How much can you get done in 15 days!
Keep scrolling to find out how much adventure we packed into our trip. Every moment was extremely worth it. Of course there was so much more we wanted to see and would have loved to dwell in places for weeks at a time because well, it's Tassie! Who wouldn't want to relax...
Some days we covered more ground than others, these are our highlight sites.
This is certainly a lengthy read so get ready! Lets dive in!
Tuners Berry Patch
First stop and how could anyone resist! An open slather of all sorts of berries and a punnet to fill for only $9. Pick away friends!
Wings Wildlife Park
Absolutely worth the detour - even better, for a small fee you can camp right beside the property next to a stunning fresh river. To start exploring the park there is a small fee per person and allows unlimited exploring. Fill your bellies on the way out at their gorgeous cafe on site.
Boat Harbour Beach
A relaxing, white sand beach with chilly ocean winds. Be sure to arrive very early (basically first thing in the morning) for camping as there are only a select few sites where you will achieve the stunning views you hope for.
Stanley - The Nut and High-fields Historic Site
You can walk or catch the chairlift to the top of 'The Nut' either way, the view from the top is a real stunner. Only a short drive from the base of The Nut, upon a mountain top you will find the High-fields Historic Site. The colonisation of High-fields and Tasmania certainly has an interesting history and to absorb alot in a short time - this is the spot!!
Tarkine Adventures and Dismal Swamp
Skipping across to the Western side of the island we popped in for some exploring. While a gorgeous area, it doesn't take very long to wander around and experience the gorgeous forestry. The super quick trip down on the slide was a fan favourite! If you have kids, they will love it.
Manuka Campground | Within the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area
So far along our travels this camp is our absolute favourite!! YES! That's a big call, though we have a love for all things quiet and remote. Picture being tucked back in a little nook of bush-land, nice and cosy from the winds with many happy pademelons exploring and hardly any other campers around. Plus super clean toilets - what a luxury!
Edge of the World
A placard on a very rough ocean edge but such an interesting feeling as you take in and imagine the largest distance of ocean on earth, with no land between your standing point and Argentina.
Western Explorer Road
This road was certainly a gravel road but the views were absolutely incredible and we spent alot more time slowing down and taking it all in then we thought. We were so thrilled to have gone this way instead of cutting back across the island. You will need to catch a ferry along the way to continue along this road and there is a couple $$ involved with that. Climies Track
The absolute highlight of our Tasmanian adventures and certainly something we nervously wanted to conquer - to read more about the most testing and exhausting 18km crawl we have done then pop over to our related blog (coming soon) on 4wding Tasmania. And yes we did it solo! Are we crazy? most likely...
Queenstown and Lake St Clair
At this time we needed to keep moving so these two were supposed to be just quick stops. Instead we were gifted something we had been waiting to see our whole adventure - SNOW!! Lake St Clair lodge and information centre was super toasty inside with delicate snow falling outside. This scene was pure magic. Moving onto Queenstown we experienced rain, hail, sleet, snow and sunshine all within the hour through the Rail Cafe window, was an incredible day!
Tarraleah
Do yourselves a favour and make this a definite stop on your travels! We found comfort in this stunning re-invented Hydroelectric town after a very frosty, wild weather and damp night in our Roof Top Tent. We are putting together a separate blog (coming soon) on this little haven because there is just so much to tell!
Mount Field National Park - Russell and Horseshoe Falls
We're going to let the photos speak for this one. An easy walk to both but if you're the adventurous type you can continue onto more walks and waterfalls
Southwest National Park
Driving through this stunning World Heritage listed area and taking in the scenery was a dream come true! Sadly the walks we had very highly anticipated to do, were shut during our visit due to the recent devastating bush fires. We were suddenly reminded of the severity as we passed through pristine forestry and immediately into barren burnt lands. Taking in the highs and lows can really make the heart sink.
Thankfully the Sentinel Ranges are the diamond in the dust. Coming around a bend and mid-conversation, they smacked us in the face. Just something you need to see for yourself!! We carried onto Gordon Dam and while Hubby was having a fantastic time exploring, I am not the fan of heights and couldn't help but feel emptiness in the silence. A place to blow your mind for certain!
Left of Field
Lets just say - AMAZING CAMPING! Guys get in there and have a yarn with Adrian, super hospitable and a man who almost jumps over the counter to shake your hand. We felt immediately at home and were so very thankful of the ability to chose our own camp spot.
That isnt even the best of it! Hands down the most amazing, unique and welcoming bubble bath awaited us the next morning. Set up by Adrian and full to the brim with toasty water, placed perfectly between the trees. We tossed the bath-fizzer in and witnessed the sun rising through the fog.
Hobart
In all honesty our favourite campsite finds are always way out of town, in the woods and well secluded - this came in the form of The Lea Scout Camp. Though we couldn't pass up Fish and Chips at the wharf with a chaser of ice-cream! All on floating shacks - yum!
Cockle Creek & South Cape Bay Track
A little ways into the drive to the region you start to wonder - are we there yet!?
Never fear, by then you are almost there! What wonderful scenery on the way with all the hidden little bays. There are many camp areas with plenty of options. Our camp was close to a little 50m bush track that opened up to unexpected, stunning beaches and pure white sands.
South Cape Bay Track will take you to the most southern point of Tasmania. We are writing a separate blog on this because there is just way too much to share in a few words
Bruny Island
A foodies delight! In our books, Bruny Island is all the absolute best of Tassie, jammed into one extra special little island. We really, really enjoyed the luxuries of fine food and probably enjoyed it a little too intensely - hello Bruny Island Cheese and Beer Co, Bruny Island Chocolate Co and could life get any better with a drive-thru for delicious fresh Oysters at Get Shucked.
Another peaceful and tucked away camp at Cloudy Bay Corner (you drive along the beach to get to this little beauty). The Neck and finally seeing a penguin in the rookery there just tipped the scales and had us head over heels for this little island.
Port Arthur
Here you will receive a lot of information in as much or little time as you please. We spent 3 hours walking around which included the boat ride and found that was enough for us. Especially on a very cold day! After a lot of walking and experiencing the facts and sights, I couldn't help but feel immense sadness for what had actually happened in this place and worried that Tourism may have grabbed a hold of another incredibly historic place and made it feel quite mainstream. In saying that, the hidden garden of the Port Arthur Massacre was laid out well and respected the history of those moments somewhat perfectly.
The Mill Campground
Such a nice tidy camp set in a crystal blue water bay with a nice jetty. Funnily enough we had certainly acquired quite a few funny nature/animal stories by this point but this camp blew us away. Washing the dishes and wildlife just comes seeping from the woods, absolutely bombarded by the chubbiest possum i had ever seen, a pademelon mum and bub who wouldn't take no for an answer, an absolutely massive furry spider that was headed for my track pants all while a bee flew around my face constantly haha! You'll certainly get in touch with nature and wildlife here!
Whitewater Wall Campground
We were practically alone in this camp and only a 300m walk from one of my favourite views in Tassie. While there was mass tourism off gawking at the next site just up the road. We had this whole bay all to ourselves and IT WAS BLISS!!! The signs over exaggerate the amount of 4wd needed to get into this camp though we really enjoyed that as it limited the tourists and mini-camper vans.
Binalong Bay
Such a popular little spot this one and while there are some stunning sites along the main beach we love our privacy. We decided not to join the many, many people on the main beach so tucked ourselves into Jeanerette camp, with our own peaceful and calm little bay to enjoy.
Ben Lomond
Jacobs ladder swept us off our feet and took our breath away. What a climb! In our thoughts, it came to us that with the enormity of the mountains, the steep nature of the track, the vastness of the land beyond and everything else involved shouldn't it be louder? The silence took us by absolute surprise. Not a breeze or breath of air just 1 bird echoing way down, deep in the valley. What a magical place to hear our thoughts. Again, gifted with being solo for this experience
Cradle Mountain
Ducking back into the centre of the Island we couldn't miss out on Cradle Mountain! The Wombats alone were a draw card for a Queenslander like me. Check yourselves into the most unique and well laid out Discovery Park Campground we have ever come across. The camp kitchen in itself is something to admire - especially on a chilly evening, with the double fires roaring and plenty of room for everyone to cook a meal and spread out. Be sure to book Discovery Park Cradle Mountain!
We covered alot of ground on this adventure and certainly seen much more than what we've listed. These are our top picks and hope you get some joy out of them too!
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