Tasmania Accommodation

Tasmania is a sparsely populated state, with a large area of the island protected by National Park status. A holiday here will appeal to anyone who wants to escape the bustle of everyday life and enjoy rugged landscapes, wildlife, and some of Australia's best food and drink.

The island's capital, Hobart, offers a mix of modern holiday apartments in the city centre and larger, detached holiday houses on the outskirts of town. Countryside properties are generously spacious, often standing in extensive grounds and offering superb coastal or country views.

Getting to Your Tasmania Accommodation

If you travel by plane, you'll most likely land at one of Tasmania’s major airports in Hobart or Launceston. From both airports you can catch a shuttle bus into town. Private buses also connect both airports with major tourist destinations such as Kingston, the Tasman Peninsula, and Coles Bay and Beaumaris on the east coast. Both Uber and regular taxis serve Tasmania’s major airports.

If you reach Tasmania by ferry through Devonport, a connecting express bus takes visitors to Launceston and Hobart. If your holiday house is located on a smaller island, such as Bruny Island, you can use one of the excellent regional ferries.

Having your own wheels is undoubtedly the best way to explore Tasmania’s amazing environment. International car rental companies operate in all major cities, and you can bring vehicles on the ferry from mainland Australia. Roads are generally in good condition, and offer plenty of scenic views.

What to eat on your Tasmania holiday

The wide open spaces of Tasmania lend themselves to agriculture, and local produce is sold in farmers' markets and small outlets across the state. Tasmania's wine industry is best known for producing excellent sparkling wine which regularly picks up international awards. Visit the Jansz Winery at Pipers Brook to find out more about how the wine is made and for a chance to sample some of the produce.

The island's most iconic local dish is the Tasmanian Scallop Pie, sold at restaurants and bakeries across the state. This delicious dish features sweet, locally caught scallops which are cooked in a creamy and mildly spiced curry sauce and baked under crisp pastry. It's perfect for a casual Tassie-style dinner in your holiday rental, paired with a glass of the local sparkling wine, of course.

Explore Tasmania's culture, art, and history

Tasmania has a long and interesting history, and a day or two spent in Hobart's many museums will give any visitor a deeper understanding of the island. The Tasmanian Art Gallery and Museum is one of the largest and concentrates on Tasmania's cultural and natural heritage. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum also hosts regular temporary exhibitions covering various aspects of art and culture. Admission to the main museum is free of charge, with a small fee for temporary exhibitions.

Narryna Heritage Museum is different style of museum, and allows visitors to step back in time to experience life in a merchant's house in the 1830s. The house is fully furnished with period furniture and decorative objects, and volunteer guides in each room are happy to chat about the history of the house, its occupants, and everyday life in the early 19th century. Don't miss the below stairs rooms used by staff, which provide a spartan contrast to the elegant rooms above stairs which were used by the merchant and his family.

Holidays with kids in Tasmania

If the kids aren''t entertained enough with visits to beaches and national parks, don't worry: there's plenty more to keep them busy. One of Tasmania's most kid-friendly attractions is Bonorong Wildlife Park in Brighton. Bring the little ones here to see all manner of Aussie wildlife, from kangaroos and koalas to echidnas and sugar gliders. Children (and adults too) will particularly enjoy the opportunity to feed some of the tamer park residents.

Another great family day out is found at Cataract Gorge, near Launceston. The chairlift here is the main attraction, and the views from the ride are impressive. If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, cool off in the large open air swimming pool, or just enjoy the beautifully manicured gardens, complete with resident peacocks. Close by is Hollybanks, a treetop adventure and climbing course which makes the perfect afternoon out for older children and teenagers.

Discover Tasmania's Wildlife

Tasmania has some of the world's most diverse flora and fauna. Regardless of your Tasmania accommodation’s location, it's easy to come into close contact with nature. Here's some excursion ideas you can't pass on.

Wallabies, pademelons, penguins, and wedge-tailed eagles can be seen on a day trip from Hobart. A day on Bruny Island is particularly rewarding, as it’ll allow you to observe penguins in their natural habitat. For a wilder experience, take a ferry to Maria Island to see animals like wombats and kangaroos wandering around historic ruins.

The best place to sight the notorious Tasmanian devil is the northern Tarkine area, not far from Launceston. Also in the north, Narawntapu National Park is inhabited by marsupials including wombats and wallabies. If your holiday house is located near the beach, you might glimpse rare birds like shearwaters and herons soaring above crystal-clear waters, or take a dolphin-watching boat trip.

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