What to Do in Tasmania – According to Qantas Frequent Flyers

Tasmania’s stunning scenery, quaint villages and world-class food scene requires ample time to explore. For our Qantas Frequent Flyers, it was the unexpected moments that loomed large on their getaways in Tassie. 

“Everywhere we went, the food was fantastic” – Jonnene Fowler, Bronze Frequent Flyer

“My husband and I got lucky on our Tassie trip: there was snow at Cradle Mountain, and we saw little penguins come ashore in historical Stanley, on the eastern shore of Circular Head. While there, we stayed at The Ship Inn, which was stunning. Built in 1849, it’s been converted into a boutique hotel with cosy interiors by Melbourne stylist and decorator, Lynda Gardner.

We loved wandering the misty forests and watching the waterfalls flow down hillsides of the west coast – en route to Strahan from Cradle Mountain, we also saw The Wall, a 100-metre Huon pine carving depicting the history of Tasmania, by sculptor Greg Duncan. We stayed at some spectacular places such as Risby Cove. And everywhere we went the food was fantastic. We had the most incredible wagyu at Stillwater restaurant in Launceston and delicious lobster rolls and cold beer from The Lobster Shack in Bicheno.”

Jonnene flew Perth to Hobart via Melbourne.

“The 360-degree views of Bruny Island’s rugged beauty were well worth the 300 steps up to Truganini Lookout” – Sue Park, Bronze Frequent Flyer

“Hiking, biking and eating were my plans for a long weekend in Hobart and, after upgrading to Business class, I was ready to roll as soon as I touched down. I rented a bike from Hobart Bike Hire to ride from the historical Cascade Brewery at the bottom of kunanyi/Mount Wellington to gorgeous Cornelian Bay, stopping by the renowned Jackman & McRoss bakery in Battery Point for a scallop pie. I had the most refreshing swim on a trail run through Tasman National Park down south near Port Arthur, which led to stunning – and totally deserted – Crescent Bay Beach. Over on Bruny Island, I sampled amazing produce: oysters from Get Shucked and raw milk cheese at Bruny Island Cheese Co., then balanced it out with a hike up nearly 300 steps to Truganini Lookout. The 360-degree views of Bruny Island’s rugged beauty were well worth the climb.” 

Sue flew Sydney to Hobart.

“Watching glowing bioluminescent water in pitch black locations was magical” – Valent Lau, Bronze Frequent Flyer

“We had a very loose itinerary on our family road trip from Hobart to Launceston – we’d check Google Maps for nearby attractions and then stop at oyster shacks, lavender farms and beaches. The kids, aged eight and 11, loved the spontaneous nature of a driving holiday. 

Up north, our Launceston base was Leisure Inn at Penny Royal Adventures, a theme park with cliff walks, rock-climbing, rides and trails. Natural wonders such as Cataract Gorge were within walking distance of the city and a miniature village and mazes at Tasmazia and the Village of Lower Crackpot proved a real hit. We’d check Facebook groups to find out where people had seen bioluminescence then drive out to these pitch black places to watch the glowing water. It was magical.”

Valent flew Sydney to Hobart.

“You wade out to a table where they pop champagne and shuck oysters” - Niall Chang, Platinum Frequent Flyer

We wanted an active holiday so my wife, teenage son and I flew into Launceston and hiked the Bay of Fires with the Tasmania Walking Company. We were accompanied by knowledgeable guides over three days, walking past the whitest sand I’ve ever seen and with pristine nature all around. As the saying goes, all we left behind were footprints. We slept in glamping tents on the first night; the other nights we stayed at the Bay of Fires Lodge, an architecturally stunning retreat. 

For my wife’s birthday, we spent two nights at Saffire Freycinet, an all-inclusive luxury lodge with just 20 stand-alone bungalows. During our stay we went on an oyster farm tour where you put on waders and walk out to a table set in the middle of the water where they pop open champagne and shuck oysters for you – it doesn’t get any fresher than that. For our son, we went four-wheel-driving in a buggy over sand dunes. We also walked the track up from Coles Bay to the lookout for panoramic views over Wineglass Bay – something I’ve always wanted to see. 

Hobart was our final stop. We joined a historic ghost tour at Port Arthur in the evening and learned so much about convict times in Tasmania. We timed our visit so we could visit Salamanca Market – an outdoors market only open on a Saturday – before flying out of the city. Our Qantas experience was topnotch, as always.

Niall flew Qantas from Sydney to Launceston.

“I cried when I saw the little penguins shuffling up the beach to their nests” - Ingrid Thompson, Gold Frequent Flyer

As soon as my partner and I touched down in Launceston for our long-awaited Tassie escape, we drove 10 minutes to Josef Chromy Wines in the Tamar Valley. After the bustle of early morning travel, we were grateful to unwind with a glass of perfect sparkling wine while swans and cygnets glided on the nearby lake. While in Launceston we stayed at the Hotel Grand Chancellor and found a great café, Amelia [56 George St, Launceston], that was just around the corner and filled with locals. 

The next part of our trip entailed a week-long small-group hike through the Tarkine wilderness with Trek Tours Tasmania. We spent three days in magical Corinna, a former gold-rush town that’s completely off-grid. One morning, sea eagles accompanied us as we kayaked and on another, we caught a 6am ferry to the end of the river and hiked 14 kilometres to Rupert Point lookout. It was stunning. 

At Stanley, we saw little penguins from a viewing platform. Penguin parents alternate hunting days, returning from the sea at dusk with food for their young. I cried when I saw them all shuffling up the beach to their nests – it was like witnessing one of nature’s miracles. 

Ingrid flew Qantas from Sydney to Launceston. 

“A performance artist wandered around doing handstands as we ate” - Vinko Anthony, Platinum Frequent Flyer

I’m a regular visitor to Tasmania but this trip was all about Hobart: eating, art and friendship. My Qantas flight to Hobart was a treat – the crew were great and the experience was seamless. In Salamanca I visited a gallery exhibition at the new Becker Minty store. The store’s restaurant, Mr Minty’s, served the best food I’ve had in the last 18 months. Chef Kurstin Berriman’s slow-cooked pork belly melted in the mouth; make sure you enjoy the matched wines, too. 

At Mona, Faro Bar + Restaurant was next-level. I opted for the degustation menu and the cheese-infused Martini au Fromage really stood out. The dining room is one of my favourite places, with plenty of distance between tables – there was even a performance artist wandering around doing handstands for 20 minutes as we ate. It was a feast for the mind; I always walk out of Mona inspired. 

We stayed at Mona Pavilions by the Derwent for part of the trip; our two-bedroom waterfront pavilion was called Roy. It’s a lovely area to explore and you can get a quick ferry into Hobart. We also stayed in an old manor house on top of a hill that’s been converted into three furnished apartments with wall-to-wall art. It was beautiful. 

Vinko flew Qantas from Sydney to Hobart.

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