Need a shortlist? Try these
1. MONA – a modern art gallery in Hobart. Internationally recognised and quite confronting!
2. Hobart – the Salamanca market, museum, city waterfront and its seafood outlets are a must-visit. Watch out for seals eating scraps from fishing boats.
3. Mt Wellington – the view over Hobart and far beyond is spectacular. It’s especially pretty after snow has fallen. Take warm clothes.
4. Port Arthur and Tasman Peninsula – the historic penal settlement and nearby spectacular coast are an absolute must-see.
5. Binalong Bay – beautiful coastline of fiery-coloured rocks, clear water and white sand, with swimming in summer.
6. Cataract Gorge – a nice area near Launceston.
7. The Stanley Nut – have fish and chips and stare at or climb the famous Nut, which looks like a mini Uluru in the sea.
8. Arthur River boat cruise – a pleasant tour up a wild river, and your child might even be allowed to steer the boat.
9. Cradle Mountain in Lake St Clair National Park – a spectacular mountain with nearby lake, and bushwalks. Unfortunately, very busy in peak season.
10. Strahan, Macquarie Harbour and the Wilderness Railway – the must-visit on the West Coast.
11. Great Lake – a big stony lake on the central plateau, bare but impressive when the water level is down, and famous for its brown and rainbow trout.
12. Huon Valley – this beautiful area is coming of age with cider makers, bakeries, a fast boat ride, fruit stalls (in season), farmstays, and more. Great in spring when flowers bloom and lambs roam the paddocks.
13. Fortescue Bay – popular bush camp site in a sheltered bay in the south-east. Swimming, fishing and walks.
14. Recherche Bay and Cockle Creek – bush camp sites in sheltered bays south of Southport and Lune River. Try the historic railway ride along the way.
15. Wineglass Bay – a beautiful view but with a steep climb to the lookout and bay access track, and very busy in season.
16. East Coast – towns like St Helens and Bicheno are for people who love beaches and summer surfing and swimming. The evening penguin tour at Bicheno is a highlight.
17. Richmond – historic town a short drive from Hobart, has a very old stone bridge and good lunch/coffee stops.
18. Bonorong Wildlife Park – a great place to see Tasmania’s native wildlife up close.
19. Bruny Island – catch the car ferry to the island and then take a boat tour to the seal colony. Some very safe swimming beaches.
20. Maria Island – site of a historic penal settlement, with loads of wildlife.
21. Lake Pedder – this controversial lake is many times the size of Sydney Harbour, with spectacular rugged scenery. You’ll also see the Lake Gordon hydro dam. Great place for a picnic and trout fishing, but be prepared for wet conditions as it rains about 300 days a year.
22. Tahune Air Walk – this is a raised platform through the forest canopy in the south of the state, overlooking the junction of the Huon and Picton Rivers. It was partly damaged by fire in 2019 but will reopen.
There are many other stops along the way. These include wildlife parks, fish farms, lolly shops, coffee stops, pubs, lakes, rivers and beaches. Pick-your-own berry and fruit tours are available at farms in season, look out for signs.
Because of the island’s rugged geography, many of Tasmania’s roads are windy and hilly, so allow extra driving time.
Take care in the evenings, many of Tasmania’s critters hit the roads at night and are blinded by headlights.