What does responsible travel in Tasmania look like to us?
Respect and care for native wildlife who call Lutruwita / Tasmania home
- Drive slowly especially before dawn and after dusk.
- Please do NOT feed wildlife.
- Maintain 3 metres from wildlife – they too need their space.
- Use an infrared light during any sort of animal interaction after dark.
Protect Lutruwita / Tasmania’s natural beauty
- Care for our mountains and forests.
- Care for our waterways – lakes, rivers, seas, oceans.
- Care for our skies – reduce light pollution (whenever possible).
- Care for other fragile environments – stay on our trails.
Travel responsibly respecting our small island community
- Be respectful when traveling in the footsteps of the Palawa People (Tasmanian Aboriginal Community).
- Be conscious of your food consumption and avoid wastage.
- Be conscious with your water usage.
- Be conscious of the electricity you consume.
Day 1 - Hobart
Photo Credit: Tourism Australia
Hobart: Visit Red Parka, a sustainable souvenir shop. Visit Farm Gate Market (Sundays only).
Grab a coffee or a casual bite at the Hamlet Café and continue strolling along the Hobart Rivulet. If luck is on your side you might even spot a local resident platypus. Alternatively, if you’re looking to walk guided then join in on a truth-telling tour with Blak Led Tours.
Salamanca Market: Visit this vibrant market (Saturdays only) to explore local produce, crafts, and sustainable goods.
Battery Point: Stroll through this historic district and enjoy a self-guided walking tour focusing on local history and architecture.
Tasmanian Mountain Bike Adventures: Join this Mountain Bike tour for an exciting adventure. As you ride this gently descending off-road trail, you'll experience majestic towering eucalyptus forests, duck under giant silver ferns, stop at a waterfall, walk under historic aqueducts, gaze into crystal clear babbling streams, and maybe even catch a glimpse of some curious local wildlife.
Day 2 - Port Arthur, Tasman Peninsula
Photo Credit: Dearna Bond
Catch a shuttle bus, or go on a private EV (electric vehicle) day tour with EV Ride or rent an EV from Drive Car Hire and drive to the Tasman Peninsula. Purchase your National Parks’ pass before heading to Tasman Peninsula.
En route, visit the beautiful Coal River Valley, a region known for its history, exceptional wines and the picture-perfect town of Richmond. If your itinerary and time permit, visit the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary who operates the State’s largest 24-hour wildlife rescue service. Your entry fees fund this fantastic service, so rest assured your visit is not in vain.
Travel to Port Arthur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the site on a self-guided tour, learning about Tasmania’s convict history. The site implements conservation practices to preserve its heritage.
Visit Remarkable Cave, which is well known for its picturesque and immersive experience.
Alternatively, do the Waterfall Bay walk, an exciting walk that takes you right to the edge, with numerous stunning views from cliffs that plummet into the swirling sea beneath.
Another great way to see the Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur is on an all-inclusive full day tour from Hobart taking in the tallest dolerite sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere by water on a multi-award winning Pennicott Wilderness Journey – Tasman Island Cruise. These wilderness cruise specialists get you down at water level so you can really immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Tasmania, taking in breathtaking dolerite columns, and having the opportunity to have wildlife sightings such as Australian fur-seals, an albatross, perhaps a humpback whale (in season) or orca, or a pod of dolphins.
Overnight: Hobart
Day 3 - Maria Island
Photo Credit: Tourism Australia
Catch the shuttle bus (bookings essential) or rent an electric vehicle and drive to Triabunna to connect to Maria Island. On the way, stop at Tasmanian Bushland Gardens in Buckland, a special reserve and display garden featuring the native flora of south-east Tasmania.
Take the ferry to Maria Island. The island is free of cars, making cycling on its unsealed roads a pure pleasure. Head for the Fossil Cliffs, Frenchs Farm, Encampment Cove and Point Lesueur. Bike hire can be arranged through the ferry operator. Exploring the Park by foot is also a popular option, with the option of undertaking a short or more arduous walk around the island. The Darlington Township walk (1/2 – 2 hours, 1km, grade 2) or Fossil Cliffs (1.5-2.5 hours return, 4.5km, grade 3) are lovely options for a leisurely stroll, or you can try out Bishop and Clerk (4-5 hours return, 11km, grade 4) if you’re up for a challenge!
Alternatively, take the eco-certified Maria Island Cruise to experience the island from the water visiting the Ile de Phoques or circumnavigating the beautiful island sanctuary.
Snorkelling: Pull on a mask and snorkel and plunge into the exceptionally clear waters of the Maria Island Marine Reserve from Darlington Beach or Hopground Beach. (Bring your own Snorkelling gear).
Relax: Let time slip by from the veranda of the Penitentiary.
Swim: Watch the setting sun from one of the island’s stunning beaches.
Photography: The early morning and evening provide the best light to capture the beauty of the island.
Star Gazing (overnight): Don’t forget to look up on a clear night, the night sky will simply leave you in awe.
Maria island is home to the common wombats who roam freely. These Tassie locals have been given several names like ‘furry potatoes’ or even ‘slow moving fluffy lawn mowers’. Make no mistake they can run at speeds up to 40 km/h.
Overnight: Hobart/Maria Island/Orford
Day 4 - Freycinet National Park
Photo Credit: Tourism Tasmania & Andrew McIntosh
Rent an electric vehicle and Drive to Freycinet National Park.
Freycinet National Park is home to dramatic pink granite peaks, secluded bays, white sandy beaches and abundant birdlife. Situated on Tasmania's beautiful east coast, the park occupies most of the Freycinet Peninsula and looks out to the Tasman Sea from the eastern side and back towards the Tasmanian coastline from the west. Enjoy the whole day exploring Freycinet National Park, with so many options on things to do, it’s hard to choose!
Enjoy a stunning walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout, one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks. This walk is around 1.5 hours return (2.6km). The track will take you up through coastal woodland, to the lookout where you will see the crystal-clear waters and curvaceous white beach of Wineglass Bay. Perhaps pack a picnic and do the full walk down into the Bay – roughly 3 hours return. There are also a number of other walks to suit what it is you are looking for:
- Cape Tourville (20-minute circuit, 600m, grade 1)
- Sleepy Bay (20-minute return, 500m, grade 3)
- Mount Amos (3-hour return, 3.6km, grade 4)
- Hazards Beach
- Honeymoon Bay
- Little Gravely Beach
- Friendly Beaches Lookout
- Great Oyster Bay
Overnight: Coles Bay
Day 5 - Launceston
Photo Credit: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett
This morning, drive to Launceston, Tasmania’s second biggest city. With a remarkable collection of more than 148 parks, gardens and play spaces, this city offers an unparalleled mosaic of green retreats, underlining Launceston's commitment to preserving its natural charm.
Launceston is cycle-friendly city. Rent a bike and embark on a self-guided tour of the nearby trails.
Alternatively, you can use the free Tiger Bus which is a convenient and environmentally-friendly way to explore the city’s attractions with its hop-on-hop-off bus service. See the city at your leisure as the bus stops at all popular destinations, including iconic Cataract Gorge and the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.
Lookouts
- Brady’s Lookout
- Trevallyn Dam
- Cataract Gorge Reserve
Gardens and Parks
- Cataract Reserve
- City Park
- Brickfields Reserve
Historical Launceston
- John Hart Conservatory
- Lithgow Rotunda
- Jubilee Fountain
- The Albert Hall
- St John's Church
Overnight: Launceston
Day 6 - Cradle Mountain
Photo Credit: Tourism Australia & Graham Freeman
Take a day trip to Cradle Mountain, either self-drive or with a tour company.
If self-driving, make a short stop in Sheffield - The Town of Murals, a small/quirky village where the history of the Cradle Mountain region is depicted in artworks across the buildings in town. Further east is the Mole Creek caves: Marakoopa and King Solomon caves, which have regular guided tours through impressive ‘cathedrals,’ passed underground rivers and underneath glow worms!
Arrive at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park; Ancient rainforests, alpine heaths, and the iconic Cradle Mountain. Part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the park is one of the state's most special places. The Park also provides a rich habitat for wildlife, including Tasmanian devils, quolls, and platypus. Dramatic Cradle Mountain is the rugged jewel of the park and can be seen from Dove Lake on a day visit.
Spend your time exploring the beautiful national park. With a number of different walking tracks ranging from
10 minutes to 8 hours, there is something for everyone; including a wheelchair friendly boardwalk.
- Enchanted Walk (20-minute circuit, 1.1km, grade 2)
- Crater Lake (2-hour circuit, 5.7km, grade 3)
- Dove Lake (2–3-hour circuit, 6km, grade 3)
- Cradle Summit (8 hours return, 12.8km, grade 5)
Alternatively, join a Dove Lake Kayak tour with Cradle Mountain Canyons. The view of Cradle Mountain with Dove Lake in the foreground is one of the most famous vistas in the Australian wilderness. This tour gives you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in that vista.
Make sure to visit the Tasmanian Devils at Devils @ Cradle on their day feeding or after dark feeding tours (overnight visitors).
Overnight: Launceston
Day 7 - Launceston to Hobart
Start your drive back to Hobart. On the way, stop in historic Ross town. A short diversion is well worth the hassle to see the Ross sandstone buildings in this sleepy hamlet. If you’ve been to England then you’ll be reminded of towns like Cotswolds and Oxfordshire during a stroll through Ross. Without the corruption of modern tourism, Ross has remained an English settlement through and through. And with locally quarried warm Ross sandstone, the buildings in this midway town are inviting and beautiful.
A simple stroll down Church Street reveals 22 of Ross’s 44 historic buildings. Start at Wesley Church at the top of Church Street. From there, you can experience most of Ross’s charm by walking up and down each side of the street. Each building has its own charm and history.
The former Ross Female Factory makes for an interesting visit. Ross was built with convict labour, but most of the labour was carried out by men. The female factory is where female convicts worked for aristocrats as makers. And, of course, they were not compensated. The Ross Bridge is the third oldest in Australia. It’s incredibly intricate and beautiful and is definitely worth a visit. Walk up close to see 186 different carvings made by the same number of convict masons. The men who built the bridge did such a good job that they were granted their freedom. Walk from the top of Church Street down 3 blocks through old elms and over cobblestone paths to see the beautifully warm Ross sandstone buildings.
As you head back to Hobart, don’t miss a stop at the charming town of Oatlands (just 30 minutes from Ross) which has the largest collection Georgian sandstone buildings (approximately a 150 of them) in Australia. Located in Oatlands, is the Callington Mill Distillery where you can make your own whiskey, go on a guided or self-guided tour of this world class distillery who have sustainability practices built into their site, sourcing and more.
Overnight: Hobart
Additional tips
Transport: Rent a hybrid or electric vehicle if available or use public transport where possible.
Waste Management: Carry reusable water bottles, bags, and containers to reduce waste.
Respect Nature: Stick to marked trails, avoid disturbing wildlife, and take your trash with you. Follow Leave No Trace principles to minimize your impact
Local Guides: Opt for local, environmentally conscious guides who prioritise conservation and education.
Self-education: Learn about the local ecology, Indigenous culture, and conservation efforts to better appreciate the area and make informed choices.
Participate in Local Conservation Projects: Consider volunteering with local conservation groups or participating in tree-planting events to give back to the environment.
Enjoy Tasmania responsibly leaving nothing but footprints in the sand and taking lifelong memories back home with you!
Remember: “Rest. Revive. Survive the drive” And kindly note: Our National Parks do occur an entry fee.
Note
We haven’t included accommodation in this itinerary, however here at the Information Centre we are more than just a good resource for information, we are a licenced Travel Agency who don’t charge booking fees!
We are able to help with recommending and booking accommodation, tours and some entry tickets including National Park Passes; this will ease the stress of holiday planning. If you are traveling from the Australian mainland in your own car, we can certainly assist booking the Spirit of Tasmania for you too.
We book all styles of accommodation. Choose to treat yourself at Saffire Freycinet, or ask us about backpackers and campsites, and of course we help with accommodation in the middle. To get the most accurate quote we would need to know your travel dates, style of accommodation you prefer, how many guests (please include children’s ages if applicable), and bedding configuration.
Why these offerings?
Tasmania has a plethora of fabulous operators who are looking to make a positive impact. The ones listed here are just a sampling of the good work being done across our state. Here is some more information on each of the operators included:
Red Parka: https://redparka.com.au/pages/giving-back
Farm Gate Market: https://farmgatemarket.com.au/faqs/
Hamlet Café: https://www.hamlet.org.au/about-hamlet/our-impact
Blak Led Tours: https://www.blackledtours.com/resources/
Salamanca Market: https://www.salamancamarket.com.au/About-us/Sustainability
Tas Mountain Bike Adventures: Tourism Emissions Reduction Commitment
EV Ride: https://evride.au/why-evride
Drive Car Hire: https://drivecarhire.com.au/tesla/
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: https://www.bonorong.com.au/conservation
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys: https://www.pennicottjourneys.com.au/about/environment
Maria Island Cruises: https://www.eastcoastcruises.com.au/donations.php
Devils@Cradle: https://devilsatcradle.com/conservation-programs/
Tasmania Parks & Wildlife: https://parks.tas.gov.au/be-involved/volunteer
Callington Mill Distillery: https://callingtonmilldistillery.com/