'I love a beach holiday, but this cooler-climate destination converted me.'

Tasmania is a place that will constantly surprise you. 

But it's not just the breathtaking scenery, the abundant food and drink offerings, and the unique wildlife that will leave you changed forever. It's something much harder to describe. It's a vibe. An aura.

I visited the Apple Isle for a long weekend with a group of six women, and it was filled with many unexpected twists and turns — all of which were an utter delight.

And no-one was more surprised than me — a self-proclaimed summer holiday girlie — to see the day where I'd convert to being a cooler-climate holiday fan. But here we are. And it's all Tassie's fault. Maybe pigs will fly.

Watch: Who would Jada Pinkett-Smith take on a girls' trip? Post continues below.

How to get to Tasmania.

First up, getting to Tasmania was much easier than I thought. For some reason (probably the whole off-the-mainland thing), going to Tassie always seemed like a lot more effort than other domestic trips, but actually, it's not.

From Sydney, it's a one-hour, 45-minute flight — faster than driving to the Hunter Valley, Jervis Bay or the Blue Mountains in bad traffic. Plus, if you fly in and out of Launceston like I did, the pint-sized airport means getting in and out of the joint is a breeze.

When you land, pick up a hire car from the airport and B-line it to beloved bakery Bread + Butter for coffee and pastries that have mainland bakeries quaking. I devoured the savoury danish and the hazelnut croissant, and have since dreamt of both — which says it all really.

Life-changing pastries at Bread+Butter. Image: Supplied.

Before leaving Launceston, you'll also want to pick up any supplies you want to take to the mountain as shops are limited the closer you get to the alpine region.

What to do on the way to Cradle Mountain.

Now, I don't know about you, but I despise the concept of a 'travel day'. If I'm using my precious, hard-earned annual leave, I go to every effort to maximise each second I'm off the clock. Which is why including a couple of intentional pit stops along Tasmania's NorthWest Tasting Trail on your drive to Cradle Mountain is a must.

It'll help you slow down, soak in the scenery and learn about the region's incredible local produce, oftentimes from the producers themselves.

Notable mentions go to The Truffle Farm — for truffle ice cream from the first truffle producers in Australia; Hazelbrae Hazlenuts, for next-level hazelnut products ranging from dukkah to hazelnut oil and beyond; and micro berry farm and distillery Plump Berries, for fresh fruit straight from the bush and liqueurs perfect for a post-hike nightcap.

The dogs at The Truffle Farm are a big bonus. Image: Supplied.

And it wouldn't be a Tasmanian road trip without lunch at a winery. My pick? Meander Valley Vineyard, for relaxed dining, woodfired pizzas and a glass of its Baco Wine — the only wine of its kind in Australia.

Where to stay in Cradle Mountain.

The next surprise during my alpine adventure came at check-in.

Now, I don't know about you, but I grew up in a holiday park family. The ones I recall staying at had triple bunks in the hallway and a mini fridge filled exclusively with UHT milk.

This was nothing like that.

I stayed in a Premium Mountain Cabin at Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain, and now I need to see a maxillofacial surgeon because my jaw fell to the floor upon arrival.

The first thing I noticed was its proximity to nature. Tasmanian wildflowers flanked almost every cabin side as pademelons, wombats and currawongs hopped, waddled and soared about the park respectively. 

Opening the front door to the cabin, I was greeted by a galley kitchen complete with a four-burner gas stove top, Smeg oven/microwave, a pod coffee machine, dishwasher, and a full-sized fridge with a bottle of Josef Chromy bubbles chilling inside, no less.

Then I spotted the chic study nook, ideal for writing postcards, your memoir, or a proposal to your significant other about why you both need to chuck everything in and move to Tasmania, immediately.

Then there was the roomy closet to fit even the most overpacker-y of overpackers' stuff — and also where my personal favourite thing was awaiting me: the bathrobes.

Obviously, I put one on right away — because it's the law.

Then I spied the UNDERFLOOR HEATING (??!!) and swanned about the cabin like an alpine princess, which included a micro nap on the extremely comfy bed, testing out the electric blinds, lounging on the couch, whiffing in the sweet, sweet mountain air on the back deck, making myself tea from the assortment on offer, and drawing a bath in the cabin's piece de resistance: the tub. 

Would you look at how lush this bath is? Image: Supplied.

What to do in Cradle Mountain.

While the accommodation was next level (and honestly, I could have laid about soaking it all in the whole holiday), it wouldn't be a trip to the region without actually visiting the National Park.

Unbeknownst to many, you don't have to scale the actual mountain or embark on The Overland Track to get some use out of your hiking boots.

There are a couple of shorter, more accessible walks with incredible scenery to enjoy, like the Dove Lake Circuit. This 6km track gently undulates around the perimeter of picturesque Dove Lake with changing landscape and views of the mountain at each turn.

The scenery on the Dove Lake walk is next-level. Image: Supplied.

Before this trip, I'd only really heard of exploring the area on foot. But you can actually check out the area on the water, too.

If water sports are your thing, add Dove Lake kayaking to your itinerary. The three-hour trip will have you paddling handcrafted kayaks built by the tour company's owner and operator, Anthony, using wood from rare King Billy Pine trees, native to the area. Or, if your adrenal gland can handle a little more adventure, you could give canyoning a go. 

After all that walking and kayaking, a rancho relaxo moment can be found at Waldheim Alpine Spa. It has the usual facials and massages on offer, as well as a private spa sanctuary you can book. Here, you can enjoy an hour of uninterrupted time oscillating between the dry sauna, wet steam room, oversized outdoor hot tub and cold plunge pool — all while overlooking the pristine Pencil Pine River babbling below.

The Waldheim Alpine Spa is so lush. Image: Supplied.

Oh, and while you'll spot plenty of wombats and wallabies while staying at Cradle Mountain, if you want to get up close with Tassie devils and spotted quolls, be sure to stop by Devils @ Cradle.

And to get your art fix and to pick up unique gifts, pay The Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery a visit, too. 

What to eat and drink in Cradle Mountain.

If you stay at Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain, you'll have access to amazing cooking facilities no matter which type of accommodation option you select. The park even has a well-stocked general store if you need to pick up supplies. They have everything from bread and milk to meat, dairy and even local wines.

In my personal opinion, nothing tastes better than food with a view, so try to squeeze in a picnic to enjoy the mountainside with your mates at some point.

If you're keen to dine out, Hellyers' menu is jam-packed with local produce. To start, try the mushroom medley with truffle polenta. Follow it with miso lamb shanks and finish off with the chocolate torte or a glass of Tassie Pinot. 

For something more low-key, the Tavern Bar & Bistro at Cradle Mountain Lodge has you covered with classic pub fare like burgers, schnitzels and salt and pepper squid, as well as a wide selection of local beers, wine and crisp apple cider.

Before you leave…

Remember that thing I said about 'travel days'? Well, you betcha getting home from the mountain can be equally as pleasant as travelling to it. And gliding across Cataract Gorge in a cable car before polishing off a pre-flight three-course lunch at a local winery like Josef Chromy — a convenient 11-minute drive from the airport — is an extremely smug way to round out a 10/10 trip.

Tassie has been beckoning me with its alluring tagline to 'come down for air' for years now. And finally, I can breathe.

Feature image supplied.