Southport, Tasmania: What are the best things to do?

The best things to do in Southport, Tasmania, include kayaking on the Lune River, walking to Bluff Beach in Southport Lagoon and exploring the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs.

3 top things to do in Southport, Tasmania

Take a kayaking tour along the Lune River.
Walk from Ida Bay to Bluff Beach.
Visit the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs.

Where is Southport, Tasmania?

Southport, Tasmania, is a small village in the very south-eastern corner of the state. Its population is tiny, but there are several nearby attractions that have considerable appeal to visitors.

Up until recently, these Southport attractions included the Ida Bay Railway, the southernmost railway in Australia. More of a bush tramway than a real railway, it passes through some lovely forest scenery on the way to Elliots Beach on Recherche Bay. Alas, the Tasmanian Government reclaimed the railway following a derailment. Negotiations are underway to reopen the railway, but for now, the track remains closed.

Things to do in Southport, Tasmania: Lune River and Southport Lagoon

Other things to do in Southport include kayaking along the Lune River. Esperance Adventures runs a morning kayaking tour that drifts downstream, away from the looming Adamsons Peak. The Lune River kayaking tour finishes in Southport for bread and hot soup.

Southport Lagoon near Southport, Tasmania. Photo by Luke Tscharke.

The Southport Lagoon Conservation Area surrounds the rather stunning Southport Lagoon, where the shallow, salty water trickles between dazzling sand bars. Boaters and kayakers love it here, while fishing fans come for the salmon, garfish and flounder.

Without your own boat or kayak, the best way of exploring the Southport Lagoon Conservation Area is on the walk from Ida Bay to Bluff Beach. It’s a 21km walk, there and back, but takes in Elliots Beach and some delightful coastal scenery.

Things to do in Southport, Tasmania: Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs

Top of the list of things to do in Southport, however, is Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs. Here, you can take a tour of Newdegate Gave, go for a dip in the thermal pools or buy a combo ticket that allows you to do both.

The entry price to the thermal springs is $5. This also gets you access to the 10 minute Platypus forest walk and 20 minute Hot Springs forest walk. There are public barbecues here if you want to stay for a little while. The water stays at 28 degrees, year round.

Newdegate Cave tour

Newdegate Cave, meanwhile, is the largest dolomite cave in Australia. It’s around 40 million years old, and the cave decorations inside are lit up for maximum impact. The Hastings Caves tours cost $24. The caves are part of the Hastings Caves State Reserve.

The drive from Hobart to Southport takes about one hour and 24 minutes. You’ll pass through Southport on the way to Cockle Creek at Tasmania’s southern tip.

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