Breath-taking mountain ranges, clean and crisp air, mouth watering food and delectable aromatic wines, a vast range of hiking trail options and jaw dropping views. I’m talking about the smallest state in Australia but Tasmania boasts some of the most incredible things to see even if it’s once in your lifetime. That’s why I compiled 22 amazing things to tick off your Ultimate Tasmania Bucket List so that you can ensure when you do go and visit you will be able to see (and do) the best of the best!
Here is 22 things to tick off your Ultimate Tasmania Bucket List!!
1. Explore Hobart (Tasmania’s Capital)
One of the best things to do in Tasmania is to explore Hobart. Hobart is a beautiful, cultured little city with lots of character. You can easily spend a whole day walking about the streets of the city and enjoy all the different options of cafes and restaurants it has to offer. Something cool and quirky to do in Hobart is to visit MONA- the Museum of Old & New Art. I have heard many people rave about it and have been told that it is interactive, entertaining, controversial, confronting and riveting- all in one.
Hobart is also famous for having bioluminescent phytoplankton that make the water sparkle at night. Popular spots include Eaglehawk Neck Bay and around Bellerive Yacht Club.
2. Experience the Salamanca Markets
If you happen to be in Hobart during the weekend, every Saturday from 8:30am-3pm the Salamanca Markets open for business. This outdoor market is one of the most famous in Australia and for good reason. You will find anything from fresh produce to beautiful hand-made arts and craft, clothing, bags and accessories. This is also an amazing opportunity to sample mouth watering food like pies and doughnuts. YUM!
Suggested Activities for Hobart:
3. Take in breath taking views on Mt Wellington
A must see in Tasmania is the view of Hobart from Mt Wellington. Mt Wellington towers over Hobart and makes for a beautiful backdrop. You can drive all the way to the summit although make sure you do check the live webcam before you commit to traveling up there as the weather can hugely impact on whether you will see anything or not.
4. Learn Australian history in Port Arthur
If you’re looking for something to do in Tasmania then Port Arthur is the place to learn all about Australia’s convict history. The Port Arthur Historic Site, a former prison in the 1800’s, is about a 90 minute drive south from Hobart. It’s also recommended to join a creepy ghost tour at night! While you’re on your way down (or on your way back), be sure to stop and check out the Tessellated Pavement, the Tasman Arch and the Remarkable Cave!
Suggested Activities for Port Arthur:
5. Marvel at the Mars Bluff Arch
One of the best things to see in Tasmania is the Bruny Island Arch (AKA the Mars Bluff Arch). The Mars Bluff Arch has been delicately chiseled by the wind over thousands of years into intriguing geometric patterns. The Arch is located on Bruny Island and can be reached via the Cape Queen Elizabeth track which is around 6-7km return. You can find the start of the track across the road from the Bruny Island Honey shop.
For more detail read my full Guide to Bruny Island.
6. Stand at the top of ‘The Neck’ Lookout on Bruny Island
One of the things to do in Tasmania is a day trip from Hobart. Access to Bruny Island is via a passenger-vehicle ferry from Kettering, which is about 30 mins south of Hobart. The Neck Lookout boasts incredible views that overlook an isthmus of land which connects north and south Bruny Island. Climb the 279 timber steps to the top and see it for yourself!
While you’re on the island, be sure to check out some great spots to grab a bite such as the Bruny Island Cheese Company and the yummiest oysters at Get Shucked. There’s also a winery, chocolate shop, honey shop and a whisky distillery on the island. You can spend a whole day here devouring all the gourmet food this island has to offer!
Read my full guide on Bruny Island here.
Suggested activities for Bruny Island:
Want to drive around Tassie? Read my Perfect Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary!
7. Enjoy stunning views of Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park
The stunning views of Wineglass Bay can be seen on a 2 hour return walk from the Wineglass Bay lookout walk. There are many different hikes you can do at Freycinet National Park and you can find more info on them here.
8. Run through the Lavender Fields at Bridestowe Lavender Estate
Something I wanted to tick off my Tasmania Bucket List was to see the Lavender fields! They are usually in full bloom anywhere between December-February. You can check the status on their website for updates.
9. Discover the Bay of Fires
The Bay of Fires occupies 50km of Tasmania’s east coast and is a must on your Tasmania Bucket List. The contrast of aquamarine water, bright white sand and the vibrant orange boulders along the coast make it an absolutely incredible sight to see. My top 3 recommended stops are the Gardens, Cosy Corner and Binalong Bay.
Click here for The Perfect Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary
10. Have an adventure at Cradle Mountain National Park
Cradle Mountain is one of the most beautiful places in Tasmania and there is so much to do here too, including the very popular Overland Track (which is an 8 day hike!)
11. Climb to the top of ‘the Nut’
The historic village of Stanley, in far north-west Tasmania, is nestled at the base of the ‘Nut’, which is a sheer-sided bluff and all that remains of an ancient volcanic plug. A walking track climbs to the summit of the Nut, or you can take the chairlift, with its spectacular views across Bass Strait beaches and over the town.
12. See the painted cliffs on Maria Island
The Painted Cliffs at Hopground Beach on Maria Island are beautifully patterned sandstone shaped by the mineral-rich water and wind. Located off the east coast and only accessible by ferry, the island offers excellent walking and cycling journeys.
13. Sip on fine wine in the Tamar Valley
A great day trip out of Launceston and a must see in Tasmania is the Tamar Valley. Spoil yourself and indulge in the array of award-winning wineries that offer great wine and delicious food. My top recommendation is Josef Chromy- make sure to stop here for lunch!
14. Take a selfie with a Penguin… in Penguin
Something exceptionally different to do in Tasmania is to take a selfie with a huge Penguin! Yep, there’s a town called Penguin and there’s a 10 foot Penguin statue smack bang in the middle of it! Penguin takes its name from a nearby penguin rookery and it’s obvious this town dearly loves its little feathered friends. While the fake one makes a quirky photo opportunity, the real Penguins can be seen each night at Penguin Point.
15. Jump on board the West Coast Wilderness Railway
Step back in history as you board a majestic steam train and journey deep into the heritage of the Tasmanian wilderness and hear tales of resilience and triumph over rugged terrain, hardship and adversity. Much more than a railway journey within a wilderness setting, the West Coast Wilderness Railway is a heritage experience that will touch your soul.
16. Walk the Three Capes Track
This one is on the top of my Tasmania Bucket List! You, a pack, and 48 kilometres of cliff-hugging wildness in Australia’s far south-east. The next stop is Antarctica. Tasmania’s Three Capes Track is not about getting from point A to point B. It’s about the journey. Few places on Earth remain that feel so remote, so raw, so removed from the ordinary.
17. Take in the views of Tasmania’s many Waterfalls
Tasmania has many beautiful waterfalls and it would be silly not to add at least one to your Tasmania Bucket List. Top recommendations would be Russell Falls and Montezuma Falls (which is the tallest waterfall in Tassie!)
18. Walk on Australia’s Oldest Bridge in Richmond
A nice little pit stop just outside of Hobart is Richmond Bridge. It was built by convicts all the way back in 1825! Richmond is a beautiful, quaint little town so be sure to stop in and grab yourself a pie and coffee and enjoy the view on the grassy bank by the bridge.
19. Visit the Bicheno Blowhole
Bicheno is a small seaside holiday town situated on the east coast of Tasmania. A visit to the Bicheno Blowhole is accessible from the esplanade and there is also car parking close by. Another great feature of the blowhole is the lichen covered, bright orange boulders which make the area look very similar to the Bay of Fires.
20. See the Penguins in Burnie
There is a colony of Penguins located along the foreshore in Burnie a very short distance from the city center. Knowledgeable volunteer guides talk to you about the penguins, answer questions and help you view and photograph – without flashes!- the penguins as they go about their normal activities. You will find the guides for the evening at the Burnie Penguin Observation Centre at dusk, nightly from October 1st until March 31st, regardless of the weather.
21. Devour a Scallop Pie
Or any flavoured pie for that matter! However the Scallop Pie is the signature pie for Tasmania and needs to be sampled at least once whilst you’re visiting!
22. Check out Little Blue Lake
The vivid aqua blue colour results from the minerals in its base left from the mining days in the past. (Visitors are warned about swimming in the lake due to the highly contaminated water with toxic heavy metals) But this aside it still makes for a beautiful photo stop. Little Blue Lake is located at 1753 Gladstone Rd, South Mount Cameron.
Follow me on Instagram @miastravelmemoirs to see my latest adventures!
Tips for Travelling in Tasmania
Travel with an eSim: Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travelers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards). More than one million people are already using Airalo’s eSIMs.With eSIMs from Airalo, travelers can download and install a digital data pack for over 200 countries/regions and get connected anywhere in the world as soon as they land.
Compensation for delayed or canceled flights: Since 2013, AirHelp has helped more than 10 million passengers understand their rights and receive up to €600 in compensation for delayed or canceled flights.
Book the cheapest Hotels: Hotellook — a service that helps you find and compare prices on hotels around the world, provided by a leading reservation system. Today, Hotellook.com offered to put together information on more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Car Rental: Rentalcars.com is the world’s largest online car rental service. They make eight million bookings a year (and counting) in over 60,000 locations across 160 countries. Rentalcars.com offers 24/7 customer service, connect you to the biggest brands in car rental and their website is available in 43 languages.
Trip Advisor: Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site to discover where to stay, what to do, and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than one billion reviews and opinions of nearly eight million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants, and discover great places nearby.
Find the cheapest flights: WayAway is a flight aggregator that provides travelers with the best rates on airline tickets. Users can also purchase the WayAway Plus membership plan, which gives cashback on flights, accommodation, car rentals, tours, and more.
Over to you now, what things have you done or would want to do on my Tasmania Bucket List? Any suggestions on any thing I might be missing that I need to add on here? Leave a comment below!
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As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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