Tasmania Travel Guide

Come to Tasmania to indulge in history, vast wilderness areas, Australia’s most spectacular mountains, beautiful beaches and the freshest food and wine imaginable.  Separated from mainland Australia by the 150 miles stretch of Bass Strait, Tasmania is a green island of wild, mountainous and beautiful landscapes, with friendly, welcoming people.  You’ll find a temperate climate; quality cool-climate wines and food; a spirited history; and a creative arts community; all in a relaxed lifestyle.

More than 40 per cent of the island is protected as World Heritage Area, national parks and reserves. And because Tasmania is so compact it is easy to walk through an ancient alpine meadow in the morning and be on a pure white beach in the afternoon.  The island is home to just 500,000 people, and is beautiful, yet with an intimate feel.  The capital, Hobart, is home to the world’s best art galleries.  You can drive anywhere on the island and go from beach-lined coasts to World Heritage mountain areas within just a few hours.

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 multi-day 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.  Our Tasmania Travel Guide will provide you with everything you need to start planning your vacation to beautiful Tasmania.   For a complete list of the best beaches on the island of Tasmania, << Click Here >>.

Tasmania Weather (When 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.

Best Tasmania Area Beaches

Adventure Bay – Bruny Island

Adventure Bay is a long scallop of Eastern-facing sandy beach that stretches from Fluted Cape in the south to the isthmus called The Neck that connects South Bruny and North Bruny islands.  It is a popular spot for swimming as it is one of the more sheltered Tasmanian beaches.

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Bay of Fires

Not only is it a remote spot to see the Southern Lights glowing mysteriously in the dark night’s sky, in North East Tasmania, the Bay of Fires is a gently scalloped series of glorious powder white sand beaches backed with sea grasses and framed with huge orange lichen-covered boulders.

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Boat Harbor Beach

The gorgeous crescent-shaped beach is tucked beneath the hillside of a pretty little holiday village.  With lots of low-key beach houses overlooking the beach, this is the perfect spot for an old-fashioned beach holiday in Tasmania.

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Fortescue Bay – Tasman Peninsula

Fortescue Bay is a secluded wilderness beach of sugar-white sand that is generally quite safe because it is protected by headlands of high dolerite cliffs.  There are toilets, fresh water, a token-operated shower, gas barbecues and fireplaces with firewood for sale.

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Porky Beach – King Island

For surfers, these are some of the best beaches in Tasmania.  It’s also a wonderful getaway for nature lovers and serious divers.  There are a host of walking trails and maritime trails which access cliffs, coves, lagoons and many of this Tasmanian island’s infamous shipwrecks.

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Best Tasmania Tours & Activities

Bruny Island Sightseeing and Food Tour from Hobart Including Lighthouse Tour

Explore Bruny Island on this full-day trip from Hobart. Travel by ferry to the island, look out for seals and penguins as you sail. On the island, admire natural sights like The Neck and Truganini Lookout, Adventure Bay’s windswept beaches, and take leisurely walks to look for wallabies and other local wildlife. Discover the island’s food scene with tastings of cheese, chocolate, cider, and oysters, plus a lunch of local produce. A trip to South Bruny National Park and an exclusive group tour of the historic Cape Bruny Lighthouse completes your experience.  Learn more abouth the Bruny Island Full Day Tour.

Day Trip to Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur Historic Site from Hobart

Experience the Tasman Peninsula by both land and sea on this day trip from Hobart that includes a 3-hour cruise along the coast of Tasman National Park. Gaze up at towering sea cliffs, look for wildlife like falcons and seals, and learn about the peninsula’s ecosystem. Then visit the World Heritage–listed Port Arthur Historic Site for an in-depth look at Australia’s penal history at this former convict colony. Lunch is included.  Learn more about the Day Trip to Tasman Peninsula & Port Arthur.

Hobart Kayak Tour

Explore Hobart from the water on a kayak tour with an experienced guide. You have three options to choose from when booking: a 2.5-hour tour from central Hobart, a 7-hour tour past cliffs, caves and beaches or a 10-hour Tasman Peninsula tour. You’ll either admire Hobart’s bustling waterfront along the River Derwent, or take in the scenic wilderness outside the city on one of the full-day adventures. Learn paddling techniques from your guide, who also provides narration about the city and surrounding region.  Learn more about the Hobart Kayak Tour.

Gordon River Cruise departing from Strahan

Soak up the serene beauty of western Tasmania on a morning cruise from Strahan to the Gordon River. Pass by natural landmarks such as Hells Gates, which marks the entrance to Macquarie Harbour from the Southern Ocean, and explore a former penal colony on Sarah Island as you journey through the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Select a seating category when booking.  Learn more about the Gordon River Cruise.

Bruny Island All Inclusive 7-Course Gourmet Day Trip from Hobart

Discover the gourmet delights of Bruny Island during an all-inclusive tour full-day food tour with a knowledgeable guide who takes you to meet seven local producers. You can expect enough food and drink to satisfy a hearty appetite, enjoying seven courses that include oysters, award winning cheeses, berries (in season), local honey, wine, whiskey and chocolates, along with a delicious winery lunch. Soak in the island’s breathtaking scenery during visits to the Bruny Island Neck, historic Two Tree Point in Adventure Bay, white-sand beaches and nature reserves where rare white wallabies live.  Learn more about the Bruny Island 7-Course Day Trip.

All Tasmania Tours, Tickets & Activities

Best Tasmania Restaurants

Stillwater  $31 – 60

Located in Launceston, this award-winning restaurant serves up contemporary Tasmanian cuisine along with an indulgent five-course evening menu. The beautifully restored 1830’s flour mill has exquisite views over the Tamar River, and is known for its professional service and wonderful cuisine. Stillwater is Tasmania’s most awarded regional restaurant with a flair for local seafood, including oysters and calamari, but with equally great meat and vegetable dishes.  Telephone:  03 6331 4153  Web:   Stillwater.

The Source  $31 – 60

This restaurant is part of the MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) on the Derwent River. You will be dazzled by the French-influenced cuisine. Dishes are playful, rich and daring. To find out what this place is all about, choose the nine-course menu which includes dishes such as pan-fried scallops, whole roast duck, rabbit sausage and venison. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. The wine list here is truly impressive, so make the most of this by ordering one of the great selection from Australia, New Zealand and further afield.  Telephone:  03 6277 9900  Web:  The Source.

Mud Bar & Restaurant  $31 – 60

Overlooking the Tamar River in the old seaport, Mud Bar & Restaurant is a laid-back place for an evening drink, a long relaxed lunch or a more formal dinner. The menu is the sort of thing you might find in any good gastro pub: lemongrass chicken curry, slow roasted lamb and grilled salmon. Make sure you have the oysters here — they’re sensational. Mud has a good selection of Tasmanian wine by the glass, plus local beers, ciders and cocktails. Telephone:  03 6334 5066  Web:  Mud Bar & Restaurant.

Black Cow Bistro  $31 – 60

This eatery is reminiscent of those great New York steak joints, but the premium beef on offer here is defiantly Tasmanian. While the bistro does offer a token, non-meat option, you come here for the steaks which are large and succulent. The kitchen uses only aged beef from northern Tasmania. Choose from porterhouse, rump, scotch fillet or rib eye. Try the grass-fed Wagyu from Robbins Island – a carnivore’s dream. Kick off your meal with a dozen freshly-shucked Moulting Bay oysters. Telephone:  03 6331 9333  Web:   Black Cow Bistro.

Preachers  Under $10

It may be a casual bar-restaurant vibe, but Preachers is a Hobart institution and rightfully deserves its place on a ‘best eats’ list. Preachers is a backyard type of affair (quite literally) and does some of the most mouth-watering salads, burgers, and fries in town. Open nightly with a fun and care-free al fresco and an on-trend atmosphere, Preachers makes for a great mid-week dinner or casual dinner date spot.  Telephone:  03 6223 3621  Web:   Preachers.

Best Tasmania Bars

The Brunswick Hotel

As the second oldest pub in Australia, The Brunswick Hotel has tonnes of history and is a favorite of locals who love to kick back in a casual, know-the-bartender-by-their-first-name sort of environment. Perfect for a mid-week pint or afternoon hangout on the weekend, this local watering hole is perfectly set in the center of town with affordable hotel accommodation, too.  Telephone:  03 6234 4981  Web:   The Brunswick Hotel.

Hobart Brewing Company

Hobart Brewing Co. is one of the best places for beer lovers to seek out when in Hobart. Independently created, this bar-cum-brewery is synonymous with local lovers of that golden goodness, with exciting and unusual beer options spotlighting Tasmanian brews. Brewery tours are available, too, for those who really want to ‘nerd out’ on all that hoppy goodness. Telephone:  03 6231 9779  Web:   Hobart Brewing Company.

Preachers

Preachers is a loose little local spot for the hipsters and hanger-outers. With a great open-plan back garden featuring an old-school school bus, this place is laid-back and on-trend. With beers, burgers, and board games aplenty, this is the perfect spot for a mid-week drink or as a day-to-night venue for the weekend.  Telephone:  03 6223 3621  Web:  Preachers.

Tavern 42 Degrees South

Tavern 42 Degrees South (T42º) is one of Hobart’s leading bar venues. With waterfront views, this stunning contemporary venue is the perfect place for evening cocktails overlooking the water. Chic and cosmopolitan, the bar also serves up stylish plates of fantastic Australian-international fusion fare. A nightclub and wine bar are also featured within its walls.  Telephone:  03 6224 7742  Web:   Tavern 42 Degrees South.

IXL Long Bar

IXL Long Bar is the perfect place to escape to when in search of creative cocktails in a contemporary and cultured setting. Part of the renowned The Henry Jones ‘art hotel’, the bar is suitably stylish, attracting a cool clientele who sip on curious concoctions made by award-winning mixologists.  Telephone:  03 6210 7700  Web:   IXL Long Bar.

Best Tasmania Hotels

The Grand On Macfie

Situated in the heritage precinct of Devonport, The Grand on Macfie offers quality accommodation in a wonderfully grand 120-year-old home. All rooms are spacious, have very high ceilings and feature genuine antique or antique style queen or king size beds, ensuite with bar fridges, sitting areas, 40 inch LCD television and tea/coffee making facilities.

Hadley’s Orient Hotel

​Hadley’s Orient Hotel was originally built by convict labor in 1834 and plays host to almost two centuries of stories, scandals and secrets to be explored.  Tucked behind the original Heritage listed façade in the hear of Hobart’s CBD are 71 elegantly appointed accommodation suites, hotel rooms and stunning event spaces. ​ Step inside and be enchanted by the stunning chandeliers, vintage wallpaper and charming atmosphere. They look forward to meeting you.

MACq 01 Hotel

Nestled in the heart of the historic Hobart waterfront, MACq 01 is a luxurious hotel that combines premium accommodations with unforgettable storytelling. It is just a 5-minute drive from the city center and famous Salamanca Square.

The Henry Jones Art Hotel

At the Henry Jones Art Hotel history and art collide. Hobart’s oldest waterfront warehouses have been thoughtfully reimagined as Australia’s first dedicated art hotel. Located in the Hunter Street precinct, the hotel blends modernity with an industrial past. Decadent elliptical spas bubble underneath rough-sawn timber trusses. Blackwood-lined boardrooms have been refashioned into stately, indulgent suites.  The precinct hums with galleries, award-winning restaurants, bars and cafes.

Maylands Lodge

Maylands Lodge is a historic landmark property located in the New Town area of Hobart. It is just an 8-minute drive from the city center and the historic Hobart waterfront, including Salamanca Square.