Chasing Wilderness: Why Tasmania Just Hit the Top of My Travel List

I have spent nearly 6 months in Australia over the past 20 years of traveling in this part of that world. I keep returning because of its geographic landscape, history, food, wine scene, and incredible diversity of experiences. And the fact that it never feels over crowded. But the one destination that has eluded me so far has been Tasmania. Recently I began thinking about exploring this island and began doing some research in preparation for a possible visit.

First, I’ll start with the basics: Tasmania is not a country, rather it is one of six Australian states and the country’s only island state. Most of the flights to Tasmania originate from major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. International visitors typically stop in one of those cities to catch their connecting flight to Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania. And Spirit Of Tasmania ferry offers daily service between September and April from mainland Australia to Hobart across Bass Straight, with either daytime or overnight trips offered. The 250km distance takes about 10.5 hours. And the ferry also transports vehicles.

When I travel I always enjoy spending time in the outdoors and outdoor related activities. Tasmania is known for its wilderness travel; here is a related Tasmania tour package to reference before planning your trip here.

Tasmania is the kind of destination that feels mysterious; perhaps this is because of its geography. It is closer to Antarctica than any other continent on the planet. Nearly half the island is protected parkland or World Heritage wilderness, meaning the word pristine actually holds weight here. This island offers a diversity of landscapes ranging from ancient rainforests to jagged mountain peaks, to white sand beaches.

Part of the allure is how unmistakably wild Tasmania remains. This is why I’ve always been attracted to places like Australia; it is easy to find oneself in nature. Trails like the Overland Track promise several days of immersion, with no traffic noise, no light pollution and just wind blowing through alpine grasslands. I want to take some time to hike the coast at Freycinet National Park with its turquoise water curling around Wineglass Bay. I want to stand above its waters with a glass of wine from Tasmania’s most well known wine region, Tamar Valley in hand.

And other outdoor experiences on my must visit list include the Bay of Fires, noteworthy for its orange-lichen-covered boulders, clear waters and secluded beaches, Southwest National Park containing some of the taller trees on the planet and waterfalls, and the Tarkine, Australia’s largest cool-temperate rainforest with its sinkholes, caves and views of the rugged coastline overlooking the Southern Ocean.

But Tasmania isn’t just all scenery—it is also soul. Its history is layered and complex, shaped by deep Aboriginal roots, a convict past, and generations of people who learned to thrive on the far side of the map. Part of why I travel is to explore local culture. I look forward to discovering works of art by Tasmanian artists, spending time in museums and visiting local markets.

And speaking of markets, if I can find a place that combines inspiration natural beauty with great food, well then, that is a my ideal trip. I have read that Tasmania’s cool climate and clean waters create something of a culinary paradise: briny oysters, sweet scallops, heritage apples, buttery cheeses, and cool-climate wines that taste mimic the terroir of the vineyards. I don’t mind rustic, whether its enjoying fresh seafood outdoors next to a harbor or stumbling upon a mom and pop diner.

What ultimately pushed Tasmania to the top of my list, though, is its balance. It’s rare to find a destination where you can wander a world-class museum in the morning, kayak with bioluminescence at night, and spend the afternoon biking through forests that feel untouched by time. It’s refreshing to find a place where wildness isn’t gawked at by thousands of visitors and ‘over loved’.

In a world that feels increasingly fast, noisy, and crowded, Tasmania offers the opposite: stillness, clarity, and the kind of beauty that recalibrates your sense of what matters. I want that moment standing on a clifftop, chilled slightly by the cool breeze while staring out across the Southern Ocean, totally in the moment. I don’t need to be thinking about work, money or other constant daily barrages of input. I want the quiet space, somewhere remote while car camping on a clear night, sitting out before going to bed, in awe of the sea of stars.

So yes—Tasmania has officially staked its claim at the top of my travel list. Its a trip I need to make sooner than later, a destination I want take my time in and to be thoroughly inspired by.

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