Language 
No results found
The 9 best day trips from Hobart
Some of the best day trips from Hobart include Port Arthur, Richmond, Bruny Island, Tasman Peninsula, Huon Valley, Mount Field National Park and Hastings.
Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, sits on the shores of the Derwent River beneath Mount Wellington. Thanks to its location, the city is surrounded by wilderness, historic towns and coastal landscapes, with many destinations just 30 minutes to two hours away.
In this guide, we share some of the best day trips from Hobart based on different travel priorities. You’ll find key highlights, travel times and the best ways to get there.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 10 million Holafly customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
Best day trips from Hobart at a glance
If you’ve run out of things to do in Hobart, here is a snapshot of the best day trips from Hobart — complete with highlights, mode of transportation and travel time.
| Destination | Highlights | Best way to get there | Travel time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Arthur Historic Site | Convict ruins, harbour cruise | Car or organized tour | 1 hr 30 min |
| Richmond | Historic village, Richmond Bridge | Car or public bus | 25–30 min |
| Bruny Island | Coastal views, wildlife, food | Car + ferry or tour | 2 hr |
| Tasman Peninsula | Sea cliffs, rock formations | Car or tour | 1 hr 30 min |
| Huon Valley | Cider houses, countryside | Car or tour | 45 min–1 hr |
| Mount Field National Park | Russell Falls, forest walks | Car or tour | 1 hr 15 min |
| Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs | Limestone caves, thermal pool | Car or tour | 1 hr 45–2 hrs |
| Coal River Valley | Vineyards, cellar doors | Car or tour | 20–30 min |
| New Norfolk and Derwent Valley | Cafes, river views | Car or tour | 35–40 min |
Historic day trips from Hobart
If you’re interested in Tasmania’s colonial past, these destinations offer a glimpse into the island’s early history and are easy to reach from Hobart.
Port Arthur Historic Site
One of Tasmania’s most significant historic attractions, Port Arthur was once a notorious convict settlement and is now a UNESCO-listed heritage site, making a visit here one of the best things to do in Tasmania.
You can explore the ruins of the penitentiary, walk through restored buildings, and learn about convict life through guided tours and exhibits. A harbor cruise and a visit to the Isle of the Dead cemetery are also popular activities.
Travel time: About 1 hour and 30 minutes
How to get there: Drive via the Tasman Highway and Arthur Highway, or join a day tour or shuttle from Hobart.
Tip! Check the driving requirements in Australia before planning your road trip.
Richmond
Richmond is a small historic town known for its beautifully preserved Georgian architecture. The main highlight is the Richmond Bridge, the oldest stone bridge still in use in Australia.
Stroll along the historic streets, browse boutique shops and galleries, or visit the Old Hobart Town model village, which recreates Hobart as it looked in the 1820s.
Travel time: Around 25–30 minutes
How to get there: Drive via the Tasman Highway and Richmond Road, or take a public bus from Hobart.
Coastal and scenic day trips from Hobart
If you want dramatic coastlines and ocean views, these are some of the most scenic day trips from Hobart, with beautiful landscapes within easy driving distance.
Bruny Island
Bruny Island is one of the most popular coastal escapes from Hobart, known for its rugged cliffs, wildlife, and local produce. A highlight of the trip is the narrow isthmus called “The Neck,” where you can climb the lookout for panoramic views of the island.
You can also find beaches, scenic walks, and food stops such as Bruny Island Cheese Co. and local oyster farms. Cape Bruny Lighthouse and South Bruny National Park are also worth visiting for coastal scenery and wildlife spotting.
Travel time: About 2 hours (including ferry)
How to get there: Drive to Kettering (about 40 minutes south) and take the ferry to Bruny Island, or join a guided tour.
Tasman Peninsula
The Tasman Peninsula is known for its dramatic sea cliffs, rock formations, and coastal viewpoints. Some of the top sights include the Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen, and the Blowhole, all shaped by powerful ocean waves.
Adventurous travellers can also hike sections of the Three Capes Track or take a boat cruise along the cliffs to see wildlife and towering rock formations.
Travel time: About 1 hour and 30 minutes
How to get there: Drive east via the Tasman Highway and Arthur Highway, or join a guided tour from Hobart.
Huon Valley
Huon Valley is a scenic region south of Hobart known for its rolling countryside, apple orchards, and small riverside towns. It’s a great destination for a relaxed day trip from Hobart by car with food stops, farm shops, and short nature walks.
Popular activities include visiting local cider houses, exploring the town of Huonville, and driving further south to enjoy forest scenery and river views.
Travel time: Around 45 minutes to 1 hour
How to get there: Drive south via the Huon Highway, or visit on a food or sightseeing tour.
Tip! If your day trip from Hobart is part of your solo trip in Australia, plan your route ahead and let someone know your travel plans.
Nature and National Park day trips from Hobart
Many of southern Tasmania’s waterfalls, forest trails, and natural attractions are just a short drive from Hobart. Here are a few of the best places to visit.
Mount Field National Park
Mount Field National Park is one of Tasmania’s oldest protected areas and is best known for its lush forests and easily accessible waterfalls. The highlight is Russell Falls, a multi-tiered waterfall reached via a short walking track through towering tree ferns.
Explore longer trails deeper into the park, see some of the tallest flowering trees in the world, and enjoy picnic areas near the visitor centre. During winter, snow sometimes falls in the higher sections of the park, adding another reason to visit.
Travel time: About 1 hour and 15 minutes
How to get there: Drive northwest via the Brooker Highway and Lyell Highway to the Mount Field entrance near the National Park.
Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs
Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs offers a mix of underground exploration and relaxing outdoor pools. The main attraction is Newdegate Cave, where guided tours take visitors through large chambers filled with stalactites, stalagmites and other limestone formations.
After the cave tour, many visitors unwind in the naturally heated thermal pool surrounded by forest. The surrounding reserve also has short walking tracks, picnic areas and opportunities to spot wildlife.
Travel time: About 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours from Hobart
How to get there: Drive south via the Huon Highway through the Huon Valley toward Hastings, or visit on a guided tour.
Wine and food day trips from Hobart
For a relaxed food and wine outing, these regions near Hobart offer cellar doors, farm shops and scenic drives through Tasmania’s countryside.
Coal River Valley
Coal River Valley is one of Tasmania’s main wine regions and sits just outside Hobart. The area is known for its cool-climate wines, particularly pinot noir, chardonnay and sparkling varieties.
Spend the day hopping between wineries and cellar doors such as Frogmore Creek and Pooley Wines, with plenty of farm gates, bakeries and local restaurants along the way.
Travel time: About 20–30 minutes from Hobart
How to get there: Drive east via the Tasman Highway toward Richmond and the surrounding wineries, or join a wine tour.
New Norfolk and Derwent Valley
New Norfolk sits in the Derwent Valley, a region known for farmland, historic towns and a growing food scene. You can stop at cafes, bakeries and antique shops while exploring the town.
You can also visit nearby wineries, browse farm shops or take a riverside walk along the Derwent River. The valley is especially beautiful in autumn when the surrounding countryside changes color.
Travel time: Around 35–40 minutes from Hobart
How to get there: Drive northwest via the Brooker Highway and Lyell Highway toward New Norfolk, or join a food and wine tour.
Practical tips for planning day trips from Hobart
Many day trip destinations from Hobart are in rural or remote areas, so here are some tips to help you plan ahead.
- Drive or rent a car since public transport is limited outside Hobart.
- Watch for wildlife at dusk as animals are often active on rural roads.
- Fill up on fuel early because stations can be limited in remote areas.
- Visit in summer or autumn for longer days and pleasant weather.
- Buy a national park pass for parks such as Mount Field.
- Book the Bruny Island ferry in advance during busy periods.
- Use a travel eSIM to get connected when you need it.
Stay connected on your day trips from Hobart with Holafly
Get unlimited data wherever your day trip from Hobart takes you with Holafly’s eSIM for Australia. Enjoy unlimited data, hotspot sharing, up to 5G speeds, and 24/7 support, with plans from 1 to 90 days. Plans start at AUD $5.90 for 1 day of unlimited data and get as cheap as $2.43/day for 90-day plans.
Get an unlimited data eSIM
Use code MYESIMNOW5 for 5% off at checkout
Plans that may interest you
哈囉我是來自台灣的 Wen，平常最喜歡旅遊，也喜歡將旅遊的種種化成文字跟大家分享，希望大家能在我的文章中找到有用的資訊，加上 Holafly 的 eSIM，讓你的旅程更美好！✈️✈️✈️ Hi! I'm Wen, a passionate content writer and travel enthusiast from Taiwan. I transform my wanderlust adventures into engaging stories and practical guides, helping fellow travelers make the most of their journeys.Through my articles, I strive to provide travel tips while introducing how our eSIM technology can enhance your travel experience - keeping you connected wherever your adventures take you!
