Things To Do With Kids in Tasmania

The first split is geography. Around Hobart the two most-reviewed picks are Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Brighton and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in the city; around Launceston it is Tasmania Zoo in Riverside, City Park and the Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk. Bonorong and Tasmania Zoo both have Tasmanian devils and wombats, but they work differently. Bonorong includes guided tours with entry (A Family and Foodies Guide to Hobart with Kids counts four a day), has an open area where kids hand-feed free-roaming kangaroos, and that same guide notes it is a rescue service rather than a zoo. Tasmania Zoo sells its devil and wombat encounters separately, and Fun Things to Do with Kids in Tasmania this Spring calls the Jurassic Swamp, with more than 40 life-size dinosaur models, the must-see.

For a free day, TMAG and City Park cost nothing, and reviewers say both are easy with a pram. TMAG's thylacine and Antarctic galleries hold older kids for a couple of hours; City Park's Japanese macaque enclosure is the draw for younger ones. Queen Victoria Museum charges little and its planetarium tends to stretch a visit to half a day. Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre has 30 interactive displays built around the 2006 rescue story, with a playground across the road.

Active options split by age. Penny Royal Adventures covers climbing and zip lines from age five, BOUNCE Hobart has a separate toddler zone with clear sightlines, and Zone Bowling Moonah is the hosted birthday party pick. For pools, Launceston Leisure & Aquatic Centre pairs slides with inflatables, Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre is listed as the only Hobart facility with slides, and Splash Devonport Aquatic and Leisure Centre stands out for accessibility. Don River Railway is a short ride padded by two hours of rolling stock, Curringa Farm at Hamilton is a farm stay with host-led tours, and Village Cinemas Eastlands has reclining seats but reviewers flag concession prices.