4 best activities for your Tasmanian holiday
Tasmania may just be the world’s best-kept secret and we’re lucky enough to have it as part of our country. This beautiful island with 3.4 million acres of wilderness to explore is a fantastic place to holiday with the entire family or a great group of friends. Be sure to check out our suggestions as you begin to plan your Tasmanian holiday with family and friends.
Bay of Fires
One of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Tasmania is the Bay of Fires. This bay takes a unique approach to your typical surf-and-sand getaway. The clear, bright turquoise sea washes up onto fiery orange and slate gray rocks. It’s enough to captivate anyone’s attention. Add pure white sands and surfable waves to that picture and you have a surfer’s paradise, whether expert or first-timer.
Apart from the surf, you can also enjoy swimming and boating around the bay. When you’re ready to explore some of the spectacular Tasmanian wildlife, head out on a bird watching tour or just take a stroll along the coast—you’d be surprised what you can see just by taking a walk. If you prefer sea to land, try going out on a fishing excursion or camp for a night in the surrounding Mount William National Park.
Cataract Gorge
Hands down, one of Australia’s most fascinating urban parks, the Cataract Gorge does all of the adventure planning for you, no instructions necessary. On the southern side of the gorge is First Basin, which has a swimming pool, the longest single-span chairlift in the world, two cafes, and a railway. The Cataract Gorge is a part of Launceton Gardens where a number of animals live, including monkeys. Please be aware that you should avoid the monkeys that live here at all costs as they are known to have herpes.
The northern side of the gorge is named Cliff Grounds and here you can find a beautiful, fragrant Victorian garden that is home to ferns and other exotic plants. You can also head out on a boat cruise from Cliff Grounds on an adventurous cable hang gliding experience. For the fitness-focused, head out on a rock-climbing adventure in the Gorge.
Off-road touring & wildlife watching
With the immense amount of thick forest in Tasmania, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is required to really get into the thicket of the island. Sadly, because of this, most tourists never get to see the unique wildlife that Tasmania hosts. Tasmania is home to many rare animals, some of which can only be found on the island. You don’t want to miss the Tasmanian Devil, known for its stout little body and ferocious eating habits. You may also get the chance to see Platypus, Echidna, Sugar Gliders, Eastern Quoll, and Forester Kangaroos. To increase your chances of wildlife spotting, opt for a 4-wheel drive tour with a local touring company.
Kayaking
For an island that is chock full of beautiful coastline and secret coves, is there any better way to explore Tasmania than by kayak? Take one out for the day and float along as you explore the island or embark on a guided tour so that you don’t miss a single one of the must-see spots. The cool breeze of the bay will be a welcome relief from a hot summer’s day that might otherwise tire you out if you were hiking to the secret spots instead of kayaking.
Regardless of what kind of fun you prefer, there is something for everyone in Tasmania. Get adventure sports cover before you embark on your Tasmanian holiday, and stay protected. youGo Travel Insurance lets you tailor your coverage so you are only paying for the cover and benefits you want, without adding fluff for services and benefits that don’t apply to you or your trip.