Hello explorers! My fascination with Tasmania began with a casual travel conversation in which an experienced backpacker shared his unforgettable experiences on the island.
The unique landscape, rich culture and mouth-watering cuisine immediately captivated me. From that moment on, I was hooked – this little paradise just south of the Australian mainland became my dream destination.
After months of research and planning, I’m happy to share my ultimate Tasmania travel guide to help you embark on an unforgettable adventure!
Getting to Tasmania: the journey begins
A scenic ferry ride
I was curious about what the ferry ride from Melbourne to Tasmania is like and how long it takes.
After some research, I found out that the Spirit of Tasmania makes about seven crossings from Melbourne to Devonport each week, and the journey takes about 10 hours and 30 minutes. With a bit of luck, you can even see playful dolphins jumping alongside the ship – an absolutely amazing sight!
Although ferry tickets are more expensive than plane tickets, if you plan to travel for more than 10 days and want to bring your own car (to save on car rental fees), then the ferry is a good choice. However, for shorter trips, flying and renting a car is more cost-effective.
One of my friends drove on the ferry and praised the view of the sunrise and sunset on the deck, with the sea breeze blowing through his hair.
Spirit of Tasmania cabin options:
- Deluxe Cabin (from $499*) – features a double bed, en-suite bathroom, TV, two windows and a seating area.
- Twin Cabin (from $199*) – features two single beds, en-suite bathroom and porthole.
- Quadruple room (from $199*) – with two bunk beds, en suite bathroom and porthole – ideal for groups.
Short flights
Melbourne is the closest mainland city to Tasmania, with 1-hour flights to Hobart and Launceston. Major airlines such as Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar offer direct flights. Once, I overheard other travellers at the airport talking about how flying saved them time and gave them more room to adventure.
Airline highlights:
- Virgin Australia – full-service flights from major cities, known for its hospitality.
- Jetstar – affordable and with regular flights to Hobart and Launceston.
- Rex (Regional Express) – best for smaller regional airports like Burnie and Devonport.
The charm of Tasmania
Nature, culture and food
Tasmania is a treasure trove of stunning landscapes, a rich cultural heritage and world-class food and wine. A local blogger I follow regularly shares many photos of powder-white beaches as soft as powder and crystal-clear waters that look like scenes from a fairy tale.
When it comes to food, fresh cider, artisan cheeses, fine wines and oysters – every bite is a taste of Tasmania’s pure, unspoiled goodness. Add to that some of the world’s cleanest air, amazing wildlife and a rich history, and you have a must-visit destination.
Best time to visit
Summer (December to February) is the ideal season to visit Tasmania – warm and dry, perfect for coastal adventures. Average temperatures range from 20 to 24°C, with inland valleys often exceeding 25°C. A colleague who visited Tasmania last summer raved about the beach swimming, campfire nights and cheap, juicy local fruit.
Must-visit attractions
Tasmania has many must-visit attractions:
- Cradle Mountain (rating: 4.8★, 1306 reviews) – hiking here is like stepping out of a postcard, and you can also see rare wildlife.
- Cascade Brewery (4.5★, 2284 reviews) – a paradise for beer lovers.
- Port Arthur Historic Site (4.7★, 1631 reviews) – an unforgettable prison from the convict era.
- Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens (4.6★, 2809 reviews) – a floral wonderland.
- MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) (4.1★, 6857 reviews) – avant-garde, thought-provoking exhibitions.
- Devils@Cradle (4.7★, 1126 reviews) – meet Tasmania’s iconic (and endangered) animal, the Tasmanian devil.
- Dove Lake Circuit (4.7★, 2137 reviews) – a stunning lakeside walk.
- Mona Ferry (4.6★, 1294 reviews) – a scenic museum tour.
Other beautiful towns worth visiting include Coles Bay, Strahan, Hobart, Richmond, Launceston and Evandale. Hobart’s vibrant street art – colourful murals and quirky sculptures – gives it an artistic and bohemian vibe.
To sum up
Australia is not cheap, but Tasmania is more affordable than the mainland. A 14-day trip will allow you to fully appreciate the wonders of Tasmania – wildlife, history and scenery – without rushing. A friend did a two-week road trip and said there were new surprises at every turn.
Don’t have a car? No worries! Tasmania has public buses, private shuttles and guided tours (from day trips to multi-day tours). A solo traveller I know really enjoyed her small group bus tour – she explored and made friends in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
Tasmania is part of Australia, so all foreign visitors need to have a valid passport and visa (regardless of length of stay or purpose). A friend almost missed her trip due to a delayed visa – so apply early!
Recommended driving route
This is an epic 1,250-kilometre, 17-hour loop that starts and ends in Hobart and counter-clockwise takes in the diverse beauty of Tasmania. Highlights include
- Wineglass Bay – a crescent-shaped pristine beach.
- Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park – alpine wilderness.
- Port Arthur Historic Site – learn about convict history.
- Coonawarra/Mount Wellington – panoramic views of Hobart.