Tasmania, the Island of Inspiration', is where every prospect pleases - from glacial mountains to white beaches and clear seas, dense forests and rolling green hills, wild rivers, waterfalls and bird-rich lakes, you will find it all in the span of a few days in Tasmania. The incredible beauty of this island is ratified by the fact that it has 19 national parks and having a fifth of its area falls in UNESCO's list of  World Heritage Sites!
                We were excited therefore as the flight neared Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. As we look down from the aircraft as it comes into land, we can see the well-forested and frequently snow-crowned Mt. Wellington with the city spread over seven smaller hills around its foot, running along the Derwint River to the harbour that shaped its history. From the airport the guide who received us drove us to The Henry Jones Art Hotel. which has an abundance of modern Aussie artworks covering its public areas. The classy rooms and contemporary facilities are in contrast to the memorabilia in the property of the days when Henry Jones ran a jam factory in this building which was Tasmania's major employer.
                After lunch, we set out to explore Hobart and were impressed by the way the city has made good use of its natural surroundings and wealth of heritage buildings by creating its cosmopolitan hub and social epicentre along the harbour of Sullivans Cove, the incredibly good-looking and photogenic waterfront of Hobart and converting its impressive sandstone warehouses and other old 19th century buildings into art galleries and eateries. While strolling around these four-storey Georgian buildings at Salamanca Place we could experience the vibrant arts and culture scene at shops, galleries, studios, cultural performance venues and public art spaces, between enjoying drinks and snacks at bars and cafes where the 20-something crowd and bubbly staff create a lively atmosphere. If you are here on a Saturday, stalls sell gourmet cheeses, superb sauces, jams, fudge and fresh fruits. From here, you can always get away for a quiet waterfront walk in the evening followed by an intimate dinner on the harbour-side. We selected the award-winning Marque IV where the surroundings, ambience, low-lighting and subtle jazz music is suitable for relaxation and conversation. After a glass of wine in the swish lounge done up in blackwood, marble, leather and Tasmanian contemporary artwork, we indulged in their seven course signature tasting menu.
                The next day we set out from Hobart to Richmond. This quaint village has some of the oldest British colonial buildings of Australia and a sandstone bridge built by convicts. The 1834AD church is attractive with stained glass windows. We watched tourists strolling along the riverside grasses while their kids fed the ducks on the river. The village is now a haven for artists and there are many shops selling Tasmanian crafts, curios and art pieces.
                From Richmond, we set out for Moorilla Estate, set on a promontory of Derwent River about 12-km from the city. The estate enjoys an important role in Tasmanian society and is also a birthplace of modern wine making on the island. The pinot noir made from cool-climate ripened wine grapes is to die for, the beers are excellent and ooh…the food in the restaurant was simply delectable. About 30 minutes drive from Moorilla Estate brought us to the Bonorong Wildlife Park where we saw Tasmanian devils in an enclosure, were allowed to cuddle a koala, patted kangaroos wallabies and saw classic Aussie wildlife in cages. The native trees trilled with birdcalls and we saw cockatoos and a rossela.
                We returned to Hobart and drove around the town to see the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, the Theatre Royal and Maritime Museum.
NATURE LOVERS' NIRVANA
                There is a bewildering array of national parks that the state boasts for the relaxing and serene honeymoon of your dreams. We decided to visit Freycinet National Park which is more accessible. The drive was attractive as we drove past a bird-rich lake with many graceful swans and pretty coastal stretches. We took a halt at an oyster farm for fresh seafood and enjoyed desserts at Kate's Berry Farm which is run by Kate Bradley, a super cook and an active community person, for delectable desserts and strawberry ice-creams at her farm shop overlooking strawberry bushes. We bought jams and other preserves here as well.
                In the afternoon it was delightful to get into the Freycinet Lodge, Set among the Hazard Mountains of the Freycinet National Park, the lodge has 60 plush cabins, stylishly furnished and featuring contemporary comforts (except a TV as you are in a national park), set among characteristic Aussie bushland at the southern end of Richardson beach. From my room I could see a brush-tailed possum on the branch of the tree. Walking down to the restaurant in the lodge, we tucked into a delicious three-course meal featuring freshly caught fish.
                In the morning, we awakened to the call of a kookaburra and drove to the Friendly Beaches for a walk on the fine white sands fringed by clear sea waters. After the walk, we took a scenic flight over the Wineglass Bay that has become a symbol of Tasmania's scenic beauty because it showcases granite rocks, green hillsides, golden sands and blue sea waters at a single site. The view from the small aircraft was simply superb.
                After this we set out for the walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout - it ranged from steps to trails and ran through bush country, past beautiful pink-granite formations. We saw a kangaroo and some birdlife on the way before reaching the top for the panoramic view of the bay.
                After lunch we set out for a quad-biking trip in the park. It begins with a lesson on handling the bike and a practice run after which you ride along bush tracks, climbing hills and winding your way through native eucalypt forest to the coast for breathtaking views. As I was a bit nervous of going down in the dark, Sam who operate the tour, drove me back to the starting point. And it was back to the Bay Restaurant of the lodge where we enjoyed duck and fish platters.
                The next morning, we started back to Hobart stopping for a seafood lunch at Barilla Bay.
MORE TO TASMANIA
Hobart activities: From Hobart the adventurous can go surfing, sea kayaking or scuba-diving, mountain biking (there is a much-acclaimed climbing path from Hobart) or tandem sky-diving. Those who like nature can take cruises to watch seals, whales, dolphins, penguins etc. You can even take a long cruise to the Antarctica.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park (Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area): for couples who like walks, wildlife, adventure and alpine experiences, this area offers tumbling rivers and dense forests, jagged mountains, deep lakes and waterfalls.
Huon Valley and Bruny Island: About 45 minutes south-west of Hobart, drive into a land of surprises -- orchards, gentle countryside, wild coastlines, quiet beaches, roaring surf, lighthouses, farmhouses… that's a long list that will take you a couple of days to cover.
Launceston: 19th century city, a base for the cooler vineyards of the Tamar Valley, national parks like wildlife-rich Narawntapu, old farm estates, breweries and grand mansions. The Cataract Gorge is a spectacular sight from the chairlift or the suspension bridge.
For more details, look at www.tourism.tas.gov.au, www.discovertasmania.com or
www.tourism.australia.com