Skip to main content

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.

A person walking on the very narrow Montezuma Falls suspension bridge, surrounded by lush forest.
Montezuma Falls
Jess Bonde

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

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

An aerial view of a rugged coastline of land jutting into the ocean, with sharp cliffs and crashing waves.
Three Capes Track, Cape Pillar and the Blade
Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service
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.

A close-up view of a field of rich lavender bushes in flower. In the background are the crumbling walls of a historic building with greenery growing.
Port Arthur Lavender
Supplied courtesy of Port Arthur Lavender
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.

Two women seated outdoors at a table full of food and wine by a vineyard.
Ghost Rock Wines
Kelly Slater

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 WinesSip 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.

Two teenagers stand inside a small wooden-panelled room, looking up at something hanging from the wall. A picture of a husky puppy is on the wall behind them.
Mawson's Huts Replica Museum
Tourism Australia

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.

An aerial view of estate grounds, with manicured hedges, sweeping gravel driveways and beautiful old buildings, situated next to a river.
Woolmers Estate
Tourism Australia

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.

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.

A coastal golf course winds around large sand dunes. A rainbow is visible in the sky.
Barnbougle Dunes Golf Links
Caddie Magazine
People in orange lifejackets and helmets paddle an inflatable dinghy down a misty, atmospheric river, bordered by tall lush forest.
King River Rafting
Tourism Australia

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.

…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.

Two people sit in a sauna with views of bushlands near the beach through a large glass window.
Still at Freycinet
Harrison Candlin - Vagary

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.

On a wide open grass field, two people stand watching two kangaroos grazing.
Springlawn, Narawntapu National Park
Samuel Shelley

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:

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.

A man sings to a crowd of people bathed in a pink light, with their hands in the air and dancing.
Tasmania's Taste of Summer
Alistair Bett

Tours to tag along on

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

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

Bathed in a red light, a large group of little penguins huddle together on a wide beach.
Bicheno Penguin Tours
Tourism Australia

Get started with the Trip Planner

Ready to fill your spring and summer with everything under the sun? Start shaping your longer days with the Discover Tasmania app.

Turn on your location settings and use the app’s real-time recommendations on things to do near you.

Mapping out your adventures during or before your road trip is made simpler with the Trip Planner on the app or online. With updated travel times, distances and driving directions between stops, all that’s left to do is hit the road and experience your very own Tassie itinerary.

Plan your longer days

By creating an account on Discover Tasmania, you agree to the terms of use outlined in our Privacy Statement

Success!

You are now signed in.

Trip Planner

It looks like you're serious about planning a trip to Tasmania.
Sign in, or create a Discover Tasmania account so you can keep adding items to your trip. create multiple trips, and more.
I'll do this later
Continue exploring

Add to Trip Planner

Which trip would you like to add to?

Item added to Trip

Go to Trip Planner

You have nearly reached the Explore Map plot limit of 27 items per itinerary.

Try splitting itineraries, rather than creating one large itinerary.


Manage trips
Please try again in a few moments.