%cgTasmania: Strahan%c* and other State of Tasmania, Australia Things to Do Tips

Striding a sheltered cove on Macquarie Harbour Strahan has been rated as one the most beautiful small towns in the world. It's location is really stunning and very Tasmanian in character. Strahan is world famous for it's Macquarie Harbour and Gordon River cruises. They will, like the Abt Wilderness Railway set you back a bit, cost wise, but are worth splurging on. Just out side of Strahan can be found the little fishermans' shack village of Lettes Bay, a nice little place worth a look. For that wild beach experience go west of Strahan to Ocean Beach, it makes a great walking spot in almost all weather. There is a YHA, B and Bs and plenty of other accommadation to be found in Strahan.

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Address: West Coast Tasmania
Directions: The most interesting way to get to Strahan is by taking the Abt Wilderness Railway from Queenstown or the B27 road from Zeehan.

In order of the world's most beautiful bridges there comes Charles IV in Prague at first, then Paris's Pont Nuef and Luzern's Kapellbrucke would rate a second tie, but then third would be in my personal opinion the humble Ross Bridge in Tasmania's Midlands. On a global scale totally obscure, but none the less deserving a good rating. This is a remarkable little bridge and even though it lacks the grandiose spectacle of the latter it's up there with those of the above. It's neither the longest or even oldest of Tasmania's bridges, but it's craftsmanship and originality is far surpassing. Built by convict labour from locally cut sandstone and completed in 1836 it's three arches span a mere duck pond in the course of the Macquarie River. Better noted is it's face dressed in eclectic stonemasonry by the convict stonemason Herbert. He was given a pardon for his good work and that's saying alot for how the convicts were treated in those early days of the colony. See it for yourself as it's worth the trip up from Hobart or down from Launceston. By the way the village of Ross is worth a good wander, it's tiny like it's bridge, but equally interesting. There is a wonderful bakery in Main Street which does a "real" espresso and that's certainly worth a pardon my dear squire.

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Address: Over the Macquarie River in the village of Ross.
Directions: Ross is found about 120Km north of Hobart, just off the Midlands Hwy.

Bruny Island is a popular, but completely unspoilt part of Tasmania. It's almost two islands as they are separated by a natural land bridge, an isthmus, called The Next. Here you will find the road running from north to the south of the island. There is a viewing platform commanding great views, sunrise or sunset are recommended. It's also here that there are countless mutton bird (Sherewater) rookeries, mind your step if straying off the path.

There are some great beaches on Bruny Island, one gets a great felling of solitude walking along them as they are never crowded.

At Adventure Bay there isn't much, but for a quaint little museum which is open by appointment. Ask at the house next door for the key. Inside you will discover an original edition replica of William Bligh's log book as the Bounty was on it's last voyage via here in the late 18th century. Here there can be found a small hostel and a caravan park.

At Cloudy Bay near the island's south you'll find a good camping spot just behind the dunes.

Bruny Island is a good destination for bicycling, they can be taken over on the regular car and passenger ferry from Kettering.

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Address: Southern Tasmania
Directions: South of Hobart, acessible by vehicular ferry from the town of Kettering.

Battery Point is the most historic neighbourhood in Hobart. Take a stroll into the past through this area on foot and see a spectrum of Georgian and early Victorian architecture at it's most preserved. This is a living neighbourhood, not a mere museum.

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Address: Hobart
Directions: South west of Central Hobart and just up the hill via Kelly's Steps, which run off Kelly's Lane at Salamanca Place.