While Devonport has an airport with regular flights to and from Melbourne, it is better known for its iconic passenger and vehicle ferries, the Spirit of Tasmania I and II. As they wind their way slowly up the Mersey River, making a sharp turn into port, they skirt the city so closely, many onlookers remark that it seems like they are "driving" up the main street in town. Devonport’s permanent population is only just over 20,000, so the arrival of the big passenger ships swells the population appreciably when they arrive.

Mainland Australians know Devonport as an ideal place to begin a Tasmanian vacation. It is blessed with beautiful countryside and the town itself has a relaxing, welcoming feel to it. Not surprisingly, the restaurants in Devonport are heralded as some of Tasmania’s finest. Local restaurant owners take their pick of the best seafood that comes into port each day and have Australia’s freshest produce practically at their doorstep.

Aside from dining, there are plenty of other activities for visitors in and around Devonport. The Don River Railway is one of the most popular family attractions in the vicinity. Owned and managed entirely by volunteers, attractions include a fascinating railway museum and a half hour ride on a genuine restored steam train. For the artistically inclined, there is the Devonport Regional Gallery, which displays primarily contemporary art by Tasmanian artists. Another popular Devonport attraction is the fascinating maritime museum and its wonderful collection of model boats, chronicling the history of sailing from the age of the great sailing vessels to current times.

Many visitors to Devonport use the town as a base from which to explore Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair. The Cradle Mountain-Lake St Claire National Park owes a debt of gratitude to Gustav Weindorfer, a migrant from Austria who fell in love with the pristine wilderness and made it his goal to have the area declared a National Park. Weidorfer began his efforts in 1912 and within his lifetime saw his dream come true. Today, the park is a World Heritage listed site.

There is something for every nature lover at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Those who are looking for a challenge find it in the 40 mile (65km), six day Overland Trail hike from Cradle Mountain to the north shore of Lake St. Clair. If you’re only in the area for a short time or don’t wish to do serious hiking, yet want to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, you can go on the twenty minute "Enchanted Walk."  Of course, most visitors take much longer than 20 minutes to complete the walk, stopping to soak in the sights along the way.

You will love everything about your visit to Devonport and Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Take your cue from the thousands of visitors who preceded you and make your Devonport accommodation your "base of operations." This way, you can enjoy all the region has to offer in comfort and style.

Stanley is a very old town. It was first established in 1825 and by 1845, Stanley had a school and a post office. Fishing has always been a primary industry in Stanley, but today, fishing vies with tourism as its major industry. What’s the attraction of Stanley to tourists? Aside from the many local attractions, Stanley is your jumping off point to the Tarkine Wilderness and the unsurpassed natural beauty of the rugged northwest coast of Tasmania.

The best known landmark in Stanley is the Nut. The Nut is a volcanic plug that juts skyward some 143 metres (almost 470 feet) out at the tip of the peninsula around which Stanley was built. There are two ways to get to the top of the Nut: the hard way and the easy way. The hard way is to climb to the top. The easy way is to take the chairlift up. Once there, you are greeted by breathtaking vistas, all the way “to the edge of the world” and beyond.

The attractions you will find in Stanley are primarily of the natural variety and primarily aquatic. The most popular tours in town are the platypus, seal and penguin tours and at the Seaquarium, you can get to see and even touch many exotic sea creatures you may never have the opportunity to see elsewhere.

The Tarkine Wilderness emcompasses 350,000 hectares of some of the most breathtaking and often inaccessible landscape you will ever see. Because of its inaccessibility, the Tarkine remains home to many species of wildlife that face extinction elsewhere. Some of them, like the graceful Wedge-tail eagle, you can see soaring in the skies. Others you may be lucky enough to stumble across as you hike on trails in the more accessible regions of the wilderness.

One way you can see a portion of the Tarkine Wilderness that would otherwise be impossible for most of us to see is to go to Dismal Swamp. As uninviting as its name sounds, Dismal Swamp, a natural sinkhole, is anything but a dismal experience. You can get to it on foot on the trail provided for visitors or you can take the safe but thrilling enclosed slide to the base. Once there, you explore the wilderness without doing it any environmental damage as you walk out the cantilevered walkway at the Visitor Center and look down at the magnificent Blackwood trees beneath you.

Back in Stanley, you settle down in your comfortable Stanley accommodation in preparation for your next day’s adventures. These run the gamut from lovely rooms in stately hotels to cozy self-contained cottages. Once you get to Stanley, you will want to stay longer than anticipated, so bear that in mind before you book your accommodation.

Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, has a wonderful mix of the historical mingled with the cosmopolitan and offers a variety of attractions including art galleries, fine dining, a lively music and theatrical scene and plenty of outdoor activities nearby. If wine tasting is on your agenda, just outside of the city are some of Tasmania’s best wineries.

As a central point for a holiday, Hobart offers ample dining and accommodation options while just a short distance from the city the unique features of the area are waiting to be explored.

Nearby Mount Wellington offers spectacular views of the area from its high vantage point, offering a panoramic look at the city of Hobart and its harbour, the Derwent Valley, Kingston, Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula. On a clear day it presents a great opportunity for photos and is well worth the 21 km drive.

A bit further from the city, a great experience is waiting at Devil’s @ Cradle. Located near the entrance to the Cradle Mountain National Park, this sanctuary is dedicated to the preservation of the Tasmanian Devil and is a wonderful addition to a holiday itinerary. The best time to visit is during the evening feeding, as the Tassies are very active at that time and you might even get a chance to pet one of the cute creatures. Contrary to popular myth, the Devils are typically more curious than aggressive. The sanctuary is run by a dedicated and knowledgeable staff with the goal of protecting the species and educating the public.

Walking along the treetops is a fantastic adventure and not to be missed if coming to Tasmania. Tahune Forest Airwalk at Geeveston, which is about a 90 minute drive from Hobart, allows visitors the chance to traverse the Airwalk and gain a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area and the forest canopy from several steel walks suspended at 20 meters above the forest floor. There are also suspension bridges that overlook the Huon and Picton Rivers with beautiful views of the mountains off in the distance. Once completing the Airwalk, there are plenty of walking paths on the forest floor that offer beautiful scenery throughout the area.

There are many other destinations worth exploring. Hobart is a wonderful destination for the entire family and Tasmania is a bit of Heaven on Earth.

About the author:
My name is Keith Palmer and I live in Brisbane, Australia. I was thinking about visiting Tasmania for a long time. After seeing lots of documentaries I decided to go. I took a flight with Student Flights, a travel agency that offers really cheap flights and at the same time I arranged a car hire. I stayed at Wrest Point hotel in Hobart.

The town is about a two-hour drive north of Hobart, and it offers an incredible variety of holiday activities. From golf and hiking, to scuba diving and boating, to just lazing around in the sun and going out for dinner, there are endless ways to spend your days in the sun all around Bicheno.

The town was originally called Waubs Boat Harbour, named for an Aboriginal woman who is said to have saved two settlers whose boat smashed on rocks in a storm in the 19^th century. Once a whaling centre , then a coal town, Bicheno was almost abandoned in the late 1800s when local miners left to follow the Victoria gold rush. For years, it stayed a sleepy fishing village, until the 1940s, when vacationers discovered the region was still rich in tourism possibilities.

Bicheno is natural playground. The coastal waters are home to incredible coral reefs and migrating humpback whales. On land, there are dozens of lovely wineries, pristine golf courses and incredible nature hikes. The nearby Freycinet National Park has incredible walks along the beautiful East Coast headlands, and nearby Wineglass Bay is said to be one of the best beaches in the world.

When it comes to finding the perfect place to stay, there are great Bicheno accommodation options for every kind of vacation. From pretty campgrounds and caravan parks, to vacation cottages and guesthouses, to full-service beach resorts, there are great choices available for everyone here.

Whether you are bringing the love of your life for romantic dinners, wine tours, and long walks at sunset along the soft beach in Wineglass Bay, or you’re coming to explore the history of the town at the Old Court House and Gaol, your visit to Bicheno promises to be memorable.

The kids will love walking along the sandbar at low tide to spy on the colony of fairy penguins living on nearby Diamond Island, and a visit to the dozens of species making their home at the East Coast Birdlife and Animal Park.

If you want to play in the water, there are deep-sea fishing excursions, scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming and even glass bottom boat tours. You can also spend hours exploring the shoreline and the waves in a sea kayak.

Make sure to work up an appetite! The rivers and coast line are rich with Australian salmon, scallops and abalone, which makes its way into the fresh and wonderful cuisine in the region’s world class restaurants.

You must also make sure to pay a visit to Bicheno’s famous Rocking Rock, a massive granite boulder that actually sways with the movement of the tide, creating a spectacular blowhole that will soak you if you get too close.

So whether you’re planning an active family escape of swimming, scuba and sunshine, a golf trip with friends, or a relaxing vacation of fine dining and fine wine, you can find exactly what you need right in the heart of Bicheno, Tasmania.

The most popular project is on Brampton Island, located off the central Queensland coast. Volunteers work to remove invasive weeds from the national park’s sensitive beach scrub habitat, clean beaches of plastics and other ocean debris and conduct informal wildlife and coral surveys. A guided hike offers insights to the area’s unique biodiversity and the interactions between the island, surrounding reefs, ocean and mainland. During free time, volunteers have the opportunity to go snorkelling, explore the island’s hidden beaches or just sit under a tree with a good book. Project dates run from April to November. For more information on Wild Mob’s Brampton Island conservation project, visit:

http://www.wildmob.org/projects/brampton-island-conservation-project

Wollemi National Park plays host to another of Wild Mob’s environmental conservation programs. This newly created project is based just west of Sydney, set within Wollemi National Park’s breathtaking views of canyons, cliffs and undisturbed forests. Volunteers take part in species surveys, designed to help track and eradicate introduced feral cats, dogs and other animals, along with general park maintenance work. Informal Indigenous cultural education helps volunteers better understand the region’s natural processes and the customs of the local Wiradjuri people. For free time, volunteers can swim in the area’s pristine waters, hike its remote forests or canoe through its quiet wetlands. Project dates run from April to October. For more information on Wild Mob’s Wollemi conservation project, visit:

http://www.wildmob.org/projects/wollemi-conservation-project

Wild Mob’s other conservation projects include coastal restoration work in Tasmania, endangered wallaby protection in Queensland, and invasive weed eradication in Mt Kosciuszko National Park. Wild Mob supplies all tents, food and equipment for projects. Groups are always welcome – including school groups and families, and private bookings can be arranged. For more information, visit www.wildmob.org, call (0)7 3369 9665 or e-mail info@wildmob.org.

Nestled on the east coast of Tasmania, about one hundred kilometres north of Hobart, Freycinet is the oldest national park in Tasmania, founded back in 1916. The park covers most of the Freycinet Peninsula, a sunny plot of land, covered with eucalyptus forest, and ringed with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. On average, this stunning peninsula sees more than 300 days of sunshine every year.

Being one of the oldest national parks in Australia, there have been plenty of facilities built here to suit every visitor and every kind of vacation. Whether you want to spoil yourself with luxury Freycinet accommodation, incredible views and world class restaurants, or you would prefer a more back-to-nature experience at a campground, you can find the perfect place in Freycinet.

You can stay right in Freycinet National Park itself, at a lovely campsite or at the historic Freycinet Lodge. There are also lots of charming hotels, bed and breakfasts and self-catering villas and cottages all around the region, and the nearby villages of Coles Bay, Swansea and Bicheno offer a wide range of accommodations.

Whether you are looking for a family beach vacation in a perfect ocean cottage with a view, or a romantic escape at one of the stylish private cabins at the Freycinet Lodge, a visit to Freycinet will put you in the heart of some of Tasmania’s most stunning scenery.

The peninsula was home to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people for more than 30,000 years, trading and hunting across the entire east coast. It was named in 1802 after the French navigator Louis de Freycinet, and settled by Welsh immigrants who built the towns and the farms out of the rocky headlands. Once a centre for whaling and bushrangers in the 19^th century, today peaceful Freycinet is a vacationer’s dream.

The perfect half moon-shaped curve of Wineglass Bay has been named as one of the top ten beaches in the world by several international travel magazines. Whether you spend your day scuba diving or kayaking along the picturesque shores, or just playing in the soft white sand, this sheltered cove offers everything you need for a lovely day at the beach.

Another of the top draws in Freycinet is hiking. Whether you plan a short 20-minute walk around the lovely Cape Tourville, or you take on the challenge of the two-day Freycinet Circuit, the varied terrain, dramatic seaside cliffs and incredible coastal views offer some of the most scenic walking trails in all of Australia.

Birdwatchers come here to watch the sea eagles soar, the gannets dive, and to visit the Moulting Lagoon Game Reserve, a rich and diverse wetland. Food lovers come for the fresh ingredients and the world class cuisine. Wildlife enthusiasts love the whale watching excursions into the Tasman Sea, where humpback whales migrate and dolphins play.

Whatever you plan for your perfect vacation, whether it’s a week of camping and rock-climbing, or a weekend getaway of wine and fine dining, you are bound to find what you are looking for in Freycinet, Tasmania.

While its unspoiled natural beauty and mild climate attract visitors all year ’round, St Helens really comes to life in March each year, when the St. Helens Gaming Fishing Classic is held. As the records tumble and fishermen from all over the world learn about the abundance of game fish in the waters off north-eastern Tasmania, the Fishing Classic is increasingly achieving world renowned status. Over 20 Australian records have been broken here over the years and a further half dozen world records for southern bluefish tuna.

Aside from the fact that 120kg (nearly 265lbs) blue fin tuna are regularly caught off the shores of St. Helens and that marlin fishermen have caught as many as 200 of these elusive trophies in a single season, another remarkable fact about fishing in St Helens is that you needn’t look very hard to find them. You can be doing serious deep water fishing within half an hour of leaving the boat ramp on one of the many chartered fishing vessels that are available in the area.

As the largest town in north-eastern Tasmania, St Helens also serves as the place where northern Tasmanians go for entertainment. The biggest event of the year is the annual Suncoast Jazz Festival, held here each year in June. The biggest names in Australian jazz turn up each year, both to entertain the crowds and to play with each other. One of the highlights of the festival is the "mix and match" registration system, which teams individual musicians with each other for 30 minute sessions. For 16 hours a day in late June, music fills the air in St. Helens. Close your eyes and you could be in New Orleans! The grand finale of the Suncoast Jazz Festival is a huge public concert and street parade.

Needless to say, you can enjoy some of the finest seafood in the world in St. Helens. Aside from seafood, though, St. Helens offers an abundance of other culinary delights. Apples, blueberries and raspberries are free for the picking in surrounding areas and many of the vegetable dishes on offer are locally grown in the rich soil of the surrounding region. Wine lovers will not be disappointed, either, since many award winning cool climate wines are produced in the region.

St. Helens, Tasmania may have a small population, but it is large in attractions in the Freycinet area. While the fisherman in the family is out breaking world records, everyone else can enjoy the magnificent scenery while bushwalking and feasting on wild blueberries. Back in town, you can spend hours browsing in the quaint shops, enjoying fresh and delicious food (St Helens is famous for its "Elephant Pancakes" – both sweet and savoury) or just relaxing in this wonderful and unspoiled corner of the world.

One of the leading drawcards of Cradle Mountain is the challenging Overland Track. This winding, sometimes arduous journey of 40 miles (65km) takes you over and around towering dolomite cliffs, across ice cold glacial streams and through unspoiled wilderness teeming with Tasmania’s unique flora and fauna. The journey begins at Cradle Mountain itself and finishes at the magnificent Lake St Clair. Over time, word regarding the Overland Track has spread by word of mouth until today; it is one of the world’s most famous treks. In order to protect the environment and make sure that the area is preserved for generations to come, the Australian Parks and Wildlife Service, together with its Tasmanian counterpart has taken actions to reduce the potential threat hikers pose to the vulnerable environment surrounding the Overland Track.

It’s not only hikers who’re drawn to  the Cradle Mountain area, either. Tasmania’s dolerite cliff faces are sought after by rock climbers from around the world. Tasmania’s highest peak, Mt. Ossa lies inside the National Park boundaries and is usually the visiting rock climber’s first stop in Tasmania. At almost a mile high, Mt. Ossa offers challenges to all or any levels of climbers. Often, after successful Mt. Ossa, climber’s then move on towards the challenge of Frenchman’s Gap, inside the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

While Mt. Ossa is Tasmania’s highest mountain, Lake St. Clair is Australia’s deepest lake. It is estimated that the movement of glaciers over a period of two million years is the reason for carving out this 623 foot (190 meters) deep lake – the supply of the Derwent River. Lake St. Clair is the reward for hikers on the Overland Track. Once they finally reach their destination, they can make a choice from staying in the lap of luxury in one of the lodges around the lake or camping out in among the well-appointed campgrounds. Many tourists to Lake St. Clair arrive by car and spend their days fishing for the trout that populate its pristine waters. As they do with the Overland Track, park authorities control use of the lake, to be able to reduce human impact and protect stocks of fish.

If you don’t need to fish, but would like to enjoy the spectacular scenery on the water, you might take the popular ferry trip across the 11 mile (18km) length of the lake. Many visitors to the region are so mesmerized by its splendour that they do very little at all except absorb the view from as many perspectives as possible, from land or from the placid waters of Lake St Clair.

There is a saying that Tasmania’s tourist bureau uses in its ad campaign: "Tasmania: A world apart, not a world away." This really is true of all Tasmania, but it is very true of Cradle Mountain, Tasmania. Even though it’s so close to a major metropolitan area, as soon as you arrive there, you feel like you’re in "a world apart." Time stands still while you fix your eyes on upon the same unspoiled vistas the aboriginals enjoyed many hundreds of years ago. After you have experienced it in person, you will never forget it. Cradle Mountain, Tasmania could even change your life.

Residents are treated to four separate seasons a year with the warmest being January and February. The coldest weather can be experienced in July. Winters are usually cool and the calm atmosphere is conducive to fog.

The city is concentrated enough to make exploring its many attractions quick and easy. Launceston accommodation options offer something for every budget. A boardwalk runs between Cataract Gorge, the cultural district and the seaport. The urban reserve known by locals as The Gorge, is the perfect place for a nature walk. The cliff boasts a pathway high above the South Esk River.

The chairlift offers a breathtaking trip across The Gorge with a panoramic view of the splendor below. More spectacular views can be found at the cafe at First Basin. Diners can walk along the beach after their meal. Travel around to the northern side and Cliff Grounds where the shady environment is home to ferns and exotic plants of all types. Peacocks and wallabies make this area home and the observant hiker may even catch a glimpse of one or the other.

The culture centre is found at Inveresk Precinct. Its location was the site of the old rail yards and station that used to operate there. The buildings are mostly conversions of old workshops. Now they house an impressive collection of exhibits and artefacts relevant to Tasmania. Just a short distance away is Royal Park where the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery are located.

For those who admire fine architecture, a walk through Central Business District is mandatory. A host of Victorian and Georgian buildings built in the 19th century have been lovingly preserved. Holyman House is a fine example of art deco design, as is Lucks Corner. Rare Brutalist architecture can be seen at the Police Station, the ANZ building and Henty House. For a glimpse of Egyptian Revival, stop by the Launceston synagogue.

The Wine Route runs along both river banks northward and then heads east toward a region called Pipers River. Vineyards dot the countryside with quaint restaurants and the opportunity to enjoy the many fine wines including Rieslings, Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs. Hillwood Strawberry Farm offers the chance to pick fresh fruit. Seahorse World and Platypus World are popular destinations found at Beauty Point.

Tourists will find many fine dining establishments to try. The Country Club Casino is a place to play golf as well as participate in a little gambling. The adventurous may explore the wetland area while cruising along the Tamar River. The city centre contains City Park with its Japanese Macaque monkey exhibit and Albert Hall.

There is plenty to keep anyone busy during a visit to northern Tasmania and the city of Launceston. Whether you enjoy dining on fine regional foods, drinking fine regional wines or spending time in the beautiful surroundings, it is sure to be a holiday to remember.

The prisoners at Port Arthur produced many of the basics that they needed. They made shoes and leather goods, clothing and wooden tools. In this way, the prison population was largely self-sufficient. However, this was no idyllic community. The prisoners worked in chain gangs and beatings were not uncommon. Port Arthur came to be known as ‘hell on Earth’. Port Arthur accommodation, thankfully, would not be described this way!

The tourist industry at Port Arthur began to take hold as early as the 1920′s. After the prison closed, the name of Port Arthur was changed to Carnavon in an effort to shake off its dark history. However, tourists were very interested in the original convict settlement. Therefore, it was renamed Port Arthur in the 1920′s. Since then, it has been a tourist destination for Australians and visitors from around the world.

Today, visitors can take guided tours of the many original prison buildings at Port Arthur. You can also visit the island which is home to the graves of prisoners, known as the Island of the Dead. The suffering and death which occurred at Port Arthur has led to many ghost tales. The night ghost tour is devoted to the ghost stories surrounding the settlement.

In contrast to the dark history of Port Arthur, the area is recognized for its natural beauty. Hiking, caving and boating are some of the activities which tourists enjoy while visiting the area.

It is wise to book your accommodation well in advance because Port Arthur is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. The inns, Bed and Breakfasts and hotels tend to fill up quickly, particularly in the summer. Because Port Arthur is located on an island, there are not as many accommodation options as there are in sprawling cities.

There are a number of small independently run accommodation options in Port Arthur. These include pubs with accommodation, bed and breakfasts, and boutique hotels. You can also find self-catering lodges and cabins which include a kitchen. Many are positioned with views of the Port Arthur bay. Other options include motor home resorts. An RV can be one of the cheapest choices for accommodation in Port Arthur. Hotels and motels are another possibility. They usually have a large number of rooms, which can be especially helpful when travelling in a large group.