Tasmania is the Real Deal

Is Tasmania Even a Real Place? Is Tasmania in Africa?

Tasmania “Tassie” hit my travel radar a couple of years ago, when I learned that an old friend, Josh, who I had met while exploring Iceland in 2015, relocated to the island. The Australian island state of Tasmania is located 260 miles (420 km) south of Melbourne. The island is similar in size to Ireland, Switzerland, and West Virginia (take your pick). Australia was a penal colony for the British Commonwealth during the 18^th and early 19^th centuries and, apparently, the worst-of-the-worst convicts were shipped to Tassie.

Some people have never heard of Tasmania. Others, believe Tassie is a country located in Africa. “Mainland” Australians often jest that Tasmanians, their fellow citizens, are born with two heads… not sure of the origin of this joke. I visited Tasmania for 9 days in mid-February, and I’d like to clear up a few things. Tasmania is real. Tasmania is not in Africa, it is part of Australia. Tasmanians are lovely people and no scar is visible on their necks from a second head. Lastly, Tassie is an absolute gem and I would love to return for another visit in the future.

Time to Leave the Cambodian Islands and Fly to Tassie

I was laying on the fluffy white sandy beaches of Koh Rong Sanloem, a tiny picturesque Cambodian Island, and I had the sudden urge to pack my bag, head to the airport, and fly straight for Australia, more specifically Tasmania. I had spent five enjoyable days soaking up sun, swimming with bioluminescent plankton, and full-moon partying with fellow backpackers on two of the island’s bays, Saracen Bay and M’Pai Bay. After five days, I realized something just didn’t feel right, and it didn’t take me long to put my put my finger on the source of my discomfort. I didn’t quit my job in New York City and I didn’t step away from the Florida tennis courts to hang on a beach and tan. I left my sphere behind in order to explore the world’s nooks and crannies, meet new people, experience new cultures, and, most importantly, step outside of my comfort zone and grow.

I decided to pivot from Asia to Australia for two reasons: 1) the time of the year, mid-February, is ideal for visiting Tassie and then swinging over to New Zealand, and 2) I really wanted to see my mate Josh. The most popular time of year to visit Tassie is December through February, during the heart of the southern hemisphere’s summer. Visiting mid-to-late February seemed ideal, as I would be able to enjoy some of the prime summer weather while hopefully avoiding the majority of tourists. I was stoked to visit Josh because it is the ultimate travel experience when you visit a friend in their country and you are able to explore the community, culture, and territory with the aid of a local. Also, I had not seen Josh since we met in Iceland four years prior, and I had have been dying to see the kid. He is one of the most genuine and passionate guys I have ever met. His boisterous laugh is contagious and his passion for hiking, nature, and pushing your body to its aerobic limits is inspiring.

Before I Dive into My Tassie Adventure, An Entertaining Immigration Story

“Nobody books a flight from Cambodia to Australia 24 hours in advance of departure.” That’s what the Aussie immigration officer calmly explained to me, in a comically thick Aussie accent, after detaining and questioning me for over one hour in Australia’s Avalon Airport.

After one hour of questioning the man knew everything about me. He knew about: my career in New York City; my tennis adventure in Florida; my travels across five continents; even my last meal in the Kuala Lampur airport. At one point, he asked to read through my Facebook correspondence with my Tasmanian friend, Josh. Let’s not forget, he obviously had to take a soil samples from the bottom of my immaculate hiking boots.

The officer was dressed like he had spent the last two weeks hunting poisonous snakes in Australia’s outback. His chest was so thick that he was struggling to comfortably fold his arms across it. With his accent, clothes, and posture, combined with the fact that I was sleep deprived and near starvation, I almost lost it and burst out laughing.

Luckily, I kept my composure and replied, “Sir, that was the most thorough immigration inspection I have ever received. Have a great day.”

A Special 9 Days in Tassie

My time in Tassie was so special, because I was able to explore a beautiful place in the company of great people. During my Tassie adventure: I reconnected with my mate Josh; I met locals and experienced the local scene; I road-tripped around the island with friends; the hikes were “adult playgrounds”; and the scenery was jaw-droppingly beautiful.

A Window into Tassie Provided By a Local

I had an incredible time catching up with Josh, and even though I basically showed up at his door-step unannounced (I had messaged him about visiting him in Tasmania five days earlier), he prioritized spending time with me and gave me a proper introduction to his beautiful island. Josh gave me a tour of Hobart, the island’s largest city where nearly 50% (200,000 people) of the population resides. We went on a few nearby hikes (Cathedral Rock, Mt. Wellington, Cape Hauy), lunched at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed, and visited the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

Josh provided a truly memorable Tassie experience when I joined him on a night “torch run” with our headlamps. Wallabies hopped out of our way and possums screeched as we jogged on a dirt path that snaked along the pitch-black woods bordering Hobart.

Reuniting with a Travel Buddy for a 4 Day Road Trip Around Tasmania

Tassie is jam-packed with incredible sites that are located only a few hours drive from one another; as a result, the best way to see the island is to rent a car and road-trip the island. The travel gods delivered and it just so happened that one of my best travel mates, Britton, who I had met while traveling in Thailand in December, was visiting Tassie at the same time, with his mom, Judy. Britton and Judy asked if I would like to join them on their car trip around the island and I jumped at the opportunity. I love traveling by myself, but some places are more fun to visit with friends, and I think that there is something magical about being able to gawk at nature’s splendor alongside a good friend.

During our four day road excursion around Tassie, Britton, Judy, and I explored Tassie’s most scenic and popular destinations, as well as some of the island’s lesser-known gems. We didn’t rush our adventure, and acting the part of seasoned road-trippers, we weren’t afraid to pull over the car when something exciting caught our eye. For example, we stopped to: run among endemic pencil pine trees, try our luck at herding a flock of sheep, and to photograph photogenic cows… oh wait… that was all on the first day!

Below are Highlights from our Unforgettable Tassie Road-Trip Adventure

Cradle Mountain

The Cradle Mountain track was highly touted by my mate Josh and numerous other locals, but we were warned that it rains nearly everyday of the year on the mountain. We were super lucky with our weather, as one hiker on the trail exclaimed, “it [was] a crackin’ day”. When we arrived at the foot of the mountain, the trail transformed from a gravel path to trail markers poking out from behind giant immovable dolerite boulders. Britton, Judy, and I fell in love with the trail and giggled with delight as we scampered, slid, and leapt from boulder to boulder up the mountain.

Below are a few pictures from our day at Cradle Mountain. Our route was the following: Ronny’s Creek –> Overland Track –> Marion’s Lookout –> Cradle Mountain –> Face Track –> Wilk’s Track –> Dove Lake Circuit (6 hours)

Cataract Gorge Reserve

The Cataract Gorge Reserve is the most unusual “park”. Located in Tasmania’s second largest city, Launceston, the reserve has impressive wildlife, a chair lift(?!), trails, a suspension bridge, an outdoor pool, and, my personal favorite, a park with an adult hamster wheel! Check out the above video for some outrageous footage of me and Britton having the time of our lives in the wheel.

Bridestowe Lavender Estate

Even though we were passing through a month too late, and the flowers were no longer in full bloom, the Bridestowe Lavendar Estate was a highlight of our journey. The farm must be a spectacular site to see during flower season which occurs in December and January. The homemade lavender ice cream was out of this world and, is on its own, worthy of the detour.

Bay of Fires

Bay of Fires was my favorite stop on our Tassie road journey. Never before have I seen an amalgamation of beauty as shown in the above picture: ocean, deserted white sandy beach, perfectly groomed rolling pastures, grazing cattle, Serengeti-like trees, jungle, and sky.

We arrived at the Bay of Fires two hours before sunset, and we had the entire bay to ourselves. The picture does not do it justice, but the first time I saw this view I let out an audible gasp and turned to Britton and Judy and smiled. Then, I took a few pictures, kicked off my shoes, and began sprinting down the beach. To cap off the perfect moment, Britton and I raced into the frigid ocean waters and body surfed. If there is a heaven, I envision something like the Bay Fires because, in my opinion, it can’t get any better than this.

Bicheno Blowhole

I went on a morning jog and a lady operating a “toastie” (toasted sandwich) stand on the side of the road recommended we stop by the Bicheno Blowhole on our drive down the east coast of Tassie. I had never seen a blowhole in person and the concept had always intrigued me since watching that Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson movie, Fool’s Gold. The toastie lady came through for us, and we were mesmerized while watching water blast out of a crevice in the rocks every time a wave collided with the rocky coastline.

Mt. Amos, Overlooking Wineglass Bay

We visited Freycinet National Park and climbed up Mt. Amos for an epic view of Wineglass Bay. Akin to the boulder hopping climb at Cradle Mountain, Mt. Amos was another incredibly fun adult playground trek. This tramp requires hikers to scramble up steep rock faces with no footholds. My mate Britton somehow pulled off this climb with his new 6 USD Nike trainers that he had recently purchased in Malaysia. I recommend wearing shoes with a little more traction if you try to conquer this mountain!

East Coast Wine Trail

On the return drive back to Hobart we passed ten vineyards that make up the East Coast Wine Trail of Tasmania. We visited Devil’s Corner Winery and Milton Vineyard to enjoy wine tastings and recharge our batteries. The Milton Vineyard barn was idyllic and cozy, but the wines and views at Devil’s Corner took the prize. On your visit to Tassie, I highly recommend stopping at a few vineyards for wine and food. Warning: many of the vineyards’ cellar doors, for wine tastings, close at 5 pm, at the latest, and the kitchens close even earlier, so plan accordingly.

Tassie Driving Escapades

Throughout our driving expedition, we were constantly surprised and awestruck by the ever-changing and radically unique landscape. I would glance down to change the song, look up, and suddenly we had been transported into a completely different world. We might be driving along flat roads bordered with flocks of sheep, herds of cattle, and green pastures. Then, in a matter of minutes, suddenly, we would be weaving up a steep road that traversed a dense jungle populated with enormous prehistoric looking ferns.

Tassie Finale in Hobart

I spent my last day in Tasmania in Hobart, lying under a giant palm tree in a downtown park, chatting with locals and eating fresh food at the Salamanca Market, bopping to tunes at a free blues festival, and investigating the local night-life in Hobart.

The Salamanca Market runs from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm every Saturday. More than 300 pop-up stalls sell local crafts and fresh food and produce. This is one of the best local markets I have ever visited around the world, as the quality and diversity of products showcased is exceptional. No two stands are alike and local Tassie creativity is in full display. There is a good reason that thousands of locals and tourists flock to Hobart’s waterfront to visit the market every Saturday.

I was lucky to be in Hobart to experience the 4th annual Hobart Blues, Brews, Barbecue Festival hosted by the Hobart Brewing Company. Britton, Judy, and I lounged on bean bags cushions , baked in the sun, and vibed to blues music for over four hours. Our favorite band was The Bad Dads. Keep an eye out for this 8 person band, do not let the band’s name fool you, as these dads can really jam! I highly recommend visiting the festival if you happened to be in town, appreciate free blues, and / or enjoy a cold brew.

Tassie Travel Tips

• Tassie is jam-packed with incredible sites that are located only a few hours drive from one another; as a result, the best way to see the island is to rent a car and take a road-trip.
• For backpackers: Gas is pricey and inexpensive accommodations are nearly impossible to come by. It is best to explore Tassie with friends and split costs. We booked all of our accommodations last-minute through either AirBnB or Booking.com. If you wish to spend the night near Cradle Mountain, book accommodations in advance as spots are extremely limited.
• A valid park pass is required for entry to all of Tasmania’s national parks. The hikes are adult playgrounds, the views are insane, and the treks are well-maintained, so it’s worth it.
• Restaurants outside of Hobart close very early (8 pm), even in Launceston, Tasmania’s second largest city. If you go on a full day excursion and check-in to your accommodations late at night be prepared to stay in and cook dinner.
• We cooked most of our dinners, but two meals out caught my attention. If you happen to be passing through St. Helens, a tiny town, on Tassie’s east coast, stop for food at The Wharf Bar & Kitchen. The food is solid and the restaurant extends over the harbor providing pretty waterfront views. Additionally, I enjoyed a tasty bite and I was thoroughly entertained by the night scene at Post Street Social located in downtown Hobart.