8 unique & unforgettable day trips from Hobart (2024 update)

Day trips from Hobart

Tasmania Trails is supported by its audience. If you like what we do, please use our links. When you book something we get a small commission. This funds our next trip. So you always get the most up to date travel info on Tassie – win / win! Oh, and if you’re wondering, here’s why you can trust us. Thanks for your support – we couldn’t do it without you!

Tasmania travel tips

Expert Travel Tip

Tasmania’s weather is controlled by 3 converging climate systems – the SAM, IOD and SO – unlike the rest of Australia. There are micro-climates across the island. So weather changes on a dime no matter the season.  Come prepared for all weather, all year and you’ll have a great holiday!

Forget the usual day trips from Hobart that big travel blogs write about it. 🥱 After hundreds of clicks on the speedometer, we’ve discovered something much better.. Unique day trips with a twist. Lesser known, more immersive experiences. With fewer people, straying ‘off the beaten path’. We’ve got day trips from Hobart for whisky & history lovers. Day trips into the vines. And if you’re bursting to get out of the city and into wild Tasmania… well, my bright-eyed adventurers, we’ve got day trips from Hobart for you too. We’ve even got the maps! So grab the sunnies & buckle up. We’re about the hit the open road…

What we cover

  1. Day trips from Hobart to wander the wilds
  2. Hobart day trips for whisky and history lovers
  3. Day trips to the vines
  4. A wildlife lovers day trip from Hobart

8 unique and unforgettable day trips to get you out of Hobart and making the memories of a lifetime.

Day trips from Hobart to wander the wilds

1. Lake St Clair

Route: Hobart -> Lake St Clair Visitor Centre – > Hobart

Drive time: 4h47m | Distance: 359km

Day trip to Lake St Clair from Hobart
Lake St Clair is a day trip for adventurers

Lake St Clair is no ordinary destination. As the deepest freshwater lake in Australia, it’s a breathtaking natural retreat for day trippers. Surrounded by World Heritage-listed wilderness, it feels a world away from the daily hustle, despite being just a day trip from Hobart.

And it’s a boon for walkers and nature lovers.

Lake St Clair has trails galore, that cater to all levels. The Watersmeet Trail is perfect for those seeking an easy, scenic stroll through forested terrain, alongside peaceful merging streams and even across a torrential river. There’s a spot to stop and watch for platypus too, if you’re there at the right time of day.

For something a bit wilder, the Shadow Lake Circuit is a 4-hour return hike that gives you a closer look at the varied vegetation and incredible wildlife. Along the way, you might spot native pademelons, echidnas, and even platypuses in the lakeside streams.

In this place, it’s hard not to feel a deep connection to Tasmania’s wild beauty. The trails here are beautiful. Remote. There’s a stillness in the air, a spooky beauty when the mist rolls over the lake. If you want to get away, it’s an almost meditative experience.

👀 Important: The weather at Lake St Clair can be severe. Take all weather gear, and particularly rain proof jacket and water proof boots if you’re going on the trails.

Unique for: the untamed rugged wilds

Unforgettable for: misty tarns and crystal clear waters

2. Mount Field National Park

Route: Hobart -> Derwent Valley -> Mount Field National Park -> Hobart

Drive time: 2h20m | Distance: 147km

Hobart to Mount Field
Mount Field National Park is accessed through the Derwent Valley, a picturesque drive in itself

Mount Field is often overshadowed by Cradle Mountain, but it offers its own stunning landscapes. And if you get off the usual tracks, you can do it without the crowds.

And at the right time of year, it’s also the best Hobart day trip to see snow.

Home to the famous Russell Falls, Mount Field is a cascade of majest from start to finish. Whether it’s the towering swamp gums (the tallest flowering plants in the world) or the dense, fern-lined trails, everything here feels ancient, untouched.

Like what you imagine Jurassic park would feel like.

Russell Falls is where all of the tourists go, but it’s easy enough to escape the crowds. That’s why we recommend you walk the Three Falls Circuit.

The Three Falls Circuit took us 1h52m, but it’s about 1h30m walking. There’s a tonne to see and do along the way – tall trees, fungi, waterfalls, forests. It’s enchanting. And not difficult to conquer at all.

But Mount Field has a secret.

The higher you climb, the more the landscape transforms.

And you can go all the way up to an alpine plateau, and snow.

Lake Dobson is the most popular stop, higher up. It is an icy wonderland in winter, often dusted with snow even in spring. It’s this diversity—from temperate rainforest to alpine vistas—that makes Mount Field an unforgettable escape into nature.

Unique for: the diversity of nature – waterfalls are just the start!

Unforgettable for: the giant trees. Just like The Ents from Lord of the Rings. It felt like being xxx prehistoric.

3. Tasman Peninsula

Route: Hobart -> Cape Raoul -> Waterfall Bay Lookout -> Devils Kitchen -> Tasman Arch -> Tessellated Pavement -> Hobart

Drive time: 2h50m | Distance: 169km

Hobart to Tasman Peninsular
The Tasman Peninsula is Tasmania’s coastline at it’s most dramatic

Most visitors head to the Tasman Peninsula for Port Arthur. And yes, Port Arthur is among the most popular Hobart day trips on many lists. But what goes unnoticed is the rugged beauty and sheer drama of the Tasman peninsula’s landscape.

And that’s because day trippers are rushing to Port Arthur.

But there’s way more to see on the Tasman Peninsular. Much of it epic. The best, you’ll see on this day trip.

You’ll find towering sea cliffs—the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere—rising out of wild, crashing waters, their jagged faces carved by millennia of ocean waves. The natural rock formations like the Tessellated Pavement, Blowhole, and Devil’s Kitchen feel like something from another world.

Then there’s Cape Raoul, a hike with views so dramatic, they’re hard to believe. It’s not just the vistas but the feeling of standing on the edge of the earth. On a quiet day, you’re supposed to be able to hear the waves pounding relentlessly against the bottom of the cliff face.

We highly recommend the trip down on gravel past Port Arthur and down Stormlea Road, to get to the Cape Raoul Track trail head. Adding this to your day trip will make for a long day, because the walk out to Cape Raoul Lookout is 5 hours return. But it’s worth it.

This is Tasmania at its wildest and most untamed.

We only recommend Cape Raoul on this day trip during summer, when daylight extends to 9pm, giving you plenty of time to fit everything in.

Unique for: Dramatic cliffs, crashing waves and cool geographic rock formations

Unforgettable for: The stunning scenic trail that hugs the cliff top to Cape Raoul

Hobart day trips for whisky & history lovers

In Tasmania, whisky and history go together like fritz and sauce, hear me out.

Tasmania’s world class whiskey distilling traditions date all the way back to the 1800s. When Irish and Scottish settlers bought their boozy know-how to these fair shores.

That is, until 150 years of whisky prohibition kicked in… Yes, you read that right!

Today, after 3 decades of a Lark-led whisky revival, Tasmania’s best distilleries inhabit some of it’s most characterful heritage buildings, as if to reacquaint the two. Whisky and history.

And not only is that appropriate. It’s how we end up with our whisky & history lovers day trip from Hobart, to the historic villages of Kempton and Oatlands…

Route: Hobart -> Kempton -> Oatlands -> Hobart

Drive time: 2h14m | Distance: 171km

Hobart to Oatlands
Oatlands and Kempton make up our whiskey & history lovers day trip

4. Kempton

Kempton is not a day trip from Hobart on it’s own. But you could spend a few glorious hours at it’s main attraction – Old Kempton Distillery.

We certainly did.

And if you combine it with Oatlands, well… you’ve got the makings of a magical whisky and history big day out.

Blink and you’ll miss Kempton. It’s 50km or a 45 minute drive from Hobart, north on National Highway 1.

Old Kempton Distillery, on the other hand, is the centrepiece of town.

The distillery tasting room and cafe occupies Dysart House, a rustic 1840s’ colonial inn. And it’s here you can sample handcrafted whiskey in an authentic heritage setting. There’s a cafe onsite and you can enjoy your meal and whisky in a gorgeous stone cobbled outdoor courtyard.

They’re masters of the a small batch distilling craft and you can literally drink their art – Old Kempton does tastings and daily tours. Book ahead!

The town also holds surprises for history buffs, like St Mary’s Church, built in 1839, and a collection of well-preserved stone buildings accessible along Kempton’s main street.

Unique for: The old Colonial Inn setting just fits the rich history of Tasmania’s whisky scene. And amps up the enjoyment of the whole experience.

Unforgettable for: Ice whisky (or whatever your tipple) in the courtyard under blazing blue skies. And of course, the award winning drams.

5. Oatlands

Oatlands is one of our hottest day trips from Hobart for 2024, for good reason.

Stepping into Oatlands is like wandering into Narnia as a Georgian-era time capsule. And here’s the surprising thing. Oatlands is home to the largest number of buildings that pre-date 1837 of any town in Australia.

And I bet you’ve never even heard of the place.

Central among its history is Callington Mill, Australia’s oldest working windmill, which stands tall against the Oatlands skyline. Its blades have been catching the wind here for nearly 200 years. The mill is a highlight, where you can watch flour being ground the old-fashioned way or explore the gardens. It’s like wandering through a real life 19th-century storybook.

Oatlands Tasmania
Oatlands Mill historic building Tasmania

But it’s not just about history here.

Oatlands has a gentrifying undercurrent—art galleries, antiques, craft shops here and there, adding a dash of contemporary to the heritage atmosphere. It’s an unexpected mix that makes Oatlands more than just an historic stopover.

And then, there’s the Callington Mill Distillery.

Like a cherry on the top of Oatlands’ boozy revival. The new austere distillery contrasts starkly with its neighbouring stone mill. And yet, the mill’s dark history as a secret, illegal still makes it the perfect spot for a new whisky distiller to turn sod.

And that juxtaposition, is why whisky and history just goes together down here.

Oatlands Tasmania restaurants
Pork Belly served at Callington Mill Distillery Oatlands Tasmania

Tours and tastings are available in the distillery, just make sure you book them first.

Unique for: More original sandstone buildings than any other town in Australia

Unforgettable for: Lunch and a whisky tour & tasting at Callington Mill Distillery

A day trip to the vines

Hobart is blessed with a couple of Tasmania’s important wine regions within a day trip’s distance – the Coal River Valley and the Derwent Valley. Both are different directions from Hobart, so each warrants it’s own day trip.

If you’re keen on a winery day out, you’ll need to prepare in advance. Restaurants should be booked ahead. Some wineries even require bookings for tastings at their cellar. Others you can just wander in to. We’ve added links, to make it easy.

6. Coal River Valley

Route: Hobart -> Frogmore Creek -> Coal River Farm -> Puddleduck Vineyard -> Pooley Wines -> Nocton Vineyard -> Hobart

Driving time: 1h8m | Distance: 70km

Hobart to Richmond
The Coal River Valley Wine Region is right on Hobart’s doorstep

Wine lovers, rejoice. The Coal River Valley is Tasmania’s quiet superstar for cool-climate wines, and its boutique vineyards offer something special: a more personal, intimate wine-tasting experience than you’ll find in bigger regions.

Huzzah. And why it’s THE Hobart day trip destination for wine lovers

Whether you’re tasting silky Pinot Noirs or crisp, refreshing Rieslings, you’ll do it in cellar doors where the winemakers themselves pour your glass. The views across the rolling vineyards aren’t half bad either.

Here’s our cellar door crawl:

Make sure you stop in a Coal River Farm or drop in to the Wicked Cheese Company on the way to taste some of their fantastic soft cheeses and chocolates.

For lunch, we recommend Coal River Farm or Every Man and His Dog Vineyard.

A visit to Richmond—the valley’s historic heart—adds another layer of charm in the middle of your trip. The Richmond Bridge, Australia’s oldest stone arch bridge, feels like a portal to another time. It’s a perfect mix of indulgence and history, with a side of peaceful, scenic countryside.

Richmond Bridge Tasmania
Taken from underneath Richmond Bridge Tasmania

Unique for: heritage plus wineries gives this day trip a real Tasmanian feel.

Unforgettable for: the quality of food from artisan producers that dot this region.

7. Derwent Valley

Route: Hobart -> Moorilla Winery (MONA) -> Stefano Lubiana -> Derwent Estate -> Agrarian Kitchen -> Hobart

Driving time: 1h20m | Distance: 74km

Derwent valley wineries road trip
The Derwent Valley is an often overlooked but fantastic Tasmanian Wine Region

The Derwent Valley isn’t just a scenic drive; it’s a region that wine lovers and food enthusiasts can savour. The valley is home to some of Tasmania’s most acclaimed wineries, and biodynamic practices produce wines that showcase the unique terroir of the region.

Hobart to Derwent Valley road trip
The Derwent Valley is a surprisingly good day trip destination

Their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are standouts here. But don’t trust me, book some tours and tastings for our recommended cellar door crawl:

  1. Moorilla Winery
  2. Stefano Lubiana Wines
  3. Derwent Estate Vineyard

But it’s not just about the wine here. The Derwent Valley is brimming with artisan producers who highlight the area’s rich, fertile soil. If you’re there on a Saturday, call in to New Norfolk and the markets to meet some of them and sample their wares.

New Norfolk Markets
You’ll find local producers at the Saturday markets in New Norfolk

If you’re looking for lunch ideas, Derwent Estate’s ‘The Shed’ restaurant has stunning river views. You can’t go past a meal here paired with their award-winning cool-climate wines.

If you plan well ahead you could even book lunch at the Gourmet Traveller’s Restaurant of the Year, The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery. These guys have perfected paddock-to-plate, with seasonal, locally sourced produce, from fresh veggies to hand-made cheeses.

Unique for: Artisan producers plying their wares

Unforgettable for: A meal at the Gourmet Travellers Best Restaurant 2024 – The Agrarian Kitchen

A wildlife lover’s day trip from Hobart

8. Maria Island

Route: Hobart -> Triabunna -> Maria Island Ferry -> Maria Island -> Ferry -> Triabunna -> Hobart

Drive time: 2h19m | Distance: 170km

Hobart to Maria Island
Maria Island is Tasmania’s best wildlife experience

Often called Tasmania’s answer to the Galápagos, Maria Island is where the wombats outnumber the people.

Wombats on Maria Island
Wombats are everywhere on the Island

And it’s delightful to see!

Maria Island is a breathtaking landscape. From the Painted Cliffs to the Fossil Cliffs, the island’s dramatic geology is matched only by its sense of untouched wilderness.

Maria Island Fossil Cliffs
Views from near the Fossil Cliffs Maria Island

Once you hit the island, you can’t help but feel like you’ve stumbled upon a secret—especially when you’re walking alongside wombats, wallabies, bandicoots and kangaroos roaming free.

What’s there to do? Gape at the wildlife firstly. Then hit the trails for the scenic island views. You can walk, or hire a bike over there. If it’s warm enough, go for a swim on Rutherford beach. Apparently it’s great for snorkelling too.

Don’t miss the chance to explore Darlington either. The former convict settlement adds a historical depth to the island’s natural beauty.

Visit Maria Island
Remote Maria Island is number 2 on our top places to visit

The mix of wildlife, history, and jaw-dropping scenery make Maria Island more than just your typical day trip—it’s an immersive day with experiences that will blow you away.

👀 Read more: A magical Maria Island day trip you’ll rave about after

Unique for: A wildlife experience like no other in Tasmania

Unforgettable for: everything! – landscapes, beaches, sea views, wombats…

FAQs

What’s the best half day trip from Hobart by car?

For half day trips from Hobart, we recommend no more than 1.5 hours of driving, round trip. So what cool destinations can you get to, in 1.5 hours return from Hobart, to make a fun day trip?

Our top list of destinations are:
Richmond
– Derwent Valley
– Huon Valley
– A roadtrip along ‘The Channel’ – from Kingston Beach through Margate, Oyster Bay and even down to Flowerpot depending on your time constraints

What are the best unique day trips from Hobart?

For unique day trips, you have to get off the beaten track. We recommend some lesser known destinations in this article 👆🏼 – places like Lake St Clair, Derwent Valley, Maria Island and Oatlands have fewer day trippers, offering more immersive and unique experiences.

Tasmania Trails travel blog about us

Written by Tara

I'm a Chinese speaking, semi-retired ex Australian Diplomat reinvented as a renewable energy and climate change advisor to governments in the 2000s. I now live in rural Tasmania and love it here, spending all my spare time exploring and adventuring this gift of an island with my partner. And sometimes my 2 Hungarian Vizslas come along too!

14 Oct, 2024

Popular posts