Escape the cold and head off to Australia this month where it’s bright and sunny. Down Under, bypass the more obvious destinations and visit the remote island of Tasmania where rugged beaches, rolling farmland, and pristine rainforests make up a beautifully diverse landscape.
How to get there:
Tasmania’s two major cities, Hobart and Launceston, have direct flights from the cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Locals and tourists also use the car ferry, Spirit of Tasmania, which crosses between mainland Australian casinos (from Melbourne) to the Tasmanian city of Devonport daily.
Where to stay:
Surrounded by a dramatic natural landscape, Pumphouse Point is a collection of luxury lodges about 2 hours from Hobart. Featuring a shore house and a converted 1940 hydroelectric pump station 250 m out on Lake St. Clair, this serene hotel is set in the World Heritage wilderness of Tasmania.
What to do:
Wildlife parks across Tasmania offer opportunities to see the state’s emblematic Tasmanian devil. The world famous Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park offers 100km of impressive walks, ranging from leisurely strolls to overnight bush walks. Tasmania’s capital city, Hobart, provides a diverse range of city activities and experiences. Wander among the city’s beautiful sandstone colonial architecture, drive to the summit of Mount Wellington for the best of Hobart’s views, and dine on Tasmania’s famously fresh produce in any number of outstanding restaurants. Don’t miss the subterranean Museum of Old and New Art, or MONA, a multi-tiered labyrinth cut into sandstone cliffs.
