Tasmania is where the most time has been spent — with the first 21 years of life unfolding there. It remains a place that draws frequent visits, especially now that family has returned to live there.
Famous for its natural beauty, Tasmania offers a unique environment. Life on a mountain surrounded by trees and bush included the occasional snowfall — a rare sight in Australia. The contrast with inner-city Melbourne, now home, is striking. While the opportunities and excitement of city life hold great appeal, the return to nature, trees, and tranquility always brings a sense of renewal.
Many travelers ask about things to do in Tasmania with kids — or without — particularly when planning what to see in 7 days. Despite its small size on the map, Tasmania cannot be fully explored in just a week or two. To support trip planning, here’s a curated list of the top 25 places to visit in Tasmania — the ultimate bucket list.
Top Things to See in Tasmania
List of the top 25 places to see in Tasmania highlights must-visit destinations that showcase the island’s unique beauty and character. It’s the perfect starting point for building your itinerary — whether you’re traveling solo, with kids, or on a romantic getaway.
MONA
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is the biggest privately owned museum in Australia and located in a suburb of Hobart. It is truly amazing. It is by far my favourite art museum in the world and Recommend it to everyone – even people who don’t generally enjoy art museums like me or people looking for activities in Tasmania for kids.
It is also confronting, controversial and riveting – Never knew what was going to come next. There is a great deal of variety in the exhibits and the use of light, sound, movement and the involvement of all your senses means no one is going to get bored – even young kids. This is definitely top of my list of must see places in Tasmania.
Hobart’s Waterfront
Hobart’s waterfront is a picturesque area of boats, old warehouses, buildings, restaurants and floating fish shops! It’s one of the great places to go in Tasmania for a wander and to eat some fabulous seafood.
Salamanca Market
Hobart’s Salamanca Market is the most popular place to visit in Tasmania with 25,000 to 40,000 people visiting each weekend! It takes place on Saturday mornings until 3pm when 300+ stalls line Salamanca Place at Hobart’s waterfront. This is a great place to pick up a souvenir, try some local food and soak up the atmosphere.
There are many surrounding parks and gardens which make a great spot for a picnic after picking some food at the market or for the kids to run around.
Even when the market is not taking place, this is a nice area to visit with some great pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops.
Mt Wellington
Trip to Southern Tasmania would not be complete without heading to one of the best places to visit in Tasmania – the summit of Mt Wellington – or simply “the mountain” as locals call it.
The mountain towers over Hobart and it’s impossible to miss it – it’s a beautiful backdrop to Australia’s southern most city. At 1271 metres tall, it offers fabulous views over Hobart and Southern Tasmania.
Recommend going on a clear day, it can also be fun to go on a cloudy day when it can feel like you are above the clouds! In the colder months, the mountain is often snow capped which means an opportunity to play in the snow.
Huon Valley
The Huon Valley is home to some great places to see in Tasmania. There is some beautiful scenery and one of the fun ways to see it is in the photo above – a thrilling jet boat ride on the Huon River. For a more sedate way to see more of the Huon River, you can also hire pedal boats in Huonville.
Another of our favourite activities in this region is the Tahune Air Walk – walk above the tree tops including a 50 metre high hanging section at the end over the river. You can also go on many forest walks here and try cable hang gliding.
Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs
For one of the different things to see and do in Tasmania, head to Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs. It consist of two main attractions – the caves themselves and some nearby thermal springs where you can take a dip in a swimming pool.
Hastings Caves are dolomite caves formed millions of years ago. They make quite a sight and are home to stalactites, columns, shawls, straws and stalagmites. You visit on a guided tour and they are quite spacious.
The swimming pool has been filled with lovely 28 degree thermal spring water. The Thermal Springs are surrounded by forest with all essential facilities – BBQs, toilets, change rooms etc and is a great place for a picnic.
Tasmanian Devil
Trip to Tasmania would not be complete without seeing one of these small (and endangered) creatures. The best places to go in Tasmania to see Tasmanian Devils are one of the many wildlife parks.
My best place to see Tasmanian devils is the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary on the edge of Hobart, but there is also Tasmanian Devil Unzoo on the way to Port Arthur, Zoodoo near Richmond and the Tasmania Zoo just outside of Launceston, as well as other places.
Mt Field National Park
Tasmania’s first national park is full of great scenery, a good range of walks and plenty of wildlife. It also has great facilities – I have camped here several times.
Russell Falls is the star attraction and beautiful. It’s an easy walk to get here which is even wheelchair accessible. The walk takes you through a fern forest with some of Tasmania’s tallest trees. In Winter, there’s skiing and snowboarding.
Richmond
The historic town of Richmond sits just 25 minutes from Hobart’s CBD and offers a charming escape filled with heritage and character. This picturesque town features beautifully preserved historic buildings and a rich convict history that continues to captivate visitors.
Explore Richmond’s past at the Richmond Gaol — the oldest intact gaol in Australia — and walk across the iconic Richmond Bridge, the country’s oldest. Other highlights include the Hobart Town Historical Model Village and the Richmond Maze, which is currently under renovation but remains a long-standing favorite for families and history lovers alike.
The true delight lies in strolling the streets lined with Georgian architecture. Many of these historic buildings now house boutique shops, cozy cafes, inviting restaurants, and art galleries. Don’t miss the local bakeries and the ever-popular sweet shop — perfect for a nostalgic treat.
Port Arthur
The best place in Tasmania to learn about Australia’s convict past is at the Port Arthur Historic Site.
This big site, about 90 minutes drive from Hobart, was open in 1830 as a penal settlement. In 1833, it became a punishment station for repeat offenders – so basically the worst convicts in the country.
The prison system here included many buildings which you can visit today. This includes the British Empire’s first juvenile prison at Point Puer and new “treatment” techniques such as the silent prison and asylum.
There’s also other buildings that show how the military, free men and their families lived in Port Arthur. It’s a big site and entry includes both a boat tour and a walking tour. There’s also many other options.
There’s many more attractions at this site as well as a ghost tour at night! You can find more information as well as our tips for visiting the site in our full review.
Doo Town
Doo Town must be the whackiest place to visit in Tasmania. This small town is an amusing stop on the way to Port Arthur. Basically every house has a name out the front that include the word “Doo”. You can see Doo Drop Inn, Make Doo, Wee-Doo, Doo-N-Time and the provocatively named, Doo Me, as well as many others. Read more about this town in our article here.
Also read more in our list of the best things to do on the Tasman Peninsula. It is one of many worthwhile free things to do in Tasmania.
Maria Island
Maria Island National Park offers wildlife, dramatic scenery and convict ruins. The 14 convict buildings and ruins from the convict probation era at Darlington are World Heritage listed.
Entry to the island is via ferry and once on the island, there are some great walking and cycling tracks. In addition to the ruins, there are some beautiful beaches and cliffs to visit as well as some peaks to climb with views over the island and up to Freycinet National Park.
There is great bird watching and you need to be on the look out for kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, tasmanian devils and other wildlife.
It’s possible to camp on the island and there is also bunk room accommodation. You can also just day trip to the island (which is what I did).
Maria Island is located off the East Coast of Tasmania and is easy to visit via ferry. Find more information here.
Wineglass Bay
Wineglass Bay is one of the top places to visit in Tasmania if you love gorgeous scenery and beaches. It often makes the list of most beautiful beaches in the world.
Wineglass Bay is located in Freycinet National Park. The best and worst parts about this is that there is no road access – there is a steep up and down walk to get to this beautiful bay with views like you see above on the way. The walk takes about an hour each way but it is steep in parts so can be quite a work out. The reward is far less people than what there would be otherwise. It’s also possible to visit Wineglass Bay by sea kayak.
Cradle Mountain
The Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park is one of the best places in Tasmania to visit. It is certainly one of the most famous among outdoor enthusiasts. It’s home to the Overland Track and the beautiful Cradle Mountain. It is also part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
The scenery is superb and you don’t have to be a serious hiker to enjoy it. Cradle Mountain is quite accessible as you can drive to the pretty Dove Lake (pictured above). From here you can enjoy views of Cradle Mountain or choose to walk around the lake or spend a day walking to the summit of Cradle Mountain.
Tasmania stands out as a destination where natural beauty, rich history, and local charm come together in the most unforgettable ways. From iconic landmarks and pristine wilderness to hidden gems and cultural experiences, every corner of the island offers something special. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, these best places to visit in Tasmania promise unique, must-do experiences that will leave lasting memories.
