There are so many things to do in Tasmania! It’s more than the island home to everyone’s favorite devil. There’s amazing seafood, the intriguing convict past (!!), and pick-your-own fruit. Lovely! Local Mischa tells us all about it!
Hello all, I’m Mischa. I have been visiting Tasmania for over a decade as various members of my family decided to move there. Recently I took some time off and spent three months in the Apple Isle, living in Launceston but exploring as much as possible.
Tasmania is Australia’s hidden gem (quite literally it often left off maps of the country). It’s a state of beautiful landscape contradictions. There arelovely people and a laid back lifestyle which merges both the old colonial world with a new metropolitan feel.
Things to see in Tasmania
Not far from Hobart, this area is the reason that Tasmania is referred to as the Apple Isle. There are so many fruit farms in this area!
The Huon Valley is an amazing mixture of rivers, forests and farming. It’s great if you want to gently explore or be adventurous with bush walking, tree top walks, caving and hang gliding. It is best to explore the valley by car to take in all the beauty of the area.
North-west coast
The north-west coast of Tasmania is a combination of industry, arts, and beaches. For many years, the large coastal towns of Devonport and Burnie have been a thriving hub of industries – mainly paper and fisheries. They still have that true hard working Aussie spirit about them.
Dotted around these two ports are a series of beautiful little towns which the arts culture is growing every year.
LaTrobe boasts local art galleries and eclectic stores and Stanley fishes for local produce and entices visitors to climb ‘the nut’. Travel inland and you’ll come to Sheffield which sits in the shadow of the foreboding and glorious Mount Roland. Wander around the town and view the wall murals which depict the days gone by in regional Tasmania. From here you can travel up to the famed Cradle Mountain for bush walking.
Things to do in Tasmania
Mt Wellington is a focal point of Hobart, jutting out of the earth and you see it long before you see the centre of Hobart.
At its base, the mountain is full of forests and bush walking trails. By the time you reach the top, the landscape has become sparse with rocks and very little vegetation. For more of the year it’s covered in snow.
The view from the top is incredible, with a full view of Hobart, the countryside and down toward the Antarctic Ocean. Unless you have incredible stamina and fitness, it’s best to drive up the mountain.
You will still pass a number of people who are walking or cycling up to conquer it, so having your wits about you! There are cycling tours which drive you up to the top and then in a group you cycle down stopping as you go.
Depending on the time of year, the daily weather conditions will usually determine how far you can go up the mountain. But it’s worth it even if you make it half way up as there are places to stop along the journey.
MONA is only a few years old but has become a must-see place in Tasmania. This privately-funded museum has allowed Australians and other visitors the opportunity to see artworks that we wouldn’t usually see in our publicly funded galleries.
The gallery is built into the rock face of a cliff, so you feel as though you are going into the depths of cave. After you are done viewing the artwork, having a coffee and enjoying the view of the River Derwent is a must.
Check out the convict past
Tasmania was settled as a penal colony and still retains much of its history from this time. Most visitors to the island know about Port Arthur, one of the toughest convict settlements. There are still many other places to visit to explore this rich, cultural past.
A handful of these towns include Ross, Campbell Town and Bothwell. If you love history and learning the convict’s stories then wandering around these towns will open your eyes to them.
Things to eat in Tasmania
Tasmania is known for its delicious produce and nowhere does it taste better then in restaurants or from suppliers on the island.
Seafood
It’s cold to cool year round , so Tasmania is the perfect place to experience oysters, mussels and salmon. You would pay a pretty penny mainland, but these are a little bit cheaper as there is no transportation. Because they are fresh they are incredibly delicious to boot.
Apples and berries
Since these are grown right on the island, you will find that they are sweeter, last a lot longer, and apples are also crunchier. If you like the idea of picking your own fruit, many farmers offer you the chance to pick a bucket depending on the season. Keep a look out for handmade road signs.
Cultural Tips for Tasmania
Tasmania has its own customs department when it comes to food. Don’t bring fresh food items in your luggage when coming from the mainland.
Also, they do actually call all the other states and territories of Australia – the mainland.
Cheap Travel Tips for Tasmania
The cheapest way to get around and if you are happy to stick to the main cities/towns of Tasmania then there are bus services that run between them. The best way to see the state is via car and you find a variety of hire car companies for different budgets in major towns.
Airbnb is always an affordable option. This entire house is $62 USD per night and this room in a historic cottage in Hobart is $40. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, here’s a $40 credit towards your first booking.
Thanks so much for sharing, Mischa! Any Tasmanian or Aussie readers have tips to share?
P.S. 7 travel products I won’t shut up about + How to live out of a suitcase – glamorously
TASMANIA is already on my list and I will be visiting this place soon, and yes am not going to miss the mussels and salmon.
Wonderful!
I’ve been following a Tasmanian photographer on Flickr for years now and she always uploads the most stunning shots of the lush temperate rainforests that cover the island. Between her pictures and this blog post, I’m totally sold! Thanks for this helpful intro to a little-known corner of Australia 🙂
So many of my Aussie friends swear by it as a vacation spot!
Tassie really is beautiful, and this is coming from a ‘Mainlander’! My ex was from Launceston so I spent quite a bit of time down there during our relationship, and it always amazed me. It’s just so PRETTY! There always seemed to be water around, be it a lake, an ocean, a river or a stream.
It’s pretty cold down there, but worth rugging up for!
Don’t forget the whiskey distiller in Burnie. A gorgeous spot for lunch as well as tastings 🙂
Tbh, I think getting around Tassie by bus would be a nightmare. The bus services are so infrequent which does not help tourism, especially outside the Hobart – Launceston route.