Tasmania
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Across Australia are natural wonders second to none. Ancient sites echo the time of our indigenous people and land and sea formations forged over time are humbling in their grandeur.
Collections of fine art and fascinating exhibits in the many galleries and museums illustrate Australia's passion for the beautiful and unusual. While the abundance of amusement parks and zoos show Aussies take their recreation time very seriously!
There's a lot more to Australia than perfect beaches and cute wildlife! When it comes to Australian tourist attractions consider some of the featured attractions.
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Central Highlands
Lake country, which includes the largest lake, the Great Lake, gives way to tall forests with stunning waterfalls.
Into the Highlands flows the Derwent River, through fertile croplands towards the mountains and majestic wilderness.
Further afield from the farmlands and into the Highlands sees the terrain change as rivers crisscross up into the Central Plateau. Here, thousands of years of pounding waters have carved cliffs and forged the depths of Lake St Clair - the country's deepest lake.
Lake country, which includes the largest lake, the Great Lake, gives way to tall forests with stunning waterfalls. |
A land rich in heritage, the Central Highlands is a living record of the pioneering settlers who developed the region. In all their glory, historic towns like New Norfolk have streets lined with the majestic buildings from yesteryear.
The countryside rugged on the most part is dotted with pretty farmlands and orchards. Running across the land, a system of lakes and rivers provides some of the best freshwater fly fishing in the world and an abundance of salmon and trout.
Past the farmlands and river estuaries lay the hills and mountains of the Highlands. The Central Plateau is a striking reminder of an ice age thousands of years ago when glaciers scarred the terrain creating jagged cliffs and the eventual bed of Lake St Clair.
Into the Highlands flows the Derwent River, through fertile croplands towards the mountains and majestic wilderness.
Further afield from the farmlands and into the Highlands sees the terrain change as rivers crisscross up into the Central Plateau. Here, thousands of years of pounding waters have carved cliffs and forged the depths of Lake St Clair - the country's deepest lake.
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Hobart & South East
Nestled near the mouth of the Derwent River and with the majestic Mount Wellington as its backdrop, is the capital city of Hobart. Out beyond the mouth of the Derwent lies Storm Bay and several islands, while rocky outcrops mark the turbulent coastline.
The city of Hobart is a clever merging of times and styles. Still strongly reminiscent of its elegant heritage, the city, and its neighbouring town of Richmond even more so, have preserved their past in historical buildings and sites, such as the Old Richmond Gaol.
Nearby is Coal River Valley, known for its acclaimed vineyards. The surrounding rolling hills are the perfect place to relax in a cosy country-style bed and breakfast where you can put your feet up after an afternoon of wine tasting at any of the local wineries.
Along the waterfront of the city are chic cafes, restaurants and boutiques that have retained that atmosphere of yesteryear when the streets were busy with soldiers and sailors from the whaling ships. In the bay itself rest classic fishing boats and yachts, they make a pretty scene for the weekend Salamanca Markets where local produce and arts and crafts are laid out under colourful street tents. |
The state capital of Hobart is in the south east at the base of Mt Wellington and near the Derwent River. Offshore, on the way south toward the Huon are North and South Bruny Islands and Storm Bay. Bruny Islands consist of gentle green lands and dramatic coastlines.
Continuing south to Southport and Dover the hidden dolomite caverns and Hastings and Lune River are stunning landmarks, while inland are huge expanses of parklands including Hartz Mountains National Park and South West National Park.
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Launcenton & North East
This northern city, nearly as big as Hobart, is rich with the history of its colonial heritage and the mining and shipping days if its past.
Built around the grand Tamar River, the streets of Launceston are lined with heritage buildings of the Victorian era. Take a tour of the Waverley Wool Mills; built over 130 years ago it is still fully operational producing fine fabrics from the local merino wool farming industry.
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Wood is a treasured natural resource in Tasmania. In Launceston, the Wood Design Collection Centre is a tribute to the beautiful local timbers and resident artists and displays a selection of finely crafted wood pieces.
For further artistic collections visit the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery which includes historical pieces from the colonial days and the Launceston Railway Workshops. A peaceful stroll through the Chinese temple and planetarium at Royal Park is a relaxed way to wind up a day of sight seeing.
For sights of nature, there are plenty around the city. Cataract Gorge has always been a popular natural attraction to visit. Its steep rocky walls are a draw card for abseiling enthusiasts while its lush green lawns and fern glades are perfect for a picnic.
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North West
The green fields of the North West are a gentle scene beyond the wild waters of Bass Strait. The Rocky Cape headland juts dramatically out into the sea, but is softened with lush bush land and native orchids.
The Rock Cape National Park reaches from the Cape itself and wraps around Sisters Beach. The land surrounding the park has long been tended as farming lands. These fertile green hills stretch down to the waters edge.
The town of Burnie has a history as a busy shipping port and is situated on the Bass Highway. Further west is the township of Stanley, a historic village located on a peninsula-like headland that sweeps out into Bass Strait. At Stanley is Circular Head and The Nut, a steep rock plateau rising sharply from the surrounding sea.
Stanley was originally built as a base for the local farming industries. Fishing and grazing were the main ventures and the success of the day can be seen in the historic stone cottages and the old government building of Highfield built in 1832.
Further west the town of Smithton is a productive agricultural region within the North West, while dairy farming is perfectly suited to the lush green hills around Edith Creek. Surrounding these rich farming regions are native forests thick with tall old trees.
Further into the forests of the far west area of Marrawah the last living Tasmanian Tiger was captured in the wild. These unusual striped animals are now believed to be extinct, although suspected sightings continue to be reported in the same area. |
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South West
An ancient land of dramatic scenery, the South West is the heartland of Tasmania's wilderness. Some of the rock formations here are millions of years old, while the forests themselves are ancient too. Grand old trees dwarf anyone who stands beside them, and for tree huggers getting your arms around these giants is no mean feat!
The wilderness here is no ordinary place; it has been World Heritage Listed for its unspoiled beauty, its ancient landscape and its ecological wonders. Thundering waterfalls of clear icy mountain water flow down to myriad rivers and streams. A lush undergrowth of delicate fernery decorates the riverbanks and poke up from between ancient mossy boulders.
The Huon Pine is revered in the towns of Strahan and Tullah where wood smiths have worked the mellow timber for generations. The fine grain and fragrant wood of the very old Huon Pine forests has been used for special furniture designs and instrument making.
The region is known well for its mining ventures. Queenstown, Zeehan, Rosebery and Waratah are districts all with a mining past where minerals including copper, silver, gold and tin where commonly mined.
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Tasman Peninsula
A line of dramatic cliffs and coastline marks the stunning Tasman Peninsula. This island-like peninsula is nearly cut off from the mainland, which made it perfect as a penal colony in its dramatic past.
Port Arthur is a well-known site for its notorious history. Visitors can walk among the ruins and get a glimpse into the lives of the convicts of the day. Convicts where kept here in an island gaol where escape was impossible.
The small link to the mainland was blocked by ferocious dogs and the dark waters surrounding the island were believed to be filled with menacing sharks. This was enough to turn off most escapees.
Away from the fascinating penal colony is a region of spectacular beauty and culture. Cool climate wines are a speciality and are a perfect accompaniment to the local gourmet delights of oysters, octopus, quail and venison. |
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Photo courtesy Tourism Tasmania
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