If you’re planning a trip to Tasmania, you might be wondering how many days you need to experience the island’s natural beauty and unique history. Whether you’re interested in hiking, wildlife, or simply enjoying scenic views, Tasmania has something to offer everyone.
While it’s possible to see some of Tasmania’s highlights in just a few days, I recommend spending at least a week on the island to start experiencing its different facets. This will give you enough time to explore major attractions such as Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, and the historic town of Port Arthur. However, to fully explore the hidden gems of Tasmania, it’s better to stay there for a bit longer.
You can easily spend two or three weeks in Tasmania without running out of things to do. Whatever your timeframe, there are plenty of itinerary options to suit your needs and interests. Here, we’ve shared three different experiences: a short trip from Hobart or Launceston, a short lap of Tasmania in nine days, and a longer lap of Tasmania in 14 days.
Short trip to Hobart (3-day itinerary)
If you’re short on time but still want to explore Tasmania, a short trip from Hobart is a great option. Hobart serves as an excellent starting point for many Tasmanian adventures, and you can visit some of the most famous places on the island on day trips. We recommend spending one day exploring Hobart itself and then going on a day trip twice (or even staying in different accommodations) to make the most of your three days. However, if you prefer to spend your entire time in Hobart, there’s enough to keep you busy.
Hobart in one day
You can follow a circuit in the town centre to see its most iconic buildings and the harbour. A trip up Mount Wellington is a must-do while in Hobart; the small mountain offers stunning views of the city and its surroundings. You can also take a bus tour to the summit if you prefer not to drive.
If you’re interested in art, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). This museum is known for its controversial exhibits and art lovers love it; I’ve even talked to people who travelled to Hobart just for the museum. You can take a ferry from Hobart to MONA for a scenic journey, or drive there yourself. Make sure you book your tickets in advance.
Tasmania is also renowned as a foodie destination, so we recommend allowing time in the evening to enjoy a nice meal. We settled for a restaurant along the harbour to savour fresh seafood while enjoying views of the old ship replica. But our fondest memory of that evening was our dessert at Van Diemens Land Creamery. They really serve the most delicious and original ice creams and sorbets.
Additionally, if you’re there on a Saturday, the famous Salamanca Market is a reputed place to sample local cheeses, seafood, and other treats.
Day trips from Hobart
For the remaining days of your short trip, you have several choices to explore Tasmania beyond Hobart. It’s hard to pick only a couple of destinations, but as each destination offers a unique experience, you may find some more attractive than others.
Port Arthur
Port Arthur, not too far from Hobart, is one of the top attractions on the island. This historic site, once a penal colony, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers a fascinating glimpse into Tasmania’s past. If you’re more interested in nature-based activities, don’t miss the short hikes and stunning cruises available nearby on the peninsula. The drive from Hobart to Port Arthur takes less than 1.5 hours, but if you prefer not to hire a car, there are many day tours available.
Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park
No trip to Tasmania would be complete without a visit to the famous Wineglass Bay. This stunning beach, located within Freycinet National Park, is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. But if your time is limited and you’ve already seen many stunning beaches in Australia, I will controversially suggest exploring something different, but many would disagree with me.
You can take a day tour to Wineglass Bay from Hobart. But make sure it includes the type of activity you love: not all of them allow time for hiking (especially if you want to climb Mount Amos) or for a cruise for example. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to drive from Hobart to Wineglass Bay.
Bruny Island
Bruny Island is another excellent option for a day trip from Hobart. It offers a mix of some of the best activities available in Tasmania. We particularly enjoyed the cruise and hikes on Bruny Island. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, Bruny Island is famous for its penguins. However, do keep in mind that these adorable creatures only come to shore in the evening, so you won’t be able to spot them on a day trip to Bruny Island. For nature lovers wanting to see wildlife, we highly recommend taking a cruise to explore the eastern part of Bruny Island.
It takes approximately one hour to reach Bruny Island from Hobart. You will need to check with your car rental company that they allow you to visit Bruny Island. And if they do, note that you won’t be able to go to the lighthouse. So it may be easier to join a tour for this day trip.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
During your short trip to Hobart, consider a visit to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary provides a chance to get up close with native Australian animals, including the iconic Tasmanian devil. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn more about these unique creatures and contribute to their conservation efforts.
Mount Field
I love living in Brisbane, but I miss the mountains and the alpine landscape. Cradle Mountain is a bit far for a day trip from Hobart, but some tours offer it if you’re really keen; it’s one of my favourite places on the island.
Much closer, and also totally different, I enjoyed having the opportunity to hike around stunning tarns at Mount Field National Park. It’s a type of landscape you don’t find often in Australia. Many visitors go there to see the beautiful Russel Falls.
Accommodation in Hobart
When it comes to accommodation in Hobart, there are plenty of options available to suit all budgets. From luxury hotels to budget hostels, you’ll find something that meets your needs. However, since you’re planning a short trip, it’s best to minimise time spent on checking in and out of accommodations and packing. Therefore, we recommend staying in Hobart* for two or three nights to make the most of your time on the island.
Short trip to Launceston
If you find a good deal to fly to Launceston, you can explore a few places in the north of the island in just a few days, including some of Tasmania’s most stunning natural landscapes.
Launceston
Unlike Hobart, I find Launceston itself doesn’t require much time to explore. We suggest looking for accommodation outside the city to be closer to the best attractions in the north of the island. The only place I had on my list in Launceston was Cataract Gorge. It’s rather rare to find such a landscape so close to an urban area.
Cradle Mountain National Park
The most famous destination in the north of Tasmania is Cradle Mountain National Park. It’s one of our favourite places in Tasmania, especially for hiking enthusiasts. Although one day is too short to fully experience Cradle Mountain and your chance of having good weather will be limited, it’s still worth it. Hiking to the summit of Cradle Mountain isn’t for everyone, but you’ll find many other stunning hikes with various difficulties in the park.
If you go there with a tour, ask them if there’s a chance to stop at Ronnie Creek at the end of the day. It’s one of the best places in Tasmania to see wombats.
Penguin viewing
My best memory of my multiple trips to Tasmania is on the north coast of the island. There are several penguin-watching platforms where you can safely observe the penguins as they return to shore at the end of the day. If you visit during the peak season, you’re in for an incredible time.
Tamar Valley
For food and wine lovers, the Tamar Valley, just outside Launceston, is a must-explore region. It’s renowned for its cool-climate wines and delicious local produce. Take a road trip through the valley, stopping at cellar doors and farm gates along the way to indulge in Tasmania’s culinary delights.
Short Lap of Tasmania (9 Days)
In just 9 days, you can see some of the best sights that Tasmania has to offer. Our favourite way to explore Tasmania is by hiring a vehicle, ideally a campervan, and staying at free or affordable rest stops at night.
Here’s a quick overview of a nine-day road trip itinerary around Tasmania:
- Day 1: Start your journey in Hobart, where you can explore the CBD, visit museums, enjoy the views from Mount Wellington, visit the Salamanca Markets (Saturday only) or enjoy delicious food with a view near the harbour.
- Day 2: Take a day trip to Bruny Island.
- Day 3: Drive to Port Arthur to delve into Tasmania’s convict past. Explore the historic site, take a guided tour to learn about the fascinating history, and don’t miss the opportunity to go on a cruise or hike in the nearby area for stunning views and natural wonders.
- Day 4: Visit Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park. You can join a tour in Bicheno in the evening to see penguins.
- Day 5: Continue heading up north to visit Bay of Fires and then start driving along the north coast. If you can make it there before sunset, there are fantastic opportunities to see penguins from viewing platforms.
- Day 6: Head to Cradle Mountain, where you can go hiking and take in the natural beauty of the area. Make sure you stop at Ronnie Creek at the end of the day, as it’s one of the best places to see wombats in Tasmania. You can also visit the Tasmanian Devil Sanctuary in the evening and learn about these unique animals.
- Day 7: Wine and food lovers will enjoy exploring the Tamar Valley wine region and sample some of Tasmania’s best wines. For nature lovers, I recommend spending a second day in Cradle Mountain National Park.
- Day 8: Head back south and visit Mount Field National Park to hike the beautiful tarns.
- Day 9: Return to Hobart and explore what you’ve missed on your first day to end your trip.
14 days in Tasmania
If you have the luxury of time and want to explore all that Tasmania has to offer, then 14 days is the perfect amount of time, although we always wished we could stay for longer in each of the destinations.
To make the most of your 14 days in Tasmania, consider a road trip. Hiring a campervan is a popular option for everyone: backpackers, those on a budget, but also luxury travellers who can hire beautiful campervans. You won’t waste time packing and checking in and out of accommodations every couple of days.
We used the nine-day itinerary and simply spent more time at each destination. We also added Maria Island to the trip.
