A stunning road trip around Tasmania
With its diverse wildlife, sandy beaches and tropical coves, Tasmania packs a lot of scenery
![Painted Cliffs at Maria Island National Park in Tasmania](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3Uc5DNyYZkGRDyRZsAQwGj-415-80.jpg)
Tasmania is only about the size of Ireland, but it packs in an awful lot of scenery, said James Stewart in The Daily Telegraph. The east coast is “scalloped by astonishing beaches and lapped by sea the colour of kingfishers”; the west is “like Scotland on steroids”; and the land in between is an “Elysian” wilderness that isn’t much visited by international tourists, but deserves to be.
To get a sense of it all, you need two weeks, really. Start in the capital Hobart. It is a lovely place for an amble – warehouses built by convicts now house galleries and cafés; and there are some great markets. Once you’ve recovered from your flight, head east to visit the Unesco-listed former convict colony Port Arthur (though be prepared to read some “grim” stories about the people who lived there), and make time for Maria Island National Park, too. It was also once a convict prison, but is now a “Noah’s Ark” of “madly bizarre wildlife”, including Tasmanian devils and Bennett’s wallabies. While you’re on the east coast, be sure to spend a day (or more) beach-hopping. Wineglass Bay has “dazzling” white powder, and Cosy Corner and Sloop Reef are both “magical” coves worthy of the tropics.
The northwest of Tasmania has a “special remoteness” that is really worth seeking out. If you’re there from September to March, you could visit Godfreys Beach to watch fairy penguins waddling ashore. The Tarkine isn’t to be missed either: “a mosaic of ancient forest, wild beaches, heath and untamed rivers”, it’s best appreciated from the 40-mile Tarkine Drive. After all that wilderness, head to Strahan for a “sedate” few days by the river (you can stay by the water at Risby Cove). Then wind your way back to Hobart along the Lyell Highway, making pit stops as you go. Whatever you do, you’ll leave Tassie awed by its landscape and aware “that you’ve barely scratched the surface”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Tasmanian Odyssey has a 14-day itinerary, excluding flights, from £1,565pp; tasmanianodyssey.com
Sign up for the Travel newsletter for destination inspiration and the latest news and trends
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Red Speedo: a 'darkly comic' doping drama
The Week Recommends Lucas Hnath's play stars Finn Cole as a 'reptilian' swimmer determined to win at all costs
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
One Aldwych: where London's creative spirit takes centre stage
The Week Recommends This five-star Covent Garden hotel is the epitome of elegant independence
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Charlotte Dujardin and equestrianism's dark side
In the Spotlight Olympic gold medallist and dressage star's suspension over horse whipping brings abuse in horse sports back into the spotlight
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
6 coastal homes in Cape Cod
Feature Featuring a wall of glass in Mashpee and an undulating roofline in Wellfleet
By The Week Staff Published
-
Peng Shepherd's 6 favorite works with themes of magical realism
Feature The author recommends works by Susanna Clarke, George Saunders, and more
By The Week US Published
-
7 snowy places around the world to escape a hot American summer
The Week Recommends It's a winter wonderland in the Southern Hemisphere
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Francis Alÿs: Ricochets – a 'heart-stopping' exhibition at London's Barbican
The Week Recommends 'Mesmerising' films of children at play around the world from Kharkiv to Mosul
By The Week UK Published
-
Mishal Husain: BBC journalist shares her six favourite books
The Week Recommends Newsreader and Radio 4 presenter picks works by Louisa May Alcott, Jamil Ahmad and more
By The Week UK Published
-
Eno: 'stimulating and cerebral' documentary that's never the same twice
The Week Recommends A 'fascinating' look at the mercurial British musician and activist Brian Eno
By The Week UK Published
-
Longlegs: 'nerve-jangling and devilishly bleak' horror film
The Week Recommends Nicolas Cage gives perhaps the most 'terrifying' performance of his career as the titular serial killer
By The Week UK Published
-
The CIA by Hugh Wilford: 'lively and original' history of America's spy agency
The Week Recommends The book has been dubbed a 'must-read' for those interested in intelligence and national-security affairs
By The Week UK Published