Best Day Trips From Hobart: Epic Experiences Just a Short Drive Away
Views of Hobart from Mt Wellington.
Why Hobart Is the Perfect Base for Day Trips
Hobart might be one of Australia’s smallest capital cities, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in access. Within an hour or two, you can be standing beneath convict-built ruins, walking through towering forests, sipping cider by a fire, or watching waves crash into the sea cliffs.
When we planned our Tasmania trip, Hobart quickly became our launchpad… not because we wanted to stay put, but because it made getting out and exploring incredibly easy.
If you’re short on time but big on bucket-list moments, these are the best day trips from Hobart… all road-tested, and traveller-approved.
Day Trip 1: Salamanca Place, Cascade Brewery & Mount Wellington
Travel time: All within Hobart / 20-30 minutes
This is the perfect slow-start day, ideal if you’ve just arrived or want to ease into Tasmania.
We began wandering Salamanca Place, soaking up the sandstone buildings, colourful flowers, and waterfront energy. Even outside market days, the area is full of character, with cosy bars, distilleries, mulled wine in winter, and a relaxed, creative vibe that feels very Hobart.
From there, we headed to Cascade Brewery, Australia’s oldest operating brewery. While you can just visit the bar, I highly recommend booking a historic brewery tour across the road. Walking through the original buildings really brings Tasmania’s industrial past to life — and yes, tastings are included. Just be sure to check tour times ahead, as they can sell out.
Nearby is the Cascades Female Factory, a former women’s prison that offers a powerful insight into Tasmania’s convict history. You can explore via audio guide, but tours add depth — and they often close earlier than expected, so timing matters.
We wrapped the day at Mount Wellington (kunanyi) — but only because the weather was on our side. This is not a visit-you-no-matter-what situation. A clear day rewards you with sweeping views over Hobart and the Derwent River; a bad one leaves you standing in cloud. It was late November and we still encountered melting snow, icy winds, and brisk temperatures — layers are non-negotiable here.
The historic Cascade Brewery in Hobart.
Day Trip 2: Port Arthur & the Tasman Peninsula
Travel time: ~1.5 hours each way
Port Arthur deserves at least half a day, and honestly, more if you can manage it.
The Port Arthur Historic Site is far larger than it looks in photos, set against a surprisingly beautiful coastal backdrop. It’s a place that carries layers of history, from convict transportation to the more recent Port Arthur tragedy, and it invites reflection as much as exploration.
Your ticket includes a short harbour cruise, which gives you a different perspective of the site, plus access to multiple guided and self-guided options. We explored independently, which was easy to do, but time absolutely disappears here.
After Port Arthur, continue exploring the Tasman Peninsula:
Tasman Arch
Blowholes
Rugged coastal lookouts
And the wonderfully quirky town of Doo, where house names like I Doo, and Doolittle add some lightness to the day
We were eventually rained out (a very Tasmanian ending), but even with unpredictable weather, this was one of the most memorable days of the trip.
Port Arthur’s historic buildings.
Day Trip 3: Tahune Airwalk & Willie Smith’s Apple Shed
Travel time: ~1.5 hours
This was one of those days where Tasmania reminded us just how wild and beautiful it is.
At Tahune Airwalk, you can choose from several walks, but the airwalk itself is the standout. Elevated above the forest floor, it gives you a bird’s-eye view of towering trees and the river below… stunning, slightly surreal, and often very windy. Weather here changes fast, so warm layers and a rain jacket are essential.
Afterwards, we thawed out at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed, home of Tasmanian cider royalty. Sitting by the fireplace with a warm spiced apple cider felt like a reward for braving the elements. The famous apple pie is legendary (my family swears it’s the best they’ve ever had), and the grounds themselves… fire pits, lavender, and open space, make it a destination in its own right.
Walk amongst the trees on the Tahune Forest Airwalk.
Day Trip 4: Hastings Caves & Thermal Springs
Travel time: ~2 hours
Hastings Caves are tour-only, with limited sessions each day, and they’re strictly first come, first served. We learned the hard way that things don’t always go to plan (a fallen tree delayed tours entirely), but once inside, the caves were well worth the wait.
They’re vast, dramatic, and sheltered, making this a perfect rainy-day option. Nearby are thermal springs, ideal if you want to extend the visit and warm up afterwards.
Hastings Caves, Tasmania.
Day Trip 5: Mount Field National Park & Lake Dobson
Travel time: ~1.5 hours
This day still stands out as one of the most surreal of our entire Tasmania trip.
Russell Falls was, without question, the most impressive waterfall we saw in Tasmania, and Horseshoe Falls, just further along, is well worth the extra steps. From there, the Tall Trees Walk immerses you in towering forest that feels ancient and quiet.
Then came the drive to Lake Dobson.
The road is a narrow dirt track, suitable for 2WD but not caravans or large vans, and it takes time. As we climbed higher, the temperature dropped rapidly. By midday, it was 4°C, and then it started snowing.
We pushed on because my dad had described this as his favourite Tasmanian day during their last visit, and when we reached Lake Dobson, we understood why. Snow or no snow, it was breathtaking.
On the drive back, we stopped at Lark Distillery, housed in a beautiful 1800s building. A casual tasting, a wander through the grounds, and exceptional whisky made for the perfect end to a big day.
Russell Falls in Mount Field National Park.
Day Trip 6: Bruny Island
Travel time: ~40 minutes to ferry + crossing time
Bruny Island isn’t rushed, and it shouldn’t be.
The ferry is first come, first served, so arrive early. Our first stop was the Bruny Baker Bread Fridge, where we arrived just as fresh sourdough was being loaded. Warm bread purchased through an honesty box, this is Tasmania at its best.
From there:
The Neck Lookout (best at high tide)
Cape Bruny Lighthouse
Waterfall walks
Quarantine Station ruins
Wild coastal views
Bruny felt like a place you could return to again and again.
The Neck lookout, Bruny Island.
How to Plan Your Hobart Day Trips
Hire a car - public transport won’t cut it for most of these
Check weather daily - flexibility is key in Tasmania
Book tours ahead where required (Port Arthur, Hastings Caves)
Start early - distances are short, but experiences are big
Pack layers - even in summer
Hobart isn’t just a destination, it’s a gateway. Whether you’ve got three days or a full week, these day trips from Hobart prove you don’t need to travel far to experience Tasmania at its wild, historic, and unforgettable best.
Discover the other regions of Tasmania in my Tasmania Regional Guide.
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