The lush and lovely Huon Valley of Tasmania

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The best way to enjoy this pristine region of waterways and wilderness is to drive around the quiet country roads and highways.

Along a clearly defined and safe-driving touring route you will discover just what it is that makes the Huon Valley a place of beauty - the World Heritage Wilderness.

The views are superb, spectacular scarps and intensely beautiful coastlines with towering sea cliffs along estuaries and sheltered waterways. The Huon and Picton Rivers are the focus for a range of activity from gentle cruising to white water rafting amongst magnificent forests.

photo KeresH : wikimedia

Despite the cold water, the surfing beaches are fantastic, unspoiled and uncrowded. For serious surfers, Bruny Island and South Cape Bay receive enormous swells from the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.

Recherche Bay, another French 'discovery' was the site of a whaling station during the 19th century.

It was isolated from the main areas of early settlement, exposed to easterly gales and with a terrain that discouraged European agriculture. When the English established prisons in Tasmania, they left Recherche Bay alone.

takver

J.J.Duffy

Tasmania was once part of the whaling industry. There are former whaling stations scattered around the south, and this sculpture reminds visitors of those days.

You'll find it at Cockle Creek, a tiny seaside settlement tucked away among the tranquil coves of Recherche Bay.

Lovely Cockle Creek on Recherche Bay, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
photo JJ Harrison : wikipedia

wild thing adventures

Down the highway from Hobart, Bruny Island is home to a large colony of some 8000 seals. There is also a penguin rookery, seabirds and dolphins.

The Island is formed with a dramatic weathered coastline, the second highest sea cliffs in Australia, dolphins, seabirds and penguins.

The best way to see it is on a guided boat tour and I fully recommend the excellent and very affordable tours from Bruny Charters

The Mirambeena travels over to Bruny Island ten times each day from Kettering and back again.

Crossing to the island takes 20 minutes and offers excellent views of the D' Entrecasteaux Channel from the upper deck.

On the way over keep your camera handy for the seals and dolphins who follow the wake. I can't describe the thrill of seeing these delightful creatures frolicking around the ferry!

image : wikipedia

J.J.Duffy
Hastings Caves were formed over 40 million years ago, and discovered by white settlers in 1917.

The spectacular formations include flowstones, stalactites, columns, stalagmites and helictites.

Thermal Springs are near the cave complex, warm water set in glorious surrounds with towering eucalypts and stunning rainforest ferns. The Thermal Pool, fed by a natural spring, is an ideal 28 degrees Celsius all year round. It's an ideal spot for family relaxation.

Don't expect a luxury spa resort, this is a naturally heated swimming pool in an amazing surround. Just beautiful!

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service

The Tahune Air Walk is a suspended tree canopy walk that offers up amazing views of the Tahune State forest, nearby Hartz mountains and the Huon and Picton rivers.

You get a birds-eye view of a wet sclerophyll forest, with tall eucalypts and rainforest species in the understorey. Some of the things you'll see are treetops of King Billy pine and Celery Top, Sassafras and the flowering Leatherwood. Many of these trees are rare species - some found only in Tasmania.

You must experience this! Don't let the wind make you jump - I confess to an involuntary shriek the first time - the walkway is built to withstand winds up to 180 km. The steel framework is supported by 12 concrete towers embedded in the forest floor and stabilised by three elastic steel guy cables designed for each tower.

It's perfectly safe for little chidren and full wheelchair access is available.