A first-timer’s guide to Tasmania

24.06.2024 - 22:53 / lonelyplanet.com

Jun 23, 2024 • 6 min read

Anchoring Australia at its southeastern tip, the country's smallest and only island state is a diverse destination that's perfect for independent exploration. Stroll amid the heritage streetscapes of Hobart and Launceston – both now also infused with a discreet cosmopolitan sheen and restaurants showcasing local produce. Road trip to beaches and vineyard-hop past the improbably blue waters of Tasmania's east coast, or venture well off the beaten path down the remote west coast. You can also recharge and relax after outdoor adventures – on two legs or two wheels – with a Tasmanian whisky or craft beer. 

In a country as massive and expansive as Australia, Tasmania is a more compact destination where a morning's drive could transport you from arcing beaches and rust-colored headlands to wild and rugged sub-alpine landscapes.

Offering the most settled weather, the best season for travel is Tasmania's southern hemisphere spring and summer from October to March. From December to February the sublime bays and beaches of the Freycinet Peninsula are perfect for day hikes, swimming and kayaking. Just bear in mind that Tasmania is very green for a reason, and it's not uncommon to have the occasional rain shower year-round.

Autumn and winter from April to September offer good accommodation discounts, and it's a great time to bundle up beside an open fire and enjoy Tasmania's excellent food, beer, whisky and wine. Cultural highlights including Hobart's dazzling MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) can be enjoyed year-round, while the six-day, five-night hiking adventure of Cradle Mountain's Overland Track is best undertaken during Tasmania's summer and early autumn (December to April). Look forward to warmer and longer days, and hiking past lakes and peaks framed by alpine flowers.

Popular festivals include March's Ten Days on the Island , enlivening venues around the state with music, literature and film (biennially in odd-numbered years), Dark MOFO, the city of Hobart's winter festival in June, and Taste of Summer , a flavor-packed highlight on Hobart's waterfront for 10 days around New Year's Eve.

Although Tasmania is a relatively small island – it's possible to drive north from Hobart to Launceston in less than three hours – roads can be winding and circuitous in mountain and forested areas. An absolute minimum time would be a week to 10 days, taking in Hobart, Maria Island , the Tasman Peninsula and Freycinet National Park. Extend your travels to two weeks to include a few days of gentle hikes around Cradle Mountain National Park , and time spent enjoying Launceston's relaxed heritage vibe and the history and vineyards of the nearby Tamar Valley .

Most travelers arrive in Hobart on