Top traveller safety tips

Follow this guide to travelling safely in Tasmania for a trip as safe and smooth as it is unforgettable.

Tasmania’s compact size means you can go from sea to summit in a single day – but it’s important to be prepared. This guide gives you key travel tips, from road safety and weather alerts to hiking and mobile coverage.

Driving in Tasmania

Tasmania is a diverse place to drive, offering secluded beaches, forest wilderness, alpine mountains and charming historic towns all within reach of each other. Explore at your own pace. No rushing – just you, the road ahead and the sights that await.

On your self-drive holiday in Tasmania, road rules are important to follow. The first thing to know is to drive on the left-hand side of the road. Be aware of speed cameras and speed limits. Tasmania is not a place to hurry – enjoy the views at a safe pace.

Road conditions in Tasmania can change at a moment’s notice so it’s worth checking for closures and road weather alerts – especially in winter. Ice, fog, rain, snow and shorter daylight hours add beauty and atmosphere, but bring added road risks. Slow down and drive to the conditions. Be extra cautious in low visibility or heavy traffic, and watch out for animals, especially dusk to dawn when they’re most active.

Be prepared for unsealed gravel roads if you’re heading off the beaten track – you’ll find many in Tasmania. With such vast and varied landscapes to explore, you might encounter narrow, winding roads, mountainous and remote terrain. Slow down and allow extra travel time if it means being safer. Plan your route, buy a paper or digital map for offline use and download emergency apps – estimated drive times on mobile map apps can be inaccurate.

You can stay on top of road closures via Tasmania Police, and emergency warnings and incidents via TasAlert or ABC local radio. Check FuelCheck TAS for real-time fuel prices and service station locations. For electric vehicle (EV) drivers, find charging stations on Tasmania’s EV map.

Weather conditions and warnings

Weather in Tasmania is temperate and varied. The island has four distinctly different seasons, each with their own charms. Some days, when the weather’s especially changeable, you’ll experience all four seasons in one day.

Weather can change quickly so check the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for Tasmania weather warnings and high UV, and TasAlert or ABC local radio for bushfires, floods and other emergencies. The risk of bushfires in Tasmania is higher in the summer months, so have an emergency plan in mind during your travels. From September to April, clean air and long hours of sunlight mean UV levels can be high – remember to slip, slop, slap (slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat) to protect yourself from the sun, which can cause sunburn quickly here.

Visiting alpine areas

Tasmania's alpine beauty is unforgettable – rugged dolerite peaks, unique vegetation and World Heritage wilderness – but alpine conditions can be unpredictable and change fast, with snow, rain, sun and bushfires all possible.

To enjoy these scenic regions safely, it pays to be prepared. Pack gear for all weather to protect you from wet, windy, cold and sunny conditions, including sturdy hiking boots, warm and waterproof layers, a hat, beanie and gloves.

Carry emergency supplies and only visit remote areas if you’re a more skilled and prepared hiker, or if you’re joining a guided tour. Visiting a national park? Check the Parks and Wildlife Service website for safety information.

Safe hiking in Tasmania

Tasmania offers a treasure trove of short walks and worldclass multiday hikes like the Overland Track, Three Capes Track and Bay of Fires walk, which reveal the island’s wild beauty in different ways.

If you’re exploring natural wonders by foot, look up walking track ‘grades’ (which measure a walk’s difficulty level) and choose the right walk for your ability and fitness level. Tasmania is a natural playground for ambitious and adventurous souls but, for your safety, don’t overestimate your capabilities.

Ensure you’re well-equipped with all-weather clothing, plenty of food and water, and emergency supplies like a first-aid kit before you head out on a hike. Where possible, use the logbooks provided to help searchers in case of an emergency.

Don’t go alone – share your plans with someone and carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) in remote areas, as mobile reception can be unreliable. Always follow tracks and signage, respect safety signs and directions and stick to the path. You can visit the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service for more hiking safety information.

The safest way to explore is with guided walking tour experts like Tasmanian Walking Company, Intrepid, Park Trek, Tasmanian Expeditions or Life’s An Adventure.

Be adventure-activities aware

From mountain biking and kayaking, to canyoning and sailing, Tasmania is an adventure lover’s dream. The safest way to seek heart-thumping adventures in the island’s wild places is to let the experts lead the way, especially for high-risk activities like rafting, diving or caving.

Thankfully, you’re spoiled for choice, with top-quality, licensed outdoor and adventure tour options to consider. Let someone know your plans and expected return time before you go. Happy adventuring.

Stay water safe

Picture yourself sunbathing at azure coastal bays, swimming in natural pools and exploring bubbling streams. Surrounded by ocean and marbled with lakes and rivers, there are many places in Tasmania for a dip, paddle or cold plunge.

Tasmania’s beaches are worldclass, and that’s no exaggeration: the Larapuna / Bay of Fires area was named 'Best Australian Beach' for 2025.

Ensure you stay safe in and on the water by scoping out the conditions and looking for hazards such as rips, rocks, strong currents, big waves, algae and jellyfish. If in doubt, don’t go out. Tempted to dive in? Hold it right there. Be sure to check rock pools and rivers for submerged hazards and test the depth of the water before diving or go feet first. 

At patrolled beaches such as Clifton (a great surf spot), Bicheno or Boat Harbour Beach, remember to swim between the flags. When swimming anywhere, have a buddy. Don’t swim alone and tell someone your plans.

Tread carefully on wet rocks (they’re often slipperier than you think) – grippy shoes can help with this. And be prepared for cold water – glacial run-off means rivers can be colder than the sea, which itself is already chilly. Packing a wetsuit is a good idea.

Don’t take chances chasing waterfalls

There’s nothing quite like the sensory spectacle, sound and refreshing spray of a waterfall. And Tasmania has loads of them. If you’re chasing waterfalls (which you should – they’re awesome), there are some important things to keep in mind.

Remember to stay behind barriers, stick to tracks and keep your distance. Wet rocks, muddy paths and edges around waterfalls are super slippery and may be unstable. If you’re viewing a waterfall from above, keep at least 2m from cliff edges to avoid dangerous slips and unexpected dips.

Keep Tasmanian wildlife wild

Tasmania’s isolation has sent evolution down some fascinating paths. This isle is home to curious plants and charismatic animals found nowhere else on the planet – and they’re abundant.

It’s a thrill to see a Tassie devil in the wild, spot Bruny Island's white wallabies, watch a Cape Barren goose grazing or a wombat waddling by. While an animal encounter is exciting, here’s how to look after Tasmania’s wild animals (and yourself) while exploring.

Firstly, observe them from a distance – 2m or more is ideal. Stay quiet and don’t approach wild animals. If you want to get closer, do so through a camera lens – for their safety as much as yours.

If you do want to see wildlife up close and safely, head to a sanctuary like Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Devils@Cradle, Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary or East Coast Natureworld.

Don’t feed native animals or leave food scraps lying around – it can make wildlife sick and aggressive towards people.

Access to some areas can change during breeding seasons. Please respect signage, and if you see seals or seabirds nesting or resting on beaches or rocky outcrops, give them plenty of space.

Mobile coverage and navigation

Curious about which providers have the best mobile coverage in Tasmania? Telstra generally has the widest coverage, especially in remote areas. Optus also has a large presence while smaller operators like Vodafone are more limited. Mobile reception outside major centres like Hobart, Launceston and Devonport may be patchy.

Finally, don’t rely solely on mobile apps for navigation as they might not be up to date. Pick up a physical map from a friendly visitor information centre and remember to download your digital maps offline before you venture out into Tasmania’s wilds.

With all this safety preparation done and dusted, you’re hopefully feeling confident and relaxed – ready to explore the island in all its rugged glory.