
Hobart's MONA gallery and food scene has put Tassie on the hipster map, but it remains at heart a beautiful nature based destination.

It also has a dark colonial past. Many historical towns and monuments, like Richmond Bridge were built with convict labour.

Being a stone's throw from the Antartic, and a mountainous island, Tasmania's weather can be a challenge.

Port Arthur penal settlement was one of the harshest in early Australia. The place also gained notoriety for the country's worst ever mass shooting.

A white wallaby, Narawntapu National Park. Very rare, they are not albinos, but have adapted to their beachside surrounds.

Narawntapu is described as "Tasmania's Serengeti," which I thought was a pretty big call. But the landscape did remind me of the great plain, and the abundance of wildlife backs up the claim.

Pademelons are really friendly, and really used to humans. Sit down and they will come to you at the camp at Narawntapu, but please DO NOT feed them (or any wildlife for that matter).

Wombats at Cradle Mountain seem very much adapted to human presence, and come up to and even onto the boardwalks.

Only experienced and properly prepared hikers should attempt the Overland Track across Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair. This was taken at the height of summer, just a couple of hours along the track (and as far as I was headed).

The ground and fauna at Cradle Mountain is extremely delicate. Stay on the boardwalks at all times. Stepping off for wombat selfies is NOT allowed!
HOME OF THE TASSIE DEVIL, the Apple Isle has shed its daggy backwater image and become one of the hippest places in Australia, thanks largely to the Museum of Old and New Art, and the Dark MoFo Festival. There is also great fresh food, but most of all it is a prime destination for nature and wildlife.