The 17 best places to visit in Tasmania

Sure, you’ve probably seen all of Freycinet’s iconic landmarks on Instagram, but nothing compares to breathing in the crisp air and seeing this wild and lush place with your own eyes. From the curvy, glassy waters of Wineglass Bay to the pink-hued granite towers of the Hazards rising up from the turquoise bay, Freycinet does it all and does it well. Live it up with a stay at Saffire Freycinet, one of Australia’s most luxurious lodges, or find a peaceful spot to camp for the night in the national park.

If there’s a more photogenic stretch of coast in Australia, we haven’t seen it. Tasmania’s East Coast is famous for its impossibly azure waters, bleached-white sand and orange lichen-covered boulders, collectively known as the Bay of Fires. At the southern end of this 50-kilometre stretch of beaches is Binalong Bay, an ideal base for exploring the region’s hidden coastal gems. For the ultimate experience, spend a full week glamping in cosy canvas bell tents at the Bay of Fires Bush Retreat.

One of Tasmania's best national parks is just a day trip from Hobart – as long as you arrive in time for the first ferry from Triabunna, which takes about 45 minutes. Unlike Bruny, Maria Island is car-free, so you’ll either be using your legs or a bike (which you can hire in Triabunna) to get around. While on island time, you can go hiking, cycling, snorkelling and wombat spotting. The latter are so plentiful that your Instagram will be overloaded with cuteness. If you only do one walk on Maria Island, make it the Painted Cliffs: patterned sandstone rock formations created by the movement of mineral-rich water through the rock, and by the later eroding action of wind and wave. 

Geology meets optical illusion on one of the Tasman Peninsula’s most surreal stretches of coast. At low tide, the rock flats of the Tessellated Pavement fracture into a perfect grid so precise it looks man-made. The secret lies in two types of erosion – loaf and pan – for the geology nerds out there taking notes. Go at sunrise, when the air smells of sea salt and eucalyptus and the mirror-slick surface reflects a pink-and-gold sky. If you’re lucky, you’ll have it all to yourself – just you, the ocean and a landscape that looks algorithmically designed for awe.

Just off the Arthur Highway, Tasman Arch is a colossal natural rock bridge that'll make you pull over even if you swore you wouldn’t be stopping again. Carved over millennia by pounding waves and wild winds, the view down through the arch to the churning sea below is drama with a capital D. A short walk away, Devil’s Kitchen takes things up a notch: a sheer-sided chasm where the ocean crashes loudly below. Bring a windbreaker (the gusts here could carry a hat to New Zealand), and pop a squat on the clifftop boardwalk for a front-row seat to Tasmania’s most theatrical display of nature at work.

Australia’s prettiest piece of dark history. Once a penal settlement, Port Arthur feels a lot less sombre these days with its sandstone ruins and blooming rose gardens. The locals will tell you to visit late afternoon, when the crowds thin and the light softens over Mason Cove. After dark, the 90-minute lantern-lit ghost tour begins. You’ll wander through the hush of corridors and cell blocks, hear tales of over a thousand men who died on site, and if you're lucky (or unlucky), feel a brush of cold air that doesn’t quite belong to the wind. 

The Cape Hauy Track is a 9.4-kilometre round trip of thigh-burning stairs, sea-spray cliffs and views that'll make you forget your quads are on fire. Part of the famed Three Capes Walk, it’s the only section you can tackle as a day hike (meaning you still get all the drama with none of the overnight logistics). The trail is a narrow boardwalk tracing the edge of dolerite cliffs with waves detonating below. The payoff is a front-row seat to the Candlestick and Totem Pole – two vertical rock spires beloved by world-class climbers. Bring water and some layers, you’ll want them for the hike back to Fortescue Bay (and the victory swim that follows afterward).

A pocket of wild serenity hidden inside Tasman National Park, Fortescue Bay is where the locals go to camp, kayak and truly switch off. The water’s glassy, the white sand squeaks underfoot and there’s every chance you’ll share the beach with wallabies instead of tourists. Kayak along the glassy shoreline, cast a line for flathead or walk the first section of the Three Capes Track for a preview of the island’s most jaw-dropping scenery. As the sun dips, light a campfire, toast marshmallows under the Milky Way and remind yourself that yes, this is still planet Earth.

Tasmania’s capital city is blessed with natural beauty, featuring the glittering waters of the River Derwent on one side and the rugged peak of kunanyi / Mount Wellington on the other. From mountain walks and self-guided history tours to some of the country’s greatest farm-to-table restaurants and the incomparable MONA, everyone will find something they like about this place. Hobart was also recently ranked as the world’s most beautiful road trip destination, making it the perfect start or end point for your Tassie adventure.

Situated in the rolling hills of Tasmania’s Coal River Valley wine region, just a 30-minute drive from Hobart, Richmond has long flown under the radar. However, in 2024, it earned some street cred after being crowned Australia’s most beautiful town. With its colonial-era bridge (Australia’s oldest), eerie convict-built gaol and charming Georgian streetscape, this historic town looks like something straight out of a period film. Take a day trip from Hobart or stop by on your way to Freycinet National Park.

The ancient valley in Tasmania’s deep south is just a 30-minute drive from Hobart. Famous for its apples, you can pay tribute to this humble fruit at Willie Smith’s, a cidery and museum serving award-winning cider and generous slices of apple pie. From there, take a scenic drive along the Huon Highway, stopping at towns like Franklin (a historic riverfront village) and Geeveston (which has a platypus viewing platform), or taking a detour to Cygnet for top-notch food and antique shopping. For a dose of relaxation, head to Hastings Thermal Springs, walk among the treetops on the Tahune Airwalk, or enjoy a glass at one of the area’s award-winning wineries, like Kate Hill, Hartzview or Home Hill. 

While there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied on the mainland, a trip to Bruny Island makes for a feasible and fun day out. The ferry terminal is at Kettering, a 35-minute drive south of Hobart. Arrive early to avoid a long queue of cars and spend your day exploring beautiful Bruny. Snap a photo at popular lookout The Neck, stock up on the best produce at Bruny Island Oysters and Bruny Island Cheese Co, grab some goodies out of the Bruny Island Baker’s roadside fridges, hike the Fluted Cape track, look for a rare white wallaby at Adventure Bay and admire the Cape Bruny Lighthouse.

Standing 1,545 metres above sea level in the heart of Tasmania’s World Heritage Area, Cradle Mountain is easily one of Australia’s most famous peaks. The bushwalkers' paradise comes alive in every season, with snow-covered mountains to hike, crystal-clear lakes to swim in and ancient rainforests to explore. While you can definitely tick off some Cradle Mountain experiences in a day, we highly recommend extending your stay because there’s simply so much to do. 

Located along Tasmania’s stunning north-west coast where mountains meet the sea, Devonport is much more than just a landing pad for Spirit of Tasmania ferries. In fact, this waterfront gem was voted Australia’s Top Tourism Town (for towns with more than 5,000 residents) for 2024. It’s small enough that you can take peaceful bushland walks, swim at secluded beaches and have the whole rocky coastline to yourself. Yet, it’s big enough to boast all the luxuries of city life, including a sparkly new waterfront precinct, boutique stays, trendy cafés and a thriving arts scene.

Tasmania’s second city might live in the shadow of the island’s capital, but in 2025, Lonely Planet named it the fourth-best region to visit in the world. ‘Launnie’ is perhaps best known for Cataract Gorge, a serene slice of wilderness, with river trails, an outdoor swimming pool, a gorgeous restaurant and the world’s longest single-span chairlift. The city is also proudly home to Australia’s largest regional museum, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, while delivering big on the food front as Australia’s second UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The intimate Stillwater Restaurant claims the top spot on our restaurant bucket list. 

Just a short drive from Launceston, the state’s oldest and largest wine region is home to more than 30 vineyards spread along the Tamar Valley Wine Route. A visit to House of Arras will put you in the company of Australia’s most-awarded sparkling wine, while Josef Chromy will have you wishing every city had a world-class cellar door within a ten-minute drive of the CBD. The Tamar Valley also boasts the ancient 70-kilometre Tamar River (kanamaluka), where you can kick off your adventure at the Wetlands Centre and wind along the boardwalk, keeping your eyes peeled for birds, reptiles, frogs and fish. 

Save yourself the 25-hour journey to Zurich and instead visit Tasmania’s very own Swiss village, hidden in the Tamar Valley. Built in the 1980s by Dutch immigrant Roelf Vos, Grindelwald will transport you straight to the land of the Alps with authentic Swiss chalets, a charming Swiss shopping arcade, a lakeside Alpenrose Bistro, a splash golf course and so much more. Trust us, this one’s a must-visit for both the young and young at heart.