The top 10 must do highlights of Tasmania

Cradle Mountain National Park

Cradle Mountain National Park, with its ancient rainforests and alpine heaths, is home to the world-famous Overland Track and iconic Cradle Mountain. 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. Dramatic Cradle Mountain is the rugged jewel of the park and can be seen from Dove Lake on a day visit. Take the two-hour walk around the lake or spend the day tackling Cradle Mountain's summit. 

Experience the beauty of Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake as part of our Luxury 10 Day Tasmania Self Drive itinerary.

Freycinet

Northeast of Hobart you will find the Freycinet Peninsula, part of the Freycinet National Park. The national park offers a wide variety of activities - take a walk to the pass overlooking the perfectly shaped Wineglass Bay (voted one of the top beaches in Australia), or try less strenuous activities like beach strolls, swimming or wildlife spotting. Pink granite mountains, white sand beaches, grey-green casuarinas, seawater as blue as sapphires, you will be overwhelmed by the colours and beauty of the Freycinet Peninsula. 

Strap on your hiking boots and explore the Freycinet Peninsula on our 7 Day Wineglass Bay Sail and Walk Tasmania itinerary.

Museum of Old and New Art (Mona)

Mona, the Museum of Old and New Art is located just up the river from Hobart (Tasmania's southern capital) and is accessible via a 30 minute scenic ferry ride. Mona's subterranean architecture showcases the highlights (and lowlights) of David Walsh’s $110m private collection. Described by Walsh as a "subversive adult Disneyland", the collection includes everything from ancient Egyptian mummies to some of the world's most infamous and thought-provoking contemporary art. Mona is also home to the Moorilla winery, Source Restaurant, bars, a café, and eight stylish accommodation pavilions. Each January, the summer festival, Mofo, unleashes an eclectic mix of music and art. Come June, Dark Mofo winter festival delves into centuries-old winter solstice rituals and celebrates the dark through art, music, food, film, light and noise. 

Explore the subterranean depths of Mona as part of our 10 Day Tasmania & The Three Capes Walking Adventure itinerary.

Port Arthur Historic Site

Port Arthur is one of Australia's most significant heritage areas and the open-air museum is officially Tasmania's top tourist attraction. Known for its harsh conditions, dark history and stark beauty, it is located on the Tasman Peninsula approximately 60km south east of Hobart. The site has more than 30 buildings, ruins and restored period homes dating from the prison's establishment in 1830 until its closure in 1877. During this time around 12,500 convicts served sentences and for many it was a living hell. 

Discover the Port Arthur Historic Site on our 8 Day Taste of Tasmania itinerary.

Bruny Island

Bruny Island, located off the coast of Hobart, is actually two islands joined by a narrow isthmus known as The Neck. Popular as a weekend destination for beachgoers and foodies, it is also home to a rugged, relatively untouched landscape that is both dramatic and beautiful.

Explore it all with great walking tracks and pristine swimming, surfing and fishing beaches, and be sure to take advantage of the island's flourishing fine food and wine industry - Bruny is home to producers specialising in oysters, cheese, berries and chocolate. Exploring Bruny Island can be as quick and easy as taking a spectacular half-day boat cruise around the island, though a longer stay reveals the many secrets of this special place. 

Experience the wildly beautiful Bruny Island on a three day hiking tour on our 10 Day Tasmania & Bruny Island Escape itinerary.

Cataract Gorge

Located just 15 minutes' walk from the centre of Launceston, Cataract Gorge Reserve is where pristine wilderness brushes the urban city. The stunning site offers outdoor attractions like walking and hiking paths, lookouts, gardens, a swimming pool, local wildlife, a suspension bridge and chair lift, as well as a restaurant and cafe – complete with resident peacocks. You can even abseil down the gorge walls! Take the 1km path along the cliff face and over Kings Bridge suspension bridge looking down at the South Esk River.  

Explore Cataract Gorge on our 8 Day Taste of Tasmania itinerary.

7. Salamanca Place

Salamanca Place, with its restored sandstone buildings, is a tourist hub in the heart of Hobart's historic waterfront. Built by convicts between 1835 and 1860, these beautiful Georgian buildings were once warehouses along the commercial centre of old Hobart. Today, they house art galleries, cafés, restaurants and shops. You can dine alfresco along this cobblestone strip; shop for antiques and souvenirs; or visit the galleries, performing arts venues, and ateliers of the Salamanca Arts Centre. Every Saturday, tourists and locals alike flock to the Salamanca Markets, where more than 300 vendors sell everything from handcrafted jewellery and woodwork to fresh produce. 

Shop and dine along Salamanca Place in our Luxury 8 Day Tasmania Self Drive itinerary.

Bay of Fires

What better name for a bay that truly looks as if it is alive with fire! The slice of coastal heaven that is the Bay of Fires stretches over 50km from Binalong Bay in the south to Eddystone Point in the north. This beautiful part of Tasmania’s east coast has been named by Lonely Planet as the hottest travel destination in the world and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Australia. Walk for miles along sugar-white sandy beaches, swim in the impossibly clear ocean, and feel like you’re the only person to have ever set foot here. 

Find your own secluded piece of paradise at the Bay of Fires on our 12 Day Complete Tasmania itinerary. 

Gordon River

The Gordon River flows 200km from its source in the central highlands through the wilderness of the Gordon-Franklin Wild Rivers National Park. The entire course of the Gordon River is an uninhabited wilderness area until it reaches the immense waters of Macquarie Harbour. This idyllic national park is renowned for being home to one of Tassie’s most loved attractions, a scenic cruise down the Gordon River – buffet lunch or dinner included! 

Cruise down the beautiful Gordon River on our 10 Day Wonders of Tasmania Self Drive itinerary.

Tamar Valley

The Tamar Valley wine route is the oldest wine region in Tasmania and offers around 30 cellar doors. The naturally elegant wines are made from grapes grown in climates similar to those of the famous European wines. Head along the east bank of the Tamar Valley to sample the sparkling wines at the Jansz Wine Room, then sip a pinot noir - Tasmania's signature wine variety - from the state's oldest vineyard at Providence. The Tamar Valley makes for an easy day trip from Launceston, we can recommend adding a guided winery tour to your itinerary to save yourself the drive! 

Enjoy a Tamar Vallery wine discovery tour on our 10 Day Tasmania & Bruny Island Escape itinerary. 

Ready to Plan Your Perfect Tasmania trip? See our most popular self drive itineraries here

At First Light Travel, we know the best day trips, and we can also plan the perfect self-drive itinerary for you. Have a look at our self drive Tasmania itineraries for inspiration.