8 days in Tasmania Itinerary

Snaking up the side of a rounded, tree-dotted hill, Hobart sits between Tasmania’s sprawling mountains and the vast estuary of the River Derwent.

Start off your visit on the 24th (Thu): admire the striking features of Richmond Gaol, look for all kinds of wild species at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, then admire the masterpieces at Lady Franklin Gallery, and finally kick back and relax at Kingston Beach. On the next day, explore the galleries of MARITIME MUSEUM OF TASMANIA, then don't miss a visit to Constitution Dock, then take a stroll through Sullivans Cove, and finally kick back and relax at Seven Mile Beach.

To find out how to plan a trip to Hobart, use our trip itinerary maker.

Brisbane to Hobart is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train, ferry, and bus. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Brisbane in December, with highs in Hobart at 24°C and lows at 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Fri) early enough to drive to Port Arthur.

Surrounded by shark-infested waters and connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus of land, Port Arthur ranks among Australia's top historical sites and heritage areas.

Start off your visit on the 26th (Sat): appreciate the extensive heritage of Port Arthur Historic Site, get to know the fascinating history of Cape Raoul, and then get engrossed in the history at The Parsonage. On the next day, don't miss a visit to Remarkable Cave, then look for all kinds of wild species at Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, then see majestic marine mammals with Wild Ocean Tasmania, and finally take in the dramatic natural features at Tessellated Pavement.

For other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, use the Port Arthur trip itinerary maker tool.

You can drive from Hobart to Port Arthur in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. December in Port Arthur sees daily highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Coles Bay.

Overlooking one of Tasmania's most scenic strips of coastline and serving as the gateway to Freycinet National Park, Coles Bay is home to just 500 permanent residents.

Start off your visit on the 28th (Mon): do a tasting at Devil's Corner Cellar Door, then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, then look for all kinds of wild species at East Coast Natureworld, and finally make a trip to Bicheno Blowhole. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 29th (Tue): see All4Adventure, get interesting insight from Tours, and then kick back and relax at Wineglass Bay.

For maps, ratings, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Coles Bay planner.

Traveling by car from Port Arthur to Coles Bay takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Tue) so you can drive to Launceston.

Lying in the Tamar Valley and surrounded by forested hills, the grid-patterned city of Launceston boasts shaded avenues, vibrant street life, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

On the 30th (Wed), learn about winemaking at Tamar Ridge Cellar Door, then look for gifts at Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre, then identify plant and animal life at Platypus House, and finally surround yourself with nature on Low Head Penguin Tours. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: explore the world behind art at Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery, take a memorable tour with Tours, and then appreciate the views at The Tamar Valley.

For traveler tips, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, use the Launceston journey maker website.

You can drive from Coles Bay to Launceston in 2 hours. Other options are to do a combination of car and bus; or take a bus. In December in Launceston, expect temperatures between 25°C during the day and 10°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Thu) so you can travel back home.