Top Tasmania Getaway Itinerary

One of Australia's oldest cities: charm-filled Launceston is a boutique riverside town with Colonial and Victorian heritage buildings in abundance.

Located at the head of the picturesque Tamar Valley, Launceston's beautiful attractions include the spectacular Cataract Gorge Reserve and beautiful parks & gardens.

Settle in with a stroll along the waterfront, perhaps head out to the Tamar Valley region for a taste of Tasmania’s fine wines or take a short walk to the wild and beautiful Cataract Gorge, just 15 minutes from town.

Accommodation: Launceston - 2 Nights

Today embark on a 50 minute round trip and explore the old and new facets of Launceston's Seaport precinct today. Departing from Home Point, learn about the history of Launceston's Seaport, and of course the spectacular Cataract Gorge. 

See the gorge from the perspective of the water and enjoy a unique experience on-board the 1890's replica Lady Launceston. A popular option for those who would like a quick taste of what the Tamar River and the Cataract Gorge have to offer.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Today, depart Hobart and travel along Tasmania’s scenic east coast towards the charming seaside town of St Helens. 

Along the way, enjoy ever-changing landscapes of rolling countryside, coastal views and small regional communities rich in local character. There are opportunities to pause at scenic lookouts and explore parts of Tasmania’s beautiful coastline before continuing north. Arriving in St Helens, discover a relaxed harbour town known for its fresh seafood, surrounding beaches and gateway access to the Bay of Fires. The remainder of the day is free to unwind, explore the waterfront or simply enjoy the peaceful coastal atmosphere.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 195 km | 121 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 

Accommodation: St Helens - 2 Nights

Today, journey from St Helens to the stunning Bay of Fires, a spectacular stretch of coastline renowned for its brilliant white beaches, turquoise waters and vivid orange granite boulders. This peaceful region offers the perfect chance to slow down and immerse yourself in Tasmania’s natural beauty. Spend time exploring secluded bays, wandering along untouched beaches and enjoying scenic coastal walks with endless ocean views. Keep an eye out for local wildlife and seabirds as you take in the fresh sea air and relaxed atmosphere. Later, return to St Helens after a memorable day discovering one of Tasmania’s most iconic coastal landscapes.

Approximate Distance: 25 km | 16 miles   Total Driving Time: 30 mins (each way)

After enjoying the relaxed beauty of the Bay of Fires, continue south to the spectacular landscapes of Freycinet National Park, where pink granite peaks meet pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. 

Spend time exploring the region’s scenic lookouts, coastal walks and peaceful beaches before ending the day on the water with a guided kayaking experience along the Freycinet coastline. Paddle through secluded coves and calm bays beneath dramatic granite mountains, spotting seabirds and marine life along the way. Midway through the journey, pause at a quiet beach to soak up the serenity of this remarkable coastal setting

Approximate Distance: 120 km | 75 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 45 mins

Accommodation: Freycinet - 2 Nights

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of Freycinet National Park on a spectacular cruise from Coles Bay to Wineglass Bay. 

Feel the fresh ocean breeze and listen to the gentle rhythm of the waves as you sail past white sand beaches and towering granite cliffs, exploring the hidden inner passages of Schouten Island. Marvel at secret sea caves, dramatic blowholes, and cascading waterfalls, while playful seals, curious dolphins, migrating whales, and vibrant seabirds bring the pristine seascape to life. The journey concludes with a leisurely lunch at anchor, enveloped in untouched wilderness and breathtaking vistas along Tasmania’s iconic east coast, leaving you with memories that linger long after the day ends.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Follow the East Coast Drive’s winding route through vineyards, coastal towns, and forested landscapes as you travel from Bicheno to the Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur. Along the way, enjoy sweeping ocean views and peaceful scenery that define Tasmania’s east coast.

At Port Arthur, join the Isle of the Dead tour for a moving historical experience. Cruise by boat before stepping ashore to explore the island cemetery, where over 1,000 convicts, soldiers, women, and children are buried. Guided storytelling reveals personal histories and social divisions, bringing the past vividly to life within this hauntingly beautiful heritage site.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 200 km | 124 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Port Arthur - 2 Nights

Tasman Island Cruises offers an unforgettable three-hour wilderness cruise along the breathtaking coastline between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck in southern Tasmania. Cruising beneath Cape Pillar’s towering sea cliffs, the highest vertical cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere. Immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the Tasman National Park. The journey reveals dramatic rock formations, waterfalls, natural archways, and deep-sea caves carved by the relentless ocean. This remote coastline is teeming with wildlife, including colonies of seals, pods of migrating whales, and thousands of seabirds. Tasman Island Cruises delivers a thrilling and immersive experience in one of Tasmania’s most spectacular natural environments.

Today drive 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. 

Experience the city’s lively heritage on a guided pub walking tour through the waterfront precinct. Visit historic pubs and laneways while hearing stories of convicts, sailors, and early settlers. Along the way, enjoy tastings of local beers, ciders, and wines, combining history, culture, and a relaxed social atmosphere in Tasmania’s charming capital.

Approximate Distance: 95 km | 59 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 30 mins

Accommodation: Hobart - 3 Nights

Bruny Island Traveller is a premium full-day tour from Hobart, offering a gourmet journey across Bruny Island. Guests enjoy an all-inclusive experience featuring tastings from top artisan producers, including award-winning cheeses, freshly shucked oysters, handcrafted fudge, local honey, and premium wines and beers. The tour includes an exclusive cheese and beer session at Bruny Island Cheese Company, as well as visits to Bruny Island Chocolate Company and Bruny Island Honey. A highlight is the delicious lunch at Pennicott’s beachside restaurant, with stunning views over Adventure Bay. Scenic landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and exceptional flavours make this a truly unforgettable Tasmanian experience.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will board a ferry and visit Mona (The Museum of Old and New Art) is Australia's largest private museum and one of the most controversial private collections of modern art and antiquities in the world.

The collection includes everything from ancient Egyptian mummies to some of the world's most infamous and thought-provoking contemporary art. With around 300 artworks on display, the collection takes up three floors within a subterranean architectural masterpiece and is guaranteed to impress.

The 3.5 ha site includes a function centre, Moorilla winery and vineyard, a cellar door, and wine bar. There's also the Source restaurant, a 63-seat cinema, the Mona Library and Gallery, and eight stylish accommodation pavilions.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Today, leave Hobart behind and journey into the heart of Tasmania’s wilderness towards the tranquil surroundings of Lake St Clair. 

Travelling through changing landscapes of farmland, forests and mountain scenery, the drive offers a glimpse into the island’s remote natural beauty. Located within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Lake St Clair is Australia’s deepest freshwater lake and a peaceful gateway to alpine landscapes and walking trails. On arrival, take time to relax beside the water, explore the surrounding forest or simply enjoy the calm atmosphere and crisp mountain air in this spectacular natural setting

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 175 km | 109 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Lake St Claire - 2 Nights

The area around Lake St Clair offers a wealth of walks, ranging from leisurely 45 minutes strolls to overnight bushwalks, as well as beautiful forests to explore. Lake St Clair is also the end point of the famous Overland Track, which runs from Cradle Mountain in the north to Cynthia Bay on the southern shore of Lake St Clair. Try fishing, boating or the ferry service travelling the 18 kilometre length of the lake, and meet bushwalkers completing the Overland Track. 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!

Today head up Tasmania's beautifully remote west coast to the waterfront town of Strahan. Strahan is a pretty Tasmanian waterfront town that lies at the northern edge of the wild and unspoiled Macquarie Harbour. 

It is the last town on Tasmania's west coast and retains the sense of purity that led a US newspaper to dub it ‘the best little town in the world’. Nestled between Macquarie Harbour and the rainforest, it combines top-drawer tourist attractions – Gordon River cruises and the West Coast Wilderness Railway – with beach life and the lingering feel of a time-forgotten fishing town.

Approximate Distance: 135 km | 84 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Strahan - 2 Nights

Embark on a Gordon River Cruise and explore the untouched beauty of Tasmania’s wilderness. 

Glide across the mirror like waters of the Gordon River, framed by ancient rainforests and rugged mountain peaks. Discover the history of Sarah Island, a former convict settlement, and encounter wildlife within this pristine landscape. Cruise aboard the award winning Spirit of the Wild, purpose built for comfort with spacious seating and panoramic windows. Expert guides provide engaging commentary on Macquarie Harbour, Hells Gates and Heritage Landing. Experience the tranquility of Tasmania’s World Heritage Area in quiet Whisper Mode and take in its remarkable natural splendour while immersing yourself in this serene and captivating environment.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Smithton is the gateway to the rugged lands of far northwest Tasmania. It makes for a picturesque base camp for nature lovers venturing off into the wilderness Smithton is the last stop before Arthur River.

Smithton sits in the shadow of The Nut, a volcanic plug rising almost 200 meters out of the ocean on a nearby peninsula. On a clear day, you might be lucky enough to see Perkins and Robbins Islands off in the Bass Strait.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 260 km | 162 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Strahan - 2 Nights

Today, set off on a luxury 4WD adventure into the remote Tarkine Wilderness, one of Tasmania’s most extraordinary and untouched regions in the island’s north-west. 

This vast protected area is home to the largest temperate rainforest in the Southern Hemisphere, alongside wild rivers, rugged coastlines, ancient dunes and significant Aboriginal heritage sites. With expert local guides, travel along scenic tracks to lookouts and hidden natural wonders rarely accessed by visitors. Immerse yourself in the region’s rich flora and fauna before enjoying a relaxed lunch of fresh Tasmanian produce and local wine, surrounded by the raw beauty of this World Heritage landscape.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After a relaxed morning, travel through Tasmania’s scenic landscapes to Cradle Mountain National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and home to the iconic Overland Track. 

This remarkable region features ancient rainforests, alpine grasslands, glacial lakes and rugged peaks, with unique flora such as King Billy pine and native deciduous beech. It also supports rich wildlife including wombats, platypus, echidnas and Tasmanian devils. In the evening, join a Night Spotting Tour by custom 4WD coach with expert guides, stepping onto boardwalks to observe nocturnal animals like wallabies, possums and quolls, and possibly glimpse the elusive Tasmanian devil

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 190 km | 118 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Cradle Mountain - 2 Nights

Cradle Mountain National Park is 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!

Included Meals: Breakfast

Today, depart the alpine wilderness of Cradle Mountain and journey towards Launceston, enjoying a scenic drive through Tasmania’s ever-changing landscapes. Descend from rugged peaks and ancient forests, taking in sweeping natural scenery and fresh mountain air along the way. Arriving in Launceston, Tasmania’s second-largest city, discover a relaxed destination known for its heritage architecture, riverside setting and vibrant food scene. The remainder of the day is free to explore at your own pace, unwind, or enjoy the city’s welcoming atmosphere

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 150 km | 93 miles   Total Driving Time:  2 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Launceston - 1 Night

Say farewell to Tasmania today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Tasmanian experience. We know you will enjoy your Tasmanian self-drive vacation and we hope to help you explore other regions of Australia on your next trip!

Included Meals: Breakfast