Southern Tasmania

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What could be better than 10 days on the road with some of Australia’s best Instagrammers with the sole purpose of capturing the less explored, but no less beautiful, Southern Tasmania?

Instagrammers Lauren Bath, Jewels Lynch, Garry Norris and Paul Vella captured beautiful photos of Garry’s home region. Check out their amazing instagram journey through Southern Tasmania:

Southern Tasmania – Lauren Bath

tessellated pavement tasmania
The Tessellated pavement is a top attraction in Southern Tasmania. Photo: Lauren Bath

I recently had the opportunity to go on an Instagram road trip with three of my best mates (Jewels Lynch, Garry Norris and Paul Vella) to Southern Tasmania and as you can imagine, I jumped at the chance.

Even better is that my best friend Garry Norris is a local and was taking us to his hometown and beyond so we could rediscover his childhood memories.

As with all great adventures, our trip didn’t go off quite as planned. For a start, we were immediately hit with some of that well-known Tasmania weather – four seasons in a day (we even got snow!).

Not letting anything daunt us we reverted to some classic Instagram “tricks” including old faithful, the red umbrella.

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When you’re shooting in all kinds of weather, as we do, it’s nice to have a few tricks up your sleeve. On our first sunrise, we definitely shot some moody pictures, which I personally love.

Barretts Beach 

barrette beach southern tasmania
Barretts Beach in Southern Tasmania. Photo: Lauren Bath.

Luckily for us, we also had great sunrises including this one at Barretts Beach.

One thing that I really love about Tasmania is the diversity and these quaint coastal towns are worlds apart from the wildness of the west coast, the mystery of Cradle Mountain or the humming life on the east coast of Tasmania.

I could have sat here and enjoyed the tranquility all day..

Cockle Creek

pademelon at cockle creek
A pademelon in Cockle Creek. Photo: Lauren Bath.

As a part of our great southern adventure, we had to get down to Cockle Creek, which is as far south as you can drive.

After a morning of exploring we sat down to a hand-packed picnic lunch with a few locals joining us.

I love the wildlife in Tasmania and pademelons are my favourite.

Despite the temperature of the water, Pauly still braved a quick dip while the rest of us cheered from the shore..

Southport

Southport
A moody moment in Southport in Southern Tasmania. Photo: Lauren Bath.

After a few nights staying at the Kermandie Hotel on the Huon River, we made our way to the adorable town of Southport.

Our accommodation here absolutely made the trip!

The Jetty House is probably the most unique property that I’ve ever stayed at and I felt like we weren’t alone – if you know what I mean (calling all ghostbusters).

The rooms are filled with relics of years gone by and the attic is worth a poke through.

We spent two happy days exploring the coastline and trying to capture some stars despite the full moon.

Newdegate Caves, Hastings

newdegate caves in hastings
Newdegate Cave in Hastings is a gem of Southern Tasmania. Photo: Lauren Bath.

Another trip highlight was Newdegate Caves in Hastings – one of the best Tasmania attractions.

Locals just call them Hastings Caves.

I’m a sucker for photographing caves and always drag my tripod in to capture the full dynamic range of the vistas.

These caves are amongst the best I’ve ever seen, a magical experience.

South West Wilderness

southwest wilderness tasmania
The view from a helicopter of the Southwest Wilderness. {photo: Lauren Bath.

A trip to a wilderness area as vast as Tasmania’s south definitely requires some aerial views.

We took a helicopter to the South West Wilderness and I can’t believe how untouched this area is.

I’ve always struggled to photograph through the glass but was pretty happy with my shots of Bathurst Bay and Maatsuyker Island.

Mount Field National Park

horseshoe falls tasmania
Horseshoe Falls is set in a lush enchanted forest in Southern Tasmania. Photo: Lauren Bath.

When we started to head back to Hobart we were definitely keen to stop in at Mount Field National Park and, in particular, to photograph Horseshoe Falls.

I definitely needed to take my shoes off and roll my jeans up for this shoot.

There are so many different vantage points to shoot these beautiful falls and I particularly loved capturing all the green mossy rocks and foliage.

Tasman Island Cruises

tasman cruises
Cruising around the Tasman Peninsula in Southern Tasmania offers the chance to see seals, sea lions and dolphins. Photo: Lauren Bath.

After a week of exploration, it was time to return to civilization (Hobart) and join up with some local Instagrammers for a day out with Rob Pennicott on the fast boat.

Even though I’ve done this adventure cruise twice before, I was still looking forward to it.

The difference between this time and previous times was that we had the boat full of crazy Instagrammers, including a group of Tasmanian instagrammers who had given up their Sunday to come along to our instameet.

We saw seals, dolphins, many types of birds and of course sheer cliffs and rugged coastline.

We then spent the afternoon photographing the Tessellated pavement, a marvel of natural rock.

Bruny Island 

bruny island lighthouse
Sunset at Bruny Island Lighthouse in Southern Tasmania. Photo: Lauren Bath.

Our last stop on our Tassie road trip was Bruny Island and I think we saved the best till last.

At least, we certainly got the best sunset at the lighthouse.

Bruny Island truly shines with beautiful light and we were so thrilled to capture some of it.

We spent our last day shooting the classics including The Neck, which is also a natural land formation.

Tasmania’s south surprised us at every turn, from ghostly encounters to experiencing every season in a week to amazing wildlife.

I can’t thank Garry Norris and Tasmania enough for sharing this very special part of a very special state.

It’s nice to get off the beaten track sometimes and everything about Tasmania’s South surprised and delighted me.

Great food, country hospitality and sights that not everyone who visits Tasmania will experience.

Southern Tasmania – Garry Norris

franklin river tasmania
Sailing boats on the Franklin river in Southern Tasmania. Photo: Garry Norris.

I grew up in a small country town in the far south of Tasmania.

Our house was on the coast road between Dover and Geeveston, in a place called Police Point.

I lived there until I completed high school, when I had no choice but to move to the city to start my chef apprenticeship.

I didn’t realise how I loved the country until I moved away, how much I missed the simple things like knowing every single person in my school.

Growing up in Tasmania, I remember wandering through the forest and stumbling across hidden waterfalls.

I loved riding my bicycle along the coastline and stopping wherever I felt like it for a spot of fishing.

Thinking of home makes me long for the smell of my nans baking on a Saturday afternoon, when there would always be cakes and delicious treats.

Police Point

police point tasmania
Police Point in Tasmania is a relatively unknown photography spot in the south. Photo: Garry Norris.

I spent the first few years of my life in Dover, the main town in the area. Later, our family moved to a farm in Police Point.

We lived in a small country-style home perched on the top of a hill on our property. We had views of the Huon river and all the way to Bruny Island.

I wanted to bring my friends to southern Tasmania to show them the beautiful places I spent my childhood.

It’s hard to describe to a city kid how amazing life is in the country. So I thought the best way to show my friends was to bring them on a trip.

In Tasmania, it’s not unusual to experience four seasons in one day.

Even though the weather was a bit of a challenge for us, it was an amazing feeling for me to be able to photograph these places with a great group of photographer friends.

It’s a wonderful experience to be able to share my little slice of Tasmania with the world.

I never imagined I’d ever get the opportunity to do this.

Cockle Creek

cockle creek tasmania
Tasmania Cockle Creek is a delightful spot in the south of the state. Photo: Garry Norris.

Cockle Creek is about 150km south of Hobart. It’s the furthest place you can drive to the south in Australia, the end of the road.

This place is truly amazing. It has the cleanest water, the freshest air and deserted white beaches.

I spent most childhood summer holidays camping here. Even though there were no shops, no phone service, no electricity and no running water the summer never seemed to last long enough.

Ida Bay Railway, Lune River

ida bay railway
Ida Bay Railway Lune River is a little-known gem of Southern Tasmania. Photo: Garry Norris.

When I was a kid, my mum used to drive the train at Ida Bay Railway.

So we would hitch a ride from Mum down to the end of the line at Deep Hole Bay and spend the day swimming, fishing and wading in the secluded Southport Lagoon.

The railway is about a two-hour drive south of Hobart and is Australia’s southern-most railway.

Newdegate Caves, Hastings

hastings cave tasmania
Newdegate Cave Hastings Reserve Tasmania. Photo: Garry Norris.

I remember visiting the caves as a child and feeling overwhelmed by the size of this cave system. Visiting again, after such a long time still had the same effect.

I feel that this place is truly magical.

The caves are about 125km south of Hobart, they are the largest dolomite caves in Australia.

Bathurst Harbour, South West Wilderness

southwest wilderness from the air
Southwest wilderness from the air. Photos: Garry Norris

Landing in the Southwest Wilderness is like being dropped into Jurassic Park.

The only way to get here is by air, sea or foot.

It’s a rugged land with massive mountain ranges that form a backdrop to the awe-inspiring Bathurst Harbour.

Dover 

dover in Southern Tasmania
Dover in Southern Tasmania. Photo: Garry Norris.

Dover is about a 1 ½-hour drive south west of Hobart and it is my home town. The lovely seaside town has a population of less than 1000 residents. It’s where farmland meets the ocean.

The major industry in this area is aquaculture. Some of the best Atlantic salmon in the world comes from these waters.

When I was young I could walk in the water beside this jetty and collect shellfish that we would cook up on the public barbeque facilities nearby.

It’s one of the simple pleasures I remember well.

Lake Osborne, Hartz Mountain National Park

hartz mountain
Hartz Mountain walk in Southern Tasmania. Photo: Garry Norris.

The weather here is always changing. It can be a beautiful sunny day one minute and then a complete white out the next. That’s what happened to us.

When we started the walk to Lake Osborne from the car park, the sun was shining.

Half way up the track, those crazy roaring forties winds kicked in and the snow arrived!

It was still worth the hike though.

Tahune Airwalk

Tahune Airwalk Tasmania
Tahune Airwalk. Photo: Garry Norris

The air walk is 43m above the forest floor and hangs over the Huon River.

You can see the Hartz Mountains in the distance and the intersection of the Picton and Huon rivers.

Franklin 

franklin fruit orchard tasmania
Franklin is a great place to photograph stone fruit orchards

Franklin is a great place to stop and get some fresh stone fruit in season.

Franklin is home to one of the only wooden boat schools in Australia, where you can learn to build boats the old way.

It’s a great place to capture the sunrise as there is usually fog along the river banks.

It’s also very well known for the delicious scallop pies made at the original old courthouse, Petty Sessions Café on the banks of the Franklin River.

Southern Tasmania – Jewels Lynch

southern tasmania
Amazing landscapes and photography of Southern Tasmania. Photo: Jewels Lynch

There is something very earthy and raw about Tasmania.

It’s as if time has slowed down.

When I compare it to the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast, I feel a quiet calm that I have not felt anywhere else before.

Earlier in the year I did a four-day driving journey of Tasmania’s east coast, from Hobart to Launceston.

This time, my friend and fellow Instagrammer Garry Norris invited me to visit his home town.

I was excited about seeing more of Tasmania’s diverse and unique landscape on this 10-day Instagram journey of southern Tasmania.

Tasmania weather

tasmania weather
Even though the Tasmania weather was overcast, it’s still beautiful. Photo: Jewels Lynch.

It’s always a bit challenging to start an Instagram campaign with a dose of bad weather, which is exactly what happened in Tasmania.

The first few days were challenging.

We just couldn’t get a win. No sunrise or sunset.

It rained and was cold, grey and dull.

But the unique thing about being a travelling instagrammer is you only get one chance and you have to learn to work with what you have.

I was also challenged by the winding roads.

I suffer from car sickness and it was a torture being in the back seat as our four-wheel drive lurched around bends.

Franklin River

franklin river jetty
A dog named Bo on the Franklin river jetty. Photo: Jewels Lynch.

Then I met the most beautiful dog named Bo and the world was good again.

We threw a stick and managed to get him to model for me with his owner.

This is what reminds me most of the Franklin River, one of the best Tasmania attractions.

Jetty House

Jetty House
Jetty House in Southern Tasmania. Photo: Jewels Lynch.

Our Devonport accommodation at Jetty House was unique to say the least.

I think it’s safe to say that quite often we all felt we weren’t the only guests in our rooms at night.

Now here’s the cue for spooky ghost music.

Beaches in Southern Tasmania

Southern Tasmania beach
A beautiful Southern Tasmania beach. Photo: Jewels Lynch.

I love the peaceful villages that dot the coastline of Tasmania.

Southport is such a beautiful little fishing village.

It has cute beach shacks, boats and chimneys with smoke wafting up into the sky.

Tasmania offers such serenity.

Sharing the trip with wonderful people made it even more unforgettable.

What will always remain with me is the laughter, friendship and the unmatched scenery of Tasmania.

Southwest Wilderness

The best part of this visit to Tasmania was the helicopter flight over the South West Wilderness.

On our way back, we landed on Bruny Island to have lunch at the pub.

I felt so like a rock star. Picture being picked up in a helicopter then flying over the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Southwest National Park, which is over 600,000 hectares of wild, untouched, untamed, mountainous country.

We landed at an airstrip and after a short hike jumped back in the helicopter and flew through a rainbow and over Maatsuyker Islands.

Bruny Island

Bruny Island
Bruny Island in Southern Tasmania. Photo: Jewels Lynch.

I was amazed when we landed in the back yard of the Bruny Island Pub, where I dined on herb-crusted Tasmanian scallops and drank apple cider for lunch.

Mount Field National Park

Mount Field National Park in southern Tasmania
Mount Field National Park in southern Tasmania. Photo: Jewels Lynch.

The waterfalls at Mount Field National Park are simply more beautiful than words can describe.

Newdegate Cave

newdegate cave tasmania
Newdegate Cave in southern Tasmania. Photo: Jewels Lynch.

The Newdegate Cave is one of the best known caves in Australia.

It was mind-blowing to think that as little as 100mm of a stalactite could possibly be 5000 years old.

Tahune Airwalk

Tahune Airwalk
Tahune Airwalk in southern Tasmania.

The Tahune Airwalk is like a lost world, with tall trees that touch the sky.

As you walk amongst the canopy you almost can’t see where the forest begins and ends.

Tahune is an aboriginal word that means peaceful place by running water.

This is one of the super fun swinging bridges that crosses the river.

Tessellated Pavement

Tessellated Pavement
Southern Tasmania is a photographer’s dream. Photo: Jewels Lynch.

Back near Port Arthur, if you didn’t know any better you would swear the Tessellated Pavement is not a natural formation.

Tasman Peninsula Cruise

Pennicott wilderness Cruise
Pennicott wilderness Cruise in southern Tasmania. Photo: Jewels Lynch.

We had an epic day on the water with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys cruising the Tasman Peninsula.

Discover Tasmania

Read about Lauren Bath’s other adventures around the world here:

Southern Tasmania

Southern Tasmania 2

Plan Your Trip

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