This depends upon yourself - your likes and dislikes, how long you have in Tasma nia, your budget, and the time of year you are visiting.
- Historic sites
- Tasmania's most visited tourist attraction for the past several years has been the Port Arthur Historic Site, where you can tour the ruins of the penal settlement. There are ghost tours of the ruins at night. The city of Hobart has many historic buildings; there are also National Trust houses in many Midlands towns.
- Scenic attractions
- Virtually every tourist will want to see Tasmania's wilderness to some extent, be it a journey along the west coast (taking in a spectacular Gordon River cruise), a detour to Cradle Mountain, or a brief stop at the Mount Field National Park (a pleasant day trip from Hobart). Cradle Mountain surpassed Port Arthur in 1995 as the site which attracted the most visitors in Tasmania.
A drive up Mount Wellington (near Hobart) is rewarded with commanding views of the River Derwent, and gives some interstate visitors their first encounter with snow in winter months. The Nut (at Stanley, north-west coast) is an interesting geological feature, as are Tasman's Arch, the Devil's Kitchen and the Tesselated Pavement (all at Eaglehawk Neck).
- Flora and fauna
- A visit to Tasmania is incomplete without meeting the native fauna. Many
wildlife parks are scattered across the state. In addition to the national
parks mentioned previously, visitors may be interested in the lavendar farm at
Scottsdale, or in Launceston's many fine parks.
- Lifestyle and culture
- Hobart's Salamanca Market is popular; there are also many museums throughout
the state giving an insight on Tasmanian history. There are several
Aboriginal cultural centres, notably Tiagarra on the north-west coast. The
north-west coast is also a "must" for those interested in crafts or fine
foods. Tasmania's Symphony Orchestra is one of the best in the country.
- Recreation
- Fine beaches can be found at Boat Harbour, or all along the north-east or ea st coasts - ideal places for those just wishing to relax. The upper Derwent Valley and central Tasmania offer excellent fishing conditions.
Take a look at the Interactive Tour of Tasmania to see which areas might be of the most interest to you. The tour will have pictures and more detailed descriptions of the places mentioned above.
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Last reviewed 2006-08-06 12:44:23