Welcome to Tasmania
Tasmania — lutruwita — is Australia's wild, soulful island south, where nearly half the land is protected wilderness and the air is among the cleanest on Earth. In a compact island you'll find the edgy energy of Hobart and MONA, the perfect curve of Wineglass Bay, the alpine drama of Cradle Mountain, the haunting convict ruins of Port Arthur, and a food, wine and whisky scene that punches far above its size. This is the guide we give our own guests — the icons, the regions, and how to plan a trip.
Hobart, Port Arthur & the coast
Most journeys begin in Hobart — a soulful harbour capital of Georgian sandstone, Salamanca Market and kunanyi/Mount Wellington, transformed by the audacious MONA. An hour east, the Tasman Peninsula holds the World Heritage convict site of Port Arthur and dramatic sea cliffs. Up the east coast, Freycinet frames the famous curve of Wineglass Bay and the flame-orange boulders of the Bay of Fires.
Cradle Mountain & the wilderness
Inland and west, Tasmania turns truly wild. Cradle Mountain reflects in Dove Lake at the head of the legendary Overland Track, while the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area rolls on to the Franklin-Gordon wild rivers, Strahan and the Gordon River cruises. This is ancient Gondwana country of temperate rainforest, button-grass plains and some of the last true wilderness on Earth — best explored on wilderness tours and its great walks.
Launceston, the Tamar & the table
In the north, elegant Launceston guards the Cataract Gorge and opens the Tamar Valley wine route. Across the island, Tasmania sets one of Australia's finest tables — cool-climate wine, world-beating whisky, Bruny Island cheese and oysters, and produce so good it defines a whole holiday. Add the moody magic of the Dark Mofo festival and Tasmania rewards every sense.
The essentials
Planning Tasmania: your questions
Immensely — Tasmania packs astonishing variety into one compact island. Explore edgy Hobart and MONA, walk to Wineglass Bay in Freycinet, stand beneath Cradle Mountain, trace convict history at Port Arthur, and taste world-class food, wine and whisky. Add pristine wilderness, unique wildlife and the moody magic of Dark Mofo, and it's one of Australia's most rewarding destinations.
A week is a good start; ten days to two weeks is ideal. With 5–7 days you can loop Hobart, Port Arthur, Freycinet and up to Launceston. 10–14 days lets you add Cradle Mountain and the wild west coast, Bruny Island and more of the food-and-wine trail. Tasmania looks small but the winding roads slow you down — don't try to rush it. See our getting around guide.
Tasmania is famous for its wilderness — nearly half the island is national park or World Heritage reserve — and for Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, the convict site of Port Arthur, and the provocative MONA in Hobart. It's also renowned for cool-climate wine and whisky, superb produce, unique wildlife like the Tasmanian devil, the winter festival Dark Mofo, and some of the cleanest air and darkest, aurora-lit skies on Earth.
Summer (December–February) is warmest and best for hiking and the coast; autumn brings the famous turning of the fagus (Australia's only native deciduous tree) and mild days; winter is cold and atmospheric, home to Dark Mofo, snow and the aurora; and spring is fresh and green. See our best time to visit guide.
By air or sea. Frequent flights link Hobart and Launceston with the mainland capitals (about an hour from Melbourne). Or bring your car on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, which sails Geelong to Devonport across Bass Strait (around 9–11 hours). Once there, a hire car or tour is the way to explore. See our getting there guide.