Ready to disappear for a few days? These epic weekend getaways in Tasmania deliver jaw-dropping landscapes along with premium food and wine.
From moody coastlines to world-class culture, this island destination dances to its own beat. With just a few days to explore, you can cast away to remote islands, uncover wild landscapes in comfort or linger over exceptional food and art. Keep reading to discover the top weekend trips in Tasmania/Lutruwita.
Steam trains on Tassie’s West Coast
Hop aboard the heritage West Coast Wilderness Railway. (Credit: Tourism Australia)
What? Pair a heritage train ride with a superb stay at Strahan’s most polished waterfront address.
Tell me more: Ride the West Coast Wilderness Railway’s Rinadeena, Rack & Rainforest journey return from Queenstown, with stops at Lynchford and Rinadeena. Then unwind at Risby Cove, a tranquil sanctuary where bespoke suites sit a stone’s throw from the water’s edge on Macquarie Harbour, with an excellent waterside restaurant to match.
A design-led Hobart base for art and wine
Mona Pavilions makes for a stylish Hobart/Nipaluna base. (Credit: Brett Boardman)
What?Mona Pavilions puts you on the Derwent with priority access to Australia’s wildest museum. Pair a stay with Hobart/Nipaluna discoveries and an easy day trip into Coal River Valley.
Tell me more: Secluded in private waterfront bushland, the eight pavilions are uniquely adorned with artworks from Mona’s private collection and Tasmanian designer furnishings. In town, Peppina brings big-hearted Italian cooking to Salamanca Place, while Tolpuddle Vineyard and Caledon Estate reward the short drive out to Richmond with some of Tasmania’s finest cool-climate pours.
A charming escape to Richmond
Richmond Bridge is Australia’s oldest stone bridge built by convicts in 1825. (Credit: Alastair Bett)
What? A quick 25-minute drive north-east of Hobart delivers you to this historic town, situated in the heart of the Coal River Valley wine region.
Tell me more: With its impossibly cute sandstone buildings, many dating from the 1820s, and its landmark bridge (the oldest in the country), you could almost convince yourself that you are in the Cotswolds. Spend your time in the galleries, shops and cafes now housed in the town’s historic buildings or buy a bottle of local wine and cosy up next to an open fire. You’ll quickly see that Richmond is one of the top weekend getaways in Tasmania for history buffs.
A King Island weekend with wallabies aplenty
Soak in a private bath with stunning views of the Southern Ocean at Kittawa Lodge.
What? Out in Bass Strait, King Island has more wallabies than people, a reputation for very good cheese and a complete disregard for your usual sense of urgency.
Tell me more: At Kittawa Lodge (and two-bedder Kittawa Retreat, its latest luxury addition), everything feels far away in the best way. Glass-walled lodges open onto raw scenery, and days move slowly, regularly interrupted by wallabies outside the window. Your usual sense of productivity doesn’t stand a chance here.
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Discover Bruny Island on foot
Rest tired legs at communal cabins when hiking Bruny Island with Tasmanian Walking Company. (Credit: Tasmanian Walking Company)
What? The scenic Bruny Island Long Weekend walk balances wellness and indulgence in equal measure.
Tell me more: Designed for a long weekend, this three-day walking tour on Bruny Island with Tasmanian Walking Company follows tracks through bush and rainforest, along cliffsides and up rocky headlands, with stunning views as well as flora and fauna to be marvelled at along the way. Nighttimes are spent in a secluded and cosy camp, where guides replenish your kilojoules burned with delicious homemade meals. Take the entire family on one of the family-friendly departures.
A quiet night suspended over Lake St Clair
Pumphouse Point is the ultimate cosy lakefront accommodation. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
What? Tasmania’s most talked-about luxury stay, poised on a jetty over the southern hemisphere’s deepest lake.
Tell me more:Pumphouse Point is an industrial relic reborn as a wilderness retreat, set within a 1930s-built hydro pumphouse at the edge of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Sleep suspended over the water, thaw fireside over a Sullivans Cove whisky tasting, then wake to mist rolling across the glacial lake.
Wineries and wildlife in the Tamar Valley
Soar through verdant tree canopy at Treetops Adventure Hollybank. (Credit: Tourism Australia)
What? A northern Tasmanian itinerary to ignite the senses and restore the soul.
Tell me more: Around 30 minutes from Launceston, the Tamar Valley is Tassie’s largest wine region and renowned for its paddock-to-plate culture. Hop between cellar doors (make sure to pop in for a tasting flight at Josef Chromy Wines), zipline at Treetops Adventure Hollybank, explore maritime museums and don’t miss the penguin parade at Low Head.
An expedition cruise through Tasmania’s south-west wilderness
Explore the wild side of Tassie’s south-west with On Board expeditions. (Credit: Tim Grey)
What?On Board offers two-night Port Davey expeditions blending luxury and remote adventure.
Tell me more: From Hobart, soar over Tassie’s untamed coast via sea-plane and board your luxe floating base, a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, from which you’ll explore UNESCO-listed Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour. Huon pine forests, mirror-like waters, quartzite peaks and rocky coves promise endless awe; deepen the experience with guided walks and tender excursions. Comprising just a couple days, the cruise is one of the best weekend getaways in Tasmania for seeing dramatic scenery when short on time.
A short tour of Tassie’s East Coast
Stroll through floral fields at Bridestowe Lavender Estate. (Credit: Luke Tscharke)
What? An immersive five-day tour showcasing the best of Tasmania’s East Coast, packed with scenery, gastronomy and history.
Tell me more: Starting in Launceston and culminating in Hobart, the Tassie’s East Coast Highlights itinerary with AAT Kings will take you from the purple fields of Bridestowe Lavender Estate to the pink granite boulders of Freycinet National Park, with the chance to witness little penguins in Bicheno and delve into the history of Port Arthur along the way – a fabulous taster for first-timers to Tassie.
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Adventure and wellness at Cradle Mountain
Waldheim Alpine Spa in Cradle Mountain offers tranquil wellness experience. (Credit: Laura Helle)
What? When it comes to mind and body, the power of nature is undeniable – and Tasmania’s wilderness is a force to be reckoned with.
Tell me more: Cradle Mountain is widely known as an adventure capital – a playground primed for hiking, biking, kayaking and canyoning. Balance is key, and that’s where Waldheim Alpine Spa plays its part. Located in Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, this sanctuary comprises a sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunges, and full body treatments. Over at Cradle Mountain Village, the pine-built saunas are submersed in the wilderness.
A wild nature break on the Tasman Peninsula
See the popular Three Capes Walk under the soft glow of sunrise. (Credit: Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service)
What? An hour’s drive from Hobart on the southeast coast, the Tasman Peninsula blends brutal penal history and dramatic scenery.
Tell me more: The Tasman Peninsula makes for one of the best weekend getaways in Tasmania as it’s home to two of the island’s headlining attractions: the Port Arthur Historic Site and the breathtaking Three Capes Track. There is no better way to invest three days in this part of the state than by tackling the Three Capes Walk, taking in the edge-of-forever scenery and swathes of unspoilt wilderness.
A quaint historic sojourn in Stanley
Discovering the rugged coastlines and rich maritime history of Stanley. (Credit: Jess Bonde)
What? Sitting in the shadow of the Nut, a flat-topped volcanic plug, and allowing access to the untamed takayna/Tarkine wilderness, Stanley is the kind of remote town that mainlanders dream of finding in Tassie.
Tell me more: Base yourself at the wonderfully atmospheric Ship Inn and indulge in the blissful remove from the modern day-to-day. If you’re feeling energetic, you can walk to the top of 13-million-year-old The Nut, or take the chairlift; look out at the 360-degree views, and hopefully catch sight of seals and penguins below is a must.
A laid-back recharge in Cygnet
Willie Smith’s Apple Shed is nestled in the bountiful Huon Valley. (Credit: Stu Gibson)
What? Bordered by the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and the Huon River, Cygnet is where Hobart locals escape for the weekend, with holiday ‘shacks’ scattered throughout the picturesque region.
Tell me more:Like many other locations in Tasmania, the area is known for its fruit production including apples, berries and cherries, but it also possesses a laid-back alternative lifestyle.The hamlet boasts craft stores, art studios and galleries to browse; follow the Huon Valley Studio Art Trail to find something to take home in addition to a sense of peace.
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Tasmania’s crisp clear air, misty mountains, lakes and ancient forests beckon as winter approaches.
Travelling in the off season has many benefits, none more so in Tasmania, where it’s uncrowded and uncomplicated. Ease into winter with a getaway that spells relaxing with a glass of wine or local whisky, bathing under the stars, or gazing at reflections in pristine waters. Add fireside dining, wilderness walks, after-dark gallery visits and plenty of history and you’ve got a curated winter escape designed to make travelling in the quieter months of the year even more rewarding. NRMA Parks and Resorts’ Off Season Signature Packages across Tasmania (plus 10 per cent off for members) make all these things possible.
Cosy up at Cradle Mountain
Immerse into the wilderness at Cradle Mountain Hotel.
For an alpine wilderness experience like no other, chose Cradle Mountain Hotel for a winter getaway. You may even wake up to gently falling snow. Explore nearby Dove Lake, gaze at Cradle Mountain is and listen to the gush of waterfalls.
As Cradle Mountain works its charm, slow down to enjoy the crisp alpine air away from the hustle of the city. There are no crowds here, just serenity and the chance to recalibrate.
Cradle Mountain’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a bottle of wine (Retreat rom bookings only) and off-season dessert with dinner. Then sip on mulled wine as you wander through the Wilderness Gallery admiring the work of Tasmanian artists.
Finding the flavours of Freycinet
Stay at the only accommodation within beautiful Freycinet National Park.
As the only accommodation within Freycinet National Park, among the many reasons for staying at Freycinet Lodge is its easy access to stunning Wineglass Bay, Mt Amos and Honeymoon Bay.
By day it’s the place for communing with nature, taking hikes in some of Tasmania’s most beautiful locations. By night, savour the regional seasonal flavours of the east coast, sip mulled wine to keep out the chill and gaze up at the star-studded skies. This is slow coastal indulgence at its best.
Freycinet Lodge’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a hosted Flavours of the East Coast food and wine tasting experience and mulled wine under the stars, or beside the fire, after dinner.
Escape to lakeside Pumphouse Point
Stay cosy while looking out onto Lake St Clair.
Set on the edge of beautiful Lake St Clair in native bushland in the heart of Tasmania’s Central Highlands, Pumphouse Point has launched a new era for its boutique accommodation with the opening of two new luxury retreat rooms last October.
Each of the trio of rooms are thoughtfully designed, with an indoor fireplace and deep-soak bathtub, both perfect for a winter escape. This retreat offers dining and an expanded collection of hosted experiences, including a guided tour to learn more about this historic place, chocolate tastings and whisky tasting from local artisans – with more to come later in the season.
Borrow an e-bike and explore on your own, throw a line in, head off for a hike in the ancient forests that surround the lake, book a relaxing massage, or just settle in for an evening by the fire as the lake works its own magic.
Pumphouse Point’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast, larder lunch and dinner, a bottle of wine with dinner each night, and a chocolate or whisky tasting experience, as well as two $50 massage vouchers.
Slow down in Strahan Village
Explore UNESCO world heritage wilderness.
As the gateway to UNESCO world heritage wilderness, picturesque Strahan Village is the ideal base for exploring Tassie’s west coast. With a wide range of accommodation choices, from cosy waterfront colonial-style cottages to hotel rooms with sweeping views over Macquarie Harbour, it’s the perfect place for slow travel.
Join Gordon River Cruises to explore ancient wilderness and magical reflections on the Gordon River, wander through the village at your own pace or hire a bike to discover local secrets and attractions, including the iconic West Coast Wilderness Railway. Thrill-seekers can hire taboggans to hit the towering Henty Dunes.
Glamp under the stars at Port Arthur Holiday Park.
Spend your evenings glamping under the stars and your days stepping back in time as you explore the captivating stories of the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Port Arthur Holiday Park is the perfect base for exploring the Tasman Peninsula and uncovering the stories of Australia’s colonial and convict past.
Surrounded by nature and history, this off-season escape has the all the makings of an unforgettable getaway. All glamping tents are heated to keep you warm during the off-season months when the nights get a little cooler, and have private bathrooms. Stargazing tents have the added luxury of an outdoor bath on the verandah.
The Port Arthur Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Port Arthur Historic Site tour for two and 10 per cent discount for dining at local restaurant On The Bay during your stay.
