A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Southern Tasmania, Australia
This guide details a classic Tasmanian road trip loop, starting and ending in the vibrant capital of Hobart. This journey takes you through a dramatic landscape of convict history, stunning coastal formations, serene beaches, rugged mountain wilderness, and charming historic towns. It is an exploration of nature, heritage, and gourmet delights unique to Australia’s island state.
Hobart: The Historic Harbour Capital
Your Tasmanian adventure begins in Hobart, a city that seamlessly blends its convict-era past with a dynamic, modern cultural scene. Nestled at the foot of kunanyi / Mount Wellington and sprawling around the deep-blue Derwent River, Hobart offers a rich tapestry of experiences.
Attractions & Experiences
MONA (Museum of Old and New Art): A must-visit, even for those not typically enamored with art. This subterranean museum is a provocative and world-class collection, accessible via a scenic ferry ride from Brooke Street Pier. Its avant-garde exhibits are designed to challenge and captivate.
Salamanca Place: A row of Georgian sandstone warehouses that now house galleries, craft shops, restaurants, and bars. It’s a delightful place to wander any day, but it truly comes alive on Saturday for the famous Salamanca Market.
Mount Wellington (kunanyi): Rising 1271 meters above the city, the summit provides breathtaking panoramic views. The drive to the top takes you through several climate zones, and it’s not uncommon for there to be snow, even in summer. Check road conditions before you go.
Battery Point: A charming historic suburb with narrow, winding lanes, colonial cottages, and grand mansions. A self-guided walk here feels like stepping back in time.
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens: Established in 1818, these gardens are a beautiful and tranquil escape, featuring a significant collection of native and exotic plants, including a unique Sub-Antarctic Plant House.
Food & Drink
Salamanca Market: Sample local cheeses, fresh oysters, leatherwood honey, and other Tasmanian produce from the numerous stalls.
Farm Gate Market (Sunday): A more food-focused market where you can meet the producers and buy ingredients directly.
Waterfront Dining: The harbour is lined with excellent restaurants. Mures is an institution for fish and chips and fresh seafood, while The Drunken Admiral offers a quirky, nautical-themed dining experience.
Cascade Brewery: Australia’s oldest operating brewery offers tours where you can learn about its history and sample its famous beers.
Practical Tips
- Spend at least two full days in Hobart to do it justice.
- Book MONA ferry tickets and restaurant reservations in advance, especially on weekends.
- The city center is very walkable, but you will need a car for the rest of this itinerary.
Tasman Peninsula & Port Arthur: A Haunting History
Drive southeast from Hobart (approx. 1.5 hours) to the Tasman Peninsula, a region renowned for its dramatic coastal scenery and its profound history as a penal colony.
Attractions & Experiences
Port Arthur Historic Site: This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Australia’s most significant convict settlements. The extensive ruins are set in a surprisingly beautiful landscape. Your entry ticket includes a guided walking tour and a hauntingly peaceful harbour cruise. The “Ghost Tour” after dark is a highly recommended, spine-tingling experience.
Tasman National Park: The peninsula’s coastline is spectacular. Key sights include:
Tasman Arch & Devil’s Kitchen: Massive rock formations carved by the relentless sea.
The Blowhole: A natural tunnel where the ocean water erupts skyward.
Remarkable Cave: A sea cave that, when viewed from the platform, perfectly frames the shape of Tasmania.
Coastal Walks: The Three Capes Track is a world-class multi-day hike, but shorter walks like the Cape Hauy Track offer equally stunning cliff-top views for day-trippers.
Food & Drink
- The restaurant at the Port Arthur Historic Site offers good quality cafe-style food with lovely views.
- For a more local experience, stop at a roadside stall for fresh berries or visit the
Tasmanian Devil Unzoo cafe.
Practical Tips
- Allocate a full day for the Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes as the historic site is large and involves a lot of walking on uneven ground.
- The weather can change rapidly; dress in layers and bring a waterproof jacket.
Historic Richmond: A Step Back in Time
On your way back from the peninsula or as a day trip from Hobart, detour to the charming village of Richmond. It feels like an open-air museum, home to more than 50 Georgian buildings.
Attractions & Experiences
Richmond Bridge: Australia’s oldest bridge still in use, built by convicts in 1823. It’s a beautiful and photogenic structure spanning the Coal River.
Richmond Gaol: This well-preserved jail offers a fascinating, if grim, insight into the life of convicts and the early penal system. It predates the Port Arthur settlement.
St John’s Catholic Church: The oldest Catholic church in Australia.
Village Shops: Enjoy browsing the antique stores, art galleries, and craft shops that occupy the historic buildings.
Food & Drink
Sweets & Treats: Richmond is famous for its lolly (candy) shops and bakeries. Don’t miss trying a vanilla slice from a local bakery – it’s a point of state-wide pride.
Wineries: The Coal River Valley is a renowned cool-climate wine region. Consider visiting a nearby vineyard like Frogmore Creek or Puddleduck Vineyard for a tasting.
The East Coast: Wineglass Bay, Swansea & Freycinet National Park
Head north from Hobart (or Richmond) towards Tasmania’s stunning east coast, famous for its white-sand beaches, azure waters, and granite mountains.
Attractions & Experiences
Freycinet National Park & Wineglass Bay: This is the crown jewel of the east coast. The iconic view from the Wineglass Bay Lookout is a 1.5-2 hour return walk (moderate difficulty) that rewards you with one of the world’s most beautiful beach vistas. For the more adventurous, continue down to the beach itself for a swim (another 1.5 hours return).
Cape Tourville Lighthouse: An easy, wheelchair-accessible boardwalk loop that offers spectacular 360-degree views of the coast without the strenuous hike.
Honeymoon Bay: A sheltered, picturesque bay perfect for a picnic, kayaking, or simply admiring the stunning colours of the water and the pink granite boulders.
Swansea:
A pleasant seaside town serving as a good base for exploring Freycinet. It has a relaxed atmosphere and a beautiful setting on Great Oyster Bay.