South & Tasman Peninsula

1. Hobart waterfront~1 h at the stop

The old whaling harbour: Constitution Dock with its floating fish-and-chips punts, and the Salamanca sandstone warehouses a short stroll away.

Tip: On a Saturday, start with Salamanca Market (8:30am–3pm, ~300 stalls) before it packs up.

↓ drive · 20 min · 12 km

2. MONA~2 h 30 min at the stop

The subterranean Museum of Old and New Art, carved into sandstone above the Derwent. Hobart's headline cultural draw.

Tip: Open Thursday to Monday, 10:00–17:00. Instead of driving, take the MONA ferry from Brooke St Pier, about 30 minutes up the river. Lunch at The Source on site runs on the same days, 12:00–16:00; book a table ahead.

↓ drive · 26 min · 22 km

3. Richmond: 1825 bridge & maze~1 h 30 min at the stop

A Georgian village with a convict-built stone bridge (1823–25). Australia's oldest still in use, a hedge maze and a legendary lolly shop.

Worth knowing: Convicts built the bridge from 1823 to 1825, hauling sandstone in hand carts. In 1832 the harsh flogger George Grover fell asleep drunk on it and was pushed off; nobody was ever convicted.

Tip: Lunch is on the way, at Coal River Farm in Cambridge: their own cheese and chocolate, every day 9:00 to 17:00, kitchen until 16:00. In the village, get an ice cream and go down to the lawn by the bridge.

4. Tessellated Pavement~30 min at the stop

A rock platform at Eaglehawk Neck fractured into near-perfect natural 'tiles': a rare geological oddity.

Tip: Best at low tide and in morning light, when the pans glisten.

↓ drive · 8 min · 4 km

5. Tasman Arch & Devils Kitchen~40 min at the stop

A giant sea arch and a sheer cleft in the cliffs: both lookouts are a couple of minutes' walk from the car park.

Tip: Detour to the Blowhole too: all three sights sit on the same short loop road. Fish and chips are at Doo-Lishus, in the Blowhole car park.

↓ drive · 20 min · 19 km

6. Port Arthur (+ evening ghost tour)~4 h at the stop

Australia's most intact convict settlement (UNESCO): 30-plus buildings and ruins above the cove; daily guided talks are included in entry.

Worth knowing: The convict settlement ran from 1830 to 1877. In 2010 it joined the UNESCO Australian Convict Sites list.

Tip: Lunch on site at the 1830 Restaurant, daily 11:30–14:30. In the evening stay for the lantern ghost tour: Wednesday to Sunday, A$35, children A$18. October–March departures at 19:00, 20:20 and 21:00; April–September at 18:00 and 20:00.

↓ drive · 10 min · 6 km

7. Remarkable Cave~30 min at the stop

A tunnel cave the ocean surges through; a staircase drops to a viewing platform right above the chasm.

Tip: Locals say the cave mouth mirrors the outline of Tasmania: judge for yourself.

8. Kettering ferry (every ~20 min)~20 min at the stop

The SeaLink vehicle ferry: a 15–20 minute crossing on a first-come queue, 20-plus departures a day in summer; passengers and pedestrians travel free.

Tip: Buy your ticket online in advance: it isn't tied to a sailing, you take the next available ferry and show the barcode. The cheaper Saver fare (A$50.90) is sold only at the booth during the times marked on the timetable.

↓ ferry · 50 min

9. The Neck lookout~30 min at the stop

The sand isthmus joining North and South Bruny: timber steps climb to a 360° lookout (about half an hour's drive from the ferry).

Tip: Before the lookout, on the north island, the oysters are at Get Shucked: daily 9:30 to 16:30, kitchen until about 15:45. At dusk in nesting season little penguins come ashore. Bring a warm jacket.

↓ drive · 15 min · 13 km

10. Adventure Bay~1 h 30 min at the stop

The white-sand bay where Cook anchored in 1777, Bligh after him: calm water for a swim and an easy beach afternoon.

Tip: On the way here, Hotel Bruny in Alonnah serves food every day from 12:00. Leave a buffer for the ferry back: the evening queue can be long.