Tasmania: Australia's Wilderness Island

Just 240 kilometers south of mainland Australia lies Tasmania, an island state that feels like another world. With over 40% of its land protected in national parks and reserves, Tasmania offers some of the most pristine wilderness areas on the planet. From ancient rainforests to alpine plateaus, wild coastlines to serene lakes, this compact island packs an extraordinary diversity of landscapes and experiences for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

A Land of Ancient Wilderness

Tasmania's isolation has preserved ecosystems that date back to the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana. The island's Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area covers nearly 1.6 million hectares—about 20% of the state—and represents one of the last temperate wilderness areas on Earth. Here, visitors can walk among Huon pines that have lived for more than 2,000 years, explore caves carved by rivers over millions of years, and witness landscapes virtually unchanged since prehistoric times.

This wild heart of Tasmania is home to rare and endemic species that have disappeared elsewhere, including the Tasmanian devil, the elusive platypus, and numerous bird species found nowhere else. The clean air, pure water, and minimal light pollution create an environment that feels remarkably untouched by human influence.

Hiking in Tasmania: World-Class Trails

Tasmania boasts some of Australia's—and indeed the world's—most spectacular hiking trails. From single-day walks to multi-day treks, the options cater to all fitness levels and interests:

The Overland Track

This iconic 65-kilometer trail through Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is Australia's premier alpine walk. The six-day journey takes hikers through a landscape of glacial mountains, temperate rainforests, alpine meadows, and button grass plains. Along the way, side trips lead to summits including Cradle Mountain and Mount Ossa (Tasmania's highest peak). The track is carefully managed with a permit system to preserve both the environment and the wilderness experience.

Three Capes Track

A newer addition to Tasmania's great walks, this 48-kilometer coastal track along the Tasman Peninsula features architecturally designed huts and showcases the dramatic dolerite sea cliffs of the southeast coast—some of the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere. The four-day walk includes sections of boardwalk and well-graded paths, making it accessible to hikers with moderate fitness.

Freycinet Peninsula Circuit

This two to three-day circuit takes hikers around the breathtaking Freycinet Peninsula, home to the perfect white crescent of Wineglass Bay. The trail traverses pink granite mountains, coastal heathlands, and pristine beaches. For those with limited time, the shorter walk to the Wineglass Bay Lookout offers spectacular views in just a couple of hours.

Maria Island Walk

This guided four-day experience combines natural beauty with Tasmania's convict history. Maria Island National Park offers pristine beaches, historic ruins, and remarkable wildlife viewing opportunities, with no permanent human residents or vehicles to disturb the tranquility.

Wildlife Encounters

Tasmania's isolation has allowed unique wildlife to flourish, offering nature enthusiasts remarkable encounters:

Tasmanian Devils

These iconic marsupial carnivores, found only in Tasmania, are best spotted at dusk in places like Cradle Mountain National Park or at conservation sanctuaries such as Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary near Hobart. Conservation programs are working to save the species from the contagious facial tumor disease that has decimated wild populations.

Wombats and Wallabies

The wombat population in Cradle Mountain National Park is particularly approachable, often grazing unconcernedly near walking trails. Bennett's wallabies and pademelons (smaller wallaby species) are commonly seen at dawn and dusk throughout the state.

Marine Life

Tasmania's waters host an incredible diversity of marine creatures. Seal colonies can be observed along the east coast, while dolphin pods frequently accompany boat trips in the southeast. Between May and November, southern right whales and humpbacks migrate along the east coast, sometimes visible from shore.

Birdlife

Over 200 bird species inhabit Tasmania, including 12 found nowhere else on Earth. The endangered orange-bellied parrot, swift parrot, and forty-spotted pardalote draw birdwatchers from around the world. Maria Island offers exceptional birdwatching opportunities in a protected environment.

Adventures Beyond Hiking

While hiking is Tasmania's signature activity, the island offers numerous other ways to experience its wilderness:

Kayaking

Sea kayaking around the east coast provides access to hidden coves and remarkable rock formations not visible from land. The calm waters of Bathurst Harbour in the southwest offer a surreal paddling experience in a landscape that feels utterly removed from civilization.

Mountain Biking

Tasmania has emerged as a world-class mountain biking destination, with purpose-built trail networks at Blue Derby in the northeast and Maydena Bike Park in the Derwent Valley. These professionally designed trails cater to all skill levels while showcasing stunning forest environments.

Canyoning and Rafting

In summer, canyoning expeditions in places like Cradle Mountain and Mount Field National Park combine hiking with swimming through crystal-clear gorges and sliding down natural rock chutes. White water rafting on the Franklin River offers one of Australia's most challenging and pristine river experiences.

Scenic Flights

For those with limited time or mobility, scenic flights provide breathtaking perspectives on Tasmania's wilderness. Flights from Strahan to the remote southwest wilderness show the scale and inaccessibility of this remarkable landscape, while helicopter trips to the summit of Frenchmans Cap offer access to places that would otherwise require days of hiking.

Tasmania's Wild Coast

Tasmania's 2,833 kilometers of coastline range from the calm, white sand beaches of the east to the wild, wave-battered cliffs of the west. The island's position in the path of the "Roaring Forties" winds means that the western shoreline receives some of the cleanest air on the planet, having traveled uninterrupted across thousands of kilometers of ocean from Argentina.

The Bay of Fires in the northeast showcases a stunning combination of white beaches, turquoise waters, and distinctive orange-hued granite boulders covered in lichen. On the opposite coast, the remote and rugged shoreline of the Southwest National Park can only be accessed by boat or light aircraft, offering adventurous travelers a chance to experience one of Earth's most isolated coastlines.

A Living Heritage

Tasmania's wilderness has shaped both Aboriginal and European history on the island. The Tasmanian Aboriginal people have maintained a connection to country spanning more than 40,000 years, with their cultural heritage evident in shell middens, rock art, and ceremonial sites throughout the island.

European colonization brought dramatic changes, including the exploitation of wilderness resources through industries like whaling, logging, and mining. Today, many historic sites stand as reminders of this often-troubled past, while contemporary Tasmania increasingly embraces a future where wilderness protection and sustainable tourism support both the environment and local communities.

When to Visit

Tasmania's climate varies significantly by season:

• Summer (December-February): The most popular time for hiking, with longer days, warmer temperatures, and more stable weather. Peak season means more visitors and higher accommodation prices.
• Autumn (March-May): A beautiful time as the native fagus (deciduous beech) turns gold and crimson. The weather remains relatively stable with fewer crowds.
• Winter (June-August): Snow blankets the mountains, creating spectacular alpine scenery. Many hiking trails remain accessible with proper equipment, though some higher routes may require winter skills.
• Spring (September-November): Wildflowers bloom and rivers flow more vigorously with snowmelt. Weather can be changeable, but the landscape is at its most vibrant.

Planning Your Tasmanian Wilderness Adventure

Tasmania may be compact—roughly the size of Ireland or Sri Lanka—but its diverse landscapes and weather conditions demand thoughtful planning:

• Allow sufficient time: Despite its size, Tasmania's winding roads and diverse attractions mean you'll need at least 10-14 days to experience the highlights without rushing.
• Consider a rental car: Public transport is limited in wilderness areas. A vehicle gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
• Book accommodation in advance: During summer, accommodation in popular areas like Cradle Mountain can book out months ahead.
• Pack appropriately: Even in summer, temperatures in alpine areas can drop below freezing. Quality rain gear is essential year-round.
• Stay informed: Check park websites for trail conditions and weather forecasts before heading into remote areas.

A Wilderness Worth Protecting

Tasmania's wilderness areas exist today because of dedicated conservation efforts spanning decades. The famous campaign to save the Franklin River from damming in the 1980s marked a turning point in Australian environmental consciousness, demonstrating the value of preserving wilderness for its own sake and for future generations.

As visitors to these special places, we have the privilege of experiencing landscapes that remain much as they have been for thousands of years. With this privilege comes the responsibility to tread lightly, respect traditional connections to country, and support ongoing conservation efforts.

Whether you're standing on a windswept mountaintop, paddling through a mirror-calm harbor, or simply sitting beside a stream in an ancient rainforest, Tasmania's wilderness offers a rare opportunity to reconnect with the natural world in its most authentic form.