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Not only its beauty, but its historical significance, make this a great place to explore. We start at the one of the prettiest capital's in this country, Hobart.The docks are a great place to begin.

This is Tasmania’s chief port and the name Hobart derives from Robert Hobart who at the time of settlement was the secretary of State for War.

Believe it or not the reason Hobart was established was to keep the French out of Australia, a notion in this day and age that seems both ludicrous and down right silly.

Not too far from the waters edge is the magical Salamanca Place.
Full of shops and restaurants, galleries and nightlife.
Experience the hustle and bustle of the markets, when they're in full swing.
Take a walk along the docks and watch the fishermen bring in their catch.
It is worth spending some time here, there's so much to do and see.
Kelly's steps, built in 1839 by adventurer James Kelly,
connect Battery Point to Salamanca Place and lead into Kelly Street. Worth the time to walk the steps.

Battery Point was one of the first areas to be settled.
It's full of beautiful colonial buildings and housing.
Take a stroll through the streets, armed with a camera - it's photographer's dream.

The name comes from the Mulgrave battery of guns which were mounted in the Headland in 1818.

From the General Post Office to Franklin Square there are ever present reminders of the past.

A leisurely 100 kilometre drive from Hobart is the penal settlement of Port Arthur.
One of Australia's great tourism destinations, Port Arthur is like a time-capsule of history.
The beautiful manicured gardens here are in stark contrast of its brutal past.
As you wander the area you can't help thinking about the convicts of the day and the hardships they endured.

Some 12,500 criminals served their time here, in mass cells, during the 1830's.
The average cell size was a meagher 135 cm across.
By the 1840's thoughts were shifting towards separation, then incredibly by the 1850’s the authorities here deemed to separate the incarcerated according to trustworthyness, health, sanity and age.

Take a casual walk around the area on your own, or take advantage of the guided tours available to you.

Everyone who has travelled through Tassie, will agree that at every turn in the road, provides even more stunning vistas.
A place of true natural beauty and because of the size of this state, getting around is easily managable.
Approximately an hour and ten minutes and you're in Triabunna, on the east coast.
With beautiful beaches, and places of historic interest, it makes a great place to stop for a night or two.
Great fishing, sailing, surfing and diving, are just a few of the attractions of this area.
A trip on the ferry will take you to Maria Island, there's bushwalking for those who appreciate a stroll through the forest areas or just take in the friendly atmosphere of this charming area.
Swansea is an historic town located 134km from Hobart.
Set in a beautiful setting on Oyster Bay with views across to the mountains of the Freycinet National Park.

With loads of accommodation options, restaurants, cafes and a fabulous find for us, the Kabuki Japanese Restaurant.

The best Japanese food a long way from Japan.

The restaurant is filled with Japanese antiques and the authentic food is a winner.

Well worth visiting the Kabuki, not only for the food, the view over the ocean is a delight.

Sushi at sunset, it doesn't get better than this.

Now talking of views, spectacular comes to mind with this one,
The Freycinet National Park is truly the place to explore and enjoy the wilderness, the wildlife and the walks.

The Park is located almost, in the middle of both Hobart and Launceston.

Dean being the good sport that he is, tackled the Hazards, with a view to Wine Glass Bay.

While slightly daunting the trek was well worth the effort and not as bad as first thought.

If you take your time, you too can experience views like no other, and you don't have to be an elite athlete to make the climb.

One of Tasmania's most celebrated sights is Wine Glass Bay.
A magnificent beach, shaped like a wine glass, so pristine it is breathtaking.

Wine Glass Bay is noted as being one of the ten top beaches in the world.

Now that should make you want to take the trek!

Well that wound up our tour of Tasmania's stunning east coast.

Now to get there why not take advantage of the Spirit of Tasmania?

The Spirtit sets sail from both Melbourne and Sydney.

This is the ideal way to get to Tasmania and provides pletnty of room to take your RV with you.

On board the hours will peel away as you dine in style, take in the sights or just relax and sway with the tide…

And all of this is before you even start your trip.

For pure comfort try an on board cabin so come your arrival at Devonport you are fit and firing.

Now while you are exploring Discover Downunder's website, take the time to look at the competitions we have, you could win a Jayco Dove camper trailer worth $21,500 - ideal for your next trip to Tassie!

Check out the CRVA Newsletter, become a member of the VIP Club.
It's full of great ideas for vanning, with informative links and great holiday destinations, and best of all it's free.

And there's more, Camel Campers and Camper Trailer Australia have joined forces to offer you a chance to win a Camel Camper Bushman G2 Camper Trailer worth $15,000.
Pop down to the newsagency and buy your copy of Camper Trailer Australia and fill in the free entry form in the magazine, or why not subscribe? For $66.90 for twelve months, not only does that mean you get your copy delivered to the door, it also means you will automatically be given 6 free entries into the competition!
You can also subscribe to Camper Trailer Australia on line.
Go to www.magshop.com.au/Campertrailer_Australia.htm
Or phone 136 116 and ask about Camper Trailer Australia.

Not is it a great prize on offer from the Camel Group, but you will have hours of reading with Camper Trailer Australia.

And last but not at all least, is the 2008 Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow starts 23rd April at Caulfield Racecourse.
Pop along for a visit, it's chock full of Caravans, campers, tents, motorhomes, camping equipment, four wheel drives, tourism displays, activities and seminars.

Open from 9.30am daily, don't miss a minute of it!

Join us next week on Discover Downunder as we make our way back to Victoria.

We're off to the shipwreck coast.

Take in the coastal surrounds of the beautiful Warrnambool and Port Fairy.

Some terrific culture,

And does your van need a facelift?

All that and much more on Discover Downunder.

See you next week!

1. RV SHOWCASE : JAYCO
   
   1 Jayco Drive
   Dandenong South 3175
   Victoria
   
   Ph: (03) 8792 2000
   Fax: (03) 8792 2192
   
   www.jayco.com.au
   
   
2. CAMEL GROUP
   
   Ph: 1300 788 400
   
   Email: sales@camelgroup.com.au
   
   
3. PORT ARTHUR CARAVAN & CABIN PARK
   
   Garden Point
   Port Arthur
   Tasmania 7182
   
   Ph: (03) 6250 2340
   Fax: (03) 6250 2509
   
   Email: paccp@tassie.net.au
   
   
4. KABUKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT
   
   Rocky Hills, Tasman Highway
   Swansea, Tasmania 7190
   
   Freecall: 1800 786 512
   
   www.kabukibythesea.com.au
   
   
5. TRIABUNNA CABIN & CARAVAN PARK
   
   4 Vicary Street
   Triabunna, Tasmania 7190
   
   Ph: (03) 6257 3575
   
   Email: info@mariagateway.com