Some places you hear about for years before you finally get there. For Kok Chuen Chiat, Tasmania was one of them – and when he made the trip in 2023, during a break from his master’s degree in Melbourne, it did not disappoint.

Tucked just below mainland Australia, Tasmania is a small island state where ancient wilderness has been left largely intact.

“I’d heard so much about its landscapes,” shares the pastor, 54. “And I have to say that it still exceeded all my expectations.”

His trip took him around the island, from Hobart up the east coast to Launceston and Stanley in the north, before heading down to Cradle Mountain. 

Every stop had its own charm, but it was the east coast that left the strongest impression. The Wineglass Bay lookout boasts one of the most photographed views in the country – a near-perfect crescent of turquoise water cradled by granite peaks – while further up, the Bicheno Blowhole sends seawater shooting skyward with each incoming wave.

But nothing quite prepared Kok for the Bay of Fires, which stretches along the northeast coast from Binalong Beach to Larapuna.

“It is without doubt the most beautiful stretch of coastline I have ever seen in my life,” he says, captivated by its crystalline waters, dazzling white sand and rocks streaked with bright orange lichen. “The vivid colours made a huge impression on me, and the diversity of the landscape was remarkable.”

For many visitors, Tasmania’s greatest appeal lies in its raw and unspoilt landscapes. But beyond its natural beauty, travellers will also discover some of the freshest produce, intimate luxury stays and a rich sense of history. And for those ready to venture further, Victoria is just a short flight away.

Tasmania’s reputation for unspoilt beauty is well-deserved, and nowhere captures it better than the