12 Day Family Friendly Tasmania Holiday Itinerary

Welcome to Hobart, the Capital of the Apple Isle!

Nestled amongst the foothills of Mt Wellington, Hobart is a harbour town with heritage charm and a modern lifestyle. From the bustling waterfront of Salamanca Place to the historic houses of quaint Battery Point, Hobart is a gorgeous place to wander and get lost in.

Take the family on a bus to the summit of Mount Wellington for panoramic views over the city, or board a ferry at Brooke Street Pier and sail upstream to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).

You won't be short of delicious family dining options this evening: Hobart has fast become one of Australia's top gourmet hotspots, thanks to its amazing local produce.

Accommodation: Hobart - 2 Nights

Tahune Airwalk, Swinging Bride Walk and Huon Pine Walk

The Tahune AirWalk is an exhilarating nature-based family experience set in one of Tasmania's most world-renowned forests, the Tahune Forest Reserve, which is home to the world's tallest flowering plant - eucalyptus regnans.

The AirWalk is a visually spectacular walkway that takes you on a journey through the tops of the trees in this stunning wet eucalypt forest. Extending for 597m through the forest, the AirWalk is elevated high above the ground, giving you a bird's-eye view of the beautiful tree species and forest life.

Collect your comfortable rental car and drive to Strahan Village, a harbour town on the shores of the massive Macquarie Harbour. Welcome to Tasmania's wild west: escaped convicts from nearby Sarah Island prison sometimes asked to return to jail after struggling to survive in this rugged and remote landscape.

Today Strahan is on the edge of a UNESCO World Heritage Area, home to one of the few temperate rainforests that remain on the planet.

Approximate Distance: 300 km | 186 miles   Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Strahan - 2 Nights

Embark on the West Coast Wilderness Railway’s Drewry diesel train from Regatta Point Station in Strahan, delving into the rainforest as guides recount tales of its builders. Cross the historic Iron Bridge at Teepookana, once a bustling port, before arriving at Lower Landing Station on the King River.

Enjoy a brief nature walk and sample honey sourced from local endemic species before returning to Strahan. Guests can purchase snacks and beverages at Lower Landing Station's kiosk, while those in the Wilderness carriage start with Tasmanian sparkling wine or juice, accompanied by a locally inspired light menu.

After a leisurely morning, enjoy the scenic drive to Cradle Mountain National Park.

Home to the world-famous Overland Track and iconic Cradle Mountain this pristine area is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the park is one of the state's most special places, where ancient pines fringe glacial lakes and icy streams cascade down rugged mountains.

The vegetation is rich and diverse including grassland, rainforest,, and many ancient plants such as the long-lived and endemic King Billy pine and the unusual native deciduous beech. The park also provides a rich habitat for wildlife, including Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypus, echidna, and several bird species.

Approximate Distance: 145 km | 90 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours

Accommodation: Cradle Mountain - 2 Nights

Joey Encounter with Day Keeper Tour

The Joey Encounter tour will take a small group of visitors behind the scenes to our animal nursery, where you will interact (face to face) with some of our youngest residents. This is a unique opportunity and will be a very special and memorable experience, ideal for families with young children, or animal lovers of any age.

The tour will incorporate, handling and general health checks by our keepers, and afford visitors the opportunity to pat and get photographs with these beautiful young animals.

The riverside city of Launceston is a vibrant hub for food and wine, culture, and nature. It's famed for the Cataract Gorge, visit this unique natural formation with panoramic views, walking trails, sculpted gardens, and a chairlift, perhaps consider experiencing the Cataract Gorge River Cruise.

Visit the Queen Victoria Museum, in a 19th-century railway workshop, which has exhibitions on Tasmanian history. Its sister Art Gallery lies across the river, by sprawling Royal Park.

Visit the vineyards of the Tamar Valley stretch northwest along the Tamar River. The Tamar Valley is Tasmania's oldest wine-growing area and a place where premium cool-climate wines have become a major tourist attraction on a world scale.

Approximate Distance: 150 km | 93 miles   Total Driving Time:  2 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Launceston - 2 Nights

Approximately 20 minutes drive from Launceston just off the Lilydale Road, visitors glide across the treetops in this unique forest canopy tour, gaining a bird's eye view of Tasmania's beautiful forests. This is unlike any other Australian nature experience, and visitors will see the trees and forest ecology in a new light and learn about our growing and vibrant Tasmanian Forests.

Gliding along wires attached by harnesses, thrill-seekers are led by two knowledgeable and highly-trained guides through the treetops and above the Pipers River. Following the adventure, visitors make their way back to the Visitor's Centre along a pathway of beautiful, mature trees planted early in the 20th century.

Located north of the beautiful Freycinet Peninsula, Bicheno sits on Tasmania's beautiful east coast and despite boasting beaches and ocean colours worthy of framing, Bicheno (bish-uh-no) is very much a functioning fishing port that's madly popular with holidaymakers. Offshore, the Governor Island Marine Reserve has some of the best diving spots in Australia, this water wonderland can also be experienced by glass-bottomed boat. 

Bicheno Penguin Tour

At night begins to fall, see little blue penguins return to their burrows on a twilight guided penguin tour. This is a rare and thrilling chance to get very close to the world's smallest penguins in a private rookery. Watch as they emerge from the ocean after a hard day of fishing and head home for the night

Approximate Distance: 165 km | 102 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 15 mins 

Accommodation: Bicheno - 2 Nights

Freycinet National Park

Freycinet National Park, with its stunning pink granite peaks, is located on Tasmania's east coast. At Wineglass Bay the pink granite mountains form the backdrop for secluded bays, pristine waters, white sandy beaches, local wildlife, and walking trails.

Freycinet Sea Kayak Tour 

On this relaxed guided tour of the Freycinet coastline, you’ll glide beneath pink mountains, past pristine beaches and across waters so clear you feel you can touch the marine life below. Discover Freycinet’s abundant wildlife as you weave along the coastline. While you paddle, your local guides will share little-known stories of the area. Refreshments are provided halfway through the tour - you'll pause at a secluded sandy beach for a freshly brewed cup of coffee and a tasty snack.

• All equipment supplied
• Perfect for a family with children

Approximate Distance: 40 km | 25 miles   Total Driving Time: 45 mins (each way)

Make your way back to Hobart to return your rental car and enjoy the city at your own pace.

Explore the city centre, visit the historic Cascade Brewery for lunch and a tasting paddle at the foot of Mount Wellington, stroll the charming old streets of Battery Point or catch up on any highlights you didn't fit in on Day One.

Sampling a drop of native Tasmanian whiskey is recommended: in 2014 it won the Best Single Malt In The World, which had never been awarded outside of Scotland or Japan!

Approximate Distance: 180 km | 112 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Hobart - 1 Night

Say farewell to Hobart today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. We know you will enjoy your 12 Day Family Friendly Tasmania Holiday Itinerary.

We hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible Island.