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Lake surrounded by rocky mountains at Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
Cradle Mountain — Photo: Anh Thu Le / Pexels

Tasmania is an island south of the mainland, with an identity quite different from the rest of the country — colder, wilder, with attractions heavy enough to stand on their own, not dependent on any other Australian city. It's, like Uluru, a trip of its own, not a stop within another itinerary.

If you haven't planned the rest of your trip yet, the complete Australia travel guide explains why Tasmania usually sits outside the east coast route.

MONA — Museum of Old and New Art

An internationally renowned contemporary art museum in Hobart. Admission runs around AU$39, plus the ferry that takes you there from central Hobart (~AU$30 round trip) — the ferry ride itself is already part of the experience.

Fishing boats anchored on the Hobart waterfront, with historic buildings and Mount Wellington in the background
Hobart waterfront, where the ferry to MONA departs from — Photo: Mark Direen / Pexels

Cradle Mountain and the Dove Lake trail

The park's most popular trail is the Dove Lake Circuit: 6.2km, nearly flat, 2-3 hours, with views of Cradle Mountain the entire way around the alpine lake. It's about 87km from Devonport (~1h30 by car) — the same city where the Spirit of Tasmania ferry arrives.

Wooden boat shed on the shore of Dove Lake, reflected in the still water, with hills in the background
The Dove Lake boat shed, on the trail around the lake — Photo: Anh Thu Le / Pexels

Wineglass Bay

Inside Freycinet National Park, this is one of the most photographed beaches in the country — a "wine glass" shape, turquoise water. It's on the east side of the island, further from Hobart and Cradle Mountain, so it usually fits into a longer road itinerary rather than a quick day trip.

View from the Wineglass Bay lookout, with the bay in its wine-glass shape, turquoise water and mountains around it
Wineglass Bay, seen from the lookout — Photo: Alec Doualetas / Pexels

How to get there

  • By plane: Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin fly direct from the mainland to Hobart or Launceston.
  • By ferry (Spirit of Tasmania): since the end of 2022 the terminal is no longer in Melbourne — departure is from Geelong, about 75km to the southwest, adding 45-60 minutes of driving for those coming from the Melbourne area. Overnight crossing to Devonport. Passenger fare starting from ~AU$109 (one-way only, low-season fare) — you can't book a round trip together, it's two separate bookings. Bringing a car on the ferry costs more — check the exact fare on the official website, it varies a lot by season.
Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, white with a red stripe, in Devonport, Tasmania
Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, in Devonport — where the Spirit of Tasmania ferry arrives — Photo: Stephanie Perera / Pexels

If the plan is to rent a car to drive around the island, compare the cost of bringing your own car on the ferry (Spirit of Tasmania) with renting a car once you're already in Tasmania — the ferry with a vehicle can end up pricier than it looks at first.

How much it costs

ItemPrice
MONA (admission + local ferry)~AU$69 (AU$39 admission + AU$30 ferry)
Spirit of Tasmania (passenger, one-way)from ~AU$109
Spirit of Tasmania (vehicle, one-way)Varies a lot — check the official website
HostelAU$15–40/night
3-4 star hotelAU$130–220/night

Base itinerary

4 days: day 1 — Hobart and MONA. Day 2 — travel to Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake trail. Day 3 — travel to the Freycinet region, Wineglass Bay. Day 4 — back to Hobart.

7 days: the itinerary above at a much more relaxed pace, with more trail time and stops in smaller towns along the way.

Official sources