More than double the state's population arrives as visitors in a single year. That is the scale of tourism in Tasmania, and it explains why a small island has such a developed range of tours, lodges and wildlife experiences.
This page is a starting point. We cover what visitors come for, how the sector sits in the wider economy, and which of the tours listed on this site suit different interests. We have kept to what we can state with confidence, so there are no weather tables or driving charts here.
Why tourism matters in Tasmania
Tasmania has the smallest economy in Australia when ranked by gross state product per capita, yet it has a sizeable tourism sector. Tourism is a large contributor to the state's economy, alongside industries such as aquaculture, forestry, mining and construction.
The figures for the year ending September 2016 show the pattern. Visitor expenditure rose 8 per cent to $2.07 billion, and total nights spent by visitors rose 8 per cent to 10.58 million. Interstate visitors increased by 3 per cent to 1.01 million. The estimated population in June 2016 was 519,128, so visitors over a year outnumbered residents by more than two to one. For more on the economic background, see the Economy of Tasmania article on Wikipedia.
What Tasmania offers visitors
Many people come for the rugged wilderness. Tasmania is Australia's southernmost state and has some of the country's best-known national parks and World Heritage areas, which is why it is also a popular family destination. Beyond the parks there is food, whisky, wildlife and colonial history, usually within reach of Hobart.
National parks and wilderness
Mt Field National Park is Tasmania's most visited wilderness area. The Mt. Field and the Derwent day tour runs 8 to 9 hours from AUD 1040. It walks through cool temperate rainforest with ancient ferns and eucalypts to Russel Falls, then visits a wildlife sanctuary. Transport, morning tea and lunch are included, and lunch can be at the Agrarian Kitchen on weekends only.
Cradle Mountain is covered by a two-day Cradle Mountain tour from Hobart, from AUD 445. Groups are limited to 13, the hikes take in rainforest, waterfalls and alpine terrain, and you stay at a lakeside lodge.
For something more remote, the five-day takayna / Tarkine hiking tour starts from AUD 3275. It is based from Launceston, uses basic bush camps and is led by accredited local guides trained in wilderness first aid.
Hobart, Bruny Island and history
The two-day Hobart and Bruny Island tour, from AUD 305, covers Salamanca Market on Saturdays, the views from Mt Wellington and the colonial village of Richmond. It then moves to Bruny Island and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can meet kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, wombats and koalas.
Cruise passengers have the Port Arthur shore excursion, from AUD 239. It leaves Macquarie Wharf in Hobart, drives 90 minutes to the Port Arthur Historic Site and allows up to two and a half hours on the convict story. Weather and timing permitting, the return stops at a lavender farm and a chocolate foundry.
Food, whisky and short experiences
Not every outing needs a full day. The LARK Distillery tour takes 45 minutes from AUD 69 and includes tastings of three expressions. The Toffeemont alpaca farm visit, near Orielton on the east coast, lasts 90 minutes from AUD 55, with sessions at 10am, 1pm or 3pm daily.
On the west coast, the evening dinner cruise aboard the hybrid-powered Spirit of the Wild runs six hours from AUD 155 on the Gordon River and Macquarie Harbour. Dinner is chef-prepared from local produce. We reckon it suits travellers who want scenery without hiking.
Tasmania's farming explains the quality of local produce. Berries are the largest fresh produce category at $125.3 million, followed by vegetables, cherries and apples. Dairy is also strong.
Tour prices at a glance
| Tour | Length | From |
|---|---|---|
| Alpaca farm with Toffeemont | 1h 30m | AUD 55 |
| LARK Distillery tour | 45 min | AUD 69 |
| Evening dinner cruise | 6 hours | AUD 155 |
| Port Arthur shore excursion | 6h 30m | AUD 239 |
| Hobart and Bruny Island | 2 days | AUD 305 |
| Cradle Mountain from Hobart | 2 days | AUD 445 |
| Mt. Field and the Derwent | 8 to 9 hours | AUD 1040 |
| takayna / Tarkine hiking | 5 days | AUD 3275 |
Getting around and planning
Hobart is the usual base, and several tours start or finish there. The Cradle Mountain and Bruny Island trips return to Hobart, the Port Arthur excursion starts at Macquarie Wharf, and the Tarkine tour starts from Launceston. Guided tours include transport, which suits anyone who would rather not drive unfamiliar roads.
We would not try to pack the whole island into one trip. Hobart's accommodation is tight: in February 2016 its rental vacancy rates were among the lowest in the country, which is a reminder to book early in busy periods. For seasons and timing, check the official Discover Tasmania site, as we do not hold monthly climate figures for this page.
More Tasmania guides
Browse our Tasmania destinations pages for place-by-place guides, or the Tasmania food section for eating and drinking ideas. Tour listings sit under Tasmania activities.
Frequently asked questions
How many people visit Tasmania each year?
In the year ending September 2016, interstate visitors reached 1.01 million, and total visitor nights were 10.58 million. Visitors spent $2.07 billion.
What is the cheapest tour listed here?
The Toffeemont alpaca farm visit is from AUD 55 for 90 minutes. The LARK Distillery tour follows at from AUD 69.
Can you see Tasmanian wildlife on a tour?
Yes. The Mt. Field tour visits a wildlife sanctuary, and the Hobart and Bruny Island tour stops at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, where devils, wombats, kangaroos and koalas live.
