mighty , simply fantastic place to travel and visit by all these who desire to appreciate beauty of nature , wilderness and enjoy lovely holiday away from busy atmosphere of contemporary , modern world. This island encapsulates all important aspects of development of the Australia . This small mass land , positioned just short hop from Australian continent , just like a splinter lying on the waters of Southern Ocean has truly magnetic attraction for world tourists. Tasmania island with around 6000 km of shore line, mountains with alpine nature , valleys with meadows and the kaleidoscope of climatic changes , presents variety of all possible moods and type of adventure visitors seek here . Already in early days of Tasmanian history , Dutchmen Abel Tasman and other explorers like French Nicolas Baudin were navigating and charting the area and waters around already in XVII century . Now these waters of Southern Ocean and the truly colourful shore line is ready to be explored by happy visitors and tourist . Here during the trip to the Tasmanian wilderness one observers and encounters geological evidence of GONDWANALAND presence in early times of mother Earth past . For thousands years , as evidence indicates Tasmanian native indigenous people were domiciling this place which became an island about 35 000 years ago .
Natural beauty of the flora with mighty HUON Pine trees and huge green fern plants stimulate one imagination taking one into fantasy of enchanted land . The Huon Pine tree – Lagarostrobus franklinii – can be seen in the South Western corner of Tasmania . This very slow growing tree has the representatives in Franklin River area , where one can get by the Boat tours live in some cases more than 2000 years . If some fall down the they become the ground for new Huon saplings growth . The wood being rich in specific oil of its natural quality is resistant to rot , mould and bugs . Has been very prized by early ship builders during rough history of Van Diemens Land , when some of the boats were build only to be used to escape the horrors of the penal colonies in Tasmania like the Sarah Island in Macquarie Harbour , 6 times bigger than Sydney Harbour . Historical evidence of early European explorations is present all over the island. The Sarah Island is rich of the historical , legendary aspects of its past . Now place of calm and pristine atmosphere of its untouched forests , rivers being Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage area of the Franklin- Gordon Wild Rivers National Park . The past times of the development of the area which one can explore from STRAHAN , was full of misery , harshness of the convicts lives in shackles working in these brutal conditions of the panel colony , which had as the task to provide the building materials like timber , stone for the settlements , towns of the island of Tasmania .
There are many interesting towns worth of visit and consideration during the travel around this beautiful Island. Hobart – capital of Tasmania . The early modern history of that charming by the clear water bay and at the foot of Mt. Wellington town , first called ‘Hobart Town’, or ‘Hobarton’ dates to its foundation as a British colony in 1803. This place before British colonization had been occupied for at least 8,000 years, but possibly for as long as 35,000 years, by the semi-nomadic Mouheneener tribe .Just as the interest it is worth to say that descendants of the indigenous Tasmanians now refer to themselves as ‘Palawa’. Very attractive and pictures places in Hobart , with many restaurants , pubs and great , scenic vistas are Salamanca and Battery Point . In December each year the Sydney to Hobart annual boat races take place . During the time of finish of world renown regatta Salamanca is full of sailors and spectators. After fun and enjoyment of Hobart the trip around Tasmania is truly recommended . There is many lovely parts and corners of this island worth of visit . But some are really spectacular and world renown . Drive to the town of Strahan in western part of Tasmania is really fascinating . Along the Derwent river from Hobart one crosses pleasing sceneries of fields , meadows surrounded by steep cliffs and mountains, through small settlements like Hamilton ,one reaches area of Derwent Bridge . Here one can enjoy visit to special gallery , called The Wall “, where Sculptor Greg Duncan , in the Tasmanian timber panels – 3meters high ,presents to the visitors past and present times of Tasmania . It is really very impressive presentation . From there short distance is the opportunity to relax by shores of Lake St. Claire . Cristal clear water of the lake reflecting in its mirror alpine type of picks of Cradle Mountain ranges is unforgettable experience . From there via Queenstown , mining town where copper was and still is mined and scenic railway can be enjoyed , one gets to Strahan . Harbour of this town is base for cruise to the Macquarie Harbour and to the Gordon River to appreciate the beauty of nature with Huon Pines proudly presenting its might . 
During this 120 km. cruise one also visits the Sarah Island to learn the horror history of this penal settlement of XIX century . From Strahan one should get to the Cradle Mountain National Park and be charmed by the beauty , astonishing sceneries of Lake Dove and other lakes . To be moved , whatever weather it might be , sun or ran , by the magnificent Cradle Mountain . From the western part of the Island , along the good quality country roads via Campbell Town one can reposition one attention to different aspect of beauty which East Coast of Tasmania presents . Lovely towns of Swansea and Bicheno mesmerize visitors with the turquoise colour of the sea water . From here one can start adventure in the Freycinet National Park where from Hazardous Range of picks one can look over the Southern Ocean as far as Antarctica as there is no other land mass . Most picturesque and loved by many visitors is the “ Wineglass “ vista over the bay on the ocean side and the Coles Bay to the west . The views and overall atmosphere is intoxicating with the beauty and natural , unspoiled freshness of nature . From there via St. Helens where the Bay of Fires can be explored before reaching on Tamar River very charming and central town in area of north coast of Tasmania , Launceston . This town was settled in 1806 by Europeans and is one of oldest town in Australia . Here one can cherish one eye with lots of great architectural marvel of buildings from bygone era of early history of colonization . Tasmania is really and justly one of the musts to visit while travelling in Australia .
To reach Tasmania from mainland Australia one can fly Jetstar , Qantas or Virgin Australia from Sydney or Melbourne to Hobart or Launceston . To mainland cities from world destinations carriers such as Singapore Airlines provide , via Singapore or Air China and LOT Polish Airlines via Beijing ,attractive range of services and airfares .
WMIG April 2014
For further reading visit websites:
http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/ – – information about Tasmania tourism
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/indeX.aspX?base=391- website concerning the National Parks of Tasmania
Mitch Godziemba Swiat
mitchgodziemba