We are travelling around Australia in our converted Toyota Coaster bus home. We arrived in Tasmania in January, expecting to spend a couple of months having a good look around. Then covid happened. Almost overnight, our plans completely changed as we searched for somewhere to bunker down for the “dreaded” winter in Tasmania and prepared to go into lockdown. 

After nearly 5 months of living in our cute little cabin, 30 minutes south of Hobart, we headed back out on the road in late August. As we near the 10 month mark and make our plans to return to the mainland, we find ourselves reminiscing about our fondest memories here. So in no particular order,  here are our top 10 experiences from our 10 months travelling and living in Tasmania.

1. Hiking snow-covered Hartz peak (South)

Ok, I did say no particular order, but our hike to Hartz Peak was one of my favourite days. In early August we took a day trip to the Hartz mountains, about 1.5hrs from Hobart. We weren’t expecting snow but arrived in the carpark to a winter wonderland and undertook our first snowy alpine hike. It was breathtaking, peaceful and one hell of a workout. The 360 degree views of Southern Tasmania are incredible so I would recommend doing it on a clear day! It took us 5hrs to the peak and back with lots of snow play, a picnic, and scrambling up some really tough parts with a toddler in the backpack! 

2. Bruny Island (South)

For some unknown reason, we weren’t originally planning on going to Bruny Island. Then we spent 5 months looking at it from our cabin and thought we should probably go check it out. It was our first destination when we moved back into the bus and it blew us away. Granted, we almost had the place to ourselves as Tasmania was still locked away from the rest of Australia.

We spent 2 weeks exploring every corner, but could have easily stayed longer. There’s surf beaches, calm lagoons, white sand bays, rainforest and plenty of bushy camping. Our favourite campground was “The Neck” campground, set back in the bush just behind a very long stunning beach. Closer to adventure bay, Hansons beach was gorgeous to hang out at with white sand and usually protected calm, waters.  

We walked the Queen Elizabeth track, about 45 minutes one-way to “The Arch” (accessible around low tide) which featured stunning cliffs and possibly my favourite secluded beach – even had an icy swim here. 

3. Cradle Mountain (North West) – Marion’s lookout hike and Enchanted walk

The Cradle Mountain area certainly lived up to the hype! It’s popular and for good reason. The visitor centre is brand new and very well set up. For an easy walk (we did it on a rainy day), the Enchanted Walk is a rainforest wander that felt like a magical fairy land, filled with moss, ferns and trickling water.

For a tougher hike we did Marion’s Lookout which looks out over Cradle Mountain and the surrounding ranges. It’s breathtaking. We ascended from the Ronny Creek car park via the overland track past crater lake and then descended via Wombat Pools to Dove Lake. It took about 4 hours with a stunning picnic on top of the world. It also gave me a taste for the famous Overland Track and I am so keen to return to do the 6 day overnight hike sans kids! 

4. Hiking in the Tasman Peninsula (South East) – Cape Huay and Cape Raoul

If you’re a hiker, these are must do’s! If you’re not, you should give them a go anyway – each cape is unique but provides some of the most spectacular coastal scenery I’ve witnessed. 

My favourite was Cape Huay. It starts at the pretty Fortescue Bay campground, and follows a bush track for a couple of km before opening out into a breathtaking view of the vast cliffy cape which you then walk along all the way to the end. It’s green, luscious and wild and we even saw some seals! The walk back has some steep stairs that were quite challenging. The walk is 9 km in total and it took us about 4 hours including a picnic. 

I found Cape Raoul to be less challenging, as it’s not quite as steep, but it’s a longer walk at 14km. It took us 5 hours with a few stops along the way. There are plenty of lookouts with stunning coastal views. The huge black cliffs are the highlight here. 

Also, If you’re familiar with big wave surfing, you can view Shipsterns Bluff from a lookout or take a separate walk down to the infamous surf spot. 

5. Farm Gate Market (Hobart) 

We ended up spending a lot of time in Hobart and at Farm Gate Markets. They’re not big but quality over quantity is emphasised here. This carefully curated market is a hit with the locals every Sunday from 8:30am – 12:30pm in the middle of the city. As well as stocking up on fresh produce, I also love buying tofu, tempeh and marinated tofu feta from Soy’oy’oy, the best sweet chilli sauce from Tik’s, Fresh juice creations, and glazed vegan donuts from the Lady Hester stand. 

While you’re here grab a Vegan bagel from Bury Me Standing, the little cafe at the bottom of the market. We’ve tried them all, but keep returning to the “Top Notch Bagel.”

6. Free camp at Waterhouse Conservation area (North East)

Sometimes the toughest roads lead to the best free-camp finds. Waterhouse Conservation Area is a stunning and rugged piece of coastline in North-East Tasmania between Bridport and Tomahawk. The corrugated and bumpy road in is more suitable for a 4wd but we did OK in the bus. I wouldn’t attempt it after heavy rain. There are a selection of secluded beachfront campsites to choose from – the “casuarina” campsites were our pick. There are toilets but no water so go prepared and enjoy this slice of paradise for a little longer! 

7. Free camp at Bay of Fires – Swimcart beach (East)

This place is what I envisioned when I heard about “all the free camping” in Tasmania. You’re parked parallel to the beach with views out over the Bay of Fires. Swimcart beach is beautiful – great for walks, relaxing and surf in the right conditions. There are toilets here and you are only a 15 minute drive from St Helens for water and supplies. People pay a lot of money for waterfront views like these. 

8. Mount Field NP (South) – Russell falls circuit, pandani grove and Mt Mawson

We didn’t visit Mount Field on our initial lap of Tasmania and boy am I so glad that we eventually made it during our second lap. 

It’s worth going to visit Russell falls alone. Simply the most breathtaking rainforest waterfall I’ve witnessed. BUT there is so much more to this unique area! Do the three falls circuit for the full rainforest experience. It’s a pretty easy walk and took us 2 hours, carrying Arnie, with lots of stops. This walk leaves from the campground (which has free hot showers!)

Beginning at Lake Dobson, there are lots of alpine walks to choose from. We loved the short and incredibly unique Pandani Grove. There was still snow on the ground, so witnessing a jungle of pandanis plants (which seem really tropical to me) and moss on a bed of white was a magical experience. 

We then continued our hike up a steep hill to and around Mount Mawson Ski Field which has stunning views of the surrounding lakes, valleys and mountains that stretch to the horizon. 

9. Maria Island (East)

Pick a calm sunny day and jump on the 20 minute ferry across from Triabunna to Maria Island National Park. It’s used to be a convict penetentiary and is steeped in history and ruins. There are no cars on the island, the scenery is stunning and there is tonnes of wildlife, including wombats and kangaroos. 

We did the resevoir circuit hike through bush and rainforest, with some ruins along the way, and then connected to the fossil cliffs walk. We had a picnic lunch on this huge north facing grassy hill, surrounded by kangaroos and big blue ocean views. It was my favourite picnic location in Tasmania. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon visiting more ruins, the old town and learning about the different ways the island has been used over the years. 

There was so much more to explore (on bikes or hiking) and I wish we had spent the night. You can camp or stay in a bunk in the penetentiary, which we will definitely do with older kids down the track – it looks really fun!

10. Spending winter in a (toastie) cabin in Southern Tasmania

2020 has been a weird year for most of the world, and this experience was by far the least expected. We swore that we would leave Tasmania before the “dreaded” winter. 

Well, covid happened and we became stranded on this big island of wonder, so we bunkered down and rented a warm little cottage on a property just south of Hobart. We ended up staying for nearly 5 months before installing a diesel heater in our bus and returning to the road in early spring. 

Our biggest takeaway from this experience is that winter in Tasmania is not as bad as it sounds. Particularly in the Hobart region where there is relatively low rainfall, we had lots of beautiful crisp sunny days and spent a lot of time outside in nature, exploring our local area. We got to know the locals, spent every other Sunday at Farmgate market stocking up on local foodie delights, foraged for blackberries, picked hazelnuts and apples, and I cooked – a lot.

We had a much-needed break from full-time travel and worked on improvements to the bus, as well as working on our own digital projects. We snuggled by the fire every night and fed the chickens every morning, and spent hours with Arnie as he dug holes in the garden. 

We feel so grateful that we ended up in the Tasmanian bubble this year – I really couldn’t think of a better place to ride out the covid storm. 

11. Bonus for travellers with kids – Riverbend park in Launceston 

If you have kids, you know how much time you spend at playgrounds. Riverbend Park is a playground wonderland with activities for all ages including all your playground classics, plus a water/sand play area, a huge climbing web that leads to some (big kid) slides. It’s a big park and you can easily spend a few hours there. 

Honourable Mentions 

North West – Stanley and The Nut, Rocky Cape NP, Sisters Beach, Boat Harbour Beach, Northern hinterland around Deloraine/Sheffield with views of Mt Roland, Leven Canyon.

North – Narawntapu NP, Tamar Valley, Bridport, Low Head.

East – The whole coastal drive, Freycinet NP and Richardsons Beach, Bicheno.

South – Southport Lagoon, Southarm including Clifton Beach, Kingston Beach, Snug Falls.

West – Nelson Falls, Marrawah free camp and beach, Gordon Dam, The many peaceful freecamps by lakes and dams surrounded by mountains, wild and rugged (and windy) beaches near Strahan. 

 Let us know in the comments if your are planning on or have visited any of these places. Also feel free to reach out to us on Instagram @coastingwiththe90s

Happy Travels!