Kingston

Day Trips

Touch down at Hobart International Airport and pick up a rental car for the scenic drive to Kingston. Wander through Georgian streets, admiring sandstone cottages and vibrant gardens. Stop by a local café for a flat white and fresh pastries to fuel your day.

Stroll along the foreshore of North West Bay, watching sailboats glide across turquoise waters. Visit Kingston Beach Park for a leisurely picnic under towering gum trees. Wander into coastal walking trails to spot native birds and panoramic sea vistas.

Dine at a waterfront bistro serving freshly caught Tasmanian seafood under amber sunset skies. Sample a crisp local sauvignon blanc while enjoying live acoustic music on a nearby terrace. End the night with a gentle beach walk under a star-studded sky.

Drive south to Kettering and catch the early ferry to Bruny Island’s rugged shores. Hike through Neck Game Reserve, searching for albatross, shearwaters, and sea eagles. Warm up with a steaming coffee and homemade scone at a seaside kiosk.

Join a wildlife cruise around the island’s coastline to spot fur seals, dolphins, and majestic sea cliffs. Break for a gourmet oyster tasting at a family-run oyster farm overlooking the bay. Explore hidden coves and pristine beaches along the ferry return route.

Back in Kingston, unwind at a cozy gastropub with a hearty lamb pie and local craft beer. Swap stories with fellow travelers around a crackling fireplace. Drift off to sleep listening to the gentle lapping of waves on the shore.

Set off early for the Tasman Peninsula, winding past orchards and coastal inlets. Arrive at Eaglehawk Neck to study the natural mazes and dramatic rock formations. Capture sunrise over the blowholes as seawater erupts through ancient lava tubes.

Visit the historic Port Arthur site, touring convict-era buildings and hauntingly beautiful ruins. Enjoy a guided ghost tour of the colonial penitentiary for a spine-tingling glimpse into Tasmania’s past. Pause for a picnic lunch on the grounds, surrounded by manicured lawns and towering Norfolk pines.

Head to a waterfront tavern at Pirates Bay for freshly caught fish and chips. Savor a cold pilsner while watching fishing boats return to harbor. Return to Kingston under a velvet sky dotted with southern constellations.

Rise before dawn and drive to the base of kunanyi/Mount Wellington. Begin the Sunrise Track hike, breathing in crisp mountain air as you ascend. Reach the summit just in time to watch golden light spill across Hobart and Storm Bay.

Descend via the Organ Pipes Track, admiring basalt columns and endemic flora. Refuel with a hearty lunch at the Springs café surrounded by alpine shrubs. Spend the afternoon photographing panoramic vistas and exploring short nature walks.

Relax back in Kingston with a gourmet pizza at a wood-fired pizzeria. Toast the day’s achievements with a sparkling Tasmanian cider. Cap the evening with a soak in a coastal spa pool while gazing at the night sky.

Take a short drive to Richmond, Tasmania’s oldest inland town, and wander across Australia’s oldest bridge. Explore the charming main street lined with preserved convict cottages. Indulge in freshly baked goods at a heritage bakery.

Tour the Richmond Gaol and learn about its notorious inmates and escape attempts. Stop by a local chocolatier to sample award-winning truffles and hand-crafted confections. Enjoy lunch at a riverside café before browsing artisan stalls and antique shops.

Return to Kingston and dine at a fine-dining restaurant specializing in farm-to-fork produce. Pair your meal with a glass of pinot noir from the Coal River Valley. Stroll along the beach at dusk, listening to the rhythmic surf.

Embark on a scenic drive into the Huon Valley’s rolling vineyards and orchards. Begin with a guided tour at a boutique whisky distillery, sampling peated and unpeated single malts. Learn about age-old distilling methods and the influence of Tasmanian barley.

Continue to a nearby vineyard for a cellar door tasting of crisp chardonnay and savory pinot gris. Enjoy a long lunch on a vineyard terrace, pairing local cheese boards with vintage sparkling wines. Wander the sun-drenched rows of grapes and meet the winemakers.

Dine at a countryside inn renowned for its seasonal tasting menu. Sip on craft cocktails infused with native pepperberries and leatherwood honey. As night falls, toast to the valley’s bountiful harvest under twinkling fairy lights.

Depart Kingston for Hartz Mountains National Park, ascending into subalpine heathlands. Lace up your boots for the Martys Lookout track, passing tarns dotted with reflective waters. Keep an eye out for wombats and wallabies among the shrubs.

Delve deeper into the park on the Twilight Tarn circuit, crossing boardwalks over sphagnum bogs. Break for a picnic lunch beside an alpine lake, listening to gentle water ripples. Immerse yourself in the otherworldly landscape of buttongrass plains and quartzite cliffs.

Stop at a roadside café on the return journey for homemade soup and crusty bread. Sip a warming spiced cider as you recount highlights of the day. Arrive back in Kingston tired but exhilarated by wilderness adventures.

Drive into Hobart for a visit to the famous Salamanca Market (weekends) or Farm Gate Market. Browse stalls overflowing with fresh produce, artisanal crafts, and gourmet treats. Sample local cheeses, smoked meats, and just-baked pastries.

Explore the nearby waterfront precinct of Constitution Dock, where historic tall ships are moored. Have fish tacos at a casual waterside eatery while watching fishermen mend nets. Wander through the Maritime Museum for interactive exhibits on Tasmanian seafaring history.

Enjoy an elegant dinner aboard a restored tall ship or a waterfront restaurant. Toast to the sea breeze with a glass of brut rose. End the evening with a moonlit harbor cruise, listening to the gentle splash of oars.

Gear up for a full-day sea kayaking adventure in the sheltered D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Paddle past oyster leases, secluded coves, and forested headlands. Spot sea eagles and playful dolphins riding the bow waves.

Beach land on a remote island for a picnic lunch made with local artisan bread and Tasmanian cold cuts. Explore sea caves and tidal pools brimming with starfish and anemones. Continue paddling toward scenic cliffs that plunge dramatically into the ocean.

Return to Kingston and reward your muscles with a restorative massage at a local spa. Savor a casual dinner of fresh pasta and local olive oil at a friendly trattoria. Watch the sun dip below the horizon from a nearby headland.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at a cliff-top café overlooking North West Bay. Reflect on the past ten days while tasting local honey drizzled over creamy yogurt. Stroll the foreshore one last time, collecting memories rather than shells.

Pack your bags and drive back to Hobart, stopping at roadside berry farms to pick fresh raspberries and strawberries. Relish a final lunch at a winery restaurant with panoramic vineyard views. Take a scenic detour through Mount Field National Park to witness cascading waterfalls.

Drop off your rental car at the airport and check in for your flight home. Raise a final toast to Tasmania’s wild beauty with a glass of tawny port. Depart with a heart full of new friendships and unforgettable landscapes.