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Tasmania
Separated from mainland Australia by the 240 km stretch of Bass Strait, Tasmania is a land apart - a place of wild and beautiful landscapes; friendly, welcoming people; a pleasant, temperate climate; wonderful wine and food; a rich history; and a relaxed island lifestyle. The state capital, Hobart, is a delightful city combining historical buildings with a modern city, nestled under the shadow of Mt Wellington and set on a magnificent harbour.
In January 2004 David Doubilet, National Geographic's Photographer-in-Residence, listed Tasmania as his second-favourite dive site, while many experienced and well-travelled divers regard it as the best temperate-water dive site in the world. Slip quietly into the blue-green depths off the rocky coasts and sandy inlets and you'll discover why: forests of giant kelp up to 30 metres high, excellent visibility, exceptional sea caves, leafy sea dragons and an abundance of deep-sea creatures enticed into the shallows by plankton-rich waters close to shore.
There is something for everyone, including a number of shipwrecks. It is estimated that since the late 18 century over 1,000 vessels, big and small, have been lost in these waters, with only 100 having been discovered.
HOBART ENVIRONS
South East of Hobart running roughly parallel along the coast is the D'Entrecasteaux Channel which is 56km long and varies in width from 2 - 10km. Depths can reach 40m. Protected by Bruny Island, the Channel and sites off Bruny Island offer some excellent diving. Acteon Island, Recherche Bay and South East Cape are all excellent but be wary of the weather, as these locations are exposed.
Gateway to the D'Entrecasteaux Channel is the Tinderbox Marine Reserve, only a twenty-minute drive from Hobart. The mid-channel area is the most popular stretch, particularly around Huon Island, Arch Island, Simpson's Point and Nine Pin Point.
Extensive kelp forests occur in the area from Dover on Port Esperance down to Southport. It is not far from Dover that the most popular of Tasmanian wrecks can be found. The 440 tonne barque Katherine Shearer is only 10 minutes by boat from the Dover ramp. She blew up on a voyage out from England in 1855.
TASMAN PENINSULA & PORT ARTHUR
South west from Hobart is the Tasman Peninsula, well known for historic Port Arthur, it is another popular area with Tasmanian divers. Fortesque Bay on the southeast coast of the Tasman Peninsula is surrounded by a National Park. There is excellent shallow water diving, very clear and usually well protected. Safety Cove beyond Port Arthur is excellent. Diving is on either end of the beach on reefs running straight out from the shore. It is not deep and there are plenty of fish and lobster, clear water and very sheltered from all weather.
To dive in Port Arthur itself can be very rewarding, particularly if an old bottle or two are found. There are excellent facilities on the peninsula with several good camping grounds. Eleven wrecks have been scuttled in Storm Bay at the Wreck Graveyard near Betsy Island, just 15 minutes by boat from South Arm and half an hour's trip from Hobart. It contains the wreckage of three ships: SS William Cowper, a 170-foot steel dredge; SS Macquarie, 123-foot steam dredge and ANM Barge are all still relatively intact. Sunk at about 18m to 20m in water, the wrecks are popular among recreational and relatively inexperienced divers.
Tasman Arch the Devil's Kitchen and Blowhole, Waterfall Bay with its superb caves and the Isle of the Dead with its massive kelp forests are all excellent dives. Depths vary from 6m - 20m with visibility often exceeding 30m in winter. Southern Wright Whales are frequently seen south of the peninsula. The wreck of the 1057-ton SS Nord struck uncharted Needle Rock between the two Hippolyte Rocks in Munro's Bight off the central East Coast of the Tasman Peninsula in 1915. Excellent visibility in the region allows the whole ship to be seen from stem to stern at most times. The ship is sitting upright on a shady bottom with the hull completely intact.
BICHENO - EAST COAST
Bicheno is a pretty fishing town, with some great beaches around the town, and diving is very popular. There are some fantastic lookouts including Freycinet Lookout and Whalers Lookout. There are also great views from the 3km Foreshore Walk, which starts at Redhill Point and continues to the blowhole. It is also worth heading north to the Douglas-Aspley National Park and the beautiful Aspley Gorge. The park hosts wonderful waterfalls, plenty of wildlife and a eucalypt forest. Around town there is a variety of accommodation places, as well as some pleasant cafes and restaurants.
There are some great dive sites, particularly around the Grosvenor Island Marine Reserve but they tend to be more suited to the experienced diver with some spectacular deep dives.
The Canyon is a rock filled valley between two submerged cliffs, just to the north of Grosvenor Island. The area is noted for its sponges which come in a variety of striking colours. Some of the sponges are a tall as the divers. The area is also thick with ascidians, hydroids, sea spiders, sea whips, sea fans and anemones. It has basically the whole range of deep water invertebrates that can be found in Tasmanian waters. This large area is especially suited to the scenic diver, photographer and marine naturalist. The area has been a marine reserve for 10 years and is a good example of a protected area. A 35m dive with a great safety stop on top of Mount Everest.
The Hairy Wall - part of the Grosvenor Island Marine Reserve. A 35m drop off dive with an awesome array of sea whips, sponges and other invertebrates. Huge schools of Butterfly Perch inhabit the area. At the end of the Hairy Wall is a 15m long swim through at the Castle. This usually has a large array of Anemones inside. A very picturesque dive and is great for photography.
The Golden Bommies is a challenging 40m dive is located on the eastern edge of the main granite formations. It is basically 2 10m high bommies covered in yellow zoanthoids. This dive has a great variety of invertebrate life and thick stands of sea whips. There are plenty of Boar Fish, Banded Morwong and clouds of Butterfly Perch. The Canyon and Mount Everest make a great way to end this dive.
Tasmania Fact File
Getting There
Both Qantas and Virgin Blue run scheduled flights from Sydney and Melbourne down to Hobart or Launceston (north Tasmania), with services on a daily basis. Expect to pay about A$300 return if buying locally, but it is possible to get low cost deals for as little as A$60 if you can plan in advance and book online.
It is also possible o go by ferry from either Melbourne or Sydney. The Spirit of Tasmania ferry company operates nightly sailings from Melbourne, departing at 9pm and arriving on the northern shore, at Devonport in the morning. From Sydney, there are different ferry schedules throughout the year with up to 3 return ferry trips during the summer months. The ferry takes 20 hours and again arrives in Devonport. Website
Getting around
There are a number of bus companies in Tasmania, which run between the various cities and towns, and also follow the coast route, from Hobart there is the TRD, Tigerline and Redline & for the East coast try the Bicheno Coach Service. For further info find their links from the Website .
Tasair operates a wide variety of flights using small passenger aircraft. These range from regular airline routes servicing Hobart, Burnie, Devonport, King Island and Melbourne; to twin and single engine charters to places such as Strahan, Launceston, Smithton, Flinders Island, and as far away as Melbourne and Sydney. Tasair Website
When to go
Tasmania enjoys four distinctly different seasons, much like Europe with snow in winter time and warm temperate summers. (Don't forget their seasons are reversed to ours!)
Rainfall varies dramatically across the State. Hobart, with an average of 626mm (24 inches) is Australia's second-driest capital city (after Adelaide). While on the West Coast an annual average of 2400 mm (95 inches) ensures the rainforest thrives.
The southern coast is buffeted by wind and rough seas making diving sometimes quite 'challenging' be sure to take heed of local advice. Water temperature merits a dry suit but hardier souls find a wetsuit sufficient in the warmer months.
Accommodation In Tasmania
In the state capital, you'll find all the big flashy hotels but once outside of Hobart, it tends to be more of the Motor Inn or Bed and Breakfast type. Things happen at a more leisurely pace in Tasmania, that's one of its charms, expect accommodation standards to reflect this.
Travel Australia
Ozstays
Ratestogo
Oz B&B
Non-Divers & other things to do
Tasmania has a rich historical past, a reception centre for British convicts, the Tasman Peninsula in particular, has many old prison buildings and historic sites. The countryside boast spectacular landscapes and coastline, with lots of walking trails and outdoor activities. Inland the island has many vineyards and wineries that can be visited, or you can arrange to stay.
Hobart has plenty to keep the visitor entertained, like any capital city it has its share of museums, galleries and shops. The city is a pleasant mix of old historical buildings and the new modern city, all set against the backdrop of Mount Anderson. The harbour is still the heart of Hobart and the port is always busy, but the old warehouse buildings have been redeveloped and now house many superb restaurants, shops and businesses.
One option for anyone planning to visit a number of attractions, such as galleries and museums to heritage areas and wildlife parks, is to purchase a 'See Tasmania Smartvisit Card'. For one all-inclusive price, you receive free admission to more than 60 attractions, special offers and a comprehensive guide.
Further information
Discover Tasmania
Tasmanian Government Info
Australia main page
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