Top 10 Must Visit Places in Tasmania

Visiting Tasmania, but unsure of where to start with your trip planning? Here are my Top 10 Must Visit Places in Tasmania. Hope you can find it helpful in your trip planning.

1. Cradle Mountain
2. Mount Wellington
3. Port Arthur Historic Site
4. Freycinet National Park
5. Mount Field National Park
6. Bruny Island
7. Bicheno
8. Tamar Valley
9. Bridestowe Lavender Farm
10. Huon Valley

No. 1 – Cradle Mountain

Sitting at the northern end of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Cradle Mountain offers one of the best wilderness experiences in Tasmania.

Within Cradle Mountain, you not only have nature at your fingertips but also have a range of facilities within easy reach. 

When visiting Cradle Mountain, be sure to plan enough time to visit the walking tracks near Dove Lake, which will provide you with the best views of Cradle Mountain Summit.

If you prefer shorter walks, there are many short & easy walking trails near the Ranger Station and Dove Lake, which also provide you with a taste of this beautiful national park.

Cradle Mountain is also home to various wildlife, such as Wombats, Wallabies, Tasmanian Devils, Echidnas, and Platypus. Since most of them are nocturnal, for close-up encounters, make sure to plan for at least one night’s stay in Cradle Mountain.

In terms of the facilities, there is a wide range of accommodation options in Cradle Mountain (from luxury hotels to self-contained cabins to camping facilities). Shops and restaurants are also available. 

For more detailed information on the walking trails and facilities that Cradle Mountain has to offer, you may wish to also check out this article on ‘Cradle Mountain’.

Cradle Mountain is suited for:

• Nature lovers
• Hiking enthusiasts
• Family with kids – enjoy some of the shorter hikes & wildlife spottings, near the Ranger Station & Dove Lake.

No. 2 – Mount Wellington

At 1270 meters at its highest point, Mount Wellington is the highest point in the Wellington Range and the best lookout spot in Hobart.

From the Mount Wellington Summit, you can obtain an unparalleled bird’s eye view of the entire Hobart and its surroundings.

There are many different ways to reach Mount Wellington Summit, which include hiking, driving, and taking a Mount Wellington Explorer Bus.

For more detailed information on visiting Mount Wellington, feel free to check out this article on: ‘Mount Wellington’.

Mount Wellington is suited for:

• Nature lovers
• Hiking enthusiasts
• Family with kids
• And Everyone really – this spectacular bird’s eye view of Hobart and its surroundings is hard to not like (might not be for people who are afraid of mountain heights though).

No. 3 – Port Arthur Historic Site

Built in the 1800s as a convict settlement, the Port Arthur Historic Site tells a significant history of Tasmania’s early settlement.

Because of its historic importance, Port Arthur Historic Site is now also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Australian Convict Sites.

After years of restoration, many of the buildings in the Port Arthur Historic Site are great reflections of the lives of the convicts from the 1800s. You can easily spend half a day walking around this historic site to simply admire its historic buildings & reimagine the treatment and hardship people were experiencing during that era.

Port Arthur Historic Site is suited for:

• Learning the settlement history of Australia and Tasmania.
• Family with kids

For more detailed information on how to spend a day in Port Arthur Historic Site and the Tasman Peninsula, you may wish to also check out this article on ‘Port Arthur Day Trip’.

No. 4 – Freycinet National Park

Sitting along Tasmania’s east coast, Freycinet National Park offers a stunning coastline, a range of beautiful walking trails, and abundant wildlife.

When speaking about the Freycinet National Park, the first thing that comes to people’s mind is usually the picturesque wineglass-shaped Wineglass Bay. However, Freycinet National Park has a lot more to offer than just Wineglass Bay.

When visiting the Freycinet National Park, you certainly should spend some time admiring the stunning views at Wineglass Bay. Be sure to also check out nearby Hazards Beach, Coles Bay, Honeymoon Bay, the Friendly Beaches, and Mount Amos Summit.

In addition, I don’t suggest swimming in Wineglass Bay Beach, because of the large swells coming into the bay. If a swim in this clear blue water is what you desire, a visit to Hazards Beach can be a better option.

The peaceful turquoise water at Hazards Beach is perfect for a leisure stroll and swim. There are also much fewer visitors to Hazards Beach, which can make it feel like a private beach.

Freycinet National Park is suited for:

• Beach lovers
• Nature lovers
• Hiking enthusiasts – Mt Amos Summit can be a great option for you.
• Family with kids – Be careful at Wineglass Bay Beach, the waves were huge when I visited.

If you wish for more information on the Freycinet National Park, feel free to also check out this article on ‘Freycinet National Park Day Trip’.

No. 5 – Mount Field National Park

Mount Field National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Tasmania and home to the famous Russell Falls.

With an elevation of 1434 metres at its highest peak, you can find a diverse landscape, ranging from mossy rainforests to alpine moorlands, within Mount Field National Park.

In Mount Field National Park, you can also find a range of walking tracks to suit everyone’s taste. Here, you can find an easy 25 minutes return walk through an enchanting rainforest, to view the spectacular Russell Falls. You can also find full-day and multi-day hikes up Lake Dobson.

Mount Field National Park is suited for:

• Nature lovers
• Hiking enthusiasts
• Family with kids

No. 6 – Bruny Island

Bruny Island is a small island off the southeast coast of Hobart, which can only be accessed by ferry.

Since Bruny Island is separated from the mainland by D’Entrecasteaux Channel, it does provide a secluded feel. This is especially true after most visitors have left the island in the late afternoon. If possible, I highly suggest staying on Bruny Island for at least one night to truly experience what this island has to offer.

Bruny Island is in no short supply of beautifully preserved nature and abundant wildlife.

On Bruny Island, you can climb up The Neck Lookout for a spectacular panoramic view of North and South Bruny; visit the southernmost tip of Bruny Island to admire the stunning Cape Bruny Lighthouse; take a walk or enjoy a surf around the impressive Cloudy Bay; have fun spotting Albino Wallabies near Adventure Bay.

Bruny Island is also a foodie’s paradise. In Bruny Island, you can find the freshest Great Bay Oyster from Get Shucked; satisfy your taste buds with delicious cheese and pairing beer from Bruny Island Cheese Company; enjoy freshly harvested raspberries from the local farm.

Bruny Island is suited for:

• Beach lovers
• Nature lovers
• Hiking enthusiasts
• Foodies
• Family with kids
• A relaxing getaway

If you are interested in visiting the beautiful Bruny Island, you may also wish to check out this article on ‘Bruny Island Day Trip and Overnight Trip’.

No. 7 – Bicheno

Bicheno is a peaceful and beautiful seaside village, on Tasmania’s East Coast. Instead of visiting the famous Bay of Fires, I believe Bicheno is a much better alternative when visiting East Coast Tasmania.

Bicheno is easily accessible from Hobart, Launceston, St Helens, and the Freycinet National Park. In Bicheno, you can easily find a range of intense orange-lichen-covered granite boulders from its coastline, especially near Diamond Island & Bicheno Blowhole.

Bicheno also has a range of interesting attractions and activities on offer. Here, you can visit the East Coast Natureworld for a close encounter with a variety of Tasmania wildlife; admire the impressive Bicheno Blowhole near sunset; watch those cute fairy penguins out and about at nightfall; visit the famous Freycinet National Park on a day trip.

With a range of affordable accommodations to choose from, Bicheno also makes the perfect place to base yourself when visiting Tasmania’s East Coast.

There is a range of eateries in Bicheno as well, to suit everyone’s taste. My two favourites were the Southern Style Chichen Tacos from Spicy Mamas (a food van next to Bicheno IGA) and the Garlic Butter Lobster from Lobster Shack.

Bicheno is suited for:

• Beach lovers
• Nature lovers
• Family with kids
• A relaxing getaway

Feel free to check out ‘Things to do in Bicheno’ for more detailed information.

No. 8 – Tamar Valley

Tamar Valley is a beautiful valley, just a short drive north of Launceston.

In Tamar Valley, you can follow the scenic drive along the Tamar River to visit the peaceful Tamar Island Wetlands, which is home to over 60 species of birds; enjoy a picnic and a spectacular panoramic view of the Tamar Valley from Brady’s Lookout; admire a breathtaking view of the entrance of Tamar River from Low Head Lighthouse.

There are also many exceptional vineyards in Tamar Valley.

The perfect location of Tamar Valley makes it a great place for producing a wide variety of wines, such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling. Red wine lovers will also be impressed with their premium Pinot Noir.

Tamar Valley is suited for:

• Nature lovers
• Wine lovers
• Family with kids
• A relaxing getaway

If you are interested in knowing more about the stunning Tamar Valley, make sure you also check out this: ‘Launceston Day Trip’

No. 9 – Bridestowe Lavender Farm

With 260 acres of beautiful lavender fields, Bridestowe Lavender Farm is one of the best-known lavender fields in Australia.

Each summer, many visitors will flock to Bridestowe Lavender Farm just for a stunning photo with this picturesque lavender field. For the best photo opportunity and the best experience, try to arrange your visit when the lavenders are in full bloom (December and January).

I visited Bridestowe Lavender Farm in late November, but the field was still too green for that ideal insta-worthy photo (as you can probably tell from the photo above).

With that being said, even if you are here outside of December and January, there are still activities you can enjoy at Bridestowe. 

Bridestowe Lavender Farm has a large gift shop on-site with a great selection of lavender gifts. There is also a cafe adjacent to the shop, which offers a delicious lavender-inspired menu. Make sure you try out their creamy lavender ice cream when visiting.

Bridestowe Lavender Farm is suited for:

• Nature lovers
• Family with kids
• A relaxing getaway

No. 10 – Huon Valley

Located in Tasmania’s southernmost region, Huon Valley offers a pristine nature. It is a great place to reconnect with nature and to find the freshest local produce.

Since Huon Valley is home to a range of apple orchards, it is also famous for producing one of the best apple ciders in Australia.

Willie Smith’s Apple Shed is based in Huon Valley & famous for its crisp apple ciders. In this apple shed, you can taste their amazing selection of apple ciders & find a delicious menu featuring a variety of fresh local produce. There is an interesting apple museum (with real apples on display) on-site as well.

Be sure to also take a scenic drive along the stunning Huon River to explore the peaceful Port Huon and beautiful Surveyors Bay.

Huon Valley is suited for:

• Nature lovers
• Wine lovers
• Family with kids
• A relaxing getaway

Check out these Tasmania Must Visits on YouTube: