Tasmania
5
Day Itinerary •
Australia
Five days in Tasmania give you the complete extraordinary sweep of Australia's most remarkable island state, from Hobart's world-class MONA gallery and the extraordinary Salamanca Market to the turquoise Wineglass Bay and the remarkable Bay of Fires orange granite coastline, the extraordinary Cradle Mountain alpine wilderness and the remarkable Huon Valley food and cider trail south of Hobart. This route covers the complete Tasmania experience. Hobart, MONA and Battery Point, the extraordinary Freycinet Peninsula and Wineglass Bay lookout, the remarkable Bay of Fires with its extraordinary orange lichen granite rocks, the Cradle Mountain Dove Lake Circuit and alpine wilderness, and the fine Huon Valley cider and whisky trail on the return to Hobart.
Best Time To Visit
Year-round. Dec to Feb warmest. Jun to Aug snow on Cradle, dramatic.
Getting There
Fly to Hobart (HBA) from Melbourne (1 hour) or Sydney (1.5 hours).
Getting Around
Car essential throughout Tasmania. All distances manageable.
Budget Per Day
Approx A$200 to A$450 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate. Wineglass Bay and Cradle Mountain walks moderate.
DAY 1
HOBART AND MONA
MORNING
MONA MUSEUM OF OLD AND NEW ART
MONA is the most extraordinary privately funded art museum in the world, David Walsh's remarkable subterranean gallery carved 20 metres into sandstone cliffs above the Derwent River. The extraordinary O and X permanent collections, the remarkable Julius Popp Bit.Fall installation, the fine Sidney Nolan Snake and the extraordinary provocative works give the finest single museum experience in Australia. Arrive by the MONA ROMA ferry from Hobart for the finest approach. Entry approx A$30. Travel: 30 min ferry or drive
MIDDAY
SALAMANCA PLACE AND MARKET
Salamanca Place is the most extraordinary heritage precinct in Australia, the remarkable Georgian sandstone warehouses from the 1830s now housing the finest galleries, restaurants and artisan studios in Tasmania. The extraordinary Saturday Salamanca Market with its remarkable fresh Tasmanian produce, the fine craft stalls and the outstanding local cheese, cider and berry products give the finest single market experience in Australia. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
BATTERY POINT HERITAGE VILLAGE
Battery Point is the most extraordinary colonial village in Australia, its remarkable network of narrow streets and fine Georgian cottages from the 1830s to 1870s preserved almost entirely giving the finest heritage neighbourhood in the country. The extraordinary Arthur Circus, the fine Hampden Road antique strip and the remarkable St George's Anglican Church of 1838 give the finest colonial afternoon walk in Australia.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Cascade Brewery in South Hobart is the most extraordinary heritage brewery in Australia, Australia's oldest operating brewery from 1832 below the remarkable kunanyi mountain. Tour approx A$28. The finest hidden heritage experience in Hobart.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pilgrim Coffee or Smolt, Hobart Outstanding Hobart breakfast. Finest Tasmanian coffee culture. | Lunch: MONA cafe or Garagistes Outstanding Hobart restaurant. Local Tasmanian produce and wine. | Dinner: Franklin or Fico, Hobart Outstanding Hobart fine dining. Local Tasmanian seafood and produce.
DAY 2
FREYCINET
MORNING
FREYCINET PENINSULA AND WINEGLASS BAY LOOKOUT
The Wineglass Bay lookout gives the most extraordinary coastal viewpoint in Tasmania, the remarkable 45-minute climb through extraordinary pink granite boulders to the saddle above the bay giving the finest coastal panorama in Australia. The extraordinary view of the perfectly curved white sand beach of Wineglass Bay surrounded by the pink Hazards Range and the brilliant blue Tasman Sea is the most photographed view in Tasmania. Walk free with park entry. Travel: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
WINEGLASS BAY BEACH AND HAZARDS BEACH CIRCUIT
The descent from the lookout to Wineglass Bay beach and the return via Hazards Beach gives the finest complete Freycinet walk, the extraordinary turquoise water at Wineglass Bay and the remarkable pink granite headlands at Hazards Beach giving the finest consecutive beach experiences in Australia. The extraordinary birdlife including white-bellied sea eagles and the remarkable seals at Sleepy Bay are outstanding. Walk free with park entry. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
COLES BAY AND THE FREYCINET EVENING
Coles Bay at the gateway to Freycinet National Park is the most extraordinary small coastal village in Tasmania, its remarkable setting below the extraordinary pink Hazards Range and the fine Richardson Beach giving the finest village sunset in the east coast. The remarkable Freycinet Marine Farm with its extraordinary fresh oysters direct from the water and the fine Coles Bay jetty fishing are outstanding.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Honeymoon Bay in Freycinet is the most extraordinary hidden beach in the park, a small sheltered cove of extraordinary water quality with almost no visitors. Free with park entry. 5-minute walk from the main car park. The finest undiscovered beach in Freycinet National Park.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Swansea Coffee before the Wineglass Bay walk. | Lunch: Picnic at Wineglass Bay or Hazards Beach Pack provisions. No facilities at either beach. | Dinner: Freycinet Marine Farm or Iluka Resort Outstanding fresh Tasmanian oysters or lodge restaurant.
DAY 3
BAY OF FIRES
MORNING
BAY OF FIRES COASTAL WALK
The Bay of Fires is the most extraordinary coastal landscape in Tasmania, its remarkable orange and red lichen-covered granite boulders against extraordinary turquoise water and brilliant white sand giving the finest coastal colour combination in Australia. The remarkable Binalong Bay beach at the southern end of the bay and the extraordinary Gardens beach with its fine coastal lagoon give the finest beach walking on the east coast. All beaches free. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
EDDYSTONE POINT LIGHTHOUSE AND THE NORTHERN BAY
Eddystone Point at the northern end of the Bay of Fires Conservation Area has the most extraordinary lighthouse in the bay, the remarkable red granite lighthouse from 1889 and the extraordinary unbroken beach view south along the entire bay giving the finest viewpoint on the east coast. The remarkable isolation of the northern bay with its extraordinary wildlife including wallabies on the beach at dawn and dusk is outstanding. Travel: 3.5 hour drive to Cradle Mountain
AFTERNOON
DRIVE TO CRADLE MOUNTAIN VIA LAUNCESTON
The drive from the Bay of Fires to Cradle Mountain via Launceston gives the most extraordinary cross-island traverse in Tasmania, the remarkable descent from the east coast granite country through the extraordinary central highlands and the fine Tasmanian agricultural midlands giving the finest landscape variety on a single Tasmania drive. The remarkable approach to Cradle Mountain through ancient rainforest is outstanding.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Bay of Fires Lodge Walk is the most extraordinary multi-day coastal walk in Tasmania, a 4-day guided walk along the extraordinary granite coast staying in exceptional eco-lodges. Approx A$3,500 for 4 days all-inclusive. The finest luxury wilderness walking experience in Australia.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in St Helens Coffee before the Bay of Fires walk. | Lunch: Picnic at the Bay of Fires Outstanding fresh Tasmanian air and extraordinary views. | Dinner: Cradle Mountain Lodge restaurant Outstanding Tasmanian alpine dining. Local wallaby and venison.
DAY 4
CRADLE MOUNTAIN
MORNING
DOVE LAKE CIRCUIT AND CRADLE MOUNTAIN
The Dove Lake Circuit is the most extraordinary alpine lake walk in Australia, the remarkable 6km circuit giving continuous views of the extraordinary jagged Cradle Mountain reflected in the still glacial water and the remarkable endemic vegetation of pencil pines, pandani and cushion plants giving the finest single alpine experience in Tasmania. The extraordinary wombats grazing on the circuit path and the remarkable endemic alpine flora are outstanding. Free with park entry. Travel: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
MARIONS LOOKOUT AND THE OVERLAND TRACK
Marions Lookout above the Dove Lake car park gives the most extraordinary panoramic view in Cradle Mountain National Park, the remarkable 2-hour return walk climbing through extraordinary alpine moorland to the finest viewpoint over Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain and the extraordinary wilderness plateau beyond. The remarkable start of the Overland Track, Australia's finest 6-day multi-day walk, gives the finest sense of the wilderness beyond. Walk free with park entry. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
ENCHANTED WALK AND WILDLIFE SPOTTING AT DUSK
The Enchanted Walk through the ancient myrtle beech rainforest at Cradle Mountain gives the most extraordinary short rainforest walk in Tasmania, the remarkable moss-covered forest floor and the extraordinary Pencil Pine Falls and the fine dusk wildlife including dozens of wombats, pademelons and echidnas emerging to graze giving the finest evening wildlife encounter in Australia. Walk free with park entry.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Lake Lilla in Cradle Mountain National Park is the most extraordinary hidden lake near the visitor centre, a remarkable small glacial lake accessible on a short detour from the Dove Lake Circuit with extraordinary reflections and almost no other visitors. Free with park entry. The finest undiscovered lake at Cradle Mountain.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cradle Mountain Lodge cafe Outstanding alpine breakfast. Local Tasmanian produce. | Lunch: Waldheim Chalet or Tavern Outstanding mountain lunch. Local Tasmanian venison and game. | Dinner: Cradle Mountain Lodge Highland Restaurant Outstanding Tasmanian fine dining. Local wallaby, venison and pinot noir.
DAY 5
HUON VALLEY
MORNING
TAHUNE AIRWALK AND HUON VALLEY
The Tahune AirWalk in the Huon Forest is the most extraordinary treetop walk in Tasmania, the remarkable 600-metre cantilever walkway 50 metres above the Huon River through extraordinary old-growth forest giving the finest aerial forest experience in Australia. The remarkable swinging end platform over the Huon River and the extraordinary forest atmosphere are outstanding. Entry approx A$35. Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
WILLIE SMITH'S APPLE SHED AND CIDER TRAIL
The Huon Valley cider and spirits trail is the most extraordinary artisan food experience in Tasmania, the remarkable Willie Smith's Apple Shed with its extraordinary Heritage Apple Museum and the fine local cider, Lark Distillery with the finest Tasmanian single malt whisky and the remarkable local berry farms giving the finest short artisan trail in Australia. The extraordinary Huon Valley apple orchards and the fine Channel Highway views are outstanding. Travel: 45 min drive to Hobart
AFTERNOON
HOBART RETURN AND FAREWELL
The return to Hobart from the Huon Valley via the Channel Highway gives the most extraordinary farewell to Tasmania, the remarkable views over the Huon River and the extraordinary D'Entrecasteaux Channel with its fine oyster leases giving the finest coastal drive on the return. The remarkable Hobart waterfront for a final sunset view over the extraordinary kunanyi mountain and the fine farewell dinner in Salamanca give the finest farewell to Australia's island state.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs in southern Tasmania are the most extraordinary hidden attraction near the Huon Valley, remarkable dolomite caves with an extraordinary thermal pool at a constant 28 degrees in an extraordinary karst landscape. Entry approx A$22. The finest hidden natural experience in southern Tasmania.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast at Cradle Mountain Before the Tahune drive. | Lunch: Willie Smith's Apple Shed, Huon Outstanding Tasmanian cider and local produce at the extraordinary apple museum. | Dinner: Restaurant in Hobart Outstanding farewell Tasmania dinner. Local seafood, wallaby and Tasmanian wine.
Where To Stay
Hobart, Night 1 Henry Jones Art Hotel or Islington Hotel. Waterfront. Approx A$200 to A$450. Coles Bay or St Helens, Nights 2 to 3 Freycinet Lodge or Bay of Fires Lodge. Approx A$200 to A$600. Cradle Mountain, Night 4 Cradle Mountain Lodge or Peppers. Approx A$200 to A$600.
Top Tips
1. Book MONA tickets online at mona.net.au. The MONA ROMA ferry from Hobart is the finest arrival.
2. Salamanca Market runs Saturday only, 8am to 3pm. Arrive early for the finest Tasmanian produce.
3. The Bay of Fires name comes from the extraordinary orange lichen on the granite boulders, not fire.
4. Wombats at Cradle Mountain are most active at dawn and dusk. Walk slowly on the Dove Lake Circuit.
5. Tasmania weather changes rapidly. Pack layers and waterproofs even in summer at Cradle Mountain.
6. The Huon Valley cider and whisky trail is best done mid-week when producers are less busy.
Total Budget
Approx A$200 to A$450 per person per day