Things to do in Tasmania
Welcome to Tasmania
Good food, great wine, and more than three million acres of UNESCO World Heritage–listed wilderness beckon travelers to Tasmania. While Port Arthur's 19th-century penitentiary ruins evoke an eerie sense of Tasmania's convict past, those who visit the island today have a great amount of freedom, especially when it comes to planning an itineraryor choosing from numerous tours that expertly explore the Island of Inspiration. Want to experience the island's natural beauty? Hike up or bike down Mount Wellington, the landmark of capital Hobart; cruise past ancient rain forests on the Gordon River from Strahan; or day trip to Freycinet Peninsula National Park, home to Wineglass Bay's white-sand beaches and pristine waters. If you're feeling cultural, head to the Hobart waterfront for a taste of its up-and-coming culinary and craft-beer scenes; visit the Salamanca Place weekend market; spy cute colonial buildings along Battery Point; or admire Aboriginal artwork at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. No matter your home base, opportunities for day tours abound—bushwalk through the unspoiled wilderness of Cradle Mountain from Launceston or Devonport; head offshore to wild Bruny Island from Hobart for surf, sun, and the chance to spot wallabies, penguins, and migrating whales; or head to the Tasman Peninsula to witness the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo's namesake critters, kangaroos, and native birds.
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Top 15 attractions in Tasmania
#1
Bruny Island
Less than an hour from the Tasmanian capital and yet a world away from the busy streets of Hobart, Bruny Island draws a steady stream of weekenders from the mainland. The two islands, joined by a long narrow isthmus, are a wildlife haven of jagged cliffs and golden beaches swirling with seabirds. Both are dotted with sleepy villages and tranquil guesthouses, and main activities are hiking, fishing, and slurping fresh-from-the-ocean oysters.More
#2
Port Arthur
A moving reminder of Australia’s harrowing history, the former convict settlement of Port Arthur was a key part of often brutal convict discipline within the colonial system. Today, the Port Arthur historic site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Tasmania’s most visited tourist attraction, with museums and memorials devoted to telling the area’s history.More
#3
Tamar Valley
The Tamar Valley, situated on Launceston’s doorstep, stretches north to the sea at George Town. This lush, fertile area of emerald hills, orchards, and, perhaps most importantly, vineyards, serves as Tasmania’s prime wine-producing region, known for its Pinor Noir, Riesling, and Chardonnay. Spectacular views abound.More
#4
Freycinet National Park
Backed by the pink-tinged granite outcrops known as the Hazards, Freycinet National Park protects pristine white-sand beaches, sheer sea cliffs, azure bays, abundant birdlife, and a lighthouse with stellar views over the ocean. Take in one of Australia’s most photographed views from the lookout over Wineglass Bay.More
#5
Mt. Wellington (Kunanyi)
Standing sentinel over Hobart, Mt. Wellington is also known as Kunanyi or simply “the Mountain.” The 4,170-foot (1,271-meter) peak offers unbeatable views over the Tasmanian capital, and the surrounding parklands serve as a popular recreational ground for city dwellers.More
#6
Hobart Sandy Bay
At the mouth of the Derwent River, the tranquil coastal neighborhood of Sandy Bay is one of Hobart’s most sought-after residential neighborhoods. Sandy beaches, boat-filled piers and a lively arts community offer a change of pace for travelers escaping the bustle of downtown. It’s also a good choice for rented accommodation outside of the central business district.More
#7
Richmond Village
Less than 30 minutes from Hobart, amid the lush vineyards of the Coal River Valley, historic Richmond village is among the most picturesque in Tasmania. Lined with elegant Georgian buildings and presided over by the much-photographed Richmond Bridge, it’s also an important piece of Tasmania’s colonial heritage.More
#8
Cradle Mountain
With its jagged dolerite peaks standing watch over a trio of glacial lakes, Cradle Mountain is the grand centerpiece of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tasmania Wilderness, the natural landmark also marks the north end of the famous Overland Track.More
#9
Sarah Island
Established in 1821 during Australia’s period of colonization, Sarah Island was used as a penal settlement where convicts were sent and forced to do the harsh labor of felling Huon pine used for shipbuilding. Surrounded by the Southern Ocean, the island is Australia’s oldest penal colony and the most isolated.More
#10
Cataract Gorge Reserve
The magnificent Cataract Gorge, a river gorge on the South Esk River right at the edge of Launceston, offers a wealth of outdoor recreation that feels a world away from the city. The reserve is home to the First Basin outdoor swimming pool, the world’s longest single-span chairlift, and a Victorian-era landscaped garden.More
#11
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Amid the hilly suburbs of Queens Domain, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens offer an idyllic stretch of greenery, dotted with tree-lined walkways, lily ponds, and flower-filled conservatories. Dating back to 1818 and stretching over 35 acres (14 hectares; it’s one of Australia’s oldest botanical gardens.More
#12
Gordon River
This remote stretch of waterway is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and boasts approximately 117 miles (188 kilometers of the unobstructed river completely devoid of inhabitants and civilizations. Cruise along the Gordon River for a peaceful glimpse of the banks of one of the last temperate rainforests in the world.More
#13
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
Some of Australia’s most beloved animals—including kangaroos, koalas, and Tasmanian devils—call the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary home. As one of Tasmania’s most important sanctuaries, Bonorong’s aim is to rescue, rehabilitate, and preserve some of the island’s rarest and most endangered creatures.More
#14
Hobart Salamanca Market
What was once a rundown warehouse and storage unit on the waterfront of Hobart has since become one of the most-visited destinations in the city. More than 600,000 people visit Salamanca Market for its fresh fruit, organic produce, and handmade craft stalls each year. Its trendy bars, quiet cafes and inventive restaurants attract food-lovers from around the area, making it a uniquely Tanzania experience. Salamanca’s popularity has caused it to grow rapidly from 12 vendors in 1972 to more than 300 in 2010. As a result, there’s something for everyone at this once-a-week market that brings the best of Hobart together.More
#15
Cape Bruny Lighthouse
Situated on Bruny Island in Tasmania, the Cape Bruny Lighthouse is the second-oldest lighthouse tower in the country, having been first lit in 1838. The structure was commissioned by Governor George Arthur following a series of mishaps and shipwrecks just off Bruny Island and took two years to build by convict labor.Technological advances in the 1980s and 1990s led to the lighthouse being lit for the last time on Aug. 6, 1996, when it was replaced by a solar-powered light nearby. In December 2000, the lighthouse was declared part of the South Bruny National Park.Visitors should be prepared for rough roads and a steep walk to reach the lighthouse, although you’ll be well rewarded on arrival; with some fantastic views out to sea, migrating humpback and southern right whales have been spotted from this vantage point.More
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Currency
Australian Dollar (A$)
Time Zone
AEDT (UTC +11)
Country Code
+61
Language(s)
English