From Hobart to Launceston: A very full Tasmanian adventure, just a short flight away
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There are few places that pack as much into a single trip as Tasmania.
In the space of a week, you can spend the morning at a world-class gallery, eat oysters pulled straight from the water, wind your way through vineyard-dotted countryside and watch the sun rise over some of Australia’s most spectacular coastline.
Add a thriving food scene and plenty of opportunities to get off the beaten track, and it’s easy to see why so many people return again and again.
For Canberrans, getting there is easier than ever, with direct Link Airways flights to Hobart and Launceston. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next escape, this itinerary strings together some of Tasmania’s best food, wine, culture and natural experiences from south to north.
Day 1: HOBART
Battery Point. Credit: Roady.
Hugging the shores of the broad River Derwent, Hobart rises into the foothills of kunanyi / Mt Wellington. It’s a good-looking city, but Hobart is more than skin-deep. This is a foodie town, through and through: think super-fresh seafood in progressive food rooms, paired with cool-climate wines and local gin and whisky.
Wake up at The Tasman, one of Hobart’s most beloved luxury accommodations and fuel-up on a city breakfast at Peppina.
Take a short drive (or the dedicated ferry) to Mona for an underground art fix. You’ll want to set aside a few hours for this one.
Mona. Credit: Jesse Hunniford.
Lunch is a little bit fancy at Faro Bar + Restaurant at Mona. Then jump on the ferry back to Hobart’s harbourfront for a stroll through the historical precinct of Battery Point.
Wander back to Brooke St Pier to taste local produce at its finest at Aloft. Retreat to your accommodation for the night with a full belly.
Day 2: COAL RIVER VALLEY
Richmond Bridge. Credit: Alastair Bett.
Enjoy breakfast at one of Hobart’s local neighbourhood cafes before heading to historic Richmond in the Coal River Valley, home to Australia’s oldest bridge (convict-built in 1825).
The wineries around town take a more contemporary approach – try Frogmore Creek, Puddleduck Vineyard, Every Man and His Dog Vineyard and Pooley Wines.
Puddleduck Vineyard. Credit: Tourism Australia.
Stop at Coal River Farm to see cheese and chocolate being handmade, or fuel up at the restaurant – the hot chocolates are works of art.
In town, old-timey Richmond Lolly Shop and Tasmanian Lavender Company are just a couple of the delightful artisan shops to explore.
Return to Hobart or enjoy a night at quality heritage accommodation in Richmond: book a bed at Prospect Country House.
Day 3: RICHMOND – FREYCINET
Spring Beach, Orford. Credit: Lisa Kuilenburg
Start your day with a bite at the Richmond Bakery, before setting off towards Orford, a laidback beach town where the Prosser River meets the sea. Turning north, follow the Great Eastern Drive as the sun climbs over the ocean.
At Little Swanport, stop by Tasman Sea Salt for a ‘salt sommelier’ experience. Tour the innovative clean-energy saltworks, followed by tastings of uniquely Tasmanian sea salts paired with zesty local bites.
Tasman Sea Salt. Credit: Nick Osborne.
With plenty of sun and low rainfall, the wineries along the East Coast Wine Trail produce excellent cool-climate pinot noir, Riesling and chardonnay. Sip your way into some at the architecturally inspiring Devil’s Corner cellar door north of Swansea, with on-site pizza and showstopping views. Inside convict-built stables nearby, Spring Vale Vineyard puts a different spin on cellar-door architecture.
Wineglass Bay from Wineglass Bay Walking Track. Credit: Tourism Australia & Hugh Stewart
Take a walk to arguably Tasmania’s most famous view at Wineglass Bay Lookout. Feeling more energetic? Continue down the slopes onto the dazzling white sands of the bay itself.
After a big day in the outdoors, dine at Mount Paul Lounge for dinner. You don’t have far to get to bed, your stay tonight is at Freycinet Resort.
Day 4: FREYCINET – ST HELENS
Oyster Bay Tours at Freycinet Marine Farm. Credit: Tourism Australia
Time to take it easy and soak up the east coast. Have breakfast onsite then check-out of your accommodation.
Plan a seafood lunch on the deck at Freycinet Marine Farm and stay for a tour of the oyster farm.
Call in at Bicheno to see if the Bicheno Blowhole is doing its thing and take in the lofty scene from Whalers Lookout.
Blowhole, Bicheno. Credit: Robert King Visuals.
Keep heading north along the coast, at times right at the edge of the sea, and stay overnight in Binalong Bay.
Tuck into woodfired pizza and beers at The Hub – Seaside, then check-in at the atmospheric Bay of Fires Bush Retreat.
Day 5: ST HELENS – LAUNCESTON
Bay of Fires Bush Retreat. Credit: Adam Gibson.
Wake up to birdsong at Bay of Fires Bush Retreat. Add breakfast to your stay and check-out, ready for your final day in Tasmania.
Catch the early sun on the Larapuna / Bay of Fires area, when the spectacular scene of white sand, blue sea and orange lichen blazes in colour.
If you’re a mountain biker, you might well have just found your spiritual home. Pick up a bike at Vertigo MTB – St Helens and spin the wheels on the St Helens Mountain Bike Trails.
Shredley’s Adventures. Credit: Tourism Australia.
If mountain biking isn’t your cup of tea, instead choose to step into the world of anacondas, pythons, Indian star tortoises and other exotic, captive-bred creatures at Serpentarium Wildlife Park, home also to natural gem displays.
Ready to shred lunch after shredding the trails? Call in for farm-fresh cheese at the Pyengana Dairy Farm Gate Cafe.
After lunch, drive on to Bridestowe Lavender Estate, the largest lavender farm in the Southern Hemisphere. Tour the grounds, then spark the senses with lavender-inspired tastes like lavender ice cream, or pick up a fragrant take-home treat before making your way to Tasmania’s second-biggest city is next.
Stillwater River Cafe. Credit: Tourism Tasmania & Scott Sporleder, Matador.
In 2021, UNESCO named Launceston an international ‘City of Gastronomy’, one of only 36 such cities worldwide. The accolade acknowledges Launceston’s many excellent cafes, restaurants and markets, as well as northern Tasmania’s integrated wine, agritourism and unique ‘paddock-to-plate’ culture.
Book a table for dinner at Stillwater, inside a reimagined 1830s flour mill on the city riverbanks, then rest your head on-site at Stillwater Seven.
Day 6: LAUNCESTON
Cataract Gorge Reserve. Credit: Emilie Ristevski.
Get your blood pumping with a morning walk through Launceston’s Cataract Gorge – a significant place for Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) people, with craggy dolerite cliffs, walking trails, swim spots, eateries, wandering peacocks and the South Esk River surging through.
Next up, take a cellar-door tour through the Tamar Valley Wine Region, Tasmania’s oldest. Start at Josef Chromy Wines then head north, following the Tamar Valley Wine Trail along the west bank of Kanamaluka / River Tamar. Wineries along the way include Moores Hill Estate, Small Wonder, Tamar Ridge, Waterton Hall Wines and Holm Oak. A lazy lunch at Timbre Kitchen at Velo Wines is never a bad idea.
Picnic at Josef Chromy Tasmania. Credit: Lauren Bath.
After lunch, step inside Waverley Woollen Mills for a tour of Australia’s last fully operational woollen mill – still spinning since 1874. Tours run Monday, Wednesday and Friday; book at least 48 hours ahead. Not visiting on a tour day? The Mill Store is open Monday to Friday if you’d rather just browse (and inevitably buy something). You’ll want to wrap yourself up in these woven blankets and throws all winter.
Back in Launceston, finish up with dinner at a city restaurant – try Black Cow Bistro on for size – then call it a night at sophisticated Peppers Silo Hotel, an innovative reimagining of a landmark building on the riverbank.
Day 7: TASTING TRAIL DAY TRIP
Experiential Tasmania Tours – Tamar Valley Truffles. Credit: Jess Bonde.
Enjoy a leisurely Launceston cafe breakfast, then experience the diverse foodie temptations of the Tasting Trail – a gastronomic celebration of cheese, truffles, olives, honey, hazelnuts, cider, salmon, wine, whisky, chocolate…
Heading north-west from Launceston, watch the cheesemakers in action at the family-run Ashgrove Dairy Door in Elizabeth Town (happy cows, happy cheesemakers). Launch into some truffle fondue or a deluxe cheese toastie.
Ashgrove Cheese. Credit: Tourism Tasmania and Rob Burnett.
If you’ve got the kids in the car (or if you don’t), the Van Diemens Land Creamery, also in Elizabeth Town, is an essential pitstop. Order a scoop of artisan ice cream or gelato, infused with Tasmanian flavours like leatherwood honey, lavender, lemon myrtle and whisky.
Across the road is the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Cafe – a top spot for a locally-sourced lunch. Leave room for dessert (raspberries with everything).
Timbre kitchen. Credit: Kelly Slater.
Heading south to Deloraine, join the hounds on the hunt for black truffles at the Truffle Farm. Get your hands dirty as you unearth these funky fungi, followed by a tasting and a glass of Tasmanian gin, wine or beer.
Back in Launceston, settle in for a regionally sourced dinner – order the handmade gnocchi at Stelo at Pierre’s – and look back on your adventurous and flavour-filled week in Tasmania.
INSPIRED TO PLAN YOUR OWN TASMANIAN ESCAPE?
Find out more about direct Link Airways services from Canberra to Hobart and Launceston.
Feature image of Bridestowe Lavender Estate by Jamie Douros & Camille Helm.
