Tasmania Travel Guide
We recently spent 7 days in Tasmania and in this Tasmania Travel Guide we share our experience of the places we visited to help you plan your own trip.
Tasmania feels different before you even land. Out the plane window the colours shift — deep green forests, dark rivers twisting through valleys, and coastlines that look untouched. Then you step outside and notice something else immediately: the air. It’s crisp, clean and carries the smell of ocean and forest at the same time.
Often overshadowed by mainland Australia, Tasmania is where the country reveals its quieter personality. This is a place of convict history, misty mountains, dramatic coastlines and wildlife that still behaves as if humans are only occasional visitors. A week here doesn’t feel rushed, but it never feels long enough either.
This guide follows a relaxed seven day road trip beginning and ending in Hobart, combining history, wilderness and some surprisingly quirky stops along the way.
You can also explore our wider Australia ideas in our Australia Travel Guide
Getting to Tasmania from Mainland Australia
Reaching Tasmania is easier than most people expect. The island is well connected to major Australian cities and the journey itself becomes part of the adventure.
Flying is the fastest and most common option. Direct flights run daily from Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane into Hobart or Launceston, with Melbourne being the shortest at just over one hour. Hobart works best for this itinerary because it allows you to travel south to Port Arthur before beginning the loop north.
The alternative is far more memorable — taking the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne to Devonport. The overnight sailing crosses Bass Strait and allows you to bring your own vehicle, which many travellers love for a proper road trip feel. You arrive early morning on the north coast ready to begin exploring immediately. During the summer months they also have daytime sailings.
If you prefer flexibility, we recommend hiring a car in Hobart so you can complete the full circuit comfortably. There are plenty of car hire places to choose from but make sure you pre-book to ensure you get the best deal and car you want. We used the discovercars website and it all went smoothly.
Best Time to Visit Tasmania & Weather
Tasmania’s climate is cooler than mainland Australia and changes quickly. In fact, we noticed air-conditioners were rarely seen in any places we visited. It’s rare for temperatures to exceed 30 degrees celsius in Tasmania and if it does it might only be for a day or two. Locals often say you experience four seasons in a day, and they aren’t exaggerating.
December to February is summer with temperatures around 17°C to 26°C and long daylight hours. This is the best season for hiking and beaches but also the busiest.
March to May offers calm weather and autumn colours, arguably the most photogenic time of year.
June to August brings winter. Snow falls in the mountains and Cradle Mountain becomes magical, though colder at 0°C to 10°C.
September to November is spring with waterfalls flowing strongly and fewer crowds.
For a balanced trip, late October to April offers the best combination of access and comfort.
Day 1 – Hobart
Hobart sits beneath Mount Wellington and beside the Derwent River, giving it a natural backdrop most cities can’t match. The waterfront is lively without feeling overwhelming, and historic sandstone warehouses mix easily with modern restaurants and galleries.
Arriving early lets you organise transport and explore the harbour area. Cafes line the docks and fishing boats still unload fresh catches nearby.
If you arrive on a Saturday, Salamanca Market becomes the obvious first stop. Hundreds of stalls fill the historic street selling produce, crafts and local food. It’s more than a market — it’s a weekly gathering point for the city.
On other days, drive up Mount Wellington. The road climbs through dense forest into alpine terrain before reaching the summit at 1,271 metres. On clear days the view stretches across the city and coastline. On cloudy days, the mountain sits inside the weather and visibility disappears completely. Tasmania teaches patience quickly. Unfortunately, on the day we visited it was covered in a dense fog which you will see if you watch our video below.
If conditions aren’t ideal for the mountain, consider heading straight to Port Arthur instead which we did after a brief visit to Mount Wellington.
Port Arthur Historic Site
About two hours south of Hobart lies Port Arthur, one of Australia’s most important historical sites. It was established in 1830 as a penal settlement for repeat offenders sent from Britain and quickly developed a reputation as a place convicts feared being transferred to.
Unlike many prison systems of the time, Port Arthur experimented with psychological punishment. Prisoners endured silent systems and solitary confinement rather than physical beatings, a method believed to reform behaviour but often causing severe mental distress.
The ruins remain hauntingly beautiful. The penitentiary, church and officers’ houses sit beside calm water and green lawns, making the harsh history feel almost surreal. The Isle of the Dead cemetery holds both convicts and soldiers, though convicts were buried in unmarked graves.
For visitors wanting a deeper experience, evening ghost tours recount escape attempts, punishments and unexplained stories that have built the site’s eerie reputation. It’s a fascinating place to visit and well maintained. There is a an entry fee which is currently $53 per person which gives you access for 2 days but we found a cheaper option through GetYourGuide for only $37 which is valid for 1 day only, but we found it was sufficient for our needs and the tour guide very knowledgeable on the history of Port Arthur.
We returned to Hobart and stayed at the RACV hotel in Hobart which was very comfortable and conveniently situated.
Day 2 – Hobart to Freycinet National Park
We departed after breakfast and leaving Hobart, the road north passes through Richmond, one of Tasmania’s prettiest villages. The sandstone bridge here is Australia’s oldest surviving bridge, built by convicts in 1825 and still in use.
Nearby Old Hobart Town recreates the early colonial settlement in miniature detail. It sounds simple but the craftsmanship makes it surprisingly absorbing. It’s well worth the visit if you travel through Richmond. Entry tickets were $20 when we visited. Allow at least an hour at this place and 2-3 hours overall in Richmond.
Continuing along the east coast, you reach Freycinet National Park after about three hours.
Freycinet National Park & Wineglass Bay
Freycinet contains some of Tasmania’s most recognisable scenery. Pink granite mountains rise from turquoise water and white beaches curve around sheltered bays.
The walk to Wineglass Bay lookout takes around an hour uphill but rewards you with one of Australia’s most photographed views. From above, the bay forms a perfect crescent framed by forest.
Walking down to the beach itself adds another hour which we chose not to do but if you have the time and enjoy a long walk looks worthwhile. The sand is bright white and squeaks underfoot.
If you are not hiring a car from Hobart another option is to book a guided day tour from Hobart which visits Richmond and Freycinet National park and returns you back to Hobart.
There is no shortage of accommodation options around Coles Bay and Freycinet national Park. We stayed at the Freycinet Lodge which was a delightful place. The place blends in with the natural surroundings and has great views. Very modern and clean inside and the restaurant served good meals.
Day 3 – Freycinet to Launceston
Heading north brings you to Tasmania’s second largest city, Launceston. The drive takes about two and a half hours and passes farmland and vineyards.
The highlight here is Cataract Gorge, only minutes from the centre. Cliffs drop into a river basin surrounded by walking paths and gardens. A chairlift crosses the gorge and gives an unusual view over the water.
Launceston feels more historic than Hobart, with colonial architecture and quiet streets. It makes a comfortable stop before heading into the mountains. We spent several hours exploring Cataract Gorge and enjoyed an afternoon walk around the Seaport Marina where there are plenty of restaurants to enjoy a relaxed lunch at. Overnight, we stayed at marvellous place called Kurrajong House. Meticulously maintained by a Scottish couple, it’s a small b&b but very conveniently located and we would not hesitate to return there again if we return to Launceston.
Day 4 – Launceston to Cradle Mountain
On the way west, stop near Devonport at the House of Anvers chocolate factory. It’s a fun break and the apple pie is famous for a reason. There is nothing spectacular about Devonport itself so we would suggest bypassing if you are short of time.
Nearby Sheffield is known as the Town of Murals, and just outside lies the Promised Land and the wonderfully quirky village of Lower Crackpot at Tasmazia, home to a giant hedge maze. We had a great time here and you can easily spend a few hours trying to find your way out of the many mazes scattered across the property. It’s a fun and relaxed stop, especially after a few days of driving, and the surrounding farmland gives it a peaceful feel. With Mount Roland rising dramatically in the background, the setting is surprisingly scenic and makes the whole place feel even more memorable than you might expect from a maze attraction.
Cradle Mountain sits inside the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and represents the island at its wildest. Alpine lakes reflect jagged peaks and wombats wander near walking tracks.
The Dove Lake Circuit is the most famous walk and takes around two hours. Longer hikes lead deeper into rainforest valleys and onto the Overland Track.
Wildlife is common at dusk, especially wombats.
Day 5 – Cradle Mountain to Strahan
The drive to Strahan on the west coast takes about two hours via Queenstown, where hills appear stripped bare from early mining activity, creating a strangely lunar landscape.
Strahan sits beside Macquarie Harbour and serves as the gateway to the Gordon River wilderness. We stayed overnight at a place called Ormiston House which is a fascinating old but well maintained b&b located on the shorefront. Hosts were excellent and the breakfast superb.
Strahan is your base if you plan on taking a Gordon River Cruise which is a must do if you have made it all the way here. A World Heritage Site can be visited by a couple of the local cruise providers. The boats are very comfortable and lunch is also served. The cruise last for around 6 hours and ours included a stop at Sarah Island. We splashed out and booked a premium upper deck seat which was excellent. We did notice that if you book directly with the cruise operators prices were a lot more expensive and currently $350 per person for the premium seats but on GetYourGuide the same tickets cost around $248 each.
The journey passes mirror-still water and ancient rainforest before reaching Sarah Island.
Sarah Island Penal Colony
Sarah Island predates Port Arthur and was considered even harsher. Established in 1822, it housed the most troublesome prisoners and escape attempts were frequent, though rarely successful. Dense wilderness surrounded the settlement and starvation claimed many escapees.
The island became infamous for brutal discipline and back-breaking labour in shipbuilding yards. Today, guided walks bring these stories vividly to life. The cruise ends late afternoon and we then drove to Tarraleah about a 3 hour drive on the way back to Hobart. If we had more time we would have stayed a second night in Strahan but that is how we pre-planned it for the 7 day itinerary we set.
Day 6 – Strahan to Tarraleah
The Lyell Highway returns toward Hobart through mountains and rivers. Break the trip halfway in Tarraleah, a former hydroelectric workers’ village now converted into accommodation and a whisky stop.
On the way visit Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest freshwater lake, and the Wall in the Wilderness sculpture telling the story of the highlands.
Nearby Mount Field National Park offers Russell Falls and the Tall Trees Walk, where eucalyptus trees rise over 90 metres high — among the tallest flowering plants on Earth. There are not many accommodation options to choose from here and our first choice at Tarraleah Estate was booked out so we ended up staying at the back of a caravan park in very basic accommodation but was ok for an overnight stop.
Day 7 – Return to Hobart
Return to Hobart for a final night. It’s a good chance to revisit anything missed earlier or simply relax along the harbour.
Prices for accommodation can fluctuate significantly depending on season, school holidays and regional demand, so travellers with flexible dates can often secure substantial savings simply by adjusting their stay slightly. Before confirming any booking, we strongly recommend reading our accommodation money-saving guide, which explains how to use Booking.com’s availability calendar to identify cheaper travel dates.
👉 Learn how to find cheaper hotel deals using Booking.com’s calendar tool.
If continuing your travels, our Melbourne Travel Guide is useful when heading back to the mainland
Why Tasmania Stays With You
Tasmania doesn’t overwhelm with famous landmarks. Instead it builds memories gradually — a quiet forest walk, a historic ruin, a sudden wildlife encounter.
The combination of wilderness and history makes it feel both ancient and personal at the same time.
You don’t just tick off attractions here. You slow down enough to notice them.
If you want to see our
