Things to do in  Tasmania

Good food, great wine, and more than three million acres of UNESCO World Heritage–listed wilderness beckon travelers to Tasmania. While Port Arthur's 19th-century penitentiary ruins evoke an eerie sense of Tasmania's convict past, those who visit the island today have a great amount of freedom, especially when it comes to planning an itinerary—or choosing from numerous tours that expertly explore the Island of Inspiration. Want to experience the island's natural beauty? Hike up or bike down Mount Wellington, the landmark of capital Hobart; cruise past ancient rain forests on the Gordon River from Strahan; or day trip to Freycinet Peninsula National Park, home to Wineglass Bay's white-sand beaches and pristine waters. If you're feeling cultural, head to the Hobart waterfront for a taste of its up-and-coming culinary and craft-beer scenes; visit the Salamanca Place weekend market; spy cute colonial buildings along Battery Point; or admire Aboriginal artwork at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. No matter your home base, opportunities for day tours abound—bushwalk through the unspoiled wilderness of Cradle Mountain from Launceston or Devonport; head offshore to wild Bruny Island from Hobart for surf, sun, and the chance to spot wallabies, penguins, and migrating whales; or head to the Tasman Peninsula to witness the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo's namesake critters, kangaroos, and native birds.