Tasmania's Treasures Tour

Welcome to Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania and the perfect base for exploring many of Tasmania's highlights. The second-oldest capital city in Australia, Hobart is rich in history yet surrounded by beaches, bushland and mountains. Explore the galleries, theatres and restaurants along Salamanca Place and the unmissable Salamanca Market on Saturdays, or take a ferry up the river to visit the MONA for an out-of-this-world modern art experience.

On arrival, you will be met by a private driver outside baggage carousel and delivered to your Hobart accommodation.

Choose a car to best suit your needs from our fantastic rental car range or ask our team for a suggestion. From compact economy to prestige SUVs. First time driving in Australia? Check out this helpful guide.

Mona, the Museum of Old and New Art, is Australia’s largest privately-owned gallery and museum. Showcasing the diverse collection of its owner, Tasmanian gambler and maths nerd David Walsh, Mona exhibits everything from ancient Egyptian funerary objects and modernist masterpieces to a word waterfall and a machine that mimics the human digestive system. The Mona site—perched on the banks of the River Derwent, not far from Hobart—is also home to the Moorilla Winery, The Source restaurant, a bunch of other bars and restaurants, luxury accommodation pavilions, and
Tasmania’s biggest craft brewery (Moo Brew). The best way to visit is to jump on a Mona Roma fast ferry from Hobart’s city centre—just look for a giant camouflaged catamaran with fibreglass animals for seats.

The Bonorong Night Tour is a group feeding tour with a guide just for your group. Group sizes are kept small to ensure you have plenty of opportunities to interact with the critters. You will enter the animals’ world and experience hand-feeding weird and wonderful creatures like eastern quolls, tawny frogmouths and ringtail possum and of course, feed our Tassie devils some tasty snacks.

Take a Full Day Tour and spend a day on the Tasman Peninsula, incorporating a return guided bus tour from Hobart, an award-winning Wilderness Cruise, morning tea, lunch, and a visit to the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo.

Embarking on a 4-hour journey, head southeast out of Hobart heading towards Strahan. As you wind along the harbor side and through the Derwent Valley you will pass along some of Tasmania’s most popular national parks – a short detour heading left at Westaway you will reach Mount Field, Tasmania's oldest and most diverse national parks. Make sure to visit the Russell Falls - a 3 tiered cascading fall. Carrying on towards Strahan, descend down the coast through to Queenstown a gorgeous old mining town filled with forestry- here you can catch the rail train into the forest! You will then carry on for 45 minutes to reach Strahan, the gateway of the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

Strahan is a small locality next to the UNESCO-protected waters of the Gordon and Franklin Rivers. Enjoy scenic river cruises to catch breathtaking views and learn of the dark history of Strahan along the way. Stahan is a remote, adventurous getaway destination with plenty of short hiking tracks to explore and the 30m tall Henty Sand Dunes located nearby. Taste local produce and the region's best Pinot Noirs or sparkling wine at one of the many eateries around town.

The awarding-winning Gordon River Cruise is a truly immersive experience. Take in the tranquil surrounds of the Gordon River as you glide across the water in 'Whisper Mode'. The dedicated guides and character-based interpretations will take you through the history of this remarkable place, including Macquarie Harbour, Hells Gates, Heritage Landing, and Sarah Island. Cruise past ancient rainforests and admire perfect reflections on the river before walking ashore to see the 2000 year old Huon pine. 

The drive from Strahan to Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania's most beautiful journeys. Turning left at Zeehan, you will reach the famous Spray Tunnel - a 100m abandoned old rail tunnel from the Spray Silver Mine which you can walk through and learn about the history of the mining destination. Carrying on we recommend you take a short detour to the ​​​​​Montezuma Falls- one of Tasmania's highest falls. Further along, you will pass over stunning scenery to reach your destination of Cradle Mountain- a national park famous for the wildlife and the opportunity to spot a Tasmanian Devil.

Cradle Mountain attracts visitors with its breathtaking natural beauty. This diverse landscape has snowy capped mountains, towering cliff faces and deep river gorges, making it the ideal destination to spend relaxing in nature. The Overland Track is a 65 kilometre bushwalk which begins in Cradle Mountain, extending to Lake St. Clair. Hikers will encounter glacial valleys, rainforests, moorlands, meadows and lots of native wildlife throughout the experience, making it one of the popular walks in Australia. For those with limited time in the area, catch the Cradle Mountain shuttle bus from the Visitor Centre car park and walk the short 6 kilometre circuit around Dove Lake.

A world-class wildlife conservation facility at Tasmania’s premier wilderness destination. The spectacular and pristine wilderness of Cradle Mountain is home to the mysterious and secretive Tasmanian Devil.
Devils @ Cradle is a unique Tasmanian conservation sanctuary located at the entrance to the spectacular World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain National Park. Whilst the park concentrates primarily on the Tasmanian devil, the sanctuary is also home to the closely related Spotted-tail and Eastern quolls. Tasmania’s three largest carnivorous marsupials are all now threatened in one way or another in the wild.

You will travel with a professional guide into the iconic Cradle Mountain National Park to Ronny creek to begin exploring the area, weather permitting you will leave the bus with hand-held torches and spotlights and quietly and slowly walk into Mount Kate Hut area to view some animals that have popped out early for their night time feed. You will stroll along the local area boardwalks of the Cradle Valley Walk and perhaps even the Overland Track where there is a good chance to view some wombats amongst other animals. From Waldheim Chalet you will spotlight from the bus along the road and into the forest hoping to spot any elusive animals before returning to your local accommodation.

Depart Cradle Mountain towards the West Coast, along winding roads and plunging cliffs. Arrive first at Guildford, a rural locality with historical shops lining the street before continuing your journey through Hampshire to Burnie. Open all year-round, the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden is 8km outside of the port city of Burnie and offers tranquil nature walks and the opportunity to spot echnidna and platypus. Known for heavy manufacturing, forestry and farming industries, Burnie is a great location to stretch your legs and explore the Art Deco streets and Emu Bay Beachfront. Visit the Little Penguin Observation Centre at dusk, where there is a free interpretive guided experience, where visitors can meet the penguins and learn about their stages of life and conservation work. Follow the Bass Highway to Wynyard where you may like to stop at The Vault Cafe Bar, an old bank converted into a cafe. Continue following the Bass Highway along the stunning coastline before arriving in Stanley.

The town of Stanley is a great tourist attraction and the main fishing port of the northwest coast of Tasmania. Stanley has an oceanic climate that borders closely with the warm summer Mediterranean climate. Stanley is a romantic town sitting on a slender sliver of land jutting out into the Bass Strait on Tasmania's northwest coast. It is remarkable for its incredibly well-preserved colonial buildings and its massive volcanic plug. The plug rises 150 metres out of the water and it dominates the small town skyline. This touristed town is perfect for a romantic getaway, but the name of the volcanic plug belies Stanley's quaintness. Called "The Nut," Stanley's cheeky geological feature is what visitors remember most. Visitors may like to climb The Nut to enjoy 360 views of the township or take the 5-minute chairlift up.

The drive from Stanley to Launceston takes visitors back along the Bass Strait and into the bayside town of Devonport. Nestled on the north coast, between the Mersey River and the Bass Strait, Devonport has a rich maritime history, with learnings of this period, old shipwrecks, and steamers displayed at the Bass Strait Maritime Centre. Ride a bike along the coastal trail to The Bluff, where there are Aboriginal rock carvings and the popular Mersey Bluff Beach. Devonport is the location of The Spirit of Tasmania, a 9-11 hour ferry that connects Geelong in Victoria and the mainland of Tasmania.
Head south out of Devonport, stopping at Reliquaire if time permits, a toy and gift shop in Latrobe which has become quite the tourist attraction. Cheese lovers will relish a stop at Ashgrove Cheese Dairy Door, just outside of Elizabeth Town, where you can taste interesting cheese flavours and watch the production. From here, it's another 40 minutes till you arrive at your next destination of Launceston.

One of Australia's oldest cities, Launceston is one of the best-preserved examples of elegant Colonial and Victorian architecture in Australia, coupled with its century-old parks strung along the banks of the River Tamar. As Tasmania's second largest city, it is also a vibrant hub for food and wine, and one of only two cities in Australia to be named as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery offers a remarkably diverse and constantly evolving collection of art and museum exhibits, while you can get your nature fix just 15 minutes walk out of the city at the 65 million year old Cataract Gorge. It offers beautiful gardens, 5 kilometers of forested river reserve and walking trails, a swimming pool and a delightfully slow retro chairlift ride that offers far-reaching views over the dramatic gorge.

Cruise past historical Kings Wharf, Seaport and Launceston’s delightful riverfront precinct. The highlight of the experience is cruising into Launceston’s spectacular Cataract Gorge, as the skipper engages the Lady Launceston’s unique silent electric drive. View the sheer cliffs from your comfortable seat, appreciate the unobstructed views on the multi award winning 1890s style vessel and enjoy the skippers captivating commentary on the history of this fascinating area.

Today you have time to explore the riverside city of Launceston. Pay a visit to City Park, a place of historical significance, perhaps most known for its Japanese Macaque Monkey Enclosure which sits in the middle of the gardens. The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is Australia's largest regional museum and holds exhibitions covering Tasmania art, history, and natural science. Some collections include Aboriginal art, Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) contributions, and artifacts from the Sydney Cove Shipwreck in 1797. If you haven't had the opportunity, see the peacocks and native wallabies at Cataract Gorge, a stunning patch of wilderness within minutes of the city center. Pass over Kings Bridge and enjoy a quiet stroll around the walking trail before choosing to lounge under an old tree or swim in the icy cool waters.

As you leave Launceston, follow the Trail of the Tin Dragon - a trail of experiences developed between Launceston and St Helens to tell the story of the tin mining boom and bust and the land that Chinese settlers used to call home. Explore the fascinating historic mining village of Derby and stop for lunch at the Pub in the Paddock at Pyengana, one of Tasmania's oldest pubs. When you reach St Helen's, take a side trip up to Binalong Bay to view the spectacular white sand beach, azure water and bright orange lichen-tinged boulders. From here, head south along the east coast towards Bicheno. Here you can hand-feed kangaroos at East Coast Natureworld, and take scenic walks to Rocking Rock and Bicheno Blowhole. Finally, continue further south through the Coles Bay Conservation area, arriving in the coastal township of Coles Bay - gateway to the breathtaking Freycinet National Park.

The town of Coles Bay on the east coast of Tasmania is the perfect base to explore the famous Freycinet National Park. The village sits at the foot of the striking pink granite mountains known as the Hazards, fringed by the stunning national park and the sheltered waters of Great Oyster Bay. Freycinet National Park is home to one of the world's top ten beaches, Wineglass Bay - which is a must-do short walk while you are there. A haven for all things outdoors, Coles Bay is a picture perfect place to jump in a kayak, lounge on a cruise, visit a local producer to sample East Coast oysters, or simply pack a picnic and spend a lazy afternoon on one of the peninsula's incredible beaches.

Cruise the spectacular coastline of Freycinet National Park from Coles Bay to Wineglass Bay. Be enthralled by the stunning granite coastline, including the dramatic pink peaks of the Hazards range.

The world famous Freycinet National Park is a place of wild beauty, occupying most of the Freycinet Peninsula on Tasmania's east coast. The park showcases pink granite peaks, secluded bays, white sand beaches and an abundance of native flora and fauna. Tasmania's most famous beach, Wineglass Bay, forms a perfect white curve bordering azure waters beneath the Hazards mountains - a natural feature of vivid contrasts. At the north-eastern end of the park you will find Cape Tourville lighthouse, an easy track and boardwalk to which will deliver amazing views over the bays and rock formations with opportunities to spot wildlife including sea eagles, whales and dolphins. The cheerily named Friendly Beaches to the north is a stretch of pristine white sand perfect for long walks and dipping into the crystal waters. Easily accessible from the town of Coles Bay, Freycinet is a must-do for all visiting the east coast of Tasmania whether you come to relax or explore.

Follow Coles Bay Road back to the Tasman Highway and head south, through the East Coast Wine Region. This is one of Tasmania’s premier wine-growing regions and is known for its fine cool climate varieties. Cellar doors along the coast offer tastings and wine sales, and east coast restaurants showcase these, as well as handcrafted whiskeys, beers and ciders.
Swansea is home to some of the east coast's more spectacular beaches. Originally established as Waterloo Point in 1820, it is one of Tasmania's oldest towns and is steeped in rich history. Pass through Rocky Hills and Little Swanport on your way to Orford. Once a port for a convict station on nearby Maria Island, it is now a very popular holiday spot for locals, it offers plenty of picturesque swimming beaches that are often connected by beautiful walking tracks. A little further, a stroll along Rheban Beach will allow visitors to enjoy stunning views of Maria Island, a 20 kilometre stretch of land covered with tall eucalypt and woodland.
As you head south towards Port Arthur, consider stopping off at the Tasman Blow Hole and Tasman Arch, unusual geological formations found in the Tasman National Park. Continuing south, you reach the historic village of Port Arthur. Sitting on the Tasman Peninsula, it was a 19th-century penal settlement and is now an open-air museum. Ruins include the huge penitentiary and the remaining shell of the Convict Church, which was built by inmates.

The Isle of the Dead holds the stories of many of the people of Port Arthur – in life and death. Port Arthur’s tiny cemetery island is the final resting place for more than 1000 convicts, military and civil officers, women and children, who were buried here between 1833 and 1877. On the Isle of the Dead tour, you’ll journey to the island aboard the MV Marana, and take a guided walking tour of the island. You’ll hear the personal stories of convicts who were transported here from across the world, the soldiers who gave their lives to guard the prison, the officers, and their families who followed them to the ends of the earth.

Farewelling Port Arthur you will head north along the Arthur Highway back towards Dunalley. After crossing the Denison Canal, head west towards to take the coastal route to Carlton, a great place to stop for a locally roasted takeaway coffee overlooking the many beautiful beaches. Reaching Forcett, you will return to the Arthur Highway and continue onto the Tasman Highway, carried over the Orielton Lagoon by the Sorrel Causeway. After crossing, you may wish to take a detour to Pitt Water Nature Reserve. For those with a keen interest in birdwatching, this internationally recognised wetland is home to a number of Tasmanian birds including oystercatchers, red-capped plovers, and Caspian terns. From here it is a short 20 minute drive along the Tasman Highway, over the River Derwent and into the city of Hobart.

Hobart is Australia's second-oldest state capital, founded in 1804. This city is teeming with inspired art and thriving markets has an exciting and dynamic food scene, and is surrounded by natural beauty. Head to MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) to get your art fix or if you're there on a weekend, head to Salamanca to immerse yourself in the markets, home to more than 300 stalls selling arts, crafts, homewares and produce. The beautiful sandstone warehouses that were once frequented by sailors, whalers, and workmen have morphed into one of the city's most vibrant cultural scenes.
If you fancy a taste of some local beverages, consider heading to one of the local distilleries or breweries. For some of the best views of the city, take a 30 minute drive out to Mount Wellington, which is even more amazing at sunset. With a coffee caravan and Australia's oldest brewery along the way up, it is the perfect activity no matter what the time of day! For those looking for a bit more activity, there are some fantastic walking tracks located below the summit at The Springs.

This experience allows you to enjoy sampling some of Tasmania’s best wine and cheese. Departing Hobart the tour travels east across the Tasman Bridge to the Coal Valley wine region – this is one of the largest wine-growing areas in southern Tasmania.
Visit at least four cellar doors from the following: Pooley Wines, Coal Valley Vineyard, Everyman & His Dog, Frogmore Creek Wines, Craigow Vineyard, Nocton Park Vineyard, Riversdale Estate, and Wobbly Boot Vineyard.

Return your rental vehicle to your designated depot before your next adventure.

Your tour comes to an end today, but if you are itching to explore more amazing sights throughout Australia, we can customise your holiday to include more days or additional destinations. Our trusted travel specialists can book transfers to your onward flight, and even assist in booking these flights for you. Our team can't wait to help you design your ultimate getaway!