One of The World's Last Great Wilderness Areas - 30 Years on And Just a Stone's Throw Away in Tassie

Alpine landscapes, pristine beaches, untamed forests, natural vaults of Aboriginal treasures and an extraordinary array of indigenous plants and animals make the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, one of Earth's true natural treasures and one of the last great wilderness areas on the planet. December 2012 marks the 30th anniversary of its initial inscription and offers visitors another compelling reason to make the quick trip to Tasmania. While much of the area, which now encompasses 20 percent of the state, is superbly wild and tantalisingly remote, parts of it are easy to discover and experience, with an exciting range of sustainable outdoor activities suitable to all fitness levels to choose from.

The 1.4 million hectares that make up Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage Area encompass the iconic Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park, the Franklin -Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, Southwest National Park, Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Hartz Mountains National Park, part of Mole Creek Karst National Park, plus a number of other state reserves and conservation areas*; an area so precious that it is one of only two places worldwide to meet more World Heritage criteria than any other.

The 6-day Cradle Huts Overland Track Walk from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair is one of Australia's most iconic multi-day bushwalks, led by experienced guides and taking in the true beauty of the World Heritage Area. The walk costs from $2,850 per person and includes airport transfers, equipment, meals and guides. W: www.cradlehuts.com.au

Tasmanian Expeditions offer a range of thrilling adventures in Tasmania's World Heritage Areas, from guided walks to rock climbing and rafting. The six-day Walls of Jerusalem bushwalking expedition takes in the spectacular mountain scenery and pristine wilderness of Tasmania's only true alpine National Park. The trip costs $1,545 per person and includes meals, camping accommodation, transfers and equipment. W: www.tasmanianexpeditions.com.au

Thrill seekers can discover a hidden side of Cradle Mountain as they explore the remote hidden canyons of Dove River led by experienced guides on the Cradle Mountain Canyons adventure. The company specialises in half day tours at $100 and full day tours at $200, taking daredevils into otherwise inaccessible places and unveiling a unique insight into Tasmania's wilderness. W: www.cradlemountaincanyons.com.au

Rafting enthusiasts will revel in the excitement of the 10-day Franklin River Rafting Tour which takes in the haunting beauty of the wild and isolated Franklin River in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. The adventure is a professionally guided experience on an expedition raft and includes quality rafts and white water equipment, delicious meals, camping equipment and return transfers from Hobart. No previous experience is necessary, but a thirst for adventure is highly recommended. The 10 day rafting expedition is $2,950 per person including GST. W: www.franklinriverrafting.com

Visitors looking for an experience with a difference can see Tasmania's spectacular underground wilderness with a tour of Mole Creek's caves. Wild Cave Tours offer half and full day tours where visitors can truly experience the subterranean wonderland as they wade through underground streams and discover underground glow-worm chambers. From 1st January 2013 the tours cost $110 for a half day and $220 for a full day and include morning tea, overalls, equipment and experienced guide. W: www.wildcavetours.com

The scenic flights offered by Tasmania's small airlines and charter operators give visitors a true sense of the absolute vastness and wild beauty of the state's Wilderness World Heritage Area. Par Avion conducts scenic flights from Hobart exploring the incredibly remote waterways and wilderness of the Southwest starting from $280 for a half day experience and also transport bushwalkers and their supplies to Melaleuca in the Southwest National Park. W: www.paravion.com.au

Roaring 40s Wilderness Tours is a premium ecotourism operation, offering sea kayaking tours in Tasmania's Southwest World Heritage Wilderness Area. For the coming season, Roaring 40s are opening up their comfortable Forest Lagoon Camp to short stay visitors; the perfect option for visitors who are travelling without camping gear but still seeking an authentic wilderness experience. The campsite features comfortable yet affordable accommodation in five twin-share platform tents and meals are offered in the open air dining shelter nestled into the surrounding rainforest where resident wildlife come and go as they please. This beautiful part of Tasmania features some of the most rewarding short walks in the state and for those new to bushwalking, experience guides are available by prior arrangement. W: www.roaring40skayaking.com.au

Visitors can base themselves in the state's capital and still get back to nature with the many day touring options within easy reach of Hobart. Adrenalin junkies will get a kick out of abseiling at the Gordon Dam, which standing at 140 metres high is Australia's longest vertical abseiling experience. The two and a half hour drive from the Hobart to Gordon Dam meanders through the magnificent southwest wilderness to reach Strathgordon, nestled between Lakes Gordon and Pedder.

Taking it down a notch, a number of short walks are located within easy driving distance of Hobart. Around one and a half hours from the city, the Hartz Mountains National Park offers visitors breathtaking views of remote mountain ranges as far as the southern coast and boasts picturesque waterfalls and small glacial lakes. Visitors can download Tasmania's Parks and Wildlife Service's new 60 Great Short Walks app, a wonderful resource with a wealth of information about day walks from all around the state. The app can now be downloaded for free from the iTunes Store and features beautiful photographs, simple maps and essential safety tips.

Travel to Tasmania
Travellers can fly to Tasmania on Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Qantas, Qantaslink, Tiger Airways or Rex Airlines, or take the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Port Melbourne (VIC) to Devonport (TAS).