"Tasmania" State of Tasmania by bsfreeloader

Tasmania isn’t particularly special, but it certainly is different than the rest of Australia. Separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait and roughly the size of Ireland, Tasmania seems more English than it does Australian. Unlike the mainland, it remains rather unaffected and simple, with a backwardness that is at once charming and frustrating. But those who enjoy the finer things – particularly good food and wine and charming, personal accommodation – will be pleasantly surprised by Tasmania. Similarly, while the scenery pales in comparison to superficially similar New Zealand, Tasmania compensates with much more plentiful and interesting native wildlife. And with much of the island’s best open spaces set aside as national parks, there is plenty of room to hike in relative solitude. In six or seven days you can take in most of Tasmania’s highlights, including some decent hikes, wine tasting, and gluttonizing but the island probably requires two weeks or more to be explored properly.