Tasmania is a relatively small island, separated by the Bass Strait from the Australian mainland, but there is still plenty to do and see. We only had 10 days so we did a bit of criss-crossing to see the places which were top of our list. We chose to hire a car because Tasmania is an easy state to drive around, and we think the best way to explore it.

Much of what you choose to do will depend on what adventures you are looking for. If you are happy to be a tourist wanting to see key attractions, then there are plenty on offer. But perhaps you are a keen trekker and wanting to get out into the wilderness. We guarantee that you will enjoy whatever your preferences are. It is a wild state in some respects, but in other respects it has all the comforts of home. We have briefly highlighted each of the towns we visited along the way, but there is so much more to Tasmania if you have the time.

Campbell Town

Campbell Town is a small town on the Midland Highway situated on the tranquil Elizabeth River. It is about 1.5 hours from Hobart airport.  The town was built almost entirely by convicts and has many fine colonial buildings. It has significant historical landmarks around the area, such as the convict built Red Bridge and the Ross Bridge in Ross. We stayed in a quaint place in Ross, called the Ross Motel where the owners were very attentive to our needs. A day or two in this region is well worth it, as it takes you away from the more populated tourist destinations.

There is a useful brochure – Campbell Town Historic Heart of Tasmania – available at the Visitor Information Centre which lists a total of 42 places of historic interest in and around the town. Take a walk up the west side of the main street, following the Convict Walking Trail, and you will learn much about the history of this town. There are also some lovely antique shops and cafes along the way.

  1. Ross Bridge – completed in July 1836 by convicts it is the third oldest bridge still operational in Australia. The ornate carvings are the work of Englishman Daniel Herbert who was a convicted highway robber! The history of this bridge is fantastic, and the carvings on it are to be admired.
  2. Red Bridge – convicts commenced building the bridge in 1836 and it took 15 months to complete. It is estimated that 1.5 million bricks were used in its construction, and after its completion the river was diverted to flow under it.
  3. The Wood Carving History – just located near the Red Bridge these unusual sculptures depict the history of the town.
  4. Convict Walking Trail – along the west side of the main street (the Midland Highway) there is a long, single line of bricks extending along the footpath for a number of blocks. Each brick records the life of a convict and you will learn so much about the types of people transported here.

Freycinet National Park

Freycinet National Park is definitely an area you do not want to miss. Simply spectacular and some of the best scenery in the world, including the famous Wineglass Bay. There are plenty of walking tracks around and keen trekkers will really enjoy the natural beauty of this area.

We stayed at Freycinet Lodge, with stunning views overlooking Coles Bay. The Lodge is excellent, well maintained and all rooms are very private as they are tucked into the surrounding bush. The Bay Restaurant provides a wonderful sunset view whilst having dinner.  We could not fault this place. Richardsons Beach is just below the lodge allowing for lovely walks along the beachfront.

Freycinet promotes its ‘5 Favourite Secrets‘ for all you keen trekkers and 4WD people. Enjoy the journey!

Port Arthur

Port Arthur is best known for its Port Arthur Historic site which was the home to over 1000 of Tasmania’s most notorious convicts. There are also some great walking tracks in the area, and of course the Remarkable Caves which are well worth a visit. We stayed at the Port Arthur Villas, which are located just a short distance from the Port Arthur Historic site. They were comfortable and clean and we had no problem with them.

  1. Port Arthur Historic Site – Your entry ticket includes an introductory walking tour, and then there are plenty of other tours to choose from if you so wish. There is even a ‘ghost tour’ in the evenings if you are in for a bit of fun. A small part of the site is dedicated to the 35 people who lost their lives when the Port Arthur massacre occurred in 1996. The locals are not keen to talk about this time in their history so the memorial is very low key.
  2. Remarkable Caves – located only 12kms from Port Arthur it is an easy tourist spot to access. There is a parking lot and the steps to the viewing platform are manageable, but if your level of fitness is not great you might find them a bit of a challenge. It only takes 5 minutes to get to the viewing platform. Of course, if you are more adventurous, then you can book a tour and walk through the caves which are accessed from the beach.
  3. Eaglehawk Lookout – if you like stunning views and fabulous photo opportunities then head to Eaglehawk Lookout located only 40 minutes from Port Arthur. Well worth the detour as you head to your next destination.

Hobart

Hobart sits on the river Derwent with its backdrop being Mt Wellington. For anyone staying in Hobart the best place is around the waterfront where you get lovely views across the harbour.

We stayed at Zero Davey Boutique Apartments which are well positioned and within easy reach of the restaurants and many boutiques around the harbour. The views were spectacular, especially at night, and the staff were lovely and very helpful. There is so much to do and see in Hobart so make sure you allow a few days in this lovely city.

  1. Mt Wellington – it only takes about 30 minutes to get to the peak of Mt Wellington where you will have sweeping views of Hobart and surrounds. Beware though, it can get very cold on the peak, but the views are worth it.
  2. Salamanca Markets – these lovely street markets run every Saturday and are very popular, so our advice would be to get there early. Fresh produce, souvenirs and art stalls tempt the tourist on so many levels. These are well worth a visit.
  3. Old Hobart Town Model Village – if you like model villages there is a great little one depicting Hobart as it was in the 1820s. It’s about a 20 minute drive from Hobart if you have a spare few hours to fill in.
  4. Battery Point – tucked in behind the markets is the old maritime village of Battery Point which is a maze of lanes and 19th century cottages. The architecture ranges from fisherman’s cottages to wealthy mansions, depending on your status and income. The link provided takes you to a free download for a self-guided walk through this area.
  5. MONA – only a 12km drive from Hobart, you can also access MONA by ferry or shuttle bus. It contains a combination of ancient antiquities and modern artworks.

Strahan

Strahan is a gorgeous small town located 5 hours north-west of Hobart sitting on Long Bay. This is the place to come if you wish to explore some of the best wilderness areas on offer.

Risby Cove offers comfortable accommodation right on the water and is an easy 10 minute walk to town. The town itself is very small, but it certainly gets its fair share of tourists who come specifically for the Gordon River Cruise. You will be charmed by all this area has to offer.

  1. Gordon River Cruise – a cruise is a must when you visit this region.  Heading out of the harbour you reach Hell’s Gates which is the entrance into the southern ocean. From there you meander up the Gordon River stopping off at various places along the way. Lunch is provided on board and there is allocated seating on the two main decks. However we opted for the Premium Upper Deck which was outstanding. We were provided with a scrumptuous lunch, free drinks, morning and afternoon tea and an exclusive viewing deck. It is well worthwhile spending that little bit of extra money.
  2. Westcoast Wilderness Railway – this is another great way to see the countryside and experience something quite different. We did the all day tour which took us from the shores of the harbour into the rainforest and through the rugged mountains to the historic mining town of Queenstown and then back to Strahan. The ticket includes lunch and when you reach Queenstown you have time to explore the beautiful hotel with its grand staircase before you head back down to Strahan later in the day.
  3. Tasmanian Special Timbers Shop – a great shop selling an outstanding range of huon timber products, all of which can be posted home for you.

Launceston

Launceston is located in northern Tasmania and this riverside city is delightful. It is most famous for the Cataract Gorge, but there are plenty of other highlights in this lovely city, such as some great cellar doors if you would like to try the local wines.

We stayed at the Quest Launceston, but we would not recommend this establishment. Although it is well located in the city centre, the Town Hall is not far from it and you can hear the Town Hall clock chime every hour on the hour. Little sleep was had, so we would suggest picking a hotel which is further away from the Town Hall.

  1. Cataract Gorge Reserve – probably the most popular attraction for tourists with its panoramic views, walking trails and the Gorge Scenic Chairlift. It is an easy 15 minute walk from the centre of Launceston, with walking trails on both sides of the gorge. On the south side there is a lovely cafe, swimming pool and picnic area for families, whilst on the north side you can wander through the Victorian garden and enjoy watching the beautiful peacocks. Make sure you take a ride on the chairlift where you will get some great overhead views of the gorge.
  2. Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre – offering a rich history of the area along with an accurate display of the mine collapse that occurred in 2006, it is only a 1/2 hour drive from Launceston. A very interesting tourist attraction which is well worth a visit.
  3. Seahorse World – located literally 10 minutes drive from the Beaconsfield Mine attraction you will be surprised by this wonderful display. Showcasing the various developmental stages of the seahorse, you will not only get to understand the breeding program of the seahorse, but see many colourful displays of them. This was a wonderful experience and a great educational tool, especially for children.
  4. City Park – located on Launceston’s eastern edge you will enjoy the tranquility of the City Park, with its many floral displays, fountains and picnic areas.

Travel Tips

  • Temperatures can vary from day to day, so make sure you pack some warm articles for those cooler days.
  • If you choose to do the Gordon River Cruise, take our advice and buy tickets for the Premier Upper Deck. The extras you receive, and the comfort you travel in, are well worth the additional cost.

Travel Alerts

  • Tasmania is an easy place to get around, so we have no travel alerts.

Travel Adventures

  • The Wall – a must see even if you have to go out of your way to visit it. This is by far the most impressive work we have ever seen where the artist is carving the history of the central highlands in a 100 metre long x 3 metre high timber wall. His expertise in carving from timber is exceptional, and the detail he has captured in his work is spine tingling. Unfortunately he does not allow photography in his gallery, but we guarantee you will be very impressed by his work.