13 Spectacular Things to see in Tasmania
Endless hiking trails, cascading waterfalls, squeaky fine white-sand beaches, diverse wildlife, panoramic viewpoints over crystal waters, and dramatic mountain landscapes. There are so many incredible things to see in Tasmania. Read on to discover more and everything you need to know including how to get around, how long we’d recommend to stay, passes and permits for national parks, the best time to visit Tasmania and much more.
Tasmania is Australia’s best-kept secret and all about Mother Nature! It’s the state often overlooked meaning it’s very quiet; you can drive for hours and not pass another vehicle.
In one sense it’s a shame as it beautifully combines some of Australia’s best beaches and nature. On the other hand, it makes for completely unspoiled and tranquil wilderness.
We’ve been lucky to go hiking in some incredible places including Bulgaria, Colorado and Whistler. And, living in the UK we have some amazing scenery on our doorstep in the Peak District and the Lake District. So, when I (Helen) had the chance to visit Tasmania for work, I was super excited.
The key to Tasmania is to explore! Unlike the rest of Australia, it’s pretty compact making it perfect for a road trip.
The landscape is incredibly diverse. From winding country roads through fairytale eucalyptus forests to the dramatic mountainscape of Cradle Mountain, the lush ancient rainforest in Strahan and the ruggedly handsome coastline of Freycinet.
The views will have you oohing and aahing and stopping for photos at every turn!
Tasmania also has a wonderful foodie scene. Ensure you spend some time indulging in locally sourced produce and world-class wineries!
In this guide, we’ll share 13 spectacular things to see in Tasmania Australia and then everything you need to know for your visit including visas, permits for the national parks, how to get around and the best time to visit Tasmania so keep reading for your trip of a lifetime!
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Contents
Things to see in Tasmania
Wineglass Bay; one of the most beautiful places to visit in Tasmania
Wineglass Bay is one of the absolute best things to see in Tasmania and the primary reason to visit Freycinet National Park.
Head straight up to the lookout for panoramic views over the dazzling azure bay and pure white sand beach.
The hike to the lookout is fairly easy. It’s a steady uphill climb for about 45 minutes, a little scrambling but mostly a well-maintained path.
There are plenty of other walks in the area as well if you fancy something a bit longer or more challenging. To head down to Wineglass Bay and walk along the squeaky fine white sand, is about 1.5 hours return.
For higher and even more fantastic views over the striking bay, hike up Mount Amos; a 3-hour return hike which unfortunately I didn’t have time to do.
Our Top Tip: Wineglass Bay is one of the most popular places to visit in Tasmania so it gets busy. Not to the same extent as other places as Tasmania on the whole is quite quiet, but if you want the place to yourself, get here early.
Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain is without a doubt the most recognisable symbol of Australia’s smallest state and one of my favourite things to see in Tasmania Australia!
With a vast network of walking trails, it’s a hiker’s paradise. From short strolls to challenging all-day adventures; there’s something for everyone.
One of the most beautiful and popular walks is Dove Lake. This is an easy, pretty flat 2-hour walk with a dramatic backdrop of Cradle Mountain.
If you don’t have time to summit Cradle Mountain, Hanson’s Peak is lower and has wonderful views over the surrounding jagged peaks and lakes.
On the shores of Dove Lake, there’s a charming little boat shed; a great spot for a picnic and lovely photo opportunities.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is the starting point for the world-famous Overland Track; an incredible 6-day trek that takes you through stunning mountain landscapes. I can’t wait to come back with Andy to do that one day.
Our Top Tip: be prepared for every kind of weather as it’s very unpredictable here. Don’t be surprised if you’re treated to rain, sun, wind and snow in an hour even in the summer.
It’s quite rare to see the peak of Cradle Mountain as it’s usually shrouded in clouds and drizzle which you can see from my photos. It is, however, still very beautiful and the gloomy skies make it more dramatic and eerie.
One of the best things to do in Tasmania is wildlife spotting and Cradle Mountain has some of the best wildlife on the island. We saw wallabies, pademelons, Tasmanian Devils and the rarely spotted echidna!
Access to Cradle Mountain
Access to Cradle Mountain is limited to shuttle buses which you can take from the Visitors Centre. Check out this website for costs and information on the permits as it’s changed since I visited.
There are few accommodation options near Cradle Mountain so book well in advance, especially if you’re visiting over peak season.
Gordon River
The quaint seaside village of Strahan is home to Australia’s second-largest harbour; Macquarie Harbour. (Six times the size of Sydney Harbour for point of reference.)
One of the best things to do in Strahan Tasmania is to hop on a cruise and slowly meander through the lush ancient rainforest and unique wilderness along the Gordon River.
Firstly, you’ll pass through Hells Gates, where Macquarie Harbour meets the ocean. It can get quite bumpy so be careful if you have a drink. The name ‘Hells Gates’ was given by the convicts on their way to Sarah Island which was once a penal colony.
Next, you’ll explore Sarah Island; the most brutal convict settlement in Australia. You’ll learn about the convicts, soldiers and settlers who once called this island home.
This was once one of the largest boat-building settlements in Australia and was feared by every convict. It’s now an intriguing historical site and a must-see in Tasmania.
Continuing your journey deep into the Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness area, you’ll visit Heritage Landing and walk through the silence of the ancient rainforest.
Rediscover serenity and appreciate the magnificence of what surrounds you while you learn of the Huon Pine; great for boat building!
This is one of the most wild and unspoiled areas of Australia and although there isn’t much else to do in Strahan, a cruise on the Gordon River should be on any Tasmania itinerary.
Cape Tourville Lighthouse
Cape Tourville Lighthouse offers incredible views over the Freycinet Peninsula. I visited at sunrise; there’s something about being up before everyone else and having a bit of silence that for me, you just can’t beat!
Unfortunately, it was quite cloudy so I didn’t get the beautiful sunrise colours I was hoping for but the grey moody skies around the rocky cliffs were very dramatic and still well worth the early morning!
The walk is an easy 15-minute flat loop. You may even be lucky enough to spot whales, dolphins and seals in the sea!
Friendly Beaches
Something I wasn’t expecting to see in Tasmania were some of Australia’s finest beaches.
Just north of the Freycinet Peninsula, you’ll find Friendly Beaches; some of the most beautiful places to visit in Tasmania. Enjoy spectacular views for miles of unspoiled, rugged, white sand that’s so fine it squeaks when you walk on it!
Friendly Beaches are one of the most unknown things to see in Tasmania. Most people visit Freycinet National Park for the secluded bays so the beaches tend to be fairly quiet.
You’ll feel like you’ve been whisked off to a Caribbean island the way the shimmering crescent of white sand meets the turquoise water. It’s a shame it wasn’t warm enough for a dip, how tempting does that water look?!
Sleepy Bay
One of the best things to do in Tasmania is explore all of the gorgeous secluded bays in Freycinet National Park.
Sleepy Bay is a beautiful bay lined with red rocks sloping down into the sea so blue it’s mesmerising. It’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Tasmania and is perfect for a picnic or to relax for an hour or two after one of the many walks in the area.
Sleepy Bay is only a 10-minute walk from the car park through shaded trees.
Lake St Clair
Lake St Clair and Cradle Mountain are in the same National Park. Unfortunately, I only had time to stop off here en route to Strahan from Hobart but I would have loved a night or two to completely unwind and get back to nature.
A tranquil retreat, immerse yourself in Mother Nature. You can explore Lake St Clair on a kayak, in a boat or on one of the many hiking trails.
The Devil's at Cradle; one of the most unique things to see in Tasmania
An absolute must-see in Tasmania is the enigmatic Tasmanian Devil!
The Devil’s at Cradle is an excellent wildlife conservation centre at the entrance to Cradle Mountain National Park. You’ll learn about their current threats such as Devil Facial Tumour Disease and why the need for these sanctuaries is so important.
The Devils are much cuter than I expected. Until they make a noise and you feel like you’ve entered a horror movie; the screams are horrific! You’ll quickly understand how they earned their name ‘Devil’.
Although the sanctuary primarily focuses on the Tasmanian Devil, it’s also home to the closely related Spotted-tail and Eastern quolls. I thought this sanctuary was incredibly fascinating and one of the most unique things to see in Tasmania.
To find out more information and book tours click here.
Honeymoon Bay
Yet another beautiful little bay in Freycinet National Park; Honeymoon Bay. This is actually a bay within a bay; it’s part of the larger Coles Bay.
Honeymoon Bay is particularly good for snorkelling on a warm day and you can also enjoy incredible views over to the Hazards Mountain Range.
Spiky Beach
One of Australia’s greatest road trips is Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive. Rewarding you with some incredible places including pristine white sand beaches, exquisite food and wine and jaw-dropping views.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to drive the whole way and stop off as much as I would have liked but I did stop at Spiky Beach on my way to Hobart from Freycinet.
Visiting Spiky Beach is one of the best things to do in Tasmania and if you’re over this way, definitely make a stop.
This gorgeous 100m rugged beach is the perfect place for a picnic lunch on Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive. With amazing views of the Freycinet Peninsula and The Hazards, you’d be missing a treat if you didn’t make time to stop here on your Tasmania itinerary.
Bicheno
Just half an hour north of Freycinet National Park and part of Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive, is Bicheno. If you don’t have time to spend a night do what I did and drop by on your way to Hobart.
This is a quintessentially Tasmanian town with a population of just over 1000. Full of quirky cafes and boutique shops, this bohemian little town is the closest coastal town to Freycinet.
One of the best things to do in Tasmania is to drive along the rugged coastline and visit Bicheno’s blowhole. The most dramatic eruptions occur when the sea is angry but they can get quite large even when the sea is calm so never turn your back on it!
Our Top Tip: if you’re PADI certified, Bicheno also offers some fantastic diving opportunities.
Salamanca Market
Held every Saturday in a beautiful tree-lined park on Hobart’s charming waterfront with a dramatic mountain backdrop, is one of Australia’s largest open-air markets.
Salamanca Market is one of the most popular things to see in Tasmania Australia and is a great way to start your weekend!
Salamanca Market has an incredible and friendly buzz and is hugely popular with locals. There are more than 300 stalls selling a variety of fresh gourmet produce, clothing, arts, crafts, souvenirs, jewellery and plants.
There’s also a grassy area where you can enjoy your Tasmanian street food while listening to the buskers.
Our Top Tip: when planning your Tasmania itinerary, try and stay in Hobart on Friday as Salamanca Market is only held on Saturdays.
Nelson Falls
My final absolute must-see in Tasmania is this picturesque cascading waterfall with an impressive natural backdrop.
En route from Hobart to Strahan, Nelson Falls is the perfect place to stop and stretch your legs. Not adding too much time to your journey, it’s a short 20-minute return walk from the car park through the lush dense rainforest typical of the area.
My 6-day Tasmania itinerary was the perfect taster to this wonderful Australian state and I can’t wait to go back for at least a couple of weeks to explore some more!
I hope you enjoyed my list of the best things to see in Tasmania, I’ll now share everything you need to know for your visit.
To Know Before You Visit Tasmania
How long would you recommend in Tasmania?
To really get the most from your visit, I’d recommend 2 weeks. I spent six days on the best things to see in Tasmania in this guide which was a great taster but it was pretty rushed and I’d have liked longer in areas.
The best time to visit Tasmania
The best time to visit Tasmania is during the warmer and drier months, December to February.
Although you’re most likely to have better weather at this time, it’s still very unpredictable and snow has been known to fall in the mountains during summer. So, pack for every possibility.
Strahan on the west coast has approximately 255 days of rain a year. Please don’t let this put you off, as it makes for lush landscapes, but make sure you pack a rain jacket!
Getting Around Tasmania
There are a variety of options when it comes to getting around Tasmania:
- Driving: this is the easiest option providing the greatest freedom and flexibility. Tasmania’s compact size and incredibly scenic landscapes make it the perfect road trip destination.
- Campervan/caravan: another great option for freedom and flexibility and also great for that feeling of adventure. Roads are well-maintained and there are many campsites and holiday parks scattered around the island so it’s well equipped for this travel.
- Buses: several bus companies provide services around Tasmania including; Metro, Tassielink Transit, Redline, Derwent Valley Link, Mersey Link and McDermott’s Coaches. Read more about buses around Tasmania here.
- Tours: a fantastic way of getting around Tasmania is with tours. Most of the time pick up and drop off at your accommodation will be included and you can either base yourself somewhere and do tours out or choose multi-day tours. Get Your Guide provides a range of tours to suit all budgets and styles. Browse the tours below or click here for their range of activities in Tasmania.
Our top tip: if driving or renting a campervan, be aware that petrol stations can be few and far between so bear this in mind when planning a long journey.
Do I need anything to enter the National Parks?
Yes, you’ll need a pass to enter all the national parks. There’s a range of passes depending on how many parks you’ll visit. This article has everything you need to know and how to book.
What currency do I need for Tasmania?
Tasmania uses the Australian dollar. At the time of writing, it’s approximately 1 USD to 1.54 AUD.
Do I need a visa?
As a UK passport holder, you need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). These are free of charge and are applied for on the government website.
What plug do I need for Tasmania?
The plug socket used throughout Australia is Type I, it has 3 flat pins in a triangular pattern.
I hope you’ve found this guide to the most spectacular things to see in Tasmania useful. If you have any questions please leave a comment or follow us on Instagram.