Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Hobart — Capital at the End of the World
Morning Marché de Salamanca et Waterfront
Begin your Tasmanian adventure at the legendary Salamanca Market, Australia's most famous open-air market. Over 300 stalls line up under century-old plane trees, in front of 19th-century sandstone warehouses converted into galleries and restaurants. Farm cheeses, leatherwood honey unique to Tasmania, fresh oysters, and local crafts create a feast for the senses.
Afternoon MONA — Museum of Old and New Art
Visit Australia's most provocative and original museum, carved into sandstone cliffs on the banks of the Derwent River. MONA, founded by millionaire David Walsh, is a three-story underground labyrinth confronting ancient and contemporary art in bold displays. From immersive installations to disturbing works, no visitor leaves indifferent.
Evening Dîner de fruits de mer au port de Hobart
Savor Tasmania's marine treasures at one of the Victoria Dock restaurants. Tasmania is renowned for its exceptionally fresh seafood: Atlantic salmon raised in icy waters, Pacific oysters from Bruny Island, wild abalone, and rock lobster. The dock, with its colorful fishing boats and lights reflecting on the water, creates an unforgettable atmosphere.
Day 2 Bruny Island — Wild Island of Marine Flavors
Morning Ferry vers Bruny Island et The Neck
Board the ferry from Kettering (35 min south of Hobart) to Bruny Island, a preserved natural gem off the southeast coast. The island is actually two islands connected by a spectacular isthmus called The Neck. From the top of the wooden staircase (279 steps), the view of the two turquoise bays on either side of this sandy strip is stunning.
Afternoon Bruny Island Cruises — Falaises et faune marine
Board a 3-hour cruise along Australia's most vertiginous cliffs, reaching 300 meters high. The boat threads through sea caves, under natural arches, and along spectacular dolerite columns. You'll spot Australian fur seal colonies, dolphins, albatrosses, and with luck, little penguins swimming in the crystal waters.
Evening Route gourmande et retour à Hobart
Before catching the ferry back, drive the Bruny Island food trail — a concentration of Tasmanian flavors within a few kilometers. Artisan cheese from Bruny Island Cheese Co., Get Shucked oysters opened before you at the water's edge, Bruny Island Honey, and whisky from the Bruny Island House of Whisky make for an irresistible gastronomic route.
Day 3 Cradle Mountain — Wild Heart of Tasmania
Morning Route vers Cradle Mountain et Dove Lake
Drive northwest to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, the jewel of Tasmania's UNESCO World Heritage wilderness. After 4 hours through increasingly wild landscapes, the jagged silhouette of Cradle Mountain (1,545m) emerges above Dove Lake, composing one of Australia's most iconic panoramas.
Afternoon Dove Lake Circuit et faune sauvage
Walk the Dove Lake Circuit, a 6km loop around the glacial lake at the foot of Cradle Mountain. This iconic trail passes through Antarctic beech forests with copper foliage, alpine peat bogs, and pebble beaches. The perfect reflections of Cradle Mountain in the lake's dark waters create natural scenes of unreal beauty. Keep your eyes peeled for wombats, echidnas, and Tasmanian devils.
Evening Dîner au lodge et observation nocturne
Settle into your lodge deep in the rainforest for a dinner showcasing Tasmanian terroir products. After the meal, head out for a night walk in the park — Tasmania is one of the last refuges of the Tasmanian devil, and your chances of spotting one are better at night. The starry sky, free from light pollution, reveals the Milky Way in all its southern splendor.
Day 4 Freycinet — Pearl of the East Coast
Morning Route vers Freycinet et Wineglass Bay Lookout
Cross Tasmania from west to east (4h drive) to reach Freycinet National Park, a setting of pink granite and turquoise waters on the east coast. The hike to the Wineglass Bay lookout (1.5km, 45-min climb) offers Tasmania's most photographed view: a crescent of pristine white sand framed by the pink granite peaks of the Hazards, plunging into an unreal blue sea.
Afternoon Honeymoon Bay et dégustation de la côte est
Relax on Honeymoon Bay beach, a little gem accessible by car within the park. Its translucent waters sheltered by pink granite cliffs invite swimming and snorkeling among colorful fish. Continue to Coles Bay to discover east coast Tasmanian flavors: oysters raised in Great Oyster Bay, fresh regional wines, and freshly caught seafood.
Evening Coucher de soleil à Sleepy Bay et dîner à Coles Bay
Walk to Sleepy Bay (10 min from the parking lot) for a spectacular sunset over wave-sculpted rock formations. Granite boulders rounded by erosion, orange lichens, and golden light compose a scene of striking wild beauty. Finish with a quiet dinner in Coles Bay village, serenaded by nocturnal birdsong.
Day 5 Port Arthur — Memory and Return to Hobart
Morning Site historique de Port Arthur
Visit the Port Arthur Historic Site, a former British penal colony and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Between 1830 and 1877, over 12,500 convicts were imprisoned here in terrible conditions. The majestic penitentiary ruins, the roofless neo-Gothic church, and the strangely peaceful gardens create an emotionally charged place. The audio guide reveals the poignant fates of individual prisoners.
Afternoon Tasman Arch et retour côtier vers Hobart
Leaving Port Arthur, take a detour to the Tasman Peninsula for its spectacular geological formations. The Tasman Arch, a massive natural arch carved by the ocean into dolerite cliffs, and Devil's Kitchen, a dizzying chasm where the sea rushes in with a roar, attest to the raw power of the Southern Ocean. The coastal road to Hobart offers magnificent sea views.
Evening Coucher de soleil au sommet du Mount Wellington
Drive to the summit of kunanyi / Mount Wellington (1,271m), the mountain dominating Hobart. In 30 minutes from the city center, you pass from temperate forest to bare alpine rocks. At the top, the 360° panorama encompasses Hobart, the Derwent River, Bruny Island, and the wild southwestern mountains — a perfect summary of Tasmania.
Day 6 Richmond & Derwent Valley — Colonial history and hop valley
Morning Village historique de Richmond
Explore Richmond, Australia's best-preserved colonial village, 25 min north of Hobart. Its 1823 sandstone bridge, built by convicts, is the country's oldest bridge still in use. Cobbled streets lined with Georgian cottages host galleries, studios, and antique shops. Richmond Gaol, an 1825 prison, offers a chilling glimpse into convict life.
Afternoon Derwent Valley et New Norfolk
Drive up the picturesque Derwent River valley to New Norfolk, a historic town founded by early settlers in 1807. The region was once Tasmania's hop-growing heartland — conical oast houses still dot the landscape. Visit Willow Court, an 1827 former psychiatric asylum now a heritage site, then browse the antique shops on Stephen Street.
Evening Dîner à The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery
End the day at the legendary Agrarian Kitchen Eatery, housed in a former Victorian asylum in New Norfolk. Chef Rodney Dunn serves exceptional farm-to-table cuisine: 90% of ingredients come from their own organic farm at Lachlan. The menu changes daily with the harvest, dishes are served on handmade ceramics in a bright industrial dining room with exposed beams.
Day 7 Mount Field & Road to Strahan — Waterfalls, giants and wild west
Morning Russell Falls et Tall Trees Walk
Dive into Tasmania's oldest national park, Mount Field, 1h30 from Hobart. The trail to Russell Falls (25 min return, wheelchair accessible) leads to a spectacular three-tier waterfall framed by giant tree ferns. Continue to the Tall Trees Walk where eucalyptus regnans over 80 meters tall — among the world's tallest flowering trees — rise.
Afternoon Route vers Strahan via Lake St Clair et The Wall
Cross Tasmania east to west via one of Australia's most beautiful drives (A10). Photo stop at Lake St Clair, the country's deepest natural lake (200m), southern trailhead of the Overland Track. Further on at Derwent Bridge, don't miss The Wall in the Wilderness: a monumental Huon pine wood sculpture telling the story of Tasmanian pioneers over 100 meters long. Then pass through Queenstown and its lunar-like mining hills.
Evening Coucher de soleil sur Ocean Beach, Strahan
End this driving day at Tasmania's longest beach: Ocean Beach stretches 40 km of raw sand facing the furious Southern Ocean. This is where waves coming directly from Argentina break, after 15,000 km without obstacle. At dusk, between September and April, watch short-tailed shearwaters return by the thousands to their burrows after a day of ocean fishing.
Day 8 Strahan — Gordon River and temperate rainforest
Morning Croisière Gordon River — Hells Gates et Sarah Island
Board one of the world's most spectacular cruises: 6 hours on the dark waters of the Gordon River, in the heart of UNESCO-listed Tasmanian Wilderness. The boat crosses Macquarie Harbour then passes through Hells Gates, a narrow passage where violent currents sank ships in the 19th century. Landing at Sarah Island, a former ultra-severe penal settlement (1822-1833) even worse than Port Arthur, then cruise through meanders bordered by primeval forests.
Afternoon West Coast Wilderness Railway
Board a restored steam train on the West Coast Wilderness Railway for a dive into mining history and one of Australia's most beautiful rail lines. Built in 1897 to connect the Queenstown mines to the port of Strahan through impenetrable jungle, the line crosses vertiginous bridges over gorges and dense rainforest. Stops let you walk on suspension bridges and see ABT rack locomotives up close.
Evening Pièce de théâtre « The Ship That Never Was »
Attend Australia's longest continuously running play: 'The Ship That Never Was' has told since 1994 the true story of 10 convicts who escaped Sarah Island by stealing the ship they were building in 1834. The interactive, burlesque and touching show is performed in a small open-air amphitheatre at Strahan harbor. The audience participates, actors improvise — a relaxed and uniquely Tasmanian evening.
Day 9 Strahan to Cradle Mountain — Dunes and alpine forests
Morning Henty Dunes
15 km north of Strahan, discover the Henty Dunes, a sand ocean that seems incongruous on this rain-drenched west coast. These giant dunes, 30 meters high, stretch 15 km along Ocean Beach. Walk barefoot on white sand, climb the ridges for a panoramic ocean view, or rent a sand-board to slide down the slopes as in the desert — a surreal experience.
Afternoon Route vers Cradle Mountain via Rosebery et Tullah
Cross the primary rainforest of the west coast on the Murchison Highway (A10). Photo stop at Montezuma Falls, Tasmania's tallest waterfall (104m), accessible by a 1h return walk through primary wet forest. Pass through Rosebery (former mining town) and Tullah (by its quiet lake). The road winds between misty mountains, tea-colored rivers and impenetrable forests — typical Tasmanian Wilderness landscape.
Evening Dîner au Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge et observation nocturne
Settle in for the evening at the legendary Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, an institution nestled at the park's edge. Dine at the Highland Restaurant with refined Tasmanian dishes: braised wallaby, Great Lake trout, King Island cheeses. After the meal, join a guided nocturnal wildlife walk in the meadows around the lodge — wombats, pademelons, echidnas and sometimes Tasmanian devils emerge at nightfall.
Day 10 Cradle Mountain — Dove Lake and Overland Track
Morning Dove Lake Circuit
Hike around Dove Lake, the iconic jewel of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The 6 km loop (2-2h30) is one of Tasmania's most photographed hikes: constant views of Cradle Mountain's jagged peaks reflected in the lake's dark waters, mossy myrtle beech forest, mysterious Ballroom Forest and the legendary wooden boathouse. Mostly flat trail, partly on boardwalks.
Afternoon Marion's Lookout et début de l'Overland Track
For experienced hikers, tackle the famous Overland Track on its first section to Marion's Lookout (5h return, 9 km, +450 m). The trail climbs steeply from Ronny Creek via Crater Lake then reaches Marion's Lookout, a spectacular vantage point at 1,250 m offering Tasmania's most iconic view: all of Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain's jagged silhouette below. The full Overland Track (65 km, 6 days) ends at Lake St Clair.
Evening Repas au Tavern Bar & Bistro
Relax after the hike in the warm atmosphere of the Tavern Bar & Bistro at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge. After a mountain day, nothing beats a parmi (breaded chicken schnitzel), wallaby burger or slow-cooked lamb shank by the open fireplace. The menu features over 30 Tasmanian craft beers and a selection of local whiskies. The relaxed atmosphere contrasts with the Highland's refinement.
Day 11 Sheffield and Launceston — Murals and Cataract Gorge
Morning Sheffield, ville des peintures murales
Leave Cradle Mountain eastward to reach Sheffield (1h30), the 'Town of Murals', a small rural town that reinvented itself in the 80s by painting over 140 giant frescoes on its walls. Each work tells the region's history: pioneers, farmers, loggers, Aboriginals. A marked trail (1h, 1.5 km) tours the main murals. The Mural Fest festival in April adds new works each year.
Afternoon Cataract Gorge et First Basin, Launceston
Arrive in Launceston (1h30 from Sheffield), Tasmania's second city. Just 15 min walk from downtown is one of Australia's most extraordinary urban parks: the Cataract Gorge Reserve. A wild gorge carved by the South Esk River opens onto the First Basin, a vast pool bordered by lawns, a natural swimming pool (free in summer) and crossed by the world's longest single-span chairlift (308 m). Wild peacocks roam the lawns.
Evening Dîner à Stillwater
Enjoy your evening in Launceston at Stillwater, the city's flagship restaurant in a restored 19th-century flour mill by the Tamar River. Chef Craig Will offers signature cuisine showcasing northern Tasmania produce: Cape Grim beef, Petuna trout, Cressy asparagus, Tamar Valley wines. Tasting menu or à la carte — the chic industrial setting with exposed beams and water view is exceptional.
Day 12 Tamar Valley — Mines, vineyards and wildlife
Morning Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre
Cross the Tamar Valley to Beaconsfield (40 min north of Launceston), a former mining town famous for the 2006 mine collapse — two miners were trapped for 14 days before being rescued alive, a story that made world headlines. The Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre recounts this dramatic saga as well as the region's mining history since 1877. Gallery reconstructions, video testimonies, and interactive exhibits immerse you in miners' daily lives.
Afternoon Platypus House et Seahorse World, Beauty Point
Descend the west bank of the Tamar to Beauty Point where two original wildlife attractions sit side by side. Platypus House lets you observe platypuses in enclosures — animals nearly impossible to see in the wild. Passionate guides explain the unique biology of this Australian egg-laying mammal. Right next door, Seahorse World presents the world's largest live seahorse exhibition, raised on-site for research and export — a fairytale underwater world.
Evening Dégustation et dîner au Josef Chromy Wines
Crown the day at Josef Chromy Wines, one of the most prestigious Tamar Valley estates 15 min south of Launceston. The estate offers guided tastings of their award-winning wines — Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling made Tasmania's cool-climate reputation. The restaurant, housed in the historic Relbia Estate homestead by a lake, serves modern Australian cuisine paired with the property's finest wines. Bucolic setting with vineyards stretching to the horizon.
Day 13 Bridestowe Lavender & Bay of Fires — Purple and orange
Morning Bridestowe Lavender Estate
50 min northeast of Launceston, discover the southern hemisphere's largest and oldest lavender estate: Bridestowe Lavender Estate, founded in 1921. Between December and January, 260 hectares of purple fields stretch to the horizon in a fragrant symphony. Paths let you walk among the rows, visit the distillery, and taste lavender ice cream, scones and cosmetics. Off-season, the site remains magnificent with its colonial architecture.
Afternoon Bay of Fires et Binalong Bay
Head to Tasmania's east coast (2h30 from Bridestowe) to discover the Bay of Fires, repeatedly voted one of the world's most beautiful beaches. Along 50 km, a sublime coastline alternates immaculate white sand, crystal turquoise waters and granite rocks covered in flaming orange lichen — hence the name 'Bay of Fires'. Binalong Bay, a small village, marks the southern end. Swimming possible in summer, snorkeling and endless walks on a nearly deserted coast.
Evening Dîner fruits de mer à St Helens
Dine at St Helens, the main fishing village on the east coast, 15 min from Binalong Bay. The port specializes in crayfish (lobsters) and abalones, some among the world's most prized and exported to Asia. Lifebuoy Café or Bayside Inn serve ultra-fresh seafood in a relaxed atmosphere facing the harbor. For a more gastronomic experience, The Pantry at Eagle's Roost offers fine cuisine with bay views.
Day 14 Return to Hobart and departure — Last wonders of the east
Morning Lever de soleil Bay of Fires et route vers Bicheno
Enjoy a last magical moment at Bay of Fires at sunrise: the orange rocks literally blaze in golden light, the turquoise sea is perfectly calm, and the beach is almost yours alone. Grab a last breakfast at a St Helens café before heading south to Bicheno (1h30), a charming coastal village. Photo stop at Bicheno Blowhole, a spectacular sea geyser, and at the red rocks of Red Rocks.
Afternoon Route côtière vers Hobart via Orford
Drive back down Tasmania's east coast (2h30 from Bicheno to Hobart) via the A3 then Tasman Highway. This panoramic road follows the Pacific Ocean with constant views of turquoise bays and deserted beaches. Recommended stops: Spiky Bridge (pointed stone bridge from 1843 built by convicts), Orford and its estuary, then Buckland and its small stone church from 1846. Free lunch stop in one of the coastal villages.
Evening Départ de l'aéroport de Hobart
Last moment in Hobart before departure. If time allows, take a final stroll to Battery Point, a historic neighborhood with colorful 19th-century cottages, or return to the Salamanca Arts Centre galleries for one last Tasmanian souvenir. Hobart airport is 17 min from downtown. Return your rental vehicle, check in and watch through the windows: sometimes wallabies still graze on the lawns between runways — a final nod from Tasmanian wildlife.