Five Awesome Nature Based Activities For Families In Tasmania
Tasmania is a magical and exhilarating place. You can explore the whole island and in every region feel like you've entered another continent. The geography of Tassie is vast, and extremely contrasting from one place to the next. Ancient Rainforests to coastal heaths, white tranquil beaches to wild rugged coastlines; rich tannin stained waters to the turquoise coloured sea. I could go on and on with examples but it's better to experience it for yourself. As for a family trip? The enjoyment of getting outdoors and spending time together, combined with physical activities and the worlds freshest air make for an extremely special journey.
So where to go to get the best nature based experiences for the family? We have put together a list of our top 5 family adventures, from around the state.
Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park. East Coast of Tasmania. Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park is a must walk if visiting the area. The views amazing, and the actual beach is awesome. This is one of many walks within the National Park, and starts off at the carpark, climbs up over the saddle of the mountain and down to the beach. It's fairly easy going but it does climb up, then down, and you have to return that way unless your taking the loop to Hazards Beach back to the carpark which can take up to 5 hours and not suitable for young kids as it's a level 4 walk. The walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout takes 1 to 1.5 hours. Allow 4 hours to walk over and down to the beach, and to return to the carpark. If you spend a lot of time at the beach it will take longer! Pack lots of water, snacks and wet weather gear. Be sure to sign into the walk before leaving as well. Most importantly, take your camera!! ⠀
The Enchanted Walk, Cradle Mountain. This is one of our top favourite kid friendly activities within the Cradle Mountain National Park. The Enchanted walk commences at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, then winds its way via boardwalk through alpine forest alongside a beautiful creek. It loops its way back to the Lodge. There are places to stop and take in your surrounds, as well as tiny tunnels filled with pictures and stories about the local wildlife and the Mountain- perfect for the kids! Pademelons are often sighted with many signs of wombats along the way - all you have to do is look for their square shaped poo! The walk is very easy going for all ages, and pram friendly too! ⠀
Three Capes Track, Tasman Peninsula. One of Tassie's newest Wilderness adventures is the Three Capes Track along the Tasman Peninsula.⠀Suitable for kids (conditions apply) this 4-day walk offers one of the rarest opportunities to experience the rawness of Tasmania, in all its glory. Families will see this rugged landscape through the eyes of our early explorers and the Original Tasmanian's who have called this island home for over 40,000 years. The walk fittingly starts and finishes at The Port Arthur Historic Site.⠀Each night families will stay in comfort, able to rest up for the following days adventures.⠀Bookings are required, contact the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife service. Bookings can be made online via their website.
Image courtesy of Three Capes Track.
Bruny Island Cruises, Bruny Island. An all time favourite of ours is the Bruny Island Cruise. This award-winning 3 Hour Wilderness Cruise explores the rugged coastline of Bruny Island in southern Tasmania. We have been lucky enough to do bothPennicott Wilderness Cruises, and have seen seals, whales, giant gulls and dolphins. We even saw a penguin hunting for fish! The Bruny Island Cruise travels past some of Australia's highest sea cliffs, enters into caves and cruises past 'Breathing Rock' and between 'The Monument'. To get to Bruny Island catch the ferry from Kettering. It takes 20 minutes to cross, and the first one leaves at 9 am. Cruises run at 11 am and 2pm, which leaves plenty of time to take the kids around the island before catching the last ferry home at 4pm, 5pm, 6pm or 7:15pm! ⠀
Mount William National Park, Far Northeast tip, Tasmania. One of our most favourite places is Mt William National Park, in the far north east of Tasmania. We camped for two nights and the friendly Bennett Wallabies visited us everyday.⠀There are giant Forester kangaroos, Common wombats, echidnas, Pademelons, Brushtailed possums and lots of bird species. Every morning we went looking for Tassie Devil footprints along the beach.⠀Mt William has many great activities for the whole family. Walk along the beach and clamber over the giant granite boulders, or take a bush walk along the track to climb Mt William for spectacular views of Bass Strait and Flinders Island. If the kids like fishing, the beaches and rocks are great spots, and swimming in the magical turquoise waters is a must on a warm day!
