last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Tasmania
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Location Map of Tasmania
Tasmania
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
In addition to Macquarie Island and the Heard and McDonald Islands—uninhabited subantarctic UNESCO territories managed from Hobart—Tasmania has two other sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage. One is Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, part of a group of five former Australian penal settlements inscribed alongside others located elsewhere in the country.
Cities and Cultural Heritage
Arthur River
This small village in the north-west, traditionally focused on fishing and timber, now relies more on tourism. It offers beautiful wild landscapes, beaches, caves, forests, and especially the Arthur River, where you can take short cruises.
This small village in the north-west, traditionally focused on fishing and timber, now relies more on tourism. It offers beautiful wild landscapes, beaches, caves, forests, and especially the Arthur River, where you can take short cruises.
Devonport
This northern coastal city is where ferries from Melbourne arrive. Beyond that, and a few beaches, it’s primarily a base for exploring Cradle Mountain National Park.
This northern coastal city is where ferries from Melbourne arrive. Beyond that, and a few beaches, it’s primarily a base for exploring Cradle Mountain National Park.
Hobart
It’s the capital of Tasmania and the second oldest city in Australia, meaning you can see many historic buildings in its centre. There are also several vineyards in the surrounding area.
It’s the capital of Tasmania and the second oldest city in Australia, meaning you can see many historic buildings in its centre. There are also several vineyards in the surrounding area.
Flinders Island
This large island, home to fewer than a thousand people, is part of the Furneaux archipelago of 52 islands north of Tasmania. It attracts visitors for its landscapes, beaches, and opportunities for hiking and kayaking.
This large island, home to fewer than a thousand people, is part of the Furneaux archipelago of 52 islands north of Tasmania. It attracts visitors for its landscapes, beaches, and opportunities for hiking and kayaking.
King Island
Another large, sparsely populated island between Tasmania and Melbourne. It's renowned for wreck diving.
Another large, sparsely populated island between Tasmania and Melbourne. It's renowned for wreck diving.
Launceston
Launceston is Tasmania’s second-largest city, with beautiful 19th-century architecture in its centre. Nearby attractions include Cataract Gorge and the picturesque Tamar Valley, a wine-growing region with its wine trail and small river cruises on the Tamar River.
Launceston is Tasmania’s second-largest city, with beautiful 19th-century architecture in its centre. Nearby attractions include Cataract Gorge and the picturesque Tamar Valley, a wine-growing region with its wine trail and small river cruises on the Tamar River.
Port Arthur
An hour from Hobart, the village is home to a 19th-century penal colony. Along with 10 other prisons—eight in Tasmania and NSW (out of over 3,000 across the country!)—it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Of all of them, it is the most famous and visited.
An hour from Hobart, the village is home to a 19th-century penal colony. Along with 10 other prisons—eight in Tasmania and NSW (out of over 3,000 across the country!)—it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Of all of them, it is the most famous and visited.
Queenstown
A historic former mining town in western Tasmania. Nearby are several ghost towns (or nearly so) from that era: Crotty, Pillinger, Gormanston, Linda...
A historic former mining town in western Tasmania. Nearby are several ghost towns (or nearly so) from that era: Crotty, Pillinger, Gormanston, Linda...
Natural Heritage
Bay of Fires
This bay on the northeast coast beyond St Helens is highly regarded for its blend of colours, with white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and orange rocks. It’s a popular spot for beaches, surfing, diving, boat trips, hiking, fishing, and birdwatching.
This bay on the northeast coast beyond St Helens is highly regarded for its blend of colours, with white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and orange rocks. It’s a popular spot for beaches, surfing, diving, boat trips, hiking, fishing, and birdwatching.
Bruny Island
This island off the southern coast of Tasmania is a tourist destination thanks to its natural park, beautiful landscapes, and wildlife (penguins, birds, etc.). You can also enjoy scenic boat trips here.
This island off the southern coast of Tasmania is a tourist destination thanks to its natural park, beautiful landscapes, and wildlife (penguins, birds, etc.). You can also enjoy scenic boat trips here.
Freycinet National Park
A park on a peninsula on the east coast where sea and landforms blend. It offers beautiful landscapes, stunning beaches (including those in Wineglass Bay), hiking, and a few other outdoor activity options.
A park on a peninsula on the east coast where sea and landforms blend. It offers beautiful landscapes, stunning beaches (including those in Wineglass Bay), hiking, and a few other outdoor activity options.
Maria Island National Park
This island park offers stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, birdlife, and hiking opportunities.
This island park offers stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, birdlife, and hiking opportunities.
Tasman Peninsula
South-east of Hobart, the area attracts many visitors for its coastal landscapes, the Tasman National Park known for its cliffs, and the historic penal settlement of Port Arthur. Hiking is possible, particularly in the park.
South-east of Hobart, the area attracts many visitors for its coastal landscapes, the Tasman National Park known for its cliffs, and the historic penal settlement of Port Arthur. Hiking is possible, particularly in the park.
Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
This UNESCO-listed label groups around ten national parks covering over 20% of Tasmania’s territory. Key parks include Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair (the most visited), Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers, Walls of Jerusalem, Southwest, and Hartz Mountains (plus the adjacent Mt Field). You can hike through stunning mountain, gorge, lake, and river landscapes.
This UNESCO-listed label groups around ten national parks covering over 20% of Tasmania’s territory. Key parks include Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair (the most visited), Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers, Walls of Jerusalem, Southwest, and Hartz Mountains (plus the adjacent Mt Field). You can hike through stunning mountain, gorge, lake, and river landscapes.
Must-see & highly recommended
Freycinet National Park
★★★★ A park on a peninsula on the east coast where sea and landforms blend. It offers beautiful landscapes, stunning beaches (including those in…
Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
★★★★ This UNESCO-listed label groups around ten national parks covering over 20% of Tasmania’s territory. Key parks include Cradle…
Recommended
Bay of Fires
★★★ This bay on the northeast coast beyond St Helens is highly regarded for its blend of colours, with white sand beaches, turquoise waters…
Bruny Island
★★★ This island off the southern coast of Tasmania is a tourist destination thanks to its natural park, beautiful landscapes, and wildlife…
Flinders Island
★★★ This large island, home to fewer than a thousand people, is part of the Furneaux archipelago of 52 islands north of Tasmania. It attracts…
Tasman Peninsula
★★★ South-east of Hobart, the area attracts many visitors for its coastal landscapes, the Tasman National Park known for its cliffs, and the…
Worth a look / Other
Arthur River
★★ This small village in the north-west, traditionally focused on fishing and timber, now relies more on tourism. It offers beautiful wild…
Hobart
★★ It’s the capital of Tasmania and the second oldest city in Australia, meaning you can see many historic buildings in its centre…
Maria Island National Park
★★ This island park offers stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, birdlife, and hiking opportunities.
Port Arthur
★★ An hour from Hobart, the village is home to a 19th-century penal colony. Along with 10 other prisons—eight in Tasmania and NSW (out…
Bicheno
★ A seaside resort/fishing port on the east coast with beaches, diving, and penguin colonies.
Devonport
★ This northern coastal city is where ferries from Melbourne arrive. Beyond that, and a few beaches, it’s primarily a base for…
King Island
★ Another large, sparsely populated island between Tasmania and Melbourne. It's renowned for wreck diving.
Launceston
★ Launceston is Tasmania’s second-largest city, with beautiful 19th-century architecture in its centre. Nearby attractions include…
Ben Lomond National Park
★ In northeastern Tasmania, the park is home to the island's only ski area.
Queenstown
★ A historic former mining town in western Tasmania. Nearby are several ghost towns (or nearly so) from that era: Crotty, Pillinger…
Richmond (Australia)
★ A "historic" village with old buildings and Australia's oldest bridge.
Ross
★ An "old town" founded in the 1820s, still featuring various 19th-century buildings.