To write about business one should be in business, just as in writing about Tasmania one should visit Tasmania.
James Cook
As Mr Cook pronounces, so we did. We scoured the island for the best places to visit in Tasmania, to compile this 'must-experience' list.
Admittedly, choosing which Tasmania landmarks to feature was a bit like having to name your favourite child. Also, we found it challenging to stop at 15 when remarkable sites abound across this island. We preview half of our selections in this chart, and describe our favourites in the article.
| 🌄Attraction name | 📸Type of scene | 🤔What to do there |
|---|---|---|
| Wineglass Bay | Nature landmark | Hike, take pictures. |
| Port Arthur Historic Site | Historical landmark | Visit the museum, wander the grounds. |
| Cataract Gorge | Natural and urban landscapes | Ride the chairlift, explore the trails. |
| The Gordon River | Nature escape | Take a cruise, photograph the wilderness. |
| Flinders Island | Nature, mostly | Wander from beaches to mountains. |
| kunanyi / Mount Wellington | Mountain, wilderness | Hike or ride its trails. |
| Lake St Clair National Park | Nature escape | Spot wildlife while walking trails. |
| MONA | Museum | Enjoy exhibits in an unusual setting. |
| Hobart | Urban, historical | Explore the city |
| The Hazards | mountains | Photograph the scenery, hiking |
| Cradle Mountain | national park | Discover the park |
| The Tasting Trail | food | Sample unique flavours and foods |
| The Heavens | celestial | stargazing |
| Bruny Island | natural landscape | find and photograph wildlife and iconic scenery |
| Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race | annual event | watch and celebrate the racers |
Hobart
We start our tour in Tasmania's capital city, on the island's southwestern tip. There, we find historical sites such as the Cenotaph and the Cascades Female Factory. The city nestles beneath kunanyi / Mount Wellington, an attraction in itself. Be sure to feast your eyes on its Organ Pipes, a geological marvel!
Visit the Hunter Street Precinct, a gentrified neighbourhood along the waterfront. Stroll down Salamanca Place, and maybe have a meal in one of the boulevard's outdoor cafés. Don't miss Strickland Falls, a diminutive yet powerful cascade on the Upper Hobart Rivulet. After dark, be sure to catch a show at the Odeon Theatre, where the night comes alive.
How to Get There
By air
From Sydney or Melbourne
By bus
- Greyhound from Melbourne or Sydney
- Tassie Link from Melbourne
By car
from Geelong, ferry to Devonport, drive to Hobart
Best Time(s) to Go
Weather-wise, Hobart is great to visit year-round. However, to avoid the tourists, plan to visit between April and September. You might catch the Fresh Hop Festival (April), or Whiskey Week, in August.
kunanyi / Mount Wellington
Heading north from Hobart will take you to kunanyi, where spectacular natural scenery awaits. The aforementioned Organ Pipes, a dolerite column formation, is relatively easy to spot.
Hiking along the trails, you might make your way to the Lookout Building, near the mountain's summit. From there, you can take in all of Hobart, and surrounding scenery, too.
How to Get There
By car
follow signs to Wellington Park
By bus
at the Hobart waterfront, catch the Kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus
By bike
ride to the summit via Pinnacle Road
Best Time(s) to Go
- June to August, kunanyi is typically snow-covered, which might limit hiking opportunities.
- To avoid the crowds, aim for Autumn (March to May), or Spring (September/November).
- In all seasons, be sure to check conditions and weather forecasts before heading out.
Port Arthur
Just under 100 kilometres (km) southeast of the capital, we find Port Arthur, a town remarkable for its tragedies. It's one of 11 Unesco World Heritage sites that comprise the Australian Convict Sites. These are well curated relics of Australia's colonial beginnings, open for touring and learning from.
Convict transportation and 'storage' is a dark enough blot on the island's history. The 1996 Port Arthur Massacre scarred the town anew. It stands as Australia's worst mass murder event since colonial times.
How to Get There
By car
- drive the A9 towards Sorrell
- hire a car
By bus
- from Hobart, book a seat on the Port Arthur Bus Service
- Adults $99, kids $78
by tour
arrange for a tour from Hobart around Port Arthur sites
(prices vary)
Best Time(s) to Go
- December through March, to catch all the attractions.
- April-May, to avoid the crowds.
- September-November, for fewervisitors and mild weather.
Wineglass Bay
Continuing our northward path but veering slightly east, we come to Freycinet National Park, which includes this photogenic Bay.
From above, its sparkling, crescent beach resembles a giant smile. This secluded strand doesn't make for good swimming, as the water is always cold. However, hiking there and strolling its stretch is a great way to take in Tasmania nature.
How to Get There
- From Hobart, drive the A3 north for roughly 2.5 hours.
- From Launceston, travel the A3 south for about 2 hours.
- Exit on Coles Bay Road, and drive a further 7.5 miles, to the park's entrance.
Best Time(s) to Go
- March or September, for milder temperatures and fewer tourists.
- September to November, for wildflower spotting.
- December to February is tourist season, when the days are longest and warmest.
The Hazards
As long as you're in Freycinet National Park, take the time to see The Hazards. They lie between Wineglass Bay and Coles Bay, the closest town. As mountains go, they're not terribly tall; none of the five peaks exceeds 500m. Still, the range provides stunning scenery, including the peaks' pink hue.
Contrary to first impressions, these five mountains aren't named thus because of any danger they represent. They presumably get their name from a whaling captain, Richard Hazard.
How to Get There
Follow the directions to get to the national park. The range rings Wineglass Bay, and features trails to hike them.
Best Time(s) to Go
Thanks to the park's diversity of flora, tourist season, December to February, is the best time to explore these mountains.
Flinders Island
Now, we've gone so far north that we're on another island. Flinders lies 54 km from Tasmania's northeastern tip, a biodiverse outpost that's home to several native animal species. On Flinders, you may explore Strzelecki National Park and its crown jewel, Mount Strzelecki.
How to Get There
You may fly in on Sharp Airlines, from Melbourne or Launceston. Or, take the ferry from Launceston but be prepared. This journey takes roughly 14 hours.
Best Time(s) to Go
September to December is the best time to enjoy mild weather and witness explosive growth. March to May is also a good time, to catch the vibrant fall colours.
Cataract Gorge
On Mainland Australia, Queensland boasts many attractions, including water features. However, they lack the flavour of Cataract Gorge.
This relatively short, 5 km stretch sits mere minutes from Launceston City Centre, and is accessible on foot. Once there, you'll discover thick forest surrounding a river reserve, which wraps around the captivating gorge.
How to Get There
By bus
catch the Tiger Bus from Launceston's Central Business District (CBD), free of charge.
By car
A series of back roads leads you to First Basin Car Park, where you can leave your vehicle.
On foot
From Launceston's city centre, take Paterson Street
go over Kings Bridge.
The 1,5 km Cataract Walk starts there.
Best Time(s) to Go
October to April permits swimming in the South Esk River's calm waters. The mild temperatures during that time are ideal for hiking, and spotting wildlife, while riding the chairlift.
Cradle Mountain
The Australian Alps stretch across two southeastern states, giving tourists many photogenic destinations in Victoria and New South Wales (NSW). In Tasmania, Lake St Clair National Park beckons just as strongly. Cradle Mountain is a major feature at the park's northern end.
It's the sixth-highest mountain in Tasmania, as renowned for its unique flora as its poisonous snakes. The mountain bears its name because it looks like a mining cradle (also called rocker box).
How to Get There
By car
- from Hobart: A10 West to Lake St Clair Road
- from Devonport: A1 West to Cradle Mountain Road
By bus
Overland Track Transport runs daily coaches from Hobart and Launceston.
Best Time(s) to Go
December to March sees the least rainfall, but the most tourists. For snow excursions, visit from July to September.
The Tasting Trail
Western Australia hosts many enticing destinations, including food festivals. Still, for all that bounty, it cannot rival Tasmania's Tasting Trail. Should you find yourself on the road between Launceston and Smithton, you have access to nearly 50 declared Trail stops.
Be sure to download your Trail map before setting out. You may then sample artisanal creations, ranging from truffles and oysters, to whiskeys and wines. End your journey at The Harvest, Launceston's community farmer's market.
How to Get There
It's best to travel by car, so you can take your time and stop as you wish. Or, you may leave the driving to Coastline Tours. Either way, plan on at least two days to make the most of your experience.
Best Time(s) to Go
The Trail is open year-round, but offerings are seasonal. Plan your trip to suit your taste preferences.
Gordon River
River cruises are relaxing experiences. Travellers' biggest challenge is getting to the dock on time, after which they can let the crew take care of everything. A Gordon River cruise wends its way through inky waters, past spectacular flora, and along historic sites.
Along the way, your cruise might stop at Sarah Island, the cruellest of all penal colony outposts. Have your camera ready as you chug through Hells Gates, otherwise known as the Macquarie Harbour entrance.
How to Get There
The cruise terminal is in Strahan. You can drive or fly there, or take a bus. If you book a cruise package, ask your tour provider about a shuttle to Strahan.
Best Time(s) to Go
The cruise boats operate year-round.
The Heavens
This isn't a specific location in Tasmania, but rather a reason to visit. As a rule, Australia offers many top sights, but few leave the urban areas far enough behind to star-gaze properly. In this regard, Tasmania presents an advantage.
As the least-populated Australian state, sky-watchers needn't worry so much about light pollution ruining their view.
Depending on the time of year, you won't have to bring your telescope, either.
Simply choose your patch of wilderness, arrange your camping permit (if possible), and star-gaze to your heart's content. Choose your travel time to coincide with the celestial events you wish to see. You need no directions to cast your gaze upwards.
Styx Valley
To prolong the awe the heavenly bodies fostered, stop by Styx Valley on your way back to Hobart. Of all the places to visit in Tasmania, this area is most like the imagined worlds of orcs, sprites, and faeries. Its tallest tree, Gandalf's Staff, soars 85 metres into the air.
This valley is currently embroiled in a tug-of-war between conservationists and loggers. For now, it remains a destination for hikers and photographers alike.
How to Get There
From Hobart, head southwest towards Maydena. From there, catch the C626 - Florentine Road. Drive for roughly 15 km, to Styx Road, which leads to the Reserve. Note: officials recommend a four-wheel-drive for the journey's last leg.
Best Time(s) to Go
The summer months are ideal for hiking this rainforest. However, you're free to visit year-round.
Bruny Island
Just off Tasmania's southeastern coast, lies an island with a distinctive 'neck' connecting its north and south parts. Tourists can hike this narrow finger of land, being mindful that this area is the muttonbird and fairy penguins' breeding ground.
Before descending, take a picture of The Neck from above. You'll find a convenient lookout platform, which puts The Neck centre-frame.
How to Get There
By car
From Hobart, drive south, to Kettering
By bus
Line 415 runs between Hobart and Kettering
By ferry
a short ride from Kettering takes you to the island.
Best Time(s) to Go
When you go depends on what you hope to see:
- Spring and Autumn offer colourful foliage to photograph.
- Summer is the height of tourist season, so more attractions and activities await.
- Winter can get a bit cold, but the coastal scenery is more dramatic and wildlife is easier to spot.
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
Sydney and, by extension, NSW has much to see and do. Still, sometimes one needs to get away; this yacht race is perfect for the occasion. Should you happen to be in Hobart on Boxing Day, you might find yourself caught up in the excitement of this annual event.
Sources describe it as one of the most challenging yacht races in the world. To celebrate the run, find your place along the shores of Sullivan Cove, or head to Constitution Dock. You might extend your Hobart stay a few days, to revel in the Taste of Summer Festival. It lasts a week, following the yacht race.
MONA
Among the delights to explore in South Australia, museums feature prominently. However, they run true to museums' format the world over: full of artefacts, exhibit after exhibit.
By contrast, the Museum of Old and New Art - MONA, feels like a parody of standard museums. When you go, it's best to leave any expectations of a standard museum experience behind.
How to Get There
By car
drive A3 northbound to Berriedale (10 km) and follow signs to the museum
By bus
ride line 409 or 410 to Berriedale
By bike
ride the Inner-City Cycleway to Berriedale
Best Time(s) to Go
Year-round, the museum operates from 10 to 5. You must pre-book your visit.
How Much it Costs
Adults pay $38 ($32 on concession). Under-18s are $15 per head; Under-12s get in free.
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