Is Tasmania Family-Friendly to Visit?
Tasmania is by far one of the most family-friendly destinations we have visited for many reasons, including:
- Safety in Tasmania: Tasmania has very low crime rates and a small, tightknit community that looks out for each other.
- Tasmanian Wildlife: The change to encounter tons of exciting wildlife like Tasmanian devils, penguins, koalas, echidnas, platypuses, kangaroos, wallabies, and more! You can check out a wildlife sanctuary to get up close with some of these beautiful creatures.
- Nature: One of the most naturally beautiful places on earth, Tasmania has everything from forests to waterfalls to mountains to beaches.
- Outdoor Adventures: If your family loves the outdoors, then Tasmania is a place you can do things like hike, bike, white water raft, surf, kayak, snorkel, dive, sail, and cave.
- Culture and History: Because of its rich history and funky culture, there are many museums and historic sites to visit.
- Food in Tasmania: Because of the local landscape and clean waters, Tasmania has some of the freshest produce and seafood in the world.
Tasmania Itinerary with Hobart as a Base
Day 1: Arrival in Hobart
- Arrive and check into accommodation
- Walk around the town, check out Salamanca Place (shopping and restaurant area known for its charming sandstone buildings), waterfront area, TMAG (Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery), and if you have time the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Day 2: Hobart and just Beyond
- Take the MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) ferry from the Brooke Street Pier to explore this iconic and truly unique place. Be sure to purchase tickets ahead of time as they do sell out. The MONA is one of the coolest places we have explored as a family and offers art as well as outdoor play spaces.
- From the MONA, head to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary to see Tassie devils, kangaroos, wombats and more.
Day 3: Hiking
There are tons of options when it comes to hiking, here are some you can choose from:
- Wineglass Bay: Hiking these well-maintained trails, the journey unveils breathtaking coastal vistas, rewarding hikers with a panoramic view of the iconic crescent-shaped beach upon reaching the Wineglass Bay Lookout.
- Crescent Beach and Mount Brown: If climbing to a summit and then down to a beach for some sand dune sliding are more up your alley, then this trail can take you to both.
- End the day with some fresh seafood at one of the many oyster and fish restaurants along the roads, but keep in mind they often close earlier than you might expect (6-7pm).
Day 4: Scenic Drive to Mount Wellington
This full-day excursion will take you to the world-famous Mount Wellington to some of the most beautiful trails and view points in Tasmania. On your way to or from Mount Wellington from Hobart, you can stop and see several waterfalls (O’Grady Falls, Strickland Falls).
Day 5: Port Arthur Historic Site
A day trip to the UNESCO-listed Port Arthur Historic Site is something you’ll never forget. They offer family-friendly tours and boat rides to see the various parts of this historic prison site. On your way to or from the historic site you can stop at the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo to see more Tassie devils. You can also stop at various lookout points and beaches along the way like the Pirate’s Bay Beach and Blue Lagoon Beach.
Day 6: Bruny Island Adventure
Take a ferry ride to world-famous Bruny Island for some wildlife, nature, and food experiences. Do some wildlife spotting at the Neck Game Reserve and Adventure Bay. Make sure to try local food experiences, including Bruny Island Cheese Company, Bruny Island Chocolate Co., among many other food and wine shops.
Day 7: Mount Field, Berry Picking and Platypus Sighting
- Mount Field National Park: this national park is a great place to see wildlife as well as waterfalls and massive trees.
- Westerway Raspberry Farm: this farm offers berry picking in the summer including respberries, blueberries, strawberries and many unique berry varietals like tayberries and silvanberries. They also have an ice cream shop.
- Tyenna River Platypus Watching: Check out sites or a tour by kayak in this river to see platypus in the wild.
Packing essentials for a family trip to Tasmania
Weather in Tasmania can change throughout the day from cold and rainy, cool and windy, to warm and sunny. Remember that they are use different electrical outlets as well. Be sure to pack these items for your trip to Tasmania:
- Raincoats and waterproof hiking shoes
- Sunscreen
- Water Bottles
- Travel Adapters for electrical outlets
- First Aid kit
- Reusable shopping bags (they do not use plastic bags there)
- Umbrella
Emergency contacts, safety, and health considerations:
- Triple Zero (000) is Australia’s main emergency service number
- Remember that they drive on the other side of the road! Drive carefully as the roads are often full of wildlife after dark!