From A Bucket Tick Journal: Tasmania – Cradle Mountain’s misty hikes, Bruny Island oysters, and why Freycinet’s Wineglass Bay lives up to the hype. Tips, checklists, and a few laughs from my own Tassie adventures.
G’day, mates! Tasmania’s been calling my name for years—wild, rugged, and full of surprises, just like a good Camino stage but with more wallabies and fewer blisters. After the Camino de Santiago stripped me raw in 2023, I needed a gentler adventure closer to home. Tassie delivered: dramatic landscapes, food that’ll ruin you for supermarket stuff, and that crisp air that makes you feel alive. I explored with my A Bucket Tick Journal: Tasmania in hand—checklists, maps, and space for my scribbles—and these five spots absolutely stole my heart. Here’s my no-nonsense take, with tips from a Queensland nana who’s learned to travel light (post-Camino wisdom).
1. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park The misty hikes here are pure magic—Dove Lake circuit with Cradle Mountain looming like a grumpy giant, boardwalks snaking through button grass and ancient rainforest. I did the Overland Track teaser (short version—my ankles thanked me), spotting wombats and echidnas like they were putting on a show. The mist rolls in dramatic, turning everything ethereal. Tip: Book shuttle buses early, pack rain gear (it’s Tassie, duh), and stay at Cradle Mountain Lodge for that fireplace coziness. Checklist tick: Summit if you’re fit; I stuck to the lake loop and still felt like a legend.
2. Bruny Island Oysters fresh from the water, cheese that melts in your mouth, and views that’ll make you gasp—Bruny’s a foodie’s paradise with a side of wilderness. I ferried over, drove the narrow roads (watch for echidnas crossing!), and devoured a dozen at Get Shucked oyster farm—briny, massive, and worth every dollar. The Neck lookout connects north and south Bruny with a penguin rookery below. Laugh moment: Nearly got stuck in sand on a “shortcut” beach drive. Tip: Go early to beat crowds, pack a picnic, and try the whisky at Bruny Island House of Whisky. Checklist: Oysters, cheese trail, lighthouse tour—tick, tick, tick.
3. Freycinet National Park (Wineglass Bay) This one lives up to every postcard hype and then some. The hike to Wineglass Bay lookout is steep but short—sweaty reward with that perfect crescent beach and turquoise water below. I descended to the sand (worth the knee burn) and had it almost to myself early morning. Hazards Beach loop for extra wow. Tip: Start at dawn for photos without the crowds, bring plenty of water, and stay in Coles Bay for sunset views. Laugh: Thought I spotted a whale—turned out to be a rock. Tassie plays tricks!
4. Port Arthur Historic Site Not all heart-stealers are pretty—this convict ruin hits hard with its haunting beauty and heavy history. Wandering the sandstone remnants, church ruins, and gardens, you feel the echoes of Australia’s penal past. The ghost tour at night? Chilling stories of convicts and isolation—gave me goosebumps. Tip: Buy the harbor cruise for context, allow a full day, and pack tissues if you’re soft like me. Checklist: Site tour, Isle of the Dead, evening ghost walk.
5. Salamanca Market & Hobart Waterfront Saturday mornings in Hobart at Salamanca Market are pure joy—stalls bursting with artisan goodies, buskers, and that buzzing energy. I loaded up on huon pine crafts, leatherwood honey, and scorching coffee. Waterfront wander afterward: MONA ferry if you’re brave (that art’s wild). Tip: Go hungry, haggle politely, and pair with fish & chips by the docks. Laugh: Bargained for a scarf and ended up with two—saleswoman had my number.
Tassie stole my heart with its wild contrasts—misty mountains to sunny beaches, gourmet feasts to haunting history. It healed bits of me the Camino started, reminding me adventure doesn’t always mean blisters. If you’re planning a trip, grab A Bucket Tick Journal: Tasmania—it’s got checklists, maps, and space for your own stories (and possum sightings).
What’s your Tassie must-see? Missed any gems? Comment below or email hello@apilgrimsjournal.com—I’d love your tips for round two!
Safe travels, mates. Makareta (Margaret)
P.S. More Tassie tales in the journal—grab yours and start ticking! 😊
