Tasmania is famous for its wild, untamed beauty—but beyond the dramatic coastlines and ancient forests, there’s a softer side waiting to be explored. Scattered across the island are beautifully curated spaces where nature is shaped, celebrated and preserved.
These gardens in Tasmania range from historic estates to seasonal floral displays, offering a diverse mix of experiences for travellers looking to slow down and take it all in.
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens spans 14 hectares and showcases more than 6,500 plant species. It is the second oldest botanical gardens in Australia, officially founded in 1818 on land that was once used as a productive farm to supply food to the colonial settlement on the River Derwent, just two years after the establishment of Hobart.
Today, this history is preserved in many buildings and structures still dotted around the gardens. Standouts include Arthur Wall, a heated wall commissioned by Sir George Arthur in 1829 to protect frost tender plants and extend the growing season for fruit plants, and the original cast-iron gates, built in 1878, which still welcome visitors to the park.
The Traditional Owners of the garden lands are the Muwinina people, and many living history sites and stone artifacts dating back more than 5000 years continue to be discovered in archeological digs.
When visiting, you are welcome to wander the grounds and visit the different pavilions that make up the garden. The Japanese Garden is a favourite, with its waterways, tea house, waterwheel, decorative bridge and more than 272 native Japanese plants. And check out the Tasmanian Community Food Garden, which supplies edible plants to local charities from roughly 123 different species.
To learn more about the incredible flora and fauna, join a one hour scenic buggy tour and let a knowledgeable guide show you the grounds in all their glory. Then, grab a barista made coffee and cake from Abundance Cafe to finish the day off well.
Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden
Home to more than 24,000 plants, the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden is a truly striking destination. This privately owned garden is maintained by a passionate team of volunteers, who tend to the 11-hectare property and its lakes, waterfalls, bridges, pavilions and roughly 500 species of rhododendrons from around the world.
The garden is at its most vibrant between mid-September and mid-November, when the blooms are at their peak. That said, there is something to enjoy year-round. Walk along the paths, and you will likely spot platypus, echidna, birds, frogs and snakes.
While rhododendrons are native to Asia, Europe, North America and Australia, the Himalayan mountains are known as the centre of rhododendron diversity. These colourful and fragrant flowers are best suited to mild temperatures, and are truly a sight to behold.
Bridestowe Lavender Estate
Bridestowe Lavender Estate is a breathtaking farm, with sweeping fields of lavender stretching for 120 acres across the landscape. From February to November, you are invited to wander the fields to get a behind-the-scenes look at life on a working lavender farm. Along the way, you will discover native vegetation and spring-fed dams with lots of local wildlife.
Tours are also available in the off-season, including a guided walking tour where you will learn all about the process of growing lavender, visit the historic oil distillery developed by Bridestowe in 1922, and enjoy a fragrance sampling and food tasting session. You can also select a behind-the-scenes private RTV tour, where a senior staff member will take you through ornamental gardens, lavender processing facilities and production areas.
Between December and January, the estate celebrates its Festival of Flowers, where you can see the lavender in full bloom. Each day during the festival, you will discover lavender tastings, cooking classes, craft workshops, history tours and helicopter rides.
No matter when you visit, you are welcome to stop by Woodcroft Cafe to try lavender-inspired culinary creations, including scones, fudge and ice cream, to enjoy with tea and coffee. For more than 100 years, Bridestowe have been creating a range of lavender based products, including candles, oils, tea and soap, which you can purchase at the farm shop.
Inverawe Native Gardens
Recognised as Tasmania’s largest landscaped native garden, Inverawe Native Gardens lives up to its reputation. Set just 15 minutes from Hobart, the property also offers sweeping views across to Bruny Island and kunanyi / Mount Wellington.
More than 12,500 native plants sweep the gardens, making a home for the 111 recorded species of birds including 13 species endemic to Tasmania. Visitors are welcome to try their hand at birdwatching, and even look for that magical 112th species.
When you arrive, you will be met at the gate by a friendly volunteer, who will share everything you need to know about the garden before setting you off on an adventure. Make sure to visit the Secret Garden and walk up Rabbit Hill to find the sculpture garden. Along the way, you will discover interpretive signs sharing more information about the plants surrounding you, and pieces of poetry that speak to the heart of the garden.
Brickendon
In 1824, the Brickendon property was settled by William Archer. Since then, the farm has been continuously operated by his direct descendants, now in their seventh generation. Combined with its neighbouring property Woolmers Estate, Brickedon is now a World Heritage-listed site and the most significant rural estate in Australia due to the large number of convict workers who helped construct the property and its important colonial history.
Today, the property boasts more than 20 heritage buildings, gardens, farm and river walks, and rustic accommodation. At the Farm Village, you can discover the conditions that convicts and tradesmen lived in, where they were fed, housed, clothed and punished by the owners. At the Convict Interpretation Centre, you can learn all about the families that lived here, before wandering through the cottages, granary, smokehouse, chapel and convict quarters.
The Heritage Gardens are another must-visit. As you explore, you’ll find a mix of roses, perennials and distinct “garden rooms”, each with its own atmosphere and theme. Towering trees, some more than 180 years old, have been sourced from across the globe, adding to the garden’s sense of depth and history.
To explore the property at your own pace, join the self-guided Brickendon and Woolmers Convict Farm Walk to discover the homestead, vintage car collection, rose garden and river, among other things. Or, join a guided tour with Richard or Louise Archer and spend two hours diving into the history and beauty of the property.
If you’d like to spend longer in the region, you are welcome to book a convict-built cottage for the night. The Coachman’s Cottage, built in 1830, includes original plushed timber floors, an open fireplace, antique furnishings and a private garden.
Tasmanian Arboretum
Located just south of Devonport, the Tasmanian Arboretum is home to one of the most significant tree collections in the region, including the world’s largest collection of Tasmanian woody plants. The 66 hectare property is also home to the Eugenana limestone beds.
When visiting, you will discover a network of walking tracks makes it easy to explore the entire grounds. The Limestone Heritage Walk takes you to a historic collapsed cave system, old limestone quarry, tramway and limestone riverbed, while the Southern Hemisphere track is an extensive trail through the Gondwana plant Collection, Tasmanian Collection and European and Eastern Asian collections. Guided tours are available with prior arrangement, if you would like more information about the fascinating flora and fauna around you.
The arboretum is regarded as one of the best places to see platypus in Australia, where these beautiful creatures are often seen surfacing in the water and climbing the stone weir. Keep your eye out for the 81 species of birds, as well as possums, wallabies, echidnas and pottoroos also scattered around the gardens.
Table Cape Tulip Farm
Perched on Tasmania’s north-west coast, Table Cape Tulip Farm delivers a short-lived but unforgettable display each spring. For just a few weeks, the fields transform into a bright sweep of colour set against sweeping ocean views. The contrast between the structured rows of tulips and the rugged coastline makes this one of the most visually striking gardens in Tasmania. It’s a place that feels almost surreal, especially when the flowers are in full bloom.
Here, you will also find an impressive indoor display with floral arrangements, souvenirs, potted tulips, cut flowers and an art gallery.
If you’re visiting between February and early April, an experience of a different kind awaits. The Patch is a garden of summer flowers looking out towards Table Cape Lighthouse. Visitors are invited to bring a picnic, or purchase one at the farm, and soak up the beauty of the flower bulbs, with special events and workshops also scheduled regularly.
Because of its limited seasons, visiting requires a bit of planning, but the payoff is well worth it.
Culzean Gardens
Located on the outskirts of Ulverstone, Culzean Gardens is a peaceful, privately owned garden that feels like a true hidden gem. This historic woodland sanctuary is spread across several hectares, blending formal plantings with more natural, flowing landscapes.
Take hidden pathways to discover tranquil ponds and gazebos, join a garden tour, or book a gardening and conservation workshop. The property is also home to a rare collection of Tasmanian plants, including a secret garden section where you can discover these floral wonders amongst the remnants of old colonial buildings.
As you wander through, you’ll come across a rich mix of cool-climate plants, including rhododendrons, camellias and maples, all carefully arranged to provide colour and texture throughout the seasons. Winding paths lead past ponds, open lawns and shaded areas, offering plenty of quiet spots to pause and take in the surroundings.
While the garden is only open to the public between August and November, and April-May, it is a worthwhile stop that showcases the region’s natural beauty in a thoughtfully designed setting.
Loving these gardens in Tasmania? Click here to discover the best cheese experiences on offer.
Rex flies to Tasmania. Head to the Rex website or check out the route map below for more details.
