Day trips from Hobart
Hobart is a superb base. Within 90 minutes lie some of Tasmania's greatest experiences: the food-and-wildlife island of Bruny, the World Heritage convict site of Port Arthur, the Georgian charm of Richmond, and the waterfalls and giant forests of Mount Field. Here are the best days out, and how to make them easy.
Bruny Island & Port Arthur
Bruny Island — reached by ferry from Kettering, 30–40 minutes south — is a foodie-and-wildlife haven of oysters, cheese, honey and dramatic coast, with a superb wilderness cruise and the famous Neck lookout. East, the Tasman Peninsula holds the moving World Heritage site of Port Arthur, about 90 minutes away, plus blowholes and sea cliffs. Both are full, rewarding days. See our Hobart tours.
Richmond, Mount Field & the Huon
Closer to home, Richmond (25 minutes) charms with Australia's oldest bridge, Georgian streetscapes and nearby Coal River Valley wineries. An hour northwest, Mount Field National Park delivers the lovely Russell Falls, giant swamp gums and alpine walks. South, the Huon Valley pours cider and apples and hides Hastings Caves and forest airwalks. These make gentle, scenic and family-friendly days. Pair with the city's food and wine.
Beyond a day
With a little more time, the east coast and Freycinet — home to the sublime Wineglass Bay — are within reach as a long day or better as an overnight, and the central highlands and west open up too. If you're touring more of the island, see the wider Tasmania travel guide. We're happy to weave day trips and short loops into one seamless itinerary. See our things to do.
Day trips from Hobart: your questions
The classics are Bruny Island (food and wildlife, by ferry to the south), the World Heritage convict site of Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula (about 90 minutes), the Georgian village of Richmond with Australia's oldest bridge (25 minutes), and Mount Field National Park for Russell Falls and giant swamp gums (about an hour). The Huon Valley adds apples, cider and caves. See our Hobart tours.
Drive about 30–40 minutes south to Kettering, then take the short vehicle ferry across to Bruny Island (roughly 20 minutes). Once there, don't miss The Neck lookout, the oysters, cheese, honey and berries, and a wilderness coast cruise to see seals, sea birds and dramatic cliffs. It's a full and rewarding day — many visitors join a guided tour so they can taste freely and skip the logistics. See our tours.
Yes — Port Arthur is about 90 minutes southeast on the Tasman Peninsula, an easy and moving day out. The extensive World Heritage convict site deserves several hours, and the drive takes in the blowhole, Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen coastal formations, plus the chance to add a Tasman Island cruise. See our dedicated Port Arthur & Tasman Peninsula guide.
Richmond, 25 minutes from Hobart, is a postcard Georgian village home to Australia's oldest bridge (1823) and oldest Catholic church, with cafes and galleries — often paired with Coal River Valley wineries. Mount Field National Park, about an hour northwest, delivers the beautiful Russell Falls, towering swamp gums and, higher up, alpine walks and autumn colour from the fagus. Both make gentle, family-friendly days.
Both work. Self-driving gives you freedom for Richmond, Mount Field or the Huon Valley. But for Bruny Island food-and-wildlife days, wine tours and some Port Arthur itineraries, a guided tour means everyone can relax and taste, with the ferries, tastings and timings handled. Tell us where you'd like to go and we'll build the day and sort the logistics. See our Hobart tours.