Surrounded by the pristine waters of the Southern Ocean, the island’s scale makes travelling distances more manageable, allowing visitors to encounter a huge variety of unspoilt environments and World Heritage sites. Alpine meadows, dense rainforests, ancient lakes and mountain peaks are awash with thriving indigenous wildlife, while fertile farms produce delicious organic food and wine, rightly earning Tasmania a glowing reputation in gastronomic circles. The wealth of bush trekking aside, the landscape offers a host of other activities, from fly-fishing and horse riding, to sailing and sea kayaking.
Until the first European settlers arrived in the beginning of the 19th century, Tasmanian Aborigines were isolated for nearly ten thousand years, leaving behind a physical and spiritual legacy evident throughout the island.
To experience the relaxed Tasmanian version of city life, the Victorian town of Launceston and the larger capital Hobart both sport elegant harbour fronts with thriving restaurant and café scenes - the perfect setting for lazy evenings watching the sunset before another exhilarating day in the wilds.
