Holiday experiences you can only have in Tasmania

Home to just 500,000 people, the island state plays host to remote glacial mountain ranges, ancient forests, pristine bays and some of the most protected wilderness on the planet. But you don’t have to be outdoorsy to appreciate the beauty of the island.

Tasmania has moved away from its humble beginnings as a penal colony and is now a burgeoning hub of culture with world-renowned art galleries like the Museum of Old and New Art, an unrivalled whiskey scene and fresh produce like no other.

Whether you’re visiting Tasmania for the first time, or just want to deepen your understanding of the Apple Isle, then take your pick from these holiday experiences that you can only have in the Southern State.

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1. Wander through Salamanca Markets

More than 300 stallholders gather in Salamanca Place on the Hobart waterfront each Saturday morning to offer locals and tourists alike the opportunity to enjoy the best produce from around the state. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, fresh food or want to find a signature piece of jewellery or handicrafts, the iconic marketplace is the perfect spot. At Salamanca Markets, it’s not all about the shopping. You can simply wander through at your own pace and soak in the atmosphere of one of Australia’s finest outdoor market places. Explore the Salamanca markets in great detail on AAT Kings’ Perfect Tasmania Guided Holiday.

2. Explore the wilderness of Mt Field National Park

Not only is Mt Field National Park one of Tasmania’s most popular national parks, but it is also the oldest, having been open to the public since 1916. While the local fauna is a particularly popular drawcard – wombats, platypus, bandicoots, echidnas and Tassie devils can be found in the area. Russell Falls is a favourite with photographers and nature lovers alike because of its multiple-tiered cascade falls that flow so beautifully.

3. Hike around Cradle Mountain

Located within the beautiful World Heritage Listed Lake Cradle Mountain-St Clair National Park, Cradle Mountain is a sight to behold in Tasmania. This is where the magic of the great outdoors truly comes alive. The jagged crags jutting out from this monolithic peak is sure to give travellers a sense of just how untouched much of Tasmania remains. The Cradle Mountain peaks we see today are a result of 20,000 years of glacial ice movement, which has carved out the spectacular formations that continue to evolve to this day.

4. Experience Tasmania’s Mastered Craft – Whisky

Tasmania’s convict past brought one great thing with it, whisky. The state is known to produce unique tipples, and whisky remains a booming industry on the island. The popular and distinct flavour is said to come down to Tassie’s fresh water and subtle-tasting grains. Distilling alcohol was once outlawed in Tasmania during the 1800s because people were using grains to produce alcohol rather than food. Thankfully a harmonious balance was later achieved and the law was reversed in the 1900s. Wander through an operating distillery like Hellyers Road Distillery to get a behind-the-scenes look at how one of finest whiskies in the world is made.

5. Indulge in the uniqueness of Tasmania produce

What better way to wash down a glass of malt whiskey than with some of Tasmania’s finest local produce? The quality of the food here is said to come down to the purity of air, soil and waters on this remote southern state. If you love your smoked salmon, then there’s no better place than the 41° South Tasmania salmon farm. Home to 10,000 Tasmanian Atlantic salmon that swim in the fresh-water ponds fed by water from Montana Falls, you can sample the famed smoked salmon while you’re here, too. But the gourmet options don’t stop there! Make sure you leave time to sample the cooler climate wines or the multitude of cheeses available in the region.

6. Taste lavender ice cream

There aren’t many more iconic holiday experiences in Tasmania than visiting the Bridestowe Lavender Estate and treating yourself to a lavender-flavoured ice cream. Established in 1922, a London perfumer planted lavender seeds in the region from his family’s estate in the French Alps. The lavender has since thrived in the region and the owners now do much more than simply grow it. There is a lovely café to enjoy after you’re done exploring the purple-hued grounds.

7. Take a stroll at Wineglass Bay

When it’s time to walk off all that wine, cheese and ice cream, a leisurely hike through to Wineglass Bay may be in order. Or, if you’re set to continue to gourmet gallivanting, the lunchtime cruise out to the Freycinet Peninsula is a wonderful option. This fantastic cruise will take you past the pink granite mountains and coastal sand ridges are breath taking, as is the view up at the Cape Tourville Lookout point.

8. Discover Tasmania’s colonial past

Whether it’s taking in the sights of the Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees – planted in honour of World War I fallen soldiers – the small village of Ross, which is considered one of the nicest 19th century villages in the country, or the convict prisons of Port Arthur, the historical sites in Tasmania are a plenty. Delve into the colonial history and the convict past in the many buildings and villages throughout the island.

9. Visit the art galleries

Modern Tasmania is burgeoning away from its colonial past and the collection of galleries and museums are a testament to that cultural shift. Tasmania is home to some of the most beautiful, controversial and thought-provoking exhibitions in the country, if not the world. Galleries such as MONA, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery are just a few local favourites that consistently display these amazing exhibitions.

You can enjoy all of these experiences – and many, many more – on AAT Kings’ 12-day Perfect Tasmania Guided Holiday. Book now and get bonus Free Return Flights!