7-Day Tasmania Itinerary

Fly into Hobart, Australia’s second-oldest city. After checking in, explore the stunning Georgian sandstone warehouses of Salamanca Place and the maritime village of Battery Point — cobbled lanes, colonial cottages, and Arthur Circus (a ring of Georgian houses around a shared village green). The waterfront precinct is outstanding for dinner.

• Salamanca Place — sandstone warehouses, galleries, craft studios, restaurants
• Battery Point — cobbled streets, colonial architecture, Arthur Circus
• Hobart Waterfront — Constitution Dock; fresh crayfish and fish at the floating punts
• Salamanca Market (Saturday only) — 300+ stalls, oysters, leatherwood honey, local produce

Morning ferry to MONA — Museum of Old and New Art, David Walsh’s audacious underground museum carved into sandstone cliffs above the Derwent River. One of the most remarkable cultural institutions in the Southern Hemisphere. Take the MONA Roma ferry (departs Brooke Street Pier) — arriving by water past riverside vineyards is part of the experience. Allow 3–4 hours minimum. Afternoon: drive up to kunanyi / Mount Wellington (1,271 m) for panoramic views over Hobart and the Derwent Valley. Optional early evening: Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary (30 minutes north of Hobart) — guided evening feeding session with Tasmanian devils is remarkable.

• MONA Roma ferry from Brooke Street Pier — book in advance
• MONA — allow 3–4 hours; book tickets at least 2–4 weeks ahead in peak season
• kunanyi / Mt Wellington summit — dress warmly, can be 10°C cooler than Hobart
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary (optional) — evening devil feeding, 30 min north of Hobart

Drive east via the beautiful colonial village of Richmond — Australia’s oldest surviving bridge (1823, convict-built), St John’s Church, and a main street that has barely changed since the 1840s. Continue east to the Tasman Peninsula and the extraordinary ruins of Port Arthur Historic Site — the convict settlement that shaped Australian national identity. The setting, on a peninsula of impossible beauty surrounded by turquoise water, makes Port Arthur one of the world’s most emotionally powerful heritage sites. Allow 3–4 hours on site. On the drive back, stop at the Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen sea cliffs (45 minutes of dramatic dolerite formations and vertigo-inducing cliff edges).

• Richmond Bridge — Australia’s oldest convict-built bridge (1823)
• Port Arthur Historic Site — 3–4 hours; ghost tour option after dark
• Cape Hauy walk option — 4 hr return, one of Tasmania’s most spectacular cliff walks
• Tasman Arch & Devil’s Kitchen — 45-min loop on the drive back

Drive north up the east coast to Freycinet National Park — pink granite mountains (The Hazards), blazing orange lichen, and the world-famous turquoise crescent of Wineglass Bay. The lookout walk (1.5 hr return) gives the iconic elevated view. For the full experience, continue down to the beach (2 hr return) — the sand is squeaky white, the water impossibly clear. Fresh oysters from Freycinet Marine Farm at the picnic tables overlooking the bay. Overnight in Coles Bay.

• Wineglass Bay Lookout — 1.5 hr return, 600 steps, outstanding views
• Wineglass Bay Beach — 2 hr return, swim in the impossibly clear water
• Freycinet Marine Farm — eat oysters at the picnic tables right on the bay
• Cape Tourville Lighthouse — sunset views over the entire peninsula

Drive north along Tasmania’s dramatic east coast to Larapuna / Bay of Fires — the orange lichen-covered granite boulders, white beaches, and brilliant blue water that make this stretch of coast one of the world’s most photographed coastlines. Larapuna is the Country of the Palawa peoples, and the name has been used alongside Bay of Fires since the region’s cultural significance was recognised. Binalong Bay is the main access point; drive further to The Gardens and Eddystone Point for the most dramatic scenery. Continue west to Launceston in the afternoon.

• Larapuna / Bay of Fires — Binalong Bay, The Gardens, Eddystone Point lighthouse
• Pyengana Dairy (detour) — cloth-bound cheddar since 1892; watch the cheesemaking
• St Helens — lunch stop, fresh fish at the harbour
• Launceston — check in; dinner at Stillwater in a converted flour mill on the Tamar River

The highlight many visitors return to Tasmania for. Drive west to Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park and the iconic Dove Lake Circuit — a 6 km loop around the lake with Cradle Mountain reflected in still water, ancient pencil pines, and buttongrass plains. Allow 2–3 hours. Wombats and wallabies graze openly along the boardwalk at dusk. Return to Launceston for the night.

• Dove Lake Circuit — 6 km, 2–3 hr, suitable for most fitness levels
• Enchanted Walk — 20-min ancient myrtle rainforest loop from the visitor centre
• Marion’s Lookout — additional 3–4 hr return hike for 360° views (good fitness)
• Wombats & wallabies — commonly seen along the boardwalk from late afternoon

Morning in the Tamar Valley — Tasmania’s premium cool-climate wine region, just north of Launceston. Josef Chromy (lakeside estate, excellent restaurant), Pipers Brook Vineyard, Tamar Ridge, and Holm Oak all offer cellar door tastings. The valley produces some of Australia’s finest Pinot Noir, Riesling, and sparkling wine. Before leaving, a morning at Cataract Gorge — a stunning dolerite gorge a ten-minute walk from the city centre, with a free chairlift and swimming basin — is well worth an hour.

• Josef Chromy Wines — 8 km from Launceston, beautiful lake-view cellar door
• Tamar Ridge & Pipers Brook — Pinot Noir and Riesling specialists
• Cataract Gorge — free chairlift, cliff-edge walks, ten minutes from the CBD
• Launceston Airport — Qantas and Jetstar to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane