When you’re hiking in Tasmania, it’s normally a push to the peak. But Maria Island is different.

Tasmanians have always been keen on boats, understandably as an island girt by sea and, accordingly, many glorious beaches. Hobart already has a high rate of boat licence holders and that number is set to increase with Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) reporting boat training bookings are up two-and-a-half times on previous summers.

“So we’re going for a drive in our house?” my six-year-old asks when I announce we’re taking a motorhome trip in the school holidays. “Kind of,” I reply. “You get to sit in the kitchen while Mum and Dad drive the whole house along.” Lots of laughter and questions flow and it’s obvious that the kids are going to love it. I’m a little apprehensive, I’ll be honest. The practical side of eating, driving, sleeping presents more questions than answers, but in this weird year I’ve learnt that you just have to go with it.

With Bicheno local Shane Gould recently taking out the title of Australian Survivor, the coastal hamlet has been enjoying some time in the national spotlight.

The evening before we’re due to take a day trip on the new Spirit of the Wild vessel in Strahan, we take a slow wander along the waterfront to check it out as the sun sets. An imposing charcoal grey and reflective glass structure, the boat was purpose-built to take passengers across vast Macquarie Harbour and down the glassy Gordon River. It’s an impressive sight and we’re now excited to board in the morning.

Women-only adventure tours are taking off in Tassie with more women opting for women-only hiking and camping holidays in some of the state’s most remote locations.

Once you’ve experienced your first Aurora Australis sighting, you’ll be forever chasing the next one. That’s the promise from devoted ‘Aurora Chaser’ and Hobart photographer Luke Tscharke.

Pet the animals, walk in the wilderness, pick your own berries and enjoy colonial accommodation… Farmstays and day tours are popping up across the state, providing a fun weekend away for visitors and Hobartians keen to get their gumboots dirty. Here are four farms to visit this Spring.

As far as city weekenders go, Launceston ticks a lot of boxes. It’s only two hours away (including lots of great options for stops – usually a vanilla slice in Ross or park time in Campbell Town for us) and it’s a bit like a choose your own adventure depending on your interests. We recently went north for a mountain bike race and made a fun weekend of it.