Five Fabulous Day Trips from Hobart
Easy escapes that reveal Tasmania’s landscapes, towns and flavours
One of the great luxuries of staying in Hobart is how quickly the city opens out into something quieter and more expansive. Within an hour or less, you can find yourself among orchards and rivers, historic villages, wild mountain air or dramatic coastline. These are not journeys that require rigid planning or early starts. Instead, they invite an unhurried approach: a late breakfast, a scenic drive, a long lunch and time to wander.
These five day trips from Hobart are ideal for guests who want to experience Tasmania beyond the city without committing to overnight travel. Each offers its own rhythm and reward, and all return you to Hobart by evening — tired in the best possible way.
Huon Valley
Orchards, river light and slow lunches
South of Hobart, the Huon Valley unfolds gently. The drive is scenic without being demanding, winding past farmland, waterways and wide skies that feel distinctly Tasmanian. It is a region shaped by apple orchards and cool-climate produce, and its pace reflects that agricultural grounding.
A natural place to begin is Willy Smith’s Apple Shed, where cider made from local apples is poured alongside simple food. It’s casual and welcoming — a good introduction to the valley’s flavour and ethos. From here, continue on to Cygnet, a small town known for its creative community. Coffee spots, independent shops and quiet streets make it ideal for an unstructured wander.
Lunch at Peppermint Bay Hotel offers a moment to settle in. Set on the water, the dining room looks out across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, where boats pass slowly and the afternoon light does much of the work. The menu is relaxed but well considered, and the setting encourages you to linger before the easy drive back to Hobart.
Drive time:
Approximately 45–60 minutes from Hobart (depending on stops)
Suggested pacing:
A relaxed full day or an easy half-day. Aim for a late morning departure, allowing time for cider at Willy Smith’s, a wander through Cygnet, and a long lunch at Peppermint Bay before returning mid-afternoon.
Best seasons:
Autumn: Particularly beautiful, with changing foliage and crisp light across the river valleys.
Spring: Orchards come alive and the region feels fresh and green.
Summer: Warm and vibrant, though best enjoyed at an unhurried pace.
Winter: Quieter and moodier, with cosy interiors and fewer crowds.
Images below capture the quiet beauty of the Huon Valley.
Richmond
Heritage streets and vineyard views
Richmond is one of Tasmania’s most intact historic villages, and its charm lies in its walkability. Stone cottages, bakeries, galleries and small shops sit close together, making it a place best explored slowly and mostly on foot.
Begin by wandering the village centre before crossing Richmond Bridge, Australia’s oldest stone bridge. The Coal River moves quietly beneath it, often dotted with ducks and framed by soft farmland beyond. It’s a moment that invites pause.
Just outside town, Pooley Wines provides a refined stop for tastings. The setting is calm and considered, with vineyard views that stretch gently into the distance. Richmond is an ideal choice for those wanting a half-day escape that still feels complete — historic, scenic and effortlessly close to Hobart.
Drive time:
Approximately 25–30 minutes from Hobart
Suggested pacing:
Ideal for a half-day trip. Depart mid-morning, wander the village, cross the bridge, enjoy a tasting at Pooley Wines and return to Hobart by mid-afternoon. It pairs well with an evening dinner reservation back in the city.
Best seasons:
Spring and Autumn: Mild temperatures and soft light suit walking and wandering.
Summer: Popular and lively, best enjoyed earlier in the day.
Winter: Quiet and atmospheric, with misty mornings that suit the historic setting.
Images from top left: Huon Valley (Discover Tasmania); Richmond (Alastair Bett); The Agrarian Kitchen walled garden (The Agrarian Kitchen); New Norfolk (Mauricio E. Mozo)
New Norfolk
Food, antiques and quiet discoveries
Set along the Derwent River, New Norfolk feels both grounded and quietly eccentric. Once known primarily as a historic town, it has become a destination for those drawn to food, craftsmanship and objects with history.
Lunch at The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery is often the anchor of the day. The experience is deeply tied to Tasmania’s seasons and producers, and meals here are best approached with time and attention. After lunch, the town invites exploration.
The vast Drill Hall Emporium is an experience in itself — part antique store, part curiosity cabinet. Nearby, Miss Arthur offers a carefully curated mix of clothing and objects, while Black Swan Bookshop rewards those who enjoy browsing shelves without an agenda. A stop at Flywheel for coffee or something sweet rounds out the afternoon before the scenic drive back along the river.
Drive time:
Approximately 35–40 minutes from Hobart
Suggested pacing:
Plan this as a full day centred around lunch. Book The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery in advance, then allow several hours afterward for browsing shops and walking along the river. Return to Hobart before dusk for the most scenic drive.
Best seasons:
Autumn: River light and changing colours make this an especially rewarding time to visit.
Spring: Fresh produce and a sense of renewal throughout the valley.
Winter: Excellent for slower days spent indoors browsing antiques and bookshops.
Summer: Lush and green, though lunch bookings are essential.
kunanyi / Mount Wellington
Wild air and sweeping views
Rising directly behind Hobart, kunanyi feels both ever-present and ever-changing. Weather can shift quickly, revealing mist, clear skies or dramatic cloud cover — part of the mountain’s appeal.
A stop at Lost Freight Cafe provides warmth and sustenance before heading out. From here, a network of walking tracks caters to different energies and timeframes. Short lookout walks offer expansive views across the Derwent, while longer tracks invite deeper immersion in the landscape.
Even a brief visit to kunanyi can feel restorative. The cooler air, open space and sense of scale offer a sharp contrast to the city below, making this one of the most rewarding and accessible day trips from Hobart.
Drive time:
Approximately 20–30 minutes to the summit from central Hobart
Suggested pacing:
Flexible and weather-dependent. Allow anywhere from one to four hours depending on whether you’re stopping at lookouts or heading out on walking tracks. This pairs well with a relaxed afternoon back in Hobart.
Best seasons:
Summer: Cooler temperatures offer welcome relief from the city.
Spring: Wild weather and shifting cloud create dramatic views.
Autumn: Clear days with long visibility across the Derwent.
Winter: Snow is possible — check conditions before driving and dress warmly.
Bruny Island
Coastal drama and island flavour
Bruny Island feels like a true departure from the everyday. Reached by a short ferry crossing, the island offers rugged coastline, quiet beaches and a strong food culture shaped by its surroundings.
Begin with oysters at Get Shucked, followed by a relaxed stop at Bruny Island Cheese & Beer Co. for tastings and lunch. From there, the island opens out into dramatic scenery.
The climb to The Neck Lookout offers one of Tasmania’s most memorable views, with the narrow strip of land dividing two sweeping bays. A walk at Adventure Bay provides space to slow down before continuing south to Bruny Island Lighthouse, where cliffs drop away to the Southern Ocean.
It is a full day, but one that captures the wild, elemental side of Tasmania.
Drive time:
Approximately 40 minutes’ drive to the ferry terminal, plus a 20-minute ferry crossing
Suggested pacing:
A full day is essential. Depart early, plan loosely, and expect to return in the evening. Allow time for food stops, scenic lookouts and unplanned pauses — Bruny rewards flexibility.
Best seasons:
Summer: Long days and calm weather suit beaches and coastal walks.
Spring: Lush landscapes and fewer visitors.
Autumn: Clear air and dramatic skies.
Winter: Wild and atmospheric, best for confident drivers and weather-aware travellers.
Images below: The Neck, Bruny Island and Bruny Island Cheese Co
A Final Note from Captains Cottage
Hobart may be the heart of your stay, but some of Tasmania’s most memorable moments begin when you leave the city behind. From Captains Cottage, a day on the road can take you through orchards, vineyards, forests, coastlines and country towns before bringing you home in time for a quiet evening in the cottage.
There is no need to see everything. Choose one direction, take your time and let the landscape unfold. The best day trips are often the ones where the itinerary leaves enough room for an unexpected stop along the way.