Huon Valley and D’entrecasteaux Channel | Tasmania
The Huon Trail begins south of Hobart and leads through the Huon Valley, D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island. It's an extremely pretty area with pine-fringed rivers, dark forests and sparkling seas.
Take the coast road south to the Huon Valley (40 minutes) through Taroona for spectacular views, apple orchards, pristine waterways and salmon farms. Taroona has the world's oldest round shot tower.
The waterways are accessible with the option of jet boats, rafts, historic yachts, kayaks, runabouts and cruise boats.
Take an underground cave tour at Hastings Caves and swim in a thermal pool.
Near Huonville you can discover more about the island's apple-growing heritage at Grove's Apple and Heritage Museum.
William Bligh of the Bounty fame pulled in to Adventure Bay on Bruny Island in 1788 and planted Australia's first apple tree. It thrived in the temperate climate and so Tasmania became Australia's orchard.
Hartz Mountains National Park offers mountain scenery (ice-carved crags, lakes and alpine moorlands) and memorable walks.
Garden lovers will enjoy the Avi-Fauna and Flora Gardens at Margate, the Magnus Garden at Woodbridge, Morella Gardens on Bruny Island, the Scented Rose Garden at Glazier's Bay and Jackson's daffodil farm at Geeveston.
Geeveston is also the base for Arve Road Forest Drive and Hartz Mountains and the Forest & Heritage Centre features specialty timbers and woodcraft information.
There are vineyards en route where you can sample cool-climate wines and fruit liqueurs as well as roadside stalls selling berries and apples in season.
Kettering, on the shores of the Channel south of Kingston, has a delightful sheltered harbour full of fishing vessels and cruising yachts.
The Alonnah History Room and the Bligh Museum show off the island's rich maritime heritage and a trip into South Bruny National Park is worthwhile, especially for the Cape Bruny Lighthouse.
Cornwall has Land's End, Tasmania has Cockle Creek, the southernmost part of Australia.
There is also a four-hour walk to South Cape Bay a tiny settlement from where you can take a walk for a couple of hours and stand at the edge of the world looking out to the blue expanse of the Southern Ocean.
Discounts offered in Huon Valley and D’entrecasteaux Channel to the holders of an Aussie Travel Saver card.
