First a far-flung haven for aboriginal Tasmanians, then a feared colonial penal colony, and then a sleepy backwater – Tasmania has built its reputation on isolation.
But now visitor numbers are on the rise as word spreads that this smallest, most southern of Australian states is actually one of the most spectacularly scenic islands on the planet. Mountains, wilderness, forests and beaches – it’s got them all, as well as a bottomless supply of adventure activities to go with them.
Tempted? Hop on a flight from Canberra. Most routes take 3.5 hours with a stopover, heading for Hobart or Launceston.
Most flights take around 3 to 4 hours each way, including a stopover in Melbourne or Sydney. The shortest routes zoom towards the main cities – Hobart, Launceston and Devonport.
Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways.
Up to 20 Canberra to Tasmania flights set off each day.
Most people go to Hobart International Airport, which serves the island capital. But you could also head inland to Launceston Airport, or north to Devonport Airport or Burnie Airport.
The cheapest flights from Canberra to Tasmania usually land in Launceston.
Tasmania – an island a couple of hundred kilometres south of Melbourne – is one of the most offbeat states in Australia.
Take the cities. Island capital Hobart serves up warehouses-turned-restaurants and a pristine harbour against the backdrop of Mount Wellington. But it’s also home to the barrier-breaking Mofo Festival and the truly bizarre Museum of Old and New Art.
Then there’s Port Arthur. This one-time jail is now an open-air museum that sits on a bleakly beautiful peninsula.
The wildlife is out of this world, too. The north coast is home to sandy beaches and colonies of pint-sized penguins. Meanwhile, fanged Tasmanian Devils scurry around the inland forests. You can meet the critters on night-time safaris.
Use our smart search engine to find cheap flights from Canberra to Tasmania.
