travel guides in tasmania

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Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania © Pierre Destribats

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• Top things to do
• Getting to Tasmania

Reconnect with nature, wildlife and your taste buds on a trip to the impossibly beautiful island state of Tasmania.

Tasmania’s natural beauty is captivating, its cultural experiences are diverse, and its food and drink offering is enviable. Get a true taste of Tasmania in its fresh apple cider, cheeses, wine and oysters, and experience a dose of its serenity with its powder-white beaches and laid-back luxury. 

Tasmania's natural beauty abounds around every corner, and thanks to its compact size, it's easy to see a good portion of it by travelling just outside the capital city of Hobart. It's also a wildlife haven, so wherever you travel, you're likely to spot wombats, pademelons and wallabies. 

• Visit Hobart's most fascinating art gallery, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)
• Wander white sand beaches lining calm blue waters of Freycinet National Park
• Head out for a true adventure on one of the state's famous walking tracks  

Tasmania may be Australia’s island state, but it’s still easily accessible from the mainland.

The two major Tassie cities, Hobart and Launceston, have direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. You can also travel by sea using the car ferry, Spirit of Tasmania, which crosses between mainland Australia (from Geelong) to the Tasmanian city of Devonport (near Launceston) daily. Driving is a great way to get around after arriving in Tasmania, with incredible road trips like the Great Eastern Drive waiting to be discovered.

Popular destinations in Tasmania

Launceston, Devonport and Burnie

Cradle Mountain

Tasman Peninsula

Tasmania's West Coast

Trips and itineraries.

Circle Tasmania road trip

5 days road tripping Tasmania's Great Eastern Drive

A 10-day taste of gourmet Tasmania

5 days of Instagram worthy sights in Tasmania

6-day journey through Tasmania's western wilds

Things to do in tasmania.

Tasmania's best islands

Food and wine trails in Tasmania

Tasmania's top hiking trails

Looking for more inspiration? Go to discovertasmania.com

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The ultimate guide to Tasmania

• Getting there
• Southern Lights

Discover everything Tasmania has to offer with our ultimate travel guide of things to see and do in Tasmania. Tasmania’s capital Hobart is filled with cultural attractions and festivals as well as the world-famous Salamanca Markets. Explore the regional destinations to uncover Tasmania including trekking in the western wilderness, snorkelling in the East Coast or wine tasting in Launceston and the north . It’s all so accessible in Tasmania.

Getting There

featured post

Tasmania’s best 7-day road trip itinerary

Discover majestic waterfalls, hike around glacial lakes, indulge in gourmet food and wine on an epic road trip around Au...

As Australia’s only island state, access to Tasmania is by air and sea only. Regular flights depart from Melbourne , Sydney and Brisbane direct to Hobart and Launceston. Alternatively, travellers might prefer to experience the journey by sea on the Spirit of Tasmania. Journeys depart from Geelong and arrive in Devonport and allow visitors to bring their own car to make the most of touring Tasmania.

Cruise to Tasmania: a luxurious (and oh-so-easy) way to see Tassie

Everybody’s favourite island state plus Celebrity Eclipse® equals a bucket-list holiday you’ll never forget. It’s a pity T...

The best road trips in Tasmania

The island state of Australia was practically made for long, dreamy drives – and we've narrowed it down to the best road trips i...

The beautiful Tasmanian road trip you didn’t know existed

If you're ready for adventure, buckle up for the scenic, gourmet drive of your life... Tasmania’s North East is the home of stu...

A road trip guide to Tasmania’s east coast

Blindingly beautiful coastline. An internationally lauded food culture. Literally, the world’s best boutique hotel. And barely a...

Things to Do in Tasmania

Tasmania produces some of the countries best cool-climate wines. Follow Wine Tasmania’s wine routes showcasing the four wine touring options across the state. Wine routes are found north of Launceston in the Tamar Valley and east to Pipers River. In the south, the Derwent, Coal River and Huon Valleys form the Southern Wine Route and are all within easy reach of Hobart. Here are ten of the best Tasmanian wineries worth a stop in the Southern Wine Route.

Hikes & Treks

Whichever direction you head, there’s wild walking paths to follow in Tasmania. There are plenty of short walks to navigate and enjoy the great outdoors or for the more adventurous hike the overland track to Cradle Mountain or if you’ve dreamed of doing a multi-day walk through Tasmania’s coastal wilderness, here’s five of the best luxury Tasmanian wilderness walks .

Snorkelling & Sailing

From protected anchorages, scenic uncrowded waterways, to the wild waters of the Great Southern Ocean, Tasmania is a sailing paradise. Sail Wineglass Bay and see the famous Freycinet coastline from the water. The East Coast is a popular playground for snorkelling and a plethora of diving centres line the southern coast.

Tasmania has a jam-packed events calendar of sporting and cultural events and festivals. Dark Mofo is the midwinter arts and music festival presented by Mona celebrating the dark through large-scale public art, food, film, music events in June. If you’re visiting in summer, Taste of Tasmania is a food festival showcasing Tasmania’s quality food and wine. The iconic Sydney to Hobart yacht race is considered one of the world’s most prestigious and difficult yacht races, starting in Sydney on Boxing Day and ending in Hobart to much fanfare and celebration.

Why Tasmania in winter is the best time to go

Tasmania in winter is pure magic. If heading to Tassie isn’t on your bucket list, it definitely will be after this. V...

Tasmania is now officially home to 6 of Australia’s best hikes

Great Walks of Australia has revealed the thirteenth walk in its exclusive collection. For the first time in seven years, Great W...

Dark Mofo 2024 cancelled

After a successful festival this year, Dark Mofo has been called off for 2024. Dark Mofo is one of Tasmania’s biggest drawcards...

7 incredible Tasmania experiences you haven’t had yet

There's a lot to keep you entertained in the island state, but these Tasmania experiences will you experience with fresh eyes. Ta...

The best ways to explore Tasmania’s incredible Three Capes Track

Hiking one of Tasmania’s most celebrated walks is always a good idea, but with Tasmanian Walking Company, eco-luxury lodgings an...

A mother-daughter bonding trip in the takayna/Tarkine

Wilderness is a place without internet but with an abundance of moss and mystique. Discover how a road trip into the heart of taka...

11 must-have experiences on Bruny Island

It’s an island off an island off an island, and it’s one of Tasmania’s best-kept secrets. Here’s what to experience when y...

Top 9 Bruny Island tours

We’ve lined up the best tours to take on Lunawanna-Alonnah, also known as Bruny Island. A growing number of travellers are bein...

The 9 best things to do in Tamar Valley

From skydiving to frolicking with the local penguin population, there's a lot to explore in Wild Tamar with adventures for every k...

8 stunning hikes on Bruny Island

Experience the beauty of Bruny Island with these magnificent walks. It might once have been one of Tasmania's long-held best-kept...

18 incredible things to do on Bruny Island

It’s got deserted beaches, magical walks and some of Tasmania’s best local produce in spades. If you haven’t seen Bruny Isla...

A guide to visiting Tasmania’s Cataract Gorge

Discover world class natural beauty in the heart of Launceston. There aren’t many cities where you can find a 65-million-year-o...

Sip, dine, sleep: the essential Tamar Valley wineries guide

Visit Tasmania’s oldest wine-growing area and discover why the region has made a name for itself as one of the world’s best co...

11 of the best things to do in Launceston

Perched on the banks of Kanamaluka/The Tamar River, the historic city of Launceston is an oft-overlooked hub for great food, wine,...

A guide to Launceston’s markets

There’s much to peruse, graze on and discover at Launceston’s iconic markets. Launceston’s markets bring together the best ...

Incredible things to do in Hobart

This pretty little city has a glut of great sights and attractions – from culinary tours to kooky museums; here are the best thi...

A guide to the best markets in Hobart

Tasmania is a hotbed of unique pieces and incredible finds – and nowhere more so than its thriving market scene. Here are some o...

Everything you need to know before you walk the Overland Track

One of the world’s greatest wilderness walks is in our backyard: here’s what to expect when walking the Overland Track through...

A 72-hour Hobart city guide

The Tasmanian capital has transformed over the last decade; today you’ll find a unique fusion of creativity, heritage, wildernes...

7 memorable things to do in Cradle Mountain (that aren’t hiking)

You don’t have to break a sweat to enjoy the world-renown beauty of Cradle Mountain. Cradle Mountain is a bushwalker’s paradi...

The most incredible walks in Cradle Mountain

Grab your hiking boots and discover why Cradle Mountain is a bush walker's paradise. Walking in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair Nat...

10 of the best Tasmanian wineries

The Apple Isle is renowned for its cool-climate wines and you'll be sampling the best of the best if you follow our pick of the be...

Tasmania in winter is pure magic. If heading to Tassie isn’t on your bucket list, it definitely will be after this. Visiting Ta...

10 awesome things to do in Hobart with kids

From museums devoted to all things brown and sticky, to swashbuckling pirate experiences on deserted islands and close encounters ...

The perfect 4-day Hobart itinerary for families

Learn all about the island state's colonial and Indigenous history, see some truly mind-boggling art and get out in nature over fo...

A family guide to where to eat, stay & play in Hobart

Your go-to guide to Hobart’s best places to eat, sleep and top things to do with kids. EAT | STAY | PLAY Where to eat in Hobar...

What to do in Stanley, Tasmania

Steeped in natural beauty and history and with a romantic streetscape of colonial buildings and quaint cottages, Stanley is a hist...

Where to eat, stay and play in Hobart, Tasmania

Head to the Tassie capital for cafes serving farm-fresh fare, hotels steeped in history and underground art that’ll absorb you f...

9 outdoor adventures to have in and around Hobart

From bushwalking trails and abseils at the kunanyi/Mt Wellington summit to eco-cruising the rugged coast of southern Tasmania, buc...

Find Tasmania’s (not so) hidden Indigenous culture

Vernacular Indigenous Australian architecture is not something we hear about often. Yet it existed, and vestiges remain. On the we...

Top things to do in New Norfolk, Tasmania

Let a local show you around their town for an insider’s guide to all the best bits. New Norfolk is a charming town situated on...

10 best things to do in Hobart this summer

If you've often overlooked Hobart in summer for more obvious destinations, it's time you reconsidered. Sure, it’s alarmingly cl...

7 outdoor adventures to have in Tasmania

Where to go and what to do in Tasmania when you want to get really wild. Outdoor adventure lovers have long flocked to Tasmania f...

What to do in Cygnet, Tasmania

Ah, Cygnet. Right amidst a fruit growing nirvana, this Tassie town lies smack bang between both the the beautiful D'Entrecasteaux...

6 of the best things to do in Hobart’s MidTown

From Mona to North Hobart, Tasmania’s capital has definitely found its cool in recent years. Now this central pocket of town has...

The other Tasmanian mid-winter festival you need to know about

You’ve heard of Dark Mofo, but how about Tasmania’s other truly weird and wonderful mid-winter festival? Get acquainted with ...

Following Tasmania’s whisky trail – the ultimate quest for liquid gold

A winter getaway exploring Tasmania’s Whisky Trail is a beautiful pilgrimage of some of the world’s finest single malts....

In search of Tasmania’s disappearing wild ocean forests

Tasmania's amazing giant kelp forests may be all but gone, but there’s still endless life among the weeds. Snorkels at the ready...

Styx Valley – Tasmania’s Valley of the Giants

Deep in the heart of Tasmania’s lush Styx Valley, there is a centuries-old forest housing the world’s tallest hardwoods with a...

Tasmania’s little-known antique stores

Discover Tasmania's little-known antique trail. I love Tasmania with a passion; the whole lot,” Jeff Kennett, the former Victor...

Best Places to Visit in Tasmania

Ultimate weekends away in Tasmania

A short break in Tassie rewards with delightful discoveries. Here, the best weekends away in Tasmania for your hit list....

Nestled in the foothills of Mount Wellington, Tasmania’s capital balances heritage charm with modern luxury. Australia’s second oldest capital city, Hobart  celebrates its history, waterways, rugged mountains and gourmet experiences with plenty to see and do, making it an ideal city break getaway.

Launceston  is a boutique riverside city located at the top of the Tamar Valley. There’s cultural heritage to devour, beautiful parks and gardens to explore and a thriving food and wine culture. One of Australia’s oldest cities, you’ll find examples of elegant Colonial and Victorian architecture, adding to the city’s charm and beauty. First time visitors to Launceston should check out Cataract Gorge, explore the wineries and take a tour of the historic Boag’s Brewery.

East Coast Tasmania is blessed with natural beauty, spectacular landscapes, beaches and historic towns. It’s one of the most scenic coastal drives in the country and the area is filled to the brim with things to do and places to see. Explore the East Coast and discover awe-inspiring vistas in Bay of Fires, Wineglass Bay and Freycinet National Park.

• South Tasmania

While Hobart takes pride of place in southern Tasmania , there is more to explore in the region. Richmond is a historic town in the Coal River wine region just 20 minutes from the city. History buffs will love the World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic site and the well-preserved penal colony buildings. Foodies should detour to Cygnet and Huonville with its fertile farmland and fruit orchards. The quaint town of New Norfolk is home to superior cellar door experiences and antique shopping and an easy sojourn from the city.

A Queen Mary Scandi-inspired tour of Tasmania

Tasmania offers everything you need to have a Scandi-inspired holiday, fit for a royal. Tasmanian-born Mary Donaldson has officia...

Fascinating ghost towns in Tasmania to visit now

Ghost towns may not be the first thing you think of when you think of Tasmania, but look a little beyond the spectacular scenery, ...

How to make the most of a Bruny Island day trip

Want to have an outstanding 12 hours in Tasmania? Spend them exploring the rocky coastlines and magnificent cuisine of Bruny Islan...

The ultimate travel guide to Narawntapu National Park

With a stunning diversity of landscapes – from long, wide beaches to heathland and lagoons – to the profusion of animal life t...

Have you heard of Tasmania’s Heartlands? It’s time you did

The joy of an escape to Tasmania’s newly crowned Heartlands is that you can do – and eat – as much or as little as you pleas...

A photo essay of a secluded summer in Tasmania

Rosie Hastie captures the essence of a summer in Tasmania. The weather in Tassie is volatile so, even in summer, you have to stri...

The best day trips to take from Launceston

Having long – and somewhat unfairly – struggled in the shadow of Tasmania's much-loved capital, Launceston has remained a rela...

How to have an off-grid experience in Tasmania’s wilderness

Think the Tasmanian wilderness is only for hardcore adventurers? Think again. If you’re up for an escape from the modern world ...

Road-tripping Tasmania: a tale of three bridges

A trio of historic Tasmanian bridges - three of the four oldest in Australia - are the destination as well as part of the journey....

Where to eat, stay and play on Bruny Island, Tasmania

Just off the coast of Tasmania you’ll find an island with loads of native wildlife, dramatic scenery, intriguing history, rich f...

Where to Stay in Tasmania

Unique stays in Tasmania

Discover the most unique stays in Tasmania... We've revealed our pick of 100 unique stays across Australia and below yo...

You’ll find options in Tasmania to suit every budget from camping and caravan parks, budget hotels to beachside holiday houses, boutique hotels and luxury accommodation. Wondering where to stay in Tasmania? Whether you’re planning a family holiday, city break, adventure holiday, romantic getaway or luxury experience there is a destination to suit your style from a beach holiday on the East Coast to trekking in the central wilderness .

Luxury Accommodation

You’re spoilt for choice for luxury accommodation in Tasmania. Saffire Freycinet should be on the top of your bucket list for the ultimate luxurious escape. Pumphouse Point on the shores of Lake St Clair offers an intimate retreat surrounded by nature. Bed down in style at Macq01 Hobart’s stylish new wharf-side hotel or Islington Hotel for a more traditional stay with timeless elegance.

Around Tasmania, there are plenty of quality hotels to choose from including the historic Henry Jones Art Hotel or the contemporary Salamanca Wharf Hotel in Hobart. In Launceston, Peppers Silo Hotel is a unique place to stay, housed within the iconic silos on the banks of the Tamar River.

Caravans & Camping

Road tripping in Tasmania is one of life’s joys, blessed with spectacular scenery, peace and tranquility. For the ultimate campervan weekend escape the mainland to beautiful Bruny Island and start exploring. Around Tasmania there are more than 50 caravan parks for travellers to rest with facilities for caravan, motorhome and camping enthusiasts and some with cabin-style accommodation.

Camping to luxury: the best accommodation on Bruny Island

Not sure where to stay on Bruny Island? From tiny houses to romantic retreats, we’ve lined up the best of the bunch on this Tass...

The most beautiful Bruny Island camping spots

This rugged and remote island off the coast of Tasmania offers the perfect getaway for campers seeking a more wild side of life. ...

Checking in: The best accommodation in Launceston

Linger a little longer in Launceston to experience the country of the Tyerrernotepanner, the Panninher and the Leterremairrener pe...

8 of the best hotels in Launceston 

Enjoy a hotel stay in Launceston and discover heritage architecture, elegant design and friendly hospitality. Launceston delights...

The 7 dreamiest Airbnbs in Launceston

Experience the history, creativity and unique spirit of Launceston with one of these dreamy Airbnb stays. Launceston’s rich his...

A handy guide for where to stay in Hobart

Trying to wade through all the options of where to stay in Hobart? Check out this list of the city’s best places to stay, be it ...

A guide to the dreamiest Cradle Mountain accommodation

Find the best place to base yourself to explore the majestic beauty of Cradle Mountain. There’s no better way to experience the...

The best short break stays in Tasmania

Heritage delights and gems in wild places make these Tassie retreats the ideal base for the weekend. Scamander Sanctuary Holiday ...

Inside Australia’s first social enterprise hotel

Staying in Australia’s first social enterprise hotel teaches the true value of a good night’s sleep. Details Change Overnigh...

Tasmania’s most beautiful camping spots

A nature-lover’s paradise is worth exploring from these seriously scenic camping sites. Tasmania boasts some of Australia’s m...

Hotel review: Islington Hotel, Hobart

Boasting a world-class art collection and wow-factor mountain views, the Islington Hotel is one of Hobart’s most elegant – and...

Inside the Henry Jones Art Hotel: where history and art collide

What do you get when you combine Hobart's iconic history, art and style? Well, as it turns out, you get the Henry Jones Art Hotel....

The view: Saltwater Sunrise, Falmouth, Tasmania

Check out the view: Saltwater Sunrise, Falmouth, Tasmania   Surprisingly, looking at this picture, this alluring haçiend...

Pumphouse Point: Tasmanian ‘godfather’s’ lake vision comes alive

Pumphouse Point: an 18-suite hotel, inside an abandoned electrical station, on top of a lake, in the middle of a World Heritage-li...

Where to Eat in Tasmania

There is a lot to love about Tasmania. The small-town vibe, the culture, the people, but above all else, you’ve got to love the food! There is no place that celebrates local produce so proudly than Tasmania. Tasmania’s natural beauty is delivered right to your plate with our food lovers guide to Hobart . Hobart’s food scene has welcomed some exciting new restaurants and wine bars in recent times and there’s never been a better time to eat and drink your way around Australia’s southernmost capital.

The foodie’s guide to Hobart

There’s a lot to love about Hobart. The small-town vibe, the culture, the people, but above all else, you’ve got to ...

Your ultimate guide to the jewel in Tasmania’s epicurean crown

Boasting lakeside views and  Modern Australian cuisine, Josef Chromy Wines has earned its place at the top of your Tasmanian must...

The ultimate guide to feasting on Bruny Island

Be careful. After reading this list of foodie haunts and restaurants on Bruny Island, you might not have the appetite for any othe...

16 best cafes in Hobart for coffee

From holes in the wall to places to linger over coffee and brunch to a spot up the mountain. Just like everything else that has c...

Top Towns for 2022: Launceston is Tasmania’s foodie capital

Nola James shares her top picks for eating around lutruwita/Tasmania’s newly minted world heritage-listed culinary capital that ...

The 13 best restaurants in Launceston

Tasmania has a lot of food specialities. Truffles, cheese, leatherwood honey, wagyu beef, wild abalone, and Pacific oysters – th...

11 of the top cafes in Launceston

The way to the heart of this city is through your stomach. A vibrant, bustling cafe culture lies at the heart of Launceston. This...

A hit-list of best places to eat in Hobart

With a handful of strong new players arriving on the Hobart scene to mix things up and champion all things Tasmanian, there’s ne...

11 of the best bars in Hobart

From ritzy hotel bars with all the trimmings to laidback craft beer bars in historic buildings and speakeasy cocktail bars hidden ...

8 of the best restaurants in Cradle Mountain

Refuel at one of these top restaurants surrounded by the beauty of the Tasmanian wilderness. You're bound to work up an appetite ...

Review: Aloft, Hobart

In a pier-end attic space, Elspeth Callender finds new Hobart perspectives both outside the window and on the plate. Brooke Stree...

How to see Tasmania’s stunning Southern Lights

The Northern Lights get all the love when it comes to natural light phenomena but did you know Australia has its own lig...

Top Destinations in Tasmania

• East Coast Tasmania
• Bay of Fires
• Bruny Island
• Cradle Mountain

© Australian Traveller Media 2024. All rights reserved.

©Posnov/Getty Images

Reveling in isolation, naturally beautiful Tasmania is busting out with fab festivals and sensational food and drink, riding a tourism-fueled economic boom that's the envy of all Australia.

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Go from dreaming to planning with trip planning options made to help you craft your ideal itinerary.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Freycinet National Park

The East Coast

Framed by some of the state's finest beaches and rising into spectacular low mountains, Freycinet incorporates the southern end of Freycinet Peninsula,…

Twelve kilometres north of Hobart's city centre, MONA is burrowed into the Triassic sandstone of a peninsula jutting into the Derwent River. Arrayed…

Salamanca Place

This picturesque row of three- and four-storey sandstone warehouses is a classic example of Australian colonial architecture. Dating back to the whaling…

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Cradle Country & The West

Part of the World Heritage–listed Tasmanian Wilderness, this 1614-sq-km national park incorporates the state's most famous mountain (the eponymous Cradle…

Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park

This World Heritage–listed national park came to prominence when the wild Franklin River was very publicly saved from hydroelectric immersion in the 1980s…

Port Arthur Historic Site

Tasman Peninsula & Port Arthur

This amazing World Heritage–listed convict site is one of Tasmania’s big-ticket attractions. The dozens of structures here are best understood via guided…

Kunanyi/Mt Wellington

Ribbed with its striking Organ Pipes cliffs, kunanyi/Mt Wellington (1271m) towers over Hobart like a benevolent overlord. The view from the top stretches…

Cataract Gorge

At magnificent Cataract Gorge, right at the city centre's edge, the bushland, cliffs and ice-cold South Esk River feel a million miles from town. At First…

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Accommodation

It used to be a “mainlander’s” joke that Tasmania was twenty years behind the rest of Australia. And in some ways this island state remains old-fashioned, a trait that is charming and frustrating by turns. Yet increasingly Australians are beginning to wonder whether the joke might have been on them after all. The isolation that once stymied growth in Tasmania is now seen as an asset. More and more Aussies find themselves lured across the Bass Strait by the relaxed pace of life and outstanding wine and cuisine, as much as the state’s famously pristine environment. An increasing number of luxury hotels have appeared, too – chintz and doilies in heritage stays are out, cool contemporary beach-houses are in – and Australia’s most cutting-edge gallery, MONA in Hobart, definitively refutes accusations that Tasmania is backwards. The Tasmanian landscape – vast swathes of rainforest that date back to the last ice age, jagged glaciated mountains and white-powder beaches – still brings many visitors to the island. Even if you’re not particularly outdoorsy, the experience of visiting such a pure environment brings a tingle of exhilaration.

The Aboriginal peoples of Tasmania

First white settlement, decline of aboriginal people, around hobart, cradle mountain–lake st clair national park, overland track practicalities, deloraine and walls of jerusalem national park, the east coast, the far south, all aboard the bush line, a walk into the southwest national park, launceston and around, the midland highway, national parks and bushwalking, the northwest coast, the southwest national park, the tasmanian tiger, the tasman peninsula, tour and expedition operators.

Tasmania has come a long way since it was known as Van Diemen’s Land. The sink of the British Empire, it hosted the worst of the worst convicts, and its name became so tainted with penal brutality that the state decided to rebrand when transportation ended in 1853. Even in the Nineties it still had a reputation as somewhere brooding, almost gothic. It was also renowned for its ties to the Old Country. Not only British in scale at roughly the size of Ireland, Tasmania retains rolling hills, hawthorn hedges and stone villages that recall England’s West Country, largely in the midlands between its two largest cities that were the axes of development, capital Hobart and Launceston in the north.

Yet if anything defines (and divides) Tasmania it is the environment. This is the closest point in Australia to the Antarctic Circle. The next land west is Argentina – air monitoring stations record the air in the state’s northwest as the purest in the world. With forty percent of the island protected in parks and reserves, Tasmania is one of the cleanest places on Earth. Much of the southwest is pure wilderness; a place of wild rivers, temperate rainforests, buttongrass plains and glacially carved mountains and tarns. Protected as a vast World Heritage Area, it offers some of the best wilderness walking and rafting in the world.

Cradle Mountain in the centre and Strahan on the west coast are the gateways from which most people experience the wild, forming two stops on a much-travelled loop that includes capital Hobart, with its must-see gallery and burgeoning food and arts scenes; convict history on the Tasman Peninsula; the string of beautiful beaches along the sunnier, drier east coast , the state’s holiday playground; and Launceston, the state’s second city and gateway to the vineyards of the Tamar Valley. Tick off the lot and you’ll have a taste of the state. Yet those less-visited corners are equally appealing: places like the far south down to Cockle Creek, a blend of wilderness, scenery and food culture; the sparsely populated northeast corner, home to the mesmerizing Bay of Fires beaches and Mount William National Park, a haven for Forrester kangaroo; or in the northwest small resorts like pretty Stanley or the isolated shack villages at Arthur River. All are places to slow down; to discover astonishing scenery and wildlife, perhaps settle into a free bushcamp for the night and revel in the purity of this environment.

Brief history

The Dutch navigator Abel Tasman sighted the island in 1642. Landing a party on its east coast, he named it Van Diemen’s Land in honour of the governor of the Dutch East Indies. Early maps showed it connected to the mainland, and several eighteenth-century French and British navigators, including Bruny d’Entrecasteaux, William Bligh and James Cook did not prove otherwise. It was Matthew Flinders’ discovery of the Bass Strait in 1798 that confirmed Tasmania as an island (and reduced the journey to Sydney by a week). In 1803, after a French expedition had been observed in the island’s southern waters, it was decided to establish a second colony in Australia, and Lieutenant David Bowen settled with a group of convicts on the banks of the Derwent River at Risdon Cove. In the same year, Lieutenant-Colonel John Collins set out from England with another group to settle the Port Phillip district of what would become Victoria; after a few months they gave up and crossed the Bass Strait to join Bowen’s group. Hobart Town was founded in 1804 and the first penal settlement opened at Macquarie Harbour (Strahan) in 1821, followed by Maria Island and Port Arthur; they were mainly for convicts who had committed secondary offences after transportation. Lurid tales of the harsh conditions and violent regime enshrined Van Diemen’s Land in British folklore as a prison-island hell. In truth, many convicts enjoyed higher standards of living than they had in British and Irish slums, and some free settlers made fortunes.

The environmental debate

If we can revise our attitudes towards the land under our feet; if we can accept a role of steward, and depart from the role of conqueror; if we can accept the view that man and nature are inseparable parts of the unified whole – then Tasmania can be a shining beacon in a dull, uniform, and largely artificial world .

Olegas Truchanas, conservationist, 1971

Tasmania’s recent history has been shaped not by the postwar industrialization and immigration that transformed the mainland, but by battles over natural resources . Forests, fast-flowing rivers and mountainous terrain meant that forestry and hydroelectricity schemes began early here. The flooding of Lake Pedder in 1972 for the HEC (Hydro Electricity Commission) led to the formation of the Wilderness Society , a conservation organization that went on to lead the largest civilian protest in Australian history in 1982 – the so-called Franklin Blockade , which saved one of Tasmania’s last wild rivers and led to World Heritage status for a fifth of the state. Bitter controversy over the balance between conservation and exploitation of natural resources has long polarized the state’s population between “greenies” and loggers.

Yet after thirty years of conflict, sometimes fought tree by tree, the balance of power is shifting. After a moratorium on logging in 2010, the World Heritage area was extended by 170,000 hectares in June 2013 to include high-value old-growth forest in the Styx Valley , the nearby Weld and Upper Florentine valleys and the Great Western Tiers around Lake St Clair. Simultaneously a moratorium on logging remains in forests of the Blue Tier . Yet although state forestry arm Forestry Tasmania seems to accept the need for reform, forced by a collapse in native timber markets, the battleground has shifted. In February 2013, as timber prices slumped and prices for iron ore and bauxite soared through Asian demand, the federal government approved open-cut mining in the Tarkine region in the northwest, also home to the largest Gondwanan rainforest in Australia. At the time of writing, the Save the Tarkine movement ( w tarkine.org ) had appealed to the Federal Court.

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The demise of the Aboriginal peoples of Tasmania is one of the most tragic episodes of recent history. Ironically, were it not for American and British sealers and whalers, who had operated on Van Diemen’s Land since 1793 and lived with Aboriginal women on the Furneaux Islands in the Bass Straits, the Tasmanian Aborigines could have disappeared entirely. Until recently, schoolbooks stated that the last Aboriginal Tasmanian was Truganini , who died at Oyster Cove, south of Hobart, in 1876. Not true – in fact, a strong Aboriginal movement has grown up in Tasmania.

Raised ocean levels after the last Ice Age separated the Aboriginal people of Tasmania from the mainland and caused isolation that was both genetic and cultural : for example, they couldn’t make fire but kept alight smouldering fire-sticks, and their weapons were simple clubs and spears not boomerangs. In appearance , the men wore their hair in long ringlets smeared with grease and red ochre (women’s heads were closely shaved) and, to keep warm, they used a paste of animal fat, ochre and charcoal.

Upon white settlement in the early 1800s, there were reckoned to be about five thousand Aboriginal people in Tasmania, divided into bands who shared a language and culture, socialized, intermarried and – crucially – fought against other bands. They also traded and moved peacefully across neighbouring territory to share resources. Once the nomadic tribes realized the white settlers were not going to “share” resources in this traditional exchange, confrontation was inevitable. Tit-for-tat skirmishes in the 1820s led state governor George Arthur to declare martial law in 1828, expelling all Aboriginal people from settled districts and giving settlers licence to shoot on sight. To end the bloodshed, the government planned to confine the remaining Aborigines on Bruny Island , and in 1830, a militia of three thousand settlers swept the island in a dragnet known as the Black Line.

The ploy failed, but betrayal between rival bands did the job instead and in 1834, the last 135 Aborigines were moved to a makeshift settlement on Flinders Island in the Bass Strait. Within four years most had died through disease or the harsh conditions. The 47 survivors were transferred to their final settlement at Oyster Cove, near Hobart, in 1837. The skeleton of that group’s last survivor, Truganini, originally from Bruny Island, was displayed in the Tasmanian Museum until 1976, when her remains were finally cremated and scattered in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.

The mixed-race descendants of the Aboriginal Tasmanians, known as the Palawa, were given a voice by the establishment of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre ( TAC ) in the 1970s. A push for land rights handed it control of historic areas of Flinders Island in 1999 and, in 2005, Cape Barren Island to its south. Pride in Aboriginal roots grew, too: in a 1981 census, 2700 Tasmanians ticked the Aboriginal box; by 2001 that number was 16,000. Ironically, this has riled the TAC, whose sympathies lie with the Bass Strait communities who can trace their lineage back to the late 1700s.

Water, wilderness and wildlife – in many ways the landscapes around Hobart are Tasmania in miniature. Once the region that put the apple into the state’s Apple Isle nickname, the bucolic D’Entrecasteaux Channel south of the capital has diversified in produce recently – nowadays this area has more than its fair share of artisan producers making fine cheeses and wines. Even Bruny Island across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel has acquired a foodie focus, but it’s still better known as Hobart’s favourite getaway because of its beautiful beaches, bushwalks and a superb eco-cruise – small wonder it’s shifting rapidly upmarket. North of Hobart are two day-trips that sum up the diversity so close to the capital. Northwest, the forest and subalpine landscapes of the Mount Field National Park hint at the great southwest wilderness beyond, while Richmond northeast is all about the cosy character of a pretty historic village.

A jagged fin rising to an upturned crescent ridge, Cradle Mountain ’s outline is so perfect it could have been designer-drawn; indeed it has become visual shorthand for the state itself. It has also turned Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park into the best-known of Tasmania’s wilderness regions, and the park’s 1612 square kilometres have loads to offer, including the country’s best bushwalk, the Overland Track . One of the most glaciated areas in Australia, this wild region of rivers, buttongrass plains and alpine moorland covers some of Tasmania’s highest land and is punctuated by its highest point, Mount Ossa (1617m), one of many jagged dolerite peaks in the park. Lake St Clair , which bookends the park’s south end as Cradle Mountain does the north, is the deepest freshwater lake in Australia at over 200m.

Cradle Mountain is easily accessible from Devonport, Deloraine or Launceston, and the park’s southern Lake St Clair end from Derwent Bridge on the Lyell Highway between Queenstown and Hobart. Most visitors spend a day around Cradle Mountain only – a breathtaking sight despite its popularity; the south is less obviously scenic even though good walks are within reach. The Overland Track threads between the two, attracting walkers from all over the world to lose themselves in pure wilderness and stunning scenery over six or more mud- and often leech-filled days of exhilarating exhaustion.

The Overland Track

Some moan it’s in danger of being loved to death, but most hikers agree the Overland Track remains Australia’s greatest extended bushwalk: 65km, unbroken by roads and passing through fields of wild flowers, and forests of deciduous beech, Tasmanian myrtle, pandanus and King Billy pine, with side-walks leading to views of waterfalls and lakes, and starting points for climbs of the various mountain peaks. Most of the track is well-maintained boardwalk but you may still end up ankle-deep in mud. Along the route are six basic coal-stove- or gas-heated huts (not for cooking – bring your own stove), with composting toilets outside. But there’s no guarantee there’ll be space, so you need a good tent – they’re usually warmer than huts, too – and a warm sleeping bag even in summer.

The direct walk generally takes six days – five, if you catch a boat from Narcissus Hut across Lake St Clair, or up to ten if you want to go on some of the side-walks – and demands that walkers carry enough food and fuel for the duration, plus extra supplies in case you have an accident or bad weather sets in. All water en route is potable.

Around eight thousand people walk the track each year, most between November and April. While the track is at its most crowded from Christmas to the end of January, it is at its best during February and March when the weather has stabilized. Such is the route’s popularity, a quota system has been introduced to regulate numbers to 60 departures a day between October and May. Walkers must book their place to walk ( overlandtrack.com.au ) and pay $200 per person in addition to the park entry fee; if it softens the pain of the outlay, your money goes to the park’s conservation. During this period, the walk is north to south only, a good idea at any rate since it’s more downhill than up.

During other months you can register in the national park offices at Cradle Mountain or Lake St Clair, where you receive an obligatory briefing and have your gear checked over. At either end you can purchase Tasmap’s Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair map – an essential purchase despite the boardwalks – and pick up one of several guidebooks that are useful for novice walkers.

With moderate fitness and experience, appropriate gear and a fair reserve of stamina, most walkers can tackle the track. However, guided tours will share the loads of tents and food, provide a richer appreciation of the wilderness and get someone else to do the cooking. Both of these depart from Launceston.

Tasmanian Expeditions tasmanianexpeditions.com.au . Runs trips from the standard six to nine days, including trips that divert into Pine Valley and winter treks that require the use of snowshoes.

Cradle Mountain Huts cradlehuts.com.au . Provides wilderness without the wild thanks to accommodation in private lodges – you’ll have hot showers and a delicious meal before a proper bed each night.

There’s beautiful scenery west of Launceston. Tiny towns sit in rich farmland and beside green river vales, all rolling up to the wall-like Great Western Tiers , where Tasmania’s Central Plateau drops abruptly to the surrounding plains. The area’s main destination is Deloraine , which leads a double life as a farming and arts centre, and the nearby village of Mole Creek , gateway to the caves of Tassie’s only underground national park. Both serve as a base for day-walks but the best walking hereabouts is in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park, fast gaining a reputation as an alternative to Cradle Mountain.

Deloraine and around

Draped over hills beside the Meander River , DELORAINE is a pleasant spot on the route west. The area was settled by Europeans in the 1830s, but Deloraine was a late-starter, developing from 1846, and today it’s National Trust classified, its backstreets stuffed with historic houses. But don’t let that put you off – architecture is only a backdrop to this town’s quietly bohemian vibe. Numerous arts and crafts galleries line the streets – for a taster there’s Deloraine Creative Studios, the outlet for several local producers, and the largest of the many shops in town. For crafts overload, there’s the Tasmanian Craft Fair in late October/early November, when around ten thousand visitors browse and buy from the largest crafts gathering in Australia.

Bushwalks near Deloraine

Close to prime bushwalking areas in the Western Tiers, Deloraine doubles as a base for walkers. Pick up the free leaflet issued by Forestry Tasmania, Visiting the Great Western Tiers, from the Deloraine visitor centre; it has a map of the Meander Forest Reserve that includes surrounding day-walks. Popular tracks include the stroll to Alum Cliffs , an impressive and unexpected gorge in the Mersey River (40min return) of Aboriginal significance, that’s signposted on the road between Chudleigh and Mole Creek; a difficult walk to Quamby Bluff , renowned for its myrtle rainforest (6.5km; 6hr; beginning at Brodies Rd, off the Lake Highway); and the track to gorgeous Liffey Falls (8km; 3hr; beginning at the picnic ground 5km west of the tiny community of Liffey). Another excellent day-walk visits Meander Falls in the Meander Forest Reserve, about 25km south of Deloraine, although on our last visit the Meander Falls Bridge had been washed away. Seek updates at the visitor centre.

Walls of Jerusalem National Park

Part of the World Heritage Area, the Walls of Jerusalem National Park is one of Tassie’s finest wilderness areas. It jigsaws into the Cradle Mountain area and shares many of its characteristics – a series of craggy dolerite peaks that enclose a central basin and miles of glaciated lakes, pencil pines and open moorland. What sets the Walls of Jerusalem apart from Cradle Mountain is the lack of visitors. Snow is possible even in January, so be well prepared. The most settled months are February and April.

As the Walls of Jerusalem is the only national park in Tasmania you can’t drive into, the walk in begins outside the park boundaries. The standard approach is from Mole Creek, then south, following the Mersey River via the unsealed road east of Lake Rowallan to a car park. You ascend through forest into the park, which has no ranger outpost (although rangers do patrol). However, tracks are well kept, with boardwalks laid in places, there’s plenty of clean water to drink from the streams and there are a couple of camping platforms with composting toilets – the old wooden trappers’ huts are really for emergencies only.

For years the Walls was something of a walkers’ secret. Now visitor numbers have so increased that, in 2013, PWS mooted summer quotas to preserve the delicate habitat. Visit the website for up-to-date information.

If anywhere in Tasmania conforms to the Aussie stereotype of white beaches and azure seas beneath a cloudless sky, it is the east coast . Sheltered from the prevailing westerly winds and washed by warm currents (well, warm by local standards), this is the state’s holiday playground; cheerful and unpretentious, not to mention sunnier and drier than elsewhere thanks to prevailing weather patterns. Small wonder it’s popular – prices go up and accommodation is scarce from Christmas to mid-February during school summer holidays.

The Gold Coast this is not, however. The coastline itself remains relatively undeveloped, and the few settlements are small-fry fishing and holiday towns like Swansea and Bicheno . It speaks volumes that St Helens , gateway to the spectacular white beaches of the Bay of Fires, is the largest settlement with a population of just over two thousand. If even that seems too many, there are four national parks for escape, including Maria Island (the whole island), an entire peninsula at Freycinet National Park and staggeringly beautiful empty beaches in Mount William National Park at the northeast tip of the state. Come to kayak, surf, swim or just enjoy the salt-tanged atmosphere. And if that sounds good, the string of bushcamps here lets you stay at the fringes of one beautiful beach after another, often without paying a cent.

Bay of Fires Coastal Reserve

Perhaps the best reasons to visit St Helens are the sugary white beaches which arc before an aquamarine sea in the Bay of Fires Coastal Reserve . Explorer Tobias Furneaux coined the name in 1773 when he passed a coastline illuminated by the cooking fires of Aboriginal tribes. The reserve stretches north up the coast for over 30km, all the way to Eddystone Point, but most people are content to dawdle on those that scallop the coast north of Binalong Bay , 17km east of St Helens and still a sleepy village despite its magic setting. Beyond the beach at the village, beaches are accessed off the road to The Gardens, each with a basic bushcamp behind. The Gardens itself, 13km north, is gentrifying fast with holiday shacks being replaced by glass-walled holiday houses. Note that there’s no transport to Binalong Bay but it’s an easy cycle ride from St Helens.

Mount William National Park

The northern end of the Bay of Fires falls within the lower half of Mount William National Park ; to get there take the rough road running inland north for 54km from St Helens to the pink-granite tower of the Eddystone Lighthouse. The northern end of the park is reached via Gladstone (east of Launceston) on an unsealed track to Great Musselroe Bay , where there’s a free basic campsite . There are no real tracks within the park itself, but plenty of astonishingly beautiful beach and headland walking, and lots of Forrester kangaroos.

The Freycinet Peninsula

The fame of Wineglass Bay, the most celebrated beach in Tasmania, ensures a steady stream of visitors to Freycinet National Park (pronounced “fray-zin-ay”) even in winter. It is one of the east coast’s poster destinations, something that grants its gateway village, Coles Bay, a popularity out of all proportion to its size. Fortunately the beach and national park beyond live up to the hype – there are beautiful beaches, thick bush, granite mountains that glow orange at sunset and some excellent walking, including what is arguably Tasmania’s best introduction to multiday bushwalking (certainly its sunniest).

The park begins just beyond Coles Bay at the national park office , which sells maps and booklets on day-walks. Here, too, is Richardsons Beach, the first of many idyllic little beaches further around the bay; Honeymoon Bay is gorgeous. Walking tracks into the park proper start at the Walking Track Car Park , a further 4km from the office. Water is scarce, so carry all you’ll need or ask the rangers about safe streams. Shorter walks are well-marked: most walkers head off on the easy ascent to the lookout over exquisite Wineglass Bay , with its perfect curve of white beach. To make a half-day of it, continue down to the beach itself (2.6km return to the lookout, 1–2hr; 5km return to the beach, 2hr 30min–3hr 30min), then return by cutting across the isthmus and following the shore back. For longer hikes, the 27km peninsula circuit is excellent. You could blast it in 10hr, but it’s best done over two days with a night at a campsite on Cooks Beach – a good dry run (literally) for longer Tassie hikes.

Maria Island National Park

Uninhabited save for its park ranger, Maria Island (pronounced “Ma-rye-a”) is 15km off the east coast and accessed by ferry from Triabunna. The beaches are excellent, and the walks and mountain-bike rides are easy, with broad tracks and few hills to climb. Maria Island also appeals for its wildlife, especially the prolific birdlife , with over 130 species; it’s the only national park containing all eleven of the state’s endemic bird species, including the rare forty-spotted pardalote and Cape Barren geese. A decision to transfer a small population of threatened Tasmanian devils to the island in 2013 only confirmed Maria’s status as a Noah’s Ark for native species. You can just about sample the island on a hurried day-trip, but if you crave playing the castaway, treat yourself to an overnight stay.

The Huonville Highway (A6) is the fast route to a great escape south of Hobart. Initially, it rolls through the pretty bucolic landscapes around Huonville. Yet the further you go, the more the landscape takes over. Forestry remains important around Geeveston and while some magnificent old-growth rainforests in surrounding valleys were included in the expansion of the World Heritage Area in 2013, the conservation battles in the area are unlikely to end soon. The Tahune Forest AirWalk is the leading tourism sight, though if you prefer your scenery without railings the alpine Hartz Mountains National Park may appeal. Arguably more inspiring still is Cockle Creek , the most southerly point accessible by road in Australia and the gateway into the Southwest National Park.

Once the Ida Bay Railway was just a hauler of timber for export. Today the claim to fame of this tiny 1940s bush-train is that it is Australia’s southernmost railway. Journeys embark south of Southport at Ida Bay and pootle through the bush to reach a lonely bit of coast. In theory it’s a two-hour return journey, but this makes an ideal day-trip if you bring a picnic then catch a later train home.

For many visitors, Cockle Creek provides an accessible taste of Tasmania’s south coast; an utterly remote region otherwise experienced only by hikers who tackle the South Coast Track , an isolated nine-day haul that’s for very experienced and well-prepared bushwalkers only. From the statue of the southern right whale, an easy walk to Fishers Point takes you around a headland (4km return; up to 2hr). But since you’ve come this far, it’s better to make a day-trip of it and walk to South Cape Bay (4hr return; moderate difficulty). After a boardwalked though occasionally muddy hike through rainforest, you emerge at a sweep of wild surf beach where civilization feels long distant and the next land south is Antarctica. Magic.

Australia’s most southerly city, state capital HOBART is small but beautifully sited. On one side is the broad Derwent River and behind rises Mount Wellington, often dusted with snow in winter and a hint of the southwest wilderness beyond. Both conspire to make the city feel that bit more remote than other Australian capitals. For decades Hobart was derided as the backwater of Australia and the tourist experience was low-key; visitors came to eat and drink at the pubs near the old docks, or to browse the craft shops at the historic stone warehouses of Salamanca Place. But the opening of MONA gallery in 2010 has been a game-changer. Hobart has always had an alternative, creative streak, and nowadays it positively hums with optimism. Every weekend, interstate visitors fly in to see the gallery, sample the profusion of restaurants, cafés and shops and sample the city’s relaxed lifestyle. And in 2013 Australian luxury travel magazine Gourmet Traveller named Hobart the most happening city in Australia.

This newly acquired gloss is laid over a fine architectural heritage, accounting for much of Hobart’s appeal. Australia’s second-oldest city after Sydney, Hobart escaped the worst excesses of developers, and its early buildings are better preserved than those in any other antipodean city. There’s a wealth of Georgian architecture – over ninety buildings are classified by the National Trust, most on Macquarie and Davey streets – while urban village Battery Point can hardly have changed in appearance in 150 years.

Yet architecture is not really the point. A couple of outstanding museums aside – not least MONA – Hobart has little that demands your attention, but much to enjoy. With its blossoming arts and food cultures, and its backdrops of water and historic buildings, Hobart has matured into a nicely quirky, quietly self-assured capital. It’s not nearly as contemporary as Sydney, Melbourne or even Perth, of course, nor would Hobartians want it to be. As they never tire of telling you, its small size and relaxed pace make it one of Australia’s most liveable capitals, and for visitors that makes it a great place in which to simply hang out. There are some great walks in its backyard, too.

Accommodation in Hobart is not especially cheap, especially during peak season when bookings are essential. City centre and dockside hotels command premium prices. Motels are generally cheaper but situated outside in Sandy Bay, about 3km south of the centre. Backpackers’ hostels can be fairly shabby – don’t be afraid to ask to see a room but be aware that your options are limited in January.

Eating and drinking

Hobart’s eating scene has never been more exciting, with critics celebrating its concept restaurants that showcase seasonal, local ingredients. All very impressive, yet fish and chips eaten from fishermen’s punts in Constitution Dock can provide as enjoyable a meal and old favourites retain the easy charm of Tassie dining. Salamanca Place offers the widest choice in the centre – a couple of superb options aside, the CBD is better for cafés – while the short bar-and-restaurant strip in North Hobart (aka “NoHo”) is the choice of many Hobart locals.

Entertainment and nightlife

In the centre, Hobart’s small nightlife scene centres on the water: Salamanca Place and Franklin’s Wharf are boisterous good fun at weekends. To tap into the locals’ scene try North Hobart – most pub gig venues appeal for a drink, too. Free gigs are staged in the open-air courtyard behind the Salamanca Arts Centre on Friday evenings during “Rektango” sessions – a local institution.

Festivals and events

Hobart’s premier event is the last part of the Sydney–Hobart yacht race . The two hundred or so yachts, which leave Sydney on December 26, start to arrive in Hobart on December 28, making for a lively New Year’s Eve waterfront party. The race coincides with the state’s largest festival, The Taste ( tastefestival.com.au ), an erstwhile food jamboree to promote Tasmanian produce that has morphed into a week-long party with music and theatre. The Australian Wooden Boat Festival runs over three days in early February in odd-numbered years, and fills the docks with beautiful historic craft ( australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au ). In late October the Royal Hobart Show agricultural festival provides four fun days of country fare.

MONA has recently added a couple of events to the Hobart calendar. MONA FOMA ( mona.net.au ), aka MOFO , brings free gigs from artists on the avant-garde side of rock, such as Nick Cave, DJs and performance artists to Princes Wharf, Salamanca, for a week in mid-January. And in June, MONA’s winter solstice arts festival, DARK MOFO , sees the iconoclastic gallery run riot around the city, with cutting-edge arts installations at several sites.

As the second-largest city after Hobart, with around 104,000 inhabitants, LAUNCESTON is the natural rival to the capital. Like Hobart, it is sited on a waterway, the Tamar River, and has plenty of historic architecture along with a matching colonial history; it has even acquired similar art and food cultures, and locals argue that their city stands up to comparison with Hobart. In truth though, Tasmania’s “northern capital” remains an oversized provincial town. Not that that is such a terrible thing. A small scale means that nothing in the town – from the excellent gallery-museum and increasingly sophisticated restaurant and café scene to the rugged beauty of Cataract Gorge – is more than twenty minutes’ walk away. And the surrounding vineyards of the Tamar Valley or the ice-shattered summit of Ben Lomond National Park are well within an hour’s drive.

Wines in the Tamar Valley

Fine soil, sun-soaked slopes and a warm(ish) climate have elevated the Tamar Valley into Tasmania’s premier wine country. Growing areas cluster around Rosevears on the west bank and the Pipers River area east of George Town but are spread throughout the area. Armed with a Tamar Valley Wine Route brochure from the visitor centre in Launceston ( tamarvalleywineroute.com.au ), you could explore the countryside dropping into vineyards to sample crisp and fresh cool-climate wines – pinot noir and sparkling wines are specialities. Most are open daily 10am–5pm, though many close in July and August.

Delamere Vineyard delamerevineyards.com.au . Pinot Noir and Chardonnay crafted by traditional methods are the mainstay of this small-scale vineyard, one of Tasmania’s longest running family-owned wine estates – and a lovely rustic place it is too. Also produces a more experimental range under the Naissante brand.

Jansz jansztas.com . The first vineyard in Tasmania to pioneer the traditional méthode champenoise to produce sparkling wine, and their Premium Cuvée recently took top honours for international sparkling wine at awards of wine magazine Decanter . Also produces a rosé and a few whites.

Pipers Brook Vineyard kreglingerwineestates.com . Established in 1974 though now part of the Kreglinger group, Pipers Brook is among the area’s most well-known wine estates, renowned for its Pinot Noir, though also producing a refined Riesling, Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Gris. Its winery in a modern complex also has a café and lovely vine-covered courtyard.

Anyone heading north via the Midland Highway rather than the east coast is generally in a hurry. The fast three-hour route between Hobart and Launceston more or less follows the coaching road between the colony’s first towns. Those origins and the early colonial villages en route have led the tourist board to christen this The Heritage Highway. Former garrison and sheep towns, they are places to break up a journey rather than destinations in their own right.

All national parks in Tasmania charge daily entry fees , often on an honour system. A 24-hour pass costs $12 per pedestrian or cyclist, or $24 per vehicle (including up to 8 passengers); or an eight-week Holiday Pass costs $30 per person or $60 per vehicle. This doesn’t include camping fees, though many sites are free.

Tasmania’s wilderness has always attracted thousands of bushwalkers , and many tracks are boardwalked to avoid erosion to the fragile park environments. The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service’s website ( parks.tas.gov.au ) offers walking guidelines, which are also available in the leaflet Minimal Impact Walking from the PWS desk at the Service Tasmania shop in Hobart. Detailed Tasmaps of walking tracks are available in most visitor centres, outdoors shops and Service Tasmania outlets.

Never underestimate the Tasmanian wilderness. It can be dangerous – even lethal – if you’re ill-prepared; the weather changes rapidly, and even on a warm day, hail, sleet or snow can suddenly descend in the highlands where hypothermia is a possibility even in summer. Never go alone, always inform others of your plans, and sign in and out of walks in the books provided at the start of a track. As a minimum, you’ll need wet-weather gear, thermal clothing, walking boots, a sturdy tent, a warm sleeping bag, a fuel cooking stove, maps and a compass. Gear can be rented from shops in Hobart and Launceston.

There’s a sense of heading into the wilds as you progress along the northwest coast. After the cities of Devonport and Burnie (both missable), the towns grow smaller and more spaced out as you skip beside the Bass Strait to Stanley , a historic village-resort with a spectacular setting. It serves as the best base for a visit to the area; a hub for day-trips to Wynyard, Boat Harbour Beach or the ragged coast of the Rocky Cape National Park.

Keep going beyond Stanley and civilization (and any form of public transport) starts to peter out, then the roads get narrower, and finally you roll into dairy village Marrawah . Pushing on to Arthur River , you’ll find just a few holiday shacks and houses around the river. Here, there’s a sense of life at the edge; of settlements buffeted by what is officially the cleanest air in the world and a raw coastline pounded by waves that have rolled all the way from South America. Magic.

The battle for the Tarkine

The Tarkine refers to the raw coast south of Arthur River and the plains of the Arthur Pieman Reserve as much as the fabled forests that spread east to the A10. The name was coined by conservationists after the local Tarkiner Aboriginal people in an effort to highlight Tasmania’s largest unprotected wilderness; “greenies” had been pushing for a Tarkine National Park since the 1960s. Of its 593,000 acres of forest, seventy percent constitutes Australia’s largest tract of temperate rainforest, second only in global significance to tracts in British Columbia: a “forgotten wilderness” of giant myrtle forests, wild rivers and bare granite mountains.

So environmentalists were horrified when a road was proposed through its heart from Arthur River to Corinna then Zeehan. Dubbed “ the Road to Nowhere ”, the Western Explorer was constructed hastily and finished in 1996. During the run up to the Australian federal election in 2004, 180,000 acres received protection from forestry, and awareness of the area grew as a moratorium on logging of ancient native forest was declared in 2011. The conservationists’ push for a national park seemed unstoppable.

As it turns out, logging was the least of their worries. In February 2013, as Australia rode an Asian minerals boom, the government gave a green light to open-cut mining in the Tarkine – the area had been fabled for rich iron, tin and bauxite deposits since the early 1900s. The Save the Tarkine coalition brought about a legal challenge, which cited apocalyptic predictions for the Tasmanian devil in this, one of its last redoubts. But by August 2013, work on two of at least six mines had begun. Mass protests on a scale not seen since the Gordon River dam campaign have been proposed. For updates about campaigns and ways to help, visit the website of pressure group Save the Tarkine ( w tarkine.org ).

When first settled in 1826, STANLEY was described by Lieutenant-Governor Arthur as being “beyond the ramparts of the unknown”. A century on, it somehow retains a suggestion of being at the edge of the world. Amazing, really, considering the thousands of holiday-makers who visit each year to de-stress here, delighting in the historic looks, cosy atmosphere and couple of good beaches on either side of the pretty fishing village and holiday resort. The town remains utterly in awe of The Nut . The eighteenth-century colonial explorer Matthew Flinders called Stanley’s landmark a “cliffy round lump in form resembling a Christmas cake”, not a bad description of the solidified core of a prehistoric volcano rising sheer from the ocean to nearly 150m. Circular Head as it’s officially called (also the name for the surrounding municipality) provided shelter for the fledgling town, founded as the original headquarters of the Van Diemen’s Land Company and the first settlement in northwest Tasmania. It has spread out from the original wharf area but remains a postcard-pretty core chock-full of small historic houses.

VDL and Woolnorth Tours

…how is it that an absentee owner across the world got this magnificent and empty country without having paid one glass bead?

Cassandra Pybus

The Van Diemen’s Land Company (VDL) was the brainchild of a group of well-connected individuals. Through a Royal Charter in 1825, they acquired 250,000 acres of the then-unexplored tip of Tasmania to produce fine wool on sheep farms. The Tranmere duly arrived at Circular Head with the personnel, livestock, supplies and equipment to create the township of Stanley.

The first flocks were grazed at Woolnorth on Cape Grim, a plateau of tussocky grass that was ideal – and also prime hunting land for the local Aborigines. When hunting parties began to take sheep, whites killed Aborigines in retaliation, and a vindictive cycle of killings began that culminated in 1827, with thirty unarmed Aborigines being killed by shepherds and their bodies thrown over the cliff (now euphemistically called “Suicide Bay”).

In the 1840s the company changed its emphasis from wool to the sale and lease of its land, a fifth of which it still owns. Although now controlled by New Zealand company Tasman Farms, which owns 98.4 percent of the shares, VDL remains registered on the London Stock Exchange and is the only company to operate under a Royal Charter. It also retains Woolnorth on Cape Grim , where the Baseline Air Pollution Station records the air, carried thousands of kilometres across the Great Southern Ocean, as the cleanest in the world. Woolnorth tours take in the colonial farm estate, Cape Grim and its 62-turbine windfarm and depart from Smithton ( woolnorthtours.com.au ).

Even in a state as wild as Tasmania, the Southwest National Park is spoken of with something approaching reverence. A blank space on the map of arrow-sharp mountain ranges and broad grassy plains, nowhere else in the state so epitomizes the grandeur and spirit of wilderness nor such edge-of-the-world isolation. For experienced bushwalkers, that escapism and rough terrain is a draw. If you’re thinking of joining them, being able to use a compass and read a map is as vital as a cheerful attitude to unpredictable weather even in summer – the southwest has more than two hundred days of rain a year. The surprise, then, is that you can get a taste of the Southwest National Park by driving in on the road beyond Maydena – the ranger for this end of the Southwest National Park is at Mount Field, so drop in to ask about conditions. Admittedly the scenery is not as spectacular as that on hikes deeper into the park. But the route includes vast panoramas and child-friendly walks like the Creepy Crawly Nature Trail 2km after the Scotts Peak turn: a taste of the forest elsewhere.

Few animals in Australia arouse such fascination as the Tasmanian tiger (thylacine) . The irony is that it’s extinct. Probably. The peculiar, dog-like marsupial, which had a rigid tail, stripes and a backwards-opening pouch, was hunted out of existence by sheep farmers fearful for their stock and encouraged by a bounty put on the creature’s head from 1888 to 1909. The last animal is supposed to have died in Hobart zoo in 1936. Yet thylacine sightings are still reported; ask around in remote areas of the northwest and southwest and someone will tell you they’ve seen one. And although Sydney’s Australian Museum shelved plans to resurrect the species using DNA from pickled specimens in May 2005, a research team at Pennsylvania University successfully sequenced the genetic data in 2008.

The Tasman Peninsula is one of the most visited parts of the state. Everyone comes on a day-trip for the penal settlement of Port Arthur – the most popular attraction in Tasmania before Hobart’s MONA gallery – yet this peninsula is worth a visit in its own right: there are superb bushwalks around its spectacular south and eastern coastline, incredible nature cruises and a good wildlife park. That your Port Arthur ticket is valid for two days is just one more reason to stay overnight. The fastest route from Hobart to the Tasman Peninsula is northeast along the Tasman Highway then across the Sorell Causeway to the small town of Sorell , your last chance for shopping and banking.

Devils in danger

Made world-famous by the angry cartoon character “Taz”, the Tasmanian devil , Sarcophilus harrisii , is actually a stocky nocturnal black-haired animal about the size of a squat bulldog. That makes it the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial , with an appetite for carrion, reptiles and insects to match. The name was coined by European settlers who found the marsupial’s call, ranging from a low groan to a banshee screech, positively demonic.

Yet devils need all the friends they can get right now. Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFDT), a contagious cancer that is transmitted by saliva and causes fatal bulbous lesions, has spread across the state at around 15km a year since it was detected in northeast Tasmania in 1996. In the ensuing decade, there was a 95 percent decline in devil sightings. While geneticists race to map the twelve strains of the disease, the state’s Save the Tasmanian Devil Programme ( w tassiedevil.com.au ) is pinning hopes on breeding colonies such as Trowunna Wildlife Park and Devils@Cradle, as well as large disease-free enclosures in Tasmania and on the mainland. These programmes are the last line of defence for a top predator whose demise threatens to destabilize the entire Tasmanian ecosystem. The species went onto the “Endangered” list in 2010; not quite on the brink of extinction, perhaps, but close to the edge.

Port Arthur historic site

In 1830, PORT ARTHUR was selected to host a prison settlement on the “natural penitentiary” of the Tasman Peninsula, its “gate” at Eaglehawk Neck guarded by dogs. It was intended for convicts who committed serious crimes in New South Wales or Van Diemen’s Land after transportation. The regime was never a subtle one: Van Diemen’s Land Lieutenant-Governor George Arthur believed that a convict’s “whole fate should be … the very last degree of misery consistent with humanity”. However, his aim was to create “a machine to grind rogues honest”. This was rehabilitation rather than punitive punishment; work with the system and your years would slip past, fight it and you would be crushed.

The first 150 convicts established a timber industry, then Port Arthur became a self-supporting centre of industry, with shipbuilding, brickmaking, shoemaking, even agriculture. In a separate prison for boys at Point Puer , inmates were taught trades. Meanwhile, prison officers and their families enjoyed gardens, a drama club, a library and regular cricket. After transportation ended, psychological punishment replaced physical. The Separate Prison , based on Pentonville Prison in London, opened in 1852, where prisoners were held in tiny cells in isolation and silence, always referred to by numbers and hooded whenever they left their cells. The idea represented progressive penal ideas that let convicts contemplate their misdeeds, but by the time Port Arthur closed in 1877 it had its own mental asylum full of ex-convicts, as well as a geriatric home for ex-convict paupers.

Tasman Peninsula eco-cruises and diving

An eco-cruise along the spectacular coastline of the Tasman Peninsula is reason enough to visit. Tours in high-speed boats hug the 200m cliffs and nose into sea-caves – expect to see sea eagles, albatross, seals on Tasman Island, possibly dolphins, and if you’re lucky, whales from September to December and April to May. All in all, highly recommended.

Eaglehawk Dive Centre eaglehawkdive.com.au . Provides dive-boat charters (equipment included) into the spectacular dive sites of the Tasman coast: caves, shipwrecks, kelp forests and nearby seal colonies, with an underwater visibility of 15–30m.

Tasman Island Adventure Cruises www.tasmancruises.com.au . Based in Eaglehawk Neck, this operator makes a return trip from Pirates Bay, so no cruise past Port Arthur but two runs up the superb coastline.

Tasman Island Cruises tasmancruises.com.au . An award-winning outfit that sails out from Port Arthur to jet down to Tasman Island, then zip up the coast to Pirates Bay (Eaglehawk Neck), with a return by minibus.

Tasmania deserves at least a fortnight but if time and money are tight, tour operators will whisk you around the major sights. In addition, activity providers offer expeditions that are a holiday in their own right. All of those here include park entry fees and accommodation.

Green Island Tours cycling-tasmania.com . Supported and self-guide cycle tours around the state, from four to eleven days.

Jump Tours jumptours.com . Young, lively backpacker tours that are among the cheapest available (though don’t include meals) from a new Hobart-based company. Hostel accommodation with an opportunity to upgrade from dorms.

Pepper Bush Adventures www.tasmanianwildlifetours.com.au . High-end bespoke tours with unique experiences and good tucker from one of the best wildlife guides in the state, Craig “Bushy” Williams. Based in Launceston.

Rafting Tasmania raftingtasmania.com . One of the most experienced providers of tours along the magic Franklin River – one of the world’s greatest raft adventures over five to ten days – but also runs day-trips on the Derwent and Picton rivers.

Tarkine Trails tarkinetrails.com.au . Speciality operator for the northwest Tarkine region; coast and forest walks, plus speciality photography trips.

Tasmanian Expeditions tasmanianexpeditions.com.au . This Launceston-based company is the leading adventure provider in the state. Trips cover all wilderness walks (including some serious expeditions) and acts as a retailer for upmarket cabin-based walks, plus cycle and multi-activity trips.

Under Down Under Tours underdownunder.com.au . Small-group hostel-based backpacker tours plus Discovery Tours with hotel accommodation. Two- to nine-day trips take in the major sights, with short walks in national parks, plus breakfasts. Also operates day-trips to major sights from Hobart and Launceston.

It’s the lure of wilderness that attracts a certain type of traveller to Tasmania: the thrill of walks in a pure environment and boat expeditions through primeval rainforest. For those who’d like a taste of this adventure, the west’s holiday hub of Strahan is the place to head. Once a lonely fishing village at the edge of the world, Strahan was transformed into one of Tasmania’s leading wilderness resorts almost overnight by a campaign to preserve the wild Franklin River .

The fast road to Strahan is the A10 which spears southwest of Burnie through tiny mining towns in various stages of atrophy to Queenstown , the rough ’n’ ready heartland of west-coast mining. The road was built in the 1960s to improve access to the northwest forests and logging remains a major industry hereabouts. Along the route the extent of plantation forest may come as a shock (due to its monoculture, it’s the eco equivalent of desert), especially if you’re used to the lushness and biodiversity of the protected wilderness elsewhere. On the stretch from Strahan to Hobart, the A10 passes through the pristine wilderness of the UNESCO-listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and the bottom edge of Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park; a section of road that’s worth lingering over.

Australia’s original eco-war

The future of the Tasmanian wilderness could have been very different had it not been for a bitter battle waged by environmentalists in the 1980s. In 1972 the flooding of Lake Pedder led to the formation of the Wilderness Society , which began a relentless campaign against the next target on the Hydro Electricity Commission’s (HEC) agenda – a huge dam on the Lower Gordon River. It had state government backing despite the catastrophic effect on Tasmania’s last wild river, the Franklin. In a blocking manoeuvre the whole southwest area was proposed for the World Heritage List. It was officially accredited on the same day that the Wilderness Society’s Franklin Blockade began – December 14, 1982. The Tasmanian government had chosen to ignore the UNESCO accreditation.

For two months, protestors from all over Australia took to inflatable dinghies, paddling upriver from Strahan to stand in front of bulldozers in nonviolent protest. The blockade became a cause célèbre in Sydney and Melbourne and attracted international attention – British botanist David Bellamy was among the twelve hundred or so arrested for trespassing. During the course of the campaign, a new federal government was voted in, and in March 1983, following a trailblazing High Court ruling, it over ruled the state’s backing for the HEC plans. Although the blockade itself had failed to stop preparatory work on the dam, it had changed the opinion of many Australians forever and enshrined the value of Tasmanian wilderness at state and national levels.

Rafting on the Franklin River

You can cruise up the Gordon or fly over it from Strahan, but to really experience the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park ’s utterly pristine scenery and awesome sense of remoteness, you need to raft the Franklin River. One of the great rivers of Australia, saved from destruction by protests in the early 1980s and the only major wild river in Tasmania, it races through canyons in grade 3 to 4 rapids – even grade 6 in places – and through thick inaccessible rainforest. No wonder this is known by rafters as one of the greatest paddle adventures in the world.

Rafting trips generally run between December and early April on five- to ten-day trips, depending on where you start. From Collingwood River , off the Lyell Highway, it takes about three days to raft the Upper Franklin , riding rapids through subalpine scenery. The Middle Franklin is a mixture of pools, deep ravines and wild rapids as the river makes a 50km detour around Frenchmans Cap. Limestone cliffs overhang the Lower Franklin , which involves a tranquil paddle through dense myrtle beech forests with flowering leatherwoods overhead, and Kutikina Caves and Deena-reena –Aboriginal sights that are only accessible to rafters.

Due to the dangers of the trip, visitors should go with a specialist tour operator . You don’t have to be experienced to sign up – just fit, with lots of stamina and courage. It’s not cheap, but this is an experience of a lifetime.

Rafting Tasmania raftingtasmania.com . Five-, seven- and ten-day rafting expeditions, from the company of Grant Mitchell, one of the first kayakers to explore the river and instrumental in saving it. The ten-day trip includes an optional day-walk to Frenchmans Cap.

Water by Nature franklinrivertasmania.com . Water by Nature offers a five-day trip on the Lower Franklin, a seven-day trip on the Upper Franklin, or ten days rafting the full navigable length of the river. The ten-day trip also includes the Frenchmans Cap.

STRAHAN is not just the only town and port on Tassie’s wild west coast; it is also one of the premier tourist destinations in Tasmania. “The best little town in the world”, said the Chicago Tribune newspaper in 2011 of what is just an over-sized village. The reason is twofold: its setting on Macquarie Harbour , a body of water over six times the size of Sydney’s harbour; and the surrounding southwestern wilderness.

Such is its fame that, in summer at least, Strahan has ceased to be “real” in the normal sense. For all the hype about a typical west-coast village, fishing is a sideshow to tourism. Strahan is on a different level from other towns in west Tasmania, with more agencies offering sightseeing trips and activities than in the rest of the area combined. What saves it from tackiness is that it remains an attractive place – the tourism infrastructure on the harbour is far from the eyesore it could have been – and the surrounding wilderness is as compelling as ever.

The West Coast Wilderness Railway

In 2002 a $30-million investment saw trains once again rattle along the old Abt Railway between Queenstown and Strahan. The original railway was completed in 1896 to transport copper ore from Queenstown to Regatta Point in Strahan, but closed in 1963, when road transport became more economical. Reconstruction took three years, only six months less than it took the original workers to hack through the rainforest by hand, two of the line’s four surviving steam locomotives were restored and replica carriages were built using native woods. Known as the West Coast Wilderness Railway (5hr; previously from $111), the line was a popular trip from Strahan – on our last visit its former operator had been sold and the line had been taken into government hands as new bidders were sought. It was due to reopen in December 2013. Contact the West Coast Visitor Centre in Strahan for the latest.

Previously, it ran twice daily, with most visitors embarking at Strahan, then swinging through the King River Valley and climbing up to Dubbil Barril on a 1:16 rack-and-pinion track system before they arrived in Queenstown in a reconstructed station opposite the Empire Hotel . From here, most returned by bus, while new passengers embarked at Queenstown for the return. Either way, each trip divided between steam and diesel trains, with the changeover at a reconstructed mine settlement in the rainforest. If the trains are running again, try to secure a riverside seat; when facing forward, sit on the right-hand side from Strahan, or left from Queensland.

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Tasmania   Travel Guide

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Why Go To Tasmania

If you're dreaming of a remote destination filled with historical charm, pristine beaches, unique wildlife and jaw-dropping mountains, then consider vacationing in Tasmania (or Tassie, as the locals call it). Situated about 150 miles south of Australia's mainland, this island appeals to anyone looking for an adventure. Families will enjoy walking across the suspension bridge at the  Launceston Cataract Gorge & First Basin , while adrenaline junkies can hike Wellington Park 's Organ Pipes or embark on a multiday trek along Cradle Mountain 's Overland Track. Freycinet National Park is an ideal spot for water sports like snorkeling and kayaking, and once the sun goes down, you can get your heart pounding during an evening ghost tour of the Port Arthur Historic Site . In between sightseeing and exploring your surroundings, you'll find a variety of shops and art galleries, as well as eateries that serve fresh seafood and produce alongside locally made wines, beers, ciders and spirits.

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• # 7 in Best Places to Visit in Australia and The Pacific in 2023
• # 9 in Best Places to Visit in January 2024
• # 29 in World's Best Places to Visit for 2023-2024

Best of Tasmania

Best hotels in tasmania.

• in Saffire Freycinet
• in The Henry Jones Art Hotel
• in The Sebel Launceston

Best Things to Do in Tasmania

• # 1 in Freycinet National Park (Coles Bay)
• # 2 in Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park
• # 3 in Wellington Park

Popular Tours

Bruny Island Food, Sightseeing, Guided Lighthouse Tour & Lunch

(2366 reviews)

from $ 172.68

Full-Day Guided Bruny Island Tour from Hobart

(761 reviews)

from $ 98.96

3-Hour Tasman Peninsula Wilderness Cruise from Port Arthur

(162 reviews)

from $ 116.23

Tasmania Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Tasmania is between December and February, Australia's summer season. Though crowds are at their thickest and room rates at their highest, these months offer the most comfortable temperatures for enjoying the island's abundant outdoor activities. Additionally, summer is filled with food and culture festivals. If you're hoping to hike but want to save some money, consider visiting in late spring (October and November) or early fall (March and April). June, July and August are also months where you're more likely to find accommodation and airfare deals, but you'll want to pack appropriate attire and snow boots to help you cope with the region's chilly temps and ample snow.

Weather in Tasmania

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Cider is big here Known as the "Apple Isle," Tasmania grows roughly 55,000 metric tons of apples annually in its Huon Valley. Many of the apples harvested are turned into cider, which you can sample on The Tasmanian Cider Trail .

Opposites apply Australia's summer season falls during America's winter, and locals drive on the left side of the road.

Some hiking paths require reservations The Three Capes Track requires advance bookings year-round, while the Overland Track in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park only grants access from October through May to visitors with reservations.

How to Save Money in Tasmania

Go camping Tassie hotel rooms can cost more than $100 per night, while campgrounds range from 6 to 13 Australian dollars (or $5 to $10) per night, per person to AU$30 to AU$50 (about $24 to $40) for stays lasting up to seven nights. Plus, kids 17 and younger stay for free at any national park campground.

Plan a winter visit Accommodation prices are generally higher when the weather warms up between December and February, Tasmania's summer and peak season. Also, most trails are free to access in the winter.

Skip the national parks If you want to explore the great outdoors without burning a hole in your wallet, check out natural wonders like the  Launceston Cataract Gorge & First Basin and Wellington Park . Both are free to visit.

Culture & Customs

The bulk of Tasmania's art- and culture-focused attractions reside in Hobart, and a variety of music, film and craft events – including the Junction Arts Festival and the Tasmanian Craft Fair – are hosted every year. For an in-depth look at the island's art scene, check out the Tasmanian Arts Guide website .

Tassie's atmosphere is relaxed and its residents are friendly, which makes navigating this island as a tourist relatively easy. English is the official language here and throughout Australia, but Aussie English is a bit different from American English, so you'll want to know a few key words and phrases – like "g'day" (hello), "reckon" (for sure) and "ripper" (great) – to help you get by. Aussies are also known for having a dry sense of humor; expect to hear some sarcastic or frank remarks while visiting.

When walking, you'll need to look right, then left and then right again before crossing a street. If you're driving, remember to stay on the left side of the road. Aussies use the metric system, so road signs post distances in kilometers, and speed signs list speed limits in kilometers per hour. One kilometer equals about a half-mile.

Should you decide to hail a cab, keep in mind Australia's tipping policy. No passenger is expected to tip cab drivers or restaurant staff unless exceptional service is provided, but to make receiving change a bit easier, locals often round up to the nearest Australian dollar (Australia's official currency, which equals about $0.79). Currency rates may fluctuate, so check the latest exchange rate before you visit.

What to Eat

Tasmania's cuisine highlights fresh produce grown on the island and seafood farmed on land and caught offshore. Weekly markets like Hobart's Salamanca Market feature an array of food stalls that sell raw and prepared foods, and restaurants commonly incorporate local specialties like Tasmanian Atlantic salmon, wild abalone, black truffles and leatherwood honey into their menus. Landscape Restaurant & Grill and Blue Eye in Hobart, Black Cow Bistro and Cataract on Paterson in Launceston and The Rectory and Mrs Jones Restaurant Bar Lounge in Devonport are just a few eateries that highlight some of these ingredients in regional dishes like scallop pie (a pastry stuffed with scallops in a creamy curry sauce).

Hobart is also known for offering a plethora of international cuisines, from Chinese to French to Argentinean. Some of the city's most popular restaurants include the Italian-focused Solo Pasta & Pizza , the Lebanese-inspired Syra Restaurant and the Greek-influenced  Urban Greek .

Although Tassie's dining scene is growing, the island is best known for its alcoholic beverages. Nicknamed the "Apple Isle" because of its abundance of apple orchards, cider is one of the most commonly produced drinks in the region. Tasmania's pure water also makes it a great place for creating distilled spirits like whiskey, vodka and gin. Many craft breweries are spread throughout the island as well. If you're interested in sampling some of Tassie's brews and spirits, consider exploring the area's beer , cider and whiskey trails.

Tasmania also features seven wine regions, where vineyards produce everything from pinot noir to sauvignon blanc to various sparkling wines. The island's oldest and largest wine district is the Tamar Valley, which sits near Launceston and has more than 30 vineyards. Other wine regions include Pipers River (also near Launceston) and the Derwent Valley (just north of Hobart).  Puddleduck Vineyard , Bruny Island Premium Wines and Josef Chromy Wines are a few of Tassie's most popular wineries.

Tasmania is considered a relatively safe place to visit, but you should take precautions when enjoying the island's outdoor activities. Be mindful of any undertows at Tassie beaches. If you find yourself caught in one, swim parallel to land until you're out of the rip current, then swim to shore. You'll also want to travel with a companion and wear insect repellent and adequate boots when hiking. If you're anticipating going on a multiday trek on trails like the Three Capes Track and the Overland Track, Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania strongly suggests telling someone your plans before you depart.

Additionally, you should stay alert while in any part of Australia, since terrorist threats have increased recently. For up-to-date information regarding Australia's current threat level, visit the Australian Government's Australian National Security website . And when visiting larger cities like Hobart, be mindful of your belongings. Foreigners are occasionally targeted by pickpockets and petty thieves in popular tourist areas. To learn more about how to stay safe while visiting Australia, check out the U.S. State Department's website .

Getting Around Tasmania

The best way to get around Tasmania is by car. Though you'll have to get used to different driving norms, such as traveling on the left side of the road and calculating distances in kilometers, hiring a car is an affordable and convenient way to see many Tassie cities and sights. Organized bus tours from local companies are also available but are often more expensive and require sticking to set itineraries. Within major cities like Hobart and Launceston, public and private bus services are also an option. Keep in mind that bus operators vary by destination, and routes between cities are generally limited. Additionally, you can hail a taxi, but cab fares are high and are dependent on the location and time of day.

To get between smaller Tassie destinations, you may have the option of flying into regional airports, though you'll need another way to get to and from attractions. The Spirit of Tasmania offers ferry service between Devonport and Melbourne , however, this mode of transportation cannot be used to reach other mainland cities in Tasmania; some ferries do travel to and from smaller Tasmanian islands. If you don't reach the island by ferry, plan on flying into Hobart International Airport (HBA).

Entry & Exit Requirements

To visit Tasmania, you will need a valid U.S. passport and a visa. If you're staying in Australia for less than 90 days, you can apply for your Electronic Travel Authority (an electronic, label-free visa) on the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection's website . Some airlines and travel agents can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority on your behalf. For more information about entry and exit requirements, check out the U.S. State Department's website .

Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park 's towering mountains, lush forests and clear lake waters will leave you in awe.

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A West Virginia–size island situated 150 miles south of mainland Australia, Tasmania has a way of captivating the imagination. The state invented the Australian bushranger, established the world’s first Green Party, and inspired the Looney Tunes character Taz, based on a small (non-twirling) carnivorous marsupial called the Tasmanian devil. Tassie is promoted as the Natural State for good reason: More than a third of its landmass is protected in reserves, World Heritage areas, and national parks. In recent years, Tasmania has become increasingly renowned for quality food, drinks, and art.

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PHOTO BY TOURISM TASMANIA & GRAHAM FREEMAN

Can’t miss things to do in Tasmania

Hobart, Tasmania’s picturesque capital city, unfolds between the Derwent River and Mount Wellington. It offers such highlights as the enormous Salamanca Market and the famous Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).

Launceston is the second-largest city; it sits at the entrance to the Tamar Valley wine region, which makes for a lovely day trip.

The main reason people come to Tasmania, however, is nature. Cradle Mountain is the state’s most popular peak as well as the starting point for the 40-mile Overland Track. Bruny Island is known for oysters, cheese, and scenic coastlines; the Freycinet Peninsula is home to the gorgeous crescent of sand that is Wineglass Bay; and Maria Island is one of the best places to experience Tasmania’s unique wildlife.

Food and drink to try in Tasmania

Isolation from mainland Australia has made Tasmania self-reliant and sustainable when it comes to food and drink. Tasmania has long been known for apples and pears, and a resurgent cider industry is reviving these crops. The state also produces some of the country’s finest seafood, meat, dairy, wine, and single-malt whiskey, and newer Tasmanian products to look out for include saffron, cherries, and blueberries. Like the rest of Australia, Tasmania has a thriving café culture, marked by a strong focus on local and organic ingredients. Memorable meals can be enjoyed in the cities as well as the bush, and a growing number of cooking schools are sharing state secrets with travelers from around the world.

Outdoor Adventure

First settled by convicts and then followed by whalers, miners, and now artists, mountaineers, and foodies, Tasmania (originally dubbed Van Diemen’s Land) is adventurous, prospecting, creative, and sometimes irreverent. Since much of the state is undeveloped wilderness, there’s a huge outdoor scene fueled by trekkers, mountain bikers, kayakers, and rafters. Fishing, yachting, and sailing are also popular pursuits, and the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is one of the biggest cups in sailing. Artisan foods, drinks, and crafts have taken over the state in recent years, and the Museum of Old and New Art has spurred something of an artistic awakening. Still, Tasmania remains as laid-back and welcoming as it is inspiring.

Culture in Tasmania

Tasmanians are resourceful and creative, and it shows in their food products and crafts as well as their fashion and accessories. On Saturday in Hobart, don’t miss the Salamanca Market—one of the largest outdoor markets in Australia—or the cutting-edge summer crafts market at the MONA museum. The Harvest farmers’ market in Launceston is another nice Saturday out. The Salamanca Arts Centre in Hobart features artist studios and boutiques ranging from the Rosalie Malham jewelry shop to the Bruny Island Cheese Co. From late October through early November, the town of Deloraine, southwest of Launceston, hosts one of the largest craft fairs in Australia.

Practical Information

• Summer (December to March) offers the best weather in Tasmania, though new events such as Dark Mofo are giving travelers good reasons to brave the winter.
• Direct flights to both Hobart and Launceston run from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, and the Spirit of Tasmania ferry travels overnight from Melbourne to Devonport.
• Once you arrive in Tasmania, it’s recommended that you rent a car—just remember to drive on the left side of the road.
• As in mainland Australia, English is the official language, and the currency is the Australian dollar.
• Tipping is not customary unless you receive standout service.

The Ultimate Travel Guide to the Tasman Peninsula [2024]

• Last Updated: February 5, 2024

Your ultimate guide to the Tasman Peninsula, including the best things to do and see, where to stay, how to get around, and more.

When we travelled around Tasmania for three months in our campervan, we tried our best to visit every beach, town, bay, national park and waterfall we could.

From the wild west coast to the southern tip, northern forests to the stunning east coast, and of course the mountainous interior, we were constantly blown away at just how magical this Australian island is.

Our absolute favourite place to explore though? The glorious Tasman Peninsula.

The Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania is an ideal attraction for tourism because it has so much to offer.

The area consists of beautiful beaches, epic hikes, excellent fishing and snorkelling opportunities, historical sites and quaint towns.

We spent over a week here, trekking the famous Three Capes Track , chasing the Aurora Australis and exploring historic Port Arthur, and managed to fill every single day with activities

Our guide to things to do on the Tasman Peninsula, one of the best places to visit in Tasmania , is a great self-guided travel opportunity where visitors can style their plans to just about anything they’d like to achieve from their trip.

Table of Contents

1) Port Arthur Historic Site

2) pirate’s bay lookout, 3) tessellated pavement, 4) tasman island boat cruise, 5) the blowhole and fossil bay lookout, 6) tasman arch and devil’s kitchen, 7) waterfall bay trail and lookout, 8) federation artisan chocolate and art gallery, 9) tasmanian devil unzoo, 10) port arthur lavender farm and cafe, 11) fortescue bay, 12) bivouac bay track, 13) cape pillar walking track, 14) cape huay track, 15) three capes track, 16) remarkable cave and maingon bay lookout, 17) mchenry distillery, 18) cape raoul track, 19) coal mines historic site, 20) take a scenic flight over the tasman peninsula, national parks pass, mid – range, the best things to do on the tasman peninsula.

Whether you’re looking for adventure, nature, wellness, food or history, you’ll find it all when checking out the top things to do in the Tasman Peninsula.

Here’s what we did while we were there, and what Tasman Peninsula attractions we think you shouldn’t miss.

The Port Arthur Historic Site at Sullivans Cove is home to Tasmania’s most popular tourist attraction.

The site has over 6 kilometres of scenic trails that wind through a convict settlement, with restored buildings and old stonework.

The Port Arthur Historic Site grounds look beautiful now, but this place has a hard history.

These convict settlements were once haunting sites where prisoners were kept and staff and guards slept in cottages. Many terrible events took place here.

It used to be a former convict prison in the 1800s, so it was where many criminals were sent who had committed things like robbery and murder. Yes, they were bad people, but no one should go through these horrible conditions.

Many things happened at this prison that we can’t even imagine. Prisoners would work hard for days without eating or drinking, just begging for a sip of water or a bite to eat.

They all became very skinny and unwell which caused many deaths. The guards were as cruel as the prisoners, hitting and screaming at them if things didn’t go their way.

It is crazy to think all this once happened here and today it is one of Australia’s most visited tourist sites, with people coming from all over the world to explore what life would have been like for those who were sentenced there and learn more about Australian history.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins can be explored on your own with an informational brochure or on a free 45-minute walking tour where you can explore more.

When you purchase your ticket the walking tour is included, as is a harbour sightseeing boat tour and access to the museum.

You can add on tours if you like such as The Isle Of The Dead where many escapees were executed in front of their loved ones.

Give yourself a whole morning or an afternoon to explore and learn about this place.

• Getting There: Head to Port Arthur on the Arthur Highway. Once you reach Port Arthur you will pass the fuel station on the left and the Port Arthur Historical Site is down the road on the left after the fuel station. There are signs for it.

With breathtaking views and impressive cliffs, Pirates Bay Lookout is one stop that should not be missed.

People will get to enjoy delicious locally roasted coffee while taking in this stunning view from an elevated position at the entrance to Peninsular Tasmania.

Not only does it offer great views but also there are many landmarks such as Cape Raoul or The Candlestick which can be seen on clear days. In certain seasons you may even see migrating whales!

Grab yourself a coffee at the van, Cubed Espresso Bar which is located right there at the viewpoint.

• Getting There: Take a scenic drive along winding Pirates Bay Drive, just minutes from Arthur Highway for an unforgettable experience!

After you have enjoyed the view at the Pirate Lookout, head to the Tessellated Pavement which is just down the road.

The Tessellated Pavements is a photographer’s dream come true. This natural square-like wonder appears out of the rocks along the water looking like tiles work.

Photographing this spectacle alone would be worth your time but if that’s not your thing, it is definitely still worth going and seeing.

The patterns vary depending on the materials involved but there are three main types: tessellated pavement, honeycomb weathering, and daggy turf.

Essentially, the earth’s movement caused these beautiful cracks and fractures in what we call jointing.

Jointing itself isn’t unusual, but the salt crystals present on this site along with consistent erosion by waves from an adjacent sea have created some spectacular patterns.

The “tessellations” found at the Tessellated Pavement in Tasmania are a result of the extensive dissolution of siltstone by seawater with dissolved rock salt from beneath.

The dissolved rock salt is sodium chloride (NaCl) which is otherwise known as common table salt. This process of dissolution leaves behind a crystal-like patterning throughout the original sedimentary stone.

There are Tasmanian crabs living in crevices on these rock formations to delight animal lovers (and humans).

• Getting There: It is located on Pirates Bay Drive. From the Pirate Bay Lookout, follow the signs to Tessellated Pavement as it is about a 5-minute walk down.

This 3-hour tour will take visitors to Tasman Island, a nature lover’s paradise. Located half an hour from Port Arthur these cruises are the perfect way for enjoying views of pristine coastal scenery.

The boat heads towards Tasman Island where you can see seals when in season and possibly even dolphins or whales. Countless bird species fly overhead as well.

The cruise travels beneath towering vertical cliffs and explores waterfalls, rock formations, archways, and deep-sea caves before reaching Cape Pillar where you are likely to see seals or migrating whales in their feeding frenzy.

Cruises depart multiple times a day from an accessible jetty

• Getting There: Starts and Finishes from Tasman Island Cruises Booking Centre, located at 6961 Arthur Highway. If you are coming from Hobart, give yourself about 90 mins to get there.

The Blowhole is a geological feature that attracts many tourists to it every year. Located on the coastal path of Port Arthur this impressive sight, created by nature through erosion, makes for an interesting and amazing photo opportunity.

This blowhole is in fact located just before Fossil Bay Lookout so if you don’t feel like climbing the lookout, there is that option.

The Blowhole in particular can be hard to get a good photograph of as it is constantly changing but you will never have a problem with staying dry for long, for this blowhole spits water 7 metres into the air!

It is best when the winds are stronger so keep an eye on the weather before you visit.

The Fossil Bay Walk Lookout is just next to the blowhole and here you can see the dolomite formations of Tasmania’s Jurassic coastline which are over 190 million years old.

These fossils can be seen from day to night and visitors say that it is a spectacular sight.

• Getting There: Located on Blowhole Road. The Blowhole is located on the coastal walk between Port Arthur Historic Site and Coal Mine Point, a 10-minute walk from both. Fossil Bay Lookout can be found just over the hill from here so you have a few options to get there.

Need more ideas for your Tasmania trip? Here is our list of the 12 Best Places To Visit In Tasmania .

Just right around the corner from the blowhole is the Tasman Arch and the Devil’s Kitchen.

The Tasman Arch is the first attraction you will come across as it is located right near the carpark. This archway happens to be what remains after erosion has worn away parts of limestone and left an open hole or ceiling up high on Eaglehawk Neck.

This natural formation was created by water eroding through bedrock at different speeds which causes vertical cracks for air pressure below ground level but also higher than sea-level as well. The blowhole can often spew water from the bottom of this archway as you might imagine…

Devils Kitchen is just further up the path in a big cave. This one has been created through glacial erosion which is evidenced by the jagged rock formations inside, giving it its name.

There is no danger here as only the roof of this cave has collapsed and they say that when you walk inside a feeling of peace and serenity washes over you!

• Getting There: Located on Tasmans Arch Road. Devil’s Kitchen is located on the coastal path, between Port Arthur Historic Site and Coal Mine Point. Tasman Arch can be found behind this sea arch nearby at The Boilermakers Bluff Lookout or you can take a short walk from Devil’s Kitchen to get there.

After seeing the Tasman Arch and the Devil’s Kitchen there is a trail where you can continue to walk (or run if you are super keen) to Waterfall Bay.

It is a scenic, 4km return walk that follows the coastline, and at the end of it you get rewarded with a stunning view.

The path is non-technical in its construction making it suitable for everyone.

We really enjoyed this walk and saw no one else on the track as this is not a popular attraction.

The other option is to take the Water Bay road all the way to the end and you will reach your destination. This is a gravel road though.

• Getting There: You can park your car at carpark at the end of Tasman Arch Road and walk the trail or you can drive to the end of Waterfall Bay Road which is a gravel road and see the attraction there.

If you are a chocolate addict or if you enjoy things done with quality and style, then this is for you.

This was once a bank that now serves as a gallery where they sell locally made goods of all things chocolate!

The art gallery on site also displays jazz musicians playing music live every Sunday in summer so it’s the perfect place to spend the day.

The chocolate shop is open for tours, and yes this includes tasting, so you can try things if you haven’t got time to make it back here again. They also have things like coffee or tea available whilst you wait for your tour (which takes about 30 minutes).

You can tour the factory and learn things about how things are made, the quality checks, and all things in between. At the end of the factory tour, they show you interesting things that have been created from chocolate, like wine for example. You can then taste these things too so it is a full day out!

• Getting There: Located on South Street, just off Arthur Highway. It is across the road from the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo. There is also a Federation Artisan Chocolate Shop in Hobart .

We actually never got here because we ran out of time, unfortunately. I have added it into the article because through research I have learned they do great work with Tasmanian Devils.

This place to trying to protect these endangered animals. In mid-1990, Tasmanian Devils were dying from the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) which is transmissible cancer. Many died and they were untreated.

It is great to see today many organisations like this one are working to save these animals by preventing DFTD from spreading into their habitat. To increase the Tasmania Devils’ numbers, these guys are also breeding healthy devils for future release on the Peninsula, as well as maintaining special devil-proof fences at Dunalley.

If you have been to this establishment, please leave a comment below and let us know what you thought.

• Getting There: It is located along the Arthur Highway about 10km before you get to Port Arthur.

After getting your fill of chocolate at the artisan factory, stop off at the Port Arthur Lavender Farm which is located just down the road.

Port Arthur Lavender is a multi-sensory experience, with fragrant lavender fields and rainforest providing the perfect backdrop to interactive demonstrations of distillation.

Take your time exploring before trying authentic Tasmanian cuisine at the cafe or picking up some locally crafted gifts for everyone back home!

They are situated right on the water, so this is a great spot to stop in for morning tea, lunch, or afternoon tea.

• Getting There: Located just off Arthur Highway. You can not miss it. They have a big sign and are located on a corner.

Tasmania is the perfect place for hiking and camping, and this is the spot to do it.

Fortescue Bay is a magical place, where you can find the best views in Tasmania. You can come out here for the day or camp out here with your caravan or campervan and camp the night.

You do need a booking. We were lucky and rocked up without a booking and were able to get a spot but we recommend booking so you are not disappointed. You can book online through the Tasman Parks website .

The bays waters are crystal clear waters and perfect for taking a dip in. But beware it is a little chilly.

Fortescue Bay is a great base for hiking out to Cape Hauy, Cape Pillar, and the Tasman Trail. If you don’t want a long hike, there are shorter walks to Canoe Bay and Bivouac Bay.

The most popular one to do from here is the Cape Hauy Hike. From the end of the campground, you can hike out to Cape Hauy where you will get amazing views of the coastline. It is some of Australia’s best scenery.

It can be daunting at first, but don’t let that deter you! There are a lot of steps up but take your time and go at your own pace.

The walk only takes about 1.5 – 2 hours each way. Make sure you pack plenty of water before starting your journey as there is nowhere to refill. There are also several places along the trail where you can stop and rest or even sit down for an hour and have your lunch or a snack.

To get into Fortescue Bay you have to take a 20-minute unsealed road that is in ok condition but could be tricky when wet.

The facilities are superb with a great picnic area, camping opportunities and toilets available too! It looks like it has been upgraded in the last couple of years.

• Getting There: Located at the end of Fortescue Bay Road off of Arthur Highway.

Read our ultimate guide to camping in Tasmania here !

This is a shorter track that starts from the carpark on the left-hand side of Fortescue Bay Campground.

The hike begins on tranquil sands and climbs up modest cliffs before undulating through light bushland and forest.

You will often be near the water’s edge where you can see sea birds, as well as seals, dolphins, or whales in some of the bays. Canoe Bay is one great place for seeing animals, they are plentiful here!

At about halfway there we come upon an old dredge ship called William Pitt which has sunken into deep waters due to metal rusting over time. You will pass Canoe Bay and you can continue to Bivouac Bay if you want.

The bays waters are crystal clear water and perfect for a dip if you are keen. You will need to have good walking shoes on as these things tend to get slippery!

The walk is about 10km return. If you choose to go the whole way to Bivouac Bay Camp and may take bout 4 hours.

• Getting There: Take Fortescue Bay Road off of Arthur Highway. Drive to the end of Fortescue Bay Road and park at the day parking. The walk is down the left-hand side for about 20mins of the campground. Follow the signs.

This hike takes you around “Cape Pillar” and the “Tasman Trail”. Cape Pillar is an epic rocky headland that stands above the crashing waves.

It’s a great spot to experience Tasmania’s rugged coastline at its most extreme. While you are here, take in some stunning scenery around Binalong Bay too!

This hike takes between 4-5 hours each way, so be prepared to spend a lot of time moving. It is also along a very steep climb, so prepare for that as well.

There are a couple of free camps along the way where you can stay. The Bare Knoll Campground is the best one out of the two there. It is 7.7km one way from the Fortescue Boat Ramp to the campground.

From the camp, it is 8.7km out to Cape Piller one way. Keen runners jog this trail and get this long trek done in a day. If you leave super early, it definitely can be done as a day hike.

You just may get back as it is getting dark. Do be prepared and take enough water, snacks, and proper clothing.

• Getting There: Just before you get to the camping area at Fortescue Bay, the trail is located on the right. You can park in the National Park area and walk from there.

The hike begins on the south side of Fortescue Bay. There are signs to follow.

You start by walking alongside the bay before reaching the Three Capes Track sign. From here are a lot of stairs up so be prepared.

Once you reach the top you follow the track through the coastal bush to then come to a t section in the trail. This marks the beginning of Cape Huay Track.

From here you will get to a beautiful lookout over Cape Huay, take a break and enjoy. Now it is a little down, a little up, a little down, and then up again.

You can see the path snaking through the low bush area. The summit offers great ocean views and great views of the coastal cliffs.

This is where the famous rock climbing route is. It’s called the totem pole. It is on the left of the lookout and you’ll see it if you look down.

This lookout also offers excellent opportunities for bird watching with a chance of seeing rarities such as Humpback and Sperm Whales, which are occasionally spotted in the waters below.

From the lookout, start your walk back down over a little grade rather than stairs this time. Yet again it undulates up and down until getting to yet another t section of the trail, where you will go straight and head back down to Fortescue Bay.

This one is a popular hike so we recommend getting on the trail early.

• Getting There: Take Fortescue Bay Road off Arthur Highway. Drive to the end of Fortescue Bay Road and park at the day parking. The walk is down the right-hand side of the campground. Follow the signs.

The Three Capes Track is one of Australia’s most beautiful multi-day hiking trails, and have been lucky enough to recently complete it we can understand why it receives so much hype.

The 4-day, 48km one-way hike wanders along the southern tip of Tasmania in the Tasman National Park following some of its highest sea cliffs with mind-blowing views out toward Cape Huay and Cape Raoul – two incredible headland points that are iconic for their distinct beauty or historic significance.

This adventure track will take you from Port Arthur and on to Fortescue Bay, via Cape Pillar and Cape Huay.

This track was opened just a few years ago as part of The Great Walks Project by Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania; making this an easy adventure on foot where you’ll see incredibly scenic vistas while achieving your fitness goals!

At $495 AUD per person, this hike is not cheap. But it’s worth it!

You get access to new huts with beds and memory foam mattresses, so there is no need for carrying mats or tents! There are heated dining halls on-site and kitchens that come equipped with pots, pans, utensils, and dish soap. All your food needs will be met here as well.

This is the perfect hiking trip if all you plan to bring is clothes (including shoes), sleeping bags & camera gear. You don’t have to lug heavy items up mountainsides!

This is a great first multi-day hike for someone who is fresh to hiking. You only stay over one night and there is even a chance to have a hot bucket shower.

We both did this hike and loved it. We were so impressed by the cabins and the service of the rangers. Take your family and friends and go on an adventure.

• Getting There: You start at the Port Arthur Visitors Centre. You can leave your vehicle here for the duration you are away if you have one. You will end at Fortescue Bay where a bus picks you up and takes you back to Port Arthur Visitors Centre. Transport to and from Hobart is available.

READ MORE – Want to read more about the Three Capes Track, here is our article on our 4 day hike.

This short walk to Maingon Bay Lookout takes you up above the many beautiful bays to see panoramic views of Tasmania—including Port Arthur, Tasman Island, Bruny Island and even as far away as Maria Island National Park on a clear day.

The walk starts at the Remarkable Cave carpark and will take you about 150m but 115 steps down.

aYou cannot go into Remarkable Cave itself, as it is protected by law and only a couple of rangers can go in each week to check on its environment and wildlife as well as for general maintenance purposes.

The Tasmanian Aboriginal people used this cave for shelter for thousands of years before the Europeans come in 1802 and “discovered it”. The cave itself reaches about 50 metres inland and is around 20 metres wide.

• Getting There: From Port Arthur, follow Safety Cove Road to the end and there is a parking lot. You can access the Maingon Bay Lookout and Remarkable Cave from there.

The McHenry Distillery is located on the western shore of the West Coast Road about 6km from Port Arthur. It was Tasmania’s first licensed whisky distillery and has been operating continuously since 1832.

After a tour, you get to taste some of your favourite Tasmanian whisky in their tasting room before heading off to lunch at the local pub.

Guided tours are available Tuesday to Sunday at 11 am and 2 pm and cost $8 per person.

The distillery is open every day of the year from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm, except on Christmas Day.

• Getting There: From Port Arthur head out of town towards Cape Raoul and Nabeena. Once on Nabeena Road, turn left onto Radnor Road and you will see the distillery on the left in about 2.4km.

Cape Raoul is a 14km return day walk within the Tasman National Park. 

With few steep sections, this hike takes about 5 hours to complete and offers ample time for relaxing and enjoying expansive views of surrounding areas from Bruny Island all the way south to Hobart on Tasmania’s southern peninsula!

The start of Cape Raoul trail is located at the end of Terrapin Track. It is not possible to walk Cape Raoul track in reverse, and only experienced hikers should undertake this trail.

The start of the trail is a long and sometimes steep walk. Some areas are rocky and can be hard to navigate with slippery surfaces, so wear suitable footwear.

Good hiking boots or shoes are recommended as there is a lot of mud around this time of year due to heavy rain.  

Near the end of Cape Raoul Track, you will reach an area where you can view the ocean, which gets deeper as you continue on (without going around) towards the cape.

The views at the end are beautiful and there are a couple of great lookouts.

If you want to explore a little more, you can go down the Tunnel Bay Track. Visit Shipstern Bluff where you can view crazy waves rolling sometimes with mad surfers riding them.

• Getting There: The trail starts at the end of Stormlea Road which is off of Nubeena Road. There are signs out to Cape Raoul or put the location in your GPS.

The Coal Mines Historic Site is one of Australia’s most unusual and distinctive historic sites. It reveals the impressive feats of engineering and enterprise in a distant era, when convict labour was used to extract coal for shipment to Hobart by sea.

The miners worked in harsh conditions with great courage – the output of the mine was significant. Some of the convict barracks are still standing and can be seen in this historic site, which is set amongst a panorama of rugged mountains with abundant wildlife.

From Coal Mines Historic Site it’s a 2.5-hour return walk down to the old Coppins Mine Ruins which are also worth checking out.

You will learn about the hardships and lifestyle of the minders, and you’ll also get to see things like blacksmith’s forges, stables, and a boiler house as well as inside the mine itself.

This is included in your ticket for the Port Arthur Historical Site.

• Getting There: This is located on the Port Arthur/Richmond road only 1km past Cape Raoul with plenty of parking available to your left.

Check out this 2-Week Tasmania Itinerary for more ideas for planning your trip.

Ever wanted to see the Three Capes from a different perspective?

Now you can, by plane or helicopter . These air tours pass over some of Tasmania’s most spectacular sights including Port Arthur (UNESCO World Heritage Site) before turning west towards Cape Raoul and Cape Pillar and Cape Huay then come back around to see Hobert. You will see them all from the air.

These flights are not cheap, but they are one you will never forget.

• Getting There: Depart from Hobart or Barilla Bay in Cambridge.

The Tasman Peninsula – Our Ultimate Travel Guide

Now that you know everything there is to see and do on the Tasman Peninsula, you’ll need to know some basic travel information to.

In our Tasman Peninsula travel guide we’ll help you make the most of your time here.

How to Get to the Tasman Peninsula?

The first thing you need to know is how to get to the Tasman Peninsula, and like most spots in Tasmania, the best way is to drive yourself there.

Driving yourself is ideal for people who would like to own their own time and aren’t in a rush.

On average it takes about 3 hours to get down there from Hobart (depending on weather conditions and traffic).

For people who have their own car, it is best to head down along B173 towards Dover and then divert onto B174 which takes you in the direction of Port Arthur.

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

From Hobart to the Tasman Peninsula, there is a public bus that runs this route. The bus drops you along Numbeena Road which is a short walk to Port Arthur Historical Site.

The bus only runs from Hobart to Port Arthur in the afternoons. Our advice is to get there the day before and start your exploring or hiking the following day.

For timetable and fare information please click on the link below:

• Tassielink  – $24.20 per adult one way

Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur Area Facilities

This area of Tasmania has limited services, so stock up and be prepared before coming to the Tasman Peninsula.

There is only one fuel station on the Tasman Peninsula and that is in Port Arthur. It is a general store also so its hours are standard

We recommend having a full tank before arriving on the Tasman Peninsula. It’s also not a bad idea to have a spare fuel tank in your car just in case.

There is a small grocery store in Port Arthur and Nubeena for basic or everyday foods. It is not fully stocked so be prepared before coming out this way.

There are lots of restaurants if you want to eat out, but they may not be open for all meals or they may require advance booking. Please ring and check first so you are not disappointed. These are small local businesses so if you can, please support them.

When you are visiting this part of Tasmania, you do need a National Parks pass for a lot of the attractions on the Tasman Peninsula.

You can buy them at one of the parks or online before you visit.

You can choose the option that suits you best when purchasing your ticket. They have a day pass, a 3 months pass, a holiday pass, or a yearly pass.

If you are going to other National Parks in Tasmania, make sure you get the pass that covers them all so you do not need to purchase another one.

Where to Stay on the Tasman Peninsula

There are some great places to stay on the Tasman Pensinsula, despite the area being quite remote.

Most accommodations are centered around Port Arthur, though there are other guesthouses and cabins scattered around the area.

We’ll cover some of the best accommodations to suit all budget ranges.

If you’re looking for an awesome place to stay in the area, we personally love using Airbnb. If you’ve never used the platform before, sign up using this link to get USD$35 off your first booking .

Camping is the cheapest option for accommodation on the Tasman Peninsula. Camping also allows you to immerse yourself in the wilderness. However, you have to make sure you pack all of your own camping gear.

We’ve already mentioned some campgrounds in the article, but as a general overview, here are some of the top campgrounds in the Tasman Peninsula. They are all free except you have to pay for the parks pass.

• Fortescue Bay Camping Ground in Fortescue Bay
• Lime Bay Camping in Lime Bay State Reserve
• Wughalee Falls Campground in Cape Pillar
• Bare Knoll in Cape Pillar

Other affordable options include holidays parks and cabins. The most popular and most affordable options is NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park . It is conveniently located in Port Arthur, so it is relatively central and easy to drive to most attractions from here.

They offer spacious, rustic cabins as well as dorm rooms and tents. Guests can enjoy free Wifi as well as an on-site shop with groceries and fuel.

For a bit of comfort during your stay, consider renting an entire cottage to yourself. There are some amazing Airbnbs and guesthouses for decent prices on the Tasman Peninsula.

Fairweather Cottage in Port Arthur is a cozy little beachfront cottage that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Enjoy staying in a homey, 2-bedroom spot conveniently located in Port Arthur.

Stewarts Bay Lodge in Port Arthur is another gorgeous accommodation where you can rent an entire bungalow and have the place to yourself.

A bit pricer than the other accommodation options, this wilderness lodge allows you stay right in the bush near the beach, so you can immerse youself in the serenity of nature.

Despite being right in the bush, this modern and cozy lodge has all the amenities you could need. Cabins are equipped with heating and air con, as well as decks and terraces with a view and BBQ pits. The lodge itself has an amazing on site restaurant if you want to treat yourself.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

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Don’t leave Australia without visiting Tasmania. Here’s why.

Editor’s note: Last updated in January 2024.

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with Tasmania.

Maybe it was when I sunk my teeth into my first meal there, the insanely creamy goats cheese and golden yolky goodness of Bryher Cafe’s baked eggs doing happy things to my tastebuds. Or maybe it happened as I picked my way along the white sands and fiery red boulders of Swimcart Beach, not another soul in sight. It could have even been at Delamere’s rustic cellar door, glass of vintage bubbles in hand and the slow, old winery dog curled warmly at my feet.

When it happened is beside the point really: the important thing is that I did fall head over heels for Tasmania , despite the fact I’d expected so little of it. In fact, along with 87.325% of Australians, I’d written off our southernmost state as small and unexciting; a strange little outcrop at the arse end of the world, most famous for its ability to grow apples and the now-extinct thylacine.

What a fool I was.

If my descriptive intro and self-admonishment haven’t already convinced you Tassie should be on your travel radar, allow me to use the following paragraphs to flesh out my case.

The best destinations to soak in this astonishing natural beauty are Cradle Mountain in the state’s west, and Bay of Fires , Freycinet National Park , the Tasman Peninsula and Mount Wellington in the east. If this seems like an impossibly long list to work your way through, remember that Tasmania is in fact quite small (the only correct observation I’d held about it pre-visit) and an easy two-hour drive is all you need to get between most places.

If you have the opportunity to tackle the famous 65 kilometre overland track along the steep ridges and past the tumbling waterfalls of Cradle Mountain please do: if not, the two hour Dove Lake Circuit at the base of the mountain is almost as spectacular and will take you straight past the lake’s boat-shed, one of Tassie’s most frequently photographed landmarks.

Related: The official 10 best beaches in Australia

Over on the east coast, a trip to Freycinet National Park will put you smack bang in the middle of another of the state’s iconic landmarks – Wineglass Bay. Turquoise waters border the perfect crescent of white sand on one side and dense bushland on the other and is splendidly secluded, thanks to the fact it’s only accessible via a two hour hike. Chances are you’ll get this place all to yourself – at least for part of your visit – unless you count the local potoroos as company.

The locals at nearby Bay of Fires claim their beaches are more impressive than Wineglass Bay, despite the fact they’re lesser known: I agree. There’s something so appealing about the vivid colours along here – the crystal blue waters, almost blindingly white sand and trademark red boulders. The abundance of marine life also sweetens the deal, with hundreds of fish easily found along the shoreline, some getting washed up with the giant tentacles of seaweed brought in by the tide. Catching dinner has never been so easy.

Visit captivating Tasmania on a trip with Intrepid

Further south, right near Port Arthur (which is also well worth a visit, both for its eerie beauty and fascinating history), you’ll stumble upon the Tasman Peninsular. It’s wild and rugged, with millions of years of high winds and ferocious seas forming all manner of geological wonders from a fully-functioning blowhole (another one of which can be found in the charming seaside town of Bicheno) to Tasman’s Arch, Devil’s Kitchen and the world’s best example of tessellated pavement.

Mount Wellington is the final item on Tassie’s list of ridiculously beautiful landscapes, towering 1271 metres above the city of Hobart. There are stacks of hikes you can do up and around the mountain or – if you’re feeling lazy – a nice sealed road you can take to the top.

If you’re in the mood for a challenge, maybe you should consider the Point to Pinnacle half marathon that makes its way up the mountain every November. Your lungs may burst and your legs may give out but holy dooley, those views will be spectacular.

Related: What it’s like to explore Tasmania on a small group tour

With so much hiking on the cards, you’ll be pleased to know Tasmania is home to some of Australia’s best food. Don’t believe me? Try the lamb ribs at Launceston’s Geronimo , a Bruny Island Oyster, any of the forward-thinking fine dining dishes at Hobart’s Franklin or a spiced quince and walnut tart at Jackman and McRoss and then get back to me.

Tassie’s beverage scene is similarly excellent, with vineyards like Wines for Joanie , Delamere and Spring Vale producing highly slurpable delights. On the whisky front, Lark is doing magical things with fermented rye and Bruny Island House of Whisky knows how to pull off an exceptional tasting. As a bonus recommendation, try a bottle of Willie Smith’s Organic Cider wherever you stumble across it – its makers have managed to strike the perfect balance between sweet, bitter and bubbly.

Related: Connecting to Country on Tasmania’s incredible wukalina walk

I could quite literally go on and on about Tasmania and all its glory but, for now, I rest my case. Maybe it’s time you booked a trip and started your own love affair.

Tempted? We have a small group adventure that spends 9 days in beautiful Tasmania.

(Image credits: All c/o Kirsty Fanton except Devil’s Kitchen c/o iStock).

Feeling inspired?

Kirsty Fanton

Like 99% of other humans, Kirsty loves to travel and has devoted ample amounts of time and money to developing this hobby. On a more personal level, she loves to write, tries to dance and will do almost anything for ice-cream.

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What to do in Tasmania: our highlights guide

• Freycinet National Park

By Australia specialist Haley

While Tasmania might not receive as much as attention as other parts of Australia, it truly merits your exploration. With a concentration of celebrated Australian wilderness and wildlife, this island is a winning destination in its own right.

The western side is all verdurous mountains and highland lakes, the east is striated with huge cliff faces and beaches that rival any of the mainland’s sandy offerings. Its capital, Hobart, has a historical feel — more akin to a European city than those found on the Australian mainland. And its food? Some of Australia’s finest with a burgeoning foodie scene, award-winning whiskey distilleries, and a slew of new restaurants.

Tasmania is all about experiential travel, so what I’d really like to share here are some of the best quintessentially Tasmanian experiences you could base your trip around. They range from cultural visits to hiking routes along wild coastlines and exploring the island’s convict history to some of the best wildlife watching I’ve ever done.

Walking in Tasmania

Tasmania’s wild scenery is best experienced on the island’s extensive walking trails. There are more multi-day walks here – known as the Great Walks of Australia – than in all of the mainland. For instance, on the island’s western flank, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is a wilderness of weathered moorland, deciduous beech forest, sedgelands, and glacially fed lakes, overlooked by the dolerite columns of Cradle Mountain itself.

You can take an arduous scramble over scree to summit the mountain, but a better option is the Dove Lake Circuit, a moderate hike that takes about two and a half hours. It’s suitable for almost all fitness levels. You follow a loop track around the glassy lake, passing through a variety of terrain with clear views over Cradle Mountain’s spiky saddle.

Set off early because it’s the most popular walk in the park, and with good reason. At one point, you lose sight of the mountain as you enter a cool stretch of gum forest that looks like it has been dipped in mosses. Walking through it is like entering some hushed faerie realm. The route is also peppered with benches for sitting and admiring the views.

The Freycinet Peninsula, over on the east coast, also offers rewarding hiking. Wineglass Bay, an elegant crescent of buttery-shaded sand, is the focal point of most walks in Freycinet National Park, which encompasses the entire peninsula. You can reach a lofty lookout point over the bay in about two hours via a steep uphill track.

It’s one of those walks where you don’t get any teasing glimpses of the endpoint — the big view — until you hit the very top. You’re mostly ascending through bush before the trail opens out and deposits you on an overlook. The ocean was still a sparkling turquoise when I last visited — and that was in August, in the depths of the Australian winter.

If you plan on spending time in Freycinet National Park , I strongly recommend supplementing your walking with a cruise around the peninsula. You’ll see seals thronging the foot of vertiginous limestone cliffs. Out to sea, there’s the chance to spot whales and dolphins, too. I saw eight humpback whales blowholing and showing off their fins just a little way from the boat, as well as a pod of dolphins playing in the bow waves.

The best of Tasmania’s food and drink

Tasmanians are very proud of their local produce. Just driving around the island, you’ll come across roadside apple carts selling crunchy fruits and locally brewed cider. The Tamar Valley in northern Tasmania, while lacking the worldwide acclaim of somewhere like the Barossa , has some excellent cellars and dairies.

In fact, you can start your Tasmanian food peregrination as soon as you land in Hobart. On Saturdays, its waterfront comes alive with Salamanca Market, a huge outdoor market selling artisan crafts and fresh produce. In Tasmania’s summertime (December to February), you can browse to the sounds of live music.

But what, specifically, should you eat? In Hobart , opt for seafood chowder. It’s good everywhere you go, but I especially enjoyed the creamy comfort food option served at the Drunken Admiral pub. For a high-end dining experience, book in at Peppina in the new Tasman Hotel, which serves up an authentic Italian menu (featuring farm-fresh ingredients, of course) curated up by its head chef who hails from Naples, Italy.

Just outside of Hobart is a much-talked about experimental restaurant called Van Bone where every item on the menu is prepared in fire. The restaurant’s minimalist architecture proves a stirring juxtaposition to the rolling countryside and wild coastline where it resides. Meanwhile, in Launceston  on the north end of the island, visit Black Cow Steakhouse for a taste of local Tasmanian grass-fed steaks.

Tasmania is also home to more than 50 whisky distilleries — one even supplies bottles to Barack Obama. The labels on the bottles are still glued on by hand, so the owners were rather surprised when the former US president tried to place an order (they ignored his emails at first, thinking it a hoax).

Then, if you have time, take a 20-minute ferry ride to nearby Bruny Island  — the ferry terminal is about a 45-minute drive from Hobart. Really two islands for the price of one conjoined by a sandy isthmus, Bruny is covered in eucalypt forest and does two things extremely well: oysters and cheese. You can go the whole hog and visit one of the island’s oyster farms or, as I did, just go in for a tasting of some freshly shucked, succulent specimens. The cheesemakers also offer tastings and fragrance their wares with herbs such as lavender.

Wildlife adventures in Tasmania

Whether it’s taking a private wildlife tour at Pepperbush to look for platypus and bandicoots, visiting wily Tasmanian devils at Cradle Mountain , or gazing through binoculars to spot wrens and raptors, Tasmania’s wildlife is rich — especially for such a small island.

On a tour at Devils@Cradle, the rangers explain the origin of the devils’ name: when the first settlers arrived on Tasmania and heard their screeching-baby cries, they feared that something diabolic was hiding out there in the bush.

While Tasmania might be known for its eponymous devils, other animals to look out for include fluffy wombats, which are surprisingly swift, and petite wallabies. As you head down for breakfast at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge , you might be lucky to see wombats sleepily wandering by after their nocturnal adventures.

I’d also recommend taking a boat journey deep into the World Heritage area through the ancient Huon pine forests and explore the little-known islands of Maria and Bruny, with their abundant wildlife and walking opportunities.

Exploring Tasmania’s culture and convict history

The foreboding former Alcatraz-like penitentiary of Port Arthur , about 90 minutes from Hobart  on the Tasman Peninsula, is what most people associate with convict history in Tasmania. It’s well worth a visit to this intriguing UNESCO World Heritage site to get a better understanding of the history that shaped this island.

Another World Heritage site in Tasmania on my list is the scenic port town of Strahan , set at the mouth of the limpid Gordon River. Here, you can visit Sarah Island in the middle of Strahan’s Macquarie Harbour, where some of Europe’s most wanted were put to work felling pine trees.

To delve deeper into Tasmania’s culture, visit the Mona (Museum of Old and New Art) in Hobart. The self-described ‘weird and wonderful’ museum started out as a small collection of antiquities and has expanded into an exhibition space as well as a base for live music, a well-stocked library, recording studio, and more. With places to eat and drink on site, it’s very easy to while away a day here basking in Tasmanian history and modern art exhibits alike.

Planning a trip to Tasmania

If you want to really experience everything Tasmania has to offer, I’d aim to spend around 10 to 14 days here — although, of course, shorter visits that focus on only a few areas are also possible. Tassie, as locals call it, can be easily explored via a loop that crosses parts of the island’s blissfully undeveloped interior.

Direct flights arrive into Hobart  from Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane , and Perth . I’d begin your trip with a few days here, perhaps venturing out to Bruny Island , before driving northwest to Strahan . Then cut across east to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park , and continue to the northeast corner to spend a few days exploring the remote country around Scottsdale. You could then drive south down the island’s east coast, stopping off at Freycinet National Park  to explore Wineglass Bay.

Roads are winding, and although the distances aren’t huge, driving between places can take longer than your GPS device estimates. So try and leave yourself as long as possible, and enjoy the ride.

Start planning your trip to Tasmania 

Classic Tasmania self-drive tour

10 days from $3,270pp

Australia's great walks: Tasmania & Western Australia

15 days from $9,220pp

Ultimate luxury tour of Australia

17 days from $38,900pp

Start thinking about your experience. These itineraries are simply suggestions for how you could enjoy some of the same experiences as our specialists. They’re just for inspiration, because your trip will be created around your particular tastes.

Further reading

• What to do in Australia: our highlights guide
• Driving vacations in Australia: beyond the Great Ocean Road
• Honeymoons in Australia: from Outback adventures to island havens
• Family vacations in Australia
• Shining a spotlight on South Australia's wildlife & landscapes

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Tasmania Travel Guide

Why you should visit Tasmania

Few international visitors manage to get to Tasmania, and even us locals tend to leave the state for our later years and what a mistake that is. We finally visited Tasmania in 2016 and had a memorable three weeks driving around the island and still not seeing it all!

• Natural and Cultural UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Fantastic colonial architecture, especially in Port Arthur and Hobart
• The cleanest air in the world
• An abundance of fresh local seafood
• Some of Australia’s most picturesque walking trails

Tasmania is the perfect destination for adventure and outdoor lovers. There are 19 National Parks across the state, offering a ridiculous number of  epic hikes , places to climb, paddle and cycle. Active travellers could easily spend months here and not do it all.

Regions in Tasmania

The Apple Isle offers something for everyone with pristine beaches, historic settlements and amazing food.

The five regions in Tasmania are:

• The East Coast
• North and North West

Tasmania is the perfect state to hike or road trip.

What’s New Tasmania

The Six Best Hikes in Tasmania

When is the best time to visit Tasmania

Tasmania travel planning.

Almost the same size as Ireland or Sri Lanka, Tasmania is   compact but bursting with things to see and do!

How to get to Tasmania

Many people fly into the north and out of the south, which is an excellent way to do it. If flights are cheaper for a return trip, the drive up the middle of the island between Hobart and Launceston is only a few hours.

There are four airports on the island:

• Hobart  – Daily flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. It takes one hour, 45 minutes to fly from Sydney and one hour from Melbourne. There are flights almost hourly from Melbourne
• Launceston  – Daily flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane
• Devenport  – Daily flights from Melbourne
• Burnie  – Daily flights from Melbourne

You can also fly from Melbourne to King or Flinders Islands.

Quite a few cruises visit Tasmania, with the main stop being Hobart; however, there are also anchorages in Coles Bay, Port Arthur and Burnie, giving you a chance to see some of the best parts of the country while you are visiting.

The Spirit of Tasmania Ferry

The main benefit of taking the ferry from Melbourne to Tasmania is that you can take your car, motorbike or caravan with you. There are two ferries daily between Melbourne and the northern city of Devonport. You can choose between a day or a night trip, which takes between 9-11 hours .  Tickets are best purchased a few months out as they can get quite pricey at the last minute. The journey can get a little rough, so if you are prone to seasickness, be sure to get some medication before you leave.

Local’s tip : If you suffer from seasickness, take a day ferry, the seas are generally rougher at night.

Cruise ships also often include a stop at Hobart en route to New Zealand.

highlights of Tasmania

Getting around Tasmania

Tasmania is one state where renting a car and driving around the island is the best choice. If you can’t drive or prefer not to rent a car, taking a tour is probably the next best option.

Driving distances

• Hobart to Launceston – 2hrs 30m
• Hobart to Port Arthur – 1hr 40m
• Hobart to Cradle Mountain – 4hrs
• Hobart to Wineglass Bay – 2hrs 45m
• Hobart to Bruny Island – 1hr 50m
• Launceston to Cradle Mountain – 2hrs

Some excellent tours run by eco-certified operators will help you reach the best parts of Tasmania. There are also luxury tours, walking tours and fully escorted tours for those who prefer to do things in style.

Public Transport in Tasmania

There is no passenger train service in Tasmania. Two companies offer long-distance buses.

• Redline travel between Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie.
• Tassielink travel between the East Coast, Tasman Peninsular, Huon Valley and Queenstown and several smaller places.

Using public transport requires planning and patience as services are limited and not always direct, but it can be done!

We hope our Tasmania Travel Guide has given you enough to start planning your trip to Tassy. If you have any questions pop over to our Facebook Group and we will be happy to try to help.

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Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Tasmania, the Fast-Transforming & Flourishing Australian Island State

By Travis Levius

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Cut off from Australia ’s mainland by the Bass Strait, Tasmania is the country’s lone island state—and arguably its hottest destination. Defying its past reputation as a sleepy, rustic wonderland with little cosmopolitan flair, today Tasmania is slowly blossoming with unique natural and cultural tours and experiences, a tour de force culinary scene, and game-changing city hotel openings—attracting wilderness-seekers , gourmands, and contemporary art lovers in equal measure. For a curated set of suggestions for your next Tasmanian adventure, here are some of the finest places and things to do in Tasmania for your Down Under bucket list.  

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

MONA's Crucifix, 1955, Sidney Nolan; The Naked Studio, 1981, Brett Whiteley; Vitalis, 2007, Toby Ziegler

If you asked a local which place helped put Tasmania on the tourism map, they’d likely point to the 2011 opening of a monstrous subterranean art gallery near Hobart. The MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) is Australia’s largest private museum, and among the world’s most provocative—think sensory-altering spaces by James Turrell and a wall of porcelain cast female genitals—and its sandstone-embedded architecture is a visual marvel unto itself.

The 2021 launch of takara nipaluna (Walking Hobart) tours might be Tasmania’s most culturally significant, as guests learn the devastating and unknown history of Tasmanian Aboriginal life in the Hobart region, led by palawa/warlpiri woman Nunami Sculthorpe-Green. For more unsung Hobart history, Cascade Female Factory Historic Site preserves the tormented legacy of a female colonial Australian prison through exhibitions, guided site tours, and powerful, interactive one-woman performances.

The great outdoors is Tasmania’s top draw. Take a spirited night hike atop Mount Wellington, looming above the city of Hobart, with Walk on Kunanyi ; explore Launceston’s gorgeous Cataract Gorge and the Tamar River via foot pedal-operated kayak (no arm muscles required) with Launceston Kayak ; and schlep past granite boulders to Wineglass Bay Lookout in Freycinet National Park to see one of the world’s most iconic beach viewpoints.

For the ultimate and time-saving Tassie adventure, take flight with Tasmania Air Tours , an ace operator with packaged and bespoke heli-charters to the region’s finest cellar doors and distilleries, natural landmarks, private beach picnics, and more. A well-charged camera is imperative if capturing stunning aerial views of Hobart and the surrounding Coal River Valley Region appeals.

Crispy pork belly, umeboshi, Tokyo turnip, garlic chip at Stillwater Restaurant

Aloft restaurant's dining room

Where to eat

Tasmania’s culinary reputation punches well above its weight as Australia’s smallest state, thanks to the many sustainable-minded farmers, winemakers, and distillers making the most of the bountiful terrain (and surrounding sea). In gastro hotspot Hobart, waterfront-based Aloft offers seasonal set menus blending Tasmanian ingredients with hints of pan-Asian flavor, elevated by all-Tasmanian wine pairings, effervescent service, and wraparound harbor views. At The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel , step inside a modern glass-ceilinged trattoria at Peppina , Hobart’s finest Italian restaurant with food from Tasmanian-born, Naples-raised Chef Massimo Mele. After your meal, head to the slick adjoining hotel bar Mary Mary for native ingredient-based cocktails inside a space that way formerly a 19th-century hospital.

A 40 minute’s drive from Hobart to New Norfolk will bring you to Agrarian Kitchen Eatery , a handsome cookery estate repurposed from a historic mental asylum. Hyper-local produce is king at their airy restaurant (as are the all-Tasmanian beer and wine selections), and October 2022 will see a new cooking school and kitchen garden. It’s worth venturing up north to charming Launceston just to experience Stillwater Restaurant , a relaxed, riverbank-based gem housed in a former flour mill (the team also hosts a smart seven-room lodge there) still at the top of its game after opening in 2000.

Tasmania’s wine and spirits scene is top-notch, too. Biodynamic vino lovers will enjoy a Tuscany-style cellar door visit to Stefano Lubiana Wines , renowned for their pinot grigio and sparkling varieties, and whiskey buffs now need to add the town of Oatlands to the itinerary for the brand-new, instantly impressive Callington Mill Distillery .

Guest room at The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Where to stay

Hobart’s current hotel talk of the town is The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel , a sophisticated downtown-based five-star honed in on heritage (and the now) with three era-specific buildings welded as one. Find 152 modern yet elegant guest rooms and suites, white-hot dining and cocktail bar venues, and masterfully preserved 19th and 20th Century architecture which still oozes contemporary character. Near The Tasman in MacQuarie Wharf is MACq01 , a quirky upmarket hotel overlooking the Derwent River where creative Tasmanian storytelling—seen in the hallway illustrations, in-room artifacts of historic local characters and the three immersive tours on offer—is the theme. 

Saffire Freycinet , an iconic 20-suite luxury resort shouldering Freycinet National Park, is the stuff of dreams. There is no bad view of The Hazards’ quartet of pink granite peaks and Coles Bay from any of the suites’ terraces, nor from the glassy manta ray-shaped main lodge where degustation menus and spa treatments take center stage. Unforgettable complimentary activities include wading in waist-high bay water with sparkling wine and just-shucked oysters in hand at a marine farm, encountering endangered Tasmanian devils from their private enclosure, and guided tours of the national park.

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AUSTRALIA , OCEANIA , TASMANIA · February 11, 2020 Last Updated on March 16, 2024

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VISITING TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA

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Affectionately known to locals as “Tassie”, Tasmania is the only island state in Australia. It’s well-known for its rugged wilderness, clean air, fascinating art scene, great hiking, and equally fabulous food and wine.

Tassie is an area of Australia that is seldom visited by international tourists, but in my opinion, is extremely underrated!

By international standard, some of Tasmania’s stunning landscapes have regularly found their way onto world-renowned “best of” travel destination lists.

Tourism hotspots such as Wineglass Bay, the Bay of Fires and Cradle Mountain, have been notably featured in Lonely Planet’s annual ‘Best of Travel’ in previous years.

Since visiting Tasmania, I haven’t been able to stop talking it up.

Although I’m Australian born and bred and have been fortunate enough to travel extensively within my home country, Tasmania was one state that I hadn’t previously had the chance to fully explore. And to be honest, the one week I spent there simply wasn’t long enough.

But if you’re planning to visit Australia, then indeed Tasmania should be added to your itinerary.

This comprehensive guide details everything you need to know before you visit Tasmania, including how to get there, when to go, and what to do, plus a few sample itineraries.

Why Should You Visit Tasmania?

I get it; the rest of Australia is so large and there are so many places to see – why should you spend the limited time you have touring around Tasmania?

Well, for one if you like to get away from the crowds of tourists, love good food and wine, or if you’re a bit of a nature lover, then Tasmania is somewhere you should absolutely add to your bucket list – stat!

Tasmania has been dubbed one of the world’s last accessible wilderness frontiers!

In spite of this, traveling around Tasmania is actually no more difficult than traveling around the rest of Australia.

And with 80% of the island is covered in world heritage wilderness areas and national parks , it’s very easy to find a spot away from the tourists and get your nature fix.

Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world!

Tasmania is often referred to as the only place in the world where you could bottle the air. In fact, the only place on earth where the air is cleaner is Antarctica.

Tasmania’s food, wine, and arts scene are second to none!

I’m not kidding. This little island, quite possibly, has the best food producers, best wineries and most incredible museums in Australia.

For more information, be sure to read our complete guide on the Best Airbnbs in Tasmania and 8 Reasons You Should Visit Tasmania ! 

Tasmania At-A-Glance

Do you know the little heart-shaped island at the bottom of mainland Australia that quite often gets left off maps? Yep – that’s Tasmania!

Most international visitors tend to skip Tassie in favor of other ‘more accessible’ Aussie hotspots because there is a common misconception that it’s too difficult to get there. In fact, you can reach Tassie in under an hour’s flight from Melbourne.

Tasmania may seem small in comparison to the rest of Australia – it is, after all, the country’s smallest state. However, it is quite a large island.

Being 6.8 million hectares in size, Tasmania is actually larger than Switzerland, Ireland or Sri Lanka. And over 500,000 Aussies call the island state home!

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How to Get to Tasmania

There are two ways you can reach Tasmania from mainland Australia:

By Plane: Tasmania’s two largest cities – Hobart and Launceston – are serviced by regular passenger flights from Australia’s mainland. Flight time from Melbourne is approximately 45 minutes, and 90 minutes from Sydney.

There are also regular connections from other Australian and International cities. All of Australia’s major airlines – Qantas , Virgin Australia , Tigerair and Jetstar – offer flights to Hobart and Launceston.

By Boat: The Spirit of Tasmania car and passenger ferry offers regular services across the Bass Strait from Melbourne to Devonport. The journey takes between 9 and 11 hours.

How to Get Around Tasmania

Rent a vehicle.

As mentioned earlier, Tasmania is a big island. Most of the best things to see and do in Tasmania are located outside the main cities, but easily reachable by car. For this reason, I would highly recommend hiring a car or campervan and planning a road trip!

The roads in Tasmania are much the same as the rest of the country – sealed and well maintained.

To hire a car in Australia, you will most likely require an international driver’s license, as many travel insurance companies will not cover you without obtaining one before you leave your home country. Be sure to check your travel insurance policy before you leave home.

Also, remember that Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road!

Take Public Transport

While the island may be big, the cities of Hobart and Launceston are relatively small, and most of the attractions within the city limits are easily reachable on foot, bike, taxi or public buses. Rideshare services, such as Uber, are also available in Hobart and Launceston.

So, if you plan on spending most of your time in one of these two cities, then there is no need to rent a vehicle. However, if you just stay in the city, you are really missing out on the best that Tasmania has to offer.

If driving is not an option, there are a few public bus services connecting Hobart and Launceston, as well as some regional areas around the island. The two main bus companies are Tassielink and Redline .

But once again, you will likely miss some of the more remote attractions. If you are planning to catch a bus around Tassie and are okay with sticking to the regular tourist trail, then both these bus companies offer a variety of routes that may be suitable.

Join a Tour

Another alternative is to join a group tour around Tasmania. GetYourGuide lists several small group tours in and around Tasmania.

• Cradle Mountain: Day Trip from Launceston with Lunch
• Bruny Island Day Trip from Hobart
• Bruny Island Wilderness Coast Eco-Tour from Hobart
• Tasman Peninsula Tour, Cruise & Port Arthur Historic Site
• Wineglass Bay and Maria Island Scenic Flight Experience
• Launceston: Tamar Valley Wine Tour with Lunch and Cheese
• From Triabunna: Maria Island Cruise & Guided Walk with Lunch
• Bruny Island: Full-Day Food, Lighthouse & Sightseeing Tour
• From Coles Bay: Wineglass Bay Cruise with Lunch
• Tasman Island: 3-Hour Wilderness Cruise

The Best Times to Visit Tasmania

Summer (december to february).

Tasmania’s cities and towns are buzzing throughout the summer months (December to February), as this is the peak tourist and festival season.

Summer is also the best time to escape the crowds and head into the wilderness for outdoor activities such as hiking, white-water rafting and mountain biking.

Given Tasmania’s proximity to the south pole, the island experiences relatively cool climates throughout the year, even during the summer. So, it is wise to always pack layers.

Winter (May to September)

The wintertime (May through September) in Tasmania is seriously underrated, in my opinion. I visited in June and although the temperature was cool – waterproof puffer jackets and layers are a must – the lack of tourists seriously made up for the cooler weather.

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking trails all to themselves, but caution needs to be exercised at this time of year as the weather can be unpredictable and people occasionally find themselves stranded overnight in the Tasmanian wilderness during the winter months.

If you’re not an experienced or prepared hiker, be sure to stick to the signed trails.

Hobart’s acclaimed winter food and arts festival, Dark Mofo , is held annually during the winter solstice month of June.

It’s well worth timing your trip to Tassie along with the festival dates, so you can experience the wacky modern art exhibitions, world-class music events, and spectacular food and wine experiences that this month-long event offers.

Shoulder Seasons

Spring and Autumn (October through November and March through April) are also great times to visit Tasmania.

The crowds tend to thin out and accommodation and airfares tend to be cheaper than the summer months.

There are also a few food and wine festivals during the shoulder seasons and hiking conditions are still relatively good – although the odd snowfall or windstorm is still possible.

How Much Time Do You Need to Visit Tasmania?

There is a lot to see in Tasmania, so you’ll want to allow at least a few days or one week. If you really want to see the entire island, you would need at least 2-3 weeks, however.

To help you plan your trip, below are a few sample itineraries for 3 days, one week or two weeks on the island so you can make a plan that suits the amount of time that you have to spend in Tasmania.

3 Day Itinerary

If you only have a few days, it is possible to add a long-weekend or three-day trip to Tasmania as a side trip from Melbourne . Just a short hop over the Bass Straight, only 45 minutes flight away.

In three days, you are able to at least explore one of both of the main cities – Hobart and Launceston.

Option 1 – Explore Launceston and its Surrounds

Book a return flight to Launceston. Spend the three days exploring the city, visit Cataract Gorge , do a Tamar Valley Wine Trail and take a day trip to either Cradle Mountain or the Bay of Fires .

Option 2 – Explore Hobart and its Surrounds

Book a return flight to Hobart. Spend the three days exploring Hobart city and waterfront, visit MONA Museum , take a drive (or hike) up to the top of Mount Wellington, and visit the historic Port Arthur convict settlement.

Allow a full day for a trip to Freycinet National Park to see Wineglass Bay, or go hiking in Mount Field National Park, or head off on a food odyssey around Bruny Island.

Option 3 – Fly into Hobart and out of Launceston (or Vice Versa)

We recommend booking your departure flight from Melbourne to one of these two cities and your return flight from the other.

Spend one day exploring each city and one day doing a road trip between Hobart and Launceston, stopping off at a few of the attractions along the way.

One Week Itinerary

One week is the ideal amount of time to get a good taste of Tasmania’s main tourist drawcards, the majority of which are located along the East Coast Drive. This is also one of the most popular and most easily accessible regions of Tasmania.

During our visit, we opted for a one-week road trip from Hobart and Launceston along the popular east coast of Tasmania. To complete this same itinerary, I would suggest booking your inbound flight to Hobart and return from Launceston.

This itinerary was the perfect amount of time to visit the Bay of Fires, Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay, Port Arthur, and Bruny Island. It also includes some time to explore the main cities.

In Hobart we visited MONA Museum, the Salamanca Markets, and Mount Wellington; and in Launceston, we added Cataract Gorge and the Tamar Valley wine region to our itinerary.

Two Week Itinerary

If you have more time and are determined to get a taste of the ‘entire’ island, you could start with the one-week itinerary above and extend it to include a second week.

During the second week, I would suggest exploring the central and north-western parts, including Cradle Mountain National Park , Mount Field National Park, Burnie and more.

The western region of Tasmania is much more remote than the east side. The density of National Parks is much larger in the western and central regions, meaning that you can expect to do a lot more hiking.

On the plus side, the remoteness of the western side of the island means there are far fewer tourists, so if you like a bit of peace and quiet, you will probably really enjoy this region.

There are also some great cozy cabins and BnBs with stunning nature settings around this part of the island.

Where to Stay in Tasmania

Tasmania has a ton of amazing accommodation options suitable for every type of budget. To help you find the perfect place to stay, we’ve rounded up all of the best Airbnbs in Tasmania to book the perfect stay for your trip!

Where to Stay in Hobart

Airbnbs in hobart.

• Captains Cottage
• West Hobart 3 Bedroom Cottage
• Pillinger Street Luxury Home

Luxury Hotels in Hobart

• Zero Davey Boutique Apartment Hotel
• MACq 01 Hotel
• The Henry Jones Art Hotel

Mid-Range Hotels in Hobart

• Ibis Styles Hobart
• Macquarie Manor
• Rydges Hobart

Budget Hotels in Hobart

• The Nook Backpackers
• The Brunswick Hotel
• Hobart’s Accommodation & Hostel

Where to Stay in Launceston

Airbnbs in launceston.

• Cataract Gorge Townhouse
• The Townhouse Tasmania
• Hedera – Heritage Luxury

Luxury Hotels in Launceston

• Peppers Silo
• Peppers Seaport Hotel
• The Sebel Launceston
• Stillwater Seven

Mid-Range Hotels in Launceston

• Hotel Launceston
• Art Hotel on York
• The Florance

Budget Hotels in Launceston

• Nightcap at Riverside Hotel
• Mowbray Hotel

Where to Stay on Tasmania’s East Coast

• Airbnbs on the East Coast
• BIG4 St Helens Holiday Park
• Twamley Farm
• Freycinet Lodge
• Cod Rock Point

Where to Stay in Central Tasmania

• Airbnbs in Central Tasmania
• Peppers Cradle Mountain
• Cradle Mountain Hotel
• Pedder Wilderness Lodge

Where to Stay in Western Tasmania

• Airbnbs on the West Coast
• Strahan Village
• West Coaster Motel
• Ship Inn Stanley

Where to Eat in Tasmania

If you love food, then you are going to LOVE Tasmania!

The island is well-known for its fresh seafood, world-class culinary establishments, artisan food producers, and award-winning wineries.

Tasmania’s food producers include a vast array of artisan dairy farms, coffee roasteries, cold climate wines, fresh seafood, whiskey and gin distilleries, and craft breweries – just to name a few.

• Check out the artisan food stalls at the Salamanca Markets
• Wait alongside Hobart’s trendiest locals for a coveted bunch spot at Small-fry’s tiny 12-seat communal dining table.
• Book a table in advance for the ultimate farm-to-table dining experience at The Source Restaurant – MONA’s premier fine-dining establishment, offering the freshest local and seasonal produce.
• For something a little different, try a cooking class at The Agrarian Kitchen .
• Head off on a day trip around Bruny Island sampling locally sourced or produced oysters, cheese, chocolate, whiskey and beer (details below).
• Go south from Launceston and sample some of the finest Tasmanian wines at Josef Chromy Cellar Door Café and Winery .
• Along the east coast, you won’t want to miss Lifebuoy Café and Quail Street Emporium for great coffee and antiques.
• Sample a cheese board and wine while watching the dairy cows hard at work at the Pyengana Dairy .
• Feed the pigs a ‘beer’ at The Pub in the Paddock .
• Sample beautiful fresh oysters at the Mellshell Oyster Shack at Coles Bay.

Launceston is another food and wine lovers haven. Some of the best places to eat include:

• Moores Hill Estate in the Tamar Valley is Tasmania’s first completely off-the-grid winery.
• Bluestone Bar and Kitchen offers a unique dining experience, combining fresh local produce with Asian flavors.
• Stillwater offers a fine dining experience, set in an old flour mill overlooking the water.
• Take a day trip to admire the stunning modern cellar door at Clover Hill Winery , and sample some of Australia’s finest sparkling wines, made the traditional French way.

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Tasmania

1)   explore the natural wilderness of cradle mountain.

Cradle Mountain is one of the most stunning places in Tasmania, if not the world.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is one of Tasmania’s most visited regions and is located around 2.5 hours’ drive from Launceston.

It’s part of the Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness Area , and the surrounding landscape ranges from grasslands to rainforest, lakes, and mountains. If you’re lucky you might spot a Tasmanian Devil.

Cradle Mountain offers a diverse range of walking trails, from easy one-day hikes to multi-day treks for the more adventurous. There is a range of accommodation options available within the park – from cabins and chalets to campgrounds.

2)   Learn About Port Authur’s Dark History

Port Arthur is a UNESCO World Heritage listed convict settlement built back in the early 1800s. Located around one-hour drive south-east of Hobart and retains a somewhat dark-history.

The site features a restaurant, bar, cemetery, beautiful gardens and ruins from old colonial buildings and a coal mine. Don’t forget to wear good walking shoes, as Port Arthur is a large site to explore.

The evening ghost tour is a must-do experience!

3)   Admire the Controversial Works of Art at MONA

Nowhere in the world will you encounter the same controversial and cutting-edge, modern works of art than MONA Museum in Hobart.

Since opening in 2011, MONA has been making a name for itself all over Australia, if not the world, for its unique interpretations of modern expressionist artworks.

Kids, adults and even non-art-lovers will be captured by what’s on offer. The museum is set in a subterranean gallery that resembles a purpose-built mine shaft, featuring unique artworks such as the poop machine.

There’s also a multitude of excellent food venues, bars, a winery, and accommodation.

If you’re staying in Hobart city, I highly recommend catching the MONA ROMA ferry from Hobart Waterfront. The spectacular 30-minute ride along the Derwent River is an experience in itself.

4)   Feast Your Way Around Bruny Island

If food is the main reason you decided to visit Tasmania, then you cannot go past Bruny Island . Located under an hour’s drive south of Hobart, and a short vehicle ferry ride from the mainland, Bruny Island is quite simply foodie heaven!

On one tiny island you’ll find freshly shucked oysters (that you can purchase from a drive-thru window) at Get Shucked, many different varieties of gin and whiskey, locally brewed beers and artisan cheeses at …, hand-made chocolates, and so much more!

And you simply cannot miss the stunning views from the Neck Lookout .

5)   See the Stunning Red Rocks at the Bay of Fires

This one my absolute favorite place in Tasmania. With white-sand beaches, stunning turquoise waters and contrasting red rocks, the Bay of Fires is a photographer’s dream.

The boulders get their ‘red’ color from lichen (a type of algae) that has grown on the granite boulders over many years.

Located on the northeast coast of Tasmania, the Bay of Fires is a good reason to visit Tasmania alone. While the coastline stretches over 50 km, the sleepy coastal village of Binalong Bay is the best point to access the bay and take a walk around the shoreline.

For a unique viewpoint, opt for a boat ride along the coastline with Bay of Fires Eco Tours or you can do a 2 day tour of the Bay of Fires and Wineglass Bay .

6)   Descend into Cataract Gorge in Launceston

Just 15 minutes’ walk from downtown Launceston, Cataract Gorge is a deep chasm carved between two rock faces by the Esk River. The views are simply stunning.

Take a stroll along the suspension bridge, tackle one of the many hiking trails, take a cruise along the Esk River, or for the less adventurous, there’s a chair lift that takes you across the gorge.

Alternatively, you can simply admire the views over a glass of wine at the Gorge Restaurant.

7)   Go on a Wine Trail Around the Tamar Valley

Within a half-hour from Launceston, you’ll find Tasmania’s premier wine region along the Tamar River. The cool climate of this region makes the perfect conditions for Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Gewurztraminer.

With more than 30 cellar doors, the Tamar Valley Wine Route is well-signed and offers a great day trip option from Launceston. Be sure to check out Australia’s first completely off-the-grid winery – Moore’s Hill Estate.

8)   Take in the Stunning Views of Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park

A visit to Tasmania wouldn’t be complete without seeing the jewel of the island – Wineglass Bay!

Located on the Freycinet Peninsula, on the east coast of Tasmania, there are many hiking trails and viewpoints to see this stunning National Park. Wineglass Bay is about 2.5 hours’ drive from Hobart.

There’s a multitude of activities to enjoy in Freycinet National Park, including Wineglass Bay boat tours , kayaking, quad biking, bushwalking, and helicopter tours.

Most accommodation is located around Coles Bay, ranging from camping to luxury lodges .

9)   Admire the Vistas from Mount Wellington

Towering over the city of Hobart, Mount Wellington offers spectacular views of the city and the Derwent River when it’s not covered in clouds.

There is plenty of hiking and biking trails around the mountain, as well as rock climbing for the adventurous at heart. This is undoubtedly one of the best free things to do in Hobart.

10)   Tackle one of Tasmania’s Epic Hiking Trails

Tasmania is a haven for serious and amateur hikers. The island has various trails available from half-hour walks to spectacular viewpoints, to 6-day long treks in the remote wilderness.

If you’re not much of a hiker and looking for a bushwalk that allows you to reach a beautiful viewpoint within a few hours, the Wineglass Bay Lookout trail is a perfect option. It’s only 90 minutes return. Cradle Mountain also offers several day-hikes.

For serious hikers, the epic 46 km coastal trail along the Three Capes Track is sure to impress., or the Overland Track through the iconic Cradle Mountain region.

For one the most remote walking trails on earth check out the South Coast Track, but you’ll have to allow yourself at least 6 days to complete this one.

Tasmania also offers many multi-day lodge-to-lodge treks, where you hike 10-18 km during the day and stay in luxury lodges overnight, with multi-course food and wine experiences – the epitome of luxury adventure travel.

Hikes to check out include the Bay of Fires Lodge Walk, Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, and the Maria Island Walk.

Other Things to Do in Tasmania

• See a Tasmanian Devil at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
• Visit one of the many excellent cold-climate wineries all over the Island
• Check out the spectacular rock formations at Tasman National Park
• Go shopping for foodies and other goodies at the Salamanca Markets in Hobart
• See the Aurora Australis (similar to the Aurora Borealis, but much rarer)
• Climb “The Nut” at Stanley
• Go Clay Target Shooting at Twamley Farm
• Run through the Lavender Fields at Bridestowe Estate
• Celebrate all things sparkling wine related at Effervescence Tasmania Festival, which runs during the month of November
• Check out the beautifully painted cliffs on Maria Island
• Visit the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs
• Stay at the very Instagrammable Pumphouse Point Hotel
• Take a cruise along the Gordon river

Read our Top 10 Places To Visit In Tasmania article for more things to do!

Tasmania Wrap Up

We hope this article has inspired you to visit Tasmania and has all the information you need to plan your own trip. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below.

For more information about Tasmania, be sure to check out the official Tourism Tasmania website.

We hope that this article has helped inspire you to visit Tasmania. If you have any questions or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.

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Read More About Australia

• The 10 Best AirBnBs in Tasmania
• Top 10 Places to Visit in Tasmania
• Road Trip Through Western Australia
• An Insiders Guide To Sydney
• 7 Things You Can’t Miss In Brisbane
• 4 Scenic Places To Visit In Margaret River

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Wendy Hermans says

July 5, 2021 at 6:21 am

Hi, my husband and I are looking for a travel destination from 11 Nov till 7 Dec and we were thinking about Tasmania. We are from Belgium (Europe), love nature and day hikes, so after reading your article I am pretty convinced that we will love Tasmania. But we will have to wait with booking our flights until we know more about the covid situation and travel regulations from/to Belgium and Australia.

I was just wondering if mid and end of November is too early for Tasmania. (We hate rain during holidays …. since we have enough of it in Belgium, year round ;o)) )

cheers! Wendy

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Exclusive Member of Mediavine Travel

• 2 Cities and townships
• 3 Other destinations
• 4.1 History
• 4.2 Geography
• 4.3 Politics
• 4.4 Climate
• 4.5 Economy
• 4.6 Holidays
• 4.7 Time zone
• 4.8 Tourist information
• 5.1 By plane
• 5.2 By ferry
• 6.3 By train
• 6.4 By plane
• 6.5 By bicycle
• 7.1 Wildlife
• 7.2 Landmarks
• 14.1 In the bush
• 14.2 Wildlife
• 14.4 Bushfires

Tasmania is the island state of Australia , southeast of the mainland. Tasmania encompasses the main island of Tasmania, the 26th largest island in the world, and over 1000 smaller islands, both inhabited and uninhabited. It is the smallest state in Australia by both area and by population, with just over 500,000 permanent residents. Over 45% of Tasmania is protected by national parks and world heritage sites, and it features diverse climates, flora and fauna, many of which are found nowhere else in Australia, and a rich heritage, both Indigenous and post-colonial.

You'll find the inhabitants notably more polite, friendly and helpful than in big cities on the mainland such as Melbourne , Sydney and Brisbane .

Regions [ edit ]

Other [ edit ]

• Macquarie Island is a Subantarctic island around 1,500 km (930 mi) south-southeast of Tasmania. While it's administered as part of the Huon Valley, it's geologically, physically, and ecologically closer to many other Subantarctic islands, particularly the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands .

Cities and townships [ edit ]

• -42.880556 147.325 1 Hobart – the state capital and largest city located in the south of the island
• -41.866667 148.283333 2 Bicheno – beach town on the east coast
• -41.063611 145.875278 3 Burnie – the fourth largest city in Tasmania
• -41.180556 146.346389 4 Devonport – home to the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, third largest city
• -43.033333 147.033333 5 Huonville – gateway to southern Tasmania
• -41.441944 147.145 6 Launceston – the second largest city
• -42.080556 145.555556 7 Queenstown – historic mining town on the west coast
• -42.733333 147.433333 8 Richmond – home to many old buildings dating back to the 19th century as well as the oldest bridge in use in Australia
• -42.15 145.316667 9 Strahan – one of the most isolated (and beautiful) parts of Australia and the largest centre in western Tasmania.

Other destinations [ edit ]

Tasmania has some of the most beautiful and diverse scenery not just in Australia but also the world. Over 45 percent of Tasmania is protected in national parks so you can't make a visit here without checking at least a couple of national parks out. The UNESCO World Heritage site Tasmanian Wilderness covers about a quarter of Tasmania. There's a park for every season and for every person. Discover spectacular landscapes from highlands carved by glaciers, including the only fjords in Australia, to quiet solitary beaches, from cool and silent rainforests, to colourful alpine wilderness wild flowers. Tasmania's 19 national parks encompass a diversity of unspoiled habitats and ecosystems which offer refuge to unique, and often ancient, plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.

• -41.566667 147.666667 1 Ben Lomond National Park – mountain with a ski resort.
• -43.366667 147.283333 2 Bruny Island – perhaps Tasmania's most visited offshore island
• -42.125278 148.298333 5 Freycinet National Park – known for its beaches and bay.
• -42.655278 146.5875 7 Mount Field National Park – one of the more visited national parks in Tasmania, and a popular skiing area

Understand [ edit ]

History [ edit ].

Tasmania has been inhabited by humans for approximately 60,000 years. Between around 6,000 BCE, sea levels rose and Aboriginal Tasmanians were entirely isolated from the rest of the human race, until the first contact with Europeans in 1777.

The first reported sighting of Tasmania by a European was on 24 November 1642 by the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. Captain James Cook landed at Adventure Bay in 1777. Matthew Flinders and George Bass first proved Tasmania to be an island in 1798–99.

The first European settling of Tasmania was by the British at Risdon Cove on the eastern bank of the Derwent estuary in 1804. Penal settlements were established at Sullivans Cove (Hobart), Maria Island, Sarah Island, and Port Arthur . The colony changed its name from "Van Diemen's Land" to "Tasmania" in 1856. The Colony of Tasmania existed from 1856 until 1901, when it federated with the five other Australian colonies to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

Geography [ edit ]

Located in the Southern Ocean separated from mainland Australia by the Bass Strait and from New Zealand by the Tasman Sea, Tasmania is Australia's smallest state, with an area of 68,400 km² (26,410 square miles). It is comparable in size to the Canadian province of New Brunswick or the country of Ireland . It's within the range of the notorious "Roaring Forties" winds that encircle the globe.

Tasmania's population is focused in the southeast and north in the regions around the cities of Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Devonport.

The Midlands (the area between Hobart and Launceston) is the driest region of Tasmania and is primarily used for cattle and sheep grazing. The Huon Valley and the area between Launceston and Burnie is used for both agriculture and horticulture. The Central Highlands, the West Coast and the Southwest Wilderness are all mountainous forested areas, a majority of which are protected inside national parks.

Tasmania is very mountainous: while its tallest mountain, Mount Ossa, at 1,617 m (5,305 ft) is not that high compared to global standards, the mountains are what characterise Tasmania. Much of Tasmania is densely forested, with Southwest National Park and neighbouring areas home to some of the last pristine temperate rainforests in the Southern Hemisphere.

Politics [ edit ]

Tasmania is one of the six founding members of the Commonwealth of Australia. It is separated into 29 smaller local government areas.

Like all other states except for Queensland, Tasmania has a bicameral parliament; the Parliament of Tasmania consists of the Legislative Council (upper house) and the House of Assembly (lower house). In state elections, there are 5 electorates, each consisting of 7 members each (as of March 2024).

There are four influential political parties in Tasmania. The Tasmanian Liberal Party is the state's centre-right party and is a division of the Liberal Party at the federal division. Tasmanian Labor is a centrist/centre-left party and a branch of the Australian Labor Party, of which it shares many similar values. The Tasmanian Greens, a branch of the Australian Greens, is a minor party, is a left-wing environmentalist party and is considered to be the successor of the United Tasmania Party, the world's first Green party; this was the first time where an environmentalist party had some success in politics. The Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) is another minor but populist/right-wing party with a strong regional focus on Tasmania and Tasmanians.

Climate [ edit ]

Tasmania typically has more rainy days than anywhere else in Australia, with "four seasons in a day" being often the norm. The southwest and West Coast in particular receive a great amount of rainfall - so much of it that it is considered uninhabitable. Both cold waves from Antarctica and heatwaves from the mainland can reach the island anytime. The sea temperature is rather low throughout the year, even in the north.

Tasmania has a cool temperate climate, comparable with that of northern Europe and/or Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, with the following seasons:

• Spring from September to November, with frequent snowfalls at higher elevations.
• Summer from December to February. It has about 15 hours of daylight from 5:30AM to 8:30–9:30PM.
• Autumn from March to May. Changeable weather.
• Winter from June to August. High areas receive a good amount of snowfall. It has the least daylight with about 9 hours a day from 8AM to 4:30PM, but sometimes even earlier, especially in the Huon and Far South.

Economy [ edit ]

Tasmania's main industries are mining (including copper, zinc, tin, and iron), forestry, agriculture, fresh produce ( fruit & vegetables , dairy, seafood , beer and wine ), and tourism. The economy is affected by the Bass Strait, and how the freight and transport issues of goods into and out of the island are costed and subsidised, at times there are more Tasmanian-born people in Melbourne, than there are in Tasmania, due to the nature of the Tasmanian job market .

Holidays [ edit ]

National public holidays can be found in the main Australia article .

Statewide public holidays

• 8-Hour Day (Labor Day): Second Monday of March (Eight Hours Day)
• Recreation Day: First Monday in November (Except areas that observe Royal Hobart Regatta)

Regional public holidays These apply to smaller areas of Tasmania:

• Wednesday not earlier than fifth and not later than eleventh day of January: Devonport Cup (Devonport only)
• Last Wednesday of February: Launceston Cup (Launceston and surrounds)
• Second Monday of February: Royal Regatta Day (Southern Tasmania only)
• First Tuesday of March: King Island Show (King Island only)
• The Friday nearest the last day of November: AGFEST (Circular Head only)
• The Friday before the first Saturday of October: Burnie Show (Burnie, Waratah-Wynyard and West Coast)
• Thursday before the second Saturday of October: Royal Launceston Show (Launceston and surrounds)
• The Friday before the third Saturday of October: Flinders Island Show (Flinders Island only)
• The Friday before the third Saturday of October: Royal Hobart Show (Southern Tasmania only)
• The Friday nearest the last day of November: Devonport Show (Devonport, Kentish and Latrobe only)

Time zone [ edit ]

Tasmania follows the same time zone as New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory: Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC+10). Like the two southeastern states, Tasmania also observes daylight savings and follows the Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time (UTC+11) between the first Sunday of October and April.

Tourist information [ edit ]

• Disvover Tasmania website

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

There are no international scheduled flights to Tasmania, except from New Zealand . All other flights must come through mainland cities. There are seasonal flights over Antarctica .

• Flights to Hobart from Melbourne , Sydney , Brisbane , and the Gold Coast as well as Auckland .
• Flights to Launceston from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
• Flights to Burnie and Devonport from Melbourne.
• Flights to King Island and Flinders Island from Melbourne.

See the local guides for more information.

By ferry [ edit ]

There is only one ferry route, which are the two Spirit of Tasmania Ferries from the Spirit of Tasmania terminal in Geelong and arrive at Devonport. See the Devonport article for the details of the ferry. It takes a full night (or the full day during peak summer periods) for the crossing and takes vehicles, bikes, foot passengers and pets.

The crossing can be a little choppy at times, but provides beautiful sunsets and costs around $200–300 each way (excluding the cost bringing a vehicle). You have the option of booking one of a range of a cabins or a reclining chair for the journey.

Crossings can also be part of cruise ship itineraries.

Rental car companies usually do not allow you to take their vehicles into or out of Tasmania on the ferry. If you have rented a car on the mainland and need one in Tasmania, it's best to drop the car off in Geelong, Victoria; rental cars are available at the Devonport terminal.

Get around [ edit ]

By car [ edit ].

Tasmania is perhaps Australia's most car-centric state: driving is not just the most convenient way to get around, but it is also the most practical. Cars can be brought into Tasmania from Geelong on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, or hired upon arrival through the major operators typically found on the mainland. Car rentals typically do not permit taking the car on the ferry crossing. Car rentals also generally prohibit driving on unsealed roads, which are very common in Tasmania.

Tasmania's speed limits are more liberal than the three states on the mainland's East Coast. By default, the maximum urban limit is 50 km/h, 80 km/h on gravel roads and 100 km/h on rural roads. However, on most rural roads, the government has practically adopted a "drive to conditions approach" by setting a 100 km/h limit on even the most windiest of roads with few to no slow or overtaking lanes. In practice, if you're new to the area, you may struggle to even travel 80 km/h on these roads, but the limit is for those who are experienced with such road conditions. Remember, if you are not comfortable driving 100 km/h on "100 km/h changing road conditions" roads, you do not have to drive 100 km/h . You may also encounter 110 km/h limits on the Midland, Bass and Tasman Highways.

Tasmania has four main road classifications: National Highway, A-routes, B-routes, and C-routes. The only national highway is Tasmanian National Highway 1 comprising of the Brooker, Midland and Bass Highways between Hobart and Burnie. A-routes (numbered between 2 and 10) connect major regional centres, B-routes (numbered between 10 and 85, in addition to 110) connect minor towns to major regional centres or highways, while C-routes (numbered between 101 and 854) are smaller roads that typically connect B-routes to an even smaller destination. A route number does not necessarily reflect the road quality: until 2019, the A5 (Lake Highway) through the Highland Lakes was unsealed, and other A-routes such as the A3 are more windier than many B-routes in the north.

Many major roads, even A-routes, wind their way through mountain passes and along coastlines, narrow and with few overtaking lanes, and some sections of remote roads may be in need of repair. Direct roads on the maps may take longer than you think. Take care on some of the winding or secondary roads, since some ute drivers and locals may try to overtake on dangerous stretches of road or tailgate you if you aren't travelling fast enough. Some local drivers, especially in suburban and semi-open areas (e.g. Bass Highway), will also tailgate and attempt dangerous manoeuvres to pass or overtake you, especially if they see you are driving a hire car.

Be especially careful driving between dusk and dawn as this is when the wildlife is most active: keep on the lookout for wallabies, devils, possums and others. Tasmania has the unfortunate distinction of being the roadkill capital of the world . Wallabies and wombats can make a mess of your vehicle if hit. The Tasmanian government generally advises you drive 65 km/h between dusk and dawn and 45 km/h in some places like the Tasman Peninsula (Tasman Island).

Exploring the forests can often lead to a maze of forest roads. A GPS can come in handy for finding your way out, although they are not always up to date.

By bus [ edit ]

Buses can be an option if time is on your side, but otherwise isn't a feasible way of getting around. Planning is advised since services can be infrequent. Redline Tasmania and Tassielink are the main long distance bus companies, with population centres serviced by Metro Tasmania for Burnie, Hobart and Launceston and Merseylink that provide services to Devonport and Latrobe. If you are not in a major town (e.g. Hobart, Launceston) bus services can be infrequent, expensive and hard to rely on. Make sure you have a copy of the timetable with you.

By train [ edit ]

There are no public train services. The many railways seen crossing minor roads are used for freight only. The only non-freight railway of any kind is the West Coast Wilderness Railway , a tourist train which runs between Strahan and Queenstown on the West Coast. The trip takes about 3 hours with lunch included (very slow compared to the 30-minute car journey).

• Par Avion offer scenic flights across the state and services into Melaleuca in Southwest National Park .
• Airlines of Tasmania offer flights between Launceston and Cape Barren Island .
• Sharp Airlines offer flights to Flinders Island from Launceston and flights to King Island from Launceston and Burnie.

By bicycle [ edit ]

Bicycle touring is a popular way to see cities Tasmania, but driving on rural roads can be very dangerous. Bicycle rental companies can be found in major cities and towns.

See [ edit ]

Wildlife [ edit ].

If you spend any time in the bush you are very likely to see:

• Kangaroos, wallabies, and pademelons are everywhere throughout Tasmania.
• Wombats can be found in many national parks and mostly come out at night.
• Ringtail and brushtail possums only come out at night.

Less common wildlife include:

• Echidnas are rarely seen in the bush. They're more easily spotted when crossing roads.
• Bandicoots and Potoroos are at the small end of the jumping marsupial scale.
• Platypus are very elusive. If you are persistent and very quiet and still you may find one rummaging at the bottom of a creek.
• Eastern and Spotted-tail Quolls very rarely seen.
• Tasmanian devils are rarely seen in the wild. They can sometimes be spotted along roadsides eating roadkill at night and sometimes on the edge of rural towns.

Landmarks [ edit ]

• kunanyi / Mount Wellington is a large mountain that rises above Tasmania's capital city. Visitors can drive to the top, where a viewing lookout is located, and well maintained walking tracks are located in the foothills. A coffee van operates at the Springs, a picnic area mid way up the mountain.
• Bay of Fires is one of Tasmania's most popular tourist destinations, located between Eddystone Point and Binalong Bay. Bay of Fires has beautiful blue water, red rocks, and sandy white beaches. Enter through Binalong Bay which is 10 minutes from St Helens. This area offers a wide range of activities including camping, boating, bird watching, fishing, swimming, surfing, and walking along the coastline.
• Cataract Gorge is a unique, natural formation within a two-minute drive from central Launceston known to locals as The Gorge. After walking 15 minutes from central Launceston along Tamar River into Gorge, you then follow the pathway along the cliff face looking down onto South Esk River. On the southern side, called the First Basin, there is a cafe, swimming pool, and Launceston's beach. The northern side, known as the Cliff Grounds, there is a kiosk, restaurants, swimming pool, and a chairlift across the river. The Cataract Gorge Reserve is one of Australia's most fascinating urban parks.
• Hastings Caves include Newdegate Cave, the largest cave in Australia open to tourists. Tour magical chambers of flowstones and shawls, then relax in a thermal pool. Formations in the cave are spectacular and include flowstone, stalactites, columns, shawls, straws, stalagmites and the unusual helictites tendrils of calcite that grow in all directions in tiny filaments.
• Mole Creek Karst Tasmania's only national park featuring caves. Among many features are the King Solomon and Marakoopa Caves, both of which can be viewed with Tasmania Park Service guides leading you. The two caves are distinctly different and a separate entry ticket is required for each. Tour times are staggered throughout the day.

Five world heritage listed convict sites are located in Tasmania, in the northeast and south of the island. The best known is likely Port Arthur.

• Port Arthur is the best preserved convict site in Australia. Many years ago, this site played a key role in the colonial system of convict discipline. During your experience, you will have the chance to take guided tours of the Commandant's House, Parsonage, Trentham Cottage, Junior Medical Officer's quarters, historic buildings and ruins of the Penitentiary, Barracks, Guard Tower and military precinct, Hospital, Paupers' Depot and Asylum. Port Arthur is surrounded by beautiful bushland and trails available to explore the land around you.
• Ross is another convict town, but is not listed as a world-heritage site. It's known for its convict-built bridge and its old female factory, both of which are popular stopover destinations for those travelling on the Midland Highway between Hobart and Launceston.
• Salamanca Place in Sullivans Cove, is Hobart's favourite hang out. Salamanca is lined with a long row of sandstone buildings built in the 1830s. You can wander under the heavy stone arches to find craft and design shops, jewellers, coffee shops, restaurants, bookshops, fashion boutiques, and the Salamanca Arts Centre and artists’ galleries. Every Saturday there’s the Salamanca Market, where you can buy anything from a handmade wooden toy or a hand-spun, hand-knitted sweater to fresh fruit and vegetables or a 50-year-old china plate.
• The Nut is located at the historic village of Stanley , in far north-west Tasmania. The Nut, a sheer-sided bluff is all that remains of an ancient volcanic plug. A walking track climbs to the summit of The Nut, or you can take the chairlift, with spectacular views across Bass Strait beaches and over the town. There is accommodation and an excellent campground in Stanley, and the town is a good base for exploring the forests and coastlines further west.

Do [ edit ]

• Trout fishing . Trout Guides and Lodges Tasmania Incorporated (TGALT) is the industry body, that was voluntarily formed in 1981 as the Tasmanian Professional Trout Fishing Guides Association. Its primary purpose was to provide anglers with a source of guides that they could be assured, would provide a safe, appropriate and professional service. During 1995 the Association was expanded to specifically include trout fishing lodges as full members.
• The Great Tasmanian Bike Ride - held in early February.
• Bicycle touring and mountain biking - there are some great places to ride your bicycle in Tasmania.
• Scuba diving - Tasmania is home to some of the best temperate diving in the world. Along with its giant kelp forests and numerous shipwrecks, the waters reefs also offer an array of unique marine plants and animals. There are many dive sites along the coast, the most popular sites are at Bicheno , Bay of Fires , Flinders Island , Fortescue Bay , Tasman Peninsula and Maria Island .
• Off road touring - Tasmania is a very rugged and heavily forested region, tourists happen to miss out on some incredible places if they do not have a vehicle with four-wheel-drive. Visitors can explore these trails with an experienced operator or either form or tag along with a group. Before exploring, make sure you have a current map of the area. In 2003, Tasmania changed the co-ordinate system used for all maps from AGD 66 to GDA 94. Also, ask the local land manager for the latest information on the condition of the area you plan to use and permits.
• Wildlife watching . Because of its separation from mainland Australia, Tasmania is home to animals and plants that are rare or even extinct in other areas around the world. If visitors are watchful, they are very likely to witness these species on trails or near streams. Tourists can also be by a tour guide to point out these animals so you won't miss them! Some of these rare mammals include the Tasmanian Devil, Platypus, Echidna, Sugar Glider, Eastern Quoll, and Forester Kangaroo.
• Hang gliding and the Flying Fox . Hollybank Treetops Adventure takes visitors across treetops and gives them the experience of seeing Tasmania's forests in a whole new way - bird's-eye view! These canopy tours last for 3 hours and are led by highly trained professionals. Not only do guests take part in this unique adventure by soaring across about a kilometre of cable but they also learn about the forests below them.
• Kayaking . After landing in Hobart's Airport, you are a mere 20-minute drive away from beginning your kayaking experience. Visitors can explore Tasmania's beautiful coastlines and search out secret coves by kayaking. There are professional kayak guides based in Hobart, Kettering, Port Arthur, Coles Bay, Launceston, and Strahan. Kayak travel through Tasmania's beautiful landscape offers relaxation and exhilaration that tourists will not want to miss out on.
• Adventure activities including abseiling, all-terrain vehicles, bicycle touring, caves and caving, diving, jet boats, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, sky diving, swimming, surfing and whitewater rafting.

Hiking [ edit ]

No trip to Tasmania is complete without hiking. While many of the state's important natural attractions have since been linked by road, many photogenic locations still require you to hike or walk the very least, even if it's just for a few hundred metres (which wouldn't be considered hiking by most Australian standards).

Contrary to the mainland, the vegetation seen on hikes is starkly different – and the temperate forests here tend to be more well-preserved. Conservation laws in Tasmania are stronger, so you may not find anything more than a boardwalk in some remote trails.

If long-distance hiking isn't your gist, the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service has created the 60 Great Short Walks . See Hiking and bushwalking in Australia § Tasmania for more about trails, and Tasmanian national parks § Hiking about the grading system.

On some trails, you must register before you hike. In many cases, this can as simple as writing your name and phone number on a book inside a mountain hut, but the entire purpose of this is for the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure that you come home safely. Weather can rapidly change and it's easy to become stranded in the Tasmanian Wilderness. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Popular trails and/or trails that Wikivoyage has an article on:

• Overland Track : the iconic bushwalk from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. Bookings are essential during the main walking season (November to April).
• South Coast Track : the bushwalk along the south coast of Tasmania, from Melaleuca, to Cockle Creek. Tly in by aircraft and take a 6-day walk back home.
• Three Falls Circuit : a 7.5-km hike covering three impressive waterfalls in Mount Field National Park

Buy [ edit ]

One of Tasmania's most famous products is leatherwood honey , and there are numerous honey farms on the island in which you can purchase this.

Like elsewhere in Australia, tipping can be considered very unusual, however, most of the time, it's well appreciated. Most Tasmanian's wages are well below the mainland so don't be surprised if the people here are a lot more grateful. On the other hand, unlike in the US, you probably won't be frowned upon at if you don't - because tipping in Australia is quite unusual.

American Express credit cards are almost universally rejected by local businesses, even major chains and most branches of the state government.

Tasmanian businesses no longer give out free plastic bags. Most local government areas also ban single use plastics for takeaway food.

Eat [ edit ]

Tasmania has a wide variety of culinary offerings. Tasmania produces a wide range of cuisines, both quintessentially Australian foods, and a wide range of international offerings. Tasmania has a diverse immigrant community which has contributed to a colourful range of cuisines. Tasmanian produces much of its own food, including many crops you wouldn't expect, such as saffron, tea, truffles and wasabi. Many regions of Tasmania have particular specialties, for example King Island produces gourmet cheeses and beef and the Huon Valley is most famous for apples.

Being surrounded by the sea, it is no surprise that Tasmania also has a strong seafood culture, with many dedicated seafood restaurants offering salmon, abalone, scallops, oysters, mussels and crayfish. Curried scallop pies are a particularly well known Tasmanian specialty.

There is a list of vegetarian and vegetarian friendly eateries in Tasmania .

Drink [ edit ]

Tasmania has many exceptional world class beers, whiskies & wines.

There are two major breweries in Tasmania; Cascade Brewery in Hobart and J. Boag & Sons Brewery in Launceston, which each offer tours. A number of boutique beer makers and distillers are spread around the state.

You can tour the Tasmanian Wine Routes easily by car or on guided tours. The island's Wine Routes include the Tamar Valley, north of Launceston along both sides of the Tamar River and east to Pipers River; the Derwent, Coal River and Huon Valleys (together comprising the Southern Wine Route), an easy drive from Hobart; and the growing wine regions of the North West and the East Coast.

Tasmania is the centre of Australia's craft whisky industry, and there are numerous distilleries throughout the state. Due to the similarity of Tasmania's climate to that of Scotland , Tasmanian whiskies are primarily based on Scotch whiskies. Unlike in other areas, there is no large-scale commercial whisky distillation in Australia, and the industry is dominated by small boutique distilleries. Two of Tasmania's most important distilleries are Sullivans Cove in Cambridge , and Lark in Hobart , both of which have won prestigious international awards.

Tasmania also has a strong cider culture, with a number of small to medium boutique cider producers including Willie Smiths, Pagan Cider, Franks Cider and Lost Pippin. The Tasmanian cider industry operates a Tasmanian Cider Trail for those who want to undertake a self-guided tour, and Willie Smiths celebrates an annual Mid Winter Fest, including traditional wassailing - the pagan practice of scaring the evil spirits away from the apple trees.

Tasmania is also home to several craft vodka and gin distilleries. There are also a wide range of local non-alcohol beverage producers. Tasmania has several well-regarded tea companies - the Tasmanian Tea Company, Tassie-T and the Art of Tea - whose drinks can be found in local restaurants and boutique grocers. Hartz and Juicy Isle both produce local sodas and cordials, and Westerway Farms and Juicy Isle continue to produce Tasmania's famous blackcurrant cordial, once made by Cascade.

The legal drinking age is 18 years . It is illegal either to purchase alcohol for yourself if you are under 18 years of age or to purchase alcohol on behalf of someone who is under 18 years of age. The only legally acceptable proof-of-age documentation are an Australian drivers licence, state-issued proof-of-age card, Keypass card or a passport, and it would be wise to carry one if you want to purchase alcohol or tobacco and look under 25 - vendors will frequently ask for ID for anybody who looks to be 25 or younger. In Tasmania, foreign drivers licences and foreign ID cards are not legally acceptable as proof of age documentation, and people who are unable to produce a passport or valid Australian ID will be refused service. Only actual ID documents will be accepted; photographs or photocopies will not be accepted.

Sleep [ edit ]

There is a variety of accommodation options available across the state, from camping through to 5-star luxury. Tasmania is particularly renowned for its hosted bed and breakfast accommodation where you can experience a different way of life in a whole range of different properties, including heritage listed and more modern properties in stunning locations.

There are four YHA (Hostelling International) branded hostels in Tasmania and a number of independent operators spread around the state. Prices range anywhere from $10-30.

Respect [ edit ]

Tasmanians are generally more laid-back and friendly than their mainland counterparts. They are usually very willing to help you out or give advice when asked.

You should also mind that it is never a good idea to bring up the 1996 Port Arthur Massacre (the worst mass shooting in modern Australian history), even when you are outside Port Arthur as it may be a sensitive issue to some, even if they were not present at the scene. On the contrary, Tasmanians are very laid back when talking about the island's convict history, people here are unlikely to be offended by it.

Stay safe [ edit ]

In the bush [ edit ].

Bushwalking can be a truly breathtaking experience in Tasmania, but be sure to obtain the right gear, local advice and maps. Always sign the logbook at the beginning and end of each walk. Mobile coverage is limited in wilderness areas. The main dangers of bushwalking are getting lost and/or suffering from hypothermia. Tasmania's weather is notoriously changeable. Be sure to take a good raincoat and warm clothes with you even on a sunny day because an hour or two later it could be pouring with rain. If undertaking more serious bushwalking a map and compass is a must, as is a good sleeping bag and tent for multi-day walks.

Mosquitoes are present all year round. There are no mosquito-born viruses. A good repellent is advisable if going into the bush.

There are three species of snake in Tasmania: copperhead, white-lipped, and tiger. The tiger snake is one of the most venomous snakes in the world, but don't let that deter you. No one has died from a snake bite in Tasmania since 1977. All three use the same anti-venom so identification of the snake is not important. Most snakes will slither away as soon as they hear you coming.

Water [ edit ]

While in wilderness areas the water may be good to drink, but it is still highly recommended that you boil before consumption. If in touristy areas, such as The Overland Track, always boil your water or risk gastro.

Bushfires [ edit ]

During the Tasmanian bushfire season, which runs from roughly October to March, be vigilant and keep aware of local news. Bushfires can start and spread rapidly, even in urban areas. Many Tasmanian towns have just one exit, so it is worth planning ahead - even if a bushfire is hours away, it may be too late to leave if you wait.

In times of high fire danger, it may be worth reconsidering any activities that take you too deep into the bush. Check the Bureau of Meteorology website to assess the fire rating before going. The Tasmanian Fire Service provides an incidents list on its website, but this may be several hours out of date at times. ABC Local Radio (936 AM in Southern Tasmania, and a variety of frequencies in Northern Tasmania) is often the most up to date with emergency information, and can also be accessed online or on your phone.

Go next [ edit ]

• Geelong and Melbourne are obvious next destinations, with the former easily reachable by ferry and the latter by plane.
• Antarctica from Hobart has scheduled flights during summer months

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Travel Guide: 4 Day Road Trip Intinerary Throughout Tasmania

With working full-time, it’s hard to find the time to travel.

We found last year that doing long-weekend getaways was a lot more of an attainable way to travel multiple times throughout the year. 

I have a whole post about Traveling with a Full-Time Job and how to travel more while balancing working . In that post, I go over my tips when it comes to still be able to travel and enjoy life, but balance having to work full-time as well .

We booked two long-weekend getaways at the start of the year, one to Whitsundays and one to Launceston, Tasmania . We did a couple more trips throughout the year like Port Douglas , a weekend getaway at a farm stay in rural NSW, a girls’ trip to Queenstown, New Zealand and a trip back to the U.S. at the end of the year. 

A few of those trips were more spontaneous than others, however, having two trips booked at the start of the year gave us something to look forward to and also gave some structure for the year as well.

If you want to check our Whitsundays Weekend Getaway when I lucky enough to partner with Whitsundays Tourism, click here.

We booked our Tasmania trip to Launceston, Tasmania for late September. Jetstar was having a deal, as they normally have every week for incredibly cheap flights from Sydney to Launceston ie. under $50 pp each way! 

Tasmania was somewhere that I had been once before on a cruise with my parents when I was studying abroad in Australia years ago , and was definitely a place, especially for that price , that I wanted to explore further.

Tasmania has two major airports, Hobart and Launceston. Since we had visited Hobart on our cruise previously, we decided to fly into Launceston, Tasmania for our Tasmania 4 Night Long-Weekend Road Trip Getaway .

I have a whole Travel Guide dedicated to 24 hours in Launceston which you can check out here.

Since Launceston is a major tourist attraction in Tasmania, you could easily spend the entire weekend away in Launceston. H owever , we decided to rent a car and travel around the Eastern Coast to see as much as we could in our 4 nights away.

Below, I’ve broken down what we did and where we went each day of our 4 day Tasmania Road Trip itinerary in detail. You can also scroll down to the bottom of this post to get an exact map of where we stopped as well!

Day 1: sydney ——- launceston.

When we first arrived in Launceston early in the morning, we picked up our rental car at the front desk located right next to the baggage claim. It was incredibly easy and I highly recommend renting a car directly at the airport when visiting Tasmania as the airport is about 15 minutes away from Launceston Town Center.

Launceston is very built up compared to the majority of Tasmania and if you’re looking to get a bite to eat, to go grocery shopping or clothes shopping, Launceston the place for that.

To check out everything we did our first night in Launceston, click here to check out my Launceston Travel Guide.

Where We Stayed

The city park grant hotel.

The City Park Grand Hotel was a last-minute reservation, but we were overall really happy with our stay. The accommodations were definitely affordable, spacious, and in a pretty good location in downtown Launceston. There was also free parking on site which was definitely nice and the staff was incredibly friendly and allowed us to check-in early. All things making our stay at City Park Grand Hotel really enjoyable.

With its location, we were easily able to walk to dinner, to the Launceston Harvest Markets Saturday morning and explore Launceston throughout the day.

Especially for the price, we were happy with our stay at City Park Grand Hotel.

I always like to give real recommendations of where to stay and what to do in an area. I mentioned in my Launceston Travel Guide, a hotel that I would actually not recommend staying in Launceston which you can click here to check out that post.

Day 2: Launceston ——- Coles Bay

Everything in Tasmania is fairly close. The state isn’t huge so driving from Launceston to Coles Bay only took up a little over 2 hours. The drive was also lovely . There was hardly anyone on the road and the conditions were really ideal so driving wasn’t stressful at all.

However, we did make sure to get the highest level of insurance on our rental car as wildlife jumping out on the road is very prevalent there and something to definitely be cautious about and consider during your Tasmania Road Trip as well.

Things to Do

Launceston harvest market.

On Saturday, Launceston has its well-know Harvest Farmers Market that is incredibly popular with the locals. We heard a lot about this Harvest Market before we arrived in Launceston and it was just right outside our hotel we were staying at, so after checking out, we grabbed a bite to eat and a croissant or two at the markets, and we started our journey to Coles Bay, located close to Freycinet National Park, our next destination.

Nine Mile Beach

On our way to Swansea and Coles Bay, we stopped at the Nine Mile Beach . Although it was overcast outside, it was still breathtaking and the perfect place for us to eat some lunch. With such a breathtaking spot, it was incredibly surprised that we were the only ones on the beach which seemed quite common throughout our Tasmania Road Trip. I’m not sure if it was the specific time of year, but other than in Launceston, there wasn’t many people out and about during our trip.

There are tons of beaches along the coast of Tasmania, as you would expect. However, Nine Mile Beach is definitely a great destination to stop, stretch your legs, and grab a bite to eat on your way to Freycinet National Park. That being said, there wasn’t much in the area, so you’ll need to pack your own lunch, which is what we did from before we left Launceston.

We arrived at Swansea mid-day and walked around before checking into our accommodations. There really isn’t much in Swansea other than a couple of restaurants and the waterfront. Since our main purpose of stopping in in Swansea was being close to Coles Bay and go to Freycinet National Park, after checking in, we headed that way for an afternoon hike and site seeing.

We did actually get a bite to eat at Bark Mill Tavern & Bakery in Swansea. Although the food wasn’t bad, it wasn’t great and a bit expensive for what it was. Especially because there’s not much in the area there’s not much to choose from. However, we didn’t find the food really worth the price and the quality. If you’re looking for something simple like baked goods and sandwiches Bark Mill is probably a good spot, but for items like pizza, I would pass.

Devil’s Corner Lookout

On our way to Freycinet National Park, our host told us about the Devil’s Corner Lookout which is just a quick lookout right on the side of the road towards Freycinet National Park.

Although there is a café and a wine cellar at Devil’s Corner Lookout , we just stopped briefly to take in the gorgeous view overlooking all the mountains and wind farm. Especially if you’re coming from Swansea way, stopping at Devil’s Corner is a great place to stop along your journey.

Freycinet National Park

Freycinet National Park had a similar feel to Acadia National Park in Maine, USA where you can drive around to different lookouts and you don’t technically have to hike anywhere to enjoy the park, which makes the National Park great for all ages. Although we did do some driving around, we also made sure to fit in the Wineglass Bay hike before sunset.

It was also a cold and rainy day when we explored Freycinet National Park so it wasn’t the most enjoyable day to being outside, but with the views of the National Park, we were definitely motivated to check out as much as we possibly could before the sun went down.

There was tons of wildlife throughout Freycinet National Park. As soon as we parked, two wallabies just hopped right up to us which was absolutely adorable, but was very obvious that they were used to people feeding them regardless of the “don’t feed the wildlife signs.”

Although we didn’t feed them, we did of course make sure to capture some photos of them while they were so close to us.

When you enter the National Park, you do have to pay for parking. There are parking meters around each lookout and destination, but we decided to go in the office to pay for parking which was really beneficial because we were able to talk to the worker there. He was able to give us tons of useful information, a map of the area, and recommendations of places to see and hikes we could do before sunset.

Wineglass Bay Lookout

One of the hikes we wanted to do was Wineglass Bay Lookout. Although we were scheduled on the Wineglass Bay Cruise the following day, we wanted to do a hike and see the famous Wineglass Bay from above.

The hike was fairly moderate, but if you’re looking for more intense hikes there are day or multiple day hikes in Freycinet National Park as well. You can check out more information about the national park by checking out their official website here.

Cape Tourville

Cape Tourville is a well-constructed walkway which was great because it was raining when we got to the lookout. The track loops around with breathtaking views of the Hazards, Wineglass Bay and nearby offshore rocks known as The Nuggets.

The track then loops around to a stunning lighthouse at the top. We quickly took in the view, took some photos and hurried back to the car due to the weather.

We got to see a fair bit in a short amount of time on foot exploring Freycinet National Park, but obviously if you have more time to explore the area that would be ideal . With the combination of poor weather and lack of sunlight, we didn’t get to see as much of the area as I would have liked. Although with our booking on Wineglass Bay the following day, we did get to see plenty of the Freycinet National Park via sea.

Belmont Homestead in Swansea

We stayed in the cutest accommodations in at Swansea near Coles Bay. I found that looking at Freycinet National Park, a lot of accommodations were incredibly expensive, which is why I decided to look outside the Freycinet National Park in the Coles Bay area.

We found extremely affordable accommodations at Belmont Homestead , which to be honest before we arrived I didn’t know what to really expect. Let me tell you, if you’re in the Coles Bay area, this is the place to stay. We stayed in the Queen Room cottage but the Belmont Homestead has a number of different property options for single, couples and families.

Especially with the chilly Tasmania weather, nothing was better than after a rainy day cuddling next to our stone fireplace with a cup of hot tea and a heated blanket.

The property that the Belmont Homestead is on is also gorgeous with goats who you can go up and feed, chickens, and a serene garden.

Our cottage included a nice, comfortable bathroom, a little kitchenette area with a fridge, sink, kettle and microwave, and a bedroom with a TV, fireplace, and sitting area. It was incredibly homey and the perfect way to unwind from the day of hiking.

Day 3: Coles Bay—-Wineglass Bay Cruise ——— St. Helens 

Wineglass bay cruise.

Wineglass Bay is the famous landmark in Freycinet National Park and we were incredibly lucky to work with Wineglass Bay Cruises during our trip.  To check out the entire blog post about our cruise through Wineglass Bay and Freycinet National Park, click here .

Overall , if you’re looking to travel to Freycinet National Park in Tasmania,  one of the truly best ways to see it,  in my opinion , is with Wineglass Bay Cruises.  Not only is the crew incredibly nice and knowledgeable about the Freycinet area, but cruising around Freycinet,  you truly get a different experience and see so much more of the national park than if you were just to hike or drive around the area.

Especially if you only have time to explore the area for a day or two, I highly recommend booking a Wineglass Bay Cruise.

Scenic sites.

Along the way from Freycinet National Park and St. Helens, there are tons of beautiful coastal beaches along the way. Whenever we saw the photo sign on the side of the road, we stopped to check out the view and we were never disappointed.

That’s the great thing about a flexible road trip. We had our next destination in mind, but we weren’t in any rush to get there so we were able to take our time and stop at those breathtaking landmarks along the way.

View this post on Instagram One of the things I love most about Australia is you can pull over on the most random parts on the side of the road and be greeted by the most gorgeous beach all to yourself. A post shared by Olivia Thibault (@oliviathibault) on Sep 27, 2019 at 3:39am PDT

Where to Eat

Freycinet marine farm.

When looking for places to eat in the Freycinet National Park area, Freycinet Marine Farm was one of the top-rated places so we knew we had to check it out. Located on Coles Bay Road, Coles Bay, we stopped at the Freycinet Marine Farm on our way out of Freycinet National Park.

Freycinet Marine Farm is famous for their daily oyster tours and their fresh oysters and scallops farmed daily.

Although they’re famous for their oysters, the prices at Freycinet Marine Farm were a little steep and we’re not the biggest fans of oysters. So instead, we decided to get something we knew we would enjoy, Fish and Chips.

Along with our fish and chips to go, we also got a bag of mussels which we had for dinner that night at our accommodations in St. Helens.

Although we got our order to go, they do have tons of picnic tables and seating in the area so if you’re looking to dine in, which a lot of people did for a seafood feast after exploring Freycinet.

After our day on our Wineglass Bay Cruise, we made our way to St. Helens which is a lovely little town. The drive was once again very peaceful and we passed through countless small towns along the way until we reached St. Helens, a more built-up town.

St. Helens itself features a couple of grocery stores like an IGA so we decided to get some wine and some items for dinner and breakfast and use our lovely kitchen at NRMA St. Helens to cook during our trip.

Since we arrived at St. Helens around dinner time, we just decided to check out the grocery store before it closed and relax and make dinner at our accommodations for the night.

St. Helens NRMA Waterfront Park

Our Wandering Mind was lucky enough to work with St. Helens NRMA Waterfront Park during our Tasmania Weekend Getaway . Our destination on the third day was to get to Binalong Bay or also known as the Bay of Fires.

Finding accommodations in Tasmania can be a little tricky, especially in small towns.

Luckily we stumbled across St. Helens NRMA Waterfront Park, located on 15 minutes away from the Bay of Fires.

To be completely honest, when we arrived at NRMA St. Helens Waterfront Park,  I was shocked ,  but in a good way.  After driving a few hours through really small towns, I honestly wasn’t expecting  too much  when arriving at St. Helens but was  extremely pleasantly surprised with what we found.

During our stay, we stayed in the  Two-Bedroom Bay View Cabin . NRMA St. Helens Waterfront Park offers a  range of different accommodations including campsites both powered and unpowdered, studio cabins, and family-style cabins that can sleep from 4-6 people. Our 2-bedroom was incredibly gorgeous and luxurious with clean, modern finishes, heated fan in the bathroom, a flat-screen TV and cooking appliances. The resort also features bike paths, playground with giant trampoline balloon, indoor kids room, communal kitchen and laundry facility and a restaurant on site

You can check out our entire stay at St. Helens NRMA by clicking here .

Day 4 St. Helens——Bay of Fires—– Little Blue Lake ——- Launceston 

On day 4, we did a lot of sight seeing on the way back to Launceston. Tasmania is made of tons of little towns and when I say little, I mean little . The trip from Binalong Bay to Launceston is about 2 and a half hours, but we spent probably a little over 4.5- 5 hours driving around the coast before returning back to Launceston.

Bay of Fires Conservation Area

Bay of Fires is the reason we stopped at St. Helens. As I mentioned, finding accommodations in Tasmania is a little difficult so it was great that we were able to find NRMA St. Helens which is only about a 15-minute drive from the Bay of Fires Conservation Area.

When doing research of places to see on our Tasmania Road Trip, I stumbled upon the Bay of Fires which is famous for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and orange lichen-covered granite boulders, making it one of Tasmania’s most popular conservation reserves.

The beach is worth the trip alone, but further up the road, you’ll start to see the Bay of Fires, red-stained rocks around the bay.

View this post on Instagram Staying warm in Tas at the Bay of Fires #tasmaniagram #tasmania A post shared by Olivia Thibault (@oliviathibault) on Sep 23, 2019 at 3:39pm PDT

It seemed like the further up the road we went, the more gorgeous and intense the red stone got.

The name Bay of Fires isn’t actually referring to the bright orange lichen on the rocks which give the “fire” colors, but actually Aboriginal fires that were spotted by Captain Tobias Furneaux when he sailed past the area in 1773. If you want to learn more about the history of the area, there are also guided tours you can take, but if you’re in the area for a short amount of time, you can simply walk around and take in the stunning views yourself and have just as much fun.

Little Blue Lake

On our way back to Launceston, I did some research on places to stop along the way and Little Blue Lake definitely caught my eye.

As you can imagine from the name, Little Blue Lake is a little lake that has the most absolutely stunning bright blue waters and is on the way to Mt. William National Park. The lake itself is a result from alluvial tin mining and although it’s a popular spot for tourists, you are warned against swimming due to the water being highly contaminated with toxic heavy metals.

Regardless of not being able to swim in the lake, stopping and taking in it’s beauty is a must on your way back to Launceston.

We found it quite difficult to find little blue lake. the gps on our phone simply did not cut it. although it did bring us to the general area, it didn’t bring us exactly to little blue lake..

We actually ended up driving up sandy drive for 10 minutes and did a little walk to a lake that was a lovely emerald green color. We assumed that that must be the lake (it wasn’t) and spent some time enjoying the view. Other than bike trails from mountain bike trails there was absolutely no one around. When we finally decided to leave, we continued on Gladstone road and about 5 minutes down the road, we saw a sign for Little Blue Lake.

Although the emerald green lake was pretty, I’ll save you the hassle that we went through for searching for Little Blue Lake.

At the bottom of this post, I’ve included a map of the exact route we took on our Tasmania Road Trip to save you the time and hassle of finding these destinations.

Grindelwald

Grindelwald Swiss Village instantly transports you into Switzerland with its Swiss-style village with wide eaves, flower boxes, window shutters and balconies.

Grindelwald was established in the 1980s and offers a unique development that has brought tourists from all over and is located just outside of Launceston.

The village itself is relatively small but definitely worth visiting. There’s some boutique shops, clothing stores, hairdresser, day spa, and activities for the kids like mini-golf, canoeing on the lake, and jumping on the world’s longest bouncing pillow.

How to Get Around

Renting a car is what we found the most practical option and cost-effective option when exploring Tasmania. We rented with Budget Cars which we were pretty happy with. It definitely wasn’t the cheapest option, but I started to realize that rental cars can be pretty tricky to book.

We found that the cheaper options when it came to rental cards held a really large holding deposit on your credit card ( ie like $1000 ) which we were not interested in doing . We also always do pretty much the highest insurance coverage possible, because we’d rather pay $100 more on our rental car than $8,000 later if an accident or damage or any kind was to happen.

I did also do some research on renting a campervan prior to our Tasmania trip to see if that was a more cost-effective option for exploring Tasmania. Unfortunately, it looks like most campervan rentals are strictly from Hobart so we decided that wasn’t the best option for us.

I hope you found this 4 Day Road Trip Itinerary Through Tasmania Blog Post helpful in planning your next Tasmania Getaway! We absolutely loved our road trip throughout Tasmania and I definitely want to go back and explore some more.

Especially with the affordable flight prices, now is the perfect time to go out and explore Tasmania.

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Tasmania travel blog — the fullest tasmania travel guide for a great budget trip for first-timers.

Tasmania State is the only island state of Australia, located 240 km to the south of the continent between Victoria state and Antarctica. Possessing rich agricultural land, rich history, culture, and wild nature with many natural reserves and national parks, has made Tasmania is a very unique destination, very rustic but not less strange. So, what to do and how to plan a perfect trip to Tasmania – the pristine paradise island of Australia for the first-time? Let’s check out our Tasmania travel blog (Tasmania blog, Tasmania trip blog) with the fullest Tasmania travel guide (Tasmania guide, Tasmania tourist guide) from how to get, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do to find out the answer!

• Where to go in Tasmania? — 12 must see & best places to visit in Tasmania, Australia
• Hobart travel blog — The fullest Hobart travel guide for a great budget trip to Hobart for first-timers
• Boracay travel blog — The fullest Boracay travel guide for first-timers
• Coron travel blog — The fullest Coron travel guide for first-timers
• El Nido travel blog — The fullest El Nido travel guide for first-timers

“Tasmania Island is heart-shaped with green valleys, quiet towns and pristine coastlines. This is one of the most mountainous islands in the world, geological explorations also show a connection between Tasmania and Antarctica from millions of years ago. Although it is separated from the mainland, it still has a high quality of life and a very pleasant atmosphere. With an area of ​​68,401 km2 (Tamania Island accounts for 62,409 km2) but with a population of only over 500,000 people, this place is truly a wild paradise for those who love to explore.

Tasmania travel blog: Overview of Tasmania

Tasmania is Australia’s smallest state. When traveling to Tasmania not only tourists but also Australians feel like get lost into another country. The beautiful mountain scenery here reminds us of New Zealand. The coast here reminds us of the UK and the volcanoes with lakes reminds us of Argentina.

The Tasman Peninsula was once witness to some of the country’s most important historical events. Port Arthur was a place of imprisonment criminals during the Australian colonial period. Between 1830 and 1877, about 12,500 prisoners went through imprisonment here, making this place truly a frightening place at that time.

The capital of Tasmania state is Hobart , located on the southwest coast. This is Australia’s second oldest city. The highest temperature here in summer can be up to 38 degrees Celsius, but it rains a lot and winter is not too harsh.

Tasmania is divided into 7 parts: 1. King Island; 2. Flinders Island; 3. North West; 4. Launceston; 5. East coast; 6. Hobart and Surrounds; 7. West Coast (for more information please refer to http://www.australia.com/en/places/tas.html ).

Tasmania blog: When to visit?

The tourist season in Tasmania starts from November and lasts until the end of April, when the weather starts to turn warm, then hotter, very hot, then gradually turn cool. October in Tasmania is the time of springtime, flowers begin to sprout the most beautiful crown after a cold winter. All of Tasmania is covered with a layer of scent and colorful flowers. Mid and late October, the Tulip Garden at Table Cape Tulip Farm in Wynyard welcomes a huge army of selfies. At the end of December, Lavender will bloom, a color of “faithfulness” covering 6 flower gardens in Bridgestowe, one of the most beautiful Lavender gardens in the world. Unlike the Mainland, Berry gardens in Tasmania ripen more slowly, usually until the end of December before they begin to taste good and are open to tourists to “pick”.

Cold season

April is the beginning of autumn. Like in Mainland, Tasmania also has red and yellow leaves, but it will be later. Sadly, there aren’t many nice places to take selfies in Hobart. In return, beautiful small towns such as New Norfolk, Tyanna, Campbell Town, Richmond bring an idyllic beauty, peace and extraordinary charm. Winter is also the time for trekking trips to explore Cradle Mountains, Lake St Clair, Dove Lake, Mt Wellington becomes more valuable than ever.

All seasons

You can visit the rest of Tasmania’s tourist destinations at any time of the year: Salmon Ponds, Mt Field National Park, Bruny Island, Port Arthur, Burnie, Russell Fall, Lady Baron Fall, Tall Trees, Horseshoe Fall, Oyster Farm , Sorell, MONA, Cradle Mountain …

The best time to visit Tasmania is probably June to August, when the scenery is filled with the colors of autumn, smell the fresh and gentle air, and see the coniferous forest changing color to yellow is very romantic.

Tasmania travel guide: How to get to Tasmania?

The state of Tasmania is located in a remote location, isolated from other busy areas. To get to Tasmania you can take the Spirit of Tasmania ferry that anchors on the River Mersey but on the East Devonport side.

Currently, there are many direct flights to Australia from Vietnam. I will leave a few suggestions that I find the price and time quite reasonable for you to refer to.

My flight departed from Ho Chi Minh City at 8:30 am of Pacific Airlines at the price of $195.11 for one-way ticket and $208.11 for the return ticket. The plane landed at Melbourne International Airport at 10am the next day and lasted nearly 14 hours. Depending on the airport and the airline you choose, the flight time may fluctuate at different times.

You can choose to depart from Tan Son Nhat airport, Noi Bai Airport, Da Nang or Nha Trang. With famous airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Qatar Airways, Malaysisa Airlines … in addition, there are some new airlines with good quality and the price is extremely cheap of Pacific Airlines, Tiger Airways, Air Asia … including some airlines will stop in a third country and my flight flew directly to Melbourne, Australia.

Affordable airfares of Air Asia and Pacific Airlines with hundreds of great deals to give visitors the best conditions. Ticket prices of these two airlines range from $130 to $303/one-way. It takes about 13 to 15 hours depending on departure airport and landing airport.

Tasmania travel guide: How to get around?

Tasmania’s public transport system is mainly focused on buses, with the lowest fare per trip at AU$ 1.40. More than a third of Tasmania is protected by national parks and world heritage reserves. The Hartz Mountains National Park is full of mountains, frozen lakes, alpine wilderness and dense rainforest that will leave you in awe and amazement.

Transport in Hobart

You should buy Urban Fare card and find a Metro Greencard Daily Travel Cap to saving more. See more and buy ticket here .

Transport service from the airport: There are many choices and you should book before you arrive.

• Airporter City Hotels Shuttle: 1300 385 511
• Hobart Maxi Connect: 0457 900 433.
• Taxi from CBD to Airport: About $40.
• Airporter Shuttle Bus: Take the Hobart Taxi Connect: Single trip is $11-14 / 1 person, 1 private car is $79 / car. This is the brand we chose. Note that you must ask carefully where the driver will pick you up after booking service. http://www.hobartmaxiconnect.com.au/
• Airporter City Hotels Shuttle costs $32/one-way to the Hobart city. https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/travel-information/getting-here/airport-shuttles

Self-drive car rental

(Remember to bring a driver’s license in Vietnam). Self-driving car rental is quite cost-effective, you can stop at any location you want, just need to set the Google Map or Here into your smartphone, it will guide you to your destination. In Australia, people drive in the right lane, the road is also wide, so driving is very comfortable, so you won’t get tired even if you drive a long way. Renting a car is the best option for those who want to save money and you can freely take photos and go to any location you like but you will not get interesting information like joining a tour. Some car rental companies in Australia for you to choose (you can contact in advance and ask to rent and receive a car right at the airport, you just need to drive to the resting place. If you decide to rent a car, remember to check if there is a parking space and how much it costs).

• Rentalcars.com : The largest car rental service in the world, this website compares all the big brands like Hertz, Avis, Alamo, Enterprise, Europcar and Thrifty.
• Juicy is a campervans rental company that very popular in Australia and New Zealand, these cars are often painted in blue, in summer on the beaches you will see a lot of people using Campervans.
• The other websites you should consider: Gumtree.com.au ; CarSales.com.au ; CarPoint.com.au ; AutoTrader.com.au ; CarsGuide.com.au ; TradingPost.com.au

Tasmania travel blog: Where to go, what to do?

There’s nothing wonderful like hiking to admire Tasmanian landscape as it has more than 60 hiking trails for visitors, through rainforests, cliffs close to the sea and high peaks. Choose from one of Tasmania’s 5 famous journeys, including Cradle Mountain, Maria Island, Freycinet Experience, Bay of Fires and South Coast Walk to reach all of the best spots.

Tasmania’s most famous journey is the 6-day Overland Track, which takes visitors from Craddle Moutain to Australia’s deepest lake of St. Clair. The Tasmanian Trail is a long, longer 480 km journey from Bass Trait to the Southern Ocean, starting from Devonport and ending in Dover. Visitors can walk, cycle or even ride a horse during their journey through rainforest, towns, farms and lush highlands.

You also cannot miss going to the southeast coast to enjoy the wonderful fruits, salmon dishes and wines. Bruny Island is home to a lot of wildlife, including pretty little penguins and reptiles.

The Tasmania’s capital, is a modern city with vibrant shopping malls and restaurants, but the state’s pride is its colonial heritage. Battery Point is the historic center of the city with about 90 heritage buildings rated and preserved by the National Trust.

Hobart is the most populous city of Tasmania, which was established in 1804 as a criminal colony and also the Australia’s second oldest city after Sydney, located at the mouth of the Derwent River. Nestled in the foothills of Mt Wellington, Hobart is a combination of classic and modern beauty. The locations in the city you can walk or take a bus using Urban Fare above.

Read more: The fullest Hobart travel guide for a great budget trip to Hobart for first-timers.

Launceston Town

The world famous wine paradise and the second largest city of Tasmania. Where there is the beautiful Cataract Gorge beside the gentle Tamar river. You can walk on the trails along steep, interconnecting cliffs and the King’s Bridge. Take footsteps to Tamar Valley. World famous culinary treasure and wine paradise. Here you will see the first drops of wine born, the process of making wine and professionally processed by the hands of hundreds of famous Tasmanian artisans. They spend their love and creativity to create unique wine flavors for luxury wine parties of luxury merchants.

Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania and is home to ski resorts with Ben Lomond National Park and Mount Mawson.

Richmond Town

Richmond is a town in Tasmania, about 25 kilometers to the northeast of Hobart, in the Coal River region, between the Midland freeway and the Tasman highway. The quaint town of Richmond is home to Australia’s oldest bridge (built in 1825) and St John’s Roman Catholic Church. You can explore Richmond by walking around and learn about the world heritage sites here.

MONA (Museum of Old and New Art)

The most famous museum in Tasmania, about 15 minutes from CBD, a very good cruise from CBD to MONA. Ticket price: $35 / person.

Address: 655 Main Rd, Berriedale TAS 7011, Australia

Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

Like every Botanical Garden in this galaxy, cool, pleasant, selfie or groupfie is fine. Autumn is amazingly beautiful. In winter, there are clouds right above the Botanical Garden.

Address: Lower Domain Rd, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia

Tasman Bridge

It’s magical at night. Photographing with long exporsure with the light from the bridge over the sea is best.

Address: Tasman Hwy, Montagu Bay TAS 7018, Australia

A track and trail, looking to the sides of the bay, connecting Cambridge with Midway Point, and Midway Point with Sorell.

Mt Wellington

The most beautiful destination in the Hobart region, the temperature is 10 degrees lower than in Hobart with panoramic view of the CBD, come here at the sunrise and sunset you can see how the sun goes up and down, the golden hours for taking pictures.

Tasmanian Devil Unzoo & meet Tasmanian devil

The Tasmanian symbol where you can encounter and see first-hand the Tasmania Devil directly and be allowed to feed them. There is also the Kangaroo (allowed to approach and feed it), birds, eagle shows, hawk, animals … Ticket price: $35 / person.

Tasmania Island is also famous for a very ugly animal shaped like a bear, dubbed the “Tasmanian devil”, scientific name is Sarcophilus harrisii which is one of the carnivorous marsupials, and are among the smallest in size. Adult males are only about 0.6m long, weighing 12kg.

Address: 5990 Arthur Hwy, Taranna TAS 7180, Australia Hours: 11AM–1PM, 2–3:30PM

On the east coast, you can visit the Maria Island National Park, home to ancient fossils that can be found on limestone and sandstone cliffs, along with forests and trails with full of ferns are great places to explore.

The Northwest is home to Aboriginal rock carvings. This is evidence of Aboriginal tribes inhabiting caves along the coast from thousands of years ago. It is also the home of The Nut – a 152-meter-high volcanic rock that is estimated to be 12.5 million years old. Climb to the top of the mountain, you can see the panorama around, then take the car down the slope.

Salmon Ponds

The garden in Salmon Ponds is one of the most beautiful private gardens I have ever seen. The salmon dishes here are all very good (no raw salmon). Spending $2 you can feed the chubby salmon / trout here and watch them bounce on the water. The entrance to the Salmon Ponds is also an extremely impressive stretch.

Address: 70 Salmon Ponds Road, New Norfolk, Tasmania 7140

Russell Fall / Lady Baron / Horseshoe Fall

3 beautiful waterfalls in Mt Field National Park, just 20/25/60 minitues walk from the Visitor Center.

From the mountain, you can see Pirate Bay and Eaglehawk Neck. One great stop for breakfast and coffee. Laura’s cafe has two very special coffee types brought from South America.

Remarkable Cave

A natural rocky cave formed by the movement of rocky mountains on the coast, creating a cave with two entrances to the mouth of the sea.

Address: 7182/446 Safety Cove Rd, Port Arthur TAS 7182, Australia

Cape Tourville Lighthouse

The lighthouse was erected close to a steep cliff. In Cape Tourville, you have the opportunity to see dolphins and whales, and if you own bright eyes, you can also see New Zealand in the distance. One of the most majestic lighthouses that I ever passed.

Height: 3.35 m Opened: 1971 Range: 51,856 m Focal height: 38 m

Port Arthur Historic Site

Port Arthur is a small town and old prison on the Tasman peninsula, Tasmania state, Australia. It is one of Australia’s most important heritage sites, as well as an open-air museum and an important archaeological site. If you want to look for a place with all levels of emotions such as happy, sad, dramatic, nostalgic, Port Arthur is the perfect choice. Port Arthur is the leading tourist attraction of Tasmania. It is located about 60 km (37 miles) to the southeast of Hobart.

Port Arthur prison area was built in 1853 with the main purpose of being a prison, considered to be the place with the strictest security at that time but also the most dangerous place in Australia. Through many ups and downs of the time, the work has been damaged more or less, only the rest of the walls of the building, but its historical value is still intact. As one of the cultural heritages of humanity recognized by UNESCO (2010), this place has really completely transformed, from being considered the bottom of Australian society, now becoming a leading tourist destination and attracts more than 250,000 visitors each year.

• Port Arthur Historic Site Two-Day Ticket in Tasmania

Bruny Island

Bruny is a 362 square kilometer island off the southeast coast of Tasmania. You should not miss this place if you have the opportunity to visit Tasmania because the scenery here is really beautiful like a water-color painting. Each towering cliff, shielding for the deep sea caves surrounded by primitive forests. This is the home of marine life such as seals, penguins, … Especially you will have the opportunity to admire migratory whales if you come to Bruny Island in the right season. This is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Tasmania that you should definitely visit.

Cape Bruny Island: The southernmost tip of Bruny Island, one of the three must-go spots when you step foot on Bruny Island. The large, peaceful scene, together with the white and gray gray rabbit here, will take you at least 1 hour to take pictures.

• Bruny Island Day Tour from Hobart

Wineglass Bay & Coles Bay

Coles Bay is an Australian town on the east coast of Tasmania state, 192 kilometers to the northeast of Hobart. This is the gateway to Freycinet National Park.If you want to fully explore the beauty of Coles Bay, go kayaking on the nearby Honeymoon Bay. Wineglass Bay is one of Australia’s most postcard-rated bay and is considered one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world.

• Wineglass Bay and Surrounding Areas Day Tour from Hobart

You should go, this is one of my favorite places that I like the most in Tasmania. The advice is that you should only choose 2 options: 1 rent a self-drive car, 2 is to take a tour with no other option. Best to take the tour because the journey is quite long and the climbing journey is quite laborious. http://www.wineglassbay.com/activities/

Freycinet National Park

Freycinet National Park is one of the World Heritage Sites, located on Tasmania’s relatively sunny coastline, is one of Australia’s oldest and most beautiful nature reserves. The star of this picturesque peninsula is the sheer curvature of the white sand beach next to the clear blue Wineglass Bay.

Bay of Fires

“Bay of Fire” is one of the beautiful beaches in Australia that attracts visitors with its own strange and mysterious beauty. “Bay of Fire” is made up of fine white sand beaches, clear blue sea water and bizarre granite red rocks. If you have a chance to visit this most beautiful tourist destination in Tasmania, you should not miss sunsets and sunrises on the sea, when the sun creates exotic splendor, it is a great opportunity for you to record spectacular photos.

Bridestowe Lavender Farm

One of the most beautiful Lavender gardens in the world. Tasmania’s most valuable destination in the summer. Lavender blooms best in late December to mid-January.

Once having visited Bridestowe, you will be immersed in the romantic, enchanting purple colors and the fragrant scent of this Lavender field. When you return, you can visit the factory to buy a few perfume jars as souvenirs for friends and relatives.

With more than 5,400 km of coastline, there are many wonderful places for kayaking. For those who love challenges, a kayaking trip around the island is very interesting. You go to the water near Hobart, where the sea is beautiful and the air is extremely fresh. Rowing also helps visitors get closer to the coastal gorges, the wildlife of Tasmania.

• Hobart City Kayaking Tour

If you love surfing, Tasmania is a paradise with strong waves and a deserted coast. Near the capital Hobart, Park and Clifton Beach are attractive places for visitors who love this activity. From Orford to Bicheno, from the Cloudy Bay of Bruny Island to Trial Harbor or Arlberg Bay, you can find private space for surfing.

Tasmania blog: What to eat?

Sorell fruit farm.

When traveling to Tasmania, besides enjoying the delicious food, fruit in the Sorell Fruit Farm, is one of the most exciting summer day entertainment activities for visitors, both can enjoy right after picking or bring back your harvested fruit at an affordable price.

Address: 174 Pawleena Rd, Sorell TAS 7172, Australia Hours: 10AM–4PM

Cheese and Beer Co. : This is the birthplace of one of Australia’s most unique and delicious beers: Beer fermented from cow’s milk !!! Sold only on Bruny Island. Well, it is best not to try the First Anniversary beer ($25 / 750ml bottle). Well, you may not find any beer in this world that is as delicious as First Anniversary.

Address: 1807 Bruny Island Main Rd, Great Bay TAS 7150, Australia Hours: 9AM–4PM

The grilled Kangaroo

The kangaroos are a wonderful symbol of Australia. Is the first impression that makes people remember this magical land. Tasmanian cuisine thanks to the taste of the original grilled Kangaroo that has been carried across vast deserts decades ago. It has become the most attractive and unique dish in the world.

The taste of grilled Kangaroo is both delicious and nutritious. With hundreds of unique recipes and unique seasoning, that create dishes with extremely new and delicate flavors.

Grilled crocodile meat with a rich flavor

Crocodile dishes from the past to present are very popular with the Australians. As a dish not only unique but also strange to food lovers around the world. Crocodile meat can be easily processed into many different dishes, but the most popular is still grilled crocodile meat that marinated with olive oil, lemon and some typical sauces.

Bush Tucker – Australian specialty

This is an age-old dish prepared by Aboriginal Australians. With two main sources of raw ingredients are wild plants and fresh animals that are hunted in the forest. This dish has been learned and processed by many countries. However the best taste still belongs to the natives of Australia. They not only add spices but also add familiar flavor of their homeland and typical culture of their country.

Tasmania travel blog: Where to stay?

Below we recommend more best cheap, budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to..

• MACq 01 Hotel , a top rated 5-star hotel with room rates from $218/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• The Henry Jones Art Hotel , a top rated 5-star hotel with room rates from $135/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Grand Chancellor Hotel Hobart , a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $161/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Wrest Point , a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $63/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Quality Hotel Colonial Launceston , a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $81/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

You can find more hotels in this city on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Tasmania you can refer to

• Tasman Island Experience
• Wild West Coast Tour
• 3D Tasmanian Highlight Tour: Hobart, Port Arthur, & Bruny Island
• iVenture Tasmania Flexi Attractions Pass
• 2D Best of Tasmania Sightseeing Tour: Hobart & Bruny Island
• Wineglass Bay and Wildlife Aeroplane Tour from Hobart
• Five of Hobart’s Best Sightseeing Day Tour
• Hobart City Scenic Aeroplane Flight Experience

Are you looking for more top things to do in Hobart: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here . And Hobart travel blog — The fullest Hobart travel guide for a great budget trip to Hobart for first-timers .

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What we learned about Tasmania from Travel Guides

Tasmania is one of those places in Australia that a lot of people forget about, or don't even consider for a holiday, and some of the Travel Guides are the same.

Stream every episode ever of Travel Guides for free on 9Now.

But as we learnt on Wednesday night, there's plenty to see and do with some active adventures too which even surprised the Guides.

Head to the top to see it all

Tasmania has some stunning mountains, which the Guides experienced firsthand. Although a word of advice is if you are heading down in the winter months, you better rug up tight and even think about packing a ski jacket.

The Guides headed up Mount Wellington, which sits at 1300 metres above seal level. The blustery wind almost had the Fren Family making a run for it back to their car.

With views of most of Hobart and down the South Coast, it's a beautiful spot to take in the scenery.

Eaglehawk Neck speed boats for a wild ride

While road tripping around Tasmania is a fantastic way to take in the sights, hitting the seas is another must-do activity.

But getting onto a boat with seatbelts for a cruise can only mean one thing: it's going to be a fast one.

"Seatbelts, oh that's a worry," Snobs Kevin and Janetta said as they took their spots.

"Once he gunned it, we were off. It was pretty thrilling," Kevin said.

The three-hour cruise took the Guides down the Tasmanian peninsular and gave them a closer look at the incredible sea cliffs, which tower at 300 metres above the sea.

The Snobs were wowed by what they saw, comparing it to walking into a cathedral, with the detail and layers in the rocks up the cliffs.

Meanwhile, Victoria Fren was getting a little bit bored of the same old scenery — until a New Zealand Fur Seal caught her eye.

The animals apparently love the cooler waters in Tasmania and were happily enjoying laying on rocks and going for a quick dip as the Guides cruised past.

Adrenaline junkies can abseil down Gordon Dam

Surprisingly, if you're an adrenaline junkie, there's actually a lot on offer for you in Tasmania.

Although when the Guides were faced with abseiling down the 140-metre high Gordon Dam, there was a lot of hesitation and even a few tears.

Abseiling in itself isn't for the faint-hearted, but the sheer height of this one and the fact that you will be hanging, not walking down the wall, proved too much for Dorian.

"I can't stand heights, I'm going to sit this one out," Dorian said.

Victoria and Jono Fren made the descent together, although at one point she thought he had left her "for dead".

No one was more scared of the whole thing than twins Mel and Stack, although the two managed to get down despite twirling around on the rope as the wind picked up.

Get up close with Tasmanian Devils

The Guides headed out to Devils at Cradle, which is one of the only places on earth where you can cuddle a Tasmanian Devil baby.

The creatures are certainly cute and for a lot of people, it may be the only chance to ever see one up close — although beware, they do growl like a monster, which explains how they got their names.

Princess Pancake, a cuddly little baby wombat, won the hearts of Kev, Dorian and Teng.

As for the Fren Family, they were lucky enough to feed the Devils and found out exactly what they sound like when they're hungry.

The Tasmanian Devils were thrown a wallaby leg and the wild little things ripped it apart as they fought over it in their enclosure.

• Kev Dorian And Teng
• Kevin And Janetta

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VIDEO : Plan to keep winter tourists visiting Tasmania despite no Dark Mofo

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Tasmania is entering the winter period without one of its biggest tourist drawcards, Dark Mofo.

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Passing Thru Travel

Traveler’s Guide 2024: 10 Sustainable Travel Destinations in Oceania

Posted: March 8, 2024 | Last updated: March 8, 2024

Oceania, a vast region encompassing Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, offers mesmerizing experiences for the sustainable traveler. This guide leads you through some of Oceania’s most inspiring destinations, where ecological preservation, cultural respect, and responsible tourism practices are at the forefront. From the pristine wilderness of Tasmania to the culturally rich islands of Fiji, these destinations are extraordinary travel experiences and opportunities to impact the places and communities you visit positively. Embrace the essence of sustainable travel in Oceania and contribute to preserving this region’s unique natural beauty and cultural heritage.

1. Tasmania, Australia

Tasmania, known for its rugged wilderness and commitment to conservation, is a haven for sustainable travel. Over 40% of the island is protected as national parks and reserves, allowing travelers to explore untouched landscapes while minimizing their environmental footprint.

Highlights include the pristine Tarkine rainforest, the stunning Freycinet National Park, and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tasmanian Wilderness. Visitors can indulge in eco-friendly activities like hiking, kayaking, and wildlife watching, often encountering the island’s unique fauna, such as Tasmanian devils and quolls.

Insider’s Tip: Stay in eco-lodges that utilize renewable energy and practice sustainable tourism.

When To Travel: November to April for warmer weather and outdoor activities.

How To Get There: Fly into Hobart or Launceston from major Australian cities. Tasmania is also accessible by ferry from Melbourne.

2. Northland, New Zealand

Northland, at the northern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, offers a blend of cultural history and environmental beauty. This region is home to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where New Zealand’s founding document was signed, and the Kauri Coast, known for its ancient kauri trees.

Sustainable practices include supporting local Maori-owned businesses and engaging in conservation efforts to protect the native flora and fauna. Activities range from exploring the Bay of Islands to visiting the historic Cape Reinga.

Insider’s Tip: Take part in cultural tours led by local Maori guides for an authentic insight into the region’s history.

When To Travel: December to March for the best weather.

How To Get There: Fly into Auckland and drive north or take a domestic flight to Whangarei.

With its crystal-clear waters and rich marine life, Fiji is a leader in sustainable island tourism. Resorts and local communities work together to protect the environment with initiatives like coral reef restoration and the ban on single-use plastics.

Fiji offers a range of eco-friendly activities, from snorkeling in marine reserves to participating in traditional Fijian ceremonies. The islands also provide opportunities to learn about sustainable agriculture and fishing practices.

Insider’s Tip: Choose resorts that are part of the Fiji Ecotourism Association.

When To Travel: May to October for dry weather and optimal diving conditions.

How To Get There: Fly into Nadi International Airport from major international cities.

4. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is a world-renowned natural wonder, offering a unique opportunity for sustainable exploration of its vibrant coral ecosystem. Tour operators and conservation groups offer eco-certified tours that promote reef health and educate visitors on the challenges facing this delicate environment. Activities include snorkeling, diving, and glass-bottom boat tours, with opportunities to participate in citizen science projects.

Insider’s Tip: Engage with marine biologists to learn about coral conservation efforts.

When To Travel: June to October for clear visibility and calmer seas.

How To Get There: Fly to Cairns or Townsville and join a certified eco-tour.

With its unspoiled landscapes and strong cultural traditions, Samoa is an ideal destination for responsible travel. The Samoan way of life, or Fa’a Samoa, emphasizes a deep connection to the land and sea. Visitors can experience this firsthand by staying in traditional fales (beach huts), participating in village life, and learning about local conservation efforts. Samoa’s natural attractions include the To Sua Ocean Trench, Togitogiga Waterfall, and the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve.

Insider’s Tip: Support community-based tourism initiatives that directly benefit local villages.

When To Travel: May to October for drier weather.

How To Get There: Fly into Faleolo International Airport, near Apia, Samoa’s capital.

6. Rotorua, New Zealand

In the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, Rotorua is renowned for its geothermal phenomena and Maori cultural heritage. The city and its surrounding area offer a range of sustainable travel experiences, from geothermal parks with eco-friendly practices to Maori cultural performances that preserve and share traditional knowledge. Visitors can explore bubbling mud pools, relax in natural hot springs, and learn about geothermal energy’s role in the local economy.

Insider’s Tip: Experience a traditional Maori hangi (feast) cooked using geothermal steam.

When To Travel: All year round, each season offers a different experience.

How To Get There: Fly into Rotorua Regional Airport or drive from Auckland or Wellington.

Vanuatu, an archipelago in the South Pacific, is committed to preserving its natural and cultural heritage. The islands offer eco-friendly accommodations and activities like snorkeling in marine sanctuaries, hiking to active volcanoes, and engaging with local communities. Vanuatu’s unique culture, visible in its traditional Melanesian festivals and village customs, provides an enriching and sustainable travel experience.

Insider’s Tip: Participate in a cultural tour to learn about traditional Vanuatu lifestyles and customs.

When To Travel: April to October for a comfortable climate and less rainfall.

How To Get There: Fly into Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila.

8. The Cook Islands

The Cook Islands, a nation of 15 islands in the South Pacific, is a model of sustainable tourism. The islands’ commitment to preserving their natural environment and Polynesian culture is evident in their responsible tourism practices.

Rarotonga, the largest island, offers lush mountain hikes, lagoon cruises, and cultural village tours. With its stunning lagoon, Aitutaki is perfect for eco-friendly water activities like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

Insider’s Tip: Visit during the Te Maeva Nui festival in July for cultural performances and celebrations.

When To Travel: May to October for drier weather and pleasant temperatures.

How To Get There: Fly into Rarotonga International Airport, with direct flights from New Zealand and Australia.

9. The Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands, known for their rich biodiversity and WWII history, offer a sustainable travel experience rooted in nature and heritage. The islands’ commitment to preserving their ecosystems is seen in their protected marine areas and community conservation efforts.

Visitors can explore coral reefs, WWII relics, and traditional villages. The Solomon Islands also offer opportunities for cultural immersion, including traditional dance and music.

Insider’s Tip: Dive or snorkel at the Florida Islands to explore pristine coral reefs and WWII wrecks.

When To Travel: April to November for the best weather for outdoor activities.

How To Get There: Fly into Honiara International Airport from Australia or Fiji.

10. New Caledonia

New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, is known for its unique blend of Melanesian culture and French sophistication. The islands are committed to sustainable tourism, focusing on protecting their diverse marine life and promoting cultural exchange.

The lagoon surrounding New Caledonia is a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering world-class snorkeling and diving. Inland, visitors can explore lush forests and learn about Kanak culture.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Noumea to understand Kanak traditions and history.

When To Travel: September to December for ideal weather conditions.

How To Get There: Fly into La Tontouta International Airport near Noumea.

The Bottom Line

Sustainable travel in Oceania affords you breathtaking landscapes, allows you to engage with the region’s diverse cultures, and contributes to preserving its natural wonders. As you explore Oceania, remember that your choices as a traveler have the power to support environmental conservation and cultural preservation.

Whether you’re snorkeling in Fiji’s crystal-clear waters, participating in a traditional Maori ceremony in New Zealand, or hiking through the rainforests of Vanuatu, your journey can leave a positive impact. Embrace the spirit of sustainable travel, and let Oceania’s natural beauty and rich cultural tapestry inspire a deeper connection to our planet.

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The post Traveler’s Guide 2024: 10 Sustainable Travel Destinations in Oceania republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Ethan Daniels.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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Fjords, Pharaohs or Koalas? Time to Plan for Your Next Eclipse.

If you can’t get enough of totality, or missed out this time, you’ll have three more chances in the next four years in destinations like Iceland, Spain, Egypt and Australia.

• Share full article

By Danielle Dowling

Are you still a little giddy from the magical moments of totality during Monday’s solar eclipse? Or did clouds swoop in to block your view? Maybe you just couldn’t make it to the path of totality this time. No matter what, the question now is “ Where and when will it happen again?”

“People who have never seen it before, the first words out of their mouth after the totality ends is ‘I’ve got to see another one, this is incredible, this is unbelievable.’ That is when you become addicted to these things and end up traveling no matter where the next one is,” said Joseph Rao, an eclipse chaser and guest lecturer at the Hayden Planetarium.

So, if like Mr. Rao, you’ve developed a raging case of umbraphilia — the love of eclipses — you’ll have three chances over the next four years to see the moon blot out the sun. The first, on Aug. 12, 2026, will start above Greenland, then strafe the west coast of Iceland and move along the Atlantic Ocean and over Spain. Almost a year later, on Aug. 2, 2027, another will skirt the Mediterranean coast of North Africa then cross Egypt and part of the Arabian Peninsula. The third, on July 22, 2028, will cut across Australia and the southern tip of New Zealand.

Future Eclipses

Eclipse chasers will have several more chances this decade to view a total solar eclipse .

Last week, as Victoria Sahami , the owner of Sirius Travel , was preparing to guide a group of tourists in Mazatlán, Mexico, for Monday’s big event, she was also planning for these other upcoming eclipses. Ms. Sahami joined the ranks of the eclipse-obsessed when she witnessed one in Venezuela in the 1990s. “Like many people, I was hooked. There was no going back,” she said.

Total solar eclipses happen fairly regularly — about every one to two years — in locations scattered around the world. “That’s the great thing about them: You wind up in places that you don’t normally go,” Ms. Sahami said.

A major spoiler is weather, which will be a big variable in the 2026 eclipse — one Greenland, Iceland and Spain will see.

“Iceland normally has a lot of cloud during that time of year,” said Paul Maley , who runs Ring of Fire Expeditions . “The data shows Spain to have the higher good-weather prospects of all three. However, the sun is low in the sky and the eclipse ends as the sun hits the horizon at sunset.”

Because of Iceland’s mercurial meteorology, Ring of Fire Expeditions is going all in on Spain, with a 10-day excursion on the mainland. Sirius Travel is offering not only a five-day trip to Majorca but also an eight-day tour around Iceland. It will be based in Reykjavik, and the itinerary will remain flexible on the day of the eclipse so the tour can easily pivot toward the location with the least cloud cover. Ms. Sahami recommends the trip for those who already have a few eclipses under their belt and would be happy just to take in the sights of Iceland if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

The 2027 eclipse, on the other hand, promises to be truly stellar: Luxor, Egypt — the site of numerous ancient temples as well as the Valleys of the Kings and Queens — sits right in the middle of the path of totality and will be bathed in darkness for a full 6 minutes 23 seconds. Weather-wise, it is what Ms. Sahami called “a slam dunk.” “You know you’re going to see it. You know that you’re not going to get any clouds,” she said.

But for all its potential, those considering Egypt should be aware that the State Department has a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” warning for the country because of the risk of terrorism.

The 2028 eclipse will darken the skies over Sydney, Australia, for 3 minutes 49 seconds. It will be the first time the city has experienced a total solar eclipse since 1857. Ms. Sahami has her eyes on a trip based out of there, while Mr. Maley has chartered a cruise ship off the northwest coast of Australia. It will be winter there, he said, but that isn’t likely to mean bad eclipse-viewing weather.

If you want to see any (or all) of these eclipses, you should get started on planning and booking now, particularly if you want to sign up for a trip organized by a tour company. One of Sirius Travel’s excursions to Luxor is already full.

Scrutinize refund policies and look into insuring your trip. Several companies will fully refund your deposit if you cancel a year in advance. A lot can happen, Ms. Sahami said, “but if you think you’re going to go, why not?”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

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Miu Miu canvas and leather bucket bag, $2,050

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Celine sunglasses, $440

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Palm Angels PA 4 sneakers, $620

For Italian fashion brand Palm Angels’ spring and summer collection (pieces generally range from $300 to $4,500), the vibe is once again all about the City of Angels — and for good reason, right? Just check out the new styles of the brand’s PA 4 kicks that feature palm trees stitched on the sides.

Cult Gaia Celia one-piece swimsuit, $328

Cult Gaia’s Celia one-piece swimsuit should be tucked into your luggage for a trip to Palm Springs or St. Barts. The swimsuit, which comes in black and a matcha-looking color called tea, has a high-thigh cut, low back and wired neckline. Sizes range from XXS to XL.

Tumi Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case, $950

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Saint Laurent Rive Droite mini speaker, $80

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Orlebar Brown Bulldog swim shorts, $395

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Marques Harper is a deputy features editor at the Los Angeles Times. He previously covered fashion for the Austin American-Statesman and media and culture for the Roanoke Times. A native of New Jersey, he has a B.A. in English from Rutgers University and an M.S. in digital media management from the University of Southern California.

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• The First MICHELIN Key Hotels: All the Keys in France

The MICHELIN Guide announces top honors for French hotels in 2024.

MICHELIN Keys France Hotels

Paris by The MICHELIN Guide

See the Paris guide

On April 8, 2024, the MICHELIN Guide revealed the brand new One, Two, and Three Key distinctions for the most outstanding hotels in France.

This announcement comes four years into a comprehensive refresh of our hotel selection. The MICHELIN Guide now includes over 5,000 hotels across the world, and not a single one is simply a room for the night. These are places that significantly add to your experience as a traveler, each vetted and judged excellent in five categories: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting. Which brings us back to the Keys. The culmination of countless hours of evaluation by our team of experts, the Key hotels below represent the highlights of our broader selection. Like the MICHELIN Stars for restaurants, the MICHELIN Keys are our most outstanding hotels. In total, the 2024 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection in France includes 24 Three Key hotels, 38 Two Key hotels, and 127 One Key hotels. Want to know more about the MICHELIN Key? Here’s everything you need to know . Or, head below to look at all the Keys.

How To Look Through the List

Jump straight to the list or take a deeper dive into select key hotels..

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Highlights of the France 2024 Key Hotel List

The Palaces: A Distinctly French High Luxury

Expect: Butler service, high quality spas, and sumptuous spare-no-expense design. The government of France itself bestows an official Palace designation, with French tourism officials judging the most luxurious hotels in France to ensure they provide particular amenities and services (a spa, a multilingual check-in desk, a concierge service, etc.) and an excellent representation of the country. Out of 31 official palace hotels in France, many earned at least one Key — and several make up our Three Key hotels. Of the palaces that earned at least One Key, you’ll find a mix of the most historic ( the Four Seasons George V ), the most modern ( Le K2 Palace ), and the newer takes on the traditional form ( La Réserve Paris ). All are exceptional. Also read: Every Three Key Hotel in Paris

The Country Darlings: Chateaus and Vineyards

Our first annual list of Key hotels in France confirms the supremacy of these two mainstays: chateau and vineyard accommodations. Look to Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey and Château de la Gaude as particular examples of Two Key hotels that combine both. Or look just outside Bordeaux, to Les Sources de Caudalie . Built on a natural hot spring and operated by the famous Caudalie beauty brand, it’s a particularly fascinating Three Key property on the grounds of the Château Smith Haut-Lafitte vineyard.

Paris 2024: Little Boutiques Full of Hip, Trendy Design and Endless Color

We’re thrilled that in our inaugural Key distinctions we can celebrate an especially strong crop of small, design-forward boutique hotels that are anything but content to be conventional. With bright, colorful design that’s of the moment, they’re grounded in technical know-how, impeccable taste, and informed by a fascinating, sometimes quirky history. Explore Hôtel Le Ballu , La Fantaisie , Providence , Les Bains , and Norman Hôtel & Spa to see just what we mean. Also read: Inside Hôtel Le Ballu: A singular, artsy refuge in the heart of Paris

Click below to jump to each distinction: 

The three key hotels.

Antibes: Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc Bordeaux: Les Sources de Caudalie Champillon: Le Royal Champagne Courchevel: Cheval Blanc Courchevel Courchevel: Le K2 Palace Gordes: La Bastide de Gordes Le Castellet: Hôtel du Castellet Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade: Villa La Coste Les Baux-de-Provence: Baumanière Megève: Four Seasons Megeve Monte-Carlo: Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo Paris: Villeroy Paris: La Réserve Paris Paris: Saint James Paris Paris: Four Seasons George V Paris: Cheval Blanc Paris Paris: Ritz Paris Paris: Le Bristol Paris Paris: Le Meurice Paris: Plaza Athénée Reims: Domaine Les Crayères Saint Tropez: La Reserve Ramatuelle Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: Grand Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat Versailles:  Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle

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The two key hotels.

Aix-en-Provence: Château de la Gaude Avignon: La Mirande Biarritz: Hôtel du Palais Bommes: Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Busnes: Le Château de Beaulieu Cassis: Les Roches Blanches Cheverny: Les Sources de Cheverny Cognac: Chais Monnet Courchevel: Aman Le Mélézin Courchevel: L'Apogée Courchevel Dinard: Castelbrac Eugenie les Bains: Les Pres d’Eugenie - Michel Guerard Èze: Château Eza Èze: Château de la Chèvre d'Or Gargas: Coquillade - Provence Honfleur: La Ferme Saint-Siméon Lauris: Domaine de Fontenille Le Grand-Lucé: Château du Grand-Lucé Massignac: Domaine des Étangs Monte-Carlo: Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo Montpellier: Domaine de Biar Nice: Le Negresco Paris: Crillon Paris: J.K. Place Paris Paris: Lutetia Paris: Nolinski Paris: Bulgari Hôtel Paris Paris: Le Royal Monceau Paris: The Peninsula Paris Paris: Shangri-La Paris Porto-Vecchio: Casadelmar Roquebrune-Cap-Martin: The Maybourne Riviera Sabran: Château de Montcaud Saint Tropez: Airelles Saint-Tropez Château de la Messardière Saint Tropez: Cheval Blanc St-Tropez Saint-Méloir-des-Ondes: Château Richeux - Les Maisons de Bricourt Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Le Domaine du Mas de Pierre Val-d'Isère: Le K2 Chogori

The One Key Hotels

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Bourgogne-franche-comté, centre-val de loire, haut-de-france, île-de-france, nouvelle-aquitaine, pays de la loire, provence-alpes-côte d'azur.

An Introduction to Latvia & Its Cuisine

Take a culinary journey through the heart of the Baltics to discover this beautiful country and its must-try specialities

Paris in the Spring: 15 Things to See and Do

Have you booked a short break in Paris? Explore our list of Inspector-approved activities to enjoy the warmer weather in the French capital.

Enjoy Singaporean Food at These MICHELIN Restaurants Around the World

Craving Singaporean food outside of the Lion City? Here's where to get iconic Singaporean classics such as Chilli Crab, Chicken Rice, and Bak Kut Teh.

In Photos: Every Three Key Hotel in Paris

The ins and outs of the most outstanding hotels in the city.

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One, Two and Three MICHELIN Keys

Just as the MICHELIN Stars recognize outstanding restaurants, hotels now have their own distinction.

How To Turn an Entire Town Into a Bright Pink, One Key Wine Hotel

As you stroll the remote French village of Assignan, you can’t miss the colors of Chateau & Village Castigno, a wine hotel that’s been splashed throughout the town.

Three Keys in Bordeaux: The Hot Spring Hotel in Wine Country

Les Sources de Caudalie combines Vinotherapy from the famous French brand with a natural hot spring and an ancient vineyard.

Inside Room 311 of the Only Three Key Château in Paris

The so-called 'Piano Suite' is an exclusive oasis atop a completely singular Parisian manor.

Inside a Historic Tapestry of French Design: Provence's Two Key La Mirande

In the heart of Provence and steps from the palace where seven Popes once reigned, La Mirande is a time capsule of centuries of French decorative arts — all in an unmistakably luxurious hotel.

Where Bowie and Jagger Partied: Now a Dazzling One Key Hotel in Paris

Les Bains Paris was a spa for Proust and a nightclub for Bowie and Jagger. Now, it might be the city's hippest design hotel — recently awarded one of Paris' first MICHELIN Keys.

Three Key Dreamland: An Art-Drenched Wine Estate Decorated by Gehry and Dylan

Patrick McKillen turned an old French vineyard into a striking hotel with a collection of art and architecture to rival the world’s very best. It's among the first Three Key hotels in France.

Everything You Need to Know About the MICHELIN Key for Hotels

In April 2024, the MICHELIN Guide debuts a brand new distinction: the MICHELIN Key. While the MICHELIN Star recognizes the most outstanding restaurants in the world, the MICHELIN Key does the same for outstanding hotels. Here’s everything you need to know about the new distinction.

Aggro-Tourism: 12 Hotels for Blowing Off Steam

When the real world gets too heavy, you could escape to a comfy chair on a quiet beach. Or, you could release all that stress via more aggressive means. These hotels are for the latter.

This Week’s New Hotels

MICHELIN Guide hotel experts share their most exciting discoveries for the week of March 25.

The MICHELIN Guide France 2024 is Revealed!

This year's selection features 2 new Three Stars, 8 new Two Stars and a new generation of chefs earning their first Star before the age of 40

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Everything We’ve Written About That’s Currently on Sale at Sephora

Skin-care, makeup, hair-care, and more.

We’ve done a lot of deep diving into skin care, makeup, and hair care, and many of our top picks in these categories can be found at Sephora — occasionally even on sale. To help you find the best deals at the retailer, we’ve rounded up everything we’ve written about that’s currently on sale. This includes the very best moisturizers (both tinted and sheer), the body lotion Rachel Antonoff has recommended to us on three separate occasions, and plenty of products to help you get a year-round summer glow. It’s a particularly good moment to stock up or replace your empties: Sephora’s Savings Event is happening right now, so you can find almost everything on sale.

Depending on your Beauty Insider status, you can score up to 20 percent off your entire purchase by using the code YAYSAVE at checkout until April 15. Rouge members get 20 percent off, VIB members earn 15 percent off, and Insider members get 10 percent off. But everyone — Beauty Insider or not — can take 30 percent off Sephora Collection products, which includes the concealer that we’ve called a dupe for Tarte’s Shape Tape . I’ve gone ahead and applied the 20 percent Rouge discount to all of the items here. Also, Dyson’s beloved hair tools are finally included in this insider sale, so I’ve put a few of those on the list. While you’re here, be sure to sign up for our email newsletter to find out about other worthwhile sales.

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