Best Budget-Friendly & Free Things to do in Tasmania for a Thrifty Trip

Tasmania has always done value differently. Here, the most memorable experiences aren’t ticketed or time-bound. They’re found on quiet roads, in open landscapes, and in places where history and nature sit side by side.

From mural-covered towns and convict-built landmarks to wild coastlines and national parks that feel almost unreal, Tasmania rewards curiosity rather than spending. Add to that walkable cities, generous public spaces and markets where tasting is half the fun, and you’ll find plenty to do without stretching the budget.

These are Tasmania’s best free and low-cost experiences. Big on atmosphere, light on dollars.

Take a Self-Guided Heritage Walk or Two

Tasmania’s heritage towns reward those who wander on foot. In Richmond, Battery Point and Ross, self-guided walks unfold past sandstone cottages, old pubs, convict-built bridges and quiet streets where history sits close to the surface. There’s no ticket required, just time and curiosity. Stop often, read the plaques, follow side streets, and let the rhythm slow. These walks are rich in atmosphere and detail, offering a layered sense of place that feels intimate, unhurried and deeply Tasmanian.

Cost: Free

Richmond, Battery Point, Ross

Tahune AirWalk

Yes, the Tahune AirWalk carries a ticket price, but for the experience, it feels like remarkable value. Suspended high above the Huon River and forest floor, the steel walkway delivers sweeping canopy views that recalibrate your sense of scale. Below, short walks trace rivers and towering trees, grounding the experience in nature.

At $35 per adult, it’s a rare moment where a modest spend unlocks something genuinely memorable, especially when paired with the surrounding forest trails.

Cost: $35 per adult, $17.50 per child

Arve Road, Geeveston

Visit Sheffield, the Town of Murals

Set beneath Mount Roland, Sheffield is a small farming town transformed by paint and imagination. More than 200 murals line its streets, telling stories of local life, history and landscape in bold colour and detail. Wandering here feels like moving through an open-air gallery, where each wall offers a new scene. Time your visit with the annual Mural Fest, or arrive quietly and let the artwork guide your afternoon.

Cost: Free!

Sheffield, Tasmania

Visit the Spiky Bridge near Swansea

Built by convicts in the 1840s, Spiky Bridge feels equal parts functional and surreal. Its jagged stone protrusions remain something of a mystery, adding to its enduring intrigue. Just nearby, Spiky Beach offers a softer counterpoint, with pale sand and calm water framed by rock formations. It’s a place to pause, look closely, and feel Tasmania’s layered past beneath your feet.

Cost: Free!

Tasman Highway, Swansea 

Dip your toes in at Tessellated Pavement 

On the Tasman Peninsula, Tessellated Pavement reads like a geological illusion. Natural erosion has shaped the rock into a grid of neat rectangles, revealed best at low tide. Visit toward sunset when the light settles into the grooves, and stay on into the evening if conditions allow. On rare nights, the Aurora Australis adds a fleeting sense of theatre to an already striking setting.

Cost: Free!

380 Pirates Bay Drive, Eaglehawk Neck 

Explore the summit of kunanyi / Mount Wellington

Rising above Hobart, kunanyi / Mount Wellington offers sweeping views across the city, river and beyond. You can drive to the summit, which reaches 1,271 metres above Hobart, or take the Mt Wellington Explorer Bus tour ($40 for adults and $25 for children), then explore one of the many walking tracks that descend into bushland and lookout points. Weather shifts quickly here, adding to the experience. In winter, snow often dusts the peak, transforming the landscape entirely.

Cost: Free!

Wellington Park, Hobart

Spend an Afternoon at City Park, Launceston

City Park is Launceston’s most loved green space, blending manicured lawns, heritage trees and unexpected quirks. Families gather, locals wander, and live music drifts through on warm days. Then there’s Monkey Island, home to a small group of Japanese macaques, quietly going about their day. It’s relaxed, slightly unusual, and deeply local.

Cost: Free!

Tamar Street, Launceston

Feast at a farmers’ market

Tasmania’s farmers’ markets are as much about wandering as buying. Hobart’s Farm Gate Market and Launceston’s Harvest Market showcase the state’s produce at its best, from fruit and cheese to bread, honey and oysters. Many stallholders encourage tasting, making it easy to sample generously without spending much at all.

Cost: Free to browse

71 Cimitiere Street, Launceston

104 Bathurst Street, Hobart 

Pitch a tent

Camping remains one of the most affordable ways to experience Tasmania’s landscapes up close. From Freycinet and the Tasman Peninsula to Maria Island and Bruny Island, campsites place you right where the scenery is strongest. Facilities range from basic to well-equipped, with tent sites often costing very little.

Cost: Under $50 per night

Various locations, Tasmania

Spend a day at Cataract Gorge

Just minutes from Launceston’s centre, Cataract Gorge feels unexpectedly dramatic. Swim in the public pool, plunge into the icy waters of the Gorge itself, embark on one of the reserve’s many hikes through grassland, bush or wildlife-filled gullies, test your nerves on the wobbly suspension bridge, picnic on the spacious lawns, or go for a ride on the Gorge Scenic Chairlift ($20 return for adults, $12 return for children).

Or simply find an old tree to sit beneath and let the day drift by. You can do a lot or nothing at all on a visit to Cataract Gorge, which is why it remains one of our favourite free things to do in Tasmania.

Cost: Free!

74-90 Basin Road, West Launceston

Brush up on history and culture

When the weather turns, Tasmania’s museums offer an easy indoor reset. Hobart’s Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and Launceston’s Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery are both free, with exhibitions spanning art, science and the island’s complex history. Convict sites across the state add further context, often at modest entry prices.

Sitchu Tip: Make sure you check out the Launceston Planetarium (at the Museum site in Inveresk) and get lost among the stars.

Cost: Free!

Dunn Place, Hobart

2 Invermay Road, Invermay (Museum)

2 Wellington Street, Launceston (Art Gallery)

Boot up for a farm visit

One of the most fun, wholesome and budget-friendly things to do in Tasmania is to pull on your boots (Blundstones, obviously) and head out for a farm visit. Properties across the state open their gates to visitors for everything from meeting animals, such as Little Things Farm in the north or Luna Lodge in the south, to fruit picking at Turners Beach Berry Patch or Old Beach Berries. Others invite slower visits, including wandering the historic Woolmers Estate near Launceston or visiting Port Arthur Lavender Farm and Bridestowe Estate when the flowers are in season.

Cost: Various

Multiple locations around Tasmania

Walk on the wild side at a National Park

We’ve saved the best for last. Visiting one of Tasmania’s 19 national parks is among the most rewarding ways to explore the state on a budget. From the iconic landscapes of Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair and Freycinet to the waterfalls of Mount Field, each park offers a distinct experience. Hartz Mountains suits hikers seeking a challenge, while Franklin–Gordon Wild Rivers and the Southwest deliver raw wilderness. For a blend of beaches, walks and wildlife, Maria Island and South Bruny are standout day trips.

Sitchu Tip: A day pass for Tasmania’s National Parks will set you back $23.25 per person over 5 years of age (or $46.60 per car up to 8 people), so if you’re planning on hitting several destinations on your trip, save money by opting for the Holiday Pass instead. For $93.15, you can visit unlimited parks for up to two months. Head to the Parks & Wildlife Service for more info.

Cost: From $46.60 for a day pass

Multiple locations around Tasmania

Tasmania is brimming with budget-friendly adventures, from its wild natural wonders to quirky city finds. Whether you’re summiting mountains, strolling through parks, or hanging out with Launceston’s resident monkeys, there’s always something fun to do that won’t cost a fortune. So, pack your sense of adventure, and discover the best of Tassie without breaking the bank – after all, the best things in life really are free (or close enough!)

Find even more free things to do in Tasmania with our comprehensive guide to Launceston’s best picnic spots and breathtaking waterfall adventures scattered across the state.