How to make the most of the warmer months

Keeping it local this spring and summer? Fill your Tassie itinerary with enriching experiences and surprising detours.

Of all the places in Australia, us Tasmanians get to enjoy the longest daylight hours – and in stark contrast to the mainland, it only takes us a few hours to drive from one end of the state to the other. Plus, here on the only island state in the country, drive in any direction and you’ll be spoiled for your pick of tranquil beaches.

So, take a well-earned break from the routine and explore your island backyard this sunny season. When it comes to experiencing chilled-out beach escapes, enchanting nature trails, spine-tingling adventures and farm-fresh food and drink – perhaps all in one day – there’s really no place like home.

Spring and summer attractions 

See the sites, marvel at natural wonders and spruce up your shelves with locally crafted market keepsakes.

Natural attractions to savour

• Montezuma Falls – Visit Tasmania’s tallest waterfall near Rosebery on the leafy west coast and feel the cool spray of fresh water. Bikes and dogs are welcome on this 3hr return walk.
• Cape Pillar – Peer up at the tallest sea cliff in the Southern Hemisphere on the Tasman Island Cruise or on a Tasman Peninsula Day Paddle. Keep an eye out for whales.
• Tahune Adventures – Search for giant trees while hang gliding, hiking or rafting at this ferny wonderland in Arve Forest, south-west of Hobart.

How many of Tasmania’s 13 natural wonders have you seen?

Shopping and markets to browse

• Harvest Launceston Community Farmers’ Market – Grab yourself a pastry and some fresh berries: seasonal produce abounds at this market.
• Market Square Market – Huddle at this undercover market in Devonport and stock up on farmed goods from the fertile soils of the north west.
• Tassie Makers Market – Head indoors and browse this makers' market in Hobart for beautiful wares and mementos made by talented locals.

Find more top places to shop across the island.

Parks and gardens to roam

• Port Arthur Lavender Farm – Lavender season reaches its peak in December and January: head to this garden on Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula and get lost in the purple haze.
• Tasmanian Arboretum – Roam the lush north-west hillsides of this 66-hectare property and take in the colours of spring and summer. Keep an eye out for swimming platypuses.
• Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden – Catch rhododendrons in their boldly coloured glory at this tranquil spot near Burnie.

Find plenty more gardens to visit during the warmer months.

Food and drink to devour

Spring and summer are bursting with foodie bliss. Get out in the sunshine and visit these unique stops.

• Ghost Rock Wines – Sip natural wines with a vineyard view, stretching out to shimmering Bass Strait.
• Spreyton Cider Co – What could be better than knocking back a crisp Spreyton cider in the Tassie sun while live tunes serenade the senses?
• The Fish Van – This is a classic family food spot for fresh-caught morsels by the Triabunna bay.
• Moonscape Wine Bar – Sit under the fairy lights with delicious wine and homemade food in Queenstown.
• Sheffield Honey Farm – Pay a visit to the town of murals, peruse the outdoor art, explore the nearby mountain ranges and – importantly – taste award-winning honey.
• Havilah – Delicious drops, charred veggies and indulgent pasta plates impress at this Launceston CBD wine bar.
• Mount Gnomon Farm – Fancy a long table feast in an orchard? This mountainous north-west farm is the ultimate place for fresh cuisine and conversations with a view.

Plot a course along the island’s wine trails and cider trails or the state’s Tasting Trail. Discover more tantalising seafood from our own cold waters and get the full guide on where to eat and drink in Launceston.

Museums and historical sites to investigate

You’ve probably heard about Mona and the latest Namedropping exhibition, but there’s plenty more art and history to discover in other island nooks during our luxuriously long days.

• West Coast Heritage Centre – Discover the rich pioneering past of Zeehan through its historical buildings, mining collections, and old machines.
• Furneaux Museum – Find fascinating shipwreck artefacts and learn about the harrowing palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) experience at Wybalenna settlement in this museum on Flinders Island.
• Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum – On Hobart’s waterfront, step inside a reimagining of Antarctic explorer Douglas Mawson’s expedition huts, which he called home from 1911–1914.
• Cascades Female Factory – Get to know the stories of women who served as convicts within this high-walled site in South Hobart.
• Woolmers Estate – This 19th century pioneer farm in Longford is a remarkably preserved relic of the time, spanning six generations of the Archer family.

Discover more museums, galleries and World Heritage convict sites around the island.

Nature trails and adventures to take on

From golfing on the edge of the ocean to exhilarating mountain bike rides, reach invigorating new extremes with these quintessential Tasmanian experiences.

• Barnbougle Lost Farm – You won’t find anywhere more scenic to whack a golf ball around than this north-coast property.
• Pandani Grove – This 5km walk in Mount Field National Park contains precious alpine wonders and the world’s tallest heath plants.
• St Helens Mountain Bike Trails – Feel the flow on a thrilling ride from the bush to the water’s edge.
• King River Rafting – Discover what makes the west coast so wild on this rafting adventure.
• yingina / Great Lake – It’s fishing season. Spend a peaceful weekend in the fresh Central Highlands air.
• South Cape Bay – Embark on a wild and windswept 15.4km-return day hike into Southwest National Park.
• 42 South Surf School – Take up a new beach hobby in Scamander.

Want more? Explore top golf courses, fly fishing spots, mountain bike trails and water activities. Or get the lowdown on surfing, rafting, kayaking and the best short walks in Tasmania.

Ways to stay

From luxurious havens in the middle of nowhere to boutique city stays and simple living in the countryside, broaden your horizons with these Tasmanian accommodation options.

• Macquarie Heads Camping Ground – Unwind in nature and enjoy a spot of fishing.
• Cradle Mountain Hotel – Alpine bliss and comfort from the elements awaits.
• New Norfolk Caravan Park – Sleep where the lazy willows line the River Derwent.
• Piners Loft – Rustic tree branches form the foundations of this cosy, fern-flanked stay in Strahan.
• The Eco Cabin Tasmania – A luxurious retreat among 100-year-old hawthorn brambles in tranquil Deloraine.
• Still at Freycinet – Indulge in the ultimate pamper sesh at this sauna and spa stay.
• Orchards Nest Tasmania – Rejuvenate by the firepit, or in your own pool on a dramatic Huon Valley hillside.

…And there’s plenty more accommodation where that came from. Spend long, balmy days exploring nearby attractions at these hotels; enjoy country hospitality at a farm stay; embrace family fun with camping and caravan parks and discover 10 unique stays in Tasmania.

Wild creatures to encounter

Come face to face with the animals in a sanctuary, or watch from a respectful distance out in the wild:

• Devils@Cradle – Feed the devils and encounter cute joeys.
• Maria Island – Spend a weekend on Maria spotting wombats and majestic Cape Barren geese.
• Springlawn Nature Walk – Forester kangaroos and Bennetts wallabies graze along this walk through Narawntapu National Park at sunset.
• Iron Pot Cruise – See sea life and seabirds on this eco-cruise along Hobart’s photogenic surrounding waters.

Find out where to go to spot more wildlife and get to know 10 of Tasmania’s most charismatic animals.

Summer events to lap up

Get some rays. And food. And tunes. And culture. And plenty more, come to think of it, at these festivals:

• Tasmania’s Taste of Summer and Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race – These signature events fill the Hobart docks with top food, massive yachts and festive-season cheer.
• Launceston Beerfest – Sneaky Soundsystem headlines this Launceston event. Ring in the New Year the right way: with good brews and fireworks.
• Festivale – Headlined by Amy Shark, this foodie event in Launceston at the end of January is where the finest flavours mingle in the air.
• Tasmanian Wine Festival – The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens becomes a wine mecca for a few days in February.
• Wooden Boat Festival – Wander along to this biennial celebration of the island’s deeply engrained maritime culture.

Want more? Browse a full list of summer celebrations, dive into arts and culture happenings and check out Tasmania’s top food and festivals this summer.

Tours to tag along on

No matter how familiar you are with Tasmania, these tours offer a fresh perspective on your backyard.

• Roaring 40s Kayaking – Undertake a scenic day paddle to Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula or around Hobart’s cliffs, caves and beaches.
• Ghost tours – Get goosebumps at Willow Court in New Norfolk and on the Gaiety Theatre Investigation Tour, using paranormal equipment to examine the hidden realm of this haunted west-coast theatre.
• Bicheno Penguin Tours – This is the ultimate adorable activity to end your day.
• Cruise the Gordon River – Let Gordon River Cruises and World Heritage Cruises whisk you away into the mesmerising, mirror-still World Heritage waters of the west.
• Cataract Gorge Cultural Tour – Led by Trawlwoolway man Greg Murray, this tour offers a deeper perspective on this well-loved nature reserve through storytelling and ceremony.

Browse more Tasmanian tours at your leisure, check out Tasmanian Aboriginal experiences and browse more top things to do in summer.