With 40 percent of the island of Tasmanian protected in national parks and reserves, outdoor types are spoilt for choice. Here are some ideas for walks around the Apple Isle.
Hikes, horses and quadbikes
In Tasmania's north-east in Mt William National Park, you'll find the Bay of Fires. Join a small group for a four-day hike through pristine coastal and woodland terrain.
Or how about enjoying the Cradle Coast of north-west Tassie on horseback? Saddle up and join Cradle Country Adventures for a half-day ride that will take in undulating areas of old growth forest, grazing land and bluegum plantation.
Feel like stepping up the pace? Outdoor action here you come, with a quadbike experience starting from Coles Bay, north-east of Hobart. On a two-hour tour with All 4 Adventures, you'll ride through eucalypt covered hills and boulder-strewn valleys to the coast at South Friendly Beaches. Alternatively, you may motor to Cape Tourville to take in the Freycinet Peninsula and Wineglass Bay.
Dolphins, devils and lobsters
Animal lovers will be intrigued to discover the giant freshwater lobster, the world's largest freshwater invertebrate, near Burnie on Tassie's north-west coast. They can grow up to a metre long and are classed as a protected fish. A Lobster Eco Tour is a fascinating way to see these creatures in their natural habitat.
On the east coast of Tassie, jump aboard one of Freycinet Sea Charters' boats for their four-hour trip to the beautifully clear Wineglass Bay, with its world-renowned beauty. You might spot dolphins along the way, and will marvel at the pink granite cliffs along the coast.
Want to spot a Tassie devil in the wilderness? Join Thylacine Expeditions for a nocturnal adventure and be thrilled when you see the devils eating dinner in the wilderness. They also have tours where you can observe quolls, possums, wallabies and wombats.
