Tasmania: An island like nowhere else

This heart-shaped island at the edge of the world offers a rare blend of wild landscapes, world-renowned food and wine, a rich history and cultural pulse, unique wildlife and plenty of adventures — all without the crowds or queues.

Nearly half the island is protected in national parks, reserves and World Heritage wilderness areas, meaning outdoor adventurers are spoilt for choice. Shred some of Australia’s best mountain biking trails in Derby or Maydena. Hike some of Australia’s best (and best-known) multiday walks through the wild alpine landscapes of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, coastal cliffs of Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula, and ivory beaches of Larapuna / Bay of Fires. Long hikes not for you? Try one of the 60 Great Short Walks, from Dove Lake and Wineglass Bay to accessible Russell Falls.

For those craving relaxation, Tasmania is a breath of fresh air. Literally – the world’s cleanest air is scientifically measured and verified at Kennaook/Cape Grim on the island’s north-west coast. Soak in a floating sauna before a revitalising plunge, forest bathe in ancient rainforest where 1000-year-old trees grow, or sink into an outdoor hot tub as you search the starry skies for the Southern Lights.

Seeking indulgence? Sip award-winning wine (Tasmania’s sparkling is among the best in the world) as you slurp ocean-fresh oysters, abalone or lobster. And why not delve into a gourmet paddock-to-plate dining experience in Launceston? It is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, after all.

The island’s small size compared to other Australian states means that, within a day, you can forage for bushtucker on a Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) tour, meet adorable Tasmanian devils, taste artisanal cheese from the makers and savour worldclass wines or whisky – without the road miles (or food miles). 

Tasmania in summer is when the island truly comes alive, with long sunlit days setting the scene for vibrant festivals, sun-ripened seasonal produce, endless outdoor activities and an easy-going pace of life. 

Hobart and the south

Stay longer and see more. Explore Tasmania’s compact capital, Hobart, and beyond. Here are just a few attractions and experiences to add to your to-do list in southern Tasmania.

Get out on (or in) the water

• Pennicott Wilderness Cruises – hop aboard one of eight signature cruises showcasing the marine wildlife and coastal wilderness of Southern Tasmania, including the tallest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere. 
• Soothe and soak on a floating sauna boat on the southern waterways with Kuuma Nature Sauna or Sauna Boat Tasmania before a revitalising cold plunge.
• Glide the scenic southern waters on a wild Fliteboard ride with eFoil Tas – it’s part surfing, part flying and all thrills.
• Take a half-day Hobart City Paddle tour kayaking past historic Battery Point and into Constitution Dock for fish and chips and the ultimate city view. The more adventurous can join Southern Sea Ventures on a premium multiday sea kayak journey to The Three Capes, Bruny Island or Freycinet Peninsula.

Cultural and heritage highlights

• Head to Hobart provocative playground Mona (Museum of Old and New Art). Australia’s largest private museum is a powerhouse of challenging ideas, contemporary art, rare antiquities and curveball events. Catch the Theo Mercier: Mirrorscape sand sculpture before it ends on 16 Feb.
• Connect with authentic Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) culture on a 90min Palawa Kipli bush-food walk with Palawa guides across culturally significant lands at Risdon Cove in Hobart.
• Peek into the colonial past at one of Tasmania’s five World Heritage-listed convict sites including Hobart’s Cascades Female Factory and evocative Port Arthur Historic Site, Australia’s most intact convict site (90min drive from Hobart)
• A convict-chipped stone’s throw from Hobart is historic gem Richmond, home to Australia's oldest bridge and gaol in a Georgian village, and surrounded by the wineries, cheeses and chocolates of the Coal River Valley. 
• Tasmania’s chilling history comes alive in a sensitive and respectful way with Tasmania’s Most Haunted ghost tours and paranormal investigations in Hobart, and New Norfolk’s Willow Court Asylum, a “Site of Conscience”.

Wildlife and nature

• Part of Tasmania’s charm is spotting its charismatic creatures in the wild, but the surest way to get up close to furry favourites like Tassie devils, quolls, wombats and wallabies is to visit a wildlife sanctuary, like Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, on Hobart’s northern edge.
• Kunanyi / Mount Wellington towers above Hobart, it’s forested flanks riddled with walking tracks and its 1271m summit offering sweeping views across the state’s south. The Kunanyi / Mount Wellington Explorer Bus runs between the city and the summit.
• A scenic 1hr drive north west of Hobart, Mount Field National Park gives you a taste of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Tasmania’s most photographed waterfall (Russell Falls) and some of tallest trees in the country.
• Tahune Adventures takes forest walks to new heights. Walk 30m above the forest floor on the elevated Tahune Airwalk, a 90min drive south of Hobart. If you’re not keen on heights, two swing bridges make for a memorable river crossing.
• Take a day trip or spend several days exploring the natural wonders, wildlife, walks and World Heritage of Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula, a 90min drive from Hobart.

Fine food and brews

• Salamanca Market (every Saturday) has been a Hobart tradition for more than 50 years, featuring local artisans and handmade goods outside a historic row of 19th-century sandstone warehouses.
• Find seasonal fresh produce direct from the makers at Farm Gate Market aka “Farmy”, which takes over Bathurst Street in Hobart every Sunday.
• From handcrafted brews in historic pubs to indulgent restaurant dinners with the best seasonal produce Tassie has to offer, see where to eat in Hobart and where to drink in Hobart?
• Tuck into ocean-fresh seafood on Hobart’s historic waterfront. Or, or enjoy a full-day Tasmanian Seafood Seduction cruise from Hobart to Bruny Island, where the seafood goes straight from the water to the barbecue to your plate.
• Long lunch at the internationally acclaimed Agrarian Kitchen in New Norfolk – pioneers award-winning paddock-to-plate dining. Or grab a snack from the kiosk.
• Tour the outstanding wineries of the Derwent, Coal River and Huon Valley. Drop into Willie Smith's Apple Shed for cider and experience pick-your-own berry farms and roadside stalls amongst the orchards of the Huon. This is the apple isle, after all.
• Taste a tipple at one of Tasmania’s many award-winning distilleries and breweries, including Australia’s longest operating brewery, Cascade, and the island’s original post-prohibition distillery, Lark Distillery.
• Whether you come for Bruny Island’s dramatic natural beauty or its gourmet produce, including oysters, honey, chocolate and artisanal cheese, the 30min drive plus 20min ferry crossing is well worth it.

Explore the island

From beautiful coastal drives to the western wilds, foodie-themed routes, winery and whisky circuits, Tasmanian road trips come in all shapes and sizes. 

Southern Edge Drive – Journey from Hobart to the edge of a nation. Cockle Creek is literally the southernmost point you can drive to in Australia – next stop Antarctica.

East Coast – Savour white-sandy beaches and turquoise oceanic vistas at Larapuna / Bay of Fires, spot wildlife on Maria Island, or bathe in Freycinet National Park's picture-perfect Wineglass Bay. Fresh seafood and wine aplenty complement the stunning coastal scenery.

Launceston and The North – Tasmania's second-largest city is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy with heritage charm. Explore rugged bike trails in Derby, lavender farms at Bridestowe, and worldclass golf at Barnbougle Dunes.

West Coast and North West – Discover brooding beaches, dense rainforests and age-old mountains. Visit Cradle Mountain's alpine wilds, whitewater raft the Franklin River and breathe the world's cleanest air at Kennaook / Cape Grim. Gordon River cruises from Strahan showcase pristine

February 2026 events and festivals

Hobart and surrounds

If the hockey has you hooked on pro-athlete action, why not top or tail your Tassie trip with these drawcard sports events:

• Red Bull Hardline (8–9 February): Worldclass mountain biking action comes to Maydena, in the Derwent Valley.
• Women's ODI Cricket Series vs. India (27 February): If you’re International cricket at Hobart's harbourside Bellerive Oval.

If tastings and tunes are more your thing, try these events:

• Tasmanian Wine Festival (8–9 February): Let fine wines flow and good times roll at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in Hobart.
• Clarence Jazz Festival (19–20 February): Tasmania's longest-running and largest jazz festival celebrates its 30th anniversary on Hobart's eastern shore. Expect bold programs brimming with beats, big names and breakthrough artists.
• Variety of Gins (20 February): Join a craft gin tasting at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens to meet the distillers over cocktails and canapes to a soundtrack of live music.

Around the island

• Live tunes, local flavours and laidback vibes fill the weekend at Festival of King Island (13–14 February).
• Find big-wheeled wacky races in Evandale, near Launceston, at the National Penny Farthing Championships (21 February)
• North of Launceston, Dalrymple Unearthed (21 February) is your peak summer wine experience in Piper's River featuring tastings, masterclasses and long lunches in Australia’s premier sparkling wine region.
• Spoke Motorcycle Festival (27 February–1 March) is an east-coast celebration of motorcycle culture.
• Stick around to find your groove at Good Gumnuts Festival (6–8 March) in the north west.

Practical Information

Getting to Tasmania is part of the adventure. Discover how to get around Tasmania with ease — from ferry rides and scenic coach tours to leisurely cycling and self-drive car or motorbike adventures, but allow plenty of time to drive between destinations. 

Download the Discover Tasmania app, your personalised Tasmanian travel guide. The app has all the info you need for a top Tasmanian holiday – great things to eat, drink, see and do, plus real-time tips and updates tailored to your location. You won’t miss a thing.

For more information, visit discovertasmania.com.au