Tasmania, the Australian Island known for its excellent air and water quality, as well as just about everything else. If it’s beautiful scenery, fresh seafood, picturesque towns, and an abundance of outdoor adventures you seek, get ready to book your ticket to the island.
If you are planning a trip to Australia, Tasmania is a must-see, as it offers an Aussie lifestyle experience unlike any other on the continent. We will explore below the must-do activities while visiting along with a few ‘getting there’ tips.
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A Complete Guide to Visiting Tasmania
- Where to Stay in Tasmania
- How to get to Tasmania
- Things to do in Tasmania
- Freycinet National Park
- Hobart
- Bay of Fires
- Bruny Island
- Maria Island
- Before you leave for Tasmania
Where to Stay in Tasmania
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Tasmania, so you will not be short on options. Here are our top suggestions for the best places to stay in Tasmania for any budget.
Luxury –Finnview House is a luxurious bed and breakfast accommodation with mountain views, a fully equipped kitchen and air conditioning.
Book your stay at Finnview House here.
Mid-Range –Vibe Hotel Hobart is a 4-star hotel in the centre of Hobart featuring air-conditioned rooms, a fitness centre, and a restaurant and bar. Anà la carte breakfast is also available at Vibe Hotel Hobart.
Book your stay at Vibe Hotel Hobart here.
Budget – Mayfair Plaza Motel and Apartments is a modern motel located in the centre of Hobart close to the Salamanca markets and historic Battery Point. The rooms are spacious with airconditioning and laundry services and wifi is also available.
How to Get to Tasmania
Plane
Because it is an Australian island, you will likely book a flight to get there. The most affordable, convenient route will be flying from Melbourne or Sydney Airport into Launceston or Hobart in a little over an hour flight. Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Qantas are the most serviced airlines to fly when traveling from the two major airports.
If you are looking for options to park your car at either airport while away, check out long-term car park options at Sydney Airport, or Melbourne Car Park rates.
At the top of these pages, you can select the dates on which you wish to travel and the most affordable, reputable car parks available will be showcased to safely store your car until you return.
Ferry
If you are leaving from Geelong to visit Tasmania, you can take the ferry that departs from the Tasmania Quay, Geelong and arrives at Devonport, Tasmania. There is only one ferry that travels this route, and it is the Spirit of Tasmania. It travels between the ports about 6x each week in a travel duration that is around 9 hours and 30 minutes. Riding the ferry allows you to take your car with you for a cost between A$400-650 for two people. Traveling on the ferry for two people without a car will run you around A$258.
Bus/ Car
After arriving on the island, plan to rent a car or motorbike (if that’s your style) as it’s the most convenient way to get around the island. While many cities on the island – like Launceston, Burnie, and Hobart – offer Metro buses to explore within the cities, there are not many options to explore outside of the city or between cities on public transportation. If the budget affords, you should plan to rent a car either at the Devonport airport or the Devonport Ferry Terminal Building.
Things To Do in Tasmania
Freycinet National Park
No visit to Tasmania is complete without a trip to Freycinet National Park. It is here you will find the perfect nature escape. Located in the crown of Freycinet National Park is Wineglass Bay – an area known for its white sand beaches, kangaroo locals, and mountainous landscape – known as the Hazards. You can camp here, hike, spend a day at the beach, go kayaking or rafting, go snorkeling, or visit the lighthouse at Cape Tourville.
Hobart
Hobart is the capital city of Australia and a hub of culture and history. If you want to see this city, which we definitely think you should, we recommend visiting Salamanca Market for vintage finds, eclectic art, and a range of local goods. If you are an art lover, and even if you aren’t, visiting MONA should be at the top of your list. The Museum of Old and New Art is home to a range of exhibits. Don’t forget to check out some of the capital’s fabulous eat’s, too. Salamanca square is packed with restaurants like Machine Laundry Cafe. On Elizabeth street you can find Sonny’s, a highly rated wine bar and restaurant that is raved about amongst locals and visitors alike. If you are in the mood for seafood, take a walk down to Hobart waterfront to dine at Flippers – the fish and chips or local catch of the day is a must. Take a walk alongside the waterfront at sunset if you have the time. If you want to see a range of Tasmanian animals, visit the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. And, if you like history and a good whisky, visit one of the historic Hobart’s distilleries – Larks and Hellyers are some of the most loved.
Bay of Fires
Whether you want to partake in wine tastings at Priory Ridge Wines or explore Peron dunes by go cart, the Bay of Fires, also known as Binalong Bay, lives up to the hype of its name. The bay is definitely worth a visit when in Tasmania. Going here offers you the chance to see some beautiful beaches with rocks that will actually make you marvel at them… I know it sounds strange, but trust me. Burns Bay, Skeleton Bay Reserve, Taylors Beach, and Picnic Rocks are some of nature’s finest. You can camp at many of these beaches or simply spend the day. If you want to treat yourself, or your family, we highly recommend the Bay of Fires Bush Retreat – you will leave feeling like a new person with some good R & R. For great dining experiences, try out Furneaux Restaurant and Comptoir if you are in the area, or, across the bridge, visit St Helens Bakery. The Social Tasmania is also a must try for local brews and amazing street style food.
Bruny Island
Here you can do a day trip or spend a couple of nights, if you really want to unwind and relax.
This island has just about something for everyone. You can go for a luxurious spa day(s) at Adventure Bay Retreat, learn about Tasmanian history on at the Bligh Museum of Pacific Exploration, live a foodie’s dream by taking the Tasmania Gourmet Food tour with Alex, a Tasmanian native who will indulge you in dishes of local, fresh produce and divine wine pairings. If you love to walk or hike, we highly recommend booking a walking tour, some of which last 4 days and take you through forests, national parks, and up mountains, so you can experience the whole island.
Maria Island
Maria Island allows for an easy day trip from Hobart or, like Bruny Island, a vacation all on its own. Here you will get a piece of the island’s beguiling convict history, see tons of wombats (and other native Australian animals),explore the island by bike as it is a no-vehicle island, and take in all that nature has to offer by being in Tasmania’s ‘Noah’s Ark’’. Make sure to visit the old penitentiary in Darlington, you can even sleep there if you are really up for a sleepover adventure. Travel to the marine reserve to partake in scuba diving, snorkeling and bird watching activities.If you really want to get away from the hustle and bustle of life, this is the perfect place for you. Just make sure to pack plenty of snacks and water if you plan to spend a couple days, as the gourmet food on the island is limited.
Whether you choose to stay in Tasmania for one week or two, there is no shortage of beaches or outdoor activities you will find.on this Australian island. It is one of the most beautiful islands and no doubt leaves an indelible mark on you. Don’t skip out on this gem of an island that too many often overlook. You won’t be disappointed.
Before You Leave for Tasmania
Before you set off on your way to Tasmania, there are a number of things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best insurance for your trip to Australia. All of this is discussed in detail below.
Applying for an Australian Visa
If you have yet to leave for Australia then this is a section of interest for you. There are a lot of different visa options for people arriving in Australia, from tourist visas to permanent residence visas. The most common visas, however, are the 3-month tourist visa and the Working Holiday Visa.
If you are only visiting Australia for a short period of time then a tourist visa is your best option. These are easily obtained and relatively cheap, costing roughly $140AUD, and allow you to stay in the country for up to 12 months. These can be applied for on the government website here.
If you wish to work and travel in Australia, a working holiday visa is your best option. These cost around $480AUD and allow you to stay in Australia for up to 12 months, whilst working and earning money to travel. This visa also gives you the opportunity to extend your stay in Australia by up to 24 months by working in certain job sectors.
Where to Stay in Tasmania
There are some beautiful places to stay in Tasmania that will suit all ranges of budgets. We have listed our top recommendations for all price ranges.
Where to Stay in Tasmania
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Tasmania, so you will not be short on options. Here are our top suggestions for the best places to stay in Tasmania for any budget.
Luxury –Finnview House is a luxurious bed and breakfast accommodation with mountain views, a fully equipped kitchen and air conditioning.
Book your stay at Finnview House here.
Mid-Range –Vibe Hotel Hobart is a 4-star hotel in the centre of Hobart featuring air-conditioned rooms, a fitness centre, and a restaurant and bar. Anà la carte breakfast is also available at Vibe Hotel Hobart.
Book your stay at Vibe Hotel Hobart here.
Budget – Mayfair Plaza Motel and Apartments is a modern motel located in the centre of Hobart close to the Salamanca markets and historic Battery Point. The rooms are spacious with airconditioning and laundry services and wifi is also available.
What to Pack for Your Trip to Tasmania
Depending on which season you visit Tasmania, what you will need to pack will vary. During the summer months of December to February, temperatures around Tasmania can reach temperatures in the mid-20s.
During the other months, temperatures and weather around this region are rather consistent, fluctuating between the teens. We highly recommend that you pack a rain jacket and some warm layers, however, also pack some light and summery clothing for the days blessed with sunshine.
If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.
When it comes to toiletries, we recommend that you pack as much sunscreen as you can. The sun in Australia is strong, and even the darkest skin tones can get easily burnt. No matter what the season is or how warm you may feel, you should always wear sunscreen in Australia.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around Tasmania, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
You can read what else we keep in our camera bag over here.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Shure VP83 Condenser Shotgun Microphone
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 9 Black and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 2
Camera Bag – Lowepro Flipside 300 AW and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socket
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Tasmania
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, a short guide to visiting Tasmania. If you are visiting this incredible part of South Australia and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! If you have already been, let us know how it was!
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience visiting this beautiful part of the world.
If you are planning an Australia trip soon then check out our other Australia content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
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