Australia's Island of Inspiration
Tasmania is Australia's wild heart — a compact island state where ancient rainforests, dramatic coastlines and convict-era ruins sit alongside world-class restaurants, boundary-pushing art at MONA, and some of the cleanest air on the planet.
From the mirror-still reflections of Cradle Mountain's Dove Lake to the perfect crescent of Wineglass Bay, from the haunting ruins of Port Arthur to Bruny Island's wild southern tip, Tasmania packs extraordinary diversity into a remarkably accessible space. You can be hiking through wilderness in the morning and sampling award-winning Pinot Noir by afternoon.
Cooee Tours has been guiding visitors through Tasmania's best experiences since 1994, with small-group tours that go beyond the tourist trail. Our expert local guides share the stories, the hidden spots, and the genuine passion that turn a good trip into an unforgettable one.
Local Expertise
Best Time to Visit Tasmania
Tasmania's temperate maritime climate is milder than most expect. Each season brings distinct character — from endless summer twilight to dramatic winter snowfalls on kunanyi/Mount Wellington.
Long daylight hours (until 9pm), peak hiking weather, lavender in bloom at Bridestowe. Busiest season — book well ahead for accommodation and tours.
Turning fagus (deciduous beech) in the highlands, quieter trails, harvest season, mushroom foraging. Stunning golden light for photography. Fewer crowds.
Snow on kunanyi and Cradle Mountain. Dark Mofo festival in Hobart (June). Truffle season, cosy fireside dining, dramatic landscapes. Great value.
Wildflowers across the highlands, baby wildlife emerging, tulips at Table Cape. Warming up with excellent shoulder-season value and fewer visitors.
Tasmania's Diverse Landscapes
From Hobart's waterfront to ancient wilderness, Tasmania packs extraordinary variety into an island you can drive across in three hours.
Hobart & Surrounds
Salamanca Market, MONA, kunanyi/Mt Wellington summit, Battery Point heritage, waterfront dining, whisky distilleries and Bruny Island day trips.
Explore Hobart tours →Cradle Mountain & West
Dove Lake circuit, ancient rainforest walks, Gordon River cruises from Strahan, Queenstown's lunar landscape and the wild west coast.
Explore Cradle Mountain →Freycinet & East Coast
Wineglass Bay, Bay of Fires' orange lichen boulders, Bicheno penguin tours, Freycinet Marine Farm oysters and coastal hiking trails.
Explore Freycinet →Tasman Peninsula & Port Arthur
Australia's most significant convict site, Three Capes Track, Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen, sea cliffs and the Remarkable Cave.
Explore Port Arthur →🍷 Tamar Valley & Launceston
Cool-climate Pinot Noir and sparkling wines, Cataract Gorge, heritage architecture and the creative food scene of Tasmania's second city.
🐧 Bruny Island
Wildlife paradise an hour from Hobart. Little penguins, white wallabies, The Neck lookout, artisan cheese, oysters and wild southern coastline.
🌲 Southwest Wilderness
Tasmania's most remote corner — World Heritage rainforest, button grass plains, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers and the ancient Huon pines.
Unique Wildlife Found Nowhere Else
Tasmania is a wildlife sanctuary — home to species found nowhere else on earth, with encounters possible in the wild and at dedicated conservation parks.
Tasmanian Devils
See the world's largest surviving carnivorous marsupial at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary or Devils@Cradle. Feeding tours at dusk are unforgettable.
Book wildlife tour →Penguins, Seals & Platypus
Little penguins at Bicheno and Bruny Island, fur seals along the east coast, and platypus at Latrobe and Cradle Mountain's creeks.
Book wildlife tour →🦘 Wombats & Pademelons
Common wombats roam freely at Cradle Mountain — often spotted grazing at dusk. Pademelons (small wallabies) appear on lodge lawns after dark.
🦅 Wedge-tailed Eagles
The Tasmanian subspecies is Australia's largest bird of prey. Commonly seen soaring above Freycinet and the Tasman Peninsula.
🌳 Ancient Flora
Huon pines (living 3,000+ years), King Billy pines, pandani palms and ancient Gondwanan ferns — forests unchanged for millennia.
Browse Every Tasmania Tour
Eight curated ways to experience Tasmania — from day trips to multi-day wilderness adventures, all with small groups and expert local guides.
Cradle Mountain Wilderness Experience
Full-day or multi-day adventure featuring Dove Lake circuit, rainforest boardwalks, wombat spotting and optional summit hike. Includes Overland Track gateway.
Port Arthur & Tasman Peninsula
Convict heritage site, Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen, sea cliffs and optional ghost tour by lantern light.
Freycinet & Wineglass Bay
Wineglass Bay lookout hike, fresh oysters, Bay of Fires, Bicheno penguin tour and east coast beaches.
Bruny Island Food & Wildlife
Artisan cheese, fresh oysters, white wallabies, The Neck lookout, lighthouse and eco-cruise.
Hobart Highlights & MONA
Salamanca, Battery Point, kunanyi summit, MONA ferry, waterfront dining and whisky distillery visits.
Tamar Valley Wine & Food Trail
Cool-climate Pinot Noir and sparkling wine tastings, Cataract Gorge, artisan cheese and chocolate, cellar-door lunches in the Tamar Valley and Pipers River regions.
Tasmanian Wildlife Encounters
Devils, wombats, penguins, platypus and pademelons — at sanctuaries and in the wild.
5-Day Tasmania Highlights
Hobart, Port Arthur, Freycinet, Cradle Mountain and Launceston — the ultimate Tassie circuit.
Make the Most of Your Time
🕐 One Day — Hobart Highlights
Morning: Salamanca Market (Saturday) or Battery Point walk → kunanyi/Mt Wellington summit for panoramic views → descend through fern gullies.
Afternoon: MONA ferry along the Derwent → explore the museum → waterfront dinner at Constitution Dock.
🌊 2–3 Days — Hobart + Tasman Peninsula
Day 1: Hobart city — Salamanca, MONA, kunanyi summit, waterfront dining.
Day 2: Port Arthur Historic Site, Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen, Remarkable Cave. Optional ghost tour at night.
Day 3: Bruny Island day trip — artisan cheese, fresh oysters, The Neck lookout, penguin tour at dusk.
📅 5 Days — The Classic Tasmania Circuit
Day 1: Arrive Hobart — Salamanca, Battery Point, waterfront.
Day 2: Port Arthur Historic Site and Tasman Peninsula.
Day 3: Drive east coast to Freycinet — Wineglass Bay hike, oysters at the marine farm.
Day 4: Bay of Fires, then across to Cradle Mountain via Launceston.
Day 5: Cradle Mountain Dove Lake circuit, rainforest walks, wombat spotting.
🗓 7–10 Days — Complete Tasmania
Days 1–2: Hobart — MONA, Salamanca, kunanyi, whisky distilleries.
Day 3: Port Arthur and Tasman Peninsula.
Day 4: Bruny Island food and wildlife.
Days 5–6: East coast — Freycinet, Wineglass Bay, Bay of Fires, Bicheno penguins.
Day 7: Launceston — Cataract Gorge, Tamar Valley wineries.
Days 8–9: Cradle Mountain wilderness, wombats and rainforest.
Day 10: West coast — Strahan, Gordon River cruise, Queenstown.
Getting There & Around
Tasmania is compact but distances between regions involve winding roads through beautiful scenery — allow more time than GPS suggests.
✈️ Flying In
Direct flights from Melbourne (1hr), Sydney (1.5hrs), Brisbane (2.5hrs) and other capitals to Hobart (HBA) and Launceston (LST). Budget airlines offer competitive fares.
⛴ Spirit of Tasmania
Overnight ferry from Melbourne (Geelong) to Devonport — bring your car. Sails nightly, 9–11 hour crossing. A great option if you want your own vehicle.
🚗 Self-Driving
Hobart to Launceston: 2.5hrs. Hobart to Cradle Mountain: 3.5hrs. Hobart to Freycinet: 2.5hrs. Roads are scenic but winding — watch for wildlife at dusk.
🚐 Guided Tours
The stress-free way to see Tasmania — hotel pickup, expert commentary, hidden spots you'd miss solo. Cooee Tours offers day trips and multi-day packages from Hobart and Launceston.
🏨 Where to Base
Hobart for southern Tassie (Port Arthur, Bruny, Huon Valley). Launceston for northern regions (Cradle Mountain, Tamar Valley, Bay of Fires).
📶 Good to Know
Mobile coverage is patchy outside towns — download offline maps. Tasmania uses metric. Tap water is pristine everywhere. Pack layers — weather changes fast.
Your Questions, Answered
How many days do I need in Tasmania?
3–4 days covers Hobart plus one major region (Port Arthur or Freycinet). 5–7 days is ideal for the classic circuit: Hobart, Port Arthur, east coast and Cradle Mountain. 10+ days lets you add the west coast, Bruny Island and wine regions without rushing. Even a long weekend based in Hobart is worthwhile.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Summer (Dec–Feb) offers the best weather for hiking and longest days. Autumn (Mar–May) brings stunning colours and fewer crowds. Winter has Dark Mofo, snow, truffles and great value. Spring delivers wildflowers and shoulder-season prices. Tasmania is genuinely good year-round — each season has its own character.
Do I need a car, or can I use tours?
A car gives maximum flexibility, especially for the east coast. However, guided tours are an excellent alternative — our small-group tours include hotel pickup, expert commentary and access to experiences you'd struggle to arrange independently. Many visitors combine self-driving with a few guided days for highlights like Cradle Mountain or Port Arthur.
Is Tasmania good for families?
Exceptional. Wildlife encounters (devils, penguins, wombats), beaches, short walks suited to all ages, chocolate factories, mazes (Tazmazia), and interactive heritage sites like Port Arthur. Most of our tours welcome children aged 5+ with discounted pricing.
What should I pack for Tasmania?
Layers are essential — Tasmania's weather can change several times in a day. Bring a waterproof jacket, warm fleece, walking shoes, sunscreen (the UV can be strong even when cool), a hat and sunglasses. In winter, add thermals and a beanie. Even in summer, pack a warm layer for evenings.
How does the Spirit of Tasmania ferry work?
The Spirit of Tasmania sails nightly between Melbourne (Geelong) and Devonport. The crossing takes 9–11 hours overnight. You can bring your vehicle and book a cabin or recliner seat. Book well ahead in peak season (Dec–Feb). It's a great way to start your trip with your own car.
What food and drink is Tasmania known for?
Tasmania punches well above its weight: cool-climate wines (Pinot Noir, sparkling), award-winning whisky (Sullivan's Cove), artisan cheese (Bruny Island Cheese Co), Freycinet oysters, Pacific salmon, truffles (winter), honey, craft beer and cider. The food scene in Hobart rivals cities ten times its size.
Stories from Our Travellers
4.8 out of 5 across 2,280+ verified reviews.
Cradle Mountain was breathtaking — our guide knew every hidden waterfall and spotted wombats we would have walked right past. The Dove Lake circuit in morning mist was magical.
Port Arthur was so much more than we expected. The history, the gardens, the harbour — and the ghost tour at night was genuinely spine-tingling. An absolute must.
The Bruny Island food tour was a highlight of our entire Australia trip. Fresh oysters, incredible cheese, and that view from The Neck — just perfect. Small group made it feel very personal.
We came for Wineglass Bay and ended up falling in love with the whole east coast. Bay of Fires was the surprise star — those orange rocks against turquoise water are unreal.
The 5-day circuit covered everything. Our guide's knowledge of the history, wildlife and local food scene was extraordinary. Worth every cent for the seamless logistics alone.
Taking my kids to see Tasmanian devils up close was unforgettable. Then we watched penguins come ashore at Bicheno as the sun set. Tasmania is a family dream.