Tasmania’s travel reputation is written in green. Around 20% of Australia’s island state is protected as World Heritage-listed wilderness, the planet’s cleanest air blows over Tasmania, and it was home to the world’s first Green political party in 1972.
Like anywhere, however, there are threats and challenges to this green and clean environment, with national parks opened to private tourism operations in recent years, and a perpetual unease between industry and conservationists.
For environmentally minded travelers, it becomes imperative to seek experiences and operators that go above and beyond to adhere to sustainable practices, preserving this unique and wonderful place for future generations.
Raft the Franklin River
The wild Franklin River is a touchstone of Australian environmentalism. In the early 1980s, it was the scene of highly public and successful protests against hydroelectric dams. Today the river runs free, flowing through a catchment that contains not a single building or patch of cultivated land. Rafting trips on the 100-km-long wilderness river take around seven days, and whichever company you raft with – Tasmanian Expeditions, Franklin River Rafting or Water by Nature – regulations require all waste to be taken out at the end of the trip, including human waste. You’ll never forget the “groover” – the metal box used to transport said leftovers.
Wildlife Parks
The Tasmanian devil is an iconic symbol of the state; however, they are rarely sighted in the wild due to a significant decline in population over the last two decades caused by Devil Facial Tumour Disease. Wildlife parks across Tasmania offer a convenient glimpse of these fascinating creatures and other native wildlife, with some parks leading vital efforts to protect and preserve Tasmania’s unique fauna.
On the outskirts of Hobart, the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary serves as the state’s largest wildlife rescue service. An estimated 500,000 animals are killed on Tasmanian roads every year, and Bonorong collects and treats injured animals in its on-site wildlife hospital, allowing visitors to observe veterinary care in action.
On the Tasman Peninsula, the unfenced Tasmanian Devil Unzoo collaborates closely with the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Project, monitoring and collecting data on wild devils while maintaining a protective barrier to shelter the last population free from disease.
Change Overnight
Opened last year, Change Overnight is a Launceston hotel dedicated to social causes. Guests select from eight organizations, with a portion of their payment donated to the chosen cause. For instance, your contribution might fund 10 sq meters of land for a Tasmanian environmental conservancy or provide breakfast for 210 children in an orphanage in India. Moreover, guests enjoy a comfortable stay at the edge of Launceston’s city center in 18 light-filled rooms located in a converted industrial building, only steps away from some of the city’s best cafes.
Tasmanian Ecolodges
Additionally, there are many excellent accommodation options that emphasize sustainability. On the outskirts of Hobart, Hobart Hideaway Pods features two compact pods—the Vanilla Pod and the Pea Pod—showcasing solar passive design, self-sufficient water supply, and reed beds for effective grey-water absorption.
Outside Launceston, Tamar Solarhome resembles a stylish addition from the hills of Los Angeles, being entirely emission-free, thanks to a solar-charged battery that fulfills all of its power needs.
Just over an hour’s drive northeast of Launceston, the Tin Dragon Cottages nestle along the Derby mountain-biking trail network. These cottages are constructed from timber sourced entirely from the rural property, utilize a micro-hydro system for power generation, collect rainwater for their water supply, and recycle all greywater onto paddocks below the cottages.
wukalina walk
For too long, a myth persisted that Tasmania’s Aboriginal lineage ended with the death of local woman Truganini in 1876; however, palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) culture and community continue to thrive. The wukalina walk marks the premier tourism venture from Tasmania’s palawa community, guiding guests on a four-day journey along the breathtaking Bay of Fires coastline in the state’s northeast.
This coastline is as vibrantly colored as any in the world, and, moreover, cultural experiences enrich the trip. Guests will participate in dinners featuring muttonbird harvested using time-honored methods passed down through generations of palawa people and enjoy a foraging experience for bush tucker during the hike. The first two nights are spent in architecturally designed pods reminiscent of ancient palawa shelters, with the final night in traditional lighthouse keeper cottages at Eddystone Point.
Cycling Adventures
In 2015, a comprehensive network of mountain bike trails was established around the once-forlorn tin-mining town of Derby, situated in Tasmania’s northeast. These trails are hailed as among the finest globally, providing sustainable activity within a stunning natural landscape. Blue Derby Pods conducts guided trips lasting three to four days, offering a unique accommodation experience in eco-friendly pods cleverly concealed within the trail system.
Furthermore, the pods and accompanying central hub are entirely solar-powered. All water used is captured from rainfall and solar-heated. When the pods were built in 2017, the construction team prioritized preserving local vegetation by carefully strapping back trees instead of cutting them down. Additionally, Tasmanian eBike Adventures provides small-scale environmental and cultural bike rides on Maria Island and one of Tasmania’s most storied rural properties close to Port Arthur. The Nohoiner Adventure trip incorporates traditional healing ceremonies conducted by a palawa guide and healer.
Maria Island
Tasmania’s island national park is truly a magnificent destination—effectively two islands connected by a thin isthmus, featuring 700-meter-high mountains rising dramatically from the sea, abundant wildlife, and a World Heritage-listed convict station. Wombats, wallabies, and even a managed population of Tasmanian devils roam freely across the grasslands of this vehicle-free island. Visitors can participate in the Maria Island Pledge, committing to “explore with a sense of responsibility, adventure, and kindness.”
This island is central to the four-day Maria Island Walk, which received accolades as Australia’s best ecotourism operator at the 2019 Australian Tourism Awards. The walk traverses the length of the island, accommodating guests in semi-permanent camps elevated off the ground to protect the landscape (the camps are taken down at the end of each season). As part of the experience, guests participate in beach cleanups, collecting rubbish along their journey. Moreover, the company plays an active role in monitoring Tasmanian devil scat and enhancing vegetation in various parts of the island.
