ABOUT TASMANIA
Tasmania, an isolated island state off Australia’s south coast, is known for its vast, rugged wilderness areas, largely protected within parks and reserves. On the Tasman Peninsula, the 19th-century Port Arthur penal settlement is now an open-air museum. In Hobart, the port capital, Salamanca Place's Georgian warehouses now house galleries and boutiques. Its Museum of Old and New Art has a contemporary edge.
To the north, the Tamar Valley Wine Route takes in more than 30 vineyards. Launceston city is home to Cataract Gorge, with a chairlift across the river. The huge Tasmanian Wilderness encompasses 6 national parks containing alpine terrain, lakes, mountains and rainforest. Island walks vary from quick trips to Mt. Wellington, or Mt. Field’s Russell Falls, to the Overland Track around Cradle Mountain, a trek of several days for experienced hikers. The east coast has popular beaches on the Bay of Fires, and diving around the town of Bicheno.
