Family-friendly fun in Tasmania

Whether you’re travelling with children who are little, wild about animals and outdoor adventure or more into museums and steam trains, here are some places to put on top of your Tassie holiday to-do list. They’ll be asking “are we there yet?” with real enthusiasm on this trip!

Home to eight brain-challenging mazes, a kooky, colourful model village and the Embassy Gardens’ miniature buildings representing more than 40 countries, Tasmazia is appropriately nestled in a town called Promised Land.

Hobart of the 1820s has all but vanished, but there’s a model village nearby that authentically recreates the early colony. Old Hobart Town features more than 60 itty-bitty buildings, 100-plus bonsai trees, and 500 petite people, from convicts to soldiers.

At Launceston’s Cataract Gorge Reserve you can ramble around pretty gardens with littlies, or enjoy an urban bushwalk with tweens (and older kids too). Splash in the pool, play spot-the-peacock, have a picnic or hit the cafe and kiosk, and glide above it all on the scenic chairlift.

Reliquaire is a massive, magical store offering treasures for all ages, from cuddly bears and construction kits to luxurious skincare for you. Children delight in the secluded spaces with themes like Harry Potter and dinosaurs, sometimes accessed by miniature doors.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven for native animals including echidnas, spotted quolls and the star attraction, Tasmanian Devils. Humans love it too, with cuteness everywhere and exciting experiences like animal feeding and night tours.

No need to choose between seahorses and platypuses, because Beauty Point’s pier has both! At Seahorse World hold one of these curious sea creatures in your hand, then watch Platypus House’s superstar swimmers.

Meet marine wildlife on Pennicott Wilderness Journeys’ nature-focused cruises around Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula. See dolphins, seals, seabirds and perhaps migrating whales, plus dramatic coastal vistas.

It’s easy to spot local fauna on Narawntapu National Park’s gentle coastal landscape. Known as Tasmania’s Serengeti, it’s home to wombats, wallabies, pademelons and birds like wrens, herons and black swans.

Whitewater river sledding couldn’t be easier with Meander Wilderness Experiences. Simply glide over grade one and two rapids on a heavy-duty inflated sled, while youngsters under 130cm can join the fun in the guide’s kayak.

At Hollybank Wilderness Adventures, go ziplining over river and treetops, tackle an elevated rope obstacle course, or stay grounded by scooting around on a Segway or mountain bike.

In one of the world’s most beautiful regions, encounter coastal scenery and wildlife on Freycinet Adventures’ three-hour guided seakayak tour. Children as young as seven are welcome to paddle.

What wonders you’ll see in Mole Creek Karst National Park’s caves. Easy guided tours reveal crystals, stalactites, stalagmites, reflecting pools, colourful limestone shawls and Australia’s biggest glow-worm display.

All aboard for a steam-powered adventure through ancient rainforest with West Coast Wilderness Railway. There are three journeys to choose from, plus museums about local train and mining heritage.

There’s something for everyone at the state’s largest cultural institution, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery – including long-term exhibition mapiya lumi which is designed for kids up to seven.

Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery has two sites: one dedicated to art and design, the other science and history where highlights include dinosaur fossils and a planetarium.

Even kids who aren’t keen on museums will surely like the Pooseum. Through touchscreens, interactive displays and more, it reveals the science behind animal poop from near and far.

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.