Tasmania —
Australia's wild side we didn't expect
Tasmania completely caught us off guard — in the best way possible. We flew from Sydney to Hobart thinking we were heading for "a nice scenic few days"… and ended up in one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful places we've ever been in 57 countries. Dramatic coastlines, empty roads, unreal national parks, and views that made us stop the car every 10 minutes just to take it all in.
The trip
How it all played out
We landed into Hobart, hopped onto our tour, and basically let Tasmania do its thing. No stress, no overplanning — just pure exploring. And Tasmania absolutely delivered.
First up was Cradle Mountain. Proper wild. Mist rolling in over ancient peaks, lakes that looked completely fake, and that rare quiet you only get in places that feel genuinely untouched. One of those landscapes that makes you feel very small in the best possible way.
Then Russell Falls — straight out of a postcard. One of those spots where you just stand there thinking "how is this real?" The rainforest around it is extraordinary.
And then came the Bay of Fires. Bright orange lichen-covered rocks, white sand, and that ridiculous turquoise water. Genuinely one of the most beautiful coastlines we've ever seen anywhere in the world. The colours don't look real — but they are.
But the one that stayed with us most? Wineglass Bay. The walk up to the lookout, the view of that perfect curve of white sand below, the stillness of it — it's the kind of place that stops you completely. One of the best views in Australia. Possibly one of the best views anywhere.
The highlights
The places that stood out most
Raw, wild and completely unforgettable. Mist, ancient rainforest, mirror-still lakes and a silence that feels prehistoric. One of the great natural landscapes of Australia.
Orange lichen-covered rocks plus that impossible turquoise water equals total madness. One of the most photographed coastlines in Australia — and it earns every photo.
The view from the lookout over that perfect arc of white sand is genuinely one of the best in Australia. The walk is worth every step — take your time getting up there.
Unreal coastal landscapes, pink granite peaks, hidden beaches and pristine bush. One of those national parks that reminds you why national parks exist.
Peaceful, beautiful and completely hidden gem vibes. The walk through the rainforest to get there is as good as the falls themselves.
Wallabies, wombats, Tasmanian devils, echidnas and more. Tasmania has wildlife you genuinely won't see anywhere else on earth — keep your eyes open constantly.
The exact Tasmania tour we did
If you want to see Tasmania properly without stressing about routes, remote roads, or planning accommodation in national parks — this is the tour we did and would recommend without hesitation. Having everything organised meant we could focus entirely on the experience rather than the logistics.
Tasmania is bigger than it looks on a map and the highlights are spread across the island. A guided tour means you see far more than you ever would figuring it out yourself.
Disclosure: This is an affiliate link. If you book through it we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is the exact tour we did.
Tasmania — our photos
Book activities in Tasmania
Things to do in Tasmania — via GetYourGuide
From wildlife tours and national park experiences to Hobart city tours and day trips to Cradle Mountain — browse the best Tasmania activities here:
Disclosure: If you book through these links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
What to pack for Tasmania
Tasmania packing essentials — what we'd bring
Tasmania is absolutely stunning but the weather has a mind of its own. One minute it feels calm and mild, the next you're freezing on a lookout, being lashed by wind, or wondering why you didn't pack better shoes. These are the things we'd bring without hesitation.
Tasmania can turn on you fast. A proper waterproof set is worth its weight in gold when the wind picks up or the rain arrives out of nowhere.
View on Amazon →Between coastal walks, lookouts and national parks, decent waterproof boots make a huge difference. Dry feet and good grip are non-negotiable.
View on Amazon →Even if your boots are decent, a waterproof spray top-up is a smart move before travelling. Handy, cheap, and it helps keep the misery out.
View on Amazon →Ideal for cold mornings, scenic stops and any day where Tasmania decides to feel a lot less Australian than expected. Tiny but very satisfying.
View on Amazon →You will be taking photos constantly and Tasmania is not above throwing rain, sea spray or general chaos at your phone while you're doing it.
View on Amazon →Brilliant for wildlife spotting, distant views and properly taking in the scale of the landscapes. One of those things you're delighted you packed.
View on Amazon →Handy for maps, bookings and staying connected without relying on patchy roaming. Always worth sorting before a road-trip style adventure.
View on Amazon →Long days out, windy walks and a lot of driving mean you'll use this far more than you think. Simple but essential.
View on Amazon →Always handy when you're out exploring all day. Blisters, headaches, random little mishaps — best to have it and not need it.
View on Amazon →Perfect for day trips, lookouts, snacks, layers and all the extra bits you suddenly need when the weather starts acting up.
View on Amazon →Between maps, photos and videos, your phone battery will take a hammering. A power bank means you never miss a shot because the battery died.
View on Amazon →Australia uses Type I plugs — different to Ireland. Don't arrive on day one with nothing charged. A universal adaptor covers you for the whole trip.
View on Amazon →Disclosure: These are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These are all things we'd genuinely pack for a Tasmania trip.
Common questions
Tasmania FAQ
Would we go back?
In a heartbeat. Tasmania is one of those places that sneaks up on you — and then you can't stop thinking about it after. If Australia is on your radar, don't skip Tasmania. It's the best thing we did on the whole trip.
Affiliate disclosure: if you book through our links we may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend experiences we've done ourselves and would do again.