Things to do in Franklin
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Top 10 attractions in Franklin
Mount Wellington
Mount Wellington, at an elevation of approx. 1,271 m, is a high mountain towering behind the city of Hobart. On clear days, it is almost always visible when looking west from the city. Hobart is nestled between the mountains and the water. Standing on the mountain, you can overlook the entire city, the River Derwent, and the surrounding bays, with views extending to the hills and wilderness of southern Tasmania. The road up the mountain features multiple lookouts at various altitudes where you can stop and take in the views. At the summit, there is an enclosed, windproof observation shelter, which is the primary spot for panoramic views of Hobart. Beyond sightseeing, this is also a popular destination for outdoor activities around Hobart. On the eastern hillside, there are columnar rock formations known as the "Organ Pipes," rising over 100 m. Multiple hiking trails wind around them, ranging from easy forest paths to long-distance loops that require some physical stamina, and mountain biking enthusiasts also frequently come here to challenge themselves.Wellington Park · 30.1 km from Franklin
Bruny Island
Bruny Island is located off the southeast coast of Tasmania, separated from the main island of Tasmania by the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, and is near Hobart. The island is a mix of pastures and eucalyptus forests, making it a favorite island getaway for locals. The island consists of North and South Bruny, connected by a narrow sandy isthmus known as The Neck. Climb the wooden boardwalk lookout here to take in the beaches on both sides and the open sea, and in the evening, you may have the chance to see little penguins returning to their nests in groups. The island's southeast coastline is part of South Bruny National Park. Adventure Bay and Cloudy Bay on the seaward side feature long, white sandy beaches, perfect for swimming, walking, and fishing. You may even have the chance to encounter rare white wallabies around Adventure Bay. The dolerite sea cliffs within the national park tower above the sea and are among the highest coastal cliffs in Australia. Take a boat cruise along the coastline to weave through cliffs and reefs, and observe wildlife like seals up close; the 19th-century Cape Bruny Lighthouse stands on the cliff top at the southern end of the island and is a classic spot for overlooking the Southern Ocean. In addition, the island is famous for local specialties such as oysters, cheese, honey, and wine. Many tourists visit specifically to taste these, incorporating both natural scenery and culinary experiences into their itinerary.South Bruny · 40.6 km from Franklin
Salamanca Pl
Salamanca Pl is located on the waterfront of Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, backed by a gentle slope and facing the River Derwent. The row of three- to four-story sandstone warehouses along the street, built in the 1830s and 1840s, used stone mostly quarried from behind the square. They once served the port's whaling and shipping trade, but today they have mostly been converted into galleries, craft shops, cafes, and bars, making them one of the best-preserved colonial-era building complexes in Australia. The square is named after the 1812 Battle of Salamanca, a connection that adds a touch of history to the district. Every Saturday, it transforms into a lively open-air market: hundreds of stalls line the street, with handicrafts like glassware, woodwork, pottery, leather goods, and original clothing intertwined with flowers, produce, books, and street performances, resembling a city-wide fair that both locals and tourists love to visit. If you want to hunt for niche handicrafts or soak up the local atmosphere, consider setting aside a Saturday in your itinerary for this place. Arrive early in the morning for a more relaxed stroll and a better chance to chat with the stall owners. Visiting on weekdays is much quieter, perfect for browsing galleries at a leisurely pace or sitting in a cafe to watch the street scene. Looking north from the square, you can also see the silhouette of Mount Wellington in the distance. Climb the Kelly Steps on the west side, and within a few minutes, you can enter the old streets and alleys of Battery Point, connecting the colonial-era streetscapes of this area into a walking route.Hobart · 36.4 km from Franklin
Port Arthur Historic Site
Port Arthur is Australia's largest and most intact convict settlement, forming a key part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Sites. Discover iconic ruins, over 30 historic buildings, immersive house museums, compelling exhibitions, and guided tours complemented by a scenic harbour cruise and self-guided audio experience. Set within 146 hectares of spectacular landscape, heritage gardens, and walking trails, visitors can relax and enjoy breathtaking views, shop for locally-made products and savour local flavours in our cafés and at our acclaimed 1830 Restaurant & Bar. More than 300,000 people visit Port Arthur every year, but the now sunny port has a dark history. In 1930, Captain Governor George Arthur chose the Tasman Peninsula in south-east Tasmania to hold prisoners who had reoffended during the colonial period. The peninsula and the mainland are only connected by a land less than 100 meters wide (that is, the Eagle Neck Gorge). From 1830 to 1877, 12,500 prisoners spent hard sentences in Port Arthur. The Tourist Services Center is located in the Port Arthur Historic Site building. Downstairs is a gallery with detailed explanations, where visitors can learn about the suffering of prisoners in exile in Tasmania. You can also take a cruise around the Island of the Dead (Island of the Dead) in the harbour, and if you are interested, you can visit the island. This is a hugely popular excursion in Port Arthur, a 90-minute ghost tour with a guided tour of many of the old buildings and stories of some of the creepy events that have happened here. If interested, be sure to book before 16:00 on the day.Port Arthur · 70.5 km from Franklin
Battery Point
Fortress Point is a highland terrain, 1.5 kilometers from the city, this area is a relatively long history of Hobart. Battery Point got its name from the Battery, built here in 1818, to protect the town of Hobart from threats from the sea, mainly for strategic reasons. During the heyday of whaling, Battery Point was a bustling area with a steady stream of sailors, and now the area around Battery Point is a secluded, upscale residential area where 19th-century Victorian and Georgian mansions can still be seen. There are many antique shops, art galleries and cafes that have been converted from old houses on the street. Wander around picturesque ArthurCircus, admire St George's Anglican Church on Cromwell St., or walk slowly on Napoleon St. to the harbour, where the mooring ropes sing in the wind and you can listen to the sound of ships colliding with each other.Battery Point · 36.3 km from Franklin
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys is quite popular in Tasmania. Its iconic yellow boats not only allow visitors to get up close to the coastal wilderness but also provide a relatively stable boating experience. Tasmania's southern coastline, especially the two classic routes—the Bruny Island cruise and the Tasman Peninsula cruise—is highly acclaimed. The Bruny Island cruise usually departs from Adventure Bay, offering views of sea cliffs, caves, seal colonies, and coastal scenery along the way. The Tasman Peninsula route sets sail from Port Arthur, highlighting massive sea cliffs, rock pillars, and turbulent seascapes. Visitors can not only enjoy a rich seafood feast on board but also appreciate the raw, unadorned wild beauty of Tasmania's southern coast. In certain seasons, you can also see active seal colonies, dolphins, and various seabirds on the water, and you might even encounter whale migrations, which is a real highlight.Hobart · 36.7 km from Franklin
Snug Falls
Snug · 18.1 km from Franklin
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
The Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens is a historic and natural attraction located in Hobart, Australia. Founded in 1818, the gardens cover an area of about 14 hectares and showcase a rich and diverse flora. Visitors can enjoy plants from Tasmania and around the world, including rare Tasmanian rainforest plants and subantarctic plants. The gardens have several themed gardens, such as the Japanese Garden, the Cactus Garden and the Rose Garden, each of which offers a unique viewing experience. Visitors can stroll through the carefully designed paths and enjoy the tranquil natural environment. The botanical gardens also have a greenhouse that displays tropical and subtropical plants, providing a wealth of learning opportunities for plant lovers. In addition, the botanical gardens also have a growing number of important protected plants in Tasmania. The "Lomatia tasmanica" in the park is one of the most unique plants and the only subantarctic plant house in the world. It simulates the climatic conditions of Macquarie Island and displays plants unique to the area. The restaurant and cafe in the garden provide light meals and drinks, making it a good place to relax.Queens Domain · 37.8 km from Franklin
Hobart Convict Penitentiary
The Prison Church Historic Site is an attraction located in the urban area of Hobart. This is an old prison building that shows the local prison environment more than half a century ago and the judicial system in Tasmania at that time. Visitors can see the former courthouse inside, and can also follow the narrow and dim stairs to the cell, visit the environment of the cell, and even see the hanging instruments at that time. However, this scenic spot is a bit gloomy. It is said that ghosts can sometimes be seen here at night, so it has attracted many curious people to find out.Hobart · 36.7 km from Franklin
Maria Island National Park
Maria Island National Park is located on Maria Island off the east coast of Tasmania. The island is car-free, and there are no shops or restaurants on the island. Visitors take a ferry from the town of Triabunna to reach the island and explore by walking or cycling. Therefore, the ferry must be booked in advance, and food and drinking water should be brought along with your luggage. The enclosed environment makes this a paradise for wildlife: wombats, kangaroos, and wallabies can be seen everywhere on the grass, and echidnas often scurry past the bushes. The island is also a breeding sanctuary for Tasmanian devils, and you may sometimes encounter these nocturnal animals. Almost all of Tasmania's endemic birds can be found on the island. You may encounter dolphins during the boat trip, and during the migration season, there is a chance to see whales off the eastern cliffs. The nearshore waters are a marine reserve with clear water, suitable for snorkeling, and after low tide, you can observe marine life in the tide pools. Cultural attractions are concentrated in Darlington. This is a well-preserved convict probation station in Australia. Prison buildings such as cells and warehouses from the 1820s remain to this day. The old prison has been converted into simple dormitories, and visitors can stay overnight in the former cells. Later, the island also hosted a cement factory and farms. Relics such as farmhouses and shearing sheds are scattered across the grassy slopes. The old coffee shop and commissariat store house exhibitions introducing the island's history, and the entire area is like an open-air history museum. Hiking is the main way to experience the island. The trail to the summits of Mount Bishop and Mount Clerk climbs through grasslands and woodlands. At the summit, you will find columnar rock formations arranged like organ pipes, offering views of the open sea and sky. The cliffs of Fossil Cliffs are densely embedded with marine fossils from over 200 million years ago. The sandstone of the Painted Cliffs is stained with iron oxide in layers of patterns; it is recommended to visit during low tide to safely walk to the base of the cliffs for a closer look. If you plan to stay an extra night on the island, there are campsites at Darlington, Frenchs Farm, and Encampment Cove.Australia · Maria Island
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Free things to do in Franklin
Mount Wellington
Wellington Park · 30.1 km from FranklinBruny Island
South Bruny · 40.6 km from FranklinSalamanca Pl
Hobart · 36.4 km from FranklinPort Arthur Historic Site
Port Arthur · 70.5 km from FranklinBattery Point
Battery Point · 36.3 km from FranklinPennicott Wilderness Journeys
Hobart · 36.7 km from FranklinSnug Falls
Snug · 18.1 km from FranklinRoyal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Queens Domain · 37.8 km from FranklinHobart Convict Penitentiary
Hobart · 36.7 km from FranklinMaria Island National Park
Australia · Maria Island
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What travelers say about Franklin
Traveltheworld@bd28 January 2026
5.0
🏔️ Mount Wellington: Hobart’s Majestic LookoutMount Wellington, known locally as kunanyi, towers above Hobart and offers one of Tasmania’s most breathtaking viewpoints. Rising to 1,271 meters, it provides sweeping panoramic views of the city, the Derwent River, and the surrounding wilderness. The changing weather adds drama, with mist, snow, or sunshine often appearing within hours. Well-marked trails, rugged rock formations, and native wildlife make it ideal for hiking and nature exploration. Easily accessible by road or trail, Mount Wellington is a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience Tasmania’s raw beauty and ever-changing alpine atmosphere.
Mount Wellington
🎀彡🐾14 April 2020
5.0
Bruny Island is a very beautiful island in Tasmania. It has not undergone any commercial development, so it has retained the most original island scenery. The island has shallow white sand beaches and beautiful lake landscapes. It is very charming and is definitely a holiday resort that is worth a visit.
Bruny Island
YuppiJe3 July 2023
5.0
Salamanca Market is a fantastic place to visit for a glance of the Hobart’s living with their local produces, daily food. A bonus of fine dining and souvenirs to take home.
Salamanca Pl
Anonymous user20 January 2026
5.0
The whole property is very well maintained and we did a self guided tour, enjoyed the cruise, and extensive walks through the grounds and numerous buildings are allowed to be entered in to.
Port Arthur Historic Site
TRAVEL DEVIL4 September 2019
5.0
A very nice suburb to walk around and learn about the history of Hobart. Walking at Battery Point is like go back in time, wide collection of gorgeous historic architect, beutiful garden and lovely view of the pier at the heart of Hobart. Highly recommend to visit Battery Point while visiting Hobart!
Battery Point
小玉yhd19 July 2023
5.0
It is open to the public free of charge. There is a different plant every three parts, and there are many types! Each plant has a logo and introduction. The park is well managed, and there are snacks and ice cream for sale, as well as small souvenirs.
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
陌染MM6 November 2020
4.0
Traveling to Australia, this stop came to Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of the most famous attractions in Hobart. The Prison Church Historic Site, which used to be an old prison building, shows the local prison environment more than half a century ago, as well as the judicial system in Tasmania. Visitors can see the former court here, or follow the dim stairs to the cell and visit the cell environment. I took a tour map, which marked many places. Now all we see is a ruin. Although a sign was erected in the court, cell and other places, everyone can use their imagination to imagine the original picture at that time.
Hobart Convict Penitentiary
Panasonikku Unkai21 August 2026
5.0
It's a very enjoyable place and definitely worth visiting.
Maria Island National Park