Head to Head: Tasmania vs Kangaroo Island

HEAD TO HEAD

HEAD TO HEAD

TASMANIA vs

Australia’s Tasmania and Kangaroo Island are home to

Australia is rich with wildlife-spotting opportunities, and the expansive islands of Tasmania and Kangaroo Island, off the southern coast, are two of the best. While uniquely different, we know that not everyone has time to include both on their travels, so specialists Alice and Jenna have weighed in with their preferred choice…

TASMANIA

By Alice Ball, Australia specialist Tasmania is worlds away from the rest of mainland Australia, and not just in terms of geography – although it does sit isolated in the Southern Ocean some 150 miles south of the mainland. On arrival, you’re instantly hit by the dramatic change in landscape, swapping outback and cosmopolitancities for lush land, blue waters and craggy mountains. With over 50% of the island made up of protected national parks, Tasmania is a haven of unspoiled wilderness.

‘Tassie’, as it’s fondly known, has an adventure to suit

TOP TIP “Tasmania is great for a self-drive trip – beautiful scenery with very little traffic.” Terry Thomas, Audley traveler

any traveler. For wildlife lovers, Tasmania offers pademelons, wallabies, wombats, platypus and quolls, and it’s the only place home to the elusive Tasmanian devil. You could spend days searching for the rarer species on the mainland, yet on my last trip to Tassie, I simply headed to a car park in Cradle Mountain National Park at sunset.

There, I saw about six wombats snuffling away on their evening graze. For a truly Tasmanianwildlife experience, I recommend a two-day tour with Craig, an adventure guide more commonly referred to as ‘Bushie’. Craig and his son live and breathe off-thebeaten-track adventures.

Bushie’s ethos is to sit back in

the bush and let the wildlife come to him, as he spots elusive creatures such as tiger quoll or ringtail possum.

For walkers, Tasmania has over 1,700 miles of managed walking tracks and over 800 separate walks through national parks. Some of the best walking can be done on one of the ‘Great Walks’ of Tasmania, which combine guided multi-day wild walks with luxurious camping and well-prepared local produce in some remote settings.

Those seeking local culture, art and history should feel at home in the city of Hobart, the ideal place to start to any trip to Tasmania. Be sure to stay over a weekend to make the most of the local festivities. Kick off your Friday night with a visit to Rektango, a fun-filled two hours where local bands play live music, held throughout the year.

Saturday is market day, when an entire street comes to life with local artists, crafts, fresh produce and souvenirs. To finish your weekend, enjoy a trip to MONA Art Gallery, built into a cliff face, the gallery is home to unique installations.

But no matter when you visit, there’s always something to do. Summer in Tasmania offers festivals and markets, spring has blooming gardens, autumn boasts the best walking and wildlife opportunities, and come winter, snow-capped mountains are the lure. It really is a land for all seasons.

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KANGAROO ISLAND a wide variety of indigenous wildlife – but which will you prefer?

KANGAROO ISLAND

By Jenna Sweig, Australia specialist Kangaroo Island will forever be memorable to me for one simple reason: the wildlife. You really cannot beat the up-close-and-personal encounters you’ll have on Kangaroo Island, known locally as ‘KI.’ Once there, you’ll realize that it’s aptly titled, as you’d have to try extremely hard here not to see a kangaroo.

Once a part of mainland Australia, KI broke away during the last ice age, which isolated certain animals and created subspecies that you cannot find anywhere else in the world, such as the Kangaroo Island kangaroo and the glossy black cockatoo. You also won’t be hard-pressed to spot one of Australia’s most famous furry creatures, the koala. While many Australians go their entire lives without seeing one in the wild, koalas are actually overpopulated on KI, making your chances of seeing these shy animals very likely.

Even though it was fascinating observing koalas and kangaroos in their natural environment, I ’d have to say my favorite wildlife encounter on the island was definitely at Seal Bay. The playful sea lions on the beach truly do act like dogs of the sea; their curious demeanour instantly won me over.

While the wildlife is what draws most travelers to Kangaroo Island, there’s definitely something to be said about the diversity of the landscape. You’ll find red dirt roads reminiscent of the Australian Outback, rugged coastline along the Southern Ocean and rolling green farmland pastures. Due to the fact that the majority of the island is only accessible by dirt roads, I would suggest using a guide to make the most of your experience on KI.

Knowledgeable guides provide the best oportunities to spot local wildlife. During

YOUR TIP “Kangaroo Island has fantastic guides who helped me see a variety of birds and wildlife in their natural habitat.” Lyn Hind, Audley traveler

my trip, I was lucky enough to see a couple of echidnas on the side of the road. I would have never spotted them without my local guide; it’s also extremely rare to see them in pairs. Since the island is so undeveloped, places to eat outside of the main town are few and far between, but tours can take in gourmet dining options, with locally sourced food prepared for you right in the wilderness. Dining al fresco on picnic tables covered with white table cloths offers a mix of authenticity with just a touch of luxury.

KI has a variety of accommodation to suit every traveler. There’s an opulent lodge with sweeping views of the Southern Ocean – my pick for honeymooners. There are quaint and welcoming B&Bs as well as family-friendly, great-value lodging options. You can even stay on a working farm if you want to experience authentic local culture.

Get me there: A 17-day tailor-made self-drive trip taking in the highlights of both Kangaroo Island and Tasmania starts from $6,800pp. For more information, contact Alice, Jenna or one of our Australia specialists on 1-844-250-3450.

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