Arrive in Hobart and collect your hire car, then head straight to Salamanca Place to stretch your legs among the sandstone warehouses and bustling market stalls (if it's a Wednesday or Saturday, enjoy the full Salamanca Market atmosphere). Stop for coffee and a light breakfast at Machine Laundry Café or Daci & Daci Bakers, and take a leisurely walk along the waterfront to admire the moored yachts and harbor views.
Wander the narrow streets of historic Battery Point, admiring colonial cottages and stopping at Arthur Circus and Kelly’s Steps for photos and local stories. Pop into the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery or the Conservatory at Salamanca Arts Centre for a dose of local art and history, then enjoy a long lunch of fresh seafood at Mures or one of the harborside bistros.
As golden hour approaches, walk back to the waterfront for sunset views from Franklin Wharf, then sample Tasmanian produce over dinner — try Franklin or The Glass House for contemporary Tasmanian cuisine. If you’re not too jet-lagged, finish with a relaxed drink at a Salamanca bar or a short moonlit stroll through Battery Point to hear the city settle in for the night.
After your first-day wander of Salamanca and Battery Point, head up kunanyi / Mount Wellington for sweeping views over Hobart and the Derwent — drive or take the Pinnacle Road and stop at The Springs for a short walk among the alpine vegetation. On a clear morning, pause at the Longley Track lookout and snap photos of the city, harbour and distant kunanyi ridgelines before descending for a late-morning coffee at Jackman & McRoss in Battery Point.
Spend a relaxed afternoon continuing the Battery Point exploration you began yesterday: stroll through Arthur Circus and along Kelly's Steps, then visit the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery if you missed it or pop into Salamanca Arts Centre galleries for local art. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at Daci & Daci Bakers or Mures so you can savour fresh Tasmanian seafood and pastries, then wander the waterfront and Franklin Wharf to watch ferries and yachts go by.
As the light softens, take a riverside walk along the new Hobart Rivulet or the Constitution Dock boardwalk to enjoy sunset reflections on the water, then sample contemporary Tasmanian cuisine at Franklin or The Glass House for dinner. Finish with a nightcap at a Salamanca bar or a quiet moonlit stroll through Battery Point to appreciate the historic cottages lit up against the hill.
Leave Hobart after breakfast and enjoy the scenic 1.5-2 hour drive south-east toward the Tasman Peninsula, stopping at the Eaglehawk Neck lookout to admire the dramatic coastline and the Devil’s Kitchen and Tasman Arch rock formations. Arrive at the Port Arthur Historic Site mid-morning and join a guided walking tour to learn the convict-era stories among the ruins, penitentiary and commandant’s cottage — finish with the short harbour cruise that gives a powerful perspective on the settlement from the water.
After the site tour, explore more of the peninsula’s natural highlights: drive to Remarkable Cave and Crescent Bay for short coastal walks and spectacular cliff views, then stop at the Blowhole lookout and Tasman National Park picnic areas for a relaxed lunch. If you have energy, take the Three Capes Track short walk option or the nearby Fortescue Bay loop to stretch your legs and spot seabirds and native plants along the rugged shoreline.
Return toward Port Arthur village as daylight wanes and dine at a local bistro such as the Port Arthur Lavender Café or the onsite Tea Rooms for hearty Tasmanian fare and lavender-infused treats. If you're staying locally, consider an evening lantern-lit ghost tour at the historic site for an atmospheric look at its darker history, or simply relax at your accommodation watching the sunset over the bay and preparing for tomorrow’s drive to Freycinet.
Depart Hobart after breakfast and enjoy the scenic 2.5-3 hour drive up the east coast, with an optional short stop in Orford for coffee at The Riverfront Café or a quick look at Maria Island views from the foreshore. Continue through Swansea and into Freycinet National Park, checking in to your Coles Bay accommodation before setting out on the short walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout for that classic postcard view of the crescent beach and granite Hazards peaks.
After photographing Wineglass Bay, descend partway for a sheltered picnic on the lower lookout or continue the moderate walk down to the beach if you’re feeling energetic — the return climb takes about 1-1.5 hours. Alternatively, explore nearby short walks such as the Cape Tourville Lighthouse boardwalk for ocean panoramas, then cool off with a swim at Coles Bay or a late-afternoon paddle/kayak hire to see the coastline from the water.
As the light softens, enjoy fresh local seafood at Geographe Restaurant or the Freycinet Marine Farm for oysters and mussels while watching the sunset over Oyster Bay. Finish the day with a relaxed stroll along the waterfront or a nightcap on your accommodation deck, listening for distant seabirds and planning tomorrow’s relaxed beach and bushwalks in the park.
Wake up to sea breezes in Coles Bay and head into Freycinet National Park for a relaxed morning — take the Cape Tourville Lighthouse boardwalk for sweeping ocean views and keep an eye out for white-bellied sea-eagles and dolphins below. Afterwards, drive to the Wineglass Bay carpark and, if you’re feeling energetic, tackle the track down toward the beach for postcard-perfect photos; the short climb back rewards you with panoramic views of the Hazards.
After a picnic lunch on the beach or at the picnic area near the lower lookout, choose a shorter trail such as the Friendly Beaches walk or the short walk to Sleepy Bay to explore sculpted granite boulders and turquoise coves at a slower pace. If the weather’s warm, rent a kayak from Coles Bay and paddle along the shoreline for a different perspective of the park, or relax at Freycinet Marine Farm with fresh oysters and cold drinks overlooking the water.
As the day cools, return to Coles Bay for sunset — the beachfront at Richardson’s or a lookout along the Esplanade makes a lovely spot to watch colours change over Oyster Bay. Enjoy a dinner of local seafood at Geographe Restaurant or The Edge Restaurant (depending on your accommodation), then end the night stargazing from your accommodation deck or joining a short guided evening walk if available to listen for native wildlife.
Drive north from Freycinet through scenic coastal farmland to the Bay of Fires, arriving at Binalong Bay or The Gardens for a sunrise stroll among the famous orange lichen-streaked granite boulders and powdery white sand. Take the short walk from Binalong Bay to adjoining coves, keep an eye out for sea eagles and dolphins, and pause at a beachside picnic spot for a leisurely coffee and locally made pastries.
Spend the afternoon exploring more of the Bay’s ribbon of beaches: walk the coast between The Gardens and Cosy Corner, snorkel in sheltered bays if the water’s calm, or join a guided kayaking trip from Binalong Bay to explore rock gardens and hidden inlets. Drop into the nearby St Helens waterfront for a late lunch — try fresh local oysters or fish and chips — then pop into Pyengana Cheese or a local farmgate if you’re tempted by Tasmanian produce.
As the light softens, head to Swimcart Beach or red-rock lookout points for a memorable sunset against the orange lichen and cobalt sea, then return to St Helens for dinner at a waterfront bistro such as The Gutter Bar & Kitchen or Blue Edge Bakery for relaxed local fare. Finish the night with a quiet walk along the jetty or stargazing back at your accommodation, listening for the gentle surf and nocturnal birdlife.
Start your day with a riverside breakfast at Stillwater or Black Cow Bistro, then stroll to the trailhead for Cataract Gorge; take the scenic chairlift across the South Esk River for sweeping views and a gentle introduction to the park. Explore the Gorge’s pebbled riverbank, sculpted cliffs and the easy Basin and Cliff Grounds walks, pausing at the Alexandra Suspension Bridge and ornamental gardens for photos and a coffee at the kiosk.
After lunch in the city (try Geronimo or Mudbar for local flavours), wander Launceston’s elegant heritage streets — pop into the Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery for local history and the National Automobile Museum for something quirky. If you prefer gardens and local produce, visit City Park to see the conservatory and resident monkeys, then stroll to the Harvest Market (if operating) or nearby farmgate stores for Tasmanian cheeses, honey and wine tasting.
For sunset, return to Cataract Gorge for golden light along the river or head to the rooftop bar at Peppers Silo for panoramic city views while sipping a Tassie pinot; otherwise dine at Stillwater or Black Cow for a refined Tasmanian meal featuring local seafood and beef. Finish the night with a relaxed riverside walk along Tamar River or a craft-beer stop at James Boag’s Brewery taproom or one of Launceston’s cosy pubs to sample local drops before turning in.
Continue your northward rhythm from Launceston with a scenic drive up the Tamar Valley, stopping first at Josef Chromy Wines for a relaxed tasting and breakfast on the terrace while enjoying vineyard and river views. Next, call into Tamar Ridge Cellar Door for an easy stroll among vines and a chance to sample cool-climate pinot noir and riesling; if you prefer something hands-on, book a short cellar-door tour or a guided tasting session to learn about Tassie terroir.
After a leisurely cellar stop, head to the riverside town of Exeter or Grindelwald (for a quick photo-op at the Swiss-style village) and enjoy lunch at Stillwater or a local café in Beauty Point; alternatively, drive to Bridestowe Lavender Estate (season permitting) or the Pipers Brook region for more boutique tastings. In the afternoon visit Tamar Valley Produce stores or a farmgate (try Josef Chromy’s deli or a local cheese maker) and, if time allows, take the short loop to Seahorse World at Beauty Point or the historic Low Head Pilot Station for coastal views and seals.
Return to Launceston as the light softens and unwind with dinner at one of the city’s standout restaurants — Black Cow Bistro or Stillwater are great choices for a Tasmanian-focused meal — or opt for a relaxed riverside winery dinner if your timing suits (many cellar doors host twilight events). Finish the night with a gentle stroll along the Tamar River or a visit to a local bar for a Tassie pinot noir, reflecting on the valley’s wines and the varied landscapes you’ve discovered en route.
Leave Launceston after an early breakfast and drive (or join a shuttle/tour) to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, arriving mid-morning with time to orient at the Visitor Centre and pick up a park map. Start with the iconic Dove Lake Circuit — the gentle 2-hour walk skirts the shoreline under ancient pencil pines, revealing postcard views of Cradle Mountain reflected in the water and photo stops at the Boat Shed and Glacier Rock.
After the Dove Lake loop, refuel with lunch at the nearby Wilderness Gallery café or at the Chalet’s Bistro, then choose a short extension: climb the Cradle Summit track to Marion’s Lookout for elevated panoramas (allow extra time and energy) or take the shorter Enchanted Walk through cool temperate rainforest to experience mossy trunks and cascading streams. If you prefer a relaxed afternoon, join a ranger talk at the Visitor Centre or explore the Waldheim historic hut to learn about Gustav Weindorfer and early conservation efforts.
As daylight softens on your return toward Launceston or your next stop, pause at a lookout for one last view of the mountain silhouette and golden light on the plateau, then enjoy a hearty Tasmanian meal back in town — try local game, trout or a seasonal vegetable dish at a Launceston restaurant such as Black Cow Bistro or Stillwater. If you’re staying near Cradle Mountain, unwind with stargazing from your lodge deck and listen for currawongs and possums, reflecting on a day immersed in Tasmania’s alpine wilderness.
Drive or fly back to Hobart after your Cradle Mountain day (allow 3.5-4.5 hours driving from Cradle to Hobart) and drop your luggage at your hotel before heading to the Brooke Street Pier to catch the ferry to MONA. The 30-40 minute ferry ride is part of the experience — enjoy the harbour views and the on-board commentary, then arrive at MONA ready to explore its provocative contemporary exhibits, subterranean galleries and the eclectic onsite winery and café.
Spend the afternoon wandering MONA’s surprising collection at your own pace, taking time for the audio guide’s stories and the outdoor sculptures on the grounds; pause for lunch at The Source Restaurant or the Pichola cafe for a seasonal Tasmanian menu with vineyard views. If you’d like a quieter contrast, take the short walk along the Moorilla vineyard trails back toward the riverbank or join a curator talk/workshop if scheduled, then ferry back to Hobart mid-to-late afternoon to return to the city.
Back in Hobart, stroll Salamanca Place and Battery Point one last time to soak up the harbour ambience and pick up any final souvenirs from local galleries and boutiques. Finish your trip with a farewell dinner celebrating Tasmanian produce — consider Templo, Franklin or The Glass House for a memorable meal — then enjoy a riverside nightcap or a peaceful walk along Constitution Dock as the lights reflect on the water.