year, there’s a theme, such as ‘Windows of Our Dreams’ and “Our Wonderful World”.
If you can’t make it to the live event, seeing those murals is something you can do in Tasmania all year.
28- EXPLORE THE GARDENS OF PORT ARTHUR
Port Arthur Historic Site is worth visiting any time of the year.
The UNESCO World Heritage site on the Tasman Peninsula takes you back to an important time in Australia’s history.
Autumn is a fabulous time to wander the gardens.
Port Arthur’s trees and flowers are a link to the convicts who prepared the soil and planted the seeds 150 years ago.
The plants lit up the lives of the convicts who had a tough time in this isolated colonial prison.
Easter is a great time to visit Port Arthur, as some plays and events re-enact the past.
29- LEARN ABOUT HISTORY AT ROSS
Another historic town, Ross, is a short drive from Launceston.
The Ross Bridge was completed in 1836 and is a work of art.
Australia’s third-oldest sandstone bridge has Celtic-inspired carvings with symbols, flora, fauna and faces.
Besides being a garrison town, Ross was a coach horse change, livestock market and agricultural centre.
30- TEN DAYS ON THE ISLAND
At the Ten Days on the Island (Qwerin Festival), cabaret, circus and comedy are some things to look forward to.
It’s one of the best times of the year to catch the festive fever while going on a road trip around Tasmania.
Ten Days on the Island is a showcase of international, national and Tasmanian artists as well as a celebration of island culture.
The three main destinations to set up base in are the Cradle Coast, Launceston and Hobart.
From there, you can drive around the island and enjoy a variety of artistic performances while enjoying the beauty of Tasmania.
Combine festival events with a chance to tick some places off your list of things to do in Tasmania.
THINGS TO DO IN TASMANIA IN SPRING
31- FLY TO SOUTHWEST NATIONAL PARK FOR THE DAY
Southwest National Park is a pristine world heritage region that you can visit as a day trip from Hobart.
It’s a grand adventure that should be at the top of your list of things to do in Tasmania if you love nature but are short of time.
Touch down at Melaleuca and hike along the boardwalk. The forest is home to the endangered orange-bellied parrot.
32- HIKE THE THREE CAPES TRACK
The Three Capes Track hugs some of Australia’s highest sea cliffs.
The multi-day walk offers stunning views of Cape Pillar, Cape Hauy and the vast ocean.
The hike from Porth Arthur Historic Site covers 46km of rugged wilderness, with bays, rainforests and eucalypt forests landscapes.
33- TAKE A WILDERNESS CRUISE AROUND CAPE PILLAR
Another way to experience the area is on a wilderness cruise along the Tasman National Park coastline, from Port Arthur to Eaglehawk Neck.
From the water, the view of the cliffs, waterfalls and caves are awe-inspiring.
The cruise is a chance to see whales, sea birds and seals.
34- CLIMB MT STRZELECKI ON FLINDERS ISLAND
Mt Strzelecki is in Strzelecki national park and the highest peak in the Furneaux group of islands.
It’s accessible on a walking tour, which takes about four hours. The walk offers scenic views and a chance to see wildlife and fauna.
35- SEE A TASMANIAN DEVIL
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is an endangered species found only in Tasmania hence the name.
It’s known as a devil due to its temperament, colour and bone-chilling screeches.
Sadly, Tasmanian devils are now endangered due to a cancer called devil facial tumour disease which causes tumours to form on the devil’s face.
These days, it’s not easy to spot one in the wild.
Places you can go include Tasmanian Devil Unzoo and there’s a chance of spotting one in the wild in Corinna.
Cabins are eco-friendly, and you’ll likely come across wallabies grazing around your accommodation.
There are walking trails and an excellent pub-style restaurant.
36- CATCH WILD BROWN TROUT
Fishing for wild brown trout in Tasmania is a challenge.
Trout was introduced to Tasmania in 1864 and the state has some of the purest strains of wild brown trout in the world.
Several fly fishing operators specialise in fly fishing tuition for novice anglers offering tours that range from one day to several days.
Trout fishing season starts in August and runs through to April.
37- PHOTOGRAPH THE TESSELLATED PAVEMENT
On the shores of Pirates Bay by the Tessellated Pavement State Reserve near Eaglehawk, there’s a stunning geological formation where rock patterns have been worn smooth into gentle slopes by sea erosion over millions of years.
It’s a favourite destination for curious tourists, geologists and nature photographers.
A photograph at sunset, with the reflections of the sky in the water, is a souvenir to cherish.
See weird blocks that resemble the tiles of a mosaic floor. It looks lunar-like, like a leftover patch from the moon.
Some sections of the pavement look like large loaves of neatly rising bread, called a loaf formation, while the other parts closer to the sea known as pan formations, resemble a concave stone walkway that an intoxicated mason could have laid out.
38- GET CREATIVE AT JUNCTION ARTS FESTIVAL
One of Tasmania’s attractions is the number of festivals it has.
In spring, Tasmania rejoices with a festive live art and music festival in Launceston, the second-largest city in Tasmania.
During Junction Arts Festival, the streets and venues of the city come alive for five days with song, comedy, dance, literature and visual arts.
The atmosphere is intriguing and exciting.
Workshops are also available for anyone wanting to learn from national and international artists.
39- BLOOMIN TULIPS FESTIVAL
Held in the small town of Wynyard on the northwest coast of Tasmania, the Bloomin Tulips Festival celebrates the spring flowering of tulips at Van Diemen Quality Bulb Farm on Table Cape.
This farm sends flowers around the world every year for special occasions such as weddings.
Tip: Visit the Bloomin’ Tulips Foreshore Market held on the first and third Sunday throughout the event.
THINGS TO DO IN TASMANIA IN SUMMER
40- KAYAK FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK
Kayaking is one of the top things to do in Tasmania if you’re an active traveller.
Home to Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park is a top spot for a kayak tour.
The scenery is stunning, especially the jagged granite outcrops known as the hazards.
These impressive mountains stretch towards the sky, up to 300m high and the pink granite changes colour with the weather.
Recommended tours:
- The Freycinet Paddle
- Wineglass Bay Cruise from Coles Bay
41- EAT FRESH OYSTERS
The oyster industry in Tasmania is booming.
Chow down on the freshest oysters prepared by a world-class chef.
These delicious delights are heavenly when paired with a Tasmanian bubbly.
Tasmanian sparkling wines have been winning awards on the world stage.
42- WHITEWATER RAFTING ON THE FRANKLIN RIVER
Another thing to do in Tasmania if you’re outdoorsy is to take a wild ride on a white-water Franklin River rafting adventure.
This wilderness world heritage area is one of the last untamed wild rivers in the world.
It’s a challenging adventure in one of Australia’s most remote areas, the Franklin-Gordon wild rivers national park up close.
43- WATCH THE BOATS WIN THE SYDNEY TO HOBART
The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is an iconic summer event that has been going for 75 years.
It’s when Hobart comes alive as people anticipate the finish with live music, food stalls and other events.
Taste of Tasmania is another festival to mark on your calendar.
Food from around the world is presented by stallholders and event sponsors across the seven days of this event.
There’s entertainment on two stages, street performances and a Taste Tasmania Theatre each day (where local and nationally renowned chefs demonstrate cooking with excellent Tasmanian produce).
It all adds up to a brilliant way to see in a New Year!
44- SEE THE NATIONAL PENNY FARTHING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Held in the village of Evandale, in northern Tasmania, this annual event has been running since 1983, attracting riders from around Australia and the world.
During the National Penny Farthing Championships, this peaceful village swells with market stalls and assorted entertainment complimenting the penny-farthing rides.
It’s not easy riding a Penny Farthing and this keeps alive an old practice based around fun and more fun.
There’s even a slow race, Miss ‘n Out, obstacle (count me out on this one) and races for children.
The feature race is the National Penny Farthing Championship which has the fastest eight riders from the heats in the final and is one of the most fun things to see in Tasmania.
They ride these amazing bikes for a total distance of one mile.
45- AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL
Hobart is home to the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, a spectacular four-day celebration of maritime culture and craftsmanship on Hobart’s waterfront.
The Australian Wooden Boat Festival is celebrated every two years (the next festival is in 2025).
The festival celebrates Tasmania’s maritime culture and boat-making artistry. Many of the boats are works of historical creativity.
Hundreds of spectators flock to see the flotilla of watercraft, from tall ships to rowing boats.
Some of the historic ships and replicas on display are the Australian National Maritime Museum’s Bark Endeavour, the ship that James Cook sailed into chart Australia and New Zealand, and the original James Craig, the 19th-century cargo ship.
The festival offers an opportunity for owners of wooden boats to show off their craft and for trade exhibitors to showcase products. But you don’t have to be a die-hard fan of boats to enjoy the festivities.
The entertainment program includes shipwright demonstrations and fun races.
There’s a maritime marketplace where you might find rare tools traditional Tasmanian craftsmen use and the International Wooden Boat Symposium.
46- FESTIVALE
Festivale celebrates the earth’s bounty in three-day merrymaking at Launceston’s City Park.
It’s a showcase of food, wine and Tasmanian entertainment shared by around 35,000 people annually.
It’s incredible that the festival has evolved from a street party in 1988 to one of Tasmania’s most significant events.
It’s certainly a celebration that the locals in Launceston can be proud of.
Look forward to a decadent line-up of top Tasmanian produce, beer, cider, whisky and wine.
Taste delicious food prepared by chefs from all over Tasmania while the stages rock with live bands and entertainers such as Hoodoo Gurus and Kate Ceberano.
Of course, there will also be strolling minstrels and an atmosphere that’s great for families.
Small-group tasting sessions can be pre-booked on the Festivale website as well as dining and cooking events.
The next Festivale is usually in February.
47- RIDE THE IDA BAY RAILWAY
Tasmania’s last operating bush tramway – a rocky 14km ride in a World War II locomotive.
The Ida Bay Railway is Australia’s most southern railway, if you can call it that. Well, it’s more of a fun tourist train.
The journey begins at Lune River station and rambles through the wilderness to Deep Hole and Elliott’s Beach, which is in a secluded spot.
There’s a quick stop at a cemetery where the guide regales us with ghostly tales of early settlers.
48- ESCAPE TO CORINNA
The historic gold mining town lies amid pristine rainforest on a riverbank that feels like you’ve reached the world’s edge.
Corinna is part of the Tarkine, Australia’s largest temperate unbroken tract of old-growth rainforest.
The old settlement has become a budding ecotourism spot with simple wooden cottages.
Guests like to hang around the Arthur Pieman Protected Area and the Pieman River State Reserve to kayak, hike, and river cruise.
49- SEE THE WALL IN THE WILDERNESS
While in Derwent Bridge, don’t miss the Wall in the Wilderness, where talented sculptor Greg Duncan is carving the region’s history in breathtaking scale – scenes of the Central Highlands on three-metre tall wooden panels 100m long.
Down the road (5km away from Derwent Bridge), Lake St Clair is Australia’s deepest freshwater lake.
Tasmanian tigers used to roam in these parts. Sometimes you hear of an ‘unconfirmed’ sighting reported by the vividly imaginative or mildly intoxicated.
50- HIKE STRATHGORDON DAM
Tasmania’s tallest dam was recently part of a Guinness World Record basketball shot.
Located in south-west Tasmania, The Gordon Dam, a seventies creation, has a mind-bending double curvature arch which acts as a spillway across the Gordon River and the reservoir.
Higher than the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the wall holds back 30 times more water than the Sydney Harbour.
Australian troupe ‘How Ridiculous’ known for their YouTube videos featuring trick basketball shots, broke their world record for the highest-altitude basketball shot.
The troupe successfully swished the basketball hoop from atop the dam.