Tasmania's South East

Experience the many aspects of the Tasmania's South East. Turn off the highway at the historic town of Sorell, and head south for scenery, wildlife, heritage and adventure on the Tasman Peninsula. Inland is historic Richmond and further north the town of Swansea and the beautiful scenery of the east coast.

Along the magnificent Tasman Peninsula, you can discover fine heritage buildings and admire the bold swirls of glaze on contemporary pottery. Sample delicate wines from vineyards along the Southern Tasmanian Wine Route, and savour some of the local specialties - octopus, oysters, quail and venison. You may also encounter some of the local inhabitants - dolphins, the Tasmanian devil, tiger snakes (secure in their enclosure!), or a majestic sea eagle, soaring from the cliffs.

Walk gleaming beaches and stand on the rim of tall sea cliffs, carved into weird natural sculptures over millions of years by crashing waves and endless winds.

South again, and follow the road to the past. Step back one and a half centuries at Port Arthur - Australiaâ€™s most significant historic site, where every piece of hand-hewn stone and every thumb-marked brick has a story that echoes days long gone.
Explore the dramatic buildings, cruise the dark waters to the Isle of the Dead. Your feet tread the same paths the convicts walked.

In the silence, you might catch an echo of clinking chains and the tap of hammer on stone.

Returning northwards, turn off through the magnificent Wielangta Forest Drive, where rare parrots flash through the blue gums. Beyond the trees are the gentle landscapes of the East Coast.