Australia Tasmania Island-Circuit Panorama 7-Day Tour (Choose 5/6/7 Days)

More than 100 years ago, during the British Empire, Port Arthur was a prison port that struck fear into the hearts of criminals. Today, it is a tourist destination, and almost everyone who visits Tasmania makes a special trip to Port Arthur. Australians take their past seriously and have converted former places of imprisonment into museums open to visitors. The largest of these is Port Arthur in Tasmania.

A natural arch that is actually a giant tunnel extending along the coast. It formed in a zone of dense fractures and extends inland to a second area perpendicular to the first fracture zone. The top of the tunnel at its landward end has collapsed, but the opening is too large and the walls on either side too high for a blowhole to form. The tunnel was formed by wave erosion, and its roof is 52.7 metres above sea level. Most visitors only see it from land; a boat trip along the coastal cliffs reveals another side of the arch. This landform is near the settlement of Pirates Bay.

The Devil’s Kitchen is a spectacular geological wonder on Tasmania’s rugged east coast, sculpted by powerful waves over countless years. Originally a sea cave, it has been gradually eroded over thousands of years into a deep trench and towering cliffs. From here, you can look down on the swirling waters below, framed by steep rock walls that reveal the magnificent scenery.

The Tessellated Pavement is a rare geological phenomenon. This natural feature occurs in only a few places on Earth, where fractured rock forms polygonal shapes resembling man-made tiles. These paving stones come in two forms: sunken “pan” formations, created when seawater erodes the center of the rock to form pools; and the opposite, raised “loaf” formations, where erosion along the edges leaves a domed top resembling a risen loaf of bread.

The Blowhole is one of the Tasman Peninsula's best-known and most spectacular rugged attractions. Like nearby Tasman Arch and Devil's Kitchen, the Blowhole began as a small cave. Millions of years of water and wind erosion have created today's unique geological formation. When the seas are rough, waves surge through the Blowhole and spray like clouds, creating a sight that is both breathtaking and awe-inspiring.

Richmond and Port Arthur are located in Tasmania, the “end of the world.” Here you’ll find a historic stone bridge, Australia’s oldest church, and one of the most scenic prisons in the world. Nature rules here: fields and countryside stretch below the mountains, clouds drift across the sky in all shapes, and kangaroos occasionally pass by, making it all feel like a dream. Richmond has about 800 residents and more than 50 19th-century buildings, most of which have been converted into guesthouses offering high-quality accommodation. This town is the best place to learn about Tasmania’s history.

The distinctive row of four-storey sandstone warehouses in historic Salamanca Place is among the best-preserved examples of colonial-era architecture in Australia. Every Saturday, hundreds of stallholders display their wares along Salamanca Place. The market features a wide range of arts and crafts, including exquisite glassware, creative woodwork, stylish clothing, cutting-edge ceramics and leather goods, as well as flowers, fresh produce, books, street performers and music.

Swansea is a historic coastal town renowned as a center for deep-sea and river fishing. Set on Great Oyster Bay, it looks out toward the rugged mountains of Freycinet National Park. With its picturesque scenery and many historic homes and buildings, the town has a distinctive charm as both a fishing hub and a holiday destination. Swansea is a popular place to retire, with the highest proportion of residents aged over 65 of any town in Tasmania.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is located in Tasmania’s Central Highlands in the north of the state. Covering 1,614.43 square kilometers, it is about a 310-kilometer drive from Hobart, the state capital, and about 140 kilometers from Launceston, Tasmania’s second-largest city. The park is named for its range of mountains, which resembles a cradle, and is one of Tasmania’s best-known natural attractions.

Sheffield’s murals can be found throughout the town. The best place to start is the Mural Park, home to numerous works, including the latest creations from the mural festival. There is a parking lot in the park, where you can leave your car and explore on foot. The Mural Park is filled with a diverse range of murals, covering subjects beyond the town’s pioneering history. Some works are exquisite, while others are puzzling. Some murals would be even more interesting to view if accompanied by information plaques explaining the artists’ intentions.

Launceston is a historic city and one of the earliest settlements of British immigrants. The River Tamar flows through the city northward, emptying into Bass Strait. Launceston has beautifully preserved its elegant Edwardian and Victorian architecture. The city streets are steeped in British charm, making it feel like an old English town.

Bridestowe Lavender Estate is the largest lavender farm in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the world’s largest producers of lavender products. The lavender teddy bears that have taken social media by storm are made here. When the lavender blooms each year, its gentle fragrance can be smelled even before you reach the fields. In addition to its beautiful scenery, the gift shop is a favorite with visitors. You can buy the original lavender bears here, and the lavender ice cream, essential oil and soaps are also popular.

The Swiss-themed Tamar Valley Resort is located in Grindelwald and offers a wide range of activities, including a Swiss shopping arcade featuring gift shops, women’s clothing and accessories stores, a bakery café, a candy shop, and an ice cream parlor. Head to the resort activity center and enjoy its many entertainment options! Test your skills on the 18-hole mini golf course, play a round on the 10-hole public golf course, rent a pedal boat or kayak to explore the lake, or try the resort’s newest thrilling attraction—Splash Golf.

Geographically, Bruny Island actually consists of two islands, North Bruny and South Bruny, connected by a narrow sandy isthmus. Beyond the island's settlements, the land is pasture and extensive eucalyptus forest. Inland forests are continuously logged, while most of the rest—especially the southeastern coastline—is protected as South Bruny National Park. There are two long ocean-facing beaches: Adventure Bay and Cloudy Bay. The dolerite cliffs rise more than 200 metres above sea level, making them some of the highest coastal cliffs in Australia. The side facing the bay is a popular spot for locals and visitors to fish and relax.

Bruny Island lies off the southeastern coast of Tasmania, separated from mainland Tasmania by the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Storm Bay is located in the northeastern part of the island. Both the island and the channel are named after French explorer Bruni d’Entrecasteaux.

The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are located at the western end of the Tasman Bridge in Hobart, facing the channel and just a 10-minute walk from the city center and wharf. Established in 1817, they are among the oldest national botanical gardens in Australia. Covering 1.3 square kilometers, the gardens cultivate a wide variety of native plants and also display many trees and flowers from Europe and Asia. The harmonious mix of plants creates different scenic landscapes in every season, making the gardens a delightful place to linger and one of Hobart’s must-see attractions.

Mount Field National Park is about 64 kilometers northwest of Hobart, Tasmania. Established in 1916, the park covers an area of 162 square kilometers and is Tasmania’s oldest national park. Its varied landscapes range from temperate eucalyptus rainforest to alpine moorland, offering a beautiful and ever-changing vista. As you explore the park, you can see cascading waterfalls, babbling streams, emerald lakes, deep gorges, lush trees, fragrant flowers, singing birds, and elusive small animals. Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Lady Barron Falls, and Mount Field are among the park’s highlights. The park is home to many native Tasmanian animals, including wombats, platypuses, eastern barred bandicoots, and Tasmanian devils. The park has designated camping, picnic, and barbecue areas with excellent facilities, so visitors can relax and enjoy memorable moments here.