10 Day Must Do Tasmania Family 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 - 2 nights

Enjoy a family-friendly fishing tours out of Hobart, Southern Tasmania. Fish the best local bays or just go sightseeing on the water. Treat yourself to a memorable fishing and sightseeing trip with a qualified and experienced local guide who knows all the "HOT SPOTS" and beautiful sights that the locals commonly refer to as "Paradise".

Let your guide do all the hard work as you reel in your catch - you're sure to bag a good feed of "flatties". The humble flathead is Tasmania's most abundant species of fish but with a growing reputation as a top-quality table fish.

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 

Suggested Activities: 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.

This Evening Experience the 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

Join local climbing guides on a great day on the crag (Launceston's Cataract Gorge). The climbing will be tailored to suit your experience and ensure a great day of fun and adventure. From first-time beginners through to advanced rock climbers, half and full-day climbing trips are arranged on request.

On this tour, you start with an introductory abseil, once we have mastered this skill we move on to some Top Rope climbing. We then finish with a combination of both skills with an abseil to the Base of Feltham Buttress prior to climbing back out. No prior abseiling or climbing experience is necessary but a reasonable level of fitness is required as climbing requires stamina, balance and strength.

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.

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!

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

Accommodation: Cradle Mountain - 2 Nights

Joey Encounter with Day Keeper Tour

The Joey Encounter tour will take a small group of visitors behind the scenes to our animal nursery, where you will interact (face to face) with some of our youngest residents. This is a unique opportunity and will be a very special and memorable experience, ideal for families with young children, or animal lovers of any age.

The tour will incorporate, handling and general health checks by our keepers, and afford visitors the opportunity to pat and get photographs with these beautiful young animals.

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

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

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

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