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King Island

March 7th 2008 22:20
King Island


King Island is an idyllic island located at the western entrance to Bass Strait on the northern end of Tasmania. Boasting a rich history of which shipwrecks, lighthouses and jagged reefs which can still be seen to this day, the island is better known today for its sandy beaches, lush green pasture and the origin of some of Australia's finest natural foods.


King Island


With a population of less than 2000, the area is serene and blessed with a mild maritime climate of moderate temperatures. Visitors to the Island are mainly there for three reasons - sightseeing (shipwrecks, lighthouses etc.), wildlife (Flora & Fauna) and great food.

The treacherous waters of Bass Strait have claimed hundreds of ships and more than a thousand lives. At interpretation sites all around the island, memorial cairns will give you an insight into the lives of those shipwrecked, the brave rescuers, and the lighthouse keepers who worked tirelessly through the night to make the King Island waters safe.

King Island Lighthouse



The island is rich in wildlife with native flora and fauna abound due to the isolation of the island and lack of natural predators. Other native animals include Bennetts wallaby, Rufous wallaby, Tasmanian pademelon, Echidna and Brushtail Possum.

King Island's mild maritime climate plays a vital role in its fresh produce which includes the famous King Island beef, diary products (cheese, yoghurt) and seafood (crayfish and abalone). Many visit the Island for its food alone and you will find many tours that takes tourists on a food expedition that samples the flavours of King Island which include the aforementioned beef, seafood, diary plus herbal teas and honey.

Tours to King Island can be found here.


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Flinders Island

February 28th 2008 22:57
Flinders Island Tasmania


Flinders Island is the largest and main island of the Furneaux Islands, a group of 52 islands that stretch across Bass Strait between Tasmania and Australia.

Known as 'a scattering of islands where mountains meet the sea', the main island of the Furneaux Islands is one of the most serene holiday destinations in the world offering crystal clear waters and sparkling beaches, amazing wildlife and rugged ranges.

Flinders Island
Flinders Island from afar...


Adventurous types will love the outdoor activities which ranges from boating to climbing while the historic sites located throughout the island is a sight-seers dream. Due to the area's maritime climate which moderates any extremes of temperature thus ensuring mild weather throughout the year means that these activities can be enjoyed all year round.

The average minimum temperature in winter is 6.0 degrees and the average maximum temperature in summer is 22.5 degrees although it is not uncommon for the temperature to hover around the low thirties on a typical summer's day.

Wybalenna
Wybalenna - the cultural icon


The must-see landmarks of Flinders Island include the cultural icon that is Wybalenna, Mt Strzelecki, Palana, Marshall Bay, Walkers Lookout, Cameron Inlet and Trousers Point. An executive tour of Flinders Island will take you to all the aforementioned areas and more.

The Flinders Island Adventures tour show you the beautiful wild and remote places that visitors rarely see including the wild life, the scenery on land or by sea, guided by experienced locals who love the islands on a luxury 4WD.

Marshall Bay
Marshall Beach walk


Tours of Flinders Island can be found here.

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Burnie

February 20th 2008 23:01
Burnie


Located alongside the City of Devonport on the picturesque northwest coast of Tasmania is Burnie, a quiet port city of just under 20,000 residents.

The city is a sight-seers heaven with many natural attractions including waterfalls, lookouts, wildlife, parks, distilleries and fisheries plus historic landmarks such as the Burnie Inn, a preserved building from the pre-1870 period depicting the style of construction used in the town in those days.

Burnie Waterfalls


Burnie has a mild climate with average summer temperatures ranging from 12.5 to 21 °C and around 16 hours of sunlight per day and between 6 to 13 °C in the winter months with only 8 hours of sunlight.

The best places to view Burnie's gorgeous waterfalls is Guide Falls located in West Ridgley. This impressive public and easily accessible natural waterfall is best viewed in the winter and spring months. Roundhill Lookout offers spectacular views of the city at sunrise and sunset while the Wilf Campbell Memorial Lookout offers a fantastic view of the Port and CBD areas.

Burnie Penguins


The Little Penguin Observation Centre is one of the city's main tourist attractions where residents and tourists alike flock to see penguins in their natural habitat. Located at Parsonage Point right next to the bustling Burnie CBD resides a colony of little penguins going about their lives right before your very eyes. The Observation Centre lets you experience these fascinating birds firsthand, any time of the day or night - for free! Guided tours can also be arranged by appointment.

Platypus lovers will love Fernglade, a suburb just a few minutes drive east of the city. Blessed with excellent platypus viewing opportunities, the area is also a beautiful, ferny environment with picnic facilities.

Burnie Fernglade



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Devonport

February 12th 2008 22:15
Devonport Tasmania
Mersey River


The City of Devonport is located on the beautiful northwest coast of Tasmania and is blessed with gorgeous river, ocean and mountain views


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Launceston

February 5th 2008 08:45
Launceston Tasmania


The city of Launceston is located in northeast Tasmania and is the state's second largest city with a population of 98,000 (Census 2006


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Hobart - the capital of Tasmania

January 28th 2008 21:45
Hobart Tasmania


Hobart is the second oldest city in Australia and the capital of Tasmania with a population of 200,525 (Census 2006


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The great character of a man, Peter Cundall, perhaps best known for his hosting of Gardening Australia, turns 80 this month. It is difficult to believe he is that old, but I suppose with the amount he gets about, one can understand why he still looks so good for his age.

He is hosting a garden party in Melbourne on March 29th and a local ABC radio stations are having competitions for you to attend. It is a fitting way for him to celebrate his birthday, having been involved in the gardening world for so long


[ Click here to read more ]
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England win in Hobart

January 16th 2007 07:08
Well it only took 72 days of England being in Australia this summer for them to finally win a game. It was a far from convincing win in the cricket today against New Zealand and if I was Australia, I wouldn't be too worried about England testing them in the rest of the series.

New Zealand didn't look especially good either, in fact, both looked as though they didn't want to win the match. In the end Bell made some runs for England, but even he didn't look convincing. It took the usually reliable Flintoff to score the winning run off the second last ball


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Derwent Valley

August 8th 2006 09:24
The Derwent Valley is a short distance from Hobart, Tasmania's capital. New Norfolk is the main town in the Valley and sits on the edge of the Derwent River. It is a historic town with open green fields and houses that predate Port Arthur.

There is no doubting the setting is picturesque. It is quintessentially Tasmanian and reflects the reason many people head to the island. The region, as well as being picturesque contains attractions that will allow you to mix relaxation with activity.

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Beaconsfield Tasmania

May 29th 2006 05:12
If you’re an Australian, you will not have been able to avoid hearing about Beaconsfield. It’s been mentioned so many times in the national media that it almost feels like my home town. If you aren’t an Australian, you may or may not have heard of it. Whatever the case, it is a small town in Tasmania where there was a mining accident towards the end of April that saw one miner die and two miners trapped 1 km below the surface for quite a period of time.

Beaconsfield Mine
Beaconsfield Mine
Today I heard on ABC Sydney the Beaconsfield Mayor say that the town is seeing a bit of a tourist lift. I ask today then, is a disaster reason enough to visit somewhere? I know past disasters have often led to the establishment of a tourist destination, but should it happen immediately and for such a thing as one bloke dieing and another two sitting idly underneath the ground?

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Spirit of Tasmania no more?

May 26th 2006 06:14
Spirit of Tasmania
On May 10th, I wrote about the Spirit of Tasmania, including the Spirit of Australia III, which is the boat that takes the trip from Sydney To Tasmania. I spoke about it as a great way to travel to Tassie, the ability to take the car on it and have a relaxing time. A good alternative to a plane.

It seems though that most people don’t see it that way, unfortunately. Petrol prices have risen and cheap airfares threaten the future of the boat. The board controlling the boats (there are a number of boats travelling a number of routes) believe they may have to sell the particular Sydney boat unless a new injection of funds is received by the State Government.

[ Click here to read more ]
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Spirit of Tasmania

May 10th 2006 13:19
I yesterday spoke of the practicalities of flying within Australia due to the distances between places. Flying is definitely a good option if you want to spend more time enjoying your destination than enjoying your trip to the destination. Some people however, enjoy the journey as much as the location they are travelling to though so its worth thinking of other forms of transport, including The Spirit of Tasmania.

The Spirit of Tasmania will take you from Sydney or Melbourne to Devonport, Tasmania. Prices start from $160 from Sydney to Tasmania one way per adult in non peak periods. Prices from Melbourne to Devonport start at $75.

[ Click here to read more ]
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