Tasmanian Midlands tours range from a quiet day in someone else's coach to river cruises, guided walks and farm visits. The region sits between Launceston and Hobart, so a tour is a handy way to see a lot of it without doing the driving.
We should be upfront about one thing. The tour details we hold do not include fixed prices or durations for individual operators, so this page does not quote any. What it does is explain what each kind of tour covers and how to think about time and cost. For the full list, see our page on the Tasmanian Midlands tours.
What the Midlands is like to tour
The Midlands is a region of low, dry plains between the two cities, and it is the driest part of Tasmania, with annual rainfall of 450 to 600 millimetres. Summers are the warmest in the state, with maximums averaging about 24 °C, while winter days commonly start with frost, sometimes a severe one. That matters when you choose a tour, because an open-air activity in July is a different proposition from the same one in January.
The soils are the most fertile in Tasmania, which is why the plains are grazing country for sheep and cattle. On the eastern side the land rises into low dolerite hills, and to the west is the high Lake Country, shaped by glaciers and dotted with lakes. A good tour will usually touch more than one of these landscapes.
Tours where someone else drives
If you would rather sit back, a luxury coach tour lets you watch the country go past without worrying about the road. Guides take you to places many visitors would not find on their own, and a coach itinerary can pack a lot of stops into a short time. That is its main appeal for anyone short of days.
Scenic country drives are another option. They take in Georgian buildings, grand old roadside cottages and English-inspired architecture along the country roads. Towns that feature on Midlands itineraries include Oatlands, Campbell Town, Ross and Bothwell.
Active and outdoor tours
For something more energetic, the choices include horseback rides, four wheel drive tours, kayaking, canoeing and river cruises along the waterways. Rock climbing, abseiling and white water rafting are also listed among the adventure options, and snow skiing is possible in winter.
Guided walks take you through national parks and forests, and camping adventures in the forest suit families. Local guides also run trout fishing trips, and wildlife tours are part of the mix too.
Choosing by season
Because the Midlands has some of the coldest winters in the state, we would pick water and walking activities for the warmer months and save snow activities for winter. That is our own judgement, not a rule, and operators will know best what runs when.
Heritage, history and food tours
The history tours are where the Midlands really earns its keep. You can visit museums that explain the region's heritage, tour a working farm, see a glass blowing factory, or walk through a convict built gaol. There is also the oldest Supreme Courthouse in Australia, and a walking tour through a 19th century stone mill.
Food and drink tours cover wine, cheese and local delicacies, so you can taste your way through the region. Pair one with a heritage stop and you have a full day without much planning.
Day, overnight and extended tours
Tours come as day trips, overnight trips and extended journeys. Longer tours suit people who want to cover most of what the region has to offer, and they can stretch to destinations such as Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair, or the rocky country of the Midland Highlands. Lake St Clair National Park is known for its glaciated landscape.
Price and length vary widely between tours, from budget day trips to more luxurious options, so check the operator's current price and itinerary before you book. If you plan to stay overnight on your own, our guide to the Tasmanian Midlands accommodation is a good next step. One option in the wider area is Cradle Mountain Chateau.
Planning around the tours
A tour works best as the backbone of a trip rather than all of it. Browse the Tasmanian Midlands attractions to see what you might add on your own, and use the main Tasmanian Midlands guide for the bigger picture. For general state information, Discover Tasmania is the official tourism site, and background on the region itself is at Wikipedia: Midlands (Tasmania).
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of tours run in the Tasmanian Midlands?
Options include luxury coach tours, horseback rides, four wheel drive tours, kayaking, canoeing and river cruises, guided walks, wildlife tours, fishing trips, heritage tours and food and wine tours.
How long do the tours take?
They come as day tours, overnight tours and extended tours. Exact durations depend on the operator, so confirm before booking.
How much do they cost?
Prices range widely, from simple day trips to more luxurious tours. We do not hold fixed prices, so check the current rate with the operator.
