Tour Tasmania Self Drive
Our self-driving tour of Tasmania will take you through the beautiful landscapes of this heart shaped island, which is located...
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Self drive holidays
Holidays in Tasmania enable you to explore Australia’s great wilderness. This magical island is just a short flight or ferry trip from the mainland, but you might as well be entering another world. Here you’ll find beautiful national parks, extraordinary beaches and cosmopolitan cities a relatively short drive from one another.
Start your trip in the state capital of Hobart. This lovely old colonial town is a food and arts hotspot, drawing talent away from Melbourne just across the water. It boasts one of the world’s best galleries in MONA, which hosts a rich programme of cultural festivals throughout the year.
Foodies will delight in Salamanca Market, where talented chefs vie for your attention. You can also visit the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, where you’ll come face to face with the island’s symbol – the legendary Tasmanian Devil.
Tasmania holidays: Australia’s wild island state
Tasmania excels in national parks, making it a great choice for a self-driving holiday. Freycinet National Park, on the eastern coast, is the best known. This is a landscape of pink granite peaks, lush greenery and electric blue seas. The impossibly perfect Wine Glass Bay is the jewel in its crown.
Up in the central highlands you’ll find Cradle Mountain, which offers rugged walking routes and remarkable views. Above Hobart looms Mount Wellington, posing an irresistible challenge to climbers. Round your day off with a trip to the Bay of Fires, where the red and orange rocks capture the setting sun perfectly.
Port Arthur, a former British penal colony, is perfect for a fascinating day trip. It’s a mysterious, long-abandoned place that provides a sobering insight into the harshness of life in 18th and 19th century Australia.
Stunning Bruny Island is another must-visit destination, although it's actually two islands, connected by a sandy isthmus, and boasts some seriously dramatic landscapes.
Great sample itineraries
Tasmania has a wild, outdoorsy spirit. Get inspired by our selection of popular itineraries for Tasmania holiday packages.
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Explore Tasmania
Visit Tasmania’s capital city
Hobart is a cosmopolitan port city which is steeped in history. From the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens to outstanding restaurants and bars along the waterfront, Hobart blends an urban buzz with natural landscapes.
Tour the Grand Circle
The incredible scenery of Tasmania is best discovered on a self drive tour. As one of the globe’s last remaining untouched wildernesses, a self drive tour allows you to get up close and personal with Tasmania’s beautiful natural landscapes.
Port Arthur
If you’re interested in Tasmania’s history, the penal colony of Port Arthur offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. Be sure to take part in the Port Arthur ghost tour, where you may encounter one of the site’s past inhabitants.
Scale Mount Wellington
Standing tall above Hobart, Mount Wellington is a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers. Offering spectacular views across the city and beyond, visitors can take in the views from the observation deck, which is situated on top of the nature reserve.
Visit Cradle Mountain
Located in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Cradle Mountain is one of the most popular tourist sites in Tasmania due to its breath taking views. The six and a half hour return hike is ideal for seasoned walkers.
MONA museum
The MONA museum (Museum of Old and New Art) is located in the heart of Hobart and is the ideal place to soak in Tasmanian culture. The museum showcases a vast array of exhibitions, from modern sculptures to ancient pieces.
Best time to visit Tasmania
Tasmania has a temperate climate. Winters are wet and mild, while summers are warm and dry. Temperatures average 20°C in the summer months – making a Tasmanian Christmas holiday on the beach a great idea.
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“The hiking in Tasmania is as good as it gets. Take your pick of trails. We’d recommend Cradle Mountain, the Overland track and the Wukalina Walk for starters.”
“Bridestowe Lavender Farm comes alive in the summer months. Visit the farm and take in the purple fields and magical smell. If you’re visiting Tasmania in October, head to Table Cape Tulip Farm where you’ll see rows of these beautiful, colourful flowers. The volcanic soil on the island is so fertile, Tasmania even exports bulbs to The Netherlands.”
Events & Festivals
Festivals and events are wonderful to include during your Tasmania holiday, offering a glimpse into the country’s authentic culture and traditions.
Agfest
Tasmania is a farming state and Agfest, held in May, is its largest annual festival. Expect sheepdog trials, dairy expos and produce markets.
Australian Wooden Boat Festival
The biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival is held in Hobart in February and features timber boats of all shapes and sizes.
MONA FOMA
Art gallery MONA hosts two major festivals in Hobart. MONA FOMA, known as MOFO and hosted in January, is the summer edition and features performances from major names in the contemporary avant-garde.
Dark Mofo
Dark Mofo is the winter edition of the MONA FOMA and takes place in June. Like the summer offering it has a packed programme of installations, performance and music but with a darkly anarchic edge.
Hobart
Tasmania Australia
Wineglass Bay, Tasmania
Hobart
a group of people on a beach near a body of water
a large waterfall over a body of water
a body of water
a bird sitting on a rock next to a body of water
dolphins
a body of water with a mountain in the background
a body of water with a mountain in the background
Our Tasmania destinations
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