The island of Tasmania is interesting for its extraordinary nature – it is the only place in the region where a temperate type of climate prevails, in the Southern Hemisphere this is found only in the south Chile and Argentina. Tasmania is the smallest state in Australia. Practically, the entire territory of the island is a large nature reserve. Almost a quarter of its territory has not yet experienced human influence. Impenetrable forests and jungles, mysterious and strange forest animals, a huge number of rare bird species, a large number of fish in mountain lakes and rivers have been preserved here. One of the legendary inhabitants of the forests of Tasmania is the Tasmanian devil, however, in recent years, the number of this unusual wild animal has declined significantly.
Port Arthur – This is a former penal colony, which was originally opened in 1830 as a woodworking factory. In 1833 it became a prison for male criminals and quickly gained the reputation of “hell on earth”. It contained criminals from nine-year-old boys to repeat offenders who committed dozens of crimes. The prison was closed in 1877, and the colony was renamed to forget the old associations associated with it. However, in 1927, the name Port Arthur was returned. Today the prison is open for excursions, there is a museum where you can learn more about the criminals who were imprisoned here.
According to TOP-MEDICAL-SCHOOLS, the Tasmanian jungle is fragments of a colossal ancient rainforest. covering the continent of Gondwana. A large section of it, Cradle Mountain-Lake Saint Clair Park, is recognized as a world natural heritage site. It covers an area of 10813 km2and includes four national parks, two state reserves, two conservation areas and state forests. These wild places are located in the southwest of the island and stretch from the coast to the heart of Tasmania, rising to 1615 m above sea level. The riparian temperate rainforest features both evergreen and deciduous trees. In this humid and mild climate, many species of trees thrive, reaching colossal heights. They produce wood of extremely high quality, valued throughout the world, which is why they are constantly threatened by over-commercial felling. Of the trees, the southern beech is characteristic, which, together with spinous atrotaxis (still preserved separate ancient individuals, more than 2000 years old) and cypress atrotaxis is a true relic of the forests that covered Gondwana. In some places, thickets of eucalyptus, the tallest plant in the world, form a forest canopy at a height of 90 m. The park provides a unique opportunity to get to know its inhabitants, including opossums, walabies, as they come very close to your place of residence in the expectation that their something to eat.
The Cradle Mountains are the northern part of the park. From jagged outlines give a glimpse of untouched pristine landscapes. Cascades of meltwater flow down the slopes, and at their foot glacial lakes glisten with water. Ancient rainforests, heather meadows, beech plantations grow in the mountains, which provide rich opportunities for ecological research. A center for the conservation of rare species of animals and plants has been established on the territory of the park. The Cradle is used as the starting point for a great six-day trip that takes you through the heart of the most beautiful mountainous areas.
Lake St. Clayer has been shaped by glaciers over the past 2 million years. This is the deepest lake in Australia. is the source of the river Derwent. The surroundings of the lake offer excellent conditions for walking.
In the heart of the Cradle Mountain Lake St. Clair area lies Wild Rivers Park. Here, among the lush vegetation, two water streams flow – the Franklin River and the Gordon River. The park can be reached during the boat trip, which starts from the village of Strachan on the west coast.
Jerusalem Walls Park is also located within a World Natural Heritage Site. Since the park is located away from the roads, it is truly wild. Good equipment is required to walk around this place.
Mount Field is one of the most popular national parks in Tasmania. The park is rich in scenic spots, wild flora and fauna and provides a wide range of services for visitors. A rare park in Australia has such a variety of ecosystems – from marsh to alpine. The park is divided into two parts. In the first of them, located directly after the entrance, there are places for picnics. Also in this part is a waterfall, a fern forest and some of the tallest trees in the world. The second part of the park is confined to Lake Dobson, surrounded by rich alpine vegetation.
Douglas Apsley Park (Douglas-Apsley) strikes with a variety of landscapes. There are deep river valleys, waterfalls, basalt plateaus, dry eucalyptus forests, moorlands, rainforests. This park is one of the few that preserves the wealth of hardy drought-tolerant plants native to eastern Tasmania.
Ben Lomond Park is located on the slopes of the plateau of the same name. Here, at an altitude of more than 1000 m, the flora and fauna of the alpine regions of Tasmania are protected. This area features glacial landscapes that are considered a national treasure.
Freycinet Park (Freycinet) is located on the peninsula of the same name. It consists of a series of granite mountains surrounded by blue bays and white sand beaches. Here you can go hiking in the mountains and beaches, explore the wildlife or just go swimming.
The park in the Hartz Mountains represents the wildlife of the southwestern part of the island. Here you can observe glacial landforms, waterfalls, small glacial lakes. A walk to the top of the mountain, located at an altitude of 1255 m, will reward you with a beautiful view of the surroundings.
Kent Islands group, which includes 6 large islands and a number of small islets, is the northernmost national park in Tasmania. The total area of the park is 2374 hectares, and the area of the largest of the islands is 1576 hectares. Relics of Aboriginal culture have been preserved on the islands. Since 1992 they have been uninhabited.
Mole Creek Park was established in 1996 to protect one of the state’s most visited attractions, the karst caves. The most impressive caves are Marakupa and the Caves of King Solomon. Here you can also see gorges, underground rivers and springs. Do not miss the opportunity to take a walk in the surrounding forests.
Mount William Park is long and deserted beaches, rich wildlife and a historic site. Here you can swim, fish, watch birds.
Characteristic landscapes can also be seen in Tasmanian National Park, Rocky Point, Strzelecki and Narawntapu Parks, Bruny Island. This island should definitely be recommended to those who have a special passion for organic vegetables and fruits, which are grown here in large quantities. The picking season for apples and pears here usually lasts from February to the first week of May, strawberries are harvested from November to the end of April, red currants ripen in time for the Christmas holidays. In addition to berries and fruits, wines are also produced here based on “northern” grape varieties, as we call them, although for Australia they should be called vice versa “southern”. Wine connoisseurs will be interested in tasting the local Cabernet, Chardonnay and Riesling, created from grapes grown “on the other side of the earth.”
Tasmania is a frequent venue for various festivals, the most popular of which is the Hobart Summer Festival., usually held in late December – early January. During the days of the festival, often coinciding with the New Year holidays, fun overwhelms all of Tasmania. Among the many entertainments, visitors to the festival pay special attention to wine tasting and various dishes of both local cuisine and foreign dishes prepared “in the Tasmanian style”. A similar food and wine “festival within a festival” is called “Taste of Tasmania” and is a forum for many representatives of the restaurant business. Another equally popular part of the festival consists of performances by a huge number of street musicians flocking to the island from at least all over Australia.
