Travel to Tasmania - a state in the South of Australia like no other in the country to experience all the natural and historical beauty this destination has to offer.
Each Australian state and territory has a multitude of attractions to attract visitors. However, there is something special about Tasmania. Maybe that's because this southern state is an island and unlike any other in the country.
- A perfect day on the turquoise green island of Rottnest in Western Australia
- Summer in Australia with warm sunshine, blue sea and dozens of exciting festivals
- 5 water sports in Australia for thrill seekers
Bay of Fire - a famous destination in Tasmania
Best time to visit Tasmania
When planning a trip to Tasmania, you need to carefully consider the duration of your trip. As the southernmost part of Australia, the island experiences different seasons of the year than the rest of the country. The best time to visit Tasmania depends on what you want to find when you get there.
The town of Hobart is the capital of the state of Tasmania
High season in Tasmania, like the rest of the country, is the summer months from December to February. Early summer is also a pretty good time to visit. The island doesn't suffer from the sweltering heat of the mainland and is also less busy, except for Christmas and New Year's.
Fall and spring are both great times to visit and the weather is a bit cooler. Tasmania can be quite beautiful from March to May when the autumn leaves turn red, as well as between September and November when spring brings new life. Just be careful with the winter months from June to August when it gets quite cold and snows in the higher elevations.
How to visit Tasmania?
You don't have many options when it comes to getting around, in this Australian state it's much more rural making driving your only option for solo travel. Tasmania doesn't have a lot of public transport and trying to do a bus tour of Tasmania is nearly impossible.
Coastal road in Tasmania
Driving in Tasmania isn't too complicated, as long as you obey the road laws. Be aware that in rural places and some national parks, you may encounter dirt or gravel roads. If you're renting a car, check the conditions when booking to make sure you're allowed to drive on these country roads.
A pristine beach in Tasmania
Tourist places in Tasmania that you cannot miss
Hobart - Strahan
Leaving civilization behind, your first Tasmanian destination is Mount Field National Park, one of the most exciting things to see in Tasmania. This national park is one of Tasmania's oldest and is home to a wide range of attractions and nature walks. The most popular attraction in Mount Field National Park is Russell Falls with its enchanting three-tiered waterfall. But it's not the only waterfall here, and Horseshoe Falls has another beauty worth seeing. On this trip you can walk around the Tall Tree Circuit to see the park's impressive giant marsh gum trees.
Russell Falls
Lake St. Clair is one of many lakes scattered throughout this alpine region, but St. Clair is the deepest freshwater lake in Australia and the source of the Derwent River.
Next up are some of the most remote areas in Tasmania at Franklin-Gordon Wild River National Park. The national park is part of the UNESCO-listed Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site and features wild mountains, canyons and rivers. The best way to get a taste of this wilderness is to hike through the rainforest along the Franklin River nature trail and visit Nelson Falls - another picturesque waterfall.
Lake St. Clair
Strahan - núi Cradle
It's time to discover the riches of Tasmania's Wild West Coast. This is the kind of wilderness you can't get on a day tour from Hobart; you really need to take a longer tour of Tasmania with a guide. It is the remoteness that makes this area all the more special.
Henty Dunes are huge white sand dunes just a short drive from Strahan and are another unique Tasmanian landscape. Always shifting, these dunes extend several kilometers inland and reach heights of up to 30 meters.
Henty Dunes
Follow the sand dunes, into the lush Tarkine rainforest to the Montezuma waterfall. This towering ponytail waterfall is the tallest waterfall in Tasmania, reachable by hiking through the rainforest.
Alternatively you can cruise down the Gordon River. With the Gordon River Cruise on your Tasmanian itinerary, you'll board a boat and explore more of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The cruise will take you past Port Macquarie and the River Gordon, where you can admire the forest, perfectly reflected on the river's surface. However, you are not just limited to the boat. Along the way there are stops at Sarah Island, home to colonial ruins, and Heritage Landing, where you can walk through the woods and see ancient pines.
Cradle Mountain - Launceston
Head to Cradle Mountain, one of Tasmania's most iconic Australian attractions. As the most visited part of Lake St. The most popular route for visitors to Cradle Mountain is the Dove Lake Raceway, a lap of the lake that is 6.5 kilometers long and will take you about 1.5 hours. The path alternates between trails, boardwalks, and some stairs.
Cradle Mountain
See more:
- Visit famous wine regions in Australia to enjoy fine wines and fly hot air balloons (P2)
- Visit famous wine regions in Australia to enjoy fine wines and fly hot air balloons (P1)
- Travel to Lord Howe Island - Australia's pristine paradise
Arriving in Launceston, make a stop at Sheffield, "The Town of Murals". Surrounding this small country town are colorful and creative murals from the annual street art festival.
Sheffield Town
Launceston - Bicheno
The Cataract Gorge Reserve on the outskirts of Launceston is where you'll see the canyon cliffs bordering the South Esk River, creating views you wouldn't expect to be this close to the city.
Then it's time to venture to the east coast of wild Tasmania and the incredible Bay of Fire. This reserve is best known for the way bright orange lichens cover the rocks along the shoreline, giving the bay its colorful name. The reserve stretches from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point, with many stops along the way.
Eddystone Point in Bay of Fire
Chief among them is The Gardens - a scenic spot with lots of bright orange rocks. Head south to Taylors Beach and further down the coast is Cozy Corner, another great spot to admire the orange-tinted coastline. Finally, visit Binalong Bay, Tasmania's main beach of Fire Bay that is perfect for swimming, sunbathing and surfing.
One of Tasmania's most scenic drives from the Bay of Fire to Bicheno is when you get to see so many different species of Australian creatures, including some incredibly cute Tasmanian devils. Then in the evening you can head down to the shore to see Bicheno's small flock of penguins as they head up to the beach.
Freycinet National Park - Hobart
This national park encompasses the zigzag Freycinet Peninsula with sandy beaches, pink granite mountains and stunning vistas.
The heart of Freycinet National Park is Australia's Wineglass Bay, and the iconic view you get from the Wineglass Bay lookout is accessible by a rather steep trail from near the end. Looking out from there, you'll see Wineglass Bay Beach and Hazards Beach on either side of the peninsula and the light pink color of the Hazards Mountains around you.
Wineglass Bay
After returning to the car, drive to Honeymoon Bay to admire the crystal clear waters and looming mountain vistas. Another great place to stop on the far side of the peninsula is the Cape Tourville Lighthouse with its beautiful boardwalk and great views of the coast.
Depending on when you get back to Hobart, you may want to spend the rest of your day seeing how the city is doing. Head down to the city's waterfront, visit the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and its collections and exhibitions, or head to Salamanca Place with its quaint space, market and series of bars.
Salamanca Place
Bruny Island
Hobart makes a great base as you explore nearby destinations. View over the city, the top of Mount Wellington is where you can get some great views of Hobart with good weather and it's the perfect place to watch the sunrise or sunset
Bruny Island
Port Arthur Historic Site
Explore Tasmania's colonial history in the town of Richmond and Port Arthur starting north of Hobart to historic Richmond to see its colonial landmarks.
Richmond was settled in the 1820s and still has many Georgian buildings and structures. The town's most famous landmark is the Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia still in use. Other notable landmarks include the gaol - or prison, the oldest in the country and Australia's oldest Catholic church.
Port Arthur Historic Site
After that stop, you head to the historic site of Port Arthur to learn about the island's criminal history. Port Arthur is perhaps the most famous crime settlement in Australia. The town's historic settlement is a World Heritage Site and features a number of buildings, ruins and gardens that have been restored from the former penal colony.
What's really fascinating about Port Arthur is being taken on a guided tour through the different sites and getting to know the rather cruel lives of the prisoners there. Afterwards, head to the Port Arthur gallery, where interactive exhibits and displays help you discover more about the history of the colony.
