Day Trips

Richmond

The historic town of Richmond has some of Australia's best examples of convict architecture. The convict-built Richmond Bridge (1823), is the country's oldest road bridge.

The Old Hobart Town Model Village at Richmond gives an insight into Hobart's early history, town design and architecture.

Mount Field National Park

Tasmania's first National Park [1917] lies about 2 hours drive west of Hobart. The Park is well known for its stunning walks through enormous fern forests and some of the tallest trees in the world. Close to the park entrance are three waterfalls: Junee Falls, Marriotts Falls, and the most popular and well-known Russell Falls.

The Visitor Centre at the Park entrance is the perfect place to enjoy a hot meal and drink. Here you can also gain a comprehensive interpretation of the history, geology, plants and animals of the park

Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula

Established as a convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula in 1830, over 12,500 convicts passed through 'hell on earth' until it's closure in 1877.

The site extends over 40 hectares and features a variety of ruins and restored buildings. The historic site can be discovered at your own leisure or you can join a guided tour. Be sure to take the harbour cruise around the Isle of the Dead.

When organising your day-trip to Port Arthur allow sufficient time to visit some of the magnificent geological features on the Tasman Peninsula. Up to 300 metres above the sea below, the peninsula is home to the highest sea cliffs in Australia. Features such as the Tessellated Pavement, Devils Kitchen, Tasman Arch, Blowhole, and Remarkable Cave are must-sees.

Port Arthur Cruises can take you from Hobart to Port Arthur via the convict sea route and return you to Hobart via coach.

Hartz Mountains

To the south-west of Hobart, the Hartz Mountains National Park contains a range of walking tracks through an area populated by alpine moorlands, herbfields, heaths, rainforest, and buttongrass plains. Proclaimed in 1939, the Hartz Mountains National Park covers 7140 hectares.

On clear days superb views to the sea in the east and further into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area in the west are possible.

Tahune Air Walk

Rising above the forest canopy, the Tahune Air Walk gives you a breathtaking opportunity to walk above a section of Tasmania's famous southern forests.

A section of the walk juts out over the confluence of two mighty rivers – the Huon and the Picton – creating a sense of being suspended above it.

Bruny Island

Across the D'Entrecasteaux Channel to the south of Hobart lies Bruny Island with its tall forests, wild seascapes, and sweeping surf beaches. The island is abundant in birdlife and wildlife, with The Neck – a narrow isthmus separating North Bruny Island from South Bruny Island – housing colonies of fairy penguins and the migratory short tailed shearwater, or Mutton Bird.

The second oldest lighthouse in Australia (built in 1836) watches over the Southern Ocean from the southern tip of the island; a view familiar to famous explorers such as Bligh, Cook, Flinders, and D'Entrecasteaux who lend the island a rich maritime history.