4 Days in Tasmania (Aren't Enough)

I asked 6 of my Australian friends which, in their opinion, is the most beautiful part of Australia. I would have bet my house that they’d all say the Great Barrier Reef or Whitsunday Island, but I couldn’t have been more wrong: They unanimously voted Tasmania.

by Edwin Santiago

I was working in Melbourne and I had 4 days off between photo shoots, so I booked a flight to Tasmania. From Melbourne, it is a short 55 minute flight and several major airlines including Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia, fly to Hobart, the capital and most populous city of the Australian island.

I had my travel basics: My cameras, driver’s license, iPhone/GPS, hiking shoes, American Express cards, and my passion for adventure. Once in a while, I like to travel this way; There was no set itinerary, no travel companion, no hotel reservations, and no agenda other than take gorgeous photos and enjoy the scenery.

Over four days, I drove from Hobart to Swansea and Freycinet National Park. I would like to say that I saw so much of Tasmania. Unfortunately, four days wasn’t long enough. Over 40% of the island is protected in national parks and reserves and there is so much to see and explore.

The island is roughly the size of Switzerland and ranks as the 26th largest island in the world. If you are interested in visiting, make sure you have the most essential element of all: time.

Enjoy new highlights of travel photographer Edwin Santiago’s journeys each week.