Tasmania has an interesting colonial past. The state capital, Hobart, located to the east of Mount Wellington, was founded in 1804 as a penal colony and there’s a still strong presence of its convict history. Highlights of this port city include the buzzing Constitution Dock on the waterfront, the open-air Salamanca Market and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Opened in 2011, this bold and eclectic museum hosts over 300 controversial pieces of art and is a ground-breaking attraction for Hobart that’s had an impact on the rest of the island, too.
Back on the history trail, the former prison settlement of Port Arthur is Tasmania’s open-air museum, where visitors can explore the former prison wings and convict-built chapel before taking a boat trip to the graveyards on the Isle of the Dead – said to be haunted. In the north of the island, historic Launceston lies on the Tamar River and is a gateway to wineries, highlands and lakes. This is where you’ll find the impressive Cataract Gorge, where as well as the scenic paths and Kings River spanning the gorge, there’s also a swimming pool and Victorian-era gardens – all just a 15-minute walk along the river from the centre of Launceston.
Tasmania’s cities make up just a tiny portion of the island. Much of the rest of the state belongs to epic wilderness reserves. Freycinet National Park is a highlight of any visit to Tasmania; a rugged wild landscape fringed by dazzling stretches of sand and backed by the pink-hued Hazard Mountains. Stunning Wineglass Bay is the park’s best-known attraction and its glistening beach is often voted among the world’s best; trails lead up to a lookout point for unparalleled panoramic views over the bay. The stand-out place to stay in Freycinet is the super-sleek Saffire Freycinet – a stone and timber luxury lodge with huge glass windows that make the most of the gorgeous view.
Around two hours north of Freycinet, the Bay of Fires is a breathtaking region of white beaches, clear waters and orange granite boulders; while inland, the image of Cradle Mountain reflected in the calm waters of Dove Lake is another of Tasmania’s most iconic sights. The untamed wilderness of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Tasmanian Wilderness Area and a visit here is all about enjoying the great outdoors. For a real challenge, the gruelling six-day Overland Track takes in spectacular landscapes. Hiking is the biggest activity in Tasmania, but kayaking is popular too and adrenalin junkies can get a fix by white-water rafting down the Franklin River.
Tasmania’s wildlife is mainly coastal, with penguins, seals and eagles all spotted around the shores. Sightings of Tasmania’s most iconic species, the Tasmanian devil, are rare in the wild these days, but there are several sanctuaries where you can see these creatures up close and learn about the disease that’s threatening their existence.
Air Charter Service can help you charter flights to airports in Tasmania, including Hobart, Launceston and Strahan, which are all suitable for private jets. Simply contact our team and we’ll arrange everything you need to charter a private jet to Tasmania.
