A guide to the top experiences in Tasmania

By Matilda Meikle
February 23, 2024
Experiences, Tasmania

Tasmania is a small island with big opportunities, showcasing the very best of Australian art, culture, food and nature.

This guide to the best experiences in Tasmania is complete with everything you need for your next visit down south.

Art & culture

Any list of Tasmania’s top cultural experiences has to start with Mona (Museum of Old and New Art), one of the most renowned art galleries in the world. Located a short ferry ride from Hobart CBD, this gallery is known for its fascinating exhibits, amazing art pieces, mind-bending light shows and immersive museum exhibitions. It challenges ways of thinking and bends what you thought possible right in front of your eyes.

If history is your thing, Tasmania boasts a large collection of fascinating sites that offer insight into Australia’s convict past. Richmond Gaol is only a 20 minute drive from Hobart, and is one of the best preserved convict structures in Tasmania. Taking a self-guided tour, you will walk through prisoner’s cells, kitchens, holding rooms and flogging yards that tell the story of the hundreds of prisoners once housed in the stone structure.

To truly understand the rich culture of this state, it’s important to engage with the variety of Indigenous experiences on offer. Takara nipaluna is the only Aboriginal historical walking tour of Hobart. Led by Palawa/Warlpiri woman Nunami Sculthorpe-Green, the tour follows the route taken by 40 members of the Aboriginal Resistance in 1832 when they travelled to the old Government House to negotiate for peace. Participants will gain a new perspective and understanding of Australia’s history, all while learning about the country’s First Nations people.

For an even bigger cultural fix, Tasmania is known to host some of the most creative and unique festivals around. Dark Mofo is a celebration of the winter solstice that embraces the darker, more mysterious aspects of art, transforming the city through light installations, immersive performances and more. The signature event, the Nude Solstice Swim, involves plunging into the freezing waters of the Derwent River at dawn.

Food & drink

Tasmania is known as a producer’s paradise thanks to its abundance of natural resources. All across the state, producers make the most of this fresh produce to create delectable dishes and drinks for all to enjoy. Set in the historic Dysart House, built in the 1840s, is a fantastic boutique distillery and cafe. Old Kempton Distillery is known for its range of single malt whiskies, as well as Barley Vodka, Lavender Malt and Apple Liqueur. They host whisky tours and tasting sessions year round, which offer a history of the building and a behind-the-scenes look at the distilling process.

For another hands-on food experience, Tasmania is full of award-winning farms and dairies that produce some of the best cheese in the world. Grandvewe Cheese is Australia’s only certified organic sheep dairy. They make cheese, gelato and yoghurt from fresh sheep milk, which you can taste by signing up at their cellar door. On the farm, visitors are encouraged to join sheep milking demonstrations, or a tour of the brewery. Grandvewe run “Australia’s smallest distillery,” where they use sheep whey to produce vodka and gin.

Located in Latrobe, The House of Anvers is a chocolate cafe and tasting centre influenced by the practices of Belgium. They hand craft delectable truffles, hampers and sweet treats. When visiting, you can watch confectionary experts moulding and creating incredible chocolate delights, and enjoy a self-guided tour of the facilities.

If you’re looking for a dog-friendly dining option, check out In The Hanging Garden. Found in Hobart, this live music and cultural precinct serves up a variety of different cuisines from their resident kitchens, including Mexican, Korean and Italian. The venue also features a tiered beer garden, and a line-up of fantastic live performances. Furry friends are welcome all day long, so you can enjoy the show with your pooch!

Nature & nurture

When it comes to outdoor experiences in Tasmania, it’s hard to go past a visit to King Island. This sparsely populated island offers some of the best golf in the country across three picturesque golf courses. Visitors will also find lots of stunning walks that take you across the island, as well as amazing surf beaches and fresh local produce.

If you’re looking to set your heart racing, we recommend heading to Franklin River, one of Australia’s best white water rafting spots. The river rushes into canyons and gorges that create ideal rapids for all difficulty grades from beginner to expert. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful rainforest views the entire time.

Tasmania is home to many stunning cave formations that welcome both families and expert cavers. Hastings Cave is one such attraction, popular due to its intricately decorated chambers which offer a glimpse into the world of stalactites and stalagmites. The forest surrounding the cave is lush and dense, home to fauna such as the Tasmanian pademelon and eastern quolls. Plus, the nearby Hastings Thermal Springs are a great way to unwind after a long day of exploring.

If driving is more your style, then why not take on the Fortescue Bay 4WD track? This easy 12 kilometre track winds through some of the oldest forests in the state, ending in a bay complete with walking tracks, picnic facilities, fishing spots and breathtaking views. This trip is great for an overnight adventure, or a day on the road, and a perfect way to experience the beauty of the Tasman Peninsula.

For family-friendly fun, there are plenty of farm experiences to enjoy. The Truffledore is a boutique truffle farm that grows delicious French Black Winter Truffles. During harvesting season, visitors are offered the chance to take part in a truffle hunt alongside a farmer and their truffle dog. While you may get your hands a little dirty, it all pays off during the delicious lunch prepared using the truffles you find on your hunt. The farm also offers bed and breakfast accommodation for those wishing to stay a little longer.

The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is another family-friendly option. Home to more than 6500 plants across 14 hectares, the impressive grounds celebrate the wide variety of flora that call Australia home. The gardens also feature several unique attractions including a subAntarctic plant house which mimics the conditions of Macquarie Island, 1500 km south, where the plants were initially collected.