Local Eyes on Tasmania: A 3-Day Itinerary Off the Tourist Track

Forget the shiny brochures featuring only Wineglass Bay and the MONA ferry (though, they’re crackers). The actual Tassie magic? It’s spoken by the salty air off Maria Island, murmured in the groan of ancient church pews in Buckland, and told over a hot scallop pie with a local leaning against a fish van. It’s found where the bitumen ends and the dirt road to a cellar door begins. 

To see Tasmania the way it should be seen, you need local eyes. And that’s what this little adventure offers – a three-day dash up the stunning East Coast, skirting the largest bus tours and diving headfirst into the thick of it.

Ditch the Itinerary Overload, We’ve Got This

Planning a Tasmania local tour can be a little like trying to catch a rogue wallaby – exhilarating but perhaps crazy. You want the blockbuster sights and the hidden hideaways, without spending half your holiday glued to Google Maps or attempting to decipher cryptic road signs. That’s where clever travelling comes in. 

Imagine having a knowledgeable local friend in the passenger seat, guiding you to the hidden lookout, telling you the tale behind that church in the strange location, and knowing exactly where to find the freshest seafood lunch. That’s the sort of thing we’re talking about. Ready?

Experience Tasmania like a local in 3 days: The East Coast Express

This Tasmania local tour itinerary is a genuine punch-packer, mixing big-screen landscape with actual locals’ favourites. It’s going to pack maximum flavour in the shortest time, perfect for a weekend break. Think of it as the highlights reel, cut down by an insider who knows where the treasures lie.

Day 1: Hobart Hustle & Coastal Charm (Hobart to Swansea)

• Start with kunanyi or Waterfront Wander: Get those juices pumping! Choose your Hobart farewell: inhale that crisp, world-at-your-feet air at the top of kunanyi/Mt Wellington (weather permitting, naturally – she’s a capricious mountain!), or soak up the salty heritage and energy of the Hobart Waterfront. Absorb the fishing boats, gaze toward the Mawson’s Huts replica, grab a final Salamanca coffee.
• Hit the Highway (The Pretty One): Begin the East Coast Crawl. This is a road trip of eye candy only – rolling hills, vineyards, and glimpses of the turquoise Tasman Sea.
• Flora Fix: Stretch your legs in the Tasmanian Bushland Gardens. It’s not Kew, but it’s a nice, low-key experience of Tassie’s distinctive native flora. Keep an eye out for what you’ll spot later in the bush!
• Stained Glass Surprise: Don’t miss Buckland’s St Johns Church’s graphic stained glass depiction of a biblical beheading! . Seriously, don’t. A genuine local talking point.
• Lunch Like a Legend: Refuel at the Triabunna Fish Van, which is a legendary institution. The spot for fresh, unpretentious seafood. Scallop pie, fish ‘n’ chips with a harbour view. Perfect.
• Maria Magic (Bonus Round): Time and energy to spare? Take the ferry from Triabunna to Maria Island for a day outing. Colourful cliffs, wombats galore, convict history – national park gem. (Needs planning!)
• Swansea Serenity: Relax in charming Swansea. Arrive at your accommodation, then stop by the East Coast Heritage Museum – small but packed with fascinating local history before dinner at one of the local pubs or restaurants.

Day 2: Vines, Views & Waddling Wonders (Swansea to Bicheno)

• Vino Voyage: Time for liquid gold! Visit Craigie Knowe Vineyard – a bit rough around the edges, like visiting a mate’s farm, but famous for its Pinot. And then contrast it with the new, flashy cellar door and good view at Devils Corner. Lunch there – oysters and views can’t be beat.
• Freycinet Fever: Dip into Coles Bay, the gateway to the Freycinet National Park. Break out the walking shoes for the misleadingly brief but well worth it hike to the Coles Bay lookout – those rose-hued granite Hazards on the water’s surface? Chef’s kiss.
• Lighthouse Leg-Stretch: Take a drive out to the Cape Tourville Lighthouse. A simple boardwalk loop yields really breathtaking 360-degree ocean vistas. Hair blowing in the wind!
• Bicheno Bound & Penguin Party: Arrive in Bicheno in the evening. The highlight? A Penguin Tour! There’s just magic viewing the little fairy penguins come ashore at sunset. Book ahead!
• Dinner Dive: Enjoy freshly caught seafood at one of Bicheno’s relaxed restaurants – think lobster, abalone, straight off the boat.

Day 3: Blowholes, Beaches & Burning Bays (Bicheno to St Helens)

• Bicheno Blitz: Discover this ripper of a town! See the Blowhole (if the swell is right), climb Whalers Lookout for views of legend, enjoy a Glass Bottom Boat tour to see life below the waves, or simply stroll along Waubs Beach.
• Lobster Lunch: Treat yourself! The Lobster Shack is where to go for a delicious, unforgettable lunch. You’re on vacation, after all!
• Wildlife Window: Get to know Tassie’s quirky animals at close range at East Coast Natureworld. Hand-feed a kangaroo, see devils, birds – excellent family stop.
• Scamander Stop: Briefly stop off at Scamander’s Shelly Point – a great spot for a beach walk or a quick cup of coffee with a view.
• St Helens Basecamp: We arrive in St Helens, entry point to the breathtaking Bay of Fires. Afternoon/Evening:
  • Get active: Hire a bike and give the trails at the St Helens Mountain Bike Park (world class!) a go.
  • Iconic Beauty: Explore the Bay of Fires. Walk along those impossibly white beaches with the orange rocks sprinkled with lichen. Swim, if you dare! Start with the likes of Swimcart Beach or The Gardens.
  • Waterfall Wonder: Take a brief detour to the breathtaking St Columba Falls – among the tallest in Tasmania.

Meet the Locals, Hear the Stories, Discover Differently

This Tasmania local tour is a drive of texture, not box-ticking. It’s the Swansea Museum volunteer recounting to you with enthusiasm the whaling past of the area. It’s the fifth-generation fisherman at the Triabunna van recounting to you how the day’s haul was this morning. It’s the owner of the Craigie Knowe vineyard explaining to you why the dirt-road location suits the Pinot to sing. It’s the Penguin Tour guide imparting interesting facts about the little blue penguins waddling at your feet. These are the things that make a scenic drive a connection to the region.

Your Secret Weapon: Travel Smart, Travel Local

And finally, doing this well, especially finding those off-the-beaten-path places like Buckland Church or Craigie Knowe, or knowing why that stained glass matters, can make a decent trip into a fantastic one. That’s where it’s really worth having “local eyes” in your pocket.

Imagine this: You drive into Buckland, and your phone comes to life. A local voice gently tells you the salacious history behind that beautiful stained glass window. St Johns Church – and you just arrive. No messing with maps or guidebooks. 

Or, heading towards Craigie Knowe, you get the local scoop on its history and why their Pinot Noir is cult. That’s the Take a Local app magic. It’s like having that wise friend in the passenger seat, drawing out great stories, directions, and information exactly when you drive up to each of these spots (and more around Tassie!). 

You just choose the tour, drive, and absorb it all at your own pace. No data needed once downloaded, just pure, unadulterated local know-how. (Check out our East Coast tour – perfect for this trip!). 

Tassie Through the Local Lens 

Three days may seem short, but this East Coast blitz shows you can see the very essence of Tasmania in less than weeks. You’ve climbed mountains (or been brought back down by them!), savored award-winning wine at source, wandered beaches that look photoshopped (they’re not!), hung out with penguins, and heard tales only locals would share. 

You haven’t merely looked at Tasmania; you’ve lived it. You’ve looked past the postcard, with local knowledge and a head full of salty air, stunning vistas, and the warm glow of genuine Tassie hospitality. That’s the magic of seeing a place like a local. Who’s ready to hit the road now? The East Coast is waiting!