Tassie’s had me wonderstruck from the start, ever since I first caught sight of its supersaturated blues and greens from the plane window. Two weeks later, I’m still in awe.
I’m here with my little sister Casey, who flew over during her winter break from college to join me in exploring one of Australia’s most overlooked destinations. Back in Broome, some of my friends were amused by my plans to spend three weeks here, telling me that was a really long time for a place so small. During my sister’s flight over, the guy she was sitting next to laughed when she said she was headed to Tasmania. “There’s nothing to do there!” he told her.
Wrong — so wrong!
Tasmania may be tiny compared to Australia’s other states (it’s about the size of West Virginia), but it’s crazy beautiful, unbelievably diverse and ripe for adventure — particularly if you’re the outdoorsy type. There’s so much more we want to see that we’re already planning our return trip for who-knows-when!
So far, we’ve spent our time here exploring by both car and foot. Our week on the road took us north to a lavender farm outside of Launceston, down Tassie’s spectacular east coast and around the otherworldly cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula, while our second week saw us hiking through the iconic Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park on one of Australia’s most famous Great Walks, the Overland Track. I’m not even exaggerating when I say that every kilometer has been nothing short of incredible.
Unfortunately for the blog — although refreshingly in most other ways! — my travels here have left me mostly away from phone service and internet on the road, and entirely off the grid on our trek. Cue the late update on top of an already slow month. Oops!
For now, I’ll leave you with a few snapshots of our adventure here so far. There’ll be a lot more Tassie coming up in the next couple of months, plus plenty more from one of my favorite-ever travel destinations: Western Australia!
//THESE DAYS
Reading…
Casey brought with her some fresh reads — perfect timing as I’ve been slowly (and sadly!) emptying my backpack of books recently! During our road trip, I read Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle, a memoir about her sometimes magical, often difficult childhood growing up with freespirited parents. It’s a beautiful book. On our trek, I tore through Chuck Palahniuk”s Survivor, definitely one of the most outrageous books I’ve read this year. I wouldn’t call it a favorite, but it’s thoroughly entertaining.
Listening to…
Lots of Vampire Weekend, Grouplove and Local Natives courtesy of Casey’s DJ-ing — tunes for the road!
& Feeling Inspired by…
My off-the-grid travels have kept me away from my usual internet reads. The past couple of weeks, I’ve been getting all the inspiration I need from Tassie’s jaw-dropping landscapes. After having finished the Overland Track — our first big backpacking trip! — Casey and I are feeling seriously inspired to start planning another trek.
13 Comments
I can’t believe that guy told your sister there was nothing to do there! It looks amazing to me! Looks like you’ve been having a lovely Christmas. I’d love to go to Tasmania now.
Right?! We couldn’t stop joking about all the “nothing” we were doing 😉 I think Tassie’s sometimes an afterthought when people think of travel in Australia, but it’s absolutely incredible. I’m sure you’d love it!
Wow great job! Tasmania is very nice place. Your photography is awesome and the images are very beautiful.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful moment with us.
Thanks, Robin! Appreciate the sweet note 🙂
Man, those red rocks and super steep cliffs look amazing. I think it’s cool that you’re spending a while in an overlooked place! Were y’all camping during that hike? (Just asking because your backpack looks heavy and intimidating – and after just finishing the Inca Trail I can’t imagine hiking a long distance with more than a daypack – I’m not very tough.)
There are huts along the trail you can sleep in with your sleeping bags, but as you’re not guaranteed spots, you have to be fully prepared to camp. We ended up half using the huts (on cold nights!) and half camping. Not going to lie: our packs were heavy! About forty pounds each, I think. It was our first big backpacking trip, so the weight took some definite getting used to — but honestly, I bet you’d be surprised by how much you can carry! We were 🙂
Looks beautiful!
Can see what you mean about those blues and those greens…
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So beautiful! Won’t be forgetting Tassie’s colors anytime soon 🙂
T-mania’s been my favourite state since I first visited in 2011 (sadly the only time I’ve been there). It’s became my “happy place” shortly after.
When I’m stuck on the Tube in London during peak hour, I close my eyes and imagine the farm in the middle of nowhere I’ll own there one day, with sprawling lavender fields, baby goats, miniature pigs, chickens, llamas and 112 rescue dogs.
It helps calm me down.
Anyway, Katie – your blog is once again making me feel pathetically homesick. I really hope you enjoy your time there.
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*It became. Sigh.
LC recently posted…Big Magic – What a Book to Start the Year On
That sounds like the perfect daydream for a minute’s break from the city! I completely understand how Tassie’s your happy place. It’s completely stunning. I love it and can’t wait to return someday — hey, maybe I’ll even be able to visit your beautiful farm! I’d love to help entertain some rescue dogs 🙂 Thanks, LC!
It looks so beautiful! Who would say that there’s nothing to do there?!!? So many outdoor adventures to be had…
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Right?! My sister and I just couldn’t get over the idea that Tassie has nothing to do. I guess it depends on what kind of travel you’re after in the end!