The best way to see Tasmania

WHETHER you’re looking for relaxation or adventure, the Apple Isle awaits - and here’s how to see it properly.

The beaches around St Helens have the whitest sand you will see.

TASSIE is better by road and sea – take the time to see it properly. Take the caravan, motorhome or car and jump onboard the Spirit of Tasmania.

I was very impressed with the Spirit – good restaurants and rooms, a movie theatre and heaps of entertainment for the kids.

A lot of Tassie is untouched and very natural, so don’t expect to arrive by boat, scoot around and be out within a few days. While Tassie is relatively small in size, it makes up for it with attractions and adventure. Only a few hours after leaving the ferry terminal in Devonport we have stopped off, bought homemade goats cheese, had a little wine tasting, stocked up with a few bottles for the trip and then walked the coastline, all in Ulverstone – an old town right on the oceanfront.

News_Image_File: An old boatshed on Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain.

When it was time to start the Everitts up again we were off down narrow roads to Strahan via Cradle Mountain, of course.

In the northern end of the World Heritage-listed Lake St Clair National Park, Cradle Mountain is 90 minutes from Devonport or Ulverstone. It’s rich with Aboriginal history dating back thousands of years.

The wildlife is plentiful and the scenery second to none.

After saying a reluctant farewell to Cradle Mountain, we then head to Strahan, an amazing village nestled on the banks of Macquarie Harbour.

News_Image_File: Maria Island outlook.

The two biggest “must do’s” in Strahan are the day cruise with World Heritage Cruises and a scenic water plane flight.

The cruise will take you to Sarah Island, where convicts were cut off from the world. Then it’s on to The Landing, Gordon River and the intriguing Hells Gate. Not to mention the great buffet lunch on board and those famous Huon pines.

We go east until we can go no further and arrive at the coastline in a town called Coles Bay, the hub of Freycinet National Park. You could throw a blanket over the whole town but that’s what we love about it. It’s a short drive and a nice walk to a lookout to see over the world-famous Wineglass Bay.

News_Image_File: Walking in the Cradle Mountain National Park.

We are left in awe of the crystal-clear water and untouched wilderness of Coles Bay. The No.1 activity after hiking to the lookout to Wineglass Bay, is to take a kayak out.

And talking of wineglasses, be sure to stop and explore Tasmania’s many wineries.

Further north up the coast is St Helens. It’s the perfect place for me, a fishing village with more seafood than you can poke your fishing rod at.

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