Short trips from Hobart: weekend escapes close to home

With fuel costs on the rise, the road trip reset you need is closer than you think. And if you're based in Hobart, you're already ahead. Tasmania's compact geography means extraordinary variety is tucked within an hour or two of the city. Ancient forests, wild coastlines, award-winning food and wine, convict history. It's all right there.

This is Tasmania's superpower. While mainlanders dream of long hauls across vast distances, you can wake up in Hobart and have your toes in the sand at Bruny Island by mid-morning. Or sip cool-climate wine in the Coal River Valley. Or stand beneath Russell Falls in a mossy, dripping rainforest. All before lunch.

Pick up a fuel-efficient campervan from a local Hobart owner, and you've got total flexibility. Sleep where you want. Linger where it feels right. Skip what doesn't. With autumn rolling in and Easter 2026 just around the corner, the timing couldn't be better. Cooler weather, quieter trails, golden light filtering through the deciduous trees of the Huon Valley.

The destinations and tips in this guide come straight from Camplify owners and hirers who've explored these roads, parked at these spots, and discovered what makes each place worth the drive. This is firsthand knowledge, shared across our community.

Bruny Island: wild coastline and world-class produce

Bruny Island sits just 30 minutes south of Hobart, connected by a short ferry ride from Kettering. The crossing itself is part of the experience. Watch for dolphins trailing the boat. Scan the shoreline for white-bellied sea eagles perched in the eucalypts.

The island is actually two islands joined by a narrow sandy isthmus called The Neck. Climb the stairs to the lookout and you'll see the sweeping curve of beach on both sides, penguins nesting in the dunes below if you visit at dusk. South Bruny is rugged and wild, dominated by dramatic sea cliffs and the historic lighthouse at Cape Bruny. North Bruny is gentler, dotted with farms, vineyards, and artisan producers.

What to do on Bruny

Camplify owners consistently recommend a few Bruny staples. Start with Get Shucked for oysters pulled fresh from the water that morning. The cheese at Bruny Island Cheese Company is exceptional, especially paired with local beer. Bruny Island House of Whisky offers tastings of single malts made on the island.

For walking, the Fluted Cape track (three to four hours return) offers coastal views and birdwatching opportunities. Adventure Bay has calm swimming in summer and a relaxed vibe year-round. The lighthouse at the southern tip is worth the drive, particularly on a clear day when you can see all the way to the Southern Ocean.

Where to stay

Camping options include Jetty Beach Campground, a national park site with basic facilities right on the water. It's low-key, affordable, and popular with families and couples alike. Book ahead during summer and long weekends. Autumn is quieter, with golden afternoon light and fewer crowds.

Pick up your van in Hobart and you'll be on the ferry within 40 minutes. If you're hiring from someone who offers delivery, that's an option too, particularly for caravans.

Huon Valley: orchards, wilderness and gourmet trails

The Huon Valley sprawls south from Hobart, following the Huon River through apple orchards, small towns, and dense temperate rainforest. It's less than an hour to the heart of the valley, making it ideal for a short overnight trip or even a long day out.

This is apple country. Orchards have lined these hillsides for generations, though today the region is just as famous for salmon, cider, and cool-climate wines. The valley is also the gateway to some of Tasmania's most accessible wilderness.

Tahune Airwalk and the Huon River

The Tahune AirWalk is a 600-metre elevated walkway that takes you 20 metres above the forest floor, winding through old-growth eucalypts and Huon pines. It's spectacular in autumn when the deciduous beeches along the riverbank turn gold and orange. There's also a cantilevered platform jutting out over the Huon River for those who don't mind heights.

Nearby, you can kayak the Huon or try your hand at fly-fishing. The river is calm, slow-moving, and perfect for a lazy paddle.

Food and drink

Stop at Pagan Cider in Huonville for tastings of small-batch ciders made from Huon Valley apples. Willie Smith's Apple Shed is another local favourite, with cider, craft beer, wood-fired pizza, and live music on weekends.

If you're after fresh produce, the Huon Valley Farmgate Market runs on Sunday mornings in Franklin (first and third Sunday of each month). Stock up on cheese, smoked meats, sourdough, and seasonal vegetables.

Where to stay

Camping options include Arve River Campground near the AirWalk, a peaceful spot beside the river with basic facilities. It's surrounded by tall trees and the sound of flowing water. Camplify owners suggest booking ahead during summer and long weekends, though autumn midweeks are usually quiet.

Mount Field National Park: waterfalls and alpine tarns

Mount Field National Park is Tasmania's oldest national park, and it's less than 90 minutes from Hobart. The star attraction is Russell Falls, a tiered waterfall tumbling through moss-covered rocks and ancient tree ferns. The walk from the car park is short, flat, and wheelchair-accessible, making it one of the most visited spots in the park.

But there's far more to Mount Field than Russell Falls. Higher up the mountain, you'll find alpine moorlands, glacial tarns, and snow gums twisted by decades of wind. In winter, Lake Dobson Road (a steep, unsealed track) leads to snowfields and cross-country ski trails.

What to do

The Russell Falls circuit is the obvious starting point. From there, you can extend the walk to Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls, adding another hour or so. For something more challenging, the Tarn Shelf walk (six to seven hours return) climbs to a series of glacial lakes surrounded by alpine vegetation. It's a stunning walk in any season, though snow is common in winter.

In autumn, the deciduous beeches turn brilliant shades of red and gold, particularly around Lake Dobson. It's one of the best autumn colour displays in Tasmania.

Where to stay

Camping is available at Lake Dobson Campground, a small, no-frills site at 1050 metres elevation. It's cold, even in summer, so pack warm layers. The road up can be rough and steep, so check conditions before heading up with a campervan.

Alternatively, base yourself in the nearby town of Westerway and day-trip into the park. Westerway is home to The Possum Shed, a quirky roadside stop with giant sculptures, Tasmanian devil enclosures, and local crafts.

Richmond: convict history and Georgian charm

Richmond is 25 minutes from Hobart, an easy half-day trip or a stopover on the way to the east coast. This tiny village is one of Tasmania's best-preserved colonial settlements, with sandstone buildings, heritage gardens, and Australia's oldest bridge still in use.

The Richmond Bridge, built by convict labour in 1823, arches gracefully over the Coal River. It's a beautiful piece of engineering and a favourite spot for photos. Wander the main street and you'll find galleries, antique shops, and cafes tucked into Georgian cottages.

What to do

The Richmond Gaol is small but fascinating, with well-preserved cells and stories of the convicts who passed through. It's sobering and atmospheric, particularly the solitary confinement cells.

For something lighter, visit Puddleduck Vineyard on the outskirts of town for tastings of cool-climate wines, or stop at Coal Valley Vineyard for cellar door tastings and lunch with views over the vines.

Richmond is also the gateway to the Coal River Valley wine region, which rivals the Huon Valley for gourmet credentials. Within a short drive, you'll find a cluster of wineries, distilleries, and farm-gate producers.

Where to stay

Richmond doesn't have a dedicated campground, but it's close enough to Hobart to use as a day trip. Alternatively, continue east toward the Tasman Peninsula and camp at Fortescue Bay or nearby coastal sites.

Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula: history meets wilderness

The Tasman Peninsula is 90 minutes southeast of Hobart, connected to the mainland by the narrow isthmus at Eaglehawk Neck. It's a dramatic landscape of sea cliffs, blowholes, and wild coastline, anchored by the Port Arthur Historic Site.

Port Arthur is one of Australia's most significant convict sites, a sprawling complex of sandstone ruins, chapel remains, and restored buildings. It's haunting and powerful, particularly when you learn the stories of the men, women, and children who lived and worked here. Allow at least half a day to explore properly.

Coastal highlights

Beyond Port Arthur, the peninsula is packed with natural wonders. The Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen, and Tasman Blowhole are all accessible via short walks from roadside car parks. The blowhole is especially impressive during rough seas, when waves surge through the deep rock chasm and explode upward in plumes of spray.

Camplify owners often mention the coastal walk from Remarkable Cave car park to a 50-metre-deep blowhole as a standout. It's short but spectacular, particularly when the Southern Ocean is pumping.

Where to stay

Fortescue Bay Campground is the pick of the peninsula. It's tucked into a sheltered bay with calm water, white sand, and excellent bushwalking access. Facilities include $2 showers (bring coins) and composting toilets. Book ahead during summer. The walk out to Cape Hauy from here is one of Tasmania's best day hikes, offering towering dolerite sea cliffs and views over the Tasman Sea.

Alternatively, Lime Bay is a smaller, quieter option further north on the peninsula.

A word on longer trips: Freycinet, Bay of Fires, and beyond

Freycinet National Park and the Bay of Fires are within reach of Hobart, but they're right at the edge of what you'd call a short trip. Freycinet is roughly 2.5 hours north, and while Wineglass Bay is iconic, it's worth dedicating more than a weekend if you're going to make the drive.

Camplify owners consistently advise picking one region and settling in rather than rushing across the state in a few days. As one experienced owner puts it: "Four days is very short to see Tasmania, so pick either North, East, South or West to settle in and explore so your experience doesn't feel rushed."

If you've got a long weekend and are tempted by the east coast, focus on the Tasman Peninsula instead. Save Freycinet, Cradle Mountain, and the west coast for a longer trip when you can do them justice. For inspiration on multi-day Tasmanian adventures, check out our guide to the 6 best Tasmania road trips.

If you're after something truly remote, Corinna is worth mentioning. It's too far for a quick overnight (roughly four hours northwest of Hobart), but if you've got three to four days and want to experience ancient rainforest, it's extraordinary.

Corinna sits on the edge of the Tarkine rainforest, accessible via a short ferry ride across the Pieman River. Camplify owners rave about it. One local owner describes it as "one of my absolute favourite places. Stay for a couple of nights, hire a kayak and take a trip to the famous Lovers Falls." The rainforest here is some of the oldest in the world, with Huon pines that predate European settlement by centuries.

It's not a short trip from Hobart, but if you're planning something a bit longer and want to escape into true wilderness, Corinna delivers. Bookings are essential, particularly in summer.

Practical tips for short campervan trips from Hobart

Tasmania's compact size makes it perfect for campervan travel, but there are a few things worth keeping in mind:

• Fuel efficiency matters. Campervans are generally more economical than larger motorhomes, and with fuel prices higher than usual, choosing a smaller van makes sense for short trips. Most Hobart owners offer compact, easy-to-drive options.

• Weather can change fast. Even in summer, pack layers. Autumn is beautiful but cool, particularly in the mornings and evenings. If you're heading to Mount Field or the highlands, expect cold nights year-round.

• Book campsites ahead during peak periods. Summer, Easter, and long weekends fill up quickly at popular spots like Fortescue Bay and Bruny Island. Midweek autumn trips are usually quieter.

• Deliver or collect? Most Hobart-based Camplify owners offer pickup from their location, which is convenient and gets you on the road faster. Some also offer delivery for caravans if you'd prefer to have the van brought to you.

• Stock up in Hobart. Once you leave the city, shops are smaller and more expensive. Hit a supermarket before you head out, particularly if you're planning to cook most meals at your campsite.

Why Tasmania is perfect for short trips

Other states require long drives to reach the good stuff. Tasmania doesn't. Everything is close. You can stand beneath a waterfall in the morning, taste wine in the afternoon, and fall asleep to the sound of waves by evening.

This is especially true around Hobart. The capital sits at the centre of an extraordinary web of destinations. Head south for Bruny Island and the Huon Valley. Go west for Mount Field and the wilderness. Turn east for convict history and wild coastline. Each direction offers something completely different, all within 90 minutes.

Camplify's community of Hobart-based owners understand this. They know the best spots, the quietest campsites, the roads that suit campervans and the ones to avoid. When you hire locally, you're tapping into that knowledge.

If you're visiting from the mainland, similar short-break options exist closer to home. Check out the 10 best road trips from Sydney, 8 best road trips from Adelaide, or 6 best road trips in Victoria for inspiration. And if you're keen on short trips across the ditch, our guide to New Zealand short road trips covers spring adventures in compact regions.

Ready to explore?

Short trips don't mean compromising on experience. Tasmania proves that. With the right van, a flexible itinerary, and a willingness to follow where the road leads, you can pack more into a weekend than most people manage in a week.

Browse available campervans from local Hobart owners, or explore options in Launceston if you're starting further north. Delivery and pickup options are available, so you can focus on the adventure rather than logistics.

Start planning your Tasmanian escape here.

The reset you need is closer than you think.