The Top 10 Places to See in Tasmania
With Tasmania's 3.4-million acres of protected wilderness, this alluring isle feels close to heaven—Tasmanian devils included
- By Tony Perrottet
- Smithsonian.com, April 17, 2012
Eastern Grey Kangaroo Forester Macropus giganteus grazing on Maria Island. (© Dave Watts / Alamy)
Shaped like a figure eight, this outcrop three miles off the east coast has only a handful of year-round inhabitants—the few park rangers who manage the ghost town of Darlington—but lures a busy summer population of energetic nature-lovers. A passenger ferry from the town of Triabunna, two hours north of Hobart, brings day-trippers to hike through forests of Tasmanian blue gums, cycle the bush trails (cars are banned on the island, and bikes are available for hire) and visit evocative ruins. Wildlife thrives on Maria (pronounced Ma-rye-a), which is entirely protected as a national park: 11 of Tasmania’s 12 endemic bird species can be found, including the rare forty-spotted pardalote, as well as wombats, kangaroos and wallabies. Overnight visitors can stay on bunk beds in the island’s old convict prison (provided you bring your own food, bedding and lighting). A more luxurious option is to take the guided Maria Island Walk, which covers 22 miles from coastal plains to cloud rainforests. Hikers spend the first two nights in elegant timber camps, and the third in the restored homestead of Italian pioneer Diego Bernacchi, all the while being plied with gourmet Tasmanian food and wine.
Contributing writer Tony Perrottet, who was born in Australia and now lives in New York, has been visiting Tasmania since the 1980s; www.tonyperrottet.com.
Comments (2)
Love the pictures! When its the best time to visit?
Posted by Peter Tangprasertchai on April 26,2012 | 11:18 AM
Love that pic. I was born in Hobart, live in Brisbane, and will be attending a training course for registered crew members on that tall ship the Lady Nelson in Hobart on Saturday. She's beautiful.
Posted by Ali on April 20,2012 | 11:14 PM