Tasmania’s cities don’t overwhelm their surroundings, they blend in with them – meaning you never have to travel far for adventure
In Launceston, Tassie's second-largest urban area, the words 'rock-climbing' and 'city' 'make cosy and intriguing bedfellows. Spectacular Cataract Gorge is barely a karabiner's throw from the town centre. The gorge is near the confluence of two rivers, where sheer rock walls scarper from the water and form a series of buttresses.
The highest walls are about 50m high with excellent rock quality, making them perfect for abseilers and climbers of all abilities. If you're already familiar with the ropes, use this as a warm-up for tackling craggy Ben Lomond, one of Tassie's best climbing areas, about 50km away.
Further information: In Australia, look out for Cataract (Open Spaces Publishing, 2006), by Robert McMahon, for more on climbing in the gorge. www.launcestoncataractgorge.com.au or www.climbing.com.au
A 30-minute drive from Hobart, Huonville and its nearby river hived their names from the Huon pine, one of the slowest-growing and longest-living plants in the world. Here, an 80km/h-capable craft blasts passengers 12km upstream, along a thrilling natural obstacle course of fallen trees, disturbingly shallow sections and 360° spins. While a tight grip is a prerequisite, there are nature lessons en route giving you more time to admire the pines growing on the riverbanks.
Further information: Boats leave from Huonville every 45 minutes; trips last 35 minutes www.huonjet.com
Hobart has strong maritime connections and a brace of tall ships calls the city's docks home. Windeward Bound is a replica of an 1848 brigantine with three masts, square sails and miles of ropes. You'll be running aloft and lowering the topsail in no time.
A more modern version, the Mirrabooka is a 47-foot ocean racing yacht. She's a veteran of Australia's most famous yacht race, the Sydney to Hobart, and is available for charters.
Further information: www.windewardbound.com or www.baycharters.com.au
Hobart doesn't have a rollercoaster. But then, with Mount Wellington on the edge of the city, Hobartians have never had the need for manufactured fun. Mount Wellington is tall enough to be regularly dusted with snow in winter and, should you be moved to cycle up it, the self-inflicted hellishness will last around two hours. Instead, catch a lift up, grab a mountain bike and admire the spanking views over southern Tasmania, before the rush downnnnnnn.
Charles Darwin and the Beagle visited Hobart in 1836. While there Darwin hiked up Mount Wellington; now several walking trails meander from the city to the 1,270m summit. The mountain's east flank presides over Hobart and is gloriously forested, with wallabies and echidnas gadding about some of the tracks. Wedge-tailed eagle and green rosella can be found having a riot in these parts, too. And beyond the towering eucalypts there's a host of endemic plants including dragon heaths and Tasmanian waratahs.
Further information: www.wellingtonpark.tas.gov.au/visitors
Note: the weather on the mountain can be extremely unpredictable.
For hang-gliding without the huge heights, try the cable version over the Trevallyn Dam near Launceston. Strapped to a hang-glider that’s suspended from 200m of taut wire, daredevils leap off an 18m-high cliff and taste flight the risk-free way. If you’re not in the habit of carrying a glider in your backpack, check out this short, extreme adrenalin rush.
Further information: www.cablehanggliding.com.au
