Tasmania east coast: A nature photographer’s heaven

[Raven]

Situated at the southern tip of the Australia continent is a hidden island whose existence can be easily forgotten and passed off as compared to the more exciting cousins such as Melbourne and Sydney. However, as the slogan of the Tasmania tourism board suggest, “a world apart, not a world away”. This island although is the furthest Australian tourist attraction from Singapore, is truly unique.

The capital city of Tasmania is Hobart and once you landed at the airport, you will be greeted by the laid back environment in contrast to the buzzing Changi airport in Singapore. There is a fresh breath of coolness in the 14degC air. As with any other states in Australia, they have strict quarantine rules to prevent anyone from contaminating their environment. Hence, do not bring any fresh food or dairy products on your luggage.

In Hobart, make sure you timed your visit to so as not to miss the famous Salamanca street market that only opens once a week on Saturdays. Surprisingly despite the large land area in Tasmania, the airport is only 20 minutes drive from the city centre in Hobart. Upon reaching the market, you are surrounded by numerous “pasar malam” stalls littered along the Salamanca street that sells everything “Tasmania” from food produce, wood curvings to clothings. This market itself is worth a few hours of exploration.


Salamanca Market. Mount Wellington can be seen in the background.


Fishing boats docked at Hobart Harbour

If you are hungry, you can always walk to the Elizabeth Pier Street near the Salamanca market for the best seafood. As Tasmania is surrounded on the east by the South Pacific Ocean, there are plentiful of fresh ocean catch at a reasonable price. Our stop is the Mure restaurant where you can find many varieties of fishes and prawns for your choice.


Tasmania Salmon

Another alternative near Elizabeth Pier is to eat at the Fish Frenzy which is voted the best fish and chips joint in Tasmania. It is here that I learn my ABCs on the different varieties of fish between Flathead, Blue-eye, Flake. Do choose wisely as they will affect the taste and texture of your fish and chips.

By limiting your stay only in Hobart is a waste and not enjoying fully the beautiful offerings of Tasmania. Only a 2 hours drive from Hobart along the Tasman highway is the Huon valley. The drive across to the Huon Valley takes you across the Huon Scenic Trail. Lush wide spaces and mountain sceneries at the horizon awaits you while driving across the valley. This valley is famous for their apple farms. There is even an Apple museum which entails the history of the region. If you are munching your Tasmania apple, this is most likely the origin.

Our destination is the Tahune national park where there is the newly constructed forest air walk. Nature lovers will enjoy the tranquility of the forest while at the same time admire the scenic forest from the 35-metre high air walk platform. The more adventurous can walk through two suspended bridges located along one of the nature trails. It is highly recommended to get your lunch at the visitor centre cafe as the food is reasonable priced and delicious. This is a surprise for a touristy place. However this Tahune national park is no ordinary tourist site.


Cantilever at the Tahune Air Walk extends into the lush forest which suspends you 35-metres above the forest


A warning sign for motorist to avoid hitting the penguins


Famous Huon Pine trees in Tahune National Park

If you drive east from Hobart along the Tasman highway and continuing via Arthur highway to the south is Port Arthur. Port Arthur is famous for its convict history where many prisoners were shipped from England to do manual work in Australia. Along the way, there are many scenic spots that is worth a stop by for photo-taking opportunities along the coastline. The history of Port Arthur is accumulated at the Port Arthur historical site where facilities for convicts have been preserved in a large compound for tourist. It is highly recommended to spend a day there to stroll through the houses and under the stories behind many of the buildings that are still present.


Port Arthur Historical Site

Continuing east along the Tasman highway will bring you to the seaside. Appropriately 2 hours drive from Hobart is the Bacheno town where you can watch cute little fairy penguins returning to shore every evening when the sunsets. However there are strict rules when approaching these little ones. They are extremely shy and 3-metres is the nearest you can walk towards them. Do not use any flash photography, as it will damage their sensitive eyes that have been adapted to the ocean.

Not to be missed when exploring the east coast is to visit one of the most revered and scenic spot in Tasmania, the Wine Glass Bay. Wine glass bay is located in the Frecyinet national park. If you are a keen landscape photographer, you will find this place in particular, a heaven. While driving into the national park, do spend some time to visit the Hazards beach to be treated with a grand view of the Hazards mountain range. This mountain range is truly impressive and due to the geological composition of the soil that is a form of pink graphite, they appear to be an outstanding feature raised from the sea. The Hazards mountain range will change colour according to the different times of the day when sunlight is reflected from it giving a wide variety of photography opportunities.


Hazards Mountain Range

Continue your journey into the Frecyinet national park, and climb the Wine Glass Bay. The most vantage view to enjoy Wine Glass Bay is to climb 2 hours up from the car park to the lookout. Although the paths are paved with steps and clearly marked out, it is a steep climb. Along the climb, you might have a chance to encounter wild wallabies hopping around the vegetations. Do not be alarmed. They tend to mind their own business and so do you. At the lookout, you will be delighted to see an aerial view of the Wine Glass Bay that promised white sandy with clear blue waters encompassed by a wine-glass shaped crescent. If you are urged to swim on the white sandy beach, you can descent down Wine Glass Beach trail.


Worthwhile climb up for an aerial view of Wine Glass Bay

In Tasmania, load more seafood is the mantra of the trip. Located just outside of the national park is the Freycinet Marine Farm where you can order loads of fresh oysters, mussles and lobsters to take away or dining in. This place has a simple setup with a booth to order, some tables and benches for dining in. With no waiters to serve, this helps to keep the seafood price low. You can also order your Chardonnays to accompany your delicious meal.


Fresh Oysters from marine farm cooked in Kilpatrick style

While the businesses in most Tasmania town closes by 4pm, the night is not wasted as you can turn your attention towards the sky. Away from the light pollution in the cities, this is when the sky performs a symphony with the constellations and galaxies. With some simple knowledge, it is difficult to miss the mesmerizing Milky Way galaxy that streams across the sky.


The Milky Galaxy can be easily admired in light-pollution free Tasmania

Tasmania has huge offerings for a photographer-tourist who truly enjoys beautiful sceneries, and great food and wine for the taste buds. Plan your next Tasmania trip today!

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Comments Welcomed!

Equipment used in all photographs
- Canon EOS 350D
- Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 Macro DC
- Silk Tripod
- Phottix wired remote trigger

[The Miracle]

Very good stuff. NIce narration and great images. Images can be bigger though. Do consider numbering your images too. Easier to comment on them.

I want to bite into the salmon directly.

Penguins: It'll be great to see them in action!

Milky way: shot using 350D + 17-70?? Amazing!!

[smosh]

350D + 17-70!

great work!!

[Anson]

Like your Oysters shots...

[smosh]

second that!

[Anson]

second that!

Haha... yummy....