NZ to Tasmania holiday itinerary

Inspiration and ideas for your Tasmanian getaway.

An island of diverse wildlife, rich cultural heritage and abundant local cuisine, Tasmania is close enough to New Zealand to be an easy holiday destination yet is distinct in so many ways. Despite the island’s small size, it would be impossible to do everything in one trip, so what you need is a guide. Do you want to walk through World Heritage rainforests? See a Tasmanian devil? Learn about convict history? To plan your ideal Tasmania travel itinerary, find out what makes Tasmania unique, then read on for the ultimate Tasmania itinerary guide.

Getting to Tasmania

Tasmania is just a short hop, skip and a jump across the ditch. Air New Zealand runs direct flights from Auckland to Hobart (3hr 30min) from October to April, with connecting flights via Sydney or Melbourne year-round. You can also fly direct to Tasmania from Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Canberra, making it possible to incorporate your Tasmanian holiday into a larger Aussie trip. More of a sea traveller? Ride the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, leaving Geelong in Victoria on day or overnight sailings to Devonport in Tasmania’s north west. Find out more about getting to Tasmania.

Top destinations in Tasmania

From wilderness to wildlife, the coast to the mountains, and cities to seaside towns, there’s no lack of places to explore in Tasmania. But time is often limited, so here’s some ideas to get you started.

Hobart

Tasmania’s capital city is framed by the curves of kunanyi / Mount Wellington and the broad River Derwent. Hobart is packed with cultural and dining experiences, from the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) to boutique restaurants proffering specialty local produce. Visit the Saturday Salamanca Market, take a river cruise, taste local wine…drink it all in.

Strahan

Experience Tasmania’s wild west at Strahan, a cosy town surrounded by forest on one side, and Australia's second-largest natural harbour on the other. This is the remote edge of the island, a place of fascinating mining and convict history, epic mountain bike trails, vast cool-temperate rainforest and World Heritage wilderness.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

No Tasmania holiday itinerary is complete without a visit to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Cradle Mountain is a stately peak that rises steeply from the shores of Dove Lake in the north of the park, while Lake St Clair in the south is Australia’s deepest freshwater lake. The park is home to excellent bush walks, alpine treats and many, many wombats.

Launceston

The largest city in northern Tasmania, Launceston has a vibrant culture and world-class food scene, from farmers' markets to paddock-to-plate meals that befit its status as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With a blend of heritage and modern streetscapes, the city is easily explorable on foot. On the city fringe, leafy Cataract Gorge is a must-visit.

Freycinet National Park

This east coast playground is all white beaches, secluded bays and pink granite peaks. Come to Freycinet National Park for coastal relaxation, see the island’s most famous beach at Wineglass Bay and kayak the clear waters. The park is also teeming with coastal bush walks and curious wildlife.

The ultimate seven-day itinerary

You’ve got your highlights list, now it’s time to turn it into a Tasmania road trip.

Day 1: Hobart to Strahan (4hr 30min, 300km)

Save the city sightseeing for later: after landing in Hobart, hop straight in the car for a journey west. Any trip into the Western Wilds is worthy of detours. Stop at New Norfolk in the Derwent Valley to peruse eclectic stores packed with antiques and curios; gaze at misty Nelson Falls, one of the island’s 60 Great Short Walks; and explore fascinating mining history in quirky Queenstown. End the day on the coast at Strahan and settle in to accommodation overlooking the harbour at Strahan Village or on the shoreline at Risby Cove Boutique Hotel.

Day 2: Strahan and west coast

Spend today getting to know the rugged west coast. Discover the region’s brutal convict history, uncover ancient forest, and admire the Gordon River’s mirror-like reflections as you glide into World Heritage wilderness aboard a Gordon River Cruise. Hire a sandboard and speed down Henty Dunes, wander along Ocean Beach – Tasmania’s longest – then end the day at Australia’s longest-running play, The Ship that Never Was, which tells the dramatic and true story of a daring convict escape.

Day 3: Strahan to Cradle Mountain (2hr, 140km)

Depart early to make the most of a visit to Cradle Mountain, an alpine wilderness wonderland threaded with walking trails. Take a lap around Dove Lake, an easy 2–3hr circuit passing directly beneath the mountain. At dusk, enjoy the 20min Enchanted Walk for the chance to see an elusive platypus. While exploring the park, keep an eye out for wombats, wallabies and pademelons. For guaranteed sightings of Tasmanian devils, join a nighttime tour at nearby Devils @ Cradle. There’s a range of accommodation at the park’s edge, including Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village and Cradle Mountain Lodge.

Day 4: Cradle Mountain to Launceston (2hr, 140km)

Head off early to allow a full day for exploring Launceston and enjoying its plentiful restaurants and bars. Wander the galleries at Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG), Australia’s largest regional gallery. Unwind at verdant Cataract Gorge, where you can chill with peacocks and wallabies, and ride the retro chairlift for epic views of the steep gorge walls and the South Esk River rushing below. For a cosy night’s stay, pick from an array of stylish heritage cottages, boutique townhouses and city hotels.

Day 5: Launceston to Freycinet (2hr 10min, 175km)

Enter the land of pristine beaches and relaxed coastal vibes. Explore the natural wonders of Freycinet National Park, climb to Wineglass Bay Lookout and snack on fish and chips at the seaside holiday town of Coles Bay. For a taste of adventure, join an All 4 / All Terrain Tour for a two-hour ride through eucalypt forest, boulder-strewn valleys and coastal heath. Stay within the national park at Freycinet Lodge or spend the night in a breezy beach house.

Day 6: Freycinet to Hobart (2hr 40min, 195km)

Take in the twists, turns and endless coastal views of the Great Eastern Drive on your trip south to Hobart. Pay a visit to Freycinet Marine Farm or Melshell Oyster Shack for fresh seafood, and stop in at a raft of east coast wineries to taste local cool-climate wines. Spend the evening in Hobart wandering around the waterfront and dining out. Choose a central city stay or prioritise water views: browse Hobart's accommodation options.

Day 7: Hobart and surrounds

Make a day of exploring the city sights. Uncover Tasmania’s dark convict past at Cascades Female Factory or Hobart Penitentiary; delve into fascinating Antarctic history at Mawson's Hut Replica Museum; or get a culture fix at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) or MONA. Take a shuttle bus up kunanyi / Mount Wellington to explore the city’s wilderness playground, wander among diverse flora at the at Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, or grab a coffee and stroll a city beach at Sandy Bay.

Winter itinerary suggestions

Tasmania comes to life in winter, aka the Off Season. Think crackling fires, steaming ciders, candle-lit feasts and wild winter festivals. Here’s some suggestions for the ultimate Tasmania winter itinerary. 

Extend your Hobart stay to experience Dark Mofo’s decadent Winter Feast and the infamous Nude Solstice Swim (mid-June). In August, raise a toast at the Tasmanian Whisky Week Spirit Showcase or celebrate art and science at Beaker Street Festival.

Up north, head to Wynyard (2hr west of Launceston) in June for Permission to Trespass, where access is granted to usually off-limit farms and visitors can delve into local stories, feasts and even ghost tours. About 1hr south-east of Launceston, revel in the natural wonderland of Ben Lomond National Park, where winter leaves a sweet dusting of snow. 

On the east coast, the holiday hamlet of Bicheno (35min north of Freycinet) plays host to Bicheno Beams – lighting the dark winter sky with prisms of vibrant light each evening (July).

Summer itinerary suggestions

Tasmanian summer means long days and mild nights, perfect for lounging at the beach, dining outdoors and making friends at festivals. Here’s some suggestions to dial up your Tasmania summer itinerary.

If boats are your thing, it’s absolutely worth planning a trip around the annual Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (December) and the biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival (February), which send Hobart’s waterfront precinct into a maritime spin. 

In Launceston, head for Festivale (late January) for a vibrant three-day celebration of Tasmanian food, drink and entertainment.

Soak up the summer vibes and extend your Tasmanian road trip on the east coast. Kayak and swim in turquoise bays, wander white sand beaches, sip crisp white wines at coastal vineyards and indulge in fresh local seafood. Gaze across pristine sand at Bay of Fires, watch little penguins waddle ashore at Bicheno, and explore the seaside holiday havens of St Helens and Swansea.