Tasmania Highlights Itinerary

Morning

Start at Salamanca Market on Salamanca Place, arriving around 8:30–9:00am while the stalls are fresh and the crowds are manageable. The Saturday market generally runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm, with free entry; allow about two hours to browse Tasmanian cheese, berries, honey, ceramics, woollens, and hot breakfast options. Bring a reusable bag and some cash, although most established stalls accept cards. Afterward, walk downhill along Murray Street toward the waterfront—about 10 minutes—to the Maritime Museum of Tasmania. Allow 1–1½ hours; it usually opens from 9:00am to 5:00pm, with adult admission commonly around A$15–20.

Lunch and Afternoon

Walk back toward Salamanca for lunch at Machine Laundry Cafe, a relaxed spot in a converted laundromat on Salamanca Place. Expect roughly A$20–35 per person for a main meal and coffee; arriving just before noon helps avoid the busiest period. In the afternoon, stroll along Hunter Street and the edge of Sullivans Cove to Mawson’s Hut Replica Museum at Constitution Dock. The small museum takes about 45 minutes and is a good, focused stop for Australia’s Antarctic history; check the day’s opening hours before setting out, as seasonal hours can vary, and budget approximately A$15–20 for admission.

Late Afternoon

Finish with an unhurried walk around Hobart waterfront and Constitution Dock, taking in the fishing boats, historic warehouses, and views across the Derwent. This is an easy area to explore on foot, with plenty of benches and photo stops; allow about an hour before dinner. If you are driving, avoid moving the car between these stops: central Hobart parking is limited and paid during business hours, while the waterfront is most enjoyable as a compact walking circuit.

Morning

Drive from Hobart to MONA in Berriedale via the Brooker Highway, allowing around 20–25 minutes. Leave about 8:30am so you can park and enter without rushing; the museum generally opens at 10:00am, and its car park is free for visitors. Allow roughly three hours inside—this is not a conventional gallery, so expect dark rooms, strong themes, immersive installations and plenty of walking. Tickets are typically around A$35–45 for adults, with exhibitions and opening arrangements best checked before setting out.

Lunch

Stay on the grounds for lunch at Moorilla Wine Bar, where the menu leans into Tasmanian produce and the estate’s own wines. Budget around A$30–60 per person, more if you settle in for a tasting or several glasses. It is an easy, unhurried pause after the museum, and booking is sensible on weekends or during school holidays. Before leaving, check the MONA ferry timetable: services between the museum and Hobart are limited and seasonal, and a ticket is separate from museum admission. If operating, the 30–45-minute river trip is the nicest way to return, with broad views along the Derwent; otherwise, drive back toward the city.

Afternoon

After the ferry arrives in Hobart—or once you have driven back—continue by car to Claremont Village, roughly 10–15 minutes north along the Brooker Highway. Spend an hour browsing the small local shops and taking a gentle break rather than adding another major attraction; Claremont has a more relaxed suburban feel after the intensity of MONA. Parking is generally easier around the village than in central Hobart. If the ferry is not running, allow extra time for the drive and check road conditions before heading out; Tasmania’s late-winter afternoons can become cool and dim surprisingly early.

Morning

Allow about 1 hour 40 minutes from Berriedale to Port Arthur Historic Site, arriving around 9:45–10:00am after the drive from Hobart. Start with the included introductory tour, then give yourself roughly four hours to explore the convict settlement, harbour, church ruins, penitentiary, and quieter paths beyond the main buildings. Entry is approximately A$50–60 for an adult, usually including the harbour cruise and introductory tour, though check the official site before travelling; comfortable shoes and a waterproof layer are worthwhile, as the peninsula is exposed and the weather can change quickly.

Afternoon

Drive a few minutes to Port Arthur Lavender Farm for a slower break among the gardens and farm shop. The café is a convenient place for a light lunch or cake, with lavender ice cream and locally made products among the tempting options; allow about 1½ hours and budget A$15–35 per person. Seasonal opening hours can vary in September, so check ahead, particularly if arriving late in the afternoon. From there, continue roughly 15 minutes toward Maingon Bay for Remarkable Cave. The short walk leads to a coastal viewing platform rather than directly into the cave, but the sea-carved opening and rugged cliffs are especially impressive in late-day light; allow about an hour and take care on wet steps.

Evening

Finish at Stewarts Bay State Reserve, only a few minutes back toward Port Arthur Historic Site. A gentle beach-and-forest walk takes about an hour and makes a peaceful contrast to the history and open landscapes earlier in the day. Stay for the changing light if conditions are calm, but return before dark: there is limited lighting, mobile coverage can be patchy, and wildlife is active on Tasmanian roads after sunset. You can then head back to your Port Arthur accommodation, or return toward Hobart if that is where you are staying.

Morning

After the morning drive from Port Arthur, aim to reach Freycinet Marine Farm around 10:30–11:00am. It is a relaxed stop just outside Coles Bay, where you can try freshly shucked oysters, mussels and other Tasmanian seafood at picnic tables in a working farm setting. Allow about 90 minutes and roughly A$25–60 per person, depending on what you order; check the day’s opening hours before setting out, as seasonal hours can vary. Bring a light jacket—the farm is exposed, and September can feel cool even in sunshine.

Early Afternoon

From Freycinet Marine Farm, drive about 25 minutes into Freycinet National Park and follow signs for the Wineglass Bay Lookout car park. The walk to the lookout is uphill but well formed, taking around 45 minutes each way with time for photographs; allow 2½–3 hours overall, including the drive and a pause at the viewpoint. You’ll need a national park pass—purchase a day pass online or at the visitor centre, generally around A$45 per vehicle. Parking can fill quickly on fine days, so avoid lingering over lunch and carry water; the lookout is the highlight, but the track is more strenuous than the distance suggests.

Late Afternoon and Evening

Continue through Freycinet National Park to the Cape Tourville Lighthouse Walk, an easy, mostly level circuit of about 20 minutes, though an hour is worthwhile for the coastal lookouts over The Hazards and the surrounding islands. Return to Coles Bay afterward for dessert at The Ice Creamery, allowing around 30 minutes and A$8–15 per person. Finish at Richardson’s Beach, where the broad shoreline is ideal for a quiet sunset stroll; the beach is a short drive from the village, and the water can be beautifully calm in the evening. Bring a torch for the walk back to the car, and keep an eye out for wallabies around the roadside after dark.

Morning

After arriving in Launceston, head first to Cataract Gorge Reserve in West Launceston. Allow about 2½ hours for the riverside paths, the suspension bridge and the steep-sided gorge scenery; the First Basin area is the most rewarding section if you do not want a long hike. Entry is free, and the main car parks are convenient, though arrive by about 10:00am for easier parking. Wear shoes with decent grip—the tracks can be damp in September, and the gorge is often cooler than the city.

Lunch

Drive or walk back towards the river for lunch at Stillwater, set in a beautifully restored historic mill on the North Esk River. It is a polished but relaxed choice, with a seasonal Tasmanian menu and a particularly pleasant outlook from the dining room. Allow around 1½ hours and budget A$45–80 per person; booking is sensible, especially for a weekend or if you want a riverside table. From Cataract Gorge, it is roughly a 10-minute drive, with parking available nearby.

Afternoon and Evening

Continue to the Queen Victoria Museum at Invermay, about a 10-minute drive from Stillwater. Set aside two hours for the natural-history, science and Tasmanian cultural collections; admission is generally free, although special exhibitions may charge separately. The museum’s opening hours can vary by season, so check the same-day schedule before leaving lunch. Later, return towards the CBD for a gentle hour in City Park, where mature gardens and the Japanese macaque enclosure make an easy late-afternoon stop; entry is free, but the macaques are best viewed before dusk. Finish at the James Boag Brewery Bar near the historic brewery precinct for a local beer and casual dinner. Allow A$25–45 per person, and check kitchen hours before settling in—Launceston’s restaurants can wind down earlier than expected on quieter evenings.

Morning

Arrive in Franklin and spend the first 1½ hours simply wandering its compact riverside centre. The old timber buildings, antique shops, small galleries and boat-filled waterfront are best enjoyed at an unhurried pace; keep an eye out for local produce and craft displays along Franklin Street. Around late morning, visit The Wooden Boat Centre, where working boats and traditional hand-building techniques give the town its strong maritime character. Allow about an hour, and check the September opening hours before setting out, as smaller attractions may keep seasonal hours; entry is typically around A$10–20.

Midday and Afternoon

From The Wooden Boat Centre, it is only a short walk to the Huon River foreshore. Follow the calm riverside for roughly 45 minutes, with broad views across the valley and plenty of benches for a pause. For lunch, settle into a local Huon Valley café or bakery—look for seasonal apple products, fresh bread, Tasmanian cheese and good coffee—budgeting about A$15–30 per person. In the afternoon, drive roughly 15 minutes north to Willie Smith’s Apple Shed in Grove. This rustic orchard stop is ideal for a relaxed 1½-hour tasting of Huon Valley cider, apple juice and preserves; allow about A$20–40 per person, and arrange a sober driver if sampling several ciders. The orchard and cellar-door hours can change outside summer, so confirm them for September 2026 before leaving Franklin.