Thinking about exploring Tasmania in Australia? This detailed 10 Days in Tassie itinerary and guide shares where to stay, tips for the island, the best places to eat, and the must-see sights!
Australia’s island state is a hugely underrated and massively misunderstood treasure down under. Steeped in natural beauty and historical treasures, Tasmania has some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Here you’ll find world famous hiking trails, world heritage wilderness, diverse wildlife and a thriving arts scene.
Me and my siblings spent one week driving around Tasmania last summer and it was the most memorable 10 days of our lives. We kicked off our trip in Launceston and made our way down to Hobart in an anticlockwise direction before venturing back along the east coast.
Between the mountains, charming towns, incredible people and pristine beaches, it was not only our favourite thing we did together but also one of our places places we have ever been. As we all had full time jobs, we only had 10 days to work with which was definitely not enough time. But we were still able to see some of the biggest highlights in the area.
There are so many amazing places to explore in Tasmania and it’s impossible to experience it all in a short period of time. I am hoping this guide will assist you in planning your own trip to Tassie and give you some ideas to help send you on your way!
If you have any questions about the 10 Days in Tasmania itinerary, let me know in the comments section below or send me an email, I’m always happy to help!
When to visit
Tasmania is a popular year round destination. In the winter it’s popular for it’s Dark Mofo Festival and in the summer it’s an awesome hiking hotspot. For those looking for less crowds, Spring and Autumn are both beautiful times to visit Tasmania as the local produce is at it’s peak and you can enjoy spectacular bursts of colour.
This 10 day itinerary is specifically made for Summer but could work all year round depending on snowfall. If you visit in summer, pack breathable hiking gear and swimwear and if you visit in Winter, pack rain gear and warm clothing. Regardless of when you travel to Tasmania, remember to bring a camera to capture some epic memories on the island state.
Getting to Tasmania
There are two major airports you could fly into to visit Tasmania. We flew into Launceston, which takes only 60 minutes to get to from Melbourne.
You can also fly into Hobart which is the capital city of Tasmania and only 65 minutes to get to from Melbourne. These numbers are based on just putting “Tasmania flight times” into Google and can vary depending on which airline you choose to fly with.
Where to stay
When planning our trip, we were quite strict with our budgets and felt a little overwhelmed by the options. We ended up staying two nights in Hobart due its proximity to some of the attractions we wanted to visit and spent the rest of the trip at multiple accommodations scattered around the island. Below I have listed some different options for each region mentioned in this guide.
Recommendations:
Launceston:
Cheapest: Pod Inn ($54)
Mid-range: Hotel Grand Chancellor ($151)
Luxury: Peppers Seaport Hotel ($429)
Cradle Mountain:
Cheapest: Cradle Mountain Holiday Park ($55)
Mid-range: Cradle Mountain Hotel ($381)
Luxury: Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge ($590)
Stanley:
Cheapest: Big4 Stanley Holiday Park ($164)
Mid-range: The Inlet Stanley ($303)
Luxury: Ship Inn Stanley ($575)
Strahan:
Cheapest: Strahan Backpackers ($98)
Mid-range: Strahan Retreat Cottages ($152)
Luxury: Risby Cove ($275)
Hobart:
Cheapest: YHA Hobart Central ($96)
Mid-range: Hotel Grand Chancellor ($209)
Luxury: Islington Hotel ($445)
Port Arthur:
Cheapest: NRMA Holiday Park Port Arthur ($31)
Mid-range: Port Arthur Villas ($205)
Luxury: Wedgewood ($396)
Coles Bay:
Cheapest: Swansea Backpackers ($35)
Mid-range: Big 4 Iluka on Freycinet ($219)
Luxury Freycinet Resort ($503)
Day 1: Arriving in Launceston
Morning:
After arriving at Launceston Airport and picking up your rental car, make your way over to Inside Café for a delicious coffee and breakfast. Once you’re feeling energised, take the short 10-minute drive to Cataract Gorge and spend your morning strolling through one of the stunning walking tracks surrounded by nature. This forested river reserve wraps around a dramatic gorge and features longest single span chairlift in the world at 308 metres! I recommend paying the $20 return admission fee to ride the chairlift and make sure to wear swimmers as there is a free public swimming pool here too!
When you’re ready, drive back to Launceston CBD to visit City Park which is another gorgeous free attraction. This beautiful well maintained park is like a mini botanic garden and features a monkey enclosure which houses cheeky Japanese Macaques monkeys! No visit to Launceston would be complete without taking a $33 tour of the historic James Boags Brewery. Tours run from Tuesday to Sunday at 11am, 1pm and 3pm and you will learn all about the brewing process as well as taste their exceptional lagers and ales. If you’re feeling peckish, head to Rupert & Hound for some tasty lunch with a view of the North Esk River.
Afternoon:
For another unique experience in Launceston, book a cliff pass at Tasmania’s most popular theme park, Penny Royal Launceston. Famous for their history-themed boat rides and ultimate cliff adventures, this adrenaline fuelled attraction is a great place to spend an afternoon in Launceston. If you’re looking for a more relaxed activity, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is free and open at 10am-4pm daily. For dinner, book at table at the Black Cow Bistro to try their premium Tasmanian beef as well as some fresh local produce. From here, it’s a 50 minute drive to Low Head where you can take a $40 guided evening tour to see their little penguin colony which is the smallest species of penguin in the world!
Day 2: Launceston to Stanley
Morning:
After enjoying breakfast at Cuccina Café Restaurant, drive 15 minutes north west from Launceston to visit the swiss themed village of Grindelwald, where swiss architecture creates a dreamlike ambiance. Continue driving up North for 20 minutes to stop past the Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre (Tickets are $21) which was home to the infamous 2006 gold mine collapse which stopped the nation. Our next stop is Mersey Bluff Lighthouse in Devonport which is just an hour away and features a distinct red and white strip design. For lunch, I recommend driving 20 minutes to Seasons by the Sea located in a town called Penguin which has a giant penguin which is perfect for a family selfie.
Afternoon:
From penguin, it’s a 90 minute journey to reach Stanley where you can check into your hotel and take in sweeping views of The Nut, an ancient volcanic plug. This fascinating geological formation towers 152 metres above the town of Stanley and you can take the scenic chairlift to the top for fantastic views. The $19 chairlift runs every day between 9.30am-4pm and if you arrive late, you can still take the 30 minute walk to the top to enjoy a magical sunset. Enjoy a hearty meal at the Stanley Pub before calling it a night at The Inlet Stanley.
Day 3: Stanley to Cradle Mountain
Morning:
Prepare for another exciting day exploring with an amazing breakfast at Touchwood Café. The drive from Stanley to Cradle Mountain is about 2.5 hours long and there are still some awesome places to check out near Stanley so I recommend starting early. Located 45 minutes south from Stanley, Trowutta Arch is a natural limestone arch located within a stunning rainforest setting. Another great spot to check out near Stanley is Dip Falls, a distinctive basalt-column waterfall which looks spectacular after heavy rain. My favourite spot along this coast was Fossil Bluff which reveals fossils encased in the sandstone layers. As you journey closer to Cradle Mountain, you can have a mouth-watering lunch at The Foreshore in Bernie.
Afternoon:
Check into the Cradle Mountain Hotel to relax with local food and wine at their onsite restaurant and bar. Cradle Mountain is home to some of the best hikes in Australia and depending on what time you arrive, you should have time to squeeze in a trek before the last shuttle bus. To visit the park during the day, you must hop onto a shuttle bus which runs every 15-20 minutes generally between 8am-6pm. Me and my siblings decided to wait until 6pm to drive into the park and took the 10km hike to Marions Lookout just in time to see the sunset. However, this hike was very rushed and I don’t recommend attempting this unless you want to hike back to your car in the dark. Instead, book a $37.50 after dark tour with Devils@Cradle to get up close and personal with Tassie Devils and other native wildlife.
Day 4: Cradle Mountain to Strahan
Morning:
Start your day off the right way with a delicious breaky from Cradle Mountain Hotel before catching the 9am shuttle bus to Dove Lake. The new Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre has fantastic views over Dove Lake and provides some useful information you should know about the national park. Take the short 5 minute walk to the Dove Lake Boatshed to capture some gorgeous photos of the lake with the mountains in the backdrop. There are so many different hikes you can check out from here but my favourites are the Dove Lake Circuit, Marions Lookout and Hansons Peak. After an epic morning spent hiking, hop back in your car and start the two hour journey to Strahan.
Afternoon:
You will no doubt be feeling a little hungry from all that hiking, so be sure to stop at Tullah Café to pick up a steak sandwich while taking in views of Lake Roseberry or Lake Mackintosh. Continue heading down south until you reach the historic gold mining town of Queenstown. This mountainous area was first explored in 1862 and gold was first discovered at Mount Lyell in 1881. You can learn and discover remnants of the town’s history at Iron Blow Lookout or Horsetail Falls which has fantastic views over the bizarre landscape. Take care driving the steep “99 bends” on the Lyell Highway which winds it’s way through the mountains. When you eventually make it to Strahan, check into the Strahan Retreat Cottages and enjoy a seafood dinner at View 42 in town.
Day 5: Strahan
Morning:
After enjoying a nice breaky at the coffee shack, it’s time to embark on your chosen! Two must-do experiences when visiting Strahan are the West Coast Wilderness Railway and the Gordon River Cruise. Unfortunately, this itinerary only allows you to fit in one of these tours. However, I would suggest you stay an extra day in Strahan if you really want to check out both tours. The $85 West Coast Wilderness Railway Tour is a gentle journey through the cool-temperate rainforest that blankets Tasmania’s west coast. Along the way, guides recount the stories of hardship from the railway’s construction and the men, women, and children who called the surrounding wilderness home. Alternatively, the $200 Gordon River Cruise takes you through the history of locations like Macquarie Harbor, Hells Gates, Heritage Landing, and Sarah Island which is Australia’s oldest convict settlement.
Afternoon:
If you’ve still got time in the afternoon after your tour, I recommend checking out two gorgeous waterfalls nearby. Hogarth Falls is located within Peoples Park and is a delightful waterfall to visit all year round. This 2.4km return walk should take about 50 minutes to complete and will guide your though a rainforest to the cascading waterfall. For dinner, you can try Tracks on Point in Strahan which is located around the corner to your hotel.
Day 6: Strahan to Hobart
Morning:
Wake up and get excited because today is a waterfall day! Order some coffee from the Coffe Shack before driving to your first top of the day. Nelson Falls is located about an hour East from Strahan and is one of the most popular waterfalls in Tasmania. Take the short 4km return walk through the rainforest near the edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness and take in awesome views of the falls. Afterwards, me and my siblings decided to stop at the Frenchmans Cap Sunspension Bridge which is an awesome hidden gem on the Lyell Highway. Soon you’ll make it to Derwent Bridge where you can have some lunch at Hungry Wombat Café and visit The Wall artwork or stop past Lake St Clair which is Australia’s deepest lake!
Afternoon:
Mount Field National Park is located two hours South from Derwent Bridge and has some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Tasmania. The Three Falls Circuit begins behind the Mount Field National Park visitor centre and takes you through three scenic rainforest waterfalls and some of the world’s tallest flowering trees. This loop walk should take about 2.5 hours to complete and will deliver you to the base of Russell Falls, he multiple-tiered cascading waterfall that features in all the postcards at the tourist gift shops. Me and my siblings continued driving two hours West from Mount Field National Park to discover the mysterious Gordon Dam. This imposing structure is the tallest dam in the country and holds back more water than the entire Sydney Harbour. Spend an hour walking down to the dam and back up to your car before driving 2.5 hours to the Grand Chancellor Hotel in Hobart. For a nice bite to eat, check out Aloft on Brooke Street.
Day 7: Hobart
Morning:
On our first morning in Hobart, me and my sister booked this 30-minute scenic flight with Above and Beyond which took us over Port Arthur and the jaw dropping Three Capes. Departing at 8am from Franklin Wharf every morning, this seaplane flight will take you over the Three Capes from a perspective that not many people are able to experience. Your pilot will then land on the UNESCO World Heritage listed Port Arthur and tell you some interesting facts about the historic site. Straight after the tour, we picked up my brother from the airport and checked out the iconic Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). The tickets were $38 each but the unique exhibitions inside were simply unforgettable.
Afternoon:
One place that you need to tick off your bucket list when you visit Tasmania is the beautiful Bruny Island. We took the short half hour drive to Kettering before hopping on the $46 ferry which leaves every 20 minutes. Bruny Island itself is Tasmania’s fourth largest island and the most popular attraction here is The Neck. Park your car and climb 300 steps up the dunes to take in jaw dropping 360-degree views over the island. On your way back to Hobart, make a short detour to the summit of Mount Wellington. This mountain towers 1270 metres over Hobart and forms a stunning backdrop to the city. When you make it back to Hobart, book a table at Blue Eye Restaurant for the best seafood in town.
Day 8: Hobart to Port Arthur
Morning:
For your last morning in Hobart, stop past Berta on Liverpool Street to try their delicious spring onion pancakes. Your first stop today will be the historic town of Richmond which is home to the oldest bridge in Australia which was built in 1825. Next, we will visit Tessellated Pavement, a natural wonder where rocks have fractured into polygonal blocks and appear just like man-made tiles. About 7km south of Port Arthur, Remarkable Cave is another hidden gem to check out. Walk along the boardwalk and climb 114 steps to the viewing platform to watch the waves surge through the tunnel and fill the gully with sea spray. Next, we are going to stop past one of the most historic landmarks in Australia, the Port Arthur Historic Site. World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site is the best-preserved convict site in Australia, and among the most significant convict era sites worldwide. I recommend booking a tour which run every hour and give you a great insight into the history of the area.
Afternoon:
From the Port Arthur Historic Site, it’s a short 20 minute drive to the Fortescue Bay Camping Area where we are going to start our next hike. The walk to Cape Huay is a 10km out and back trail that takes you to one of the most dramatic sea cliffs in the country. According to Alltrails, this is considered a moderately challenging route and it takes an average of 3.5 hours to complete. If you fall in love with this trail, I recommend returning to Tasmania at a later stage to experience the famous Three Capes Trail. This 48 kilometre track takes up to 4 days to complete and features state of the art shelters and exhilarating cliff top outlooks. When you finish your hike, head back to Port Arthur Villas and book a table at On The Bay Restaurant.
Day 9: Port Arthur to Coles Bay
Morning:
Grab a takeaway coffee from the Port Arthur Historic Site Café before making your way to Triabunna which is about 1.5 hours North of Port Arthur. When you’ve made it to Triabunna, hop on the 8.30am or 10am $52 ferry to Maria Island which is where we will be spending the remainder of the morning. Rich in history and boasting spectacular views, Maria Island has an abundance of native rare wildlife. Hire a bike for $33 from Encounter Maria Island and take the 19.2km cycling route around the island. Look out for wombats that call this island home and check out the amazing colours and swirling patterns of the painted cliffs.
Afternoon:
Try to aim to be back at the wharf at 2.30pm to catch the ferry back to Triabunna where you can enjoy a late lunch from The Fish Van. Drive 1.5 hours north of Triabunna to check into the Big 4 Iluka on Freycinet and prepare your gear for the last hike of the trip. Located in Freycinet Peninsula, Mount Amos offers incredible panoramic views of Coles Bay and the stunning white sands of Wineglass Bay. This 4km return hike should take 2.5 hours to complete and is one of the best hikes on Tasmania’s East Coast. After parking your car in the national park and passing by all the warning signs, you’ll begin the short but steep trek up to the summit. You’ll have to have a good head for heights, have shoes with good grip and be willing to scramble the whole way up and down again. The views at the end make it all worth it. Once you make it back down to Coles Bay, order some well deserved pizza from Geographe Restaurant and Espresso Bar.
Day 10: Coles Bay to Launceston
Morning:
It’s our last morning in Tasmania and we are going to be spending it in a very special place called the Bay of Fires. Stretching over 50km across Tasmania’s East Coast, the Bay of Fires is home to clean white beaches, clear azure seas and granite rocks splashed in orange lichen. Located between Binalong Bay in the south to Eddystone Point in the north, this gorgeous coastline has some of the best snorkelling spots on the island. My two favourite spots area The Gardens and Binalong Bay where you will find some of the most secluded beaches and vibrant colours than anywhere else. Pack your bathers, bring a towel and spend your last morning soaking in this coastal paradise.
Afternoon:
Stop by Sco & Co. and The Lifebuoy Café for brunch by the water before driving one hour North to the Little Blue Lake. Located between Derby and Gladstone, this other-worldly blue lake is a result of the pioneering mining days which dates back to the 19th century. The lake itself is an old mining hole that has been filled with water and the residual minerals result in it’s beautiful turquoise colour. Our last stop of the trip was one of the world’s largest fine lavender farms located in beautiful North East Tasmania which costs $20 to enter. Bridestowe Lavender grows true French Lavender and are famous for the spectacular view of the lavender in bloom in December and January. Stop by their visitor centre to purchase unique products containing Bridestowe’s famous lavender oil and dried flower. Our favourite was the lavender ice cream which tasted amazing. Once you’re ready, take the short 50 minute drive back to Launceston to drop off your rental car and hop on your flight home!
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