Ultimate Tasmania

Tasmania's capital makes a strong first impression. Hobart blends harbour views, heritage streets and a food scene that punches well above its size. You could wander the waterfront, sample the local seafood, browse galleries or find a cosy wine bar tucked into the city's laneways.

This evening, join your fellow travellers for dinner featuring Tasmanian produce and a warm welcome to the journey ahead.

See Hobart from above at Mt. Nelson Lookout, where views stretch across the city and the Derwent River. Pass the landmark Cascade Brewery and explore the historic charm of Battery Point before visiting the Botanical Gardens for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that celebrates Tasmania's native plant life. Then head to Salamanca Market, where more than 300 stalls bring together local makers, growers and artisans. It's the perfect place to pick up something handcrafted, sip a coffee and ease into Hobart's creative spirit.

Trade the city for Tasmania's west, where the landscapes shift from quiet beauty to big wilderness. Walk through Mt. Field National Park and see Russell Falls spill through a forest of towering trees and fern-lined paths. Stop at Lake St. Clair, Australia's deepest natural freshwater lake, before travelling through the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Your day ends in Strahan, a peaceful harbour town on the wild West Coast, set beside vast Macquarie Harbour.

Cruising the Gordon River is one of those Tasmanian experiences that stays with you. Drift across still waters framed by ancient rainforest and head for Sarah Island, the site of Tasmania's oldest convict settlement. Its ruins tell a hard story, softened now by the forest that has grown around them. From here, continue through rugged country and old mining towns on your way to Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, where a fresh chapter of Tasmanian wilderness awaits.

Cradle Mountain reveals Tasmania at its most elemental. Snow-dusted peaks, glacial lakes and rainforest come together in a landscape that feels both raw and deeply peaceful. Visit Dove Lake, where Bennetts wallabies, echidnas and pademelons are often spotted among the native bush. Stop at Waldheim Chalet, once home to Gustav and Kate Weindorfer, whose vision helped protect this remarkable place.

The rest of the day is yours to shape. Stretch your legs on one of the walking trails, meet a Tasmanian devil at your own expense or settle in by the fire and let the mountain setting do the rest.

The journey north reveals another side of Tasmania, where rich volcanic soil and cool conditions have shaped a thriving farming region. Stop in the coastal town of Penguin before visiting Mount Gnomon Farm, where Guy Robertson grows fruit and makes cider with a strong connection to the land. Over lunch, you'll taste the region in dishes that bring paddock-to-plate dining to life. Continue to Sheffield, known for its striking murals, then travel through the Meander Valley to Launceston.

Launceston's food story starts with the land, the water and the people who know how to make the most of both. Visit the Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company to sample sauces, jams, mustards and relishes while hearing more about the local ingredients behind them. Then discover Cataract Gorge, where bushland and Victorian gardens sit side by side just moments from the city centre.

The rest of your day is free. You could visit the Beaconsfield Mine, see Seahorse World, cruise the Tamar Valley or stay in town and explore Launceston's handsome heritage streets at your own pace.

A visit to Bridestowe Estate begins with its unmistakable lavender scent drifting through the air. This well-known property offers more than a pretty backdrop, with lavender ice cream, local honey and a strong sense of place.

Continue to the Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees, where history is remembered through sculpted trunks created in honour of local soldiers lost in World War I. It's a moving stop in a small community with a powerful story. In Bicheno, you may want to head out after dark to see little penguins returning to shore in one of Tasmania's most memorable wildlife encounters.

Tasmania's east coast has a way of stopping you in your tracks. Travel through the eucalypt forests of Cape Tourville and out towards the Freycinet Peninsula for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that supports local conservation efforts. From the water, take in the granite peaks, pink-toned cliffs of the Hazards and quiet beaches edged by native bush.

Wineglass Bay is the star of the show, its curve of white sand and blue water earning its place as one of Australia's most recognisable coastal views. A Ploughman's lunch on board adds a delicious local touch to the experience.

Connect with Tasmania's living culture as local palawa people welcome you to Country and share stories, traditions and native bush tucker by the Derwent River. Then continue to Richmond, home to Australia's oldest convict-built bridge and gaol. There's time to browse the village's boutique shops or visit Old Hobart Town at your own expense.

This evening brings a Stays with Stories experience at Iron Creek Bay Estate. Set among 70 hectares of orchards and farmland, it's a place where you can wander among fruit trees, meet the resident animals and settle in for a locally inspired dinner as the day winds down.

Port Arthur is one of Tasmania's most important historic sites and one of its most confronting. Set against green hills and wide water views, this World Heritage-listed site reveals the layered story of Australia's convict past. Explore with a guide who brings the history to life, then cruise around the Isle of the Dead. You'll also stop at Pirate's Bay Lookout and see natural formations including Tasman's Arch, Devil's Kitchen and the Blowhole. Back in Hobart, the evening is free for you to make the most of the city's restaurants, bars and easygoing energy.

Hobart is a city that invites you to do as much or as little as you like. Its waterfront, heritage buildings and mountain backdrop make it an easy place to sink into for the day. You could join a Bruny Island Cruise, take a scenic flight over the South West Wilderness, explore the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery or wander the city's historic streets on foot, all at your own expense.

This evening, come together with your travel companions for dinner at one of Hobart's standout waterfront restaurants and raise a glass to Tasmania.

Over the past 13 days, you've experienced Tasmania through its wild places, generous food culture and the people who shape its stories. From harbours and heritage towns to alpine landscapes and coastal icons, this is a journey that leaves you with more than just photos. As your trip comes to an end, say farewell to Hobart and take a little of Tasmania home with you.