What are the 10 best Experiences in Tasmania
Tasmania is unlike anywhere else in Australia. It’s so unique that it’s often completely forgotten from maps of the country!
But we’re firm believers that it should be on every traveller’s bucket list—the island is packed with experiences you simply can't replicate elsewhere.
Whether you're planning your first visit or returning to discover more, we want to encourage you to experience everything our island has to offer. Read on to discover 10 uniquely Tasmanian adventures, all of which deserve a place on your itinerary.
1. Meet Wombats in the Wild at Cradle Mountain
One of Tasmania's most memorable wildlife encounters is seeing a wild wombat grazing against the dramatic backdrop of Cradle Mountain. After years spent operating Cradle Mountain tours and transfers, it’s something we’ve been privileged to experience many times…and it never gets old!
As you explore the park's network of scenic walking trails, these much-loved marsupials can often be spotted grazing on the alpine meadows, together with wallabies, pademelons and echidnas. You don’t have to be hiking the long-distance Overland Track to see them—they are regularly sighted around Ronny Creek and Dove Lake.
The best times to spot wombats at Cradle Mountain are in the early morning or late afternoon, when they emerge to feed on native grasses and herbs.
2. Experience Life as a Convict at Port Arthur
There are various places in Australia where you can learn about the country’s convict history. But for us, there are few destinations more evocative than Port Arthur. Once a notorious penal settlement in Van Diemen's Land, it was here that some of the British Empire's most hardened convicts served their time during the 19th century.
Today, the Port Arthur Historic Site’s well-preserved buildings and haunting ruins offer a unique insight into the harsh reality for those who lived and worked here. But on a glorious sunny day, it’s also hard to argue that this isn’t one of Tasmania’s most beautiful coastal settings.
In total, there are more than 30 buildings and ruins to explore at the Port Arthur Historic Site, either independently or as part of a guided walking tour. Entrance includes a cruise across the harbour to the Isle of the Dead, where many convicts and settlers were laid to rest, so you really can make a full day of it.
There’s also the opportunity to stay after dark for a ghost tour and hear chilling stories of some of the penal settlement’s most infamous inmates.
3. Taste Truffles, Whisky and Chocolate Along the Tasmanian Tasting Trail
Tasmania is a paradise for food lovers and there’s no better way to discover the island’s culinary offerings than on the Tasmanian Tasting Trail. Winding through the north-west region, this self-drive experience connects passionate local producers, from boutique chocolatiers and award-winning cheesemakers to artisan distilleries.
Indulge in the earthy flavours of freshly harvested Tasmanian truffles, sample handcrafted chocolates made with premium local ingredients and discover world-class whiskies crafted using traditional techniques. Along the way, you'll meet the people behind the products, all while exploring charming towns, rolling countryside and some of the island's most scenic landscapes.
If you don’t want to drive yourself, we offer small-group experiences that take in the best of the Tasmanian Tasting Trail.
4. Ride a Heritage Railway Through a Temperate Rainforest
There are many heritage train journeys around the globe, but none quite like the West Coast Wilderness Railway. Travelling through Tasmania’s rugged west coast, this restored track follows the original route built in the late 1800s to connect the remote mining town of Queenstown with the port of Strahan.
As the train winds through ancient temperate rainforest, across historic bridges and alongside rushing rivers, you'll discover the incredible engineering feats and stories of the pioneers who built the railway. This unique Tasmanian experience comes complete with steam locomotives and fascinating insights into the island’s mining history.
5. Get Up Close with Tasmanian Devils
No trip to Tasmania is complete without meeting one of the island's most iconic residents—the Tasmanian devil. These carnivorous marsupials are native only to Tasmania and while you can see them in wildlife parks in other parts of the country, there’s nothing quite like seeing them on “home turf”.
Our favourite places to take visitors to see Tasmanian devils are the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary near Hobart and Wings Wildlife Park in Gunns Plains. Both offer rare opportunities to see them up close (and hear their famous growls) while learning about their role in Tasmania’s ecosystem and the vital conservation efforts to protect the species.
6. See One of Australia's Most Iconic Bridges
Just a short drive from Hobart, the charming village of Richmond offers a glimpse into Tasmania's colonial past and is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. Its main street is lined with heritage-listed Georgian cottages (now occupied by antique stores and cafes) and there’s a gaol that predates the penal colony at Port Arthur.
But an undisputed highlight of visiting this Coal River Valley town is always seeing the Richmond Bridge, Australia's oldest stone arch bridge still in use. It was built from sandstone by convict labour between 1823 and 1825, and is now one of Tasmania’s most photographed attractions.
We always enjoy bringing guests to Richmond, strolling along the river and watching the ducks come and go beneath this iconic Australian landmark.
7. Watch the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Finish in Hobart
Each summer, Hobart ignites as one of the world's most famous ocean races reaches its dramatic finale. The Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race sees crews from around the globe battle challenging conditions across the Tasman Sea before sailing into the River Derwent, where thousands of spectators gather to welcome the yachts home.
Watching the fleet arrive in Hobart is an unforgettable experience, even if you know nothing about sailing! Head to the waterfront to join the crowds at Constitution Dock or find an elevated viewpoint along the Derwent to watch the yachts cross the finish line.
The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is a much-celebrated event on the Tasmanian calendar and coincides with the start of the Taste of Summer. This week-long festival sees some of Tasmania’s favourite restaurants, vineyards, craft brewers and producers congregate at Prince’s Wharf 1, where you can wine and dine accompanied by live music.
8. Witness the Turning of the Fagus in Mount Field National Park
Each autumn, Tasmania's alpine landscapes transform as the island’s native deciduous beech, known as fagus, changes colour before shedding its leaves. Unlike most Australian native trees, fagus is the country's only cold-climate deciduous tree, making its displays of orange and rust red a particularly special sight.
Many Tasmanians make an annual pilgrimage to Mount Field National Park (around 1.5 hours from Hobart) to see this natural spectacle…and we’d encourage you to join them!
There are several easy trails to explore, including to the famous Russell Falls, although the best place to see the turning of the fagus is usually the Tarn Shelf.
It’s a landscape that feels worlds away from anywhere else in Australia!
9. Hike One of Australia's Greatest Alpine Adventures – the Overland Track
For keen bushwalkers, few experiences rival the Overland Track, one of Australia's most celebrated multi-day hikes.
Stretching 65 kilometres through the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the trail extends from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. Along the way, it passes through ancient rainforests, button grass plains and alpine moorlands, with glacial lakes and soaring mountain peaks as your backdrop.
Hiking the Overland Track is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the island’s spectacular landscapes, with the choice to stay in purpose-built huts or tent platforms along the way. Numbers are strictly limited and permits for the main walking season (1 October to 31 May) are snapped up quickly when released at the start of July.
eGuide is one of the leading operators of Overland Track transfers in Tasmania, with direct transfers, self-drive options and group tours available.
10. Chase the Southern Lights
Tasmania is one of the best places in Australia to witness the magical Aurora Australis or Southern Lights and trust us when we say this is an incredible experience. On nights of strong geomagnetic activity, the southern sky comes alive with shimmering curtains of green, purple and red in a display that’s hard to put into words.
Thanks to its southern location and low levels of light pollution, the Greater Hobart area offers some of the country's best aurora viewing opportunities. When an aurora is predicted to take place, people gather at the top of kunanyi / Mount Wellingtonor on south-facing beaches. Basically anywhere with low light pollution and unobstructed views!
Whether you're a keen photographer or simply hoping to tick a rare natural wonder off your bucket list, chasing the Southern Lights is an unforgettable Tasmanian experience. We recommend downloading one of the Aurora Australis forecasting apps or following the dedicated Facebook groups that provide a heads-up when nighttime shows are likely.
Make the Most of Your Tasmanian Adventure
In our opinion, one of the best ways to experience Tasmania is by joining a guided tour with locals at the helm. It takes the stress out of planning while providing insider knowledge and access to some of the island's most iconic destinations.
From Cradle Mountain day tours and the Tasting Trail to customised private itineraries and transfers, eGuide offers a range of sustainable experiences. Our tours are designed to connect travellers with the island's spectacular landscapes, rich history and wildlife, as well as its most unique experiences.