While it’s great all year round, Tasmania definitely has some places that are ideal to visit in the warm(er) summer months… so I’ve made this list of the best places to visit in Tasmania in summer so you can plan your itinerary around all the best spots. Australia has a lot of epic summery holiday destinations… but if you are looking to go off the beaten path, leaving the mainland could be the play for a truly relaxing break!
This is the main part of the appeal of Tassie for a summer holiday destination. Fondly known as the ‘green heart of Australia’, Tasmania is filled with lush forests, quaint country towns, and an array of beautiful (and secluded!) beaches across its entire coastline. Tassie’s temperate climate also generally delivers a more comfortable summer peak with significantly less humidity than you’d expect on the Gold Coast or in Queensland’s tropical north.
Simply put, if you’re looking to disconnect and escape into the wilderness this summer with warm but not hot temps, Tassie seems to be the place to go. But what stops should you be adding to your itinerary to make the most of your time on this lush, little island? Let’s explore below.
Hobart
If you’re planning to book flight tickets over taking the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, then you’re likely to land in Hobart, so let’s start here. Tasmania’s capital city has a reputation for being a hub of arts and culture, with breathtaking cliffside and coastal views both. This means you can always expect your Hobart accommodation to not only have a view, but also be within proximity to a great cafe or restaurant.
And given Hobart will be the biggest city centre you visit during your time in Tassie, setting the city as Stop #1 on your itinerary can also be a great way to enjoy some lively Hobart nightlife before you swap your dancing shoes for some hiking boots. Enjoying a tipple and a show at the Republic Bar & Cafe is a must, as well as visiting some breweries and having a boogie at The Grand Poobah on a Saturday night.
Of course, you’ll also want to visit MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art), not only to admire the gallery’s eclectic collection, but also to just bask in the awesome architecture of the gallery itself. The exposed sandstone walls make the gallery look almost like a cave, with the artworks and sculptures that will blow your mind.
Make sure to take a walk along the shore, grab coffee, and wander the Salamanca market for some crafted goods, samples, oysters, and souvenirs. Make sure to try some seafood on the water along the dock – there are some of the best platters I have ever seen here in Hobart. Make sure to hike up Mount Wellington for the bedt views of the city.
Bruny Island
After a few days in Hobart, it’s time to hop on the Bruny Island Ferry from Kettering to explore one of Tasmania’s most unique natural attractions. It’s only about 30 mins south of the city, so it’s quite close but a very different experience than Hobart!
Most of Bruny Island is undeveloped forest lands, creating a self-contained ecosystem that accommodates some of Australia’s most elusive wildlife, including the striking white wallaby and the acrobatic muttonbird or short-tailed shearwater.
The shearwaters are actually a main attraction of Bruny island – these little black birds migrate all the way to Alaska to feed during the boreal summer, before then making the journey back to the Tasmanian coastline, where they keep their nests on ground level in the sand dunes. December to January is actually the best time to go to Bruny Island because the shearwaters have returned from their trek to the northern hemisphere and will end most summer evenings at dusk prepping their nests for young at the thin isthmus called The Neck (pictured above). If you arrive in February, you can also see fairy penguins here.
That’s not all though – Bruny island is full of hikes and views. We also recommend climbing the ~300 steps up the Truganini Lookout to take in the mesmerising 360-degree views of Simpsons Bay on the west and South Bruny Cove on the east. Many people like to do a cruise of Bruny Island to take in views from the water. The South Bruny National Park is also home to epic views such as the Cape Bruny Lighthouse. You could explore here forever!
That’s also not all though – there are tons of foodie adventures to be had on Bruny island, too. Think wines, cheeses, oysters, and more.
As most of Bruny Island comprises forest and game reserve, there are plenty of eco lodges and other sustainable accommodation options that let you live amongst the trees. We highly recommend waking up early every morning so you can experience all the sights and sounds of the forest life with reduced risk of human disruptions.
Freycinet + Wineglass Bay Hike
Just north of Hobart is another fascinating coastal conservation area that also happens to boast some of Tasmania’s best beaches, including the stunning Wineglass Bay. Freycinet National Park on Tasmania’s east coast also promises great hikes and an ocean sunrise, so rest assured you won’t even have the urge to reach for your phone or any other screens from first light and straight through till dusk.
If you have a shorter time, I highly recommend checking out the Wineglass Bay Loop Hike, which is about 12 km and should take about 3-5 hours. There’s a bit of elevation gain as you climb up to a stunning viewpoint (the feature image of this article) and then down to one of the most perfect beaches on earth. Have a swim if you get lucky with good weather like I did, then continue to the otehr side of the bay for new views on the way back.
As far as accommodation goes, there are plenty of resorts and small hotels that offer coastal views on either the western or eastern coast of the parklands. You can also find some unpowered campsites near Coles Bay and even further southeast by Wineglass Bay too, so if you want to ditch the car and explore on foot, you absolutely should! After all, if you’re doing the Tasmania Island Loop road trip, a camping respite at Freycinet may be just what you need to balance out your time on the highway.
Cradle Mountain
One of the coolest things about Tasmania is that there are plenty of incredible coastal destinations to visit in summer… but also sumemr is the best place to visit some truly impressive mountains and mountain hikes as well.
One of Tasmania’s most iconic natural wonders, Cradle Mountain boasts a challenging summit climb with great rewards. This eye-catching peak lies in the heart of the island, so it promises amazing views of the wider alpine landscape, glacial lakes, and the vast expanse that is the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Towering 1545 metres above sea level, Cradle Mountain is also the perfect Tassie summertime destination for those looking to escape the heat for an alpine breeze. And yes, it’s still quite chilly (and can be wet) in the summer with the elevation, so make sure to pack accordingly,
Queenstown + Railway Trip
Often referred to as the ‘gateway to the Tassie wilderness’, Queenstown lies just south of Cradle Mountain and north of Macquarie Harbour on the West side of Tasmania. A historic mining town, Queenstown is also bordered by the western slopes of Mount Owen, which uniquely makes this small town feel almost like it’s in a snowglobe. There are viewpoints around the town, such as Iron Blow Lookout over a historic mine, Spion Kop lookout (5 min walk to a view over town), and Horsetail Falls at the base of Mt Owen.
If you want to break free from this mini slowglobe, all you need to do is book yourself a ride on the West Coast Wilderness Railway, which will take you straight from Queenstown to Strahan, where you can even board a cruise to enjoy a tour of the wider Macquarie Harbour.
Both the railway trip and the harbour cruise are ethereally gorgeous, with the railway running alongside King River in the north, and the cruise taking you deep into the harbour from Strahan, with a stop over at the historic penal camp on Sarah Island, before then proceeding for a spell down the Gordon River in the south. Be prepared to take plenty of photos! It’s an easy way to get tons of epic Tasmanian views in one.
Arthur River
Arguably the most isolated destination on this list, Arthur River on Tassie’s western coast is a seriously small coastal town – we’re talking a population of 32 people as of the 2021 census. Does this number skyrocket in summer? Only barely, with estimates that summer holidaymakers only ever make the population of Arthur River rise to about 100.
Even though you’re unlikely to see another living soul during your time here, it’s still well worth the visit for a few different reasons. Firstly, the ocean sunsets are once in a lifetime experience. You may even be able to see Aurora Australis, otherwise known as the Southern Lights. We recommend keeping your ear tuned for aurora alerts during your stay!
Arthur River also offers some great coastal trails and lookout points, including the aptly named ‘Edge of the World’ lookout that juts out from the Black Rocks at the river’s mouth. And if you’re up for a walk, there’s also the Bluff Hill Point Loop which offers fantastic views of the Bluff Hill Point Lighthouse and wild surrounding coastline.
Latrobe
Returning to civilization now, we’re arriving in Latrobe, one of Tassie’s most iconic country towns that dot the central northern coastline and bring you right back to Devonport – that is, if you’re planning to take the Spirit of Tasmania ferry back to Geelong, Victoria (while the Hobart line goes to Melbourne). But why am I shouting out Latrobe instead of Devonport?
Situated on the southern end of the Mersey River, Latrobe combines small-town living with greenery galore, making it the perfect destination for last-minute shopping and photo-snapping before you leave Tassie for the summer. If you can take a kayak out on the river, you definitely won’t be disappointed, but there’s still plenty to do on land too, including checking out the Big Platypus on Bells Parade, or even playing a round of golf at the Devonport Country Club.
As far as shopping goes, you’ll definitely want to check out the Reliquaire gift shop on Gilbert Street. Boasting brain-dizzying displays inspired by magical worlds (including Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland), Reliquaire is almost a portal to another dimension in and of itself. Prepare to become lost in the winding mazes and hidden doorways that make this storefront a beloved tourist attraction in its own right.
Enjoy a Digital Detox in Tasmania this Summer
Were you able to add all of these Tassie destinations to your summer itinerary? If not, then maybe you’ll need to plan another trip down south later in the year! Rest assured, that after you spend a little time out in the Tassie wilderness or lounging on a secluded beach in Freycinet this summer, you’ll definitely be dreaming of returning back again soon – perhaps for a mid-year detox.
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.