A garden at the end of the Earth

Australia's first modern settlers were hardbitten, luckless British convicts who had been banished to the desolate desert land beyond India. As early governments of this continental penitentiary struggled to find a punishment worthy of its most relentless repeat criminals, permanent exile to remote Tasmania seemed the natural choice. But what those earlier governments mistook for an inhospitable and weatherbeaten rock was, in fact, the lushest corner of the continent. Eco-friendly Tassie is a greenie's paradise, and its amazing wilderness offers many possibilities for exploration. Wildlife, spectacular scenery, and some of the best outdoor activities in the Southern Hemisphere reward the ambitious visitor, since the island's geographic seclusion has spared it from the ravages of tourist hordes and preserved its beauty for those willing to hop the Bass Strait from the mainland.

A garden at the end of the Earth

Australia's first modern settlers were hardbitten, luckless British convicts who had been banished to the desolate desert land beyond India. As early governments of this continental penitentiary struggled to find a punishment worthy of its most relentless repeat criminals, permanent exile to remote Tasmania seemed the natural choice. But what those earlier governments mistook for an inhospitable and weatherbeaten rock was, in fact, the lushest corner of the continent. Eco-friendly Tassie is a greenie's paradise, and its amazing wilderness offers many possibilities for exploration. Wildlife, spectacular scenery, and some of the best outdoor activities in the Southern Hemisphere reward the ambitious visitor, since the island's geographic seclusion has spared it from the ravages of tourist hordes and preserved its beauty for those willing to hop the Bass Strait from the mainland.

Getting around while in Poland

Public transport tickets can be bought only in advance from kiosks, not on the vehicle. This includes the metro, although there may be a small coin-operated ticket machines at the entrance. If you so much as set foot on the escalator leading down to the platforms without a valid ticket you are liable to a fine of about US$25. There is a small notice (only in Polish) next to the ticket machine which says so. The ticket inspectors are paid on commission, so they lurk at the foot of the escalators waiting for tourists looking for a ticket office. If you are caught, demand to see a policeman. Because they are paid on commission, they will grumble and curse, but will let you go because they don't want the hassle and delay involved and the risk of losing the fine anyway. But I don't know if this will work if you're actually on board. Best value is a one-day tickets (from a kiosk, for Pzl4 - aobut US$1) which gives you unlimited travel in the centre on all public transport.