Travel
Top 7 Northern Tasmania Adventures
Northern Tasmania rewards people who get beyond the obvious. You can walk into a dramatic river gorge minutes from Launceston, climb towards an alpine plateau, paddle the Tamar from water level or head to the far north-east for empty beaches and wildlife. These seven adventures offer very different versions of the region: some are easy additions to a city break, others deserve a day of their own. Rank them by the experience you would most want to have, not simply the view you would most want to photograph.
Launceston has an extraordinary natural escape almost on its doorstep. Follow the South Esk through steep rock walls, cross the suspension bridge, explore the gardens or take the chairlift for a different perspective. The appeal is the contrast: proper gorge scenery without committing to a remote wilderness trip. It is the easiest adventure on this list to fit around everything else.
This is the dramatic, high-altitude version of northern Tasmania. The approach via Jacob’s Ladder is part of the experience, with steep switchbacks leading towards a plateau of striking dolerite formations and wide-open views. In winter, snow can transform the landscape; in warmer months, walking and climbing take over. It requires more planning than the Gorge, and winter road conditions and snow-chain requirements matter.
Discover a different side of Tasmania beneath the Great Western Tiers. Marakoopa Cave takes you through limestone chambers and alongside underground streams, with glow worms illuminating the darkness. It is an adventure built around exploration and natural spectacle rather than adrenaline — a reminder that some of Tasmania’s most extraordinary landscapes are hidden below ground.
From a kayak, Launceston and the Tamar look different: the waterfront recedes, the river opens out and the meeting of the local waterways becomes part of the journey. A guided paddle is a more intimate way to experience the region than viewing it from the road or a lookout. Conditions and the route depend on the operator and weather, so check what is running before setting off.
This is an adventure built around patience rather than speed. At dusk, little penguins return from the sea to their coastal burrows, making Low Head a chance to see wildlife behaving naturally rather than in a zoo or enclosure. It is a very different kind of highlight from the big landscapes elsewhere on this list, and one that depends on timing, respectful viewing and the penguins actually making their evening return. Check tour availability and follow the guides’ wildlife-protection rules.
A forest outing with a more physical edge: ropes courses, elevated obstacles and ziplines turn the trees into a playground. The challenge is as much about balance and nerve as it is about speed, making this a different proposition from a scenic walk. One important distinction for this list: Treetops Adventure operates at Hollybank, the same site associated with Hollybank Wilderness Adventures, so these two entries may overlap rather than represent separate destinations.
For a quieter, wilder finish, head to Tasmania’s far north-east. Mount William National Park offers pale beaches, turquoise water, orange-lichen-covered rocks and opportunities to spot kangaroos and other wildlife. It is less about a single headline attraction than the pleasure of space and a coastline that feels a long way from the city. The remoteness is part of the appeal: allow for the drive, check access and road conditions, and remember that a valid Tasmanian national parks pass is required.
Would you rank this the same?
Make your call.
Your choice becomes part of the conversation around this RANKD.