Epic Day Trips from Hobart for Every Traveller

Nestled amidst the pristine wilderness of Tasmania lies the charming city of Hobart, a gateway to some of Australia’s most captivating natural wonders. From historic sites steeped in convict history to breathtaking coastal vistas and wildlife-rich islands, there’s no shortage of enchanting destinations waiting to be explored on a day trip from Hobart.

If you’re only spending a short time in Tasmania then basing yourself in Hobart and taking day trips to other areas can be a wonderful way to see more of this stunning island state. Whether you’re drawn to the rugged beauty of the coast or the bucolic charm of the countryside, these day trips from Hobart promise unforgettable experiences. Having your own car (or hiring one) is the most convenient way to visit most of these places, but not essential!

Richmond

Richmond is only about a half-hour drive from Hobart, but it feels like you’ve stepped back in time when visiting this sleepy little village. Richmond is very historic, home to Australia’s oldest bridge, Australia’s oldest intact gaol and Australia’s oldest Roman Catholic Church. There are also some great antique shops, art galleries, cafés and restaurants in the town, while the area surrounding it is a well-known winery region. It’s definitely worth spending a day exploring all the things you can do in Richmond, which you can also read about in my guide to the best things to do in Richmond!

If you won’t have access to a car while you’re in Hobart, you could join this full-day tour to Richmond which also goes to Bonorong Wildlife Park (which I’ve also written about here). If you’re short on time, there’s also a half-day tour to Richmond.

Must-sees in Richmond:

• Richmond Bridge
• Richmond Gaol
• Sweets and Treats – an old-fashioned lolly shop!
• Old Hobart Town Model Village
• Bonorong Wildlife Park

The Channel

When people from Hobart talk about “The Channel” they’re partly talking about the D’Entrecasteaux Channel (the water between Bruny Island and the mainland of Tasmania) and partly talking about the Channel Highway which runs through the towns of Taroona, Kingston, Margate, Snug and Kettering. While I personally think of Taroona as part of Hobart, it’s a very nice drive to go down the Channel Highway through Taroona to get to Kingston, which has a lovely beach.

Kingston Beach is lined with great restaurants, cafés and the awesome Salty Dog Hotel (which has a dog-friendly beer garden) and while it’s not technically on the Channel Highway the next town over of Blackman’s Bay also has a great beach to visit. If you continue driving to Margate you’ll get to the Margate Train, an old steam train that now houses very cute and quirky shops, along with a great pancake restaurant! If you’re into antiquing there’s also a massive and very interesting antique shop in a big shed behind the tram.

Further along the Channel you could visit the Channel Museum in Margate, and the cute little village of Snug is home to a lovely bushwalk to the pretty Snug Falls.

You could also quite easily combine a visit to the Channel and part of the Huon, as it forms a sort of loop if you drove from Kingston through Margate and Snug then over to Cygnet and back up to Huonville.

Must-sees in the Channel:

• The Shot Tower
• Kingston Beach
• Salty Dog Hotel
• Blackman’s Bay Beach
• The Margate Train
• Snug Falls

The Huon

Parts of the Channel Highway connect to the Huon Valley, a region also known simply as The Huon which stretches from the town of Huonville along the Huon Highway through Franklin, Geeveston and all the way down to Southport. This region led to Tasmania becoming famous for apple exports, as there were many orchards.

If you continue right down to the bottom of the Huon you can visit Hasting Caves to explore Newdegate Cave: the largest tourist cave in Australia which occurs in dolomite, rather than limestone. There’s also a thermal spring for bathing and you can do some bushwalking around the area.

Closer to Hobart and Huonville there’s another great attraction – the Tahune Airwalk! Here you can walk among the tops of the famous Huon Pines with fantastic views of the Huon River. I also recommend checking out Cygnet if you’ve watched Deadloch on Amazon Prime (a lot of it was filmed there) and no trip down the Huon is complete without stopping off at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed!

You could visit Hastings Caves, the Tahune Airwalk and other parts of the Huon Valley in one day if you leave Hobart early enough. If you won’t have a car then you can also join this full-day tour which visits Hastings Caves, the Tahune Airwalk, and the Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin.

Must-sees in the Huon:

• Willie Smith’s Apple Shed
• The Honey Pot
• The Wooden Boat Centre
• The Tahune Airwalk
• Hastings Caves

Bruny Island

Bruny Island is located within the Derwent River and you can only reach it by ferry from the town of Kettering. It only takes half an hour to drive to Kettering and then 20 minutes to cross over on the ferry (and there are ferries every ten minutes in summer). Bruny Island is another beautiful part of Tasmania, with some excellent foodie places to enjoy, stunning beaches and cute wildlife.

It’s also quite big so the best way to explore it would be to stay overnight or for a couple of days, but if you don’t have much time you could join a day tour. This one heads all the way down to the historic Bruny Lighthouse and also stops off at some gourmet locations for food, while this one is a truly gourmet tour, with more foodie stops and also includes a stop at the Bligh Museum of Pacific Exploration in Adventure Bay.

Must-sees on Bruny Island:

• The Neck Lookout
• Adventure Bay
• Cape Bruny Lighthouse
• Bruny Island House of Whisky
• Get Shucked – for fresh oysters
• Bruny Island Honey
• Bruny Island Cheese Company
• Bruny Island Chocolate Co.
• Albino wallabies and little penguins!

Mount Field National Park

One of the best things about Hobart is how close it is to so many different natural environments, whether you want to relax on a beach or go bushwalking in a national park. Mount Field National Park is one of Tasmania’s oldest and most beloved national parks, located approximately 64 kilometres northwest of Hobart, making it a perfect choice for a day trip surrounded by nature.

Mount Field is renowned for its stunning waterfalls, including the iconic Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Lady Barron Falls. These cascades are easily accessible via well-maintained walking tracks, offering visitors the opportunity to marvel at their beauty up close. There is also a network of walking trails catering to all fitness levels, from leisurely strolls to more challenging hikes.

If you won’t be able to drive there yourself you could join this day trip to Mount Field which includes stops in the town of New Norfolk and the Salmon Pond Trout Hatchery along with visiting Russell Falls in Mt. Field National Park. You could also choose this day trip which visits the summit of Mount Wellington/Kunanyi and Bonorong Wildlife Park as well as Mount Field.

If you will be driving to Mount Field yourself though, make sure you stop off at Westerway Raspberry Farm for some yummy treats along the way!

Must-sees in Mount Field National Park:

• Russell Falls
• Lady Barron Falls
• Seagers Lookout

The Tasman Peninsula

The Tasman Peninsula is about an hour from Hobart and boasts some stunning scenery as well as plenty of convict history. The Port Arthur Historic Site might be the most famous attraction on the peninsula, but there are actually quite a few places worth exploring – like the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo if you want to get up close to Tassie Devils!

The best way to explore the Tasman Peninsula is if you have hired a car, but if that’s not possible (or you don’t want to) then this day trip will take you to the major sites. This day trip will only take you to Port Arthur, but it also includes a wildlife cruise off the coast of the peninsula, where you are likely to see seals, dolphins, and maybe even whales!

Must-sees on the Tasman Peninsula:

• Tasman Arch and the Devil’s Kitchen
• Tasmanian Devil Unzoo
• Port Arthur Lavender
• The Dog Line
• Port Arthur Historic Site

Maria Island

Maria Island is a unique and picturesque island located off the east coast of Tasmania, near the town of Triabunna. The island is accessible via a ferry service from Triabunna, which is about a 90-minute drive from Hobart. The ferry ride itself takes around 30 minutes, making it relatively easy to access as a day trip from Hobart.

Some popular walks on Maria Island will take you to the beautiful Painted Cliffs, the fascinating Fossil Cliffs, or the summit hike to Bishop and Clerk, which offers panoramic views of the island. Maria Island is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. You’re more than likely to spot a variety of animals, including wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, and a diverse range of bird species.

If you don’t have your own car then you can join this full-day trip to Maria Island from Hobart and make sure you also read my guide to visiting Maria Island here!

Must-sees on Maria Island:

• Darlington Probation Station
• Fossil Cliffs
• Painted Cliffs
• Wombats, kangaroos, Cape Barren Geese and Tassie Devils!

The East Coast

Of course, I’m totally biased, but the East Coast is one of my favourite parts of Tassie and a great area to explore as a day trip! Maria Island is part of the East Coast as well, but you would really need a day to visit the island and another day to see the rest of the best of the East Coast.

In an hour’s drive from Hobart you’ll reach my hometown of Orford (and can read more about the best beach and other things to do here) while another 45-minute drive up to Swansea will provide gorgeous coastal views with lots of beautiful beaches to stop off at and explore. Just before Swansea is Kate’s Berry Farm with delicious scones, ice-cream and pancakes and if you head up to Bicheno you shouldn’t miss the Blowhole, East Coast Natureworld and more incredible beaches – where you might even see little penguins!

Near Bicheno is the groovy Pondering Frog Café which is packed full of frogs, with a giant one next to the pond, and then there’s Freycinet National Park which is home to the famous Wineglass Bay. It might be difficult to pack everything there is to see on the East Coast into one day, but you’ll have a great time trying! You could also join this day tour to Wineglass Bay and Freycinet if you won’t have a car.

Must-sees on the East Coast:

• Freycinet National Park
• Bicheno
• The Pondering Frog Café
• Swansea
• Kate’s Berry Farm
• The beaches!

The Midlands

The Midlands region is located approximately 50 to 100 kilometres north of Hobart, depending on which specific area you’re aiming to visit. Access to the Midlands from Hobart is primarily via the Midlands Highway (National Highway 1), which offers a direct route through the heart of the region.

The Midlands is home to several historic towns and villages worth exploring, many with remains of Tasmania’s convict heritage. The first one you’ll come to when driving from Hobart is Oatlands, known for its beautiful sandstone buildings and historic windmill.

Further along the highway is the town of Ross, which contains many heritage buildings including a female convict compound, multiple churches and the third oldest bridge still in use in Australia. There’s also a crossroads which gets called “The Four Corners of Ross” as each building on each corner correlated to Temptation (the Man O’ Ross Hotel), Recreation (the Northern Midlands Council Old Town Hall), Salvation (the Roman Catholic Church) and Damnation (the jail, which is now a private residence).

If you continue up the highway you’ll also come to Campbell Town, which is usually the lunch spot for people driving between Hobart and Launceston but is also worth visiting if you’re into books as it’s home to a pretty amazing bookstore (with both secondhand and new books) in the cellar of an 1830s coaching inn!

Must-sees in the Midlands:

• Callington Mill Distillery in Oatlands
• Oatlands History Room
• Ross Bridge
• Ross Female Factory
• The Book Cellar in Campbell Town

Launceston

While I’d recommend staying at least overnight in Launceston, you could visit it as a day trip from Hobart in a pinch! It takes about 2 and a half hours to drive between the two main cities in Tasmania, but if you left early (and didn’t mind getting back late) then you could have a good few hours to explore Launceston and have lunch before returning to Hobart.

While in Launceston the must-see sites include Cataract Gorge (simply called “the Gorge” by locals) which offers lots of beautiful views, bushwalking, peacocks, a chairlift and even swimming opportunities – either in the river or the on-site swimming pool. City Park is also gorgeous, with a lovely conservatory and a resident troupe of Japanese Macaques which you can check out for free!

The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is also excellent, with two locations; the main art gallery is in the city centre and the main museum section is at Inveresk, which is across the other side of the river. Both of these sites are fascinating and free to visit as well. Check out my guide to Launceston here as well.

Must-sees in Launceston:

• City Park (and the Japanese Macaques)
• Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery
• Cataract Gorge

Pin Me!

Have you done any great day trips from Hobart that I’ve missed off this list? Let me know in the comments or pin one of these if you’re planning to visit Hobart and want to see some places nearby!