This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2014. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
One of the best things about Hobart is how quickly the city melts into wilderness.
Drive 30 minutes and you’re hand-feeding kangaroos at a wildlife sanctuary or wandering a historic village. An hour, and you’re boarding a ferry to a remote island lined with empty beaches and turquoise water. Go a little further, and suddenly you’re walking through the treetops of an ancient forest or standing beneath sea cliffs too tall to comprehend.
While growing up in Hobart, I spent a lot of time exploring destinations just outside of the city. My childhood was filled with winding drives through the hills, tiny coastal towns, and the wild national parks that make Tassie such a special place to visit.
I live in Sydney now, but whenever I venture south to visit my family back home (which still happens about twice a year), I make sure I fit in some day trips from Hobart to revisit the spots that shaped my childhood weekends and road trips.
Whether you’re hiring a car or joining one of the excellent Hobart day tours that depart from the city, I know you’ll have an amazing time exploring Tasmania! Here are all my favourite spots to see the island’s diverse landscapes, wildlife, and heritage — all within a few hours’ drive of the city.
Quick summary:
Hobart is the perfect base for exploring Tasmania. In less than a day, you can wander historic villages, hike to waterfalls and lookouts, cruise beneath sea cliffs, or escape to an island of empty beaches. These are the best trips within easy reach of the city.
Recommended tours:
🚌 Port Arthur Full-day Guided Tour – Explore the convict site, cruise to the Isle of the Dead, and see the Tasman Peninsula’s dramatic coastline.
🦘 Bonorong & Richmond Afternoon Tour – Meet Tassie devils and kangaroos, then enjoy free time in the historic town of Richmond.
🌿 Mt Wellington, Mt Field & Bonorong Day Trip – Visit waterfalls, meet local wildlife, and take in sweeping mountain views.
🌲 Tahune Airwalk & Hastings Caves Tour – Walk above the forest canopy, explore underground caverns, and relax in thermal springs.
🛥️ Bruny Island Cruises Full-Day Tour – Cruise beneath towering cliffs, spot dolphins and fur seals, and enjoy morning tea and lunch.
🌊 Wineglass Bay & Freycinet Day Tour – Hike to the iconic lookout and take in Tasmania’s stunning east coast scenery.
Top day trips from Hobart:
Port Arthur & the Tasman Peninsula day trip from Hobart
🚗 Travel time: ~1.5 hours each way (90 km from Hobart)
If you only have time for one big adventure out of Hobart, make it the Tasman Peninsula. This is a region that I’ve returned to again and again — partly for its fascinating history, but also for jaw-dropping coastal views that never seem to get old.
I recommend leaving early in the day so you can stop at a few scenic spots on the way — the Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch, and Devil’s Kitchen rock formations are all quick stops that showcase the raw beauty of Tasmania’s cliffs and sea caves. Standing at what feels like the edge of the world with ocean spray on your face, you really get a sense of how wild this island can be.
The main attraction on the Tasman Peninsula is the Port Arthur Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage–listed convict settlement that’s both haunting and beautiful. Wandering through the old stone buildings, you can imagine what life was like here in the 1800s — it’s very eerie, somewhat sobering, and deeply atmospheric.
Your entry ticket to the historic site also includes a short cruise that passes the Isle of the Dead, where many of the early settlers and convicts were buried. It’s a must-do to appreciate how isolated the people who lived here must have felt.
🚌 If you’d prefer to not to drive, a Port Arthur Full-day Tour from Hobart is a great option. It includes hotel pickup, a guided tour of the historic site, the Isle of the Dead cruise — plus extra stops to see the towering sea cliffs of Tasman National Park along the way.
Richmond day trip from Hobart
🚗 Travel time: ~30 minutes each way (27 km from Hobart)
If you’re after a gentle, easygoing day trip from Hobart, Richmond is a great choice. This historic village looks like it’s been lifted straight out of Tasmania’s early colonial years.
I always find myself drifting toward the river first — it’s peaceful down there, and the views of the Richmond Bridge never get old. Built in 1825, it’s the oldest stone bridge in Australia, and watching the reflections ripple across the water feels like stepping into a painting.
Richmond is also a great place to simply wander. The main street is lined with heritage cottages, sleepy cafés, and small shops filled with handmade goods, local produce, and art pieces. It’s the kind of place where you pop in for a “quick browse” and somehow end up leaving with a jar of local jam or a lavender-scented soap.
The village also sits on the edge of the Coal River Valley, one of Tasmania’s prettiest cool-climate wine regions. If you have a car, it’s easy to pair your visit with a stop at one of the nearby cellar doors for a glass of pinot noir or sparkling before heading back to the city.
🦘 If you won’t have a car, then a Richmond Afternoon Tour from Hobart would make a great half-day outing. On this Richmond half-day trip, you’ll meet Tasmanian devils, koalas, and kangaroos at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary before heading to Richmond for free time to explore.
Mount Field National Park day trip from Hobart
🚗 Travel time: ~1.5 hours each way (75 km from Hobart)
Mount Field is one of those places that feels straight out of a fairytale. The drive from Hobart takes you through the scenic Derwent Valley — one of my favourite countryside stretches in Tasmania.
The highlight here is Russell Falls, a beautiful multi-tiered waterfall framed by mossy rocks and towering tree ferns. The short walk to reach it is easy, peaceful, and smells of moist rainforest. On my last visit, I continued up the track to Horseshoe Falls and did the Tall Trees Walk, where you can stand beneath gums that stretch impossibly high into the sky.
If your Mount Field day trip from Hobart is during the winter, you might even find snow dusting the ground as you make your way up to Lake Dobson — I’ve done this drive, and the transformation from rainforest to alpine landscape always amazes me.
🌿 If you prefer to visit this area on a guided day trip, the Mt Wellington, Mt Field, Bonorong and Richmond Trip covers multiple highlights. An ideal choice if you want to see Tasmania’s mountains, forests, and animals all in one go.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary day trip from Hobart
🚗 Travel time: ~30 minutes each way (29 km from Hobart)
If you want to get up close to some of Tasmania’s most famous residents, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary offers a chance to meet wombats, wallabies, kangaroos, and a variety of native birds.
What makes Bonorong special is that it’s not a zoo — it’s a rescue and rehabilitation centre for injured or orphaned wildlife, as well as a breeding centre for endangered species. The animals live in large, natural enclosures, and the keepers genuinely care about their wellbeing (you can tell from the moment they start talking about them!).
🦘 Your Bonorong entry tickets include an hour-long guided tour plus a small bag of pellets to hand-feed the friendly kangaroos that hop freely around the grounds.
Of course, no trip to Bonorong would be complete without meeting the Tasmanian Devil. You’ve probably heard of this noisy little creature thanks to Looney Tunes, but in real life, it’s small, black, and looks more like a muscular rodent than a spinning cartoon tornado. The sounds they make are truly something else — equal parts hilarious and bizarre!
Bonorong is an easy standalone stop or a great add-on after exploring other attractions north-west of the city. On tours, you can visit Bonorong as part of a day tour to Mount Field National Park or an afternoon tour to Richmond.
Huon Valley day trip from Hobart
🚗 Travel time: ~1.5 hours each way (88 km from Hobart)
The Huon Valley is a place where I venture to whenever I want to slow down, eat good food, and breathe in that crisp country air. The drive south from Hobart follows the Huon River, passing apple orchards, farm stalls, and pretty little towns along the way.
I always stop at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed for a cider tasting (I’m particularly drawn to their mulled cider in cool weather). Further along, the town of Huonville is worth a wander for its antique shops and river views.
For a touch of adventure, head down to Geeveston to walk the Tahune Airwalk, a steel walkway suspended high above the forest canopy. I’ve been to this attraction a few times, and can confirm that looking out from the cantilever platform with the Huon River flowing below and the sound of birds echoing through the trees is truly magical!
🌲 If you’d like a stress-free way to explore the Huon Valley, take a Tahune Airwalk, Hastings Caves & Thermal Springs Day Tour. You’ll stroll through the treetops, explore an underground cave system, then take a dip in warm thermal springs surrounded by rainforest.
Bruny Island day trip from Hobart
🚗 Travel time: ~45 minutes to the ferry (36 km from Hobart) + 1 hour each way on the island
Bruny Island always manages to feel unhurried — like Tasmania distilled into one place. It’s one of those destinations that feels like a proper escape, even though it’s surprisingly close to Hobart.
The moment the ferry pulls away from Kettering, everything slows down — the water becomes glassy, the air feels different, and as the mainland disappears behind you, it feels as if you’re travelling to another world.
What always strikes me about Bruny is the variety. One minute you’re driving through thick forest, and the next you’re skimming the edge of a windswept beach or passing quiet farmland dotted with blue gums. Even after multiple visits, I still find myself pulling over constantly just to take in the views.
My favourite stop is The Neck, where a staircase leads to a panoramic lookout on the sand strip that connects the island’s north and south ends. It’s one of those views where you can see both sides of the coastline at once — wild surf on one side, calm blue water on the other.
🛥️ If you really want to experience Bruny’s wild side, take a Full-Day Bruny Island Cruises Day Tour from Hobart. This tour takes care of all the logistics (including ferry transport, morning tea, and lunch) and includes a thrilling 3-hour eco-cruise along the island’s southern coast.
You’ll glide beneath towering sea cliffs, drift past remote beaches, watch dolphins play in the boat’s wake, and see the fur seal colony at The Friars — all the dramatic scenery that Bruny is known for, but from a perspective most visitors never get to experience.
Freycinet National Park day trip from Hobart
🚗 Travel time: ~2.5 hours each way (190 km from Hobart)
Visiting Freycinet National Park in a day trip from Hobart means an early start, but it’s absolutely worth it. I’ve done this scenic drive up Tasmania’s east coast a few times, and it is so pretty — you’ll pass through seaside towns and get glimpses of turquoise water long before you arrive.
🌊 If you don’t want to drive, you can take a Wineglass Bay & Freycinet Full Day Tour from Hobart. This small-group tour includes a handy hotel pickup and drop-off and covers all the national park highlights.
The main drawcard at Freycinet is the hike to up to Wineglass Bay Lookout. It’s a steady uphill walk through eucalyptus forest, and when you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of the perfect crescent of sand and blue water framed by pink granite peaks. If you’re feeling energetic, you can follow the path as it continues all the way down to the picturesque white sand beach.
On my last visit to Freycinet, I lingered at Honeymoon Bay to soak up the serenity before grabbing a bite to eat in the town of Coles Bay. If you want to stay on the east coast overnight, there are some affordable accommodation options in Coles Bay or in the nearby towns of Bicheno or Swansea.
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