Tasmania Attractions

One of Tasmania’s most popular national parks, the Freycinet Peninsula juts into the Tasman Sea on the East Coast of the state. It’s famed for its jagged granite peaks and friendly wildlife, as well as boasting one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia Wineglass Bay.

Follow the short, steep trail that leads up and over the Hazards mountain range to the Wineglass Bay lookout, offering sweeping panoramas of this idyllic crescent of sand. You can then continue down to the bay itself for a swim in the refreshing waters.

Continue on the circuit trail that leads to Hazards Beach, an equally magnificent swimming spot, then back along the boulder-strewn coast to the car park. If you’re feeling more adventurous, then tackle the challenging trek up to Mount Amos for unparalleled views across Freycinet National Park.

There are plenty of places within the national park where you can pitch a tent, including the secluded coves at Honeymoon Bay and Sleepy Bay, as well as more upmarket options at the Freycinet Lodge and the luxurious Saffire Freycinet...

A favorite weekend escape for locals, Bruny Island lies a short ferry ride from the picturesque town of Kettering, just 35 minutes’ drive south of Hobart. It boasts some of Tasmania’s most magnificent natural landscapes that provide a haven for rare and endangered wildlife species, as well as plenty of gourmet offerings.

Be sure to take in the sweeping views from the lookout at “The Neck” where little penguins can be seen scuttling to shore in the evenings at the rookery below. “The Neck” is an isthmus connecting the north and south sections of the island and provides an important habitat for native wildlife and birdlife.

Spend time visiting South Bruny National Park whose soaring cliffs intersperse with pristine beaches and coastal heathlands. There are a range of bush walks to explore, as well as massive kelp seaweed gardens for those interested in venturing below the water’s surface.

Don’t miss a visit to the Bruny Island Cheese Company to sample their artisan cheese and craft beer...

Located on the Tasman Peninsula overlooking Carnarvon Bay, Port Arthur was established as a penal settlement in the 19th century and now functions as an open-air museum and historic site. Its hauntingly beautiful sandstone buildings were constructed using convict hard labor and include an immense penitentiary and the remains of the Convict Church.

Port Arthur is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is today one of Tasmania’s most popular tourist attractions. Join one of their Introductory Guided Walking Tours to gain an insight into the more than 30 buildings, ruins and restored period homes that dot the site and be sure to spend time visiting the museum.

You can also opt to cruise to the Isle of the Dead where more than 1,000 convicts are laid to rest or visit the Point Puer Boys Prison, which was the first reformatory to be built in the British Empire solely for juvenile male convicts. Want to see Port Arthur in a different light? Join a guided lantern ghost tour by night to come face-to-face with those convicts who have never left the site...

A short drive from Tasmania’s northern hub of Launceston takes you to the Tamar Valley, one of Australia’s most beautiful wine routes. It sprawls between the Tamar River and the mighty Bass Strait, with conditions that are ideal for growing cool-climate grapes and rolling landscapes that offer a picturesque backdrop.

There are more than 30 wineries to discover on a self-driving tour, as well as charismatic country towns and beautiful beaches. Stop in at the gorgeous cellar door of Josef Chromy Wines to sample their famed sparkling while dining on modern Australian cuisine in the lakeside restaurant. Or sip on Tasmania’s renowned Pinot Noir at Ninth Island overlooking the waters of the Tamar River.

In addition to its outstanding wines, the Tamar Valley’s fertile soils are also ideal for growing a range of produce. Don’t miss the opportunity to try the local truffles, olives and artisan cheese, as well as hazelnuts, stone fruits and berries...

A short walk from central Launceston takes you to the beautiful Cataract Gorge, a natural formation that rises from the banks of the Tamar River. This public park offers hiking trails, a scenic chairlift and plenty of wildlife spotting, as well as historical landmarks to discover.

The First Basin lies on the southern side of the gorge and features a swimming pool surrounded by bushland and a cafe. Cross to the shaded northern side and the Cliff Grounds where a Victorian garden is planted with lush ferns and exotic species. There’s a shaded rotunda where you can enjoy a picnic, together with resident peacocks strutting around. The two areas are connected by a footbridge or you can opt to ride what is the world’s longest single-span chairlift for a bird’s eye view.

Follow one of the walking trails that hug the side of the gorge, with the historic Duck Reach Power Station located upstream. This former hydro electricity station now houses an interpretive exhibition detailing man’s attempts to tame the wilds of Tasmania...

Surrounded by stunning glacial lakes, ancient rainforests and unique alpine vegetation, Cradle Mountain is the iconic centerpiece of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. It forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and is the starting point for the famous six-day Overland Track, one of Australia’s most famous multi-day walks.

Cradle Mountain lies at the northern entrance of the national park near the town of Sheffield, with a visitor’s center and plenty of accommodation options. There are numerous short walks to discover in the immediate area, as well as horseback trail rides and helicopter flights available. Keep an eye out for quolls, echidnas, wombats and Tasmanian devils along the way, as well as rare sightings of platypus.

Enjoy an easy stroll along the 20-minute Enchanted Walk through magnificent old growth rainforest or embark on the two-hour walk around Dove Lake, which offers magnificent views of Cradle Mountain...