The Best Things To Do With Kids In Tasmania

While it might not be the first Aussie destination that springs to mind when it comes to family travel, but you can bet your bottom dollar that Tasmania has plenty to do for littlies and adults alike. 

Brimming with wildlife parks, beaches, forests and rivers, the Apple Isle is an ideal place to be for families who love spending quality time together in the great outdoors. And because it’s pretty small, you won’t have to spend a huge amount of time travelling from place to place; allowing more time to soak in the attractions of Australia’s island state.

If a trip to Tassie isn’t on your radar—it should be. Here’s what to do with kids while you're there.

Nature

Image: Trip In A Van

When it comes to national parks; nowhere does it quite like Tasmania. Over 40% of the state is protected by national parks, meaning that untouched wilderness is never too far away! Soaring cliffs, dense bushland, monumental rock formations, diverse forestry and stunning coastline typify the area, so if that sounds up your families alley, read on! 

Cradle Mountain, Tasman National Park and Freycinet National Park are three bucket list-worthy parks that are well worth exploring on a trip to Tassie. 

Wildlife 

Image: Great Austraian Secret

A real crowd pleaser when it comes to family trips, you just can't go wrong with a day out at a wildlife park or two. Luckily, Tassie has some excellent offerings.

Experience close-up encounters with wallabies, echidnas and maybe even a Tasmanian devil or two if you’re lucky at the car-free Maria Island National Park. Bicheno Penguin Tours are another great pick, where the kids (and you!) will utterly delight in watching Tassie’s cutest locals waddling back to their burrows at dusk. Bonorong Wildlife Centre and Natureworld are great places to see a lot of animals at once—perfect if you’re short on time and want to cram a lot in; while Seahorse World offers a truly special experience for kids that are fascinated by the ocean and wildlife. 

The popular Tasmania Zoo is also well worth a visit;  spread out over 900 acres of traditional Tasmanian bushland, making it extremely dense with local wildlife. 

Beaches

Image: AWOL family

You might have thought that with all of the nature and national parks going on, Tassie might be slightly lacking in the coastal department. Nuh uh uh—it's got some awe-inspiring beaches to match its natural surrounds; relatively uncrowded and breathtakingly scenic. Check out the beautiful rock formations at Bay of Fires, the serenity of Wineglass Bay and the crystal-clear waters of Bicheno Beach for some of the most picturesque coastal sights in Australia. 

Attractions

Image: innkeeper.com.au

If you’ve got pocket-rockets for kids and want to spend a day doing something active, there’s no shortage of options in Tassie. A Hollybank Treetops Adventure is something they’ll rave about for years to come—it offers zip line tours and ropes courses through the forest; combining the beauty of the serene, natural environment with the adrenaline of being on a flying fox! 

Located at the heart of Cradle Mountain, Tasmazia promises an unmissable day out for the whole family. The popular tourist attraction includes 8 mazes, a whimsical model village built to 1/5th scale, beautiful gardens, a lavender farm, and jaw-dropping views of the majestic Mount Roland.

History

Image: www.beaconsfieldheritage.com.au

When it comes to history, Tassie is one of Australia’s hotspots. If your kids are feeling brave enough, a lantern-lit historic ghost tour around the already-creepy Port Arthur. In its 47 years as a penal settlement, more than 1000 people died there—meaning there’s no end of tales and stories to hear while you explore the ruins and buildings of Port Arthur’s past.

If you’re heading to Beauty Point, Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre speaks to Tassie’s mining history and is the perfect experience to tie in with a trip to Platypus House and Seahorse World. For mini train enthusiasts, there’s the Ida Bay Railway that will take you on a narrow-gauge course through native bush to the beach, as well as the Don River Railway—which is a wonderful way to take in the beauty of your surrounds. 

And of course, would any trip to Tassie be complete without a trip to MONA? Kids will love travelling on the ferry to get to this Hobart icon—and exploring the exhibitions, cafes and collections will make a memorable day out for the whole family. 

Hero image: yTravel Blog

Get More Aussie Travel Inspiration Here:

• Cool Things To Do With Kids In Western Australia
• What To Do With Kids In The Northern Territory
• A Guide To The Beautiful Queensland Coast For Families

 

Have you signed up to our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!