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Tasmania is one of Australia’s most interesting regions. The island state has a distinct look and feel, offering remarkable experiences that are unique within Australia. But with so much to choose from, planning a Tasmania itinerary isn’t easy.
Whether you’re an Australian finally checking out what Tassie has to offer, or an international visitor excited to see all the different sides to Australia, it’s okay to not know what to do. I’ve spent many months travelling across the state, so let me give you somewhere to start. And don’t worry if you have a week in Tasmania, as you can see some great stuff in that time.
Below, I show you a couple of ways to organise a 7-day Tasmania itinerary. If you have more or less time than that, I also suggest ways to create your own 5- or 10-day Tasmania itinerary. That way, you can tailor these ideas to suit your trip.
Best Time to Visit Tasmania
A major factor when planning your Tasmania trip is deciding when to come.
The most popular time to visit Tasmania is between December and February. People come over school break for the milder weather Tasmania offers compared to the mainland.
And while summer in Tasmania is a good time to visit, I don’t think it’s the best time. Instead, visit during spring and autumn, particularly October, November, March, and April.
These months offer a nice mix of warm and cool weather, and just as important, they are much less busy. You still have the right conditions for lots of outdoor activities, but accommodation availability and prices should be significantly better.
Now, I won’t say that you should avoid visiting Tasmania in winter. But it is cold (for Australia), and some experiences may be less enjoyable. That said, seeing snow at Cradle Mountain or on kunanyi/Mt. Wellington is kinda neat.
How many days in Tasmania is enough?
That’s the age-old question, isn’t it?
If you’re worried about staying too long in Tassie, don’t. You can spend months on the island and still find new places to explore. But unless you’ve got time for a road trip around the island, you’re probably looking more short-term.
I suggest you consider spending 7-10 days in Tasmania if you can, as that lets you see a nice mix of things without spending too much time driving.
You could go for a shorter visit, but once you get down to 5 days in Tasmania, or fewer, it really limits what’s possible. Going for a few days, like a long weekend, will really only let you see one city and maybe do a day trip.
Look at the itineraries for Tasmania below and you’ll see how valuable every extra day is.
Where to start your Tasmania trip
While all the options for your trip to Tasmania can be overwhelming, at least the starting points are pretty basic.
The most common starting points for visiting Tasmania are the cities of Hobart and Launceston, plus the seaside town of Devonport. Where you choose to arrive doesn’t limit where you can visit in Tasmania, but it does make some itineraries easier to do than others.
For the sake of simplicity, I’m going to suggest following the same plan whether you arrive in Launceston or Devonport. They’re both in the state’s north, and it’s easy enough to get to Launceston from Devonport.
However, you could do a completely different trip from Devonport, focusing on Tasmania’s northwest. If enough people ask or comment, I’ll do my best to add it.
Getting to and around Tasmania
We know where to start our Tasmania trip, so let’s look at how you can reach each starting point.
All three places, Hobart, Launceston, and Devonport, have airports with regular flights. Most connections are from Melbourne or Sydney, with Devonport only receiving a few flights per day.
The real reason Devonport is a good starting point is that it is where the Spirit of Tasmania ferry arrives from Victoria. You can drive off the boat and be in the town center in 10 minutes. Launceston is also a little over an hour’s drive away.
For more advice, look at my post on things to know when getting to Tasmania.
It’s just as straightforward to understand how to get around Tasmania.
The island has minimal public transport, with buses primarily connecting the main cities and, less frequently, some towns. While they can be helpful in some situations, they’re not an effective method for trips outside cities.
This is why most people rent a car and do a Tasmania road trip, even though they can partially get by with local transport and tours.
Planning your 7-Day Tasmania itinerary
You know have the when and the how for your Tasmania itinerary, so let’s get to the where.
To make the most of your time in Tasmania, I’m creating two itineraries, depending on where you want to start, in Tasmania’s south or north.
This is to cut down on travel time, because even though the island may seem small, the terrain and limited roads can significantly increase travel time. I imagine if you only have 7 days in Tasmania, you’d rather spend more time sightseeing than driving between places.
It’s also true that these are just one way to spend time in Tasmania and that another 7-day Tasmania itinerary could look very different and still be viable. But based on experience, this is what I’d recommend.
Tasmania itinerary from Hobart
When starting your itinerary in Hobart, you can hope to explore Tasmania’s south-east region.
You’ll have time in the state capital and then head off to find some of Tasmania’s iconic spots, highlighting the region’s history and natural beauty.
Day 1 – Hobart
Arrive in Hobart, get settled, and begin exploring this charming, quiet city.
Start with some main Hobart attractions such as Salamanca Place and the scenic waterfront area. Nearby, you have many of the city’s best museums that will introduce you to Tasmania’s past and present, such as the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum.
In between trying out all the cafes and restaurants in the city center, make sure to duck over to experience the quaint feel of Battery Point.
Where to Stay: Consider your different Hobart accommodation options, focusing on areas central to the city.
Day 2 – Hobart
Hobart has more than enough to keep you busy for a second day, but this time, get away from the downtown area.
Pass (or stop in at) the huge Queen’s Domain park area with its gardens and monuments, and head north. This is so you can visit the city’s most famous museum, MONA. Ever-changing and always pushing the envelope, it’s an experience, trust me.
You can easily lose a few hours at MONA, after which, I suggest journeying up kunanyi/Mt Wellington. This mountain overlooks Hobart and offers awesome views of the city and beyond. Drive up the mountain or use the convenient hop-on hop-off bus.
Below kunanyi/Mt Wellington, you can explore walking tracks to waterfalls or visit the historic Cascades Female Factory and Cascades Brewery.
Getting there: If you don’t have your own car, rely on public transport or join this convenient day tour that combines both attractions.
Day 3 – Bruny Island day trip
Of the various day trips you can take from Hobart, I think the most complete is visiting Bruny Island.
This large island south of the city offers an interesting mix of beautiful landscapes, colonial history, and modern culinary excellence.
To give you the highlights: the scenic isthmus above, called “The Neck”, local albino wallabies, and ties to known figures such as Captain Cook and William Bligh.
What most surprised me about Bruny Island was the food. Not just its famously fresh oysters, but also honey, cheese, chocolate, and beer.
Getting there: While you can drive and use the ferry, booking this day trip or this boat cruise makes the experience easier.
Day 4+5 – Tasman Peninsula
Leave Hobart and drive east for the Tasman Peninsula.
It’s not a long drive, so you can still fit plenty of sightseeing on the first day. Start with Port Arthur, Australia’s most famous/infamous penal colony. Learn its history on a tour of the UNESCO site and take a short boat ride around the harbour area.
With your other day on the peninsula, focus on its natural beauty. An easy option is to visit the Blow Hole and Tasmans Arch, then walk the trail to Waterfall Bay Lookout.
For a more adventurous day, consider heading to Cape Hauy to tackle one leg of the popular Three Capes Trek or see the coast and its wildlife on a boat cruise.
Visitors desperate to see wildlife could instead spend part of the day at the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo on the peninsula.
Where to Stay: Port Arthur and Taranna are the two most convenient areas for accommodation on the peninsula.
Day 6+7 Freycinet National Park
Set off early for a longer driving day to reach Freycinet National Park, home to the famous Wineglass Bay.
You can stop along the way at places such as the Spiky Bridge and Friendly Beaches, but it is good if you have a little time at Freycinet that first day.
Admire the beauty of Honeymoon Bay, maybe even kayak there, and walk around Cape Tourville Lighthouse.
This gives you plenty of time the next day for hiking in Freycinet National Park, whether you walk down to Wineglass Bay Beach or up Mount Amos.
Allow time to return to Hobart if you’re leaving that night; otherwise, head back the next day.
Where to Stay: Coles Bay is the closest settlement to Freycinet National Park, but Bicheno and Swansea are two other places you can stay.
Tasmania itinerary from Launceston
Now, let’s look at a Tasmania itinerary where you start from Launceston in the island’s north.
With this trip, you’ll get to see a broader mix of places across the north and east of Tasmania. You’ll spend less time in the city and more time experiencing regional Australia. Of course, you’ll also have plenty of time to take in Tasmania’s natural beauty.
Day 1 – Launceston
Land in Launceston, get your luggage squared away, and go for an explore around town.
It won’t take long to realise that Launceston isn’t huge, but there’s enough to keep you busy. Visit Royal Park to see the city’s riverfront, not to be confused with City Park on the far side of the town, another pleasant place to stroll about.
For culture, explore the Queen Victoria Art Gallery at Royal Park and/or the Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk across the river.
In the heart of things is the old James Boag Brewery, a historic and iconic Australian beer, where you can tour its premises.
Where to Stay: Options for staying in Launceston are pretty straightforward, with central places better for convenience.
Day 2 – Launceston/Cataract Gorge
Unless something else grabs your attention in the city center, it’s time to look elsewhere.
Cataract Gorge is a beautiful spot in the city’s suburbs and one of the most common day trips from Launceston, although it’s so close that calling it that feels a stretch.
Walk along the riverfront and bridges there, ride the chairlift, search for peacocks, and admire views from its lookout. That will occupy a few hours if you’re thorough.
Ways to spend the rest of the day include a river cruise, visiting wineries such as Josef Chromy Wines near the airport, or exploring the nearby wilds of Hollybank Forest.
Getting there: While you can drive over to Cataract Gorge to walk around, another way to see the area is with a river cruise.
Day 3 – Cradle Mountain day trip
It’s time to experience one of my favourite places in Tasmania by visiting Cradle Mountain.
On the way to this popular national park, make sure to stop in at the colorful town of Sheffield. Get coffee or a snack and admire the local murals before continuing on.
Cradle Mountain is one of the most popular places for hiking in Tasmania, with a great selection of walks and tougher hikes. For most visitors, the Dove Lake circuit is the best place to start and can be covered within 2 hours.
Wildlife fans should head to the Ronny Creek boardwalk or the Enchanted Forest, both of which offer a good likelihood of spotting wombats.
Getting there: Driving to and from Cradle Mountain can make it a long day, so offload some of the hassle with a day tour.
Day 4 – Tamar Valley day trip
Another prime day trip destination from Launceston is the Tamar Valley.
This scenic river valley leads from Launceston out to the coast, and it’s a vastly underrated region of Tasmania to explore.
It’s one of Tasmania’s best wine regions, so one way to spend a visit is bouncing between local wineries and enjoying their views.
Wildlife watching is another option, from looking for birds at Tamar Island to spotting penguins at Low Head. Alternatively, learn about the region’s colonial past at George Town and Low Head.
Finally, you have the stunning beachfront at Greens Beach and the nice walk up to Badger Beach Lookout.
Getting there: It’s better to take a wine tour if you want to visit the region’s wineries than worry about being ok to drive.
Day 5 – Bridestowe Lavender Estate
Photo by Kshithij Chandrashekar on Unsplash
One place you regularly see photos and one of the most popular places to visit in north east Tasmania is Bridestowe Lavender Estate.
Offering the purple shades of Provence, but in rural Tasmania, it’s a picturesque place to see lavender fields. While there, you can also sample all sorts of lavender products.
Combine Bridestowe with other places in the region to fill your day. Explore the country towns of Scottsdale and Derby, admire the cascades of Lilydale Falls, or see the unreal colours of Little Blue Lake.
End the day by the beach with a stay in the small town of Bridport.
Where to Stay: This part of Tasmania is a bit more rural, so look at the coastal town of Bridport for more accommodation options.
Day 6+7 – Bay of Fires
Having thoroughly explored the region around Launceston, it’s time to visit the Bay of Fires on the east coast.
Allow the morning to get over to the coast, unless you stop at a local waterfall or two, such as Halls Falls. Once on the coast, you have a day or more to discover this iconic destination.
It’s easiest to start with Binalong Bay, as this little town combines a stunning beach with shallow pools littered with the Bay of Fires’ signature red rocks.
From there, you can just follow the coast north to The Gardens, and even as far as Eddystone Point Lighthouse. Beach walks and coastal scenery galore.
Where to Stay: The Bay of Fires has a lot of accommodation options, from Scamander and St Helens to Binalong Bay.
5- and 10-Day Tasmania itineraries
St Columba Falls
What’s handy about these Tasmania itineraries is that you can adapt them to shorter or longer visits.
For a 5-day Tasmania itinerary starting in Hobart, you can drop the Tasman Peninsula or Wineglass Bay from your plans. And for a northern Tasmania 5-day itinerary, skip the Bay of Fires or the Tamar Valley and Bridestowe.
Even by dropping an extra place or two, these itineraries still give you a nice mix of experiences.
What about if you have longer to spend in Tasmania?
10 days from Hobart
Maria Island settlement
With 10 days in Tasmania starting in Hobart, I suggest:
- an extra day with the Tasman Peninsula, taking time to explore Richmond on the way from Hobart;
- 1 day to visit Maria Island to see its wombats, preferably arriving the night before from the Tasman Peninsula;
- 1 day in Bicheno to try the lobster and see the penguins;
- a return to Hobart, stopping for a few hours at Oatlands.
10 days from Launceston/Devonport
Liffey Falls
It’s just as easy to build a 10-day itinerary of Tasmania starting in the north:
- add a day trip from Launceston to visit the beautiful Liffey Falls and see the historic Woolmers or Brickendon Estates;
- include another day trip, this time to the town of Deloraine and the caves of Mole Creek;
- turn your Tamar Valley trip into a 2-day visit, adding visits to Narawantapu National Park and Badger Beach;
- allow an extra day for the Bay of Fires to see more waterfalls along the way, plus visit the Peron Dunes.
Other places to add to your Tasmania itinerary
Strahan
The problem with 5 to 10 days in Tasmania is that there’s no way you can hope to see the whole state.
Whether you start in Hobart, Launceston, or Devonport, you can only see parts of the island. You may have noticed areas of Tasmania that this itinerary completely ignores.
And that’s not because they have nothing to offer. It’s just harder to incorporate regions like Northwest Tasmania, the Highlands, and the West Coast into shorter trips.
So if you spend longer in Tasmania, I highly recommend looking at these regions:
- The West Coast
- Strahan on Macquarie Harbour, which is home to untouched wilderness and convict history
- Queenstown, a former mining town near waterfalls with a vintage railway
- Montezuma Falls, a towering waterfall in a quiet, accessible forest
- The Highlands
- Lake St Clair, the other half of Cradle Mountain National Park, with less busy walking trails to enjoy
- Devil’s Gullet, a little-known reserve with impressive cliffs
- Walls of Jerusalem, the most alpine region of Tasmania
- South West Tasmania
- Mount Field, home to Russell Falls and wild hikes
- Hartz Mountains National Park, hiking to scenic, remote peaks
- Arthur Range, home to two of Tasmania’s hardest hiking routes
If you’ve been to Tasmania before, what was your own Tasmania travel itinerary like? How long did you spend on the island, and where did you start your trip from? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
