Top 5 Must See Destinations in Tasmania

#5 Mount Field National Park

When people ask us what makes Mount Field National Park so special we tell them the whole area perfectly encapsulates everything that’s amazing about the Tasmanian wilderness. From the fairy-tale like waterfalls which cascade through gorgeous temperate rainforest in the lower part of the park, to the ancient glacial lakes and dolerite peaks of the alpine ranges, it probably could’ve been higher than number 5 on the list.

At only a 70 minutes’ drive from Hobart (add an extra 30 minutes to access the upper areas), Mount Field is the closest National Park to either Hobart or Launceston. It’s just so accessible and, while the upper parts of the park can be closed to vehicles due to snow and ice, the lower parts can be enjoyed regardless of the weather.

As for things to do, Mount Field is a nature-lovers haven. There are at least four world-class walking tracks to explore in the park (see more below), with options for easy day walks and more challenging multi-day adventures. Combine this with an array of amazing native flora and fauna and it’s easy to see why it’s the third most visited National Park in Tasmania.

Things to do in Mount Field National Park

• Grab your hiking boots and explore! The Three Falls Circuit (2 to 2.5 hours) is a fantastic place to start, but if you are short for time even just a quick wander up to Russell and Horseshoe Falls will have you in awe.
• The Pandani Grove Circuit (40 minutes) around Lake Dobson is a great place to see native pandani trees (Tasmania is the only place in the world where they grow!), as well as impressive snow gums, pencil pines and soft ferns. Platypus’ are common in the lake as well so it pays to keep an eye out.
• For those more adventurous souls, the Tarn Shelf Circuit (5 to 7 hours) and Mount Field West (8 to 9 hours) both provide fantastic views of the ancient glacial landscape prevalent in the park, with an abundance of shallow alpine tarns, lichen-covered boulder fields and imposing dolerite towers on offer as soon as you get above the tree line.

The native flora in the park is world class

The plateau below the summit of Mount Field West is one of the best places in Tasmania to see the intriguing alpine cushion plant, which thrives in the harsh climate by individual plants bunching together to protect each other from nasty weather. These alpine plant systems are extremely fragile, so hikers are asked to tread carefully and stick to established marked trails to avoid any damage.

#4 Maria Island National Park

Number 4 on our list of must-see destinations in Tasmania is a slightly hidden gem tucked away on the East Coast, the marvelous Maria Island National Park. As soon as you step off the ferry onto Maria Island you almost feel a weight lifting off your shoulders as you leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind. An island off the coast of an island with no cars, a handful of historical buildings and a gluttony of spectacular coastline, rugged mountain peaks and diverse native wildlife to enjoy – what more could you ask for!

The main drawcard of Maria Island is of course the adorable Flinders Island wombats. You would have to have your eyes closed to not see a wombat on Maria Island, and they are so friendly you can get up close to have a good look as they go about foraging or having an afternoon nap (remembering they are wild animals so get no closer than 2 metres). Since the 1960s the island has been used as a conservation area for threatened native species, so animal lovers will have a ball spotting pademelons, kangaroos, wallabies and maybe even a Tasmanian Devil.

Without a doubt the best way to see Maria Island is on a bike, with the undulating gravel tracks meandering along the coast and linking up the white sandy bays of the western side of the island. Bikes can be hired and collected on the island or be taken over on the ferry. For those on foot and keen for an adventure, a hike up to the Bishop and Clerk summit provides a panoramic view over the Tasman Sea and out to the Freycinet Peninsula. It should be noted that the final section of the hike involves some exposed rock scrambling, so it’s best attempted by experienced hikers and avoided in wet and/or windy conditions.

Things to do in Maria Island National Park

• Wander along the coast watching the wombats. If you’re there in late spring or summer, you might even see some joeys (baby wombats).
• Hire a bike and ride down to McRaes Isthmus, stopping at the Painted Cliffs and Encampment Cove along the way.
• More experienced hikers can trek up to the Bishop and Clerk summit (4 to 5 hours). If you have a bike, you can also ride around two-thirds of the track to save some time.
• Snorkel or dive at the pristine marine reserve located along the north-west coast of the island.

The island has an intriguing history as well

Maria Island, known to Aboriginal tribes as wukaluwikiwayna, has a fascinating history and has played a substantial role in the development of Tasmania. From its naming by Abel Tasman in 1642 to its roles as a penal colony, probation station, and later a hub for agriculture and industry, the island has seen waves of human activity. Remnants of convict life, farming, and fishing still dot the landscape. In the 1960s, conservation efforts introduced endangered species, and in 1971, Maria Island was declared a national park, preserving its diverse heritage and stunning environment for all to enjoy.

#3 Tasman National Park

A trip to Tasmania wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the spectacular Tasman National Park. Featuring Australia’s largest ocean cliffs, amazing day walks and a world-class multi-day hike (the Three Capes Track), as well as a whole bunch of awesome bays and coves to explore, Tasman National Park is no doubt one of the most interesting and awe-inspiring places on the island.

While the park can be accessed all year round, the best time to visit would definitely be during summer when the warm dry weather provides great opportunities to wander along the cliff-tops and take in the stunning views, but also to cool off in the crystal-clear waters of one the white-sandy bays that break up the cliff-line. While up on the cliff-tops it pays to keep your eyes open as dolpins, seals, whales and penguins are all common visitors to the coast around the park.

There are also populations of threatened swift parrots and wedge-tailed eagles in the area, along with a wide variety of native mammals (wallabies, wombats, quolls, bandicoots, bettongs and of course… Tasmanian Devils) so there’s absolutely no shortage of wildlife to see. Many people only spend a day exploring the park, but we would definitely recommend setting aside at least two to three days to really experience the best of it.

Things to do in Tasman National Park

• Visit the geological wonders of Tasman’s Arch, the Blowhole and Remarkable Cave.
• Roll out a towel on the fine white sand of Fortescue Bay and enjoy a refreshing dip on a hot day (there is an awesome campground at Fortescue Bay for those looking for an extended stay).
• Walk from Fortescue Bay to the tip of Cape Hauy (bring a camera and keep an eye out for friendly echidnas!).
• Walk out to the Cape Raoul and Shipstern Bluff Lookouts (keen hikers can continue all the way to the tip of Cape Raoul).
• For those seeking a challenge complete the world famous Three Capes Track multi-day hike taking in Cape Raoul, Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy.

Only the bravest take on this infamous surfing location

Most people wouldn’t consider Tasmania a mecca for surfing, but just off the coast of the Tasman Peninsula lies a notorious big wave surf break that, in the right conditions, may be one of the heaviest waves on the planet. Sharing a name with the imposing rock formation of Shipstern Bluff which overlooks the break, only the absolute best and bravest surfers take on the wave when it’s at its angriest. Anybody who is at the Shipstern Bluff Lookout when the surf is pumping, may be lucky enough to catch some of the world’s best big wave surfers trying to tame the beast.

#2 Cradle Mountain National Park

Sliding in at number 2 on our top 5 must-see destinations in Tasmania is the wonderous Cradle Mountain National Park (which is actually the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park, but the Cradle Mountain area is our number 2 must-see destination). Cradle Mountain is like a theme park for outdoor enthusiasts and while it doesn’t have any rollercoasters, it does offer some of the best views, most mystical rainforest and most abundant wildlife in Tasmania. Oh, and it’s also part of Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area, illustrating how biologically and geologically important the park is, along with just being so very beautiful.

As for things to do in the park, the majority of people who make the journey up to Cradle Mountain have Dove Lake at the top of their lists, and rightly so as the glacially formed lake is a fantastic centre-piece for the area. A photo of the lake with Cradle Mountain in the background is a requirement for any visitors, and for keen hikers the Dove Lake Circuit offers a great insight to the native flora of the area and amazing views of the surrounding peaks.

When the weather is nice there is a fantastic selection of world-class longer day hikes up above the tree line, including to Marion’s Lookout (allow 3 to 4 hours return) and of course to the summit of Cradle Mountain itself (allow 8 hours return). Anybody attempting these more challenging walks needs to be adequately prepared as the weather can change very quickly in these environments and it’s always worth checking at the park visitor centre for any advice around conditions.

While the weather on Cradle Mountain can be a bit fickle (especially in winter where it’s common to get good snow dumps as low as Dove Lake, and sometimes even lower!) there are still heaps of things to do when it’s wet and windy outside. The Enchanted Walk is a great introduction to the area and perfect for young adventurers as it’s relatively short and flat, and the nearby rainforest walk down to Pencil Pine Falls and Knyvet Falls is a must as well to see some of the most lush and mossy rainforest in Australia.

Things to do in Cradle Mountain National Park

• Marvel at the beauty of Dove Lake and the surrounding mountain peaks on the Dove Lake Circuit walk.
• Hike up to Marion’s Lookout for amazing views over Dove Lake and the valley beyond, or even take on the Crater Lake Circuit to the cascading Crater Falls.
• Experience the magic of the mystical Enchanted Walk.
• Get amongst a bunch of cute native animals at the Devils@Cradle wildlife sanctuary.

The gateway to the Overland Track

Labelled as ‘Australia’s Premier Alpine Walk‘, the 6-day Overland Track is attempted by thousands of keen adventurers every year from all over the world and it takes in the best of Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park (starting at Ronny Creek near Cradle Mountain). The highlights of the Overland Track include vast alpine valleys and glacial lakes, rugged dolerite peaks, cascading waterfalls, and a fantastic hut system where weary hikers can rest and meet fellow travellers (or even one of the many locals who walk the track every year).

#1 Freycinet National Park

Safe to say it was an extremely difficult choice to decide the number 1 must see destination in Tasmania, but Freycinet National Park is certainly worthy of sitting top of the pile. Most people come to Freycinet to see the world-famous Wineglass Bay (regularly named as one of the top 10 beaches in the world), but in reality, the whole area is a photographer’s dream and offers a wide variety of sights and sounds to enjoy.

The main feature of the Freycinet Peninsula itself (which is around 400 million years old) is the Hazards Mountain Range, a series of impressive pink-granite peaks which rise up from the coast and dominate the skyline as you approach the park from any direction. One of these peaks (Mount Amos) has a marked walking track for any intrepid and keen hikers who want to experience one of the best views in Australia.

The great thing about Freycinet is that it’s highly accessible all-year. Other National Parks (particularly those in the high country – looking at you Cradle Mountain!) can be freezing cold in winter, and access can be restricted in severe weather events. As far as Freycinet goes, apart from the Mount Amos track being a no-go in wet weather as the granite track becomes like a bar of soap when it’s wet, there is still heaps to do when the weather isn’t playing ball.

There’s no doubt the list of places to see in Tasmania is endless, but if your list doesn’t have Freycinet on it then it needs to be added as it really is a special place and worth spending a day or two.

Things to do in Freycinet National Park

• Hike to the summit of Mount Amos for stunning views over Wineglass Bay, Mount Freycinet and the Hazards Range (for a more mellow adventure hike to the Wineglass Bay Lookout where the views are just as spectacular).
• Take a cruise around the Freycinet Peninsula to Wineglass Bay.
• Unwind with a book next to the crystal-clear waters of Honeymoon Bay.
• Challenge yourself with a 3-day hike along the Freycinet Peninsula Circuit, taking in the gorgeous white sands of Wineglass Bay, Cooks Beach Cove and Promise Bay, along with amazing views from Mount Freycinet and Mount Graham.
• Spot dolphins and seals on a Freycinet Kayak Tour.

Rock climbing on some of the best granite in the world

Wherever there are solid granite slabs there are usually rock climbers keen to test themselves against gravity and Freycinet National Park is no exception. In fact, the quality and variety of climbing in Freycinet is superb with the epic coastal atmosphere just adding to the vibes. The highest climb tops out around 350m, but there are countless walls, cliffs and boulders to explore. The best part is when the day of climbing is done you can camp out under the stars in one of the campgrounds in the park – it’s a truly remarkable place!