Free things to do in Tassie

Travelling on a budget? Looking for inexpensive experiences so you can splurge on some luxurious ones? Then put these fabulous free things to do on your Tasmanian itinerary. From self-guided heritage walks to spotting penguins and platypus in the wild, sometimes less is more.

Free and easy wildlife encounters

Cute critters congregate all over Tasmania, including conservation areas where national parks passes aren’t required. Like Warrawee Forest Reserve, which is a hot spot for platypus sightings in the Mersey River at dusk and dawn. Same for Bruny Island’s white wallabies. Rare elsewhere, these albino marsupials aren’t hard to find here.

There are several colonies of little penguins along Tasmania’s north and east coasts, but Burnie’s best for thrifty wildlife lovers. From October to March, Friends of Burnie Penguins volunteers offer free guided encounters when these cute birdies waddle up the beach after sunset.

You can also see migrating humpback and southern right whales along the east coast between May and November. There’s especially good viewing at Great Oyster and Frederick Henry bays.

Walk among nature’s gifts

You don’t necessarily need a Parks Pass to walk on the wild side either. From 30-minute rambles to all-day adventures, Hobart’s kunanyi / Mount Wellington has it all – including one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks. This elite list’s other freebies include Liffey Falls, Hogarth Falls and Leven Canyon Lookout walks.

A natural rock formation arching over a vivid green sinkhole, Trowutta Arch is one of the north-west’s hidden treasures. The easy walk there through fairytale rainforest is a beautiful bonus. Or stroll the Bay of Fires’ beaches, famous for clear blue water, sugar-white sand and rocks splashed with bright orange lichen.

Complimentary culture

Did you know it costs nothing to see some of Tasmania’s most valuable art and artefacts? The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery have free entry, as do less well known gems such as Design Tasmania. Discover more, including outdoor art trails, on your next trip to Tasmania.

Other free cultural highlights include the much-loved Friday Rektango live-music gathering in Salamanca Arts Centre’s courtyard, and self-guided heritage walks in Hobart’s Battery Point and seaside Stanley. Take a free walking tour around Hobart.

Priceless places for picnics and play

Tasmania has countless free sweet spots for alfresco lunches, but Launceston boasts two of the best: pretty City Park with its fountains, statues, conservatory and duck pond, and the more adventurously picturesque Cataract Gorge Reserve. Hobart’s gorgeous Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is also a prime picnic location.

The seaside picnic tables and playgrounds high on our list are at beautiful Boat Harbour beach and Seven Mile Beach – where there’s also free barbecues at Lewis Park. For panoramic lake and mountain vistas with your sandwiches, head to Lake Burbury.

Gratis with your own gear

Bring whatever you need for adventure aboard Spirit of Tasmania to save big time. Got mountain bikes? Check out free public MTB trails like world-renowned Blue Derby or the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park. Ready to kayak? From the capital’s River Derwent to the Tarkine’s wild rivers and the Tasman Peninsula’s scenic coast, Tasmania’s waters await.

Go fishing on almost any pier, or cast your line along the Tasmanian Trout Trail and discover why the island is among the world’s best fly-fishing destinations. Pitching your tent puts bliss within any budget – especially at our favourite free campsites around Tasmania.

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