5 unique experiences in Tasmania to inspire the wanderlust in you!
Tasmania, otherwise known as Tassie, is Australia's very own intimate size of paradise. There is something for everyone here. Are you into history? Then you'll be happy to know that Tasmania has an important role to play in Australia's history. Or are you a nature lover? Tassies are also known to be tree-huggers, and since they are well known for their national parks, there will be lots of opportunities for tree-hugging all of your own.
Here are the top five Tassie experiences all laid out to appease your wanderlust appetite.
1. Port Arthur Historic Site
Located an hour southeast of Hobart on the Tasman Peninsula. If you are interested in history then a visit to Port Arthur is time well spent. Learn how a former convict settlement in the 1800's became a World Heritage Historical site with more than 30 buildings. Some of the buildings include a hospital, church, officer's quarters and asylum. All of the structures, except for the asylum, were built later by convict labour.
There is plenty of time to wander at your own pace, and you cannot help, but notice the peaceful stillness, strangely at odds with its violent past: the 1996 scene of the worst mass murder event in post-colonial Australian history.
If you have a heart of steel, embark on the nightly Ghost Tour which brings you to some of Port Arthur's more infamous buildings where paranormal activity has been known to occur.
Test your mettle by embarking on the Port Arthur Ghost Tour.
2. Mona-Museum of Old and New Art
It is definitely one of the best places to go in Hobart, Tasmania!
It is known to be the most stunning contemporary arts museum in the world which is why it draws in visitors from across the world. The "N" in Mona stands for new art which is primarily what this museum is famous for. Your senses will be exhilarated as some of the art is actually so interactive that a visitor can actually become an artist for that moment! Also, with a backdrop of the wall lit up, there are falling words made out of water. To see it in real life and time, you will be totally thrilled!
One of the yearly highlight would be the winter festival Dark Mofo hosted by Mona. Dark Mofo celebrates the dark through public art, music, light and noise. This year particularly would include performances by international musicians and artists; a new program Dark and Dangerous Thoughts comprising a curated showcase of literature, film and ideas; and the annual Nude Solstice Swim where hundreds of brave souls plunge into the River Derwent in their birthday suits to welcome back the return of the light after the longest night.
Why not gift your senses a visual treat at Dark Mofo.
3. Bridestowe Lavender Estate
Lavender has always been part of the touristic experience right here in northern Tassie! It is the largest privately-owned lavender farm in the world. It is incredibly breath-taking: carpeted in purple it is such a soothing sight to behold, and a pleasing sensation for your nostrils with all the sweet scent of lavender in the air. You will not fail to catch a whiff of its magnificient smell.
The best time to be there would be in December and January in order to see the full bloom. Nevertheless, you can have the full lavender experience, right here at Bridestowe! You can take home with you products such as gourmet lavender honey/ gourmet lavender tea and you can round it off with lavender ice-cream. Yum!
Otherwise you can take a stroll in the farm or put your photography skills to the test. Visitors also get to dine in their woodcroft cafe and enjoy their own creation of lavender inspired cuisines, such as pancakes and brownies.
Get lost in the fields of purple flowers, fill your lungs with the fresh air and feel the caress of the light breeze on your skin at Bridestowe Lavender Estate.
4. Tasmanian Devil
The Tasmanian Devils are the island's most iconic creatures as they are the world's largest surviving carnivorous marsupials. The devils are solely scavengers. They lay low in the day and roam in the night in search of dead and dying preys. Since food pickings when you are a scavenger is pretty slim, they will eat everything, the fur, bone, tail, claws, fingernails, skulls, and all the insides, you name it, the devils will eat it. This is because they have the most bone crushing powerful jaws on earth. The Tasmanian Devils have the strongest bite force of any living mammal on earth. Though they look cute, their name says it all, the Tasmanian Devil.
Tasmanian Devil as their name suggests, can only be found in one place- Tasmania.
Make a date with the Devil at Tasmanian Devil Unzoo.
5. Turning of the Fagus
The native Fagus tree presents a glorious seasonal display as its leaves changes colour, showing off brilliant hues of red, yellow, orange and gold. The Fagus is Australia's only cold-climate deciduous tree and is found nowhere else in the world except the remote highland regions of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The best time to visit would be during late April and early May.
The best places to capture this remarkable only-in- Tasmania display are at the northern end of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and Mount Field National Park around Lake Fenton.
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