Head off the Beaten Path to Visit Tasmania
This island state reveals a different side of Down Under.
November 13, 2026
4 minute read
When people think about Australia, they usually picture Sydney’s harbour, red desert roads, reef-blue water, and maybe a glass of wine somewhere warm and open. Tasmania offers something a little different, just off Australia’s southeast coast.
Roger, Collette’s Tour Designer for the South Pacific , says Tasmania feels completely different to any other state in Australia. For travellers who prefer to venture off the beaten path, this island state offers a variety of experiences.
Explore the Waterfront in Hobart
Set between Mount Wellington and the River Derwent, Hobart is surrounded by scenic mountains and tied to the sea. At its heart sits Hobart Harbour, a working port that defines the city.
Here travellers can stroll the waterfront, check out local art, and enjoy seafood while the mountains provide a scenic backdrop. Highlights include Constitution Dock, Sullivan's Cove, and Salamanca Place with its sandstone warehouse district.
If you're staying a night or two, Hadley’s Orient Hotel adds a touch of history. It opened in 1834 and still carries Victorian-era detail.
Understand Port Arthur's History
Port Arthur is part of Australia’s convict history, when the British Empire sent convicts to penal colonies in Australia. Between 1830 and 1877, about 12,500 convicts served sentences at Port Arthur, and more than 30 buildings and ruins remain across the Tasman Peninsula.
As you move through the grounds, you'll discover a penitentiary that began as a flour mill, a roofless church built by convicts, and the Separate Prison, which was used for solitary confinement.
See Tasmania’s Creative Side
Just upriver from Hobart, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) adds another layer to the island’s identity. MONA is carved into a headland at Berriedale, about 13 kilometers north of the city centre. Much of the museum is underground, giving it an unusual vibe.
Since opening in 2011, MONA has built its reputation around David Walsh’s private collection of art and antiquities, along with food, wine, live music, exhibitions, and galleries.
See the Pink Granite of Wineglass Bay
On Tasmania’s east coast, Wineglass Bay shines with quartz-white sand, clear water, and pink granite peaks. Set inside Freycinet National Park, the bay is best viewed from the Wineglass Bay Lookout. The lookout platforms require a steep climb before rewarding you with the view.
If the water is calling instead, cruises from Coles Bay trace the Freycinet Peninsula and enter the bay by sea, where you may spot dolphins alongside the boat.
Bay of Fires/Larapuna Carries Coastline and Culture Together
Farther north, Bay of Fires — known in the palawa kani language as larapuna — brings white sand, blue water, and orange-lichen-covered granite. The colours catch your eye first, but the place carries a deeper story than its fiery hue.
English navigator Tobias Furneaux named Bay of Fires in 1773 after seeing Aboriginal fires burning along the coast. Today, larapuna is connected to Palawa culture and is the setting for the Palawa-led wukalina Walk, a four-day guided walk that highlights their stories and culture.
Head Inland to Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain rises above Dove Lake at the northern end of Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. It's Tasmania’s most recognizable peak and part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Here, you'll find alpine lakes, ancient pines, and wildlife moving through colder country.
The Dove Lake Circuit is a two-to-three-hour walking loop where you'll catch views of Cradle Mountain reflected in the water.
Cruise Through the Rainforest
On the west coast, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park brings you into river and rainforest country. The Franklin and Gordon rivers cut through mountains, deep gorges, and cool-temperate rainforest shaped by ancient glaciers.
Book a Gordon River cruise from Strahan and drift along the lower reaches of the river surrounded by the rainforest. Stop at Heritage Landing to see ancient Huon pines and wonder along the boardwalk.
Visit Tasmania with Collette
Australia is a big country and usually requires more internal flights and logistics than other destinations. That's why travellers choose Collette's guided tours. Our local tour designers have done the hard work of planning routes through the South Pacific that hit all the highlights without feeling rushed.
For those who want to include Tasmania, Collette’s Complete South Pacific tour includes three nights in Hobart and a full day at Port Arthur. It’s also a wonderful way to see more of the South Pacific, including New Zealand, from the travel highlights to cultural moments that connect you with the region’s diverse people and history.
