If you love good food, beautiful scenery and stunning local architecture, Tasmania needs to be the next destination on your travel to-do list. While the island state is small in size compared to Australia’s other states, it truly is loaded with interesting things to see and do. What’s more, Tasmania is also a massive tourist hotspot, so there won’t be any shortage of hotels and travel companies to help make your stay memorable.
We recommend staying at least a week in Tasmania in order to get a taste of all the region has to offer. In this piece, we’ll take you through a sample 7-day Tassie itinerary that will serve as a guide as you plan your Tasmanian adventure.
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Day 1: Arrive in Hobart
Hobart is the capital of Tasmania and a suitable place to begin your trip. Book a hotel in Hobart that’s close to the attractions you plan to visit and falls within your planned budget. After securing a suitable accommodation, you’ll be ready to explore all that the city has to offer.
When in Hobart, make sure to visit the Salamanca Market. Here, you’ll find small, independent boutiques selling everything from secondhand books to handmade shaving soap. You should also spend some time exploring the Hobart Convict Penitentiary to get a better understanding of the region’s history. There are enough things to do in Hobart to fill several days, but if you’re visiting for the first time, make sure to at least hit all the key highlights.
Day 2: Take a Trip to Bruny Island
No trip to Tasmania is complete without seeing Bruny Island. This island off Tasmania’s southeastern coast contains some of the state’s most famous sites, including the Bruny Island Lighthouse and South Bruny National Park. What’s more, visiting Bruny Island also gives you a chance to try some of the finest wine, cheese and oysters anywhere in the world. Bruny Island also contains stunning natural scenery, so get your phone or camera ready to snap some pictures.
When visiting Bruny Island, we recommend joining a tour group. A tour company will help you arrange your ferry to the island and also provide transport between all the sites you’ll be visiting. We also suggest getting a good night’s sleep before starting your Bruny adventure, as travelling around the island can be physically demanding. Bruny Island is sure to be a major highlight of your trip to Tasmania, so be sure to make the most of your time there.
Day 3: Hike Mount Wellington
Mount Wellington ranks among Tasmania’s most famous natural sites, and it’s easy to see why. The mountain, located in the Wellington Park reserve, is full of fascinating flora and fauna such as eucalyptus trees, bandicoots, echidnas and, of course, birds. There are also numerous hiking paths in Mount Wellington, so you can make your journey up the summit as challenging as you want it to be.
Another key selling point about Mount Wellington is its proximity to Hobart. There are numerous shuttle services that can take you there at most times of the day. Alternatively, you can also rent a car and drive for about half an hour to get there.
Day 4: Spend a Day in Port Arthur
If you’re someone who loves history, there are few more fascinating spots to visit than Port Arthur. This city, located Southeast of Hobart, was once a penal colony, where those who were deemed to be the worst offenders were sent.
Today, visitors can see historic sites like the Separate Prison and the Penitentiary to immerse themselves in the area’s dark history. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even sign up for one of the city’s ghost tours. You will certainly leave Port Arthur with a deeper understanding of Tasmanian and Australian history.
Day 5: Drive to Freycinet National Park
Freycinet National Park is another must-see natural attraction. Although this national park offers stunning views of mountains, trees and wildlife, its main selling point is definitely Wineglass Bay, which features white sands and crystal-clear waters that are perfect for an afternoon swim after a long hike. Freycinet National Park is also a top destination for picnics, so if you’re looking to spend some time relaxing in nature, there are few better places to visit in all of Tasmania.
Since this stunning national park is on Tasmania’s east coast, the most efficient (and scenic) way to get here is by car. However, if you’re travelling on a tight budget, there are also bus services that can help you save extra money. No matter how you choose to get there, you absolutely must visit Freycinet National Park.
Day 6: Head to Launceston and The Tamar Valley
The Tamar Valley ranks among Tasmania’s most popular destinations among Australian and international travellers alike. This is due in large part to its world-famous vineyards: by booking a tour to the Tamar Valley, you’ll get to see where some of the world’s most sought-after wine is grown and even get to taste a few samples. While you’re here, you should also check out some local historic sites like the Bull Pen Gallery and the National Trust.
After touring the Tamar Valley, you should spend the rest of the day in Launceston, where you can visit the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery and explore the Cataract Gorge Reserve. There’s also no shortage of restaurants and shops in the city when you want to wind down after a long day.
Day 7: Plan a Short Trip to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
On your last day in Tassie, we recommend setting aside some time to visit the beautiful Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Like most of Tasmania, this national park is teeming with biodiversity and contains incredible scenery that you won’t want to miss. The landscape here is unique: the park’s rainforests, alpine regions and high peaks present many opportunities to snap the photo of a lifetime before you depart Tasmania.
If you have a little more time, you can take the Overland Track that connects Cradle Mountain with Lake St Clair. While this is a physically demanding trek, the view at the end is sure to be worth it. Along the way, you’ll also see ancient pine trees, rushing waterfalls and glacial valleys. Before your flight back, make some time to visit Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park: you will not regret it.
