Highlights of Tasmania Road Trip - Itinerary

Welcome to Hobart, the capital of the Apple Isle!

Nestled amongst the foothills of Mt Wellington, Hobart is a harbour town with heritage charm and a modern lifestyle. From the bustling waterfront of Salamanca Place to the historic houses of quaint Battery Point, Hobart is a gorgeous place to wander and get lost in.

Take a bus to the summit of Mount Wellington for panoramic views over the city, or board a ferry at Brooke Street Pier and sail upstream to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).

You won't be short of delicious dining options this evening: Hobart has fast become one of Australia's top gourmet hotspots, thanks to its amazing local produce.

Accommodation: Hobart - 1 night (or similar)

Today collect your rental car and drive to Freycinet National Park.

Freycinet National Park

If you thought Tasmania couldn't get any more beautiful, Freycinet will prove you wrong. Against a backdrop of pink granite mountains, you'll discover secluded bays, pristine waters, white sandy beaches, local wildlife, and incredible walking trails.

Wineglass Bay is the jewel in Freycinet's crown. Nestled at the foot of the forest-covered mountains, you'll see a crescent of white sand bordering the emerald waters of the bay. Admire it from the Wineglass Bay lookout point or grab a picnic and hike down to one of the most beautiful beaches you have ever seen. 

Approximate Distance: 192 km | 119 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 32 mins

Accommodation: Freycinet National Park - 2 Nights (or similar)

Suggested Activities:

1) Bicheno Penguin Tour (30 mins from Freycinet)

As night begins to fall, see Little Blue Penguins return to their burrows on a twilight guided Bicheno Penguin Tour. This is a rare and thrilling chance to get very close to the world's smallest penguins in a private rookery. Watch as they emerge from the ocean after a hard day of fishing and head home for the night

2) Wineglass Bay Cruise to Freycinet Peninsula

Wineglass Bay, nestled underneath the Hazards Mountain range, is a location of primeval peace and beauty.  Experience the tranquility from a truly unique perspective with a Wineglass Bay Cruise.

Let our experienced and friendly crew guide you through the sights and history of the Freycinet Peninsula; taking you from the gentle shores of Coles Bay, to one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.  Stop for lunch at Wineglass Bay and enjoy some of Tasmania’s finest fresh produce, selected by the head chef at Freycinet Lodge.

The riverside city of Launceston is a vibrant hub for food and wine, culture, and nature. It's famed for the Cataract Gorge, visit this unique natural formation with panoramic views, walking trails, sculpted gardens, and a chairlift, perhaps consider experiencing the Cataract Gorge River Cruise.

Visit the Queen Victoria Museum, in a 19th-century railway workshop, has exhibitions on Tasmanian history. Its sister Art Gallery lies across the river, by sprawling Royal Park.

Visit the vineyards of the Tamar Valley stretch northwest along the Tamar River. The Tamar Valley is Tasmania's oldest wine-growing area and a place where premium cool-climate wines have become a major tourist attraction on a world scale.

Suggested Activity: Experience the Tamar Valley Wine Discovery Tour

Approximate Distance: 178 km | 110 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 9 mins

Accommodation: Launceston - 1 Night

While you can drive to Stanley from Launceston in about 3 hours, it is a very pleasant day drive between overnight stops. Meander through some wonderful farming areas and historic towns, before taking the coast road through Ulverstone and Penguin Town, on through rolling green hills to Table Cape for spectacular views of Bass Strait. Picturesque Stanley is in your sights as you head west. Enjoy views of the sheer-sided Stanley bluff known as ‘The Nut’ and take some time to explore before arriving to your final destination today - Smithton.

Stopping at Penguin is a Must

Penguin is a delightful seaside town on the north coast with a finely honed sense of humour about its name. It has a quiet, serene charm which is a common feature of the coastal towns between Launceston and Stanley. Apart from the very beautiful Uniting Church on the beachfront, it is a celebration of the fairy penguins (sometimes called little penguins) which inhabit the beaches on either side of the town.

Welcome to Smithton your gateway to the breathtaking wilderness of Tasmania’s Tarkine region.

Approximate Distance: 231 km | 143 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 36 mins

Accommodation: Smithton - 2 Nights

The Tarkine Drive introduces you to unique flora and fauna, globally significant rainforests, wild river landscapes, and dramatic coastlines.

Small group 4WD Tarkine Wilderness Adventure.

The Tarkine is the largest tract of protected wilderness in “The Edge of the World” region. It is an expansive 447,000-hectare wilderness area of recognised World Heritage significance in Tasmania’s northwest corner. The Tarkine is the largest expanse of temperate rainforest in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the last remaining and most significant in the world.

A mixture of rainforest and eucalypt forest, wild rivers, mountains, cave systems, and extensive coastal heathlands await. There are large sand dune areas, with some containing ancient Aboriginal sacred sites. Here you will find well-maintained walking tracks, lookouts, picnic places, and memorable photo opportunities.

You will experience your adventure in our luxury 4WD through the breathtaking Tarkine Wilderness with the region’s most experienced guides. Enjoy fresh Tasmanian produce and a glass of wine for lunch while you experience the area’s unique flora and fauna.

After a very scenic drive, you enter Cradle Mountain National Park, arguably one of the prettiest National Parks in Australia. With alpine wilderness, abundant native wildlife, and a huge variety of walking trails to choose from you'll love exploring this peaceful haven.

The gentle Dove Lake Circuit takes around 2 hours with amazing mountain views. Or you try the climb to Marion’s Lookout if you feel energetic. It's ridiculously steep but the lake & mountain views from the top are a worthy reward.

If hiking isn't your thing, there are endless ways to explore the area: try a scenic flight, horse treks, canyoning adventure, or a wildlife-spotting walk to name but a few!

This evening join the After Dark Feeding Tour, an unforgettable up-close experience with Tasmanian Devils when they are at their most active.

Approximate Distance: 181 km | 112 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 10 mins

Accommodation: Cradle Mountain - 1 Night

This morning collect your car and take a leisurely drive to Strahan, check into your accommodation, and relax. This afternoon take a cruise down the beautiful Gordon River.

Gordon River Cruise

Your evening cruise begins by passing through notorious Hell's Gate and across Macquarie Harbour to the Gordon River. Stop for a taste of delicious fresh fish at a local salmon farm on the way.

Disembarking at Heritage Landing, you'll take a guided walk through the temperate rainforest on elevated boardwalks that thread their way between the magnificent rainforest species.

Explore the ruins of Sarah Island's dreaded penal colony and return to Strahan to continue your Tasmanian Road Trip.

Approximate Distance: 166 km | 90 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 50 mins

Accommodation: Strahan - 1 Night (or similar)

Today return to the Seaside city of Hobart, taking in the stunning scenery along the way.

If you have time, pop up to Lake St Clair to see the Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park from another perspective. Lake St Clair is at the southern end of the National Park and is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The Aboriginal people of the area called the lake Leeawuleena, meaning sleeping water. Carved out by ice during several glaciations over the last two million years, this is the deepest freshwater lake in Australia (167 metres/ 547 feet) and the headwaters of the Derwent River.

Approximate Distance: 299 km | 187 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 59 mins

Accommodation: Hobart - 1 Night (or similar)

Say farewell to Tasmania today as you drop off your rental car and board your onward flight. We know you will enjoy your Tasmanian Self-Drive Tour, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience.

We hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.