So, you’re visiting our pretty little city of Hobart. You’ve hopped on and off Red Decker Company’s double-decker bus, admired the view from the summit of kunanyi/Mt Wellington, toured the Cascade Brewery, gone bar hopping, tried out different restaurants, wandered the waterfront, strolled around Battery Point, and browsed Salamanca Market.
What now? Well, my friend, it’s time to put the ‘Beyond’ in ‘Hobart & Beyond’… Spread your wings and explore Southern Tasmania! We’ve put together some tips on where to adventure. Most places are only an hour or two’s drive from Hobart, but it’s well worth taking your time.
Greater Hobart
Okay, so this one isn’t too much of a stretch from the city, but you don’t have to go far to find gold.
- Enjoy Southern Tasmania’s scenic beaches, or get out on the water with Tasmanian Boat Charters, Hobart Historic Cruises, Hobart Yachts, Roaring 40s Kayaking, SailTas, the Peppermint Bay Cruise, Iron Pot Cruises, or Pennicott’s Tasmanian Seafood Seduction.
- See the view from above with a Rotorlift Aviation helicopter tour or Above & Beyond Tasmania Seaplanes.
- Explore the historic town of Richmond, visit the quirky Pooseum, picnic by the convict-built sandstone bridge, and tour the Coal River Valley Wine Region.
- Enjoy a full day wine tour with Ageing Barrel Tours or indulge with Tasmania Gourmet Food Tours.
- Tour companies based from Hobart include: Under Down Under Tours, Tasmanian Photography Tours, Tours Around Tasmania, Tassie Tours Tasmania, Tasmania Tour Guide, Let’s Show You Tasmania, Love Tasmania Tours, and Shutterbug Walkabouts photography tours.
- Catch the ferry from Brooke St Pier to Mona Museum and open your mind to eclectic, surprising art, impressive architecture, and amazing food and drink. The ferry even has a posh pit … enough said!
- Enjoy a night out at Wrest Point Hotel & Casino.
The Derwent Valley
Continue on past Mona to the beautiful Derwent Valley, home to historic townships, pristine wilderness, and adrenaline-inducing adventure.
- Admire New Norfolk‘s fine collection of heritage buildings, browse the antique shops, and check out the view from Pulpit Rock Lookout.
- Explore the Mt Field National Park, including the popular Russell Falls (fuel up at The Possum Shed Cafe nearby and maybe spot a platypus).
- Make gravity work in your favour at Maydena Bike Park, Australia’s biggest gravity-based mountain bike and adventure park.
- Head out on an adventure tour with Wild Pedder and discover the pristine wilderness of Southwest Tasmania (their signature tour combines bushwalking and kayaking).
- Gaze in awe at the epic Gordon Dam—you can even abseil down the 140 m wall if you feel particularly fearless!
Tasmania’s Central Highlands
Fishing enthusiasts and outdoorsy types will love Tasmania’s Central Highlands.
- Play a round of golf at Ratho Farm, taste whisky, and go fly fishing at Bothwell.
- Visit Jackson’s Emporium in the historic town of Hamilton.
- See how early settlers lived, enjoy a bush picnic, and admire the sculptures at the Steppes Historic Site.
- Tour the Great Lake Power Scheme on the Highlands Power Trail self-drive tour, which includes the Waddamana Power Station Heritage Site.
- Try your luck trout fishing and explore the wilderness around Miena, Liawenee and Great Lake.
- Meet the Highland cows and see the giant pipes snake down the hillside at Tarraleah.
- Immerse yourself in farm life at Curringa Farm or 28 Gates Luxury Farmstay & Private Fishery, or camp in luxury at Truffle Lodge.
- Relax in elegant heritage rooms at Rathmore.
- Explore the wilderness around pristine, glacier-carved Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest freshwater lake. Stay in luxury on the lake at Pumphouse Point.
The Heritage Highway
The Heritage Highway was the 19th-century traveling route between Hobart and Launceston, and is dotted with quaint historic towns that began as coaching stops and military outposts. Discover convict-built streetscapes locked in time, with many Georgian buildings now home to eateries, shops, galleries, and accommodation.
- Spot 16 Shadows of the Past on the Heritage Highway Silhouette Trail between Tunbridge and Kempton.
- Explore the charming heritage town of Oatlands. Take a self-guided tour of the old Oatlands Military Precinct.
- Meet the locals, including Tasmanian devils, at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Find a cave at Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary, former home of children’s author Nan Chauncy.
- Visit the Old Kempton Distillery at Dysart house (c. 1840s coaching inn), tour the distillery, relax in the beautifully restored rooms, and treat yourself to an amazing meal (our tips: the Ploughman’s Platter or Devonshire tea).
- Tour the atmospheric Lark Estate and Distillery at Pontville, hear colourful tales from the last 200 years, and taste the internationally renowned Tasmanian whisky.
The Tasman Region
The Tasman Region is home to pristine beaches, convict ruins, epic sea cliffs, breathtaking natural wonders, Tasmanian devils, amazing eateries, and the giant waves of Shipstern Bluff.
- Enjoy a day tour with Tasmanian e-Bike Adventures amidst the natural beauty of Bangor, a privately-owned working farm on the Forestier Peninsula.
- Catch a special sunrise at the Tessellated Pavement, then check out the Blowhole, Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen, and Remarkable Cave.
- Delve into our convict history at the Port Arthur Historic Site and the Coal Mines Historic Site.
- Walk the spectacular Three Capes Track (46 km / 4 days) or choose a shorter walk in the Tasman National Park (remember your Parks Pass).
- Enjoy the water with Tasman Island Cruises, Roaring 40s Kayaking, or the Eaglehawk Dive Centre.
- See the impressive region from the air with Osborne Heli Tours.
- Visit the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo for a unique experience.
- Discover lavender everything at Port Arthur Lavender (purple ice cream!)
- Enjoy a tipple at McHenry’s Distillery, Bangor Wine & Oyster Shed, and Bream Creek Vineyard.
- Have a giggle at the quirky cottage and shack names in Doo Town.
The Southern Trove
The Southern Trove is made up of the d’Entrecasteaux Channel, Bruny Island, Huon Valley, and Far South. Discover rolling hills, stunning coastal scenery, views of distant peaks, World Heritage Wilderness, pristine beaches, and artistic communities.
- In the Channel, play at Kingston Beach, stroll the Art Farm Birchs Bay Sculpture Trail, visit Grandvewe Sheep Cheesery and Hartshorn Sheep Whey Distillery, walk to Snug Falls, discover the Channel Museum, head out with Tasmanian Jet Ski Adventures, and dine at the Peppermint Bay Hotel.
- Catch the ferry from Kettering to Bruny Island. Climb the steps at The Neck, tour the island with Bruny Island Safaris (including the historic Bruny Island Lighthouse), jump aboard Bruny Island Cruises, go sky high with Island Scenic Flights, explore the South Bruny National Park, and taste the island bounty at the local wineries, cellar doors, restaurants, hotels and cafes.
- Tour the Huon Valley cider trail (including Pagan Cider, Willie Smith’s Apple Shed, and Frank’s Cider House & Cafe), enjoy a farm tour at Highland Getaway, admire the wooden boats at Franklin, sail with Yukon Tours, learn about the region’s heritage at the Geeveston Visitor Centre & Museum, and explore the Hartz Mountains National Park.
- Discover the scenic towns of Southport and Dover, visit Hastings Caves & Thermal Springs, go kayaking with Esperance Adventures, drive south to Cockle Creek (the end of the southern-most road in Australia), and explore the Southwest National Park (fly in with Par Avion Wilderness Tours or cruise in with Tasmanian Boat Charters).
There are lots of amazing accommodation options throughout Southern Tasmania—see Where to Stay for an extensive list. If you’d like some more specific advice or help with booking attractions and accommodation, pop into the Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre.
We love it when you share your adventures with us! Share your snaps by tagging @hobartandbeyond and using #HobartandBeyond on Instagram and Facebook – we’ll share our favourite pics on social media and in the blog.
Related posts:
Weekend Adventure: 7 Things to Do on Bruny Island
Top 10 Things to Do in Hobart
10 Things to Do Along the Heritage Highway
Top 10 Things to Do in the Tasman Region
An Adventure in Tasmania’s Central Highlands
Header image:
Hobart waterfront | @aaronchingaling/Instagram
Words:
Isabel Galloway
