Responsible tourism in Tasmania

Large cruise ship tourism is full steam ahead in Tasmania. Most of the ships come into Hobart and Port Arthur, with stop-offs in Burnie and Wineglass Bay. Although Tasmania still does not receive the mega ships hosting thousands, they do receive ships that have over 2,000 passengers on board, and a lot more crew. And although they bring a limited amount of tourism income to the towns, they also bring pollution.

Also, on average, large cruise ship passengers create three times more waste than people on land. And even worse, a cruise ship with 3,000 passengers can generate up to 150,000 gallons of sewage per week – which can be released into the ocean past the three nautical mile mark from land. Some cruise companies are being more transparent about their environmental practices, while others are keeping that bathroom door tightly locked.

What you can do
Read more about our stance on large cruise ships here. Not just on environmental issues but on economic impacts and human rights ones too. So, of course we are going to recommend that you opt for a responsible tourism holiday in Tasmania, not simply a cruise ship’s day trip, where the average consumer spend is half of that spent by a tourist staying overnight on land.

Let’s not beat about the bush. This is not just a little ol’ island with a few nice walks in the park. This is glorious wilderness, with walking trails that can take you into the bush for weeks. Or you can just choose to hike or bike for a few hours, but either way you are hitting the wilds pretty quickly. And in Tasmania, weather has that habit of changing every five minutes. And so mountain or bush safety is like a religion for Tassies. Tourists can, however, be guilty of turning a blind eye to the harsh realities of trekking in Tassie, but the experts will always warn about the unpredictability of these landscapes.

Here are some of the basic tips on how to stay safe, most of which are common sense, but it is worth taking note in case there is one box you don’t normally tick. That box could save a life.

When possible, if going into the depths of Tasmania’s wilderness, travel with an expert local guide, check their credentials and enjoy their knowledge and wisdom. If not, try to avoid trekking alone.

• Always note your walk in the national parks or trail log books, and tell your accommodation providers where you are planning to hike, or mountain bike. And don’t forget to sign it again when you complete your trek.
• Always check the meteorological reports. The national parks often display these at point of entry, but otherwise check out the Bureau of Meteorology. The Tas Emergency Service is also a great source of info.
• Don’t feed the wildlife. End of. They’ll come up to you with cute as anything eyes. But just don’t. Processed foods have led to painful and slow deaths for wallabies, for example.
• Bring a basic first aid and survival kit, layers and waterproofs, plenty of water and a compass when hiking in remote areas, and ensure you let your accommodation know your route, and when you expect to arrive.
• Know your limits and check that your routes match your fitness levels and abilities.
• Dress wisely and bring layers, sun cream, waterproofs, the lot. This is four seasons hiking territory. And always wear strong, stable footwear that is suitable for hiking.
• Surfing is a growing sport in Tasmania, but there is also great awareness about surfing responsibly, which also means surfing safely. You often have to traverse untouched dunes and beaches, so always ensure to adhere to Leave No Trace practices, including cigarette butts. Note that the Bass Strait can be one of the roughest stretches of water in the world, so always seek expert surfing advice. And don’t even think about taking on Shipstern Bluff, or Devil’s Point, in Southern Tasmania, near Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula without a lot of experience and experts on hand.