{"id":42562,"date":"2020-02-11T06:00:18","date_gmt":"2020-02-11T14:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=42562"},"modified":"2025-08-14T12:19:52","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T19:19:52","slug":"tasmania-australia-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/tasmania-australia-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VISITING TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Affectionately known to locals as \u201cTassie\u201d, Tasmania is the only island state in Australia. It’s well-known for its rugged wilderness, clean air, fascinating art scene, great hiking, and equally fabulous food and wine.<\/p>\n

Tassie is an area of Australia that is seldom visited by international tourists, but in my opinion, is extremely underrated!<\/p>\n

By international standard, some of Tasmania\u2019s stunning landscapes have regularly found their way onto world-renowned \u201cbest of\u201d travel destination lists.<\/p>\n

Tourism hotspots such as Wineglass Bay, the Bay of Fires and Cradle Mountain, have been notably featured in Lonely Planet\u2019s annual \u2018Best of Travel\u2019 in previous years.<\/p>\n

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Since visiting Tasmania, I haven\u2019t been able to stop talking it up.<\/p>\n

Although I\u2019m Australian born and bred and have been fortunate enough to travel extensively within my home country, Tasmania was one state that I hadn\u2019t previously had the chance to fully explore. And to be honest, the one week I spent there simply wasn\u2019t long enough.<\/p>\n

But if you\u2019re planning to visit Australia, then indeed Tasmania should be added to your itinerary.<\/p>\n

This comprehensive guide details everything you need to know before you visit Tasmania, including how to get there, when to go, and what to do, plus a few sample itineraries.<\/p>\n

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Why Should You Visit Tasmania?<\/h2>\n

I get it; the rest of Australia is so large and there are so many places to see \u2013 why should you spend the limited time you have touring around Tasmania?<\/p>\n

Well, for one if you like to get away from the crowds of tourists, love good food and wine, or if you\u2019re a bit of a nature lover, then Tasmania<\/a> is somewhere you should absolutely add to your bucket list \u2013 stat!<\/p>\n

Tasmania has been dubbed one of the world\u2019s last accessible wilderness frontiers!<\/strong><\/p>\n

In spite of this, traveling around Tasmania is actually no more difficult than traveling around the rest of Australia.<\/p>\n

And with 80% of the island is covered in world heritage wilderness areas and national parks<\/a>, it\u2019s very easy to find a spot away from the tourists and get your nature fix.<\/p>\n

Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tasmania is often referred to as the only place in the world where you could bottle the air. In fact, the only place on earth where the air is cleaner is Antarctica.<\/p>\n

Tasmania\u2019s food, wine, and arts scene are second to none!<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m not kidding. This little island, quite possibly, has the best food producers, best wineries and most incredible museums<\/a> in Australia.<\/p>\n

For more information, be sure to read our complete guide on the Best Airbnbs in Tasmania<\/a> and 8 Reasons You Should Visit Tasmania<\/a>! <\/p>\n

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Tasmania At-A-Glance<\/h2>\n

Do you know the little heart-shaped island at the bottom of mainland Australia that quite often gets left off maps? Yep \u2013 that\u2019s Tasmania!<\/p>\n

Most international visitors tend to skip Tassie in favor of other \u2018more accessible\u2019 Aussie hotspots because there is a common misconception that it\u2019s too difficult to get there. In fact, you can reach Tassie in under an hour’s flight from Melbourne.<\/p>\n

Tasmania may seem small in comparison to the rest of Australia \u2013 it is, after all, the country\u2019s smallest state. However, it is quite a large island.<\/p>\n

Being 6.8 million hectares in size, Tasmania is actually larger than Switzerland, Ireland or Sri Lanka. And over 500,000 Aussies<\/a> call the island state home!<\/p>\n

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How to Get to Tasmania<\/h2>\n

There are two ways you can reach Tasmania from mainland Australia:<\/p>\n

By Plane:<\/strong> Tasmania\u2019s two largest cities \u2013 Hobart and Launceston \u2013 are serviced by regular passenger flights from Australia\u2019s mainland. Flight time from Melbourne is approximately 45 minutes, and 90 minutes from Sydney.<\/p>\n

There are also regular connections from other Australian and International cities. All of Australia\u2019s major airlines \u2013 Qantas<\/a>, Virgin Australia<\/a>, Tigerair<\/a> and Jetstar<\/a> \u2013 offer flights to Hobart and Launceston.<\/p>\n

By Boat:<\/strong> The Spirit of Tasmania<\/a> car and passenger ferry offers regular services across the Bass Strait from Melbourne to Devonport. The journey takes between 9 and 11 hours.<\/p>\n

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How to Get Around Tasmania<\/h2>\n

Rent a Vehicle<\/h3>\n

As mentioned earlier, Tasmania is a big island. Most of the best things to see and do in Tasmania are located outside the main cities, but easily reachable by car. For this reason, I would highly recommend hiring a car<\/a> or campervan and planning a road trip!<\/p>\n

The roads in Tasmania are much the same as the rest of the country \u2013 sealed and well maintained.<\/p>\n

To hire a car in Australia, you will most likely require an international driver’s license, as many travel insurance companies will not cover you without obtaining one before you leave your home country. Be sure to check your travel insurance<\/a> policy before you leave home.<\/p>\n

Also, remember that Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road!<\/p>\n

Take Public Transport<\/h3>\n

While the island may be big, the cities of Hobart and Launceston are relatively small, and most of the attractions<\/a> within the city limits are easily reachable on foot, bike, taxi or public buses. Rideshare services, such as Uber, are also available in Hobart and Launceston.<\/p>\n

So, if you plan on spending most of your time in one of these two cities, then there is no need to rent a vehicle. However, if you just stay in the city, you are really missing out on the best that Tasmania has to offer.<\/p>\n

If driving is not an option, there are a few public bus services connecting Hobart and Launceston, as well as some regional areas around the island. The two main bus companies are Tassielink<\/a> and Redline<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But once again, you will likely miss some of the more remote attractions. If you are planning to catch a bus around Tassie and are okay with sticking to the regular tourist trail, then both these bus companies offer a variety of routes that may be suitable.<\/p>\n

Join a Tour<\/h3>\n

Another alternative is to join a group tour around Tasmania. GetYourGuide lists several small group tours in and around Tasmania.<\/p>\n