From wine tasting in Tamar Valley to exploring the beaches of the Bay of Fires, discover these epic day trips from Launceston.
Launceston, Tasmania’s second-largest city, is the perfect base for exploring the island. Many famous attractions, such as Freycinet National Park and Cradle Mountain are within a 2-3 hour drive from the city, making it a popular starting point for day trips.
I spent 4 months road-tripping around Tasmania and discovered there is so much to explore. But if you’re short on time, I’ve got you covered! Below, I highlight the top tours to book from Launceston to help you enjoy this incredible part of Australia.
My top pick is the Wineglass Bay Trip, which offers the most picturesque beach views in all of Tasmania, or some might even say Australia!
My Top 5 Day Trips From Launceston
1. Wineglass Bay Explorer Trip
It has to be said. Freycinet National Park is a truly iconic tourist attraction, and hiking around its trails is one of the best day trips from Launceston.
The good news about this tour is that it doesn't just feature the incredible Freycinet National Park, but it also includes several other fun short stops like wine tasting at Devil's Corner Winery on the return to Launceston.
Once you arrive at this famous national park, it is time to start walking around and taking in its epic sights, which are perfect for nature lovers. Freycinet is packed with natural beauty and excellent views, and this isn't limited to the incredible views from the Wineglass Bay Lookout.
It is important to mention that an adequate fitness level is required to do this tour, especially for the Wineglass Bay trail. The hike is around 2 and a half hours and includes some incline to reach the lookout.
This tour is a great way to Freycinet and allows you to witness one of Tasmania's best beaches which shouldn't be missed if you're visiting Tasmania.
2. Cradle Mountain with Lunch
Another extremely worthwhile tour is the Cradle Mountain Tour. This includes a full-day trip to Cradle Mountain, showcasing all of its best sights from both Lake St Clair National Park and the incredible Dove Lake.
The tour first stops at the Town of Murals for a short 15-minute tour. This is a perfect place to learn more about the local history of Sheffield, and the history of the Cradle Mountain Region.
From here, the tour continues through the Central Highlands, until you eventually reach the entrance of Cradle Mountain. After embarking on a guided tour of the local wildlife in the park and several lakes, the tour ends at Waldheim Chalet. Here, you'll have lunch made with local produce.
Finally, after touring this breathtaking park, it is time to venture back to the Ashgrove Cheese Farm in Launceston to try an exciting spectrum of local cheeses.
Tip: The Tasmania Parks Service advises that adequate clothing is packed when visiting Cradle Mountain. The weather can change sporadically here with strong cold winds and rain.
3. Tamar Valley Wine Tour
Are you the type of person who falls in love with local wines? If so, there is no denying that this wine tour will be a comfortable fit for you!
This is an in-depth wine tour, and you will be visiting multiple cellar doors while you venture around in your group. The tour includes a friendly guide who is simultaneously a wine expert, offering the full package for everyone involved.
Besides the wine tasting itself, one of the best aspects of this tour is the fact you are given a delicious lunch at a great restaurant. The food adds to the value of the tour, and this is certainly one of the best options for those who adore treating their pallet.
After completing this exciting full-day tour consisting of almost 7 hours in total, you will also have the option to purchase some of the wines.
Book: Tamar Valley Wine Tour
4. 50-Minute Cataract Gorge Cruise
If you are looking for more things to do in Launceston then I highly recommend the cruise of the Cataract River Gorge.
The handy part about this cruise is the fact that it is less than one hour. This means you can soak up all of the historical sights like Kings Wharf, Seaport, and Launceston's riverfront in fast fashion before setting off to explore the rest of the city.
In addition to the above, you will be treated to live commentary from an expert guide while on the boat.
Another nice thing about this tour is the ability to choose your own departure times. These can range from earlier in the morning, to later on in the afternoon depending on your chosen booking and date. For this reason, waking up early isn't mandatory, and you can choose to relax in bed for a while longer before taking the tour.
5. Bay of Fires Day Tour
It would be rude of me if I didn't include a Bay of Fires tour in this post. The Bay of Fires is essentially a beautiful stretch of beaches along the East Coast of Tasmania. The beaches themselves have unique orange-lichen-colored rocks which is what this area is famous for!
This day trip begins at Bridestowe Lavender Farm, the largest lavender farm in the entire Southern Hemisphere. Known for its dreamy scents you can bet the experience will be not only calming but also a great opportunity to snap some epic photos when the flowers are in bloom.
After seeing this farm and the fabulous Bay of Fires, it is time to journey nearby to both Binalong Bay and Harbour Point. These are roughly a 30-40 minute walk from each other and make for one of the more pleasant shorter walks. If you don't fancy walking from Binalong to Harbour Point, there is always the option of driving.
If you are looking for a Bay of Fires tour that ticks all the boxes, you are going to get it on this one.
Book: Bay of Fires Day Tour
6. BONUS: Wanting a Longer Tour? Launceston to Hobart: 3-Day Adventure
For those who wish to take their Tasmanian experience to the max, this three-day tour provides all the solutions.
On this tour, you will have the ability to see all the famous attractions listed above, such as Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park, and Freycinet Marine Farm. Not only this, but one of the most outstanding reasons to try the tour is the ability to see wildlife in their natural habitat like wombats, wallabies, and if you're lucky the Tasmanian Devil.
What else is epic about this extended three-day tour? If all the above isn't enough to tempt you to book, the tour includes a visit to Mount Wellington. This 1,271 m mountain above Hobart is truly phenomenal, and the views from the top are even better!
When it comes to tours, this is the one you need if you want to experience as much as possible in a limited amount of time.
My Tour Selection Process
- Tour Criteria: The tours I have chosen are all run by experienced guides with high reviews and standards. I look for variety, locations, price, reviews, & accessibility before selecting the tours I promote to ensure great value.
- My Experience: After traveling extensively throughout Tasmania & booking many tours myself, I've handpicked options that visit my favourite locations, including popular sites & lesser-known hidden gems.
- Top Reviews: All tours on this list have earned a high customer rating of at least 4/5 stars on travel sites like Viator & GetYourGuide. I have included links to book the best price for each tour.
- Local Insights: Many of the options on this list were recommended to me by friends living in Tasmania and people I met along the road. After taking the tours myself it was obvious that these recommendations were the best for trips to take whilst visiting Tasmania!
Read more about how I review & select tours & experiences.
I'm Olly, a full-time traveler since 2018. Each tour in this guide is handpicked by me. Read my travel review ethics statement.
FAQs About Tours from Launceston
How long should I spend in Tasmania?
This will depend on the nature of your trip. However, you could probably see most of Tasmania in around 2 weeks. It is the largest island in Australia, so it makes sense that there is going to be a lot to see.
When is the best time to go visit Tasmania?
I would personally say the best time to go would be December- February. The weather is better during this time, allowing you to take part in more outdoor activities.
What places would you recommend visiting in Tasmania?
This is down to personal opinion and I could list many awesome places. However, I would suggest climbing Mount Wellington and visiting Freycinet National Park or Cradle Mountain. These attractions are famous in Tasmania, and it is well worth your time to go to any of them.
Where to Stay In Launceston
Tasmania's second-largest city is well worth a visit and serves as an excellent base for day trips to the central region and the East Coast.
1. Peppers Silo Luxury
This riverside, historic building has been revamped with modern interiors accommodating travelers looking for a luxury experience. The hotel is conveniently located near many attractions including the Victoria Museum and the James Boag Brewery.
2. Hotel Verge Mid-Range
In terms of location, this one is spot on. You'll also get access to a restaurant, free parking (a big plus in Lonnie), a fitness center, and even a garden. It ticks all the boxes for a relaxing and comfortable stay.
3. Pod Inn Budget
Capsule hostels are more popular than ever. For those on a budget and looking for a cheap, convenient, and comfortable stay in Launceston, consider checking out the Pod Inn.
I hope you enjoyed this unique guide on day trips from Launceston. For more Tasmanian travel guides, feel free to check out the links below.
- 65 Epic Things to Do in Tasmania - My ultimate guide to exploring Tassie, complete with must-visit icons & hidden gems.
- Hikes in Tasmania - Discover 40+ of Tassie's best hiking trails, including short walks and long overnight treks!
- Waterfalls in Tasmania - A guide to 25+ of Tasmania's best waterfalls!
- Where to Stay in Tasmania - The ultimate accommodation guide to help your stops and places to stay.
- Best Tours & Experiences in Tasmania - This years' roundup of my favourite bookable tours & experiences across Tassie!