Where are the best places to stay in Tasmania?
By Pip Strickland. December 15, 2023
Long famed for its breathtaking wilderness areas and heritage-listed convict sites, Tasmania is one of Australia’s top tourist destinations. In recent years, it has established a reputation for its exceptional dining scene, innovative festivals and cutting-edge art gallery. If you’re planning a trip to the “Apple Isle”, this up-to-date travel guide highlights some of the best areas to stay in Tasmania.
Tasmania’s dynamic capital, Hobart, overlooks a yacht-filled harbour at the base of Mount Wellington/kunanyi. Aside from coming alive during the summer months, the capital’s world-class restaurants and boutique hotels make it one of the best places to stay in Tasmania in the winter. From Hobart, you can discover the convict history of Port Arthur and Richmond, feast on Bruny Island’s culinary delights or travel south to picturesque Dover.
A scenic drive up the East Coast will take you to the Coles Bay and Binalong Bay, the gateway to the Bay of Fires. For exploring the north of Tasmania, Launceston is one of the best places to stay, offering easy access to the Tamar Valley wine region and the alpine wilderness of Cradle Mountain. On the island’s west coast is the harbourside village of Strahan and Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.If you are interested in where to stay in Tasmania you could be interested in where to stay in Melbourne or in where to stay in Sydney.
Best places to stay to explore Tasmania
Hobart
Culture lovers / Foodies / Art enthusiasts
Located where the Derwent River meets the Tasman Sea, Hobart is Tasmania’s compact capital and most visitors’ first introduction to the state. It’s an enchanting base for exploring the south of Tasmania, including the Port Arthur Historic Site and Mount Field National Park. With its engaging museums, eclectic cafes and mountain-backed setting, Hobart is one of the best places to stay in Tasmania for couples, families and solo travellers alike.
A short ferry ride up the Derwent will take you to MONA, a contemporary art gallery that is a destination in itself. Coincide your visit with the famous Salamanca Market or pick up fresh and artisan produce alongside the locals at the Sunday Farm Gate Market. Once the sun goes down, the historic warehouses of Salamanca transform into Tasmania’s top nightlife spot.
Hobart boasts the most diverse choice of accommodation in Tasmania, from lively backpackers to some of Australia’s best luxury, boutique hotels.
Launceston
Families / Foodies / Culture enthusiasts
Dubbed the “northern capital”, Launceston is Tasmania’s second-largest city and lies on the banks of the Tamar River. It’s home to elegant colonial and Victorian buildings, many of which now house gourmet restaurants, museums and art galleries. With the ski slopes of Ben Lomond on its doorstep, Launceston is one of the best places to stay in Tasmania in the wintertime.
Just a short stroll from the city centre are the scenic walking trails and landscaped gardens Cataract Gorge. On Saturday mornings, you can pick up artisan produce and locally roasted coffee at the Harvest Market before sampling some of Tasmania’s top cool-climate wines in the Tamar Valley. Launceston can also be used as a base for visiting the historic towns of Longford and Evandale or getting up close to wildlife at Narawntapu National Park.
With its diverse choice of hotels, Launceston is one of the best places to stay for exploring Tasmania’s north.
Strahan
Nature enthusiasts / Beach lovers / History buffs
Serving as a gateway to Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed Southwest Wilderness, Strahan is a picturesque harbourside village on the island’s West Coast. It’s one of the best places to stay in Tasmania for adventure-seeking tourists, with majestic beaches and immense sand dunes nearby.
Strahan lies at one end of the West Coast Wilderness Railway, which travels through a spectacular tract of rainforest on its way to the historic mining settlement of Queenstown. It’s also the departure point for cruises along the Gordon River, a pristine waterway that’s fringed by old-growth forests, historic logging settlements and storied convict sites. In the village itself, you’ll find a handful of waterfront restaurants, cafes and a small grocery store for grabbing self-catering supplies.
Many of Strahan’s historic cottages have been transformed into boutique hotels and B&Bs, and it’s one of the best places to stay in Tasmania to escape the crowds.
Coles Bay
Outdoor lovers / Luxury travellers / Foodies
Offering magnificent views toward the pink-tinged granite mountains of the “Hazards”, Coles Bay is a beloved holiday town on Tasmania’s East Coast. It’s a family-friendly destination that’s all about enjoying the great outdoors while kayaking, boating and hiking. Coles Bay serves as a gateway to one of Tasmania’s top national parks, Freycinet, and the idyllic, white sands of Wineglass Bay.
From Coles Bay, you can explore one of Freycinet’s spectacular coastal walks, many of which lead to elevated lookouts and blissful beaches. Local operators offer everything from sea kayaking to rock climbing and fishing adventures in the waters of Great Oyster Bay. Fresh crayfish, trevally and flathead are all caught here before being served up at Coles Bay’s waterfront restaurants.
Home to contemporary beach shacks and award-winning, luxury lodges, Coles Bay is one of the best places to stay in Tasmania for honeymooning couples.
Binalong Bay
Families / Beach lovers / Honeymooners
Surrounded by strikingly beautiful beaches, Binalong Bay is a laid-back coastal town on the East Coast of Tasmania. It has long been a favourite weekend getaway for locals, with everything from surfing to kayaking and fishing on offer in the surrounding waters. Binalong Bay is also one of the best places to stay in Tasmania for exploring the Bay of Fires, a conservation area that’s renowned for its lichen-covered boulders.
From Binalong Bay, you can embark on scenic drives to The Gardens, Cosy Corner and Sloop Point while discovering the Bay of Fires’ rocky bluffs, breathtaking beaches and bird-filled lagoons. The nearby town of St. Helens is home to grocery stores and a good choice of cafes, as well as eateries serving locally caught fish and chips.
With a wide choice of seaside shacks and waterfront abodes, Binalong Bay is one of the best places to stay in Tasmania for families.
Cradle Mountain
Nature enthusiasts / Hikers / Honeymooners
Famed for its glacial lakes, ancient rainforests and alpine heaths, Cradle Mountain forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It has long attracted adventurous trekkers as the departure point for one of Australia’s top multi-day walks, the awe-inspiring Overland Track. Thanks to its well-established tourist infrastructure, Cradle Mountain is attracting a new breed of visitors wanting a taste of Tasmania’s natural beauty.
Soak up the exceptional views along the Dove Lake Circuit or climb to Marion’s Lookout for sweeping panoramas across Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Sightings of wombats are a highlight of any stay, together with pademelons, echidnas and elusive platypi. While there is no town at Cradle Mountain, there is a visitor’s centre, a wilderness art gallery and a handful of gourmet restaurants.
With its cosy lodges and cabin-style hotels, Cradle Mountain is one of the best places to stay in Tasmania for a wilderness escape.
Accommodation in Cradle Mountain
Adventure Bay, Bruny Island
Foodies / Nature enthusiasts / Beach lovers
A short ferry ride from the fishing harbour of Kettering takes you to Bruny Island, a popular holiday destination to the south of Hobart. It’s divided into two parts, connected by a narrow isthus with a dramatic lookout. One of the best places to stay on Bruny Island is Adventure Bay, a laid-back village overlooking the Tasman Sea. It’s particularly popular with families due to its sheltered beach and safe swimming waters.
From Adventure Bay, you can spot little penguins returning to their nests at dusk or hike along the rugged sea cliffs of South Bruny National Park. Near the southern tip of the island is the historic Cape Bruny Lighthouse, from where migrating whales can sometimes to seen. Bruny Island is also a beloved foodie destination, with everything from artisan cheeses to gourmet chocolates and freshly shucked oysters.
With its spacious waterfront residences and cosy shacks, Bruny Island is one of the best places to stay near Hobart.
Accommodation in Adventure Bay
Port Arthur
History buffs / Hikers / Chocolate lovers
One of Australia’s best-preserved convict settlements, Port Arthur was once home to some of the British colony’s most notorious criminals. It has been beautifully preserved as an open-air museum and is a “must” for history buffs visiting Tasmania. Port Arthur refers to the UNESCO-listed convict site and the adjacent town, which is clustered with small guesthouses, lodges and B&Bs.
Join a guided tour to explore the handsome ruins and heritage gardens of Port Arthur while learning about the harsh conditions of 19th-century life here. Those feeling brave can cruise to the storied Isle of the Dead or embark on a nighttime ghost tour. Port Arthur also makes a good base for discovering the coastal hiking trails and dramatic landscapes of Tasman National Park, as well as the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry.
With so much to see and do in the area, it’s worth staying a night or two in Port Arthur during your Tasmania itinerary.
Dover
Hikers / Cave explorers / Seafood lovers
Overlooking Port Esperance Bay, Dover is a picture-perfect town around 90 minutes’ drive south of Hobart. It’s a quiet fishing port with a handful of laid-back restaurants where Tasmanian salmon, abalone and crayfish are served. Not only is Dover the southernmost town in Australia but it offers wonderful views across three small islands - Faith, Hope and Charity.
Dover is one of the best places to stay in Tasmania for hikers wanting to explore Hartz Mountains National Park or tackle part of the legendary South Coast Track. It also serves as a gateway to Hastings Caves, which is renowned for its magnificent limestone formations and spring-fed thermal pool. Just a short drive from Dover is the historic logging town of Geeveston and the treetop Tahune Airwalk.
With its charming cottages, friendly B&Bs and waterfront villas, Dover is one of the best places to stay in Tasmania for couples.
Richmond
History buffs / Antique hunters / Wine lovers
Home to Australia’s oldest bridge, Richmond is a historic colonial village in the beautiful Coal River Valley. Its quaint main street is lined with 19th-century Georgian residences, many of which are now occupied by cafes, galleries and antique stores. Visit on a Sunday to shop at the lively Richmond Market, which showcases the work of local creatives.
Surrounding the village are swathes of vineyards and cellar doors where you can sample the region’s cool-climate varietals. As one of Tasmania’s top tourist destinations, Richmond is a bustle of activity during the day before settling into tranquility once the day trippers leave. It boasts an inviting choice of boutique guesthouses and cottage stays, as well as a convivial pub that stays open for dinner.
Due to its close proximity to Hobart Airport, Richmond is one of the best places to stay at the start or end of a Tasmania itinerary.
Our recommended hotels in Tasmania
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in TasmaniaNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
