Introduction

This Tasmania travel guide is the perfect way to explore one of the wildest and most unique parts of Australia.

Instead of big cities and busy beaches, Tasmania is all about wild nature, empty roads, and small coastal towns. Hidden rainforest waterfalls, bright blue lakes, lavender fields, and dramatic coastlines make the island one of Australia’s most unforgettable road trip destinations.

Between 25 January and 12 February, we crossed Tasmania from the east coast to the west, chasing famous views like Wineglass Bay, hiking to Montezuma Falls, and discovering unexpected places along the way. While some moments were breathtaking, others were chaotic, sleeping in the car, searching for campsites without water, and waiting for penguins that never appeared.

Still, that unpredictability is exactly what made the trip so special. This Tasmania travel guide shares the places we visited, practical road trip tips, and the small travel moments that turned the journey into a real adventure.

Practical Info

Accommodation

YHA Hobart Central – Hobart
• Type: Backpacker hostel / budget accommodation
• Location: Central Hobart, ~2 blocks from waterfront, Constitution Dock & ferry area (MONA ferry at Brooke Street Pier)
• Vibe: Kinda weird, lots of people scattered around, not very talkative, but nice rooms and showers.
• Price/Value: Affordable for Hobart, good facilities, laundry & communal spaces. Great base to explore the city.
• Personal: Perfect place to rest after east coast driving and before heading inland. Centrally located to walk to restaurants, bars, and tours.

Bicheno Backpackers – Bicheno
• Type: Backpacker hostel / budget accommodation
• Location: Close to town center & seaside, convenient for penguin watching at dusk
• Vibe: Chill but quiet, small communal areas, mixed travellers mostly staying for 1–2 nights
• Price/Value: Affordable and practical for east coast stopovers
• Personal: Great base for exploring the coast, blowhole, and nearby beaches; perfect for evening penguin attempts

Transportation

• Ferry: Spirit of Tasmania ferry (Geelong → Tasmania)
• Getting there / around: Car rental is essential; public transport doesn’t cover the remote spots.
• Distances: East to west drives (Hobart → Mount Field → Lake Gordon → Montezuma Falls) ~2–3 hrs each leg.
• Tips: Download offline maps, fill up petrol when possible, carry snacks and water, prepare for long stretches without services.

Jobs 

Backpackers often come to Tasmania to complete their 88 days of regional work, which are required for a second Working Holiday visa. During our trip, we met several travelers doing farm jobs or seasonal work across the island. Afterwards, many planned to return to bigger cities like Melbourne once they finished their regional days.

Activities & Sights

North Tasmania

• Bridestowe Lavender Estate – Famous lavender fields with endless purple rows stretching over the hills. The smell of lavender is everywhere and the scenery almost looks like something from a movie. Entry is around $20, but it’s a beautiful stop if you enjoy photography and landscapes.

• Little Blue Lake – A small lake with an incredibly bright blue color that almost looks unreal. Although Little Blue Lake is quite small, the bright blue color makes it a fun stop during a road trip.

East Coast

• Bay of Fires – One of the most beautiful coastal areas in Tasmania, known for its white sand beaches, turquoise water, and the iconic orange-colored rocks. Perfect for scenic roadtrip stops and short beach walks.

• St. Helens – A small coastal town that works well as a base when exploring the Bay of Fires area. St. Helens also works well as a practical base near the Bay of Fires, especially for petrol, supermarkets, and WiFi.

• Bicheno – Meanwhile, Bicheno is a relaxed seaside town popular for wildlife spotting and coastal views. It’s a popular stop along the east coast roadtrip route.

• Bicheno Blowhole – A natural blowhole where waves crash into the rocks and push water through a hole in the cliffs. Simple but fun to watch.

• Penguin Watching (Bicheno) – Little penguins sometimes appear near the beach at dusk. Sightings aren’t guaranteed, but sunset is usually the best time to try.

Freycinet National Park

• Wineglass Bay – One of Tasmania’s most famous viewpoints. The curved white beach surrounded by mountains makes it one of the most photographed places on the island. Weather conditions can easily hide the view.

• Freycinet National Park – A beautiful national park with beaches, hiking trails, and campsites. Great for exploring the coastline and spending the night in nature.

• Maria Island – A scenic island known for wildlife, historic ruins, and peaceful hiking trails.

• Colored Rocks (Maria Island) – Striking sandstone cliffs with layered natural colors that create a unique landscape.

Hobart & Surroundings

• Mount Wellington – Scenic drive to the summit with panoramic views over Hobart, the Derwent River, and surrounding mountains.

• Battery Point – Historic neighborhood with charming colonial houses and quiet streets.

• Sandy Bay – Relaxed coastal suburb near Hobart, nice for short walks.

• Richmond – Small historic town with old architecture and a peaceful atmosphere.

• Hobart Harbor – Perfect for evening walks along the waterfront. At night, you can throw rocks into the water, where bioluminescent algae make it glow.

Tasman Peninsula

• Eagle Hawk Neck – A narrow strip of land connecting the peninsula to mainland Tasmania, with beautiful ocean views.

• Tasman Blowhole – Waves crashing into the cliffs and shooting water through rock openings.

• Tasman’s Arch – A dramatic natural rock arch carved into the coastal cliffs.

• Waterfall Bluff – Around a 2-hour hike that rewards you with stunning views over wild ocean cliffs.

Inland & West Tasmania

• Mount Field National Park – One of Tasmania’s most accessible national parks with lush rainforest scenery.

• Russell Falls – One of the most famous waterfalls in Tasmania, surrounded by dense forest.

• Horseshoe Falls – Another beautiful waterfall located on the same walking trail.

• Lake Gordon – A massive reservoir located about 2–2.5 hours west of Mount Field. The landscape is dramatic and remote, although the long drive might not feel worth it for everyone.

• Montezuma Falls – Tasmania’s tallest waterfall, reached via a rainforest hike through lush greenery and misty forest.

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Social & Connections

• Hostels: friendly common areas for travellers
• Campsites: chance encounters with kind strangers (like the water-sharing guys)
• Roadtrip: shared car moments, laughter over pasta disasters, and spontaneous roadside stops

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Tips & Tricks

• Visit during the Australian summer, as Tasmania can be quite cold during the rest of the year
• Free campsite apps: WikiCamps, CamperMate, iOverlander
• Always bring extra water: many free east coast sites have none
• Weather is unpredictable: rain can ruin views, bring rain gear
• Long drives: music, snacks, podcasts, offline maps
• Mosquitoes: Freycinet & Wineglass Bay area evenings require strong repellent
• Roadtrip mindset: flexibility, accept unexpected delays or missed views, embrace chaos

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Reflection

Tasmania was about the journey as much as the destinations.

• Long drives east to west across the island
• Sleeping in the car at remote campsites without water or proper toilets
• Unexpected encounters with locals and travelers
• Nature in all forms: waterfalls, cliffs, oceans, islands, and forested mountains
• Learning to embrace flexibility when weather changes or plans fail

Even uncomfortable moments, cold car nights, missed views, pasta fails, became part of the story. Tasmania remained wild, unpredictable, and breathtaking, and these days taught me that chaos can be the beginning of unforgettable adventures.

<3 If you’re planning a bigger Australia trip, you can check out my East Coast Australia guide for the full route, best stops, and personal travel tips from my journey.