Southern Tasmania

The Southern region is covered mainly by the South West National Park, which is the largest national park in Tasmania. There is little to the east of the park, but what is there is wonderful. Heading east you will reach Hastings where the main attraction is its cave and thermal pool set amongst the Hastings Caves State Reserve. The reserve is a perfect location to explore the cave and relax in the thermal pool.

Just south of Hastings is Lune River, which marks the beginning of the most southerly drive in the whole of Australia. It heads down through the mountainous area surrounding Cockle Creek and Recherche Bay, as well as the beautiful beaches that line the coastline. A must is to explore the Ida Bay Railway to Deep Hole Bay, which is a really pretty beach.

Following the Huon River north from Geeveston you reach Huonville, which is where the huon pine was first discovered. Huon Piner is a bushman reclaiming ancient, rare huon pine from a lake in the remote South West World Heritage Area of Tasmania. Huon pine is found only in Tasmania and harvested under strict rules of environmental protection. This area is big on apples, visit the Apple Museum to find out more. Following the river south along the eastern side you will come across Cygnet, which was originally named Portde Cygne Noir because of the plentiful black swans along the river.

For attractions and sightseeing, visit Attractions Australia.