15 Best Things to Do in North Tasmania
Are you looking for the best things to do in north Tasmania? Well, Northern Tasmania has a lot to offer from delicious local food and wine to stunning coastal and mountain scenery. Hike in the Tasmanian wilderness, explore limestone caves and see Tasmanian devils, wombats and Fairy Penguins in their natural habitat.
One of the best things to do in north Tasmania is to visit Launceston, Australia’s third oldest city. Launceston is an attractive place to visit with historic colonial buildings in beautiful surroundings with the dramatic Cataract Gorge and the picturesque Tamar Valley on the doorstep.
Launceston is a good base for exploring the north of Tasmania with the towns of Devonport, Burnie, and Deloraine.
I enjoyed exploring the area on a solo road trip around Tasmania and I’ve compiled this list of the best things to do in north Tasmania to help you plan your holiday.
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15 Best Things to Do in Northern Tasmania
1. Base yourself in Launceston
Launceston is the perfect place to base yourself for exploring Tasmania’s north. If you’re wondering what to do in north Tasmania and you don’t have a car, you can explore the area on day tours from Launceston. Like Hobart, Launceston is easy to get around on foot and by bus.
One of Australia’s oldest cities, (next to Sydney and Hobart) Launceston is known for its historic Georgian and Victorian architecture. With well-preserved heritage buildings and tree-lined streets, Launceston is a charming place to stay.
The city lies beside the lovely Tamar Valley, one of Tasmania’s major wine-growing areas. Launceston is known for its great food and wine and has a good selection of restaurants and cafes to enjoy.
TIP: Base yourself in Hobart to explore the south of Tasmania and find out if Hobart or Launceston is better for your holiday.
Where to Stay in Launceston
Budget: Big 4 Launceston Holiday Park / Launceston Backpackers
Mid Range: Kurrajong House B&B
Luxury: Hotel Verge Launceston
2. Bushwalk in Cataract Gorge
One of the best things to do in north Tasmania is to spend an afternoon at Cataract Gorge in Launceston. Escape straight into the gorge from the centre of town, and be surrounded by bush, parkland and stunning river views. There’s a pretty picnic area with a pool amidst the dramatic scenery of the Gorge on the South Esk River.
A walking trail leads to a suspension bridge over the river and a couple of impressive lookout points. You can walk across the gorge or ride on the chairlift for arresting views across Cataract Gorge and beyond. On the other side of the gorge, there’s a restaurant with resident peacocks roaming in a pretty garden. You could happily spend several hours exploring this lovely spot.
TIP: For an unforgettable experience, take a 50-minute Cruise from Launceston through the spectacular Cataract Gorge on the South Esk River. It’s one of the best things to do in North Tasmania and Launceston.
3. Enjoy Art & Culture at QVMAG
Launceston has Australia’s largest regional museum, the Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery and visiting QVMAG is one of many lovely things to do in north Tasmania. Collections include Australian colonial art, decorative arts and design, Tasmanian history and natural science.
The museum includes an 1870s railway workshop, an interactive science centre, a planetarium and artefacts from Australia’s oldest merchant shipwreck.
The Art Gallery is small but there are some interesting exhibits and the location by the river at Royal Park is a plus. I enjoyed a collection of theatrical masks & costumes and a historical exhibit explaining the story of the local indigenous people.
The museum and art gallery are in different buildings on separate sites. The Art Gallery is at Royal Park and the Museum is at Inveresk and they’re just a few minutes apart by car. If you’re not driving it’s a 15-minute walk along a lovely river path or there’s a free Tiger bus.
Entry to QVMAG is FREE.
4. Meet the Local Wildlife
One of the best things to do near Launceston is to introduce yourself to the local wildlife at Tasmania Zoo or Wings Wildlife Park. Meeting the unique Australian native animals is one of my favourite things to do in northern Tasmania.
Tasmania Zoo is home to Australia’s largest collection of native and exotic animals. I was delighted to see a Tasmanian Devil for the first time on this Tasmania road trip and animal encounters are a fun way to meet some of the zoo’s inhabitants such as Devils, wombats, snakes, limas, meerkats, and even a Cheetah or a red panda. Learn all about the animal you choose and have your photo taken as a souvenir.
Tasmania Zoo is located 18 kilometres from Launceston in the picturesque Tamar Valley.
Wings Wildlife Park is another great place to meet the local wildlife near Launceston, as it specialises in native Tasmanian animals. You can see koalas, devils, kangaroos and wombats. Wings Wildlife Park is 23 kilometres south of Ulverstone, around 2 hours from Launceston and offers accommodation onsite.
5. Enjoy a Tamar Valley Wine Tour
A Tamar Valley Wine tour is one of the most popular things to do near Launceston. Enjoy a tipple and a scenic drive in the picturesque Tamar Valley with beautiful vineyards, orchards and river vistas.
The lovely Tamar Valley follows the Tamar River for 60 kilometres from Launceston to the north coast and is one of Tasmania’s prime wine-growing regions producing 40% of Tasmania’s premium quality wines.
As you drive through the Tamar Valley you’ll pass vineyards and wineries with open cellar doors. Stop off wherever you like to sample the local wines and other produce. Take a tour of the Josef Chromy winery and choose from more than 30 vineyards to visit including Swinging Gate, Goaty Hill, Tamar Ridge and the Holm Oak Vineyard.
Along the way, there are lots of lovely places to stop and enjoy the lovely scenery. Brady Lookout has magical views across the Tamar Valley and it’s on the road to Launceston.
TIP: Discover the lovely Tamar Valley on a Wine Tasting Tour from Launceston and experience some of the finest Tamar Valley wines.
6. Visit Bridestowe Lavender Farm
One of the most popular things to do near Launceston is to visit the Bridestowe Lavender Farm. Summer is the best time to visit Bridestowe when the lavender flowers are in full bloom, from December to February.
Curved rows of French lavender stretch for acres across the farm and the purple flower fields are truly lovely to behold (not to mention the heavenly scent). Join a farm tour, wander through the fields, eat at the café and buy sweet-smelling souvenirs at the shop.
The drive from Launceston takes around 45 minutes and on the way you’ll pass through the attractive town of Lilydale, nestling beneath Mount Arthur. There are pretty waterfalls and bushwalks to enjoy nearby.
If you don’t have transport, there’s a shuttle bus from Launceston from December to January and private tours are available at other times.
7. See Fairy Penguins Swim Ashore
For me, watching Fairy Penguins swim ashore and waddle up the beach to their nests is one of the most delightful things to do in northern Tasmania.
Lillico Beach near Devonport is a great place to see the little penguins. Burnie, Stanley and Penguin also have penguin colonies nesting on their shores.
To see the penguins, head to a viewing platform at dusk. Penguin season is from September to March but I caught the tail end of the season in April on my road trip around Tasmania. I saw a few little penguins still in their nests although most of the colony had swum out to sea for the winter.
TIP: Rug up as it gets cold at night watching penguins. I wore every bit of warm clothing I had with me and was still shivering.
8. Catch the Spirit of Tasmania Ferry to Devonport
Make a road trip to Tasmania an adventure by catching the ferry across to Devonport on the north coast of Tasmania. It’s a novel & fun way to start your journey. You can sail during the day or at night on The Spirit of Tasmania.
Relax with a good book in one of the many sitting, eating and bar areas aboard the ship or sleep comfortably in a cabin and arrive refreshed and ready for your holiday. There’s even a movie theatre on board for entertainment.
The Spirit of Tasmania sails from Melbourne and takes about 9 hours to cross the Bass Strait from mainland Australia. I took my car with me and I enjoyed the night crossing better than the day sailing.
I booked a shared cabin and slept comfortably through the night but my day crossing was more problematic. The ferry was delayed by several hours and I found the trip very long and exhausting.
The seas were calm on both my trips but it can get quite rough in the Bass Strait. But I loved having my car to explore northern Tasmania.
If you need to stay near the ferry in Devonport there are some good options:
Where to stay near Devonport & Ulverstone
Budget: Discovery Parks Devonport
Mid Range: The Lighthouse Hotel Ulverstone – I chose this hotel for the free parking and onsite restaurant and I enjoyed my stay here.
9. Breakfast at Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm
One of my favourite things to do in northern Tasmania is to stock up on fresh berries at the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm. There’s an onsite cafe at the farm with an inviting open fireplace. (Open 7 AM – 5 PM).
Start the day early with a delicious raspberry-themed breakfast. It’s a great place to stop off on the way to (or from) Cradle Mountain. I loved the bustling atmosphere, the warm open fire and the raspberry cappuccino, not to mention the large juicy berries.
But when I was there the car park was overflowing with fancy sports cars straight off the Spirit of Tasmania and the restaurant was packed with Porsche drivers on a road trip heading to Strahan (Lol! I was amusingly out of place in my little Mazda 2 but it was fun to see the posh sports cars on the road throughout the day).
10. Discover Caves, Devils & Waterfalls
One of the best things to do in north Tasmania is to visit the upper Mersey Valley to explore the limestone caves at Mole Creek in the central north, about an hour’s drive from Launceston on the way to Cradle Mountain. Mole Creek is the last petrol stop before the Cradle Mountain National Park.
Beneath the ground at Mole Creek is a fragile cave system with underground rivers and spectacular formations. Nearby and above the ground, are the impressive Alum Cliffs Gorge lookout, Westmoreland Falls, Liffey Falls and the Trowunna Wildlife Park, home to Tasmanian Devils.
The area is known for its honey production and there are some good accommodation options in the small town of Deloraine, about 20 minutes away from Mole Creek. Deloraine is just a 10-minute drive from the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm and on the way to Cradle Mountain.
Where to Stay in Deloraine
Mid Range: The Empire Hotel.
Luxury: The Chapel
11. Explore Cradle Mountain National Park
Enjoy a special few days visiting the famous Cradle Mountain. Exploring the National Park and hiking the mountain trails is one of the best things to do in northwest Tasmania. The spectacular wilderness in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Claire National Park is UNESCO World Heritage-listed, and there are many walking trails to choose from for all abilities and levels of fitness.
If you’re driving from Launceston it will take about 2.5 hours to get there on the winding mountain roads. You’ll have to leave your car in the car park at the National Park Centre and take a shuttle bus to the start of your walk.
I was there in April and there was snow and heavy rain. It was bitterly cold and I got completely drenched hiking in the rain. My wet weather gear wasn’t up to the weather on Cradle Mountain.
Unfortunately, there was so much cloud on the walk around Dove Lake that I didn’t get to see Cradle Mountain and I found myself climbing through mist and cloud on the track up the mountain to Marion’s Lookout. I didn’t see very much but I did enjoy the moody atmosphere of the National Park.
The rivers were full of fresh rain and snowmelt and Knyvet Falls was powering down. I saw wild wombats near Ronny Creek and the Fagus was starting to turn to autumn colours. While the weather was not ideal I still had a memorable experience on Cradle Mountain.
** My advice** Rug up for Cradle Mountain, take waterproof, warm clothes and thermal underwear.
There are endangered Tasmanian Devils at Devils@cradle sanctuary near the entrance to the National Park. Spotted tail and eastern quolls also live here. Visit throughout the day or see the mysterious and secretive Devils on an after-dark feeding tour.
TIP: You can visit Cradle Mountain on a day trip from Launceston but you’ll probably want to stay longer to explore this spectacular National Park.
Where to Stay on Cradle Mountain
Budget: Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain – Camping, cabins and dormitory beds available. I stayed here in a cosy 4-bed dormitory and was very glad I wasn’t sleeping in a tent. The weather was freezing cold and rainy.
Mid Range: Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village / Cradle Mountain Hotel
Luxury: Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
TIP: If you enjoy hiking on Cradle Mountain you’ll love hiking the epic Three Capes Track, an epic 4-day hike on the wild and dramatic coast of the Tasman Peninsula. The track begins near the historic ruins of Port Arthur in Tasmania.
12. Relax on Boat Harbour Beach
Visiting lovely Boat Harbour Beach is one of the best things to do in northwest Tasmania. Perhaps the prettiest little beach in the world, Boat Harbour Beach was voted number 8 in an international competition (or so I was told by the owner of the beach cafe).
Boat Harbour Beach is an enchanting stop on the drive west along the coast about 2 hours northwest of Launceston. It’s a lovely place to relax and perfect for a beach holiday. I stopped for a coffee, an ice cream and a swim in the turquoise waters.
13. Climb the Nut & See Fairy Penguins in Stanley
If you’re still looking for fun things to do in north Tasmania, head further west to Stanley, another lovely spot on the coast. The quaint heritage village of Stanley nestles beneath a huge rocky outcrop known as The Nut and it’s about 2.5 hours away from Launceston by car.
There are pretty beaches to enjoy in Stanley, and a scenic drive around the cliff tops with exhilarating coastal views. The path to the top of the Nut is very steep and I found it quite challenging but I loved seeing pademelons hopping around beside the track.
At the top of the Nut, there’s a 2-kilometre walking trail with stunning views over the town and out to sea. An easier way to the top of the Nut is to ride the chair lift but unfortunately, it wasn’t running when I was there.
At dusk, head down to the viewing platform near the beach to watch the Fairy Penguins swim ashore and clamber over the sand to their nests on the beach at Stanley.
Stanley is a charming place to visit and a great place to base yourself while you explore the Rocky Cape National Park and the Tarkine wilderness further west.
Where to Stay in Stanley
Budget: Stanley Cabin & Tourist Park
Mid Range: Stanley Hotel / Bayview Guesthouse
Luxury: Noah’s Luxury Bed & Breakfast
14. Journey to The Edge of the World
One of the best things to do in northwest Tasmania is to discover the breathtaking coastal wilderness at Arthur River in the Tarkine region. It takes about an hour to drive from Stanley to the mouth of the Arthur River where there’s an isolated fishing village.
Huge waves crash against the shore here and it’s easy to see why the lookout point is called the Edge of the World. I found the waves mesmerizing to watch with wild white water as far as I could see.
The coastline was strewn with driftwood and the relentless surf was stained brown with river water. I loved walking along the untamed beaches near the lookout.
To find the Edge of the World Lookout, follow the road across the river over a one-lane wooden bridge.
TIP: Arthur River cruises are a popular way to see the riverside rainforests further upstream and they leave from the town wharf near the bridge.
15. Explore the Tarkine Drive
Continue on the scenic Tarkine Drive to find breathtaking wilderness with rainforests, walking trails, lookouts, picnic spots and aboriginal heritage sites to explore. The Tarkine area is remote and isolated so stock up on food, water and fuel before you go.
I was relieved to find petrol at the Redpa General store (along with farm fresh eggs and a hot coffee) on my way back from Arthur River.
Final Thoughts: Things to Do in North Tasmania
Exploring the dramatic gorges and pristine wilderness are amongst my favourite things to do in North Tasmania. But the northern part of Australia’s smallest state also delivers charming colonial towns, great food, and unique wildlife and a range of wonderful experiences.
There’s no shortage of great things to do in northern Tasmania. I hope you enjoy this stunning corner of Australia as much as I have.
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