Not only is Tasmania a haven for nature lovers, it’s also home to some of the most spectacular sights Australia has to offer. A picture may speak a thousand words, but photography in Tasmania will leave you speechless. From discovering Bruny Island’s wildlife and walking trails, to road tripping on the Great Eastern Drive and witnessing the stunning Bay of Fires, you’ll exhaust the camera’s memory stick from snapping pictures.
Thanks to its low light pollution, if you find yourself fascinated by the night sky, then be prepared to be mesmerised by the clear view of millions of stars above. With its breathtaking natural features, you’ll leave truly believing you’ve just experienced a piece of paradise. So if you’re desperate for a change from food or city photography, here are the 10 most amazing places to explore in Tasmania that should be on your photography bucket list.
Situated in the Southernmost end of South Bruny Island, Cape Bruny Lighthouse is not only the second oldest surviving lighthouse, but also the longest continually staffed lighthouse in Tasmania. You will instantly fall in love with the beauty of Mother Nature once you reach the top of the lighthouse, where you can see the most fascinating views across the ocean to the Hartz Mountain Range.
A Lighthouse Tour is available at AUD$10, or, you can visit a small museum near the parking area – The Cape Bruny Lightstation Museum, that tells you the history of the lighthouse for free.
How To Get There:
Catch a vehicle ferry from Bruny Island Ferry (Kettering) and drive approximately 1.5 hours to Cape Bruny Lighthouse. Thereafter, it’s a leisurely 10-15mins slow walk/hike from the carpark.
Websites:
(i) Bruny Island Ferry Timetable here.
(ii) Fully Guided Bruny Island Lighthouse Tour here.
The Neck joins North and South Bruny, and halfway along, you can find The Neck Lookout, with its stunning 360-degree view – something not to be missed when on Bruny Island. From here, climb 278 steps more to enrich yourself with the scenery from Truganini Lookout.
For explorers, there’s an incentive to overnight on the island – watching penguins return to shore at dusk! Note: The last vehicle ferry departs from Bruny at 7.15pm. The best chance of seeing the penguins is at dusk in the warmer months (September to February). Be sure to have red cellophane taped over your torches as the white lights can blind the penguins for hours, ruining their migration.
How To Get There:
Catch a vehicle ferry from Bruny Island Ferry (Kettering) and drive for 20 minutes to The Neck Lookout.
Website:
Bruny Island Ferry Timetable here.
There’s no way you can visit Hobart, without stopping by Mount Wellington. Situated 1,269m above sea level and an easy half hour drive from Hobart City, it’s a scenic ride you’ll treasure in your memories. The mountain is frequently covered in snow, sometimes even in summer, (if you’re lucky enough!).
Be sure to wrap up well as it can get extremely cold and windy at the top. Don’t be fooled by my shorts, I was lucky enough to grab some shots on a clear day before surrendering to the icy wind and running back to the car.
How To Get There:
Use Google Maps to guide your drive up Pinnacle Road as the road may become confusing. Type ‘Mount Wellington Park, Tasmania’ on your search bar. Do not enter the Mount Wellington Park itself as there are no detours – only a locked gate. Stay on the road leading you all the way to Mount Wellington.
Note:
It’s advisable to check the road conditions before heading up the mountain as access may be restricted over the winter months due to accumulation of snow and/or ice on the road surface.
Located about 1.5 hours drive from Hobart City, Mount Field National Park is Tasmania’s oldest national park. Shakespeare once said “The earth has music for those who listen.” and I couldn’t agree more. This is the best place to discover nature’s symphony while breathing in fresh air, as the towering trees create an atmosphere perfect for camera.
**Mt Field Campground is available for those stopping by or fancying a BBQ. For more information, click here.
How To Get There:
From New Norfolk take road B62 and then B61. If travelling from Lake St Clair, take road B61 from the Lyell Highway (A10), just east of Gretna.
Note:
A valid park entry permit is required for entry into Tasmania’s national parks. For more information, click here.
Getting to Russell Falls involves a wander through the rainforest – an easy walk, highly recommended for all ages. There are two other falls in the park, namely, Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls (longer time and moderate fitness required) but Russell Falls is my favourite. It is by far, one of the prettiest waterfalls I’ve seen and also one of the easiest to get to.
Photo taken at Horsehoe Falls
How To Get There:
From New Norfolk, take road B62 and then B61. If travelling from Lake St Clair, take road B61 from the Lyell Highway (A10), just east of Gretna.
Note:
A valid park entry permit is required for entry into Tasmania’s national parks. For more information, click here.
The Great Eastern Drive is known as one of the greatest road trips in Australia, and it has everything you’re looking for. This dramatic and scenic coastal drives will lead you to spectacular national parks filled with tall forests, beautiful white sandy beaches and rugged mountains. Wow. Just wow!
Wineglass Bay is situated at the East Coast of Tasmania in the Freycinet National Park. It’s often assumed its name was derived from the circular shape of the bay and the clear water contained within. A bit of a steep walk to the lookout, the journey ended up being more of a struggle than I’d expected, but the view at the top was more than worth it.
Even if the climb to the lookout doesn’t leave you gasping, the majestic view at the summit will take your breath away. It ended up being one of my favourite sunsets, where I spent over an hour taking photos of the incredible scenery.
**Suitable for fit or experienced hikers.
How To Get There:
Take road C302 from highway A3, to Wineglass Bay carpark inside Freycinet National Park.
Note:
A valid park entry permit is required for entry into Tasmania’s national parks. For more information, click here.
Photo taken at the northern section of Bay Of Fires
Photo taken at the southern section of Bay Of Fires
Driving on the Great Eastern Drive brings you to the stunning Bay of Fires, with its deserted, beautiful white sandy beaches, orange lichen-encrusted rocks and crystal clear blue waters along the coastline, guaranteed to leave you in awe. The scenery here is just ridiculously gorgeous, a beautiful sight you could gaze at forever. Definitely a postcard-worthy scene!
How To Get There:
(i) The southern section: Access to the southern section of Bay of Fires is via Binalong Bay Road (C850) out of St. Helen. Turn left into the C848 at the sign ‘The Gardens-13kms’. The road terminates at a private land at ‘The Gardens’.
(ii) The northern section: Access to the northern section of the Bay of Fires is via Eddystone Road, just before the lighthouse.
A must see when in Bicheno. The higher the tide, the more spectacular the view. Note: Beware of the big waves crashing on the slippery rocks that’ll splash at you. Also, be cautious of the slippery ground.
According to locals, if you’re lucky enough to be there at the right time, you might even catch a glimpse of the penguins.
You don’t have to travel miles to Alaska to witness the fantastic natural light phenomena – Tasmania has its very own light show. Yeah, you didn’t read wrong. I’ve been interested in auroras for as long as I’ve known they existed, and finally, I had the privilege to watch the dancing sky at Tarrona Beach.
It can’t quite beat the Alaskan Northern Lights, but it was a great experience nonetheless. Probably the best thing about my Tassie trip!
**The likelihood of seeing the aurora depends on solar flare activity. Visit here or follow their Facebook page here for updated aurora forecast.
Best spot to see the lights: All over Tasmania. The further South and the further away from city lights, the better your chances.
Before you visit Tasmania, here are some top tips:
Tasmania’s natural landscape will undoubtedly leave you both awestruck and feeling nostalgic at the same time. Even if for some reason you’re not already checking out flight tickets or planning your very own wonderful trip to Tasmania after reading this, hopefully, your preconception of Tasmania has been transformed.
Having been lucky enough to visit myself, I fell absolutely in love with the place, and am desperate to return to the island again! If you’ve been to Tasmania and have a favourite place to share, do let us know in the comments below!
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