Posts from Premier Travel Tasmania
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Species Feature: Tasmanian Devil
Once widespread across the country, the Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is now restricted to the island state of Tasmania, due to the arrival of Dingos to Australia some 3500-4000 years ago. Known locally as 'Tassie Devils', these nocturnal carnivorous marsupials typically inhabit dry eucalypt forests and woodlands and are found...
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6 Must-Visit Wildlife Islands in Australia
Australia's islands boast some of the planet's most remarkable wildlife experiences, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the diversity and beauty of the country's natural heritage. From the iconic kangaroos bounding across the hilltops to rare and elusive marine species swimming in pristine waters, these islands provide a sanctuary for animals...
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12 Threatened Australian Species You Can See In the Wild
Australia is home to a remarkable array of wildlife, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. However, numerous species are currently facing critical threats and are classified as endangered. In this article, we explore some of Australia's most vulnerable creatures that you can observe in their natural habitats....
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Best Places to See Platypuses in the Wild
Encountering Australia's wildlife in its natural habitat is a magical experience. Observing animals in the wild, where they explore freely and behave naturally, offers a unique and unforgettable connection to nature. One of the most sought-after wildlife experiences in Australia is spotting the elusive platypus in the wild. This semiaquatic,...
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Best Places to See Kangaroos in the Wild
Experiencing Australian wildlife in their natural habitat is both thrilling and rewarding. In these untouched environments, you can immerse yourself in nature and observe animals as they go about their daily lives. One of the most iconic experiences for travelers to Australia is encountering kangaroos in the wild. Let us...
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In Search of Tasmania’s Endemics with Elise Tardieu
Elise Tardieu knows a thing or two about Tasmania's rich ecology, history and culture, and loves to share her knowledge with Premier Travel Tasmania guests. "I switched from teaching to guiding nearly 18 years ago and haven't looked back," she says. Originally from France, Elise was drawn to Australia's largest...
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Storyteller Series: Daniel Schoedler from Premier Travel Tasmania
When travel agent Daniel Schoedler flew from Switzerland to Tasmania for a trade show in 2015, it didn't take long for the Apple Isle to make an impression. "I was invited on a seven-day tour and I was fascinated from the first minute," he says. "You get into Hobart and...
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Reliving Tasmania’s Convict History with Jennifer Collins
Tasmania’s convict history trail is full of fascinating sites to explore, ranging from the well-known to some that many people have not heard of. “Convict labour was used to build new colonies to expand the economic, military and political influence of Britain around the world,” Jennifer Collins, one of Premier...
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Saving the Orange-bellied Parrot in the Southwest Wilderness with Mark Holdsworth
There’s only one place in the world where Orange-bellied Parrots (Neophema chrysogaster) breed in the wild, and that’s in Tasmania’s Southwest Wilderness World Heritage Area, a vast and ravishingly beautiful region that is renowned for its wild weather and untamed landscape. Views from a fixed-wing aircraft over Southwest National Park....
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Exploring Tasmania’s Botanic Riches with Geoff Curry
When Geoff Curry, long-standing guide with Premier Travel Tasmania, talks about plants, he likes to focus on their ever-evolving relationship with their surroundings. “I’m very interested in how everything interacts with each other. The forest isn’t just a bunch of trees, it’s a living and dynamic place,” he explains. “That’s...
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Observing Tasmania’s Nocturnal Marsupials with Karin Beaumont
“Dusk in certain locations is a wonderful time to start exploring,” Karin Beaumont, tour guide with Premier Travel Tasmania, explains. “When we visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, for example, it’s very interesting to go on an evening walk because of the quantity and diversity...
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Species Feature: Platypus
The Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is an iconic egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern and south-eastern Australia. Where are Platypuses (also Platypi) found in Australia? Platypuses are found in freshwater systems along the eastern and south-eastern coastline of Australia, including the island state of Tasmania. They are often sighted floating along the...
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Wildlife & Wetlands with Andrea Edwards
German-born Andrea Edwards was living in Queensland when she discovered the island paradise of Tasmania. “I came from Brisbane for a one-week holiday and fell in love with the island,” she says. “I moved here and have been living in the Tamar Valley for more than 20 years now. Stretching...
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Video: You Think You've Seen Crazy Cats?!
Once abundant across south-eastern mainland Australia, the Eastern Quoll is now only found on Australia's island state of Tasmania. Transcript: Once referred to as a native cat, the Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) is a small nocturnal marsupial, endemic to south-eastern Australia. For millions of years, Eastern Quolls were found across...
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Q&A With Guides: Karin Beaumont
Karin Beaumont has been part of the Premier Travel Tasmania team for more than eight years. We chatted with her just before the festive season, to find out more about her love for the Australian island-state of Tasmania! Have you always called Tasmania home? I’ve now lived over half my...
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Species Feature: Common Wombat
The Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) is one of Australia's most endeared native marsupial species. Known for their playful nature and backwards-facing pouches, the Common Wombat is a choice encounter for many visitors to Australia! Where is the Common Wombat found in Australia? Common Wombats are found across south-eastern Australia, which...
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Our Favourite Member Photographs: November 2019
Life on the Reef - Exmouth Dive and Whalesharks Ningaloo Image credit: Exmouth Dive and Whalesharks Ningaloo (via Facebook: @exmouthdiveandwhalesharksningaloo) The Ningaloo Reef provides magical marine encounters throughout the year! Recommended tour: Deluxe Whaleshark Swim (full day) - available from March 4 until August 31, 2020. Figbird with Young -...
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Species Feature: Little Penguin
The Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) is perhaps the most adored seabird in Australia. Standing at a height of approximately 33cm (13 inches) and weighing around one kilogram (2.2 pounds), they hold the title of the world’s smallest penguin. Although the males are slightly larger, both males and females appear similar...
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Australia's Top 10 Most Beautifully Coloured Birds
Australia is home to a some of the world's most iconic birds - 828 individual species, according to a 2008 study (Christidis and Boles). Some Australian birds are known for their audible abilities; some for their size, and others for their spectacular colourings. Let's take a look at what birds...
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Help Australia's Marsupials by Taking a Tour!
Wildlife-based tourism is growing rapidly as more people travel the world. However, not all animal experiences are created equal. It’s widely agreed that the only sustainable and ethical experiences are those where humans simply observe animals going about their daily lives in their natural habitat – no touching, no feeding,...
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Australia's Top 11 Quirkiest Birds
Australia is teeming with fabulous quirky birds – birds with extraordinary songs, birds that break eggs with stones, birds that run like the wind, and birds that dance like no one is watching (ironically, these birds are dancing precisely to be watched). “Some Australian birds have evolved to have amazing...
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Species Feature: Tasmanian Native Hen
One of the most interesting birds to observe on Australia’s beautiful isle state, is the Tasmanian Native Hen (Tribonyx mortierii). This endemic species was made extinct by dingoes and increasing aridity on mainland Australia 4700 years ago. The species has several similarities to the Black-tailed Native Hen found on the...
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Species Feature: Short-beaked Echidna
The Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is one of Earth’s oldest mammals, believed to have shared Earth with the dinosaurs, up to 110 Million years ago! The Short-beaked Echidna, Long-beaked Echidna (Zaglossus) and Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), make up the only three monotremes. Monotremes are egg-laying mammals which, similar to birds and...