Australia & New Zealand | Destination Guides

Tasmania; somewhere you'll never forget

Recently updated on November 27th, 2023 at 02:38 pm

Rugged mountains, pristine beaches, rare wildlife and stunning hiking trails; Tasmania is one of Australia’s most remote treasures. Read our guide to the best of Tasmania, including the top places to stay and eat on your Tasmania trip.

Places to visit in Tasmania

Hobart

yachts Hobart Bay Tasmania

Hobart is the booming capital city, set on the harbour in southern Tasmania. You’ll likely start or end your Tasmania trip in Hobart. 

Visit the waterfront with fine restaurants, historic pubs and craft-beer bars. Explore museums, festivals, yachts and fishing boats. You can also climb Mount Wellington, a 1,271-metre peak. It’s perfect for bushwalking and mountain biking.

Bruny Island

You’ll find some of Tasmania’s most breathtaking scenery and wildlife on Bruny Island. It’s also home to some delicious local produce, including oysters, chocolate and cheese. 

You can get to the island with a short ferry ride from Hobart. It’s a protected area with beautiful clifftop views and long sandy beaches. You’ll also find many rare animals including the white wallaby and little penguins.

Bay of Fires

beach Bay of Fires Tasmania

Discover the best of Tasmania at the Bay of Fires. This conservation reserve is famed for its powdery beaches, dazzling waters and bright red boulders.

Head to Binalong Bay for swimming, surfing, or lounging in the sun. Search for local wildlife or go snorkelling to see the colourful marine life. 

Freycinet National Park

mountains beach Wineglass Bay Tasmania

Set on the wild east coast, Freycinet is the highlight of any Tasmania travel experience. The park is filled with wildlife, quiet coves and sandy white beaches on the Tasman Sea.

Discover the striking pink rocks of the Hazards Range and the iconic Wineglass Bay. Walk the Great Oyster Bay and explore lagoons filled with birdlife.

There are several short bushwalks and longer treks across the park. You can also visit pristine beaches for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking.

Launceston

With Victorian architecture and historic parks, Launceston is one of the oldest and best-preserved cities in Australia. 

It’s also a hub for food, wine, museums and galleries. Take a walk along the leafy avenues lined with Victorian facades, then explore Cataract George, a beautiful wilderness area in the city centre.

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Things to do in Tasmania

The Wukalina Walk

red boulders Bay of Fire Tasmania

Take a journey through the beautiful homeland of the indigenous palawa people. The Wukalina Walk follows in the footsteps of this ancient community in northeast Tasmania.

See the beaches and red boulders of the Bay of Fires and towering Mt. William. Watch for kangaroos leaping through the gleaming grasslands. Connect with old traditions and stories as you spend your nights in a palawa-style hut on the trail.

Walk Freycinet National Park

beach Wineglass Bay Tasmania

Freycinet is filled with impressive treks and bushwalks. Walk around Cape Tourville Lighthouse, or hike to the Wineglass Bay lookout for panoramic views.

Embark on a half-day trek from Wineglass Bay down to the white beach. Continue along the Hazards Range for stunning views of the famous pink peaks. You’ll also see Great Oyster Bay and the Swansea coastline.

You can also visit the Moulting Lagoon, a RAMSAR wetland sanctuary for birds like waterfowl and black swans.

Discover the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)

Enter the world of MONA, the largest privately owned gallery and museum in Australia. It’s located within the Moorilla Winery in Hobart and showcases the diverse collection of David Walsh.

The museum is home to all forms of art, from ancient to modern. It features over 1,900 artistic works, including Sidney Nolan’s Snake mural.

Cruise Bruny Island

nature Bruny Island Tasmania

Take to the sea with a cruise to Bruny Island, where you’ll glide past soaring cliffs and deep-sea caves. Keep your eyes on the water to spot seals, dolphins and whales in season.

You’ll dock in South Bruny where you can take a walk along the beach. Head to a seaside cafe at Adventure Bay, where you can enjoy freshly baked muffins.

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Where to stay in Tasmania

Hobart – MACq 01 Hotel

yachts Constitution Dock Hobart Tasmania

Located just a short stroll from the waterfront, MACq 01 Hotel is one of Hobart’s top five-star hotels. It’s filled with history and is set on one of Tasmania’s earliest European settlements. You’ll also enjoy stunning views of the dock from your room.

Bay of Fires – Wukalina Walk

Stay in some of the most unique rooms in Australia on the Wukalina Walk – palawa-style domed huts. The bespoke huts feature comfortable bedding and you’ll gather around an open fire pit for storytelling in the evening. You’ll also stay in the beautiful Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage on your final night of the hike.

Freycinet National Park – Edge of the Bay Resort

nature Freycinet National Park Tasmania

Just like the name suggests, this resort is located on the edge of Coles Bay. It’s a family-run resort with beach-front rooms in one of the most beautiful places to visit in Tasmania. You’ll also have a private deck with views over the bay to the pink granite mountains of the Hazards Range.

Launceston – Peppers Silo Hotel

Once an iconic landmark, Peppers Silo is now an elegant nine-storey hotel in Launceston. Built within the original silos, the hotel offers suites with private balconies and sweeping views over the river.

What to eat in Tasmania

Hobart – Moorilla Winery and Vineyard

Join your Trafalgar Tasmania travel guide for an exclusive lunch of local produce at the Moorilla Winery. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes tour of the winery and learn about old and new wine-making techniques. You’ll then enjoy a wine-tasting experience of 10 superb Moorilla wines.

Freycinet National Park – Edge of the Bay Restaurant

Enjoy a scenic dinner at the restaurant of the Edge of the Bay Resort. Sample local seafood served with top Tasmanian wines as you watch the sunset over the mountains.

Launceston – Grain of the Silos Restaurant

The Grain of the Silos serves up the best of Tasmania, with local farm-to-table produce. You’ll sample foods from farms all over Tasmania, including beef, lamb, seafood and locally roasted coffee beans. Relax on the deck and enjoy the beautiful views over the parkland.

 

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