Get to know Tassie with the Want family

Meet Simon Want and his family

Based in Launceston, Simon, Lisa and their kids travel within the state every week for their family business – which is a great excuse for family getaways. Since relocating in January 2021, they have driven 20,000 kilometres, discovering Tassie’s best kid-friendly experiences along the way. 

Q. Why is Tasmania a great family holiday destination?

Everything is really easy: affordable, less traffic, no stress. It’s safe, healthy and you’re amongst nature and wildlife everywhere you turn. There’s so much to enjoy in such close proximity – Tassie is constantly surprising us.

Q. Which less well known family-friendly attractions should be on visitors’ wish lists?

There are so many amazing markets and festivals in Tasmania that make for a great family outing. Our favourites are:

• Harvest Launceston Saturday market: it’s so much fun buying produce, and a treat of course, with live music.
• Evandale Sunday market: the range of stalls is amazing and great for a bargain, plus there's a little horse-and-cart ride for the children.
• Devonport’s Providore Place Friday Twilight Market: a great night out for everyone.
• Deloraine’s WinterFire festival: staying up late for live performances, toasting marshmallows by fires, mulled apple juice and hot chocolate for the kids, and mulled wine for adults.
• Hobart’s Festival of Bright Ideas: a wonderful annual winter event for the whole family, with a lovely mix of activities and Salamanca Market nearby to explore as well.

We have loved staying in some of the state’s caravan parks and camping grounds, where kids are welcomed, safe and free to explore. These are the ones we really recommend:

• Devonport’s Mersey Bluff Caravan Park: amazing service and amenities, pet friendly and a stone’s throw from the beach (patrolled in summer) and skate park. Watching Spirit of Tasmania come and go is also a highlight.
• Longford Riverside Caravan Park: really lovely people in a gorgeous setting on the South Esk and Macquarie rivers.
• Bridport Seaside Caravan Park: great vibe, beautiful beach, lots of space for the kids to play including at a massive playground next door.
• Mayfield Bay: a secluded, free camping gem on an east coast beach with no through traffic.

Q.  Tasmania is famous for its natural attractions. What are some hidden gems that families will enjoy?

Definitely pay a visit to Corinna. Step back in time by staying in this old village and immersing yourself in the Tarkine wilderness with activities like bushwalks, canoeing and river cruises. The hospitality here is truly amazing.

If your kids love a waterfall, the Liffey Falls are a great, easy adventure for the whole family. From the top car park there’s a beautiful and easy walk with a surprising range of waterfalls. And of course, the striking Mole Creek caves: Lilli says it’s been one of the highlights of her year.

Q. Which shops do kids love?

Stanley’s Providore 24: a mix of toys and lollies, plus wine for the big kids. In Latrobe, Reliquaire – a unique place that has everything you could think of including toys, a cafe and fairytale adventure.

For delicious gelato, handmade in Tasmania, Van Diemens Land Creamery: whenever the kids see the sign… no one can stop them! And in Launceston’s Bread + Butter for their croissants and jam by the fire. We need to get one too, just to make sure they are OK for the kids to eat! We enjoy ours dipped into a batch brew coffee (check out the self-serve batch brew system!).

Q. Can you recommend some hands-on experiences for children?

Hollybank Widerness Adventures: the zipline was a really safe but exciting and memorable experience for the whole family. And you can’t miss Launceston’s Cataract Gorge: it has just about everything – great playground, chairlift, swing bridge, swimming pool, peacocks, cliff walks...

There are some amazing farm stays and visits that give kids the opportunity to live and breathe being a local, like Hillwood Berries (pick your own), Robin Hood’s Well Farm Stay (feed the horses) and Elvenhome Eco-Farmstay (the chooks get fed very well).

Q. What are some good rainy-day options for families?

The National Automobile Museum of Tasmania in Launceston will make even people who aren’t usually enthusiastic about cars get excited here. If you are in Devonport, head to the Bass Strait Maritime Centre – it’s great fun! Kids will even learn how to pilot a ship in and out of the Mersey River.

Q. What other fun things might be under the radar for visiting families?

While a bit cold, the beaches are spectacular: try Bridport’s natural Mermaids Pool and Sisters Beach in the north-west. Wineries really go out of their way to make visits enjoyable for the whole family – we love Pooley Wines’ pizza. Driving up to the top of Ben Lomond and down again at first snow is an adventure. You can usually catch a great weekend afternoon of footy during the season at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium.

You can read more about the Want family's adventures on their website.

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.