Australia is a country as diverse as it is beautiful, but if you’d rather skip the cities and get in touch with your natural side, Tasmania is the place for you. It may be an island, but its dramatic peaks, rivers and rainforests are home to an abundance of wildlife and there are plenty of treks on offer so you can see it all. Here are five of our favourite Tassie walks.
Cradle Mountain Huts Walk
This six-day walk through Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair National Park is the perfect introduction to Tasmania, and this area of World Heritage is home to one of the world’s largest areas of temperate rainforest. Possums, wallabies and wombats are amongst some of the area’s local residents.
The famous Overland Track is a challenging trek, but it’s a very rewarding experience for anyone willing to take it on. You’ll find accommodation available throughout the trail, and those hot showers and mouth-watering meals will be a welcome relief at the end of the day.
Freycinet Walk
Located on the island’s east coast, Freycinet National Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty and you’ll find imposing granite mountain peaks contrasted against stunning turquoise waters. Providing a great introduction to walking in Tasmania, this is a real trekker’s paradise and definitely worth checking out if you’re an alternative holiday goer; head to Cheapflights Australia to compare flights now.
Leading you along the whole length of the Freycinet Peninsula, this four day walk also takes you through some amazing beach, mountain and forest scenery. Don’t miss out on the world-famous Wineglass Bay and plenty of wildlife-spotting opportunities before heading back to relax and take in the view in your secluded accommodation.
Bay of Fires Walk
Offering diverse scenery and a dramatic coastline, this walk at the edge of the Mount William National Park offers plenty of opportunity for wildlife spotting as you admire the rugged heathland, dominating sand dunes and picturesque countryside. As well as whales, dolphins and birds, you may even catch a glimpse of the island’s most famous resident – the Tasmanian Devil – if you’re lucky.
Food is an important part of any Tasmanian walking trips, so expect a selection of locally-sourced dishes and fantastic island tipples along the way.
The Tarkine Rainforest Track
This is arguably the most challenging walk on the island, and while it’s probably best reserved for the more experienced walker, it’s also a great way to discover Tasmania’s rainforests on its only multi-day rainforest trek.
Travelling deep into the forest, you’ll really feel like you’re off the beaten track here as you wander through the towering myrtle and sassafras. The custom-built track also offers plenty of opportunity to stop and admire the view and you can expect to discover majestic waterfalls and amazing watering holes along the way.
Maria Island Walk
Tasmania certainly isn’t short of national parks, and this one at Maria Island is one of the best for trekking and admiring the beautiful and varied landscape.
As long as you have a reasonable level of fitness, this four day trek is suitable for just about anyone and is filled with beautiful beach walks, swimming in the surrounding seas, ambles through the forest and taking on the Australian bush. The walk concludes with a stop at the abandoned town of Darlington where you can learn all about the island’s fascinating history.