Top Things to See and Do in Tasmania - A Circumnavigation

As we sailed into the south end of the Murray Channel and into Deal Island's East Cove, we completed our circumnavigation of Tasmania. It took a year, almost to the day, but hey, we're slow sailors. It gave us cause to sit back one evening, while sipping our congratulatory cups of Tasmanian wine, and reflect on the highlights of our time in and around this very special island. We readily admit we missed a lot...like most of the interior (no car) and all the north coast (no time). We would have loved to linger in the Furneaux Island Group and explore Flinders Island (bad weather). Though we try, we just can't do it all. These are our picks of the top things to see and do in Tasmania.  

Strahan

Our first port of call along Tassie's wild west coast the entry through the infamous Hell's Gate into Macquarie Harbour. The tiny town of Strahan was picturesque and a calm respite from the west coast's churning waters. We sailed up the Gordon River, explored the convict ruins at Sarah Island and traipsed around the bush at Kelly's Basin. It was spectacular. You can reach Strahan by car and take tours of the harbor and the river.

Port Davey

Approaching Breaksea Island, knowing we needed to skirt behind it to find the calm waters of the Bathurst Channel took a leap of faith. Rollers crashed and the craggy shore looked uninviting and ominous. But the chart and hundreds of mariners before us assured us there was peace behind those ragged spires...and there was. We hiked to tops of hills and mountains for glorious views and took the dinghy up the Melaleuca River to areas originally inhabited by Aborigines and rarely seen or visited by modern man. Part of Southwest Wilderness National Park, this area is only accessible by boat, on foot or by small plane. It's unbelievably and wonderfully remote.

Bruny Island

A world unto itself, the island offers history, spectacular vistas, beaches and diverse flora and fauna including rare, endangered birds and white wallabies. Reach the island via a tour, your own boat or the car/passenger ferry at Kettering.

Cygnet

This was our favorite little port on the east coast. It's friendly, tiny and a bit Bohemian with a cafe and boutique-lined main street. Drive there or sail there. It's worth the trip.

Hobart Town

An historic, must-see seaport with so much to do and explore. See our Top Things to See and Do in Hobart for specifics.

Port Arthur

Re-live history here while meandering through the remains of this substantial, well-preserved convict site. Take a tour, drive there or sail there.

Maria Island

Another of Tasmania's national parks and historic convict sites. View remnants of the convict colony and the past settlement at Darlington or hike for miles enjoying the natural beauty of the Painted Cliffs, sharing the experience with kangaroos, wombats, wallabies and hundreds of birds. Access via passenger ferry from Triabunna or your own boat, of course.

Deal Island

Magic in the middle of the Bass Strait. Climb the steep hill to the small complex of historic lightkeeper's buildings, visit the tiny museum, hike the path to the lighthouse and climb its spiral stairs to the top viewing platform for unsurpassed views of the Strait. Cape Barren geese, wallabies, butterflies and birds galore keep you company. Part of the Kent Group National Park and accessible only by boat.

People

Get to know the locals. They're warm, friendly and knowledgeable. Thanks to Ian & Wendy, Craig, Marcia & John, Tony & Mary Anne, Reg, Anne & Phil, Gerry, Jack & Jude, Jim & Anne, Bob the octogenarian kayaker, Jackie, Mary & David and Tom, Maree & Floyd. If we've missed some of the many people who showed us kindness and friendship, we humbly apologize. As always, it is the people who enhance our lives and give us a better appreciation of the places we visit.

Days and Ways to Celebrate

A daily list of mostly obscure holidays and fun ways to celebrate them.

National Lox and Bagel Day

Bagels are not as easy to come by in Australia as they are in the US. We can find them, but it's not like Einsteins or Brueggers or a good deli in New York City. Revel in bagelry today. Schmear on the cream cheese. My mouth is watering!

National Read in the Bathtub Day

Hmmm...IF I had a bathtub, I'd consider this.

Sailing to Hobart Town

We anchored the night in the lovely Duckpond anchorage at Bruny Island, but saw no ducks. This anchorage is considered “bullet-proof” since it's so protected, but we didn't needed any protection this night. The water was flat and calm with nary enough wind to turn the wind generator blades even a little. The flags were limp. The temperature was mild and our first night back on the water was dreamlike. We woke to bright sunshine and a distinctly strong aroma of eucalyptus. I wish I could post a “smell bite”. It was a wake-you-up smell that permeated the air. Birds sang; water lapped gently at the hull. All in all, a pleasant way to be greeted by the day.

We hauled anchor, and headed to Hobart town, but not without a few hiccups. The handheld GPS in the cockpit has a corroded connector. It's a backup to the main GPS system, but we use it for keeping track of our nautical miles. It's on the fix-it list. The cockpit radio's LCD went out. We just had it checked out at Standard Horizon while we were back in the States and it was working then … but not now (sigh!). Put it on the list. As Marcie was raising the muddy anchor, the spray nozzle on the wash-down hose popped off and immediately found its way into the water. We were able to recoup it with the boat hook and our handy-dandy canvas bucket, but it needs to be fixed. The automatic bilge pump does not seem to be working properly.

Enough to-do's...on to the good stuff. It was a gorgeous day, but not enough wind to sail. No matter, we motored out of the Duckpond and into the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. I would call it a “blue” day. One of those days when the water and the air itself seem to reflect the blue, blue sky. The water was still except for our wake. The smell turned from eucalyptus to salty, sea air with a hint of fish as we passed close to the salmon farms.

Blue penguins floated in front of us, then dove shyly before affording us a chance for a photo. Sea lions languished in the sun, their flippers raised in a hello gesture as we motored past. Gulls, terns and cormorants dove for breakfast. We saw a whale … only long enough to identify it as a small whale and not a large dolphin. We reckon it was a southern right, but we really couldn't tell for sure.

We passed lighthouses, bluffs and sandstone cliffs. Mount Wellington was shrouded in clouds. We saw Ironstone Light in the near distance marking the entry to the Derwent River. Passing along Hobart's historic waterfront, the smell of the city overcame the smell of the sea. We weren't quite ready to tie up at Hobart yet. We were still enjoying the freedom of being on the water. We headed under the Tasman Bridge and though there was nearly 75' clearance to spare, it always looks like the mast is about to brush the bridge.

We anchored just after midday outside the mooring field in Cornelian Bay with views of the bridge on one side of us and views of the Queen's Domain and Botanical Gardens on the other. Several boats were moored in this protected area of the river. Colorful boat sheds line the shore.

The wind increased to 20 knots and kept the wind generator churning out power throughout the day, but conveniently calmed down by 7pm, allowing us a peaceful evening. We are indeed heading to Hobart Town, but not quite yet.