Southern Tasmania

About 90 minutes south of Hobart lies beautiful Bruny Island. Its pristine, windswept shores have been graced by the likes of Captain Cook and William Bligh. Today the island is home to an array of impressive wildlife including mutton birds, penguins and echidnas. Much of the island's population of around 600 continue to grow, raise and catch some of Tasmania's finest gourmet produce. You can either drive here yourself or embark on one of the daily tours that begin in Hobart.

World Heritage-listed Port Arthur, located on the Tasman Peninsula, is Australia’s most preserved convict site. Originally built to house prisoners, the area now contains over 30 buildings, ruins and restored period homes across 40 hectares of landscaped grounds. Step back in time and see what life was like in a penal colony, courtesy of a guided tour. Over the summer months, there is also a number of activities for the kids, including brick making and live theatre performances.

Situated on the rugged Tasman Peninsula, about a 90-minute drive from Hobart, this visual wonderland boasts enormous sea cliffs and striking rock formations. The area is teeming with wildlife—keep an eye out for brushtail possums, Australian fur seals, various bird species and even the occasional migrating whale. Many famous spots along the coastline are easily accessed by car, including Tasman Arch and The Blowhole, but there are plenty of delights to behold on foot as well.

The historic town of Richmond is a 30-minute drive north-east of Hobart. Richmond lays claim to both the oldest bridge and oldest prison cell in all of Australia. Beneath the arches of the Heritage-listed bridge is the perfect spot to have a picnic and feed the ducks. That's not all there is to do here, though. The town is chock-full of world class cafés and art galleries. At night you can even take a lantern-lit ghost tour along the mysterious cobblestone streets.