Same Same But Different

7 March, 2024 Cy Sinderson

So often I hear people ask; is Tasmania really quite like New Zealand?

The answer I always give is; well, yes and no. Sure, the weather is similar and the landscape is also not colossally V-A-S-T like mainland Aussie – but that’s kind of where the comparisons end.

Whilst their countryside is super picturesque like ours; it is also jam-packed with the kookiest collection of bizarro wildlife you can’t even begin to imagine – especially coming from a country that can only boast a handful of dull-coloured native birds. Checking out Tasmanian endemic flora and fauna really is like watching a Looney Tunes cartoon after reading a 19th century novel! If you’re into exotic wildlife then Tasmania is definitely the place to come – it is the home of the (in)famous Tasmanian devil after all! Although, unlike the Looney Tunes version, the real one doesn’t spin around like a dervish whenever it gets mad. Sorry to disappoint! There are also quolls along with a bunch of other animals you won’t be able to see anywhere else.

Duck Reach Power Station Bridge, Cataract Gorge Reserve © Emilie Ristevski

Tasmania is also a really easy place to get around as it’s compact enough to be able to drive around pretty much every corner. The whole island is roughly the size of the North Island from Wellington up to about Rotorua so that’s about perfect to cover off over a few days or so to catch everything worth seeing. And there’s a lot to see and do so let’s break it down into regions:

Hobart and the South

Unless you’re rowing over, you’ll start in Hobart – Tassie’s capital and easily the largest town on the island. Two things you must, must do here are; to go to the Salamanca Market on a Saturday to sample some of the local gins, whiskies and wines. You’ll also find plenty of locally hand-made ceramics, clothing and jewellery here too if that’s your thing.

World Heritage Cruises © Tourism Australia

Just outside of Hobart is Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s not just a place to see Tasmania’s unique critters up close, like the famous Tasmanian devil, but it’s a sanctuary with a big heart. Since 1981, they’ve been all about helping injured and orphaned wildlife get back on their paws so when you visit, it’s not just a fun day out, you’re also supporting a great cause. A little bit further out is The Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, a one-of-a-kind spot that flips the traditional zoo concept on its head. This Unzoo is all about letting wildlife live as naturally as possible, without cages or boundaries. It’s a place where the animals come and go as they please, offering a unique and authentic experience of Tasmania’s native wildlife.

The other absolute must-do in Hobart is to take a trip to:

MONA

Whoever said art needed to be boring? Certainly not anyone in Tasmania anyhow as the Museum of Old and New Art – or MONA – is not only a wonderful immersion into all things weird and wonderful, it will keep you entertained all day with two restaurants, several bars and even its only cellar door – Morilla Winery.

Even if you don’t think you like art David Walsh’s $110m private collection of art and antiquities is a spectacular and inspiring viewpoint into the mind of the museum’s fascinating and entrepreneurial founder.

If you want to add even more pizazz to your experience, there is even a MONA like a Rockstar package. This includes return Posh Pit ferry tickets from Hobart, cocktail and glad-handing on arrival, VIP access to some mind-bending James Turrell artworks, and a long lunch and drinks in the Faro Bar and Restaurant.

MONA is only a few kms up the road from Hobart and is totally worth checking out, you can drive there or take the ferry. Just make sure you download the O app before you go as it has a bunch of useful info about all the art on it – and they don’t have any explanatory notes on the walls. Plus, if you’re there in June, you can catch their winter feast and nude solstice swim.

Where to Stay

MACq 01

Now here’s a hotel with a difference – and the perfect off-beat accompaniment to a city with MONA! MACq 01 is situated on the old Hunter Island, one of the earliest sites of European settlement in Tassie. Running with this thought, the owners have turned MACq 01 into the first storytelling hotel in Australia with all the walls and halls inside covered with snippets of all the history, tales and fables that got Tasmania to where it is today. You can see remnants of that history all around the MACq 01 too with its surrounds of docks and convict-built sandstone warehouses – while the waterfront rooms also get awesome views of both the River Derwent and kunanyi / Mount Wellington.

Launceston & the North

Pipers Brook Vineyard. © Jason Charles Hill

Foodie? Then the North is for you with plenty of award-winning restaurants featuring local farm-fresh produce – and, of course, some simply fantastic wines to wash it down with. Handily, the North is also home to the renowned Tamar Valley where exceptional wineries such as Pipers Brook and Janz Tasmania call home.

The big smoke up here is Launceston, one of Australia’s oldest cities as it was settled in 1806. As you might expect, that means there’s plenty of well established stuff to check out in town. A good place to start is the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery which covers everything from the local Aboriginal culture and colonial history through to more modern stories and natural science research.

So much learning can give you a pretty fierce thirst so make sure you put enough time aside to pop into James Boag’s Brewery which has been brewing the region’s favourite ales since 1883. Remember, this is Australia after all!

Go West

Convict Barn and Clinker Store, Maria Island. © Jarrad Seng

After some good old adventure? Tasmania’s West Coast has you covered. You can embark on white-water rafting expeditions on the Franklin River, enjoy cruises down the serene Gordon River, and hike through ancient rainforests to discover 1,000-year-old Huon pines.

In the stunning wilderness of Cradle Mountain you will also find Devils@Cradle, nestled which is a conservation powerhouse dedicated to the Tasmanian devil and its relatives, the Eastern and Spotted-tail quolls. This place isn’t your average animal park. It’s where you get to see these intriguing creatures in an environment that closely mirrors their natural habitats.

Aerial of Road into Queenstown © Jess Bonde

The West Coast also has its own Queenstown. A town rich in mining heritage and a captivating moonscape terrain that is almost out of this world.

Where to Stay:

Peppers Silo Launceston

Saffire Freycinet Marine Oyster Farm Experience © Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett

Peppers Silo Launceston is what happens when you combine contemporary luxury with Tasmanian farming history. Originally grain silos, the structure has been ingeniously repurposed into a stylish 4-star hotel with a very special twist. The result is a stunning modern fitout with true heritage. Its unique location by the Tamar and North Esk Rivers also provides a tranquil setting close to the CBD. But before you venture off into town for dinner you have to try the on-site Grain of the Silos restaurant, developed by celebrity chef Massimo Mele, which is a celebration of Tasmania’s freshest seasonal produce.

The East Coast

Tasmania’s East Coast, is just the spot for combining the joys of good food with the call of the wild. The Bay Restaurant in Freycinet offers up stunning dishes from local ingredients including the famous Seafood Tower for Two: Melshell oysters, poached scallops, tiger abalone, cold-smoked salmon, pickled mussels, clams, smoked ocean trout and grilled whole fish. The Furneaux Restaurant in St Helens is also a celebration of all things Tasmania but it adds a French and modern twist. The result is fine dining art on a plate.

The East Coast has a myriad of activities including hiking trails that wind through ancient forests. Kayaking on the crystal-clear waters of Wineglass Bay could have you forgiven for thinking you are floating over glass, while the Bay of Fires with its fiery orange lichen-covered boulders contrasting against the azure blue of the sea will have you feeling like you are walking through a painting!

And for stargazers, the clear nights on the East Coast offer a celestial spectacle like no other. Lying back on a deserted beach, under a blanket of stars, is the perfect way to end an adventurous day, especially after a Seafood Tower for Two..

Where to stay:

Saffire Freycient

As you can imagine, the Freycinet National Park is pretty out-of-the-way in order to preserve the natural habitats of all the animals. But luckily there’s an award-winning all-inclusive luxury resort, situated bang smack in the middle of it! Saffire Freycinet is one of the only luxury accommodations in Australia actually located inside a National Park so all you have to do to see Tasmania’s unique wildlife up close is stroll a few metres from your room! Saffire Freycinet offers 20 luxury suites, many tailored experiences and packages plus a day spa and stunning views of the Hazards Mountains.

How to get to Tasmania

Getting to Tassie and other dream destinations around the world from New Zealand is a breeze with Qantas. They offer daily flights from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown along with world class all-inclusive service, inflight-dining, award-winning beverages and the latest films and entertainment on every trip. Plus, with ergonomic seating, warm hospitality and a top notch reputation for high standards of safety, you will be travelling in class and comfort. And given just how much to do in Tasmania this is exactly how you want to arrive.