Sense
Tasmania
More than a scenic escape, Tasmania in summer is a sensory experience. From the hush of Ballroom Forest to the salt on your lips at Constitution Dock, we invite you to slow down and tune into the island’s wild, immersive rhythm one sense at a time.
WORDS Alice Hansen
Tasmania (Lutruwita) doesn’t shout. It whispers. Crisp highland air, summer light on alpine lakes, the taste of a creamy brie, distant calls of native birds at dusk and more await those willing to dial up their senses across the island.
As a local, I’ve explored its landscapes often, from alpine tarns to windswept coastlines, and indulged in a smorgasbord of Tasmanian flavours. But every summer, the pace shifts. Tasmania invites you to slow down, tune in and feel it more deeply.
On the route of Outback Spirit’s Tasmania Wilderness Explorer, I’ve traced that invitation through the senses. Not by ticking off stops, but by following scent, texture, sound and light. These are the micro-moments that linger. They make Tasmania more than a place you visit: it becomes a place you experience through every sense.
TOUCH THE TEXTURES OF THE WILD
I enter the lush Ballroom Forest about halfway along the Dove Lake Circuit. It feels almost sacred walking into this fairytale-like temperate rainforest. King Billy pine trunks are rough and gnarled, a testament to time in this cool micro-climate, while vibrant moss blankets the forest floor.
Walking out of the forest’s dense canopy, I pull off my boots on a white pebbled beach. People rarely equate Cradle Mountain National Park with beaches, but a number of petite coves line the shores. They’re my favourite place to pause, kick off my boots and let the Dove Lake waters lick my toes. Cool stones press against my bare soles and I scoop up chilled mountain water and feel it cleanse my insides. As I fall quiet, the rugged silhouette of Cradle Mountain (Wulinantikala) rises against summer skies. Its reflection is broken only by ripples from the passing breeze that reminds me to wander on – knowing I’ll be near certain to see wandering wombats down by Ronny Creek.
SIGHT WITNESSING TASMANIA’S REMARKABLE LANDSCAPES
I’m told I’ll enjoy eagle-style views of Wineglass Bay. These words feel small as I gain height and Freycinet Peninsula grows large out of the helicopter window. Pink granite boulders meet turquoise waters; summer sunshine bounces off the smooth roll of Wineglass waves. This crescent-shaped shoreline appears tropical, but don’t be fooled: even in summer, the East Coast remains invigoratingly fresh!
Later, I do hit the water but it’s aboard a custom-built vessel with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (partner of Outback Spirit) to cruise along Bruny Island’s (lunawanna-allonah) coastline. It’s as if the wildlife received a memo about a summer party – dolphins surf the boat’s wake, and a dynamic dance of seabirds plays out above with a pair of Albatross gliding cheekily close. The fur seals, however, must have already partied hard. They laze on sunlit rocks, barely raising a flipper to say hi.
SOUND TASMANIA’S ECHOES, ROARS AND SILENCES
I cruise across Macquarie Harbour (Parralaongatek) into the near-silent waters of the Gordon River. Moving deeper into Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area, I step ashore, into a stand of ancient Huon pines. It offers a quiet like no other; nature’s stillness offering a stark contrast to the modern world’s constant hum. There’s something about this noiseless cocoon that stays with me, pressing into my thoughts like an old song remembered. This is a place we sailed as kids, I made a mental note to overnight again soon.
Next, I head for Russell Falls within Mount Field National Park. I hear them before I see them in their thundering glory. It’s only a short walk from the Visitor Centre to one of Tasmania’s most celebrated falls, the cascading symphony gifting us with a refreshing rainforest spray. I laugh, wiping my forehead as I ask myself if it’s rain or a waterfall – and decide it’s simply ‘Tasmania.’ No voice or music can compete with the rhythmic rush of water, a melody played over millennia, and I fall into blissful silence.
TASTE SAMPLING TASMANIA’S DISTINCT FLAVOURS
Up in Cradle Mountain’s alpine wilds, Tasmania’s fine pours and cheeses are somehow more flavourful. Before dinner, enjoy creamy bries and sharp cheddars carefully paired with robust red wines. Tasmania’s food speaks of place and innovative flavours; the Ashgrove wild wasabi cheddar a personal pleaser. There’s a care afforded to artisanal produce and small batch fare that somehow encourages me to savour everything a little slower.
The culinary experience continues when I’m back south in Hobart (Nipaluna). An evening stroll around the waterfront reveals seafood treasures, including the freshest Blue Eye Trevalla and delicate scallops from floating punts, all enjoyed against the backdrop of Constitution Dock’s shimmering lights.
A cold cider under the open sky is simple but perfect. I’m sitting in the Kelp Bar, overlooking the dock, and the cider perfectly accompanies my Tasmanian oysters. Each one carries salty stories of the sea as I slurp them down.
SMELL BREATHING IN TASMANIA’S ESSENCE
Up in the highlands, the air is cooler, sharper, and threaded with eucalyptus. At Lake St Clair (Leeawuleena), where glaciers once carved the land, the scent of alpine flora lingers in the air. I move slowly along a trail; cameras are on macro mode, and we’re tuning into the small beauties around us. I’m eager to spot a wild orchid. Summer brings waratahs, banksias, hakeas and leatherwoods in these parts. There are no orchids for me today, but the curious pademelons and token Wedge Tailed Eagle more than make up for their absence.
I venture inland to Derwent Bridge, where a masterpiece awaits: The Wall in the Wilderness. It’s the rich, unmistakable scent of Huon pine that I love in this space.
In this unassuming gallery, artist Greg Duncan and his son Daniel carve Tasmania’s history into Huon pine panels – some 100 metres worth so far. The work moves through Indigenous heritage, pioneering timber harvesters and hardy pastoralists. There are few galleries I can return to, where the sculpture changes over time. The scent of this protected, prized timber is like a rare perfume to me.
THE DETAILS
TOUR
Journey through World Heritage wilderness and breathe in the world’s cleanest air on the Tasmania Wilderness Explorer with Outback Spirit. From alpine hush to rainforest roar, this 12-day fully guided tour offers a rare chance to truly sense the island in summer and all year round. Departures from January to April and October to December, with Everyday Fare packages starting from $9,295 per person.