Tasmania’s wild wonders are winning fans once more amid coronavirus restrictions

The ongoing love affair with the state’s wilderness has been strengthened in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions, with renewed interest in Tasmania’s adventures.

BEFORE Mona and the ­explosion in foodie culture, it was Tasmania’s great outdoors that drove tourism throughout the island.

The ongoing love affair with the state’s wilderness has been strengthened in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions, with locals and mainlanders showing their keenness to experience Tasmania’s adventures.

The Parks and Wildlife Service said bookings to walk the Overland Track in late spring and early summer booked out within hours when they went online on July 1 with a special rate of $100 per person.

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Bookings for the Three Capes Track have also been strong for walks starting in September through to March, with bookings for April and after to be released soon.

“Walkers are advised not to be discouraged if their preferred date is already booked, but to keep an eye on the website (parks.tas.gov.au) for ­updates,” PWS deputy secretary Jason Jacobi said.

“The data from these bookings is a good indicator of just how popular our parks are at the moment.”

Heavy water flows at Russell Falls in the Mt Field National Park.

The Tasmanian Walking Company, which runs luxury guided walks in wilderness areas including the Overland Track, Bay of Fires and Maria Island, is offering discounts of up to 50 per cent to help crack the Tassie market.

“Typically less than 5 per cent of our guests are Tas­manians, which is a shame, and hopefully this will allow us to work more with the local community,” general manager Heath Garratt said.

Mr Garratt said strong ­interest locally and from interstate, together with the company’s no-deposit policy, had led to record bookings.

“We had our biggest ever week for bookings a few weeks ago and we’ve also broken that [record] since,” he said.

Hikers on the Overland Track at Cradle Mountain.

Mt Field National Park has always been a favourite with locals and the park’s cafe operator, Rachel Power, said it was ­delightful to see so many Tasmanians coming back after the lengthy closure.

“It’s reinforced how much we want to be part of that whole park experience,” Ms Power said.

“The snow will start falling soon and that winter experience has usually been a Tasmanian market, with a few Queenslanders thrown in.”

She urged those who had not experienced the park in all its winter glory to take advantage of fewer tourists this year.

“One of the best walks is through the Pandani Grove with these towering plants that look like they’re from a movie,” Ms Power said.

“When they are covered in snow it’s something everyone should experience.

“The waterfalls in winter, especially after heavy rain, are just spectacular.

“You can’t talk to the person next to you because it’s so loud.”

Ms Power said the strong visitor numbers had high­lighted the need for better ­infrastructure, including carpark and sewerage upgrades.

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