The best day trips from Hobart

The best bit about a day trip to Mount Field National Park is that it’s good any time: in winter, there’s snow and the waterfalls are at their peak, while in summer, wildflowers abound and the rainforest is a cool, tranquil refuge from the stinging sun. No matter the time of year, you’ll find loads to do here. Start with the most popular attraction – an easy hike to the beautiful Russell Falls – and add on to your walk by doing the Three Falls Circuit with Tall Trees detour. Drive further up to hike to Lake Dobson and explore the otherworldly Pandani Grove, or choose an all-day trek with the Tarn Shelf Walk, which is a stunner in autumn when the deciduous fagus plants turn a fiery orange. There’s a walk for every level of skill, whether you’re taking the kids or you’re a keen trekker. Bonus: Stop along the way at the Salmon Ponds in the town of Plenty for a fun, informative little detour. 

How far? 64 kilometres

How to get there? 1.5-hour drive

Best things to do in Mount Field National Park: Russell Falls, Three Falls Circuit, Lake Dobson, Pandani Grove, Tarn Shelf Walk

Port Arthur is one of the best day trips from Hobart, given that the journey is almost as rewarding as the destination itself. Following the Tasman and Arthur Highways southeast to the Tasman Peninsula, you’ll find many fascinating little stops along the way – excellent seafood in Dunalley, incredible rock formations like the Tessellated Pavement and Tasmans Arch, lavender farms, Tasmanian Devil Unzoo wildlife sanctuary, a picturesque caffeine hit at the Cubed Espresso Bar in Pirates Bay, and the kitsch and quirky Doo Town. Port Arthur Historic Site itself is a must-visit when you’re in Tasmania, with its impressively intact convict buildings, knowledgeable guides and activities (make sure you squeeze in the Isle of the Dead cruise). Its breathtaking natural beauty contrasts eerily with the dark history of the convict site, making it a truly unforgettable day trip.

How far? 90 kilometres

How to get there? 1-hour and 15-minute drive

Best things to do in Port Arthur: Port Arthur Historic Site, Isle of the Dead cruise, Three Capes Walk, Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, Port Arthur Lavender Farm, Remarkable Cave

Richmond is the perfect day trip from Hobart if you’re only in Tassie’s capital for a couple of days. Though you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a charming English storybook town, it’s less than 30 minutes from Hobart and for little effort, there’s big return. Situated in the Coal River Valley, the road into Richmond is dotted with wineries – Puddleduck, Pooley Wines, Every Man and His Dog vineyard – and you’ll also find the Killara Distillery, Wicked Cheese Company, Littlewood Berry Farm, Federation Artisan Chocolates, and Coal River Farm to stop and load up on local goodness. Once in the town, peruse the antique stores and wine shops, stroll around historic buildings, including the old Richmond Gaol, then buy some duck food and head down to the riverbank park. There you’ll find duck feeding spots and an excellent vista of the Richmond Bridge. Built by convict labour in 1825, it’s the oldest stone span bridge in Australia. 

How far? 25 kilometres

How to get there? 25-minute drive or 30-minute bus ride

Best things to do in Richmond: Richmond Gaol, Richmond Bridge, wineries (Puddleduck, Pooley Wines, Every Man and His Dog), Killara Distillery, Wicked Cheese Company, Littlewood Berry Farm, Federation Artisan Chocolates, Coal River Farm

Yep, this state is so small, you can knock off Tasmania’s other major city in a day trip from Hobart. The road to Launceston is an easy drive north through the midlands of the state – the only hard part is not stopping at every single quaint town along the way. Aptly named the Heritage Highway, it’s dotted with delightful historic villages like Oatlands, Tunbridge, Ross, Campbell Town and Longford. Once you make it to “Launnie”, stretch your legs at Cataract Gorge, an amazing park with hikes, a swimming pool, a suspension bridge and a chair lift. Launceston’s also a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, so it would be rude not to indulge in some Tamar Valley wine or local truffles, cheese, meat and fruit. Visit the monkeys at City Park, cop some history at the Queen Victoria Museum, and sink a pint at James Boag’s brewery to cap off your day.

How far? 200 kilometres

How to get there? 2.5-hour drive or 3-hour shuttle bus

Best things to do in Launceston: Cataract Gorge and Chairlift, Stillwater Restaurant, Harvest Market, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, City Park, James Boag Brewery, Tamar River, Josef Chromy Wines, Lilydale Falls

Bruny Island is doable as a day trip from Hobart, but you need to hit the road early. The first ferry from Kettering to Bruny Island departs around 6am, and the last one back to mainland Tassie is around 7pm, so plan accordingly. Once the 20-minute boat ride is done, you’ll begin your drive on North Bruny, and there are several stops to tick off: fresh, enormous oysters at Get Shucked, cheese (and wine/beer) at the Bruny Island Cheese Co, and baked goodies from the roadside fridge at the Bruny Island Baker. Then choose your sightseeing for the day. Want to see the Arch? It’s on North Bruny just before you cross the Neck to South Bruny. Speaking of the Neck, that’s a must-snap photo opp (worth the nearly 300 steps to the lookout) for its expansive 360-degree views. South Bruny’s Adventure Bay is a glorious spot for a swim in the warmer months, and the Fluted Cape Circuit is a challenging but rewarding uphill hike if you want to get the heart rate up. If you can manage it, a jaunt way down south to the Cape Bruny Lighthouse is well worth the extra drive time.

Time Out tip: During peak time, the queue to get onto the car ferry at Kettering can be an hour or more. Aim to get there early, or avoid school holidays if possible.

How far? 39 kilometres

How to get there?. 30-minute drive to the ferry terminal, then 20-minute ferry ride

Best things to do on Bruny Island: Bruny Island Baker, Get Shucked, Bruny Island Cheese Co, Bruny Island Honey, Adventure Bay, The Neck, Fluted Cape Circuit, Cape Bruny Lighthouse

The Huon Valley is an easy day trip to make from Hobart. Famous for its apples, you can pay your respects to the humble fruit by heading to Willie Smith’s, a cidery and apple museum with an excellent restaurant and lovely mountain views. From there, just follow the Huon Highway along the river and stop at towns like Franklin (a historic riverfront village), Geeveston (which has a platypus viewing platform), or detour off the highway to visit Cygnet, where you’ll find top-notch food as well as charming little antique and homewares stores. Go on a Huon River cruise to learn more about the history of the area and snap some amazing pics along the way, or stop at one of the area’s award-winning wineries like Kate Hill, Hartzview or Home Hill. The latter comes complete with a hatted restaurant.

How far? 30 kilometres

How to get there? 25-minute drive

Best things to do in the Huon Valley: Willie Smith's Apple Shed, Huon River Cruises, wineries (Kate Hill, Hartzview and Home Hill)

One of the best national parks in Tasmania is achievable as a day trip from Hobart – just make sure you arrive in time for the first ferry from Triabunna, which takes about 30 minutes to get across to Maria Island. Unlike Bruny, this is a car-free island, so you’ll either be using your legs or a bike (which you can hire in Triabunna) to get around. Despite its relatively small size, Maria Island boasts a bunch of incredible hikes and is teeming with wildlife, including wombats, kangaroos, wallabies and our endangered friends the swift parrot, the Cape Barren goose and the Tasmanian devil. Ringed with white-sand beaches and azure waters, there’s beauty everywhere you look on Maria Island – so where to start? The Painted Cliffs track is a relatively easy stroll with some incredible rock formations to take in, or try the challenging Bishop and Clerk walk, which will take four to five hours. Finish the day by wandering through the island's historic buildings at the Darlington Township and see if you can spot any sleepy wombats hiding inside the disused sheds.

Time Out tip: There are no shops on Maria Island, so make sure you pack plenty of food and water for your big day out.

How far? 85 kilometres

How to get there? 1 hour and 10-minute drive to Triabunna Wharf, then 30-minute ferry ride

Best things to do on Maria Island: Reservoir Circuit, Bishop and Clerk trail, Darlington convict sites, Painted Cliffs, spot wombats

It’s the longest day trip on this list, but we had to include Freycinet because so many Tassie visitors want to get their Wineglass Bay fix. And you can see it on a day trip from Hobart, if you’re prepared to be in the car for a few hours. Hit the road early and you’ll make the most of it – there are a few places to stop for sustenance and supplies along the way, like Sorell, Orford and Swansea. Once you reach Freycinet, pull on your walking shoes and head straight for the Wineglass Bay Lookout walk. There are some steep bits, but the iconic views are worth it. You can knock this 2.6km return walk out in about an hour, but we highly recommend adding on to the trek by doing the entire Wineglass Bay and Hazards Circuit. Not only will you get to see Wineglass Bay, but you can even swim in it and then hike all the way back along Hazards Beach to where you started. You’ll get to properly take in all the rugged beauty that the east coast of Tasmania has to offer – and make the long drive worth it.

How far? 194 kilometres

How to get there? 2.5-hour drive

Best things to do in Freycinet National Park: Wineglass Bay Lookout, Hazards Beach Circuit, Cape Tourville Lighthouse, Freycinet Marine Farm