Tasmania’s jewels are many, varied and sometimes off the beaten track. Here are 10 lesser known attractions that are guaranteed to delight.
1 LOW HEAD PENGUIN TOURS
An evening tour takes visitors to a viewing area to observe the nocturnal habits of these amazing little birds as they waddle from the sea to their beachside burrows. |
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| Where 6km north of George Town |
| Phone 0418 361 860 |
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2 ISLANDS TO ICE
A celebration of Tasmania’s Antarctic heritage, this free exhibition blends historic images, artefacts and modern interactive technology. |
Where Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, 40
Macquarie Street, Hobart
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| Phone (03) 6211 4177 |
3 THE OLD UMBRELLA SHOP
Tasmania’s colonial past comes to life in this quirky little shop, where the original Victorian building and fittings are as much a drawcard as the fascinating collection of old brollies displayed inside. |
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| Where 60 George Street, Launceston |
| Phone (03) 6331 9248 |
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4 SEAHORSE WORLD
A world-leading research centre, fish farm and tourist attraction, Seahorse World claims to have more of these amazingly elegant creatures on display than anywhere else in the world. |
| Where Inspection Head Wharf, Beauty Point |
| Phone (03) 6383 4111 |
5 CORINNA WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
Set on the edge of a rainforest on the banks of the majestic Pieman River, Corinna provides eco-friendly cabins and original miners cottages for guests seeking one of the most remote-area experiences on Earth. |
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Where Main Road, Corinna (north-west of
Zeehan)
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| Phone (03) 6446 1170 |
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6 PINERS AND MINERS
Discover the west coast’s awesome environment, mining history and aboriginal heritage with this day-long venture, which includes transport on a luxury 4WD, a wilderness railway ride and bush trek. |
| Where Pure Tasmania, Strahan |
| Phone 1800 420 155 |
7 A DAY IN THE WILDERNESS SCENIC FLIGHT
For a full day’s adventure, enjoy a stunning bird’s-eye view of the dense south-west wilderness, cruise around Bathurst Harbour and visit the untouched Celery Top Islands. |
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| Where Par-Avion, Cambridge Airport, Hobart |
| Phone (03) 6248 5390 |
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8 WATER WHEEL CREEK
Discover the story of four generations of local timber-cutters and their families in this forest district south of Stanley. This unique tourism venture includes a timber and steel tramway, log hauler, small museum and demonstrations of bush skills. |
| Where 1314 Mawbanna Road, Mawbanna |
| Phone (03) 6458 8144 |
9 ALPENRAIL
This model Swiss village and railway is rated as one of the top five models in the world and is all handmade, right down to the miniature Alps. The attention to detail is exquisite and the lights-out night scene is magical. |
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| Where 82 Abbotsford Road, Claremont |
| Phone (03) 6249 3748 |
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10 THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
Tasmania is about discovering the natural world and nowhere brings you closer to it than Cape Grim, in the state’s far north-west. Stand on the cliff top and ponder the fact that there is nothing – save for the sea – between you and South America. |
| Where Cape Grim, near Smithton |
STORY: CHRIS VINEY.
Images courtesy of Tourism Tasmania and the respective operators.
