Shivangi Ambani-Gandhi
When convicts were shipped from
The Franklin-Gordon Rivers gush through the World Heritage protected national park in wild abandon, making for an excellent multi-day rafting experience. Gigantic waves come crashing to Tasmanian shores all the way from
I began my introduction to Tassie, as the Aussies call it, in the coastal city of Hobart, which is protected from the icy winds of the Roaring ‘40s by the towering Mount Wellington. Just a short 10-minute drive out of the city centre, there is a trail leading to beautiful springs in
Meanwhile, a stroll through the carefully preserved Georgian cottages of Battery Point and the original cemetery in the historic St David’s Park will reveal the city’s historic significance. By the waterfront, the row of tastefully restored Georgian warehouses form the famous Salamanca Place which houses restaurants, cafés, shops and an excellent arts centre. The mellow sandstone buildings come alive every Saturday when the open air Salamanca Markets bring local produce—jams, pickles, condiments, fudge, home-baked breads and biscuits—and crafts to the city.
Fresh produce, including excellent seafood, also makes its way into
The half-hour ferry from
A narrow isthmus called the Neck, links North and
You can also take cruises around the coast to view wild dolphins and seals. I decided to drive through the renowned national park inst
ead and began with a leisurely lunch at the Hothouse Café at Adventure Bay. The excellent views over the isthmus, canopied picnic tables, local wines and delicious focaccias and wraps freshly prepared make this a perfect spot for a relaxing lunch.
Then I head to the southern edge of the island—Cape Bruny Lighthouse, the second-oldest manned-lighthouse in
The Rivers Run
The Derwent River snakes across western Tasmania from the snow-capped peaks of Lake St Claire National Park, and I drove upstream through the fertile towns along its banks. This route is dubbed the Rivers Run by the travel brochures—not without reason.
Although a state highway, the road is mostly a two lane road and extremely quiet—I could hear the gentle flow of water in the river alongside almost all along. This road trip created a sense of gentle pace, of stillness and of a world without deadlines for a city-dweller like me.
Lake St Claire
Arriving at the grand Lake St Claire, I know I have made it into the heart of the high country. The lake is at the southern end of the six-day walk on the famous Overland Track, and you will see the ferry bring in bushwalkers—their clothes and shoes caked with mud, and an irrepressible smile brought by the experience.
However, you don’t need to walk too far to see the region’s natural beauty. The viewing platform just across the visitor centre offers a fantastic view over the still waters of the lake, which perfectly reflect the snow peaks on the other end.
A short walk to Watersmeet, takesme to the cascading rivers that feed the lake. Further into the national park, the brochure says, I may spot the elusive platypus. Here, the boardwalk disappears into a narrow mud path. From here on, I am intruding into nature, and I want to leave as small a footprint as possible. The walk is beautiful, the trees buffer me from the world outside, and the lake goes golden under the setting sun.
Tiny sand beaches line the walk—they seem like postcards from a Robinson Crusoe adventure. Dusk is the best time to view the platypus, and I wait patiently by the designated viewing spot.
However, this does not mean that Tassie will disappoint—it is rather that surprise gem you find when you least expect it. On the walk back, I encounter the friendliest wallabies—half a dozen of them, gently grazing away. No brochure had told me about them.
The
In the twilight, I journey further towards the west coast. The snow-capped mountains lie just ahead and the moon is pinned up on a purple sky, the lakes glittering silver in its light.
Approaching the mining town of Queenstown, the trees disappear suddenly. The hillsides of Mt Lyell have seen the upheaval of a mining frenzy, leaving this town looking like a bare, dramatic lunar landscape. Although the original open cut copper mine is long gone, underground mining continues till date, with the ore being exported to
Apparently, residents are quite protective of this landscape and don’t want the trees to grow back. However, environmentalists who are looked upon with disdain at Queenstown, are heroes just a few miles west.
The Green movement successfully campaigned against flooding the wild
Near Strahan is the impressive 33-km stretch of Ocean Beach. Behind the beach, the sand stretches into the 30-metre high Henty Dunes. I climbed up one of these dunes for some great views and came tumbling, rollicking down. You can also rent sand boards at Strahan, or take a quad bike ride through these beauties.
I walked into my rustic cottage at the Cradle Mountains Highlander and welcoming me in, were wallabies just outside the door. Once you are in
Among the short walks starting at the visitor centre, the Pencil Pine walk takes you through the magnificent native Pencil Pine trees, which can be seen only in Tasmania. The Enchanted Walk takes you through the rainforest, past a beautiful stream and is littered with interpretation tents that your kids will love.
At
However, in
I know I have to return here—not to tick those remaining boxes, but to journey further. There is no itinerary of highlights that you can tick off; only soothing moments for soul searching. There are no souvenirs to buy; only moments to cherish.
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