60 Great Short Walks

Tasmania is home to some of Australia's most iconic walks – the Bay of Fires, Maria Island, and of course, the Overland Track, to name a few. But one doesn't have to embark on a multi-day trek to experience the best of Tassie on foot. Work your way down the list of Tasmania's 60 Great Short Walks. They give just about anybody the chance to explore some of Tassie's most scenic and iconic regions, in walks ranging from about 20 minutes to a couple of hours.

• Web:

  parks.tas.gov.au/things-to-do/60-great-short-walks

ALL4 Quad Bike All Terrain Tours

With four big rubber tyres beneath, accelerate up the sandy path on your way to the southern end of sweeping Friendly Beaches. As you wind through Eucalypt covered hills you might decide this is a terribly fun way to reach isolated nooks of the Freycinet Peninsula. Navigate boulder-filled valleys and drop into an abandoned mining cottage before reaching the coast. In true east coast style, your afternoon tea stop is a cracker with rolling turquoise waves and orange lichen laid out like a picnic rug across granite boulders. A thrilling quad bike adventure for those who seek a unique view of the Freycinet National Park.

• Web:

  all4.com.au

• Address:

  1 Reserve Road, Coles Bay TAS

• Phone:

  +61 3 6257 0018

Bruny Island

Bruny Island is known for its delicious produce and spectacular scenery. Taste fresh seafood, sample fine Tasmanian whisky, eat handmade fudge and chocolate, pick berries and sample artisan cheeses.

• Web:

  www.brunyisland.org.au

Central Highlands Fly Fishing

Tasmania is one of the last great wild fisheries. Glassy lagoons, remote highland lakes and freestone rivers provide seclusion and excellent dry fly fishing from September to May. There are over 3,000 lakes, rivers and streams in Tassie. You’ll be excited to discover almost all of them hold wild brown and rainbow trout. The varied terrain also creates some pretty memorable challenges.

• Web:

  www.discovertasmania.com.au/experiences/stories/fly-fishing-tips

Cradle Mountain Huts Walk

The Cradle Mountain Huts guided walk is a great opportunity to discover the dramatic landscapes and extraordinary diversity of the Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair National Park within Tasmania's World Heritage Area. Following the iconic Overland Track, the walk extends from Cradle Valley to Lake St Clair through a variety of spectacular landscapes. In the evening, relax in the comfort of private huts, enjoy hot showers and three-course meals.

• Web:

  www.discovertasmania.com.au/things-to-do/tours/australiangeographictraveltas/cradle-mountain-huts-autumn-botany-walk

East Coast

Along the east coast you can dine on plump oysters and other fresh seafood, sip wine with the winemaker at one of the wineries along the coast, kayak with dolphins or take the ferry to Maria Island — a wildlife haven set amongst natural beauty and convict history.

• Web:

  eastcoasttasmania.com

Barnbougle Dunes Golf Course

Barnbougle Dunes is a popular golfing destination on the coast of Bridport. Tee off to the sound of crashing waves on a links course where sweeping beaches, farmland and manicured greens mix effortlessly. Challenge yourself to 18 holes followed by a Tasmanian whisky in the clubhouse.

• Web:

  barnbougle.com.au

• Address:

  425 Waterhouse Road, Bridport TAS

Bay of Fires

The Bay of Fires is a Tassie favourite. Here a ribbon of coves, rocky outcrops and empty beaches flow under azure skies. The Bay of Fires Conservation Area has clean white beaches, turquoise water and granite boulders splashed with bright orange lichen. Beach activities and bird-watching are popular and you may see a pod of dolphins cruise parallel to the beach. The area is known for its snorkelling and diving, with scenic reefs, corals, underwater caves and abundant sea life.

• Web:

  www.discovertasmania.com.au/regions/east-coast/bay-of-fires

• Address:

  The Gardens TAS

Bay of Fires Lodge Walk

The Bay of Fires Walk covers a coastline where there are more extraordinary white sandy beaches than houses. Immerse yourself in the pristine coastal environment teeming with wildlife. Accommodation is uncomplicated and luxurious at either the beach camp or exclusive Bay of Fires Lodge, an airy seaside cliff top lodge overlooking the azure ocean and blazing orange boulders. Walk through the bush to the spa, beginning your spa experience with a soothing soak in the outdoor bathing pavilion.

• Web:

  www.discovertasmania.com.au/things-to-do/tours/tasmanian-walking-company/bay-of-fires-signature-walk2

Bicheno Penguin Tour

See wild little penguins emerge from the ocean and head for their homes in a natural rookery on an after-dark tour. Established by locals to protect the penguin population, the tour lets you get close to the penguins without disturbing their nightly journey. These are wild birds, so penguin numbers and arrival times vary with the life-cycle activity and weather, with larger numbers of 100-125 birds from September to January. You can expect to get very close to a penguin on this tour.

• Web:

  bichenopenguintours.com.au

• Address:

  Unit 1/70 Burgess Street, Bicheno TAS

Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trail

Riders worldwide are heading to Tasmania. Blue Derby is a network of trails that surround the town of Derby. Once the centre of a tin mining boom, these days it’s the mountain bikers carving up the dirt. Cruise to the top of the hill. Tear downhill as fast as you can. Repeat.

• Web:

  ridebluederby.com.au

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Bonorong offers a very hands-on experience, rare in other zoos and wildlife parks, allowing you to share special moments with Australia’s wildlife. Tasmanian devils are active during the day, so you can view them any time. The park also looks after wombats, koalas, echidnas, birds and many more Tasmanian natives.

• Web:

  www.bonorong.com.au

• Address:

  593 Briggs Road, Brighton TAS

• Phone:

  +61 3 6268 1184