Tantalizing Tassie: One Week in Tasmania

Man oh man was I not prepared for the insane beauty in Tasmania. Before arriving in Australia, the only thing I knew about Tassie was that the Tasmanian Devil lives there, and it probably didn’t look like the one from Looney Tunes…

Tasmania is a beautiful island just south of Melbourne and is full of so many hidden treasures. An international destination for years, mainland Aussies are finally starting to discover the natural wonders of the island and vacation here for a bit of adventure. After talking to a few locals about how amazing the island is, I had to check it out for myself. I spent a week on the island and felt like I had sufficiently covered some of the highlights. You could certainly spend a whole month in Tassie and still miss some of the sights, but I unfortunately didn’t have the time.

Getting There –

Getting to Tassie is so incredibly convenient. A flight to Hobart, the capital city, is quick and super cheap flight from Melbourne. I would suggest to fly out of Launceston in the north. This way you can hit the highlights without having to backtrack.

Days 1 – Hobart

Rent a car from the airport so you have some wheels to go around the island with. This will save you some money as most tours in Tassie are quite expensive, and public transport is quite limited. After you’re all settled with the car, head to The Pickled Frog an amazing hostel in town. It’s quite cosy with a great bar, fireplace, movie room, and kitchen. I met several lifelong friends at this hostel – it’s hard not to with such a great vibe.

Head down to the harbor where you’ll find great (and cheap by Aussie standards) fish and chips at Flippers, a floating shop on the water. Take a seat by the water and enjoy the view. Head back to the hostel for happy hour and be merry with your new traveling friends.

Day 2 – MONA

The next day, grab some brekky (Aussie slang for breakfast) at Picnic, a cute cafe down the street from the hostel. Next, take the car for a spin and head to MONA – Museum of Old and New Art. It’s one of the best museums I’ve ever been to and is so incredibly unique. I won’t spoil too much, just go and have a look for yourself. It’s $28 to get in, but take your old student ID and get a nice $3 concession discount. Get to the museum early and plan on spending 4-5 hours there. Trust me, you’ll want to.

After MONA, take a trip up to Mount Wellington. On a sunny day it has a beautiful view over Hobart and the surrounding area. There are also some beautiful hikes you can do if you’d like – head halfway down the mountain where you’ll find a nice cafe and information about all the options to suit your needs. After a long day, consider checking out some of the awesome cocktail bars in town.

Day 3 – Hobart & Mount Field

On your third day in Hobart, consider a morning walk through Battery Park, the oldest suburb of town not far from the hostel. You’ll find great cafes to grab a quick bite and coffee. If it’s a Saturday morning, head to the Salamanca Market after to check out local goods and try wines and cheeses from Tassie. In the afternoon, take a nice drive out to Mount Field National Park. Get a car pass for 80 days to use at all the national parks in Tassie. Take the Three Falls loop where you’ll find an amazing circuit walk through a tall tree forest with several waterfalls throughout.

Day 4 – Great Eastern Drive

One incredible thing about Tassie is that every drive you take is quite beautiful and filled with things to see and do along the way. Plan on spending a good 4-5 hours heading northeast toward Cole’s Bay on the “Great Eastern Drive“. There are so options to stop, but we stuck to the 3 main food groups – oysters, wine, and ice cream. Honestly, do you need anything else? Tasmania has become a popular foodie destination, and you will soon see why. After you’ve gotten your fill, you’ll find yourself at Cole’s Bay, where you can stay at the quiet YHA Hostel. Check out the beach nearby for a nice sunset view over the water!

Day 5 – Wineglass Bay & Freycinet

Wake up early to do the Wineglass Bay circuit at Freycinet National Park. It’s a beautiful 5 hour walk with beautiful views of bright blue water and nice beaches. Take a lunch, your swimsuit and enjoy the day! After you’re done, take a quick 40 minute drive to Bicheno. Check into Bicheno Backpackers for the night. If you’re looking for more wine, head to The Farm Shed for a tasting and some light snacks. Once you’re a little tipsy and hungry, head to Tasmanian Coastal Seafoods for some amazingly fresh fish on the water.

Day 6 – Apsley River Gorge & Launceston

Head over to the Apsley River Gorge just outside Bicheno, where you’ll find a beatiful 3 hour hike through a river gorge with a small waterfall. It was a unique hike climbing through the rocks in the gorge and we had the trail to ourselves. After a lunch by the watering hole, make your way over to Launceston for the last leg of the trip! Check into Arthouse Hostel, located in an old building with a good kitchen and a social atmosphere.

Day 7 – Cradle Mountain National Park

Get ready for an incredible day of hiking and beautiful views! Head out from Launceston early (6-7A.M if possible!) to make your way to Cradle Mountain. Be prepped for a long day and 13km walk (8mi) with layers of clothes, good hiking boots, and a packed lunch. You’ll head to the visitor center where you’ll catch a bus to Ronny Creek Car Park. Talk to a ranger and grab a map for the most up to date information on climbing to the summit of Cradle Mountain. To summit the mountain, get ready to climb over some big boulders. The hike is a bit tough but so worth it. Next, head back to Launceston for a good night’s rest before flying back to mainland Oz the next morning! Maybe stop by Boag’s brewery for a cheeky beer when you’re back in town!

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions you might have! I’m happy to help and provide more insight 🙂