GO ALL OUT IN TASSIE

Tasmania has its own fascinating world of rainforests, wilderness, mountains, coastline and cultural style making it a natural playground for action-packed adventures and experiences.

There’s no doubt at all that Tassie is a land of things to do whether the passion is for thrilling adventures or more leisurely experiences. Perhaps it is the island factor, but something about Tassie makes you want to keep going to see around the next corner, hike over the next ridgeline or go the extra distance to visit the wilderness areas in search of some of the rare wildlife.

While much is written about the landscapes, gourmet produce, fine wines, flora and fauna, conference organisers also know that there are large helpings of excitement and adventure available all over Tasmania to suit the needs of even the most demanding guests and delegates.

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The sought-after all-wheel terrain vehicles, for example, are used in several areas for exploring forest tracks, wild beaches and dunes with operators running tours from locations including Strahan, Flinders Island, Freycinet and near Cradle Mountain. Whitewater rafting is real thrill on the rapids of the Picton or Franklin rivers while sea kayaking is available from bases such as Coles Bay, Strahan, Hobart or Port Arthur.

Other extreme activities include the cable hang-glider above Trevallyn, abseiling and roping up on Hobart’s Mount Wellington or in the Launceston Gorge. If serious rock climbing with experienced guides is called for, this is the place, with locations including Mount Wellington’s Organ Pipes near Hobart, White Water Wall and the Hazards at Freycinet, the Cataract Gorge in Launceston. For starters, the indoor climbing gyms in Hobart and Launceston are useful for courses and practice, too.

Tasmania has many excellent conference facilities and while a certain location might be chosen as a base, the island’s size means that travelling to other areas for activities is easy. Hobart’s thriving waterfront is a great drawcard with many activities and attractions and plenty of opportunity to sample a local beer, the fantastic local produce and the cool climate wines. Nightlife, shopping and a wealth of arts and crafts are all close by in Hobart and many of the old sandstone warehouses on the waterfront have been revitalized as hotels and apartment accommodation and as galleries housing some of Tasmania’s fine arts and crafts.

There is a very fine tradition of the arts in Tasmania and you won’t go far without finding a gallery or craft workshop with award-winning craftspeople making a wide range of items, including wooden furniture, bowls, toys and many other crafted pieces as well, glass, ceramics, jewellery and much more. Textiles are another speciality and the finely woven scarves and throws make excellent presents.

Launceston, on the Tamar River, is recognised as Tassie’s food and wine centre with more than 20 or so vineyards to discover on the Tamar Valley Wine Route. Organic produce is also a speciality in the region but of course fine produce is not limited to Launceston as there are growers in many regions and delicacies such as oysters to be found along the way.

A guided walk is a great way to discover more about Launceston, Australia’s third oldest city with many preserved buildings from the 19th century in excellent condition including townhouses, churches, shops and old inns. Also
on the list to visit is the dynamic and industrial Inveresk section of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery to tour the atmospheric Railway Workshops, the largest in the state and the Blacksmith’s Shop with its mighty forges and furnaces.

Other exhibitions in this fascinating section of the gallery include Strings Across Time, “acknowledging the past and present contributions Tasmanian Aboriginal women have made to the continuation and development of their cultural traditions and practices”. Aspects of Tasmanian Art includes more than 100 paintings, prints, watercolours and sculptures exploring both landscape and portraiture.