In this Guide
Tucked away in Australia’s southeast corner, Tasmania might seem remote, yet it is quickly becoming a popular destination for long weekend escapes, and for good reason. And once you’re there, it’s easy to see why. With its coastlines, mountain ranges, white-sand beaches, and a thriving paddock-to-plate dining scene, Tassie serves up an experience that feels both remote and indulgent.
Spring is an especially magical time to visit. As the island shakes off the winter chill, Hobart comes to life with longer days, blooming wildflowers, and that crisp, fresh air that practically begs you to explore outdoors.
Whether you're here for coastal hikes, wine tastings, wildlife encounters, or just a change of pace, Tasmania in spring feels like a reset button. If you're visiting Hobart for the first time or planning your next weekend getaway, now is the perfect time to explore beyond the mainland.
And while it’s only a short flight from most Australian major cities, things don't always go as planned. Consider getting domestic travel coverage for added peace of mind.
Why Visit Tasmania in Spring?
From October onwards, Tasmania sheds winter’s chill and bursts into bloom. On the east coast, turquoise waters beckon paddlers and walkers along Wineglass Bay, while inland, Cradle Mountain is still dusted with snow, a postcard-perfect alpine scene.
Markets come alive with spring produce, cellar doors reopen, and locals embrace the sunshine with festivals, picnics and foraging tours. It’s the sweet spot: vibrant but never overcrowded. And since Tasmania celebrates its Labour Day in March (as “Eight Hours Day”), you’ll enjoy fewer crowds over the October long weekend.
Just pack layers. Tasmania’s weather can flip in a heartbeat, sunshine in Salamanca Place, a cold breeze at Kunanyi/Mt Wellington, then mist rolling over the River Derwent. Flexibility and a sense of adventure are part of the charm, because you never know what nature has in store.
How to get to Tasmania?
Getting to Tasmania is easier than you might think. There are two ways of getting to Tasmania.
If you’re up for a scenic journey, you can take the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne to Devonport, located on the island’s north coast. The ferry crosses the Bass Strait and offers both day travel (approximately 9 am – 6 pm) and overnight travel (approximately 7:30 pm - 6:30 am), depending on the season. It’s the only passenger ferry service to Tasmania and is great for someone who wants to bring their own car, or caravan and wants to save money on renting one. Onboard cabins and recliner seats provide comfort during the journey, and once you arrive, you’re just 3.5 hours from Hobart by car.
If you don’t cope with travelling on ferries very well or are short on time, the fastest and most popular way is to fly. Direct flights to Hobart, Tassie’s little capital, are from Sydney (1 hr 55 min), Melbourne (1 hr 15 min) and Brisbane (2 hr 45 min).
Hobart is compact, walkable, and packed with attractions, so you can start your weekend getaway as soon as you land. Whether you choose to sail across the Bass Strait or fly straight into the heart of the island, both options offer a smooth start to your Tasmanian adventure.
Exploring Hobart: History, Art, and Local Vibes
Hobart might be small, but it packs a lot into a weekend. Compact and walkable, this harbour city weaves together colonial charm, creative energy and world-class food.
Start the weekend at the iconic Salamanca Market (every Saturday, 8:30 am - 3 pm). The huge markets have been running between Salamanca’s historic sandstone warehouses and the Hobart waterfront since 1972. You’ll find everything from clothing and jewellery to pottery, gin, jam, art, Tasmanian honey and local cheeses.
A short walk leads to Hobart’s historic heart, Battery Point, lined with Georgian cottages, quiet laneways and leafy cafés perfect for brunch.
Then swing by the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum. Just steps from the waterfront, it’s a full-scale recreation of the huts used by Sir Douglas Mawson and his Antarctic expedition in 1911. You’ll get a moving look at life on the ice, and your ticket supports preservation efforts in Antarctica.
Need more history and science? Walk over to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG), where the extinct Tasmanian tiger, Indigenous artefacts, and cutting-edge exhibitions sit under one roof. It’s free, family-friendly, and one of the best indoor attractions in Hobart.
If you want to see something totally different, catch the MONA ferry from Brooke Street Pier. It takes you to the MONA, billionaire David Walsh’s Museum of Old and New Art, one of the most famous places in Hobart. MONA is built into a sandstone cliff and filled with strange, surprising, and sometimes weird art. Some of it is really old, and some is super modern. It’s fun, a bit wild, and definitely not your average museum.
For panoramic views, drive just 30 minutes from the CBD up kunanyi / Mt Wellington. The summit platform offers sweeping vistas across Hobart, Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula. Lastly, don’t skip Australia's oldest operating brewery, Cascade Brewery, on the way down, which has a beer garden set in the foothills.
Day Trips Worth the Drive
No trip to Hobart would be complete without a day trip to Port Arthur. If you’ve got 3 days to explore, make time for a drive to the Tasman Peninsula. Just 90 minutes southeast, the Port Arthur Historic Site is a beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict settlement. Walk among the ruins, take a harbour cruise or even a spooky ghost tour at night.
Port Arthur isn’t the only reason to make the drive out to the Tasman Peninsula, as there are numerous natural and historic landmarks along the way. Along the way, stop at the Tessellated Pavement, a rare geological phenomenon that looks like giant stone tiles laid by hand. Nearby, Eaglehawk Neck is a narrow strip of land where guard dogs once patrolled the shoreline to stop convicts escaping. There is even a Dog Line sculpture that shows where they stood.
Further south, don’t miss your chance to see the Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen, two sea-carved wonders surrounded by spectacular cliff walks. The Three Capes Track offers unforgettable views and a real sense of isolation, even if you only do a short stretch.
Wildlife & Wilderness
Looking for Tasmanian devils in the wild? It’s rare, but not impossible, especially on Maria Island. Just a short ferry from Triabunna, this car-free national park is a haven of wombats, wallabies, and convict ruins set against turquoise bays and white-sand beaches.
Back on the mainland, the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary offers up-close encounters with Tassie devils, quolls, echidnas and hand-feedable kangaroos, many of them rescued from the wild. It’s just 30 minutes north of Hobart and ideal for families.
For something slower-paced, stroll Australia’s second-oldest Botanical Gardens, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Set along the river, these 14 hectares feature native plantings, a Japanese garden, and the world’s only Subantarctic Plant House, kept at a constant chill to mimic Macquarie Island’s climate.
Food, Wine & Tasmanian Flavour
Tasmania is a foodie’s paradise with a focus on local, seasonal and sustainable. If you’re wine-curious, head north to the Tamar Valley, home to some of Australia’s best cool-climate wines, especially pinot noir and sparkling.
On the east coast, slurp down freshly shucked oysters at Freycinet Marine Farm. Back in Hobart, follow the scent of hops to craft beer spots like T-Bone Brewing Co., or sample award-winning whisky at Lark Distillery and Overeem Whisky (both pioneers of Tasmania’s booming spirits scene).
Menus across the island highlight leatherwood honey, pink-fleshed apples, ocean trout, and creamy cheeses, a rich reflection of the land and sea you’re exploring.
Make the Most of Your Long Weekend
Tasmania may look small, but don’t let the map fool you. Roads are winding, and Google Maps often underestimates travel times. But the journey is part of the experience. A detour might lead you to a hidden waterfall, a coastal lookout, or a roadside honesty box packed with fresh berries.
From the historic streets of Hobart to the wild cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania is the kind of place that sneaks up on you. One morning, you’re browsing Salamanca Market, and by afternoon, you’re kayaking off a remote beach or standing at the edge of the world on a sea cliff.
And although it feels close to home, Tasmania’s remote nature comes with its quirks. Unpredictable weather, limited phone reception and travel hiccups. For added peace of mind, consider a domestic travel travel insurance policy for added domestic travel insurance policy, because you never know what nature has in store.
This Labour Day long weekend, don’t just tick off a to-do list. Go somewhere that lets you slow down, breathe deeply, and Explore Beyond.