City: Tasmania
Top Things to do in Tasmania
Countries
10 Things to do in Tasmania That You Shouldn't Miss
Tasmania (/tæzˈmeɪniə/; abbreviated as Tas and known colloquially as Tassie) is an island state of Australia. It is located 240 km (150 mi) to the south of the Australian mainland, separated by the Bass Strait. The state encompasses the main island of Tasmania, the 26th-largest island in the world, and the surrounding 334 islands. The state has a population of around 519,100 as of June 2016, just over forty percent of which resides in the Greater Hobart precinct, which forms the metropolitan area of the state capital and largest city, Hobart.
Restaurants in Tasmania
1. Maria Island National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 337 reviews
National park offers excellent bushwalking, fishing and wildlife viewing of the island's more than 80 species of birds and native animals, including emus and wallabies that are frequently sighted.
Reviewed By Craig_Tapper - Sydney, Australia
It takes about 30 minutes via ferry from Triabunna to get to the island. Make sure you take everything you need (food and water) because there's no place to buy supplies once you leave other than on the ferry. There are as number of walks of various grades and all on well formed and maintained tracks suited to almost any level of fitness. Island scenery is gorgeous, from white sandy beaches and beautiful coastal rock formations too walks amongst tall timbers and across windswept, bare coastal grasslands. Some interesting historic building to explore as well. Great for a day trip to see some beautiful and relatively unspoiled Tasmania that's a little away from the beaten track.
2. Cataract Gorge Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,635 reviews
Reviewed By SandraM712 - Brisbane, Australia
Great walk, very picturesque..... great views Take the Cable Car whilst there Thoroughly recommend the Cataract Gorge for anyone visiting Launceston Very easy reach of the city... Next to Penny Royal Theme park and some great restaurants such as Stillwater
3. Port Arthur Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,721 reviews
The Port Arthur Historic Site is the best-preserved convict settlement in Australia and among the most significant convict era sites in the world. It has won many awards and has been called one of Australia's great tourism destinations. The Site combines rich history and scenic beauty to tell the stories of the harsh discipline and determined industry of the settlement. It is a place to discover Australian history and connect with the origins of Australian culture.
Reviewed By 646dianneh
This is one place if your a visitor you must make a day for to explore & learn about the History of Port Arthur.The staff are friendly & very helpful & will answer any questions you may have.The grounds are kept beautiful.The guides are very informative.It's an eye opener as to what went on here & to learn about the Convict's & how they lived all those years ago.It's amazing History of the buildings that remain & how they were used.The Boat ride is lovely & relaxing.If you can do the Night Ghost Tour as it's excellent as well.The Memorial Garden at the Broad Arrow Cafe sight is deeply moving to those who passed that tragic day.
4. Mount Wellington
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,647 reviews
Reviewed By Star_Trekers2000 - Sydney, Australia
The drive to the top of Mt Wellington (Kunanyi) is scary in parts as the road meanders up the mountainside. Drive carefully and beware oncoming traffic. The view at the top is well worth the nerves on the way up. The views from the top of the mountain were spectacular. Be warned that at this elevation of 1,271 m (4,170 ft) above sea level, the temperature dropped from 20c in Hobart to 5c on the mountain with a wind chill of -1c, bring warm clothes and a camera! The viewing platform over Hobart is fantastic and if it is too cold, you can enter the glassed viewing platform. In the colder months check of the road is open in case of snowfall or during periods of very heavy rain.
5. Dove Lake Circuit
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,062 reviews
Is the picturesque lake that has Cradle Mountain in the back ground, part of the Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness Area in Tasmania.
Reviewed By Archaeobuff - Sydney, Australia
We took the shuttle to the Dove Lake Car Park and then walked 5 minutes down to the lake and around for a bit just to take in the stupendous view on a sunny day of the lake beneath craggy Cradle Mountain. They are building a huge lookout at the end of the car park which should give an even better view.
6. The Tasmanian Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
Open daily 9AM to sunset. Entry $5.00 Per adult, children free. 66Ha landscape Arboretum displays interpreted collections of trees and shrubs from the temperate world. Tasmanian woody plants a feature. Walk along old railway formation among local birds in season. Platypus may be seen on Founders' Lake. Visitor Guide Map suggests walks including the Limestone Heritage Walk. Audio Tour available for $3.00 Hire. Tree Park Kiosk offers light refreshments from October to the end of May 11AM to 4PM. Wi-fi available. Unfortunately, no public transport available.
Reviewed By bell2121
We had a tip from a fellow traveller about this spot and we were SO pleased we made the effort to visit - there was no one there when we arrived (around 6pm) and although the place is beautiful, our real intent was to see platypus in their natural habitat and we were certainly not disappointed - I get the sense that this place isn't that well known, but it really is fantastic (it's probably good it doesn't get too popular, or it may disturb these gorgeous creatures). It's certainly the quietest my family has been in a long time! A tip is that on the opposite side of the lake to the bird / platypus viewing platform is a small bridge - we found that a perfect spot to stand-on to watch the platypus move around the lake.
7. Antique Emporium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
WELCOME TO ANTIQUE EMPORIUM - IMPORTERS, RETAILERS, WHOLESALERS, ANTIQUE & BOOK DEALERS. You will find 1600 square meters of goods on 4 levels. The owner, John Cole, Personally travels for up to 3 months of the year going door to door & village to village in remote parts of the world. From factories to isolated villages; We find TREASURES, restore them and TRANSPORT them DIRECTLY to Tasmania.
Reviewed By art_mon_s - Launceston, Australia
The Antique Emporium is one of my favourite places to visit when looking for something in particular, and also just to browse. I seem to be incapable of leaving empty handed! To fully appreciate the sheer scope of this incredible market-style shop, you need to spend at least an hour wandering through all the rooms, down the little aisles, and exploring every nook and cranny - this is where you find the gold. John & his staff are astonishingly knowledgeable about what items they have in store, and they can find you just about anything. As other reviewers have noted, there is a large variety in price points & the quality of items on offer, but this is part of the charm. Antique sideboard from the 1800's? Check! A book on Tasmanian rail history? Check! A copy of a Harry Potter wand? Check! Costume jewellery? Check! It's really a one stop shop for a carefully curated range of pretty much anything under the sun.
8. Don River Railway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 215 reviews
Reviewed By 599vanessaa - Tasmania, Australia
We have to boys that just love trains and the were in heaven. They loved the small train set that worked and being able to actually hope on the trains was great. The train ride was the best part tho
9. Hogarth Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 521 reviews
Reviewed By torib741 - Gosford, Australia
If feeling energetic, you can take the flat walk around the foreshore to Peoples Park then the walk to the falls, There is parking at Peoples park and you can take the easy 40 minute return walk from there. Stunning mid morning with dappled light coming through the dense ferns, highlighting the tanine stained creek. The falls aren't the highlight as the walk itself is so stunning. The falls are gorgeous of course, but enjoy the amble along the way as well
10. Spirit of Tasmania
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,026 reviews
Spirit of Tasmania is one of Australia’s most iconic travel experiences, operating sailings across Bass Strait between Melbourne and Devonport on Tasmania’s north coast. Spirit of Tasmania provides travellers with flexibility and convenience when planning a holiday. Our twin ships depart from both ports at 7.30pm and arrive the following morning at 6.00am. During peak season, we also operate day sailings departing from each port at 9.00am and arriving the same day at 6.00pm. On board, you can experience spectacular views, delicious food, great entertainment, relaxation and so much more! Experience the allure of sea travel. It’s fun, relaxing and stress-free. Simply drive on board for a holiday where half the fun is getting there. Embrace the ocean views, stroll the decks and breathe in the sea breeze - there’s nothing quite like it!
Reviewed By gds199 - Sydney, Australia
First time on the Spirit, with car and kids. Did the day sail from Melbourne to Devonport and over night sail return (after 2 weeks of gorgeous Tassie). The experience started off bad with over 3hrs delay in Melbourne. The road into the Ferry terminal was a carpark at least 500m before the termainal gate. Some street chit chats with fellow travelers and bit of patience helped. Once in, it was thrilling to drive onboard. Inside we spent a good half hour exploring the various levels and what facilities were there, before settling into a lounge on Deck 9. We didn't book a private cabin for the day sail. Time flew suprisingly quickly in the day sail. The kids were ambly entertained with the gaming area and arcade, as well as going "outside". Plenty of options for food, pantry, restaurants and bars. We enjoyed lots of pizza as well as recommend the restaurant options. Several plug points to keep the electronics powered up. The two cinema rooms and plenty of space in the lounges. And there was lots of variations in the lounges, child friendly open lounges as well quiet areas, single seaters, three seaters and different decor. There was also a toddler jungle gym and space with kiddy tables with toddler TV programs running. Only thing missing was an adults-only play room! (or maybe I missed it!) The night sail was short and sweet. Easy boarding from Devonport. We booked a 4 bunk bed cabin with ensuite. Plenty of space inside. We also checked out the recliner area (as a single friend joined us on the return trip). It was perhaps the most non appealing space on board. It felt like on a plane, with rows of seats. Dozing off in a public lounge (or a cabin) seemed more comfortable. As we had explored the other decks earlier, we simply had some dinner and drinks and went to bed. Bit of rocking but nothing any of us couldn't sleep through. Woke up 5am for a early start to the day, which for us was the drive back up to Sydney! A special mention that the staff on board were excellent. Both on the Day and night sail. Very friendly, cheerful and helpful. Highly recommend.
