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Cradle Mountain glowing orange at sunrise above the Dove Lake boatshed, its peaks mirrored in the still lake

Tasmania · Gateway HBA

42.15° S, 146.59° E

Freycinet. February. A kayak, then oysters at the farm gate.

When to go

TASMANIA

Tasmania

An island a little smaller than Ireland, with a large part of it in national parks. We plan Tasmania in summer around one walk and one table: a multi-day hut walk on the east coast or Maria Island, and the restaurants of Hobart. Then Cradle Mountain for two nights, early mornings on Dove Lake, and wombats on the lawn.

Right season
Dec to Mar
Nights we'd give it
5 to 8
Fly into
Hobart (HBA)
From Sydney, approx.
1h 45 in the air · 1,040 km

Hobart in the south, Launceston (LST) in the north. The island is small enough to drive: Hobart to Freycinet is about two and a half hours.

Month by month

When to go

Compare every region
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec
  • The right season
  • Good
  • Possible, with trade-offs
  • Out of season
  • This month

Dec to Mar

Summer. Long days, warm enough to swim at Freycinet, the hut walks open. The right season.

Apr and Oct to Nov

Shoulder months. Autumn colour in April; spring flowers and lambs in November.

May to Sep

Cold, short days, snow on Cradle Mountain. Good for food, fires and the chance of an aurora.

The white curve of Wineglass Bay and its turquoise water below the granite peaks of the Hazards, Freycinet National Park
Granite boulders splashed with orange lichen along the Bay of Fires shoreline under a soft pink and grey sky
Red and blue fishing boats moored on calm water at the Hobart waterfront in evening light

What we'd do

What we'd do

  • wukalina Walk

    A four-day walk to larapuna, the Bay of Fires, guided by palawa people.

  • Freycinet by kayak

    Coles Bay at dawn, then Wineglass Bay from the saddle.

  • Maria Island

    Convict ruins, Painted Cliffs and wombats grazing in daylight.

  • Cradle Mountain

    Dove Lake circuit at first light, two nights in the national park.

  • Hobart, slowly

    Salamanca on Saturday, MONA by ferry, dinner booked weeks out.

  • Bruny Island

    Oysters, cheese and the cliffs of the south coast by boat.

Cradle Mountain glowing orange at sunrise above the Dove Lake boatshed, its peaks mirrored in the still lake
The white curve of Wineglass Bay and its turquoise water below the granite peaks of the Hazards, Freycinet National Park
Granite boulders splashed with orange lichen along the Bay of Fires shoreline under a soft pink and grey sky
Red and blue fishing boats moored on calm water at the Hobart waterfront in evening light

Whose Country

Whose Country

palawa people, the Aboriginal people of Tasmania

larapuna (the Bay of Fires) and wukalina (Mount William) were returned to Aboriginal ownership. palawa kani names are increasingly used alongside English ones.

Aboriginal-owned and -led operators we'd book

  • wukalina WalkFour-day guided walk to larapuna, the Bay of Firespalawa-owned and run

Ownership details are being confirmed with each operator.

Visiting respectfully

Middens along the coast are cultural sites: walk around them and leave every shell where it lies.

Country, region by region

Where to stay

Stays in Tasmania

All stays

The kind of place we book here. Your proposal names each property.

Granite boulders splashed with orange lichen along the Bay of Fires shoreline under a soft pink and grey sky

Tasmania · Walking huts

Huts on a coastal walk

Architect-built huts on a multi-day coastal walk.

Photo: the area, not the property · Price on enquiry

Sample journeys

Journeys through Tasmania

All journeys
The white curve of Wineglass Bay and its turquoise water below the granite peaks of the Hazards, Freycinet National Park

10 to 12 nights · November to April

The southern edge

Food, cold water and long summer light.

  1. 2 nightsMelbourneLaneways, galleries, a long lunch.
  2. 2 nightsThe Great Ocean RoadLorne, the Otways, the Twelve Apostles at dusk.
  3. 3 nightsHobartFly from Melbourne. MONA by ferry, Bruny Island by boat.
  4. 2 nightsFreycinetKayak at dawn, Wineglass Bay from the saddle, oysters.
  5. 2 nightsCradle MountainDove Lake at first light, wombats on the lawn.

One flight. In Tasmania you drive; the distances are short.

Great Ocean Road · Tasmania

Ask about this journey

Questions

Before you go

How many nights does Tasmania need?

Five at least. Eight lets you add a hut walk without rushing.

Do we need a park pass?

Yes, a Tasmanian parks pass for vehicles and visitors. We include it.

Can we see the aurora?

Sometimes, from the south coast on clear winter nights. It's never guaranteed.

Next region OCEAN ROAD Limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles rising from white surf beside towering golden cliffs under a moody sky
Late-afternoon light turns a line of red sandstone ranges deep orange behind a lone dark-leaved desert tree and golden spinifex near Kings Canyon

Start with the month

Tell us when.
We'll tell you where.

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Get in touch

outbackandreef@tourground.com Plan your journey

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Sydney time
Work Club, Barrack Place, 151 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia