Unplug in Tasmania

It’s in the murmur of the swiftly-flowing river. It’s in the way every breath is fragranced with the aroma of the forest leaves, and the rhythm of your paddle stroking through the water. A kayak down one of Tasmania’s snow-fed rivers is an exercise in tranquility. A slow and steady paddle gives you plenty of time to absorb the changing scenery: the stringybarks and river gums on the shore, stingrays skimming through the water, cormorants or eagles keeping watch over the river.

If you have ever watched a dog scampering joyfully after a ball you have thrown, or had a cat curl up happily on your lap, you know that few things can lift your spirits as quickly as building a relationship with an animal. Join a farm tour at Highland Getaway in the Huon Valley and you will have the opportunity to make friends with the llamas and the resident Scottish Highland Cattle. Never thought of buddying up with a cow? These gentle creatures are playful as puppies and love having their long-haired coats tidied, so grab a wire brush and get grooming.

When you long for some time out, head to Lettes Bay near Strahan. There, the converted miners’ shack known as Bushy Summers lets you slow the pace. Instead of downing your morning coffee while listening to the traffic report, you can savour it as you watch the wild ducks swimming across the lake to say hello. Vintage vibes abound – the clawfoot tub is a highlight – and there is time for simple pleasures, from strolls along the shoreline to slowly sipping a glass of your favourite drop while sitting on the deck.

Tasmania is world-famous for the many mountain bike tracks that weave around its wild landscapes. Head to the Blue Derby Trails in north-east Tasmania for more than 125 kilometers of purpose-built trails with options to suit all skill levels. For a remote and wild experience, tackle the 20-kilometer Blue Tier Trail that will take you through a sub-alpine environment with crystal clear streams and myrtle forests. If you’d like to truly find your flow on two wheels, we love the immersive 3-day Blue Derby Pods Ride experience.

Many cultures have embraced the idea of the moving meditation, including walking through a labyrinth, practiced by ancient cultures in places as far flung as Norway and Japan. Discover the calming effects of the practice at Wychwood Gardens, where the seven-ring grass labyrinth is just one of the attractions, along with its planting of rare roses and perennials.

Few things shift your perspective faster than conversing with First Nations people who are connected to older, slower rhythms of life. You will have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in ancient wisdom on the four-day indigenous-run Wukalina Walk. As well as exploring the living landscapes of Wukalina (Mount William National Park) and Larapuna (Bay of Fires), you will learn traditional crafts, eat indigenous foods such as wallaby and mutton-bird, and learn to see the world through a different lens.

Image credits: Tourism Tasmania