Tasmania
Crisp, brooding Tasmania is pure Australia Gothic. Home to the cleanest air in the world, its craggy, alpine peaks, silent lakes and haunting convict ruins cast a deep, enduring spell. Some are World Heritage sites, among them Port Arthur, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. The latter two offers wealth of outdoor adventures, from hiking, rafting and kayaking, to fishing and surfing.
The island is equally apt at seducing gourmands and cultured souls with its premium produce, wine, craft spirits, progressive arts festivals and provocative art museum Mona.
Air: Hobart and Launceston airports are the main gateways into Tasmania, with flights to numerous Australian cities. Direct flights to/from Auckland (New Zealand) serve Hobart Airport. Given Tasmania’s small size, there are very few intrastate flights.
Bus: Buses run between major Tasmanian cities and towns, although frequency is limited. See Redline Coaches, Tassielink and Transport Tasmania for routes and timetables.
Ferry: Car-and-passenger ferry Spirit of Tasmania sails between Devonport on Tasmania’s north coast and Melbourne.
Car: Given its relatively small size and limited bus services, Tasmania is ideal road-trip territory.