A Mini Travel Guide to Tasmania

Australia is one of the largest countries and deciding where to go may feel overwhelming. This diverse nation has endless stretches of wilderness, cosmopolitan cities, splendid beaches, and exceptional gastronomy to explore. Start your Australian adventure in Tasmania and you’ll find that this island state offers a mix of everything.

Getting to Tasmania

Tasmania is located in the Bass Strait 155 miles off the Victoria coastline. Most travelers fly from the mainland to Hobart or Launceston but it’s also possible to take a ferry. Another option is to join a luxury cruise from Sydney and spend several days at sea.

Touching down in Hobart 

Tasmania’s southern capital demands at least a full day of your time. Check into the five-star Islington Hotel. This Regency-style boutique hotel comprises 11 individually decorated suites with your choice of a mountain or garden view. 

Wander along the waterfront and stroll through the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Hop in the rental and drive to the summit of Mount Wellington for remarkable views from the various lookouts. Hikers can tackle the Organ Pipes Track for a closer perspective of the dolerite cliffs.

MONA is Hobart’s most unusual cultural attraction. The “Museum of Old and New Art” is a partially underground private collection and playground that requires a sense of humor. It’s accessible via a high-speed ferry ride along the Derwent River.

Tasmania’s majestic nature and wildlife 

Over 40% of Tasmania is protected wilderness. The Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is one of the most spectacular natural areas. Trails guide you past glacial lakes and deep into the forests. Native to the island state, Tasmanian devils thrive in densely forested habitats as well as coastal environments. Sign up for a guided tour at either the Devils@Cradle refuge or the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary closer to Hobart.

If you visit only one beach, make it Wineglass Bay on the east coast. Named for its curved shape, the beach is lined with sand as white as that found in the Whitsundays. Its sheltered setting makes it one of the safest places to swim in Tasmania. 

An epicurean destination in Australia 

Tasmania’s fertile climate lends itself to exceptional agriculture and wine cultivation alongside a bounty of first-class seafood. Launceston is recognised as one of the 49 cities designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and the Harvest Launceston Farmers' Market showcases local growers, chefs, cheesemongers, butchers, and bakers every Saturday. 

Just north of Hobart, the Agrarian Kitchen in New Norfolk hosts garden tours before dishing up Michelin-worthy farm-to-table dining. Keen chefs can go one step further with a cooking class. 

Make a reservation for sushi and sashimi at Omotenashi Hobart for a unique dining experience. Available only at weekends, the 16-piece tasting menu with sake pairing is hosted in the Lexus of Tasmania showroom. Blue Eye Seafood dishes up sharing platters at Hobart’s waterfront. 

Wine enthusiasts can follow the Tamar Valley Wine Trail and sample sparkling wine on par with France’s Champagne region. Whiskey fans can venture north to Hellyers Road Distillery for a flight served with whiskey-marinated trout or beef. 

Contact Darby at Darby’s Destinations when you are ready to book your trip to Tasmania.