Best 10 Day Tasmania Self-Drive Itineraries

 

Read on to find out more about the best destinations, day tours and hotels, and how we have included them to curate four amazing customisable 10 day itineraries for your next adventure.  

bay of fires

Ready to start planning with us? Let’s go! 

The Perfect Round-Trip Tasmania Self-Drive Itinerary 

If Tasmania is on your must-do list, then this self-drive journey offers the ideal introduction to the island state. Combining spectacular landscapes with exposure to rich convict history and gourmet artisan produce, it takes you to unforgettable locations and ensures memorable encounters. Step back in time at Port Arthur, and visit the wild Gordon River, Cradle Mountain, and the pristine Tarkine Wilderness

Itinerary 1: 10 Day Wonders of Tasmania Self Drive Itinerary

Start location: Hobart 

End location: Hobart 

Where will you go? Hobart > Gordon River > Strahan Village > Cradle Mountain National Park > Smithton > Launceston > Freycinet National Park > Hobart 

What’s great about this itinerary? 

You get to see so much of the Apple Isle in only 10 days! You will visit: 

  • The state capital of Hobart, a harbour town with fantastic architecture, a thriving bar and restaurant scene and heritage charm.  
  • Tasman Island and Tasman National Park on a cruise, where you will see some Australia’s highest sea cliffs and encounter marine wildlife and seabirds. 
  • The beautiful Gordon River on a cruise that takes in Macquarie Harbour and two guided walks through the temperate rainforest on elevated boardwalks. 
  • Cradle Mountain National Park, where you can go hiking, horse riding, canyoning, wildlife spotting or even take a scenic flight! 
  • The Tarkine Wilderness – a stunning forest reserve with World Heritage significance.  
  • Launceston, known as the home of Cataract Gorge and near to Tamar Valley wine country. 
  • Freycinet National Park, renowned for incredible hikes, pristine waters, white sandy beaches and local wildlife. 

By the end of your trip you will have ventured far and wide across Tasmania at a leisurely pace, and checked off a few stunning national parks along the way.  

Tweak this itinerary... 

For foodies: Add on an extra night’s stay for a day trip to Bruny Island, or swap out the Tasman Island cruise during your time in Hobart. Bruny Island is perfect for lovers of cheese, wine, chocolate fudge, fresh berries, oysters, salmon, beer and whisky... heaven! 

For nature and beach lovers: Take the long way from Launceston to Freycinet by detouring to the Bay of Fires – a slice of coastal heaven famous for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and orange lichen-covered granite boulders.  

Read the full 10 Day Wonders of Tasmania Self Drive Itinerary for in-depth descriptions, plus driving times and distances, and other practical information.  

A unique mix of self-drive Tasmania and walking Bruny Island 

Experience three days of breathtaking coastal walks on the wildly beautiful Bruny Island, Tasmania’s Natural Wildlife Haven, eat produce directly from the source while enjoying luxury camping with exquisite meals. Then explore the remote and harsh southern coasts and waterways of the island’s Southwest - this is a rugged and beautiful region only explored by flying. Kayak the beautiful Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park – and much more! 

cradle mountain

Itinerary 2: 10 Day Tasmania and Bruny Island Escape

Start location: Launceston 

End location: Hobart 

Where will you go? Launceston > Tamar Valley > Freycinet National Park > Hobart > Bruny Island 

What’s great about this itinerary?  

A fantastic introduction to Tasmania’s “must see” destinations, as well as a three-day luxury camping and walking experience on Bruny Island. Read on for the highlights! 

  • Charm-filled Launceston, a boutique riverside town with Colonial and Victorian heritage buildings in abundance. 
  • A guided wine tour through the Tamar Valley, the oldest wine region in Tasmania. 
  • Freycinet National Park – a hike up to the Wineglass Bay lookout point is very rewarding for those with the stamina! Plus a relaxed guided kayaking tour is included to really make the most of your time in this gorgeous destination. 
  • Hobart is a gorgeous place to wander and get lost in, From the bustling waterfront of Salamanca Place to the historic houses of quaint Battery Point. 
  • Southwest Wilderness Experience – an epic day trip to Tasmania’s untouched southwest, which includes two scenic flights, Bathurst Harbour cruise, a walking tour and gourmet lunch with delicious Tasmanian produce. 
  • And the pièce de résistance of your Tasmania self-drive itinerary, a three-day Bruny Island private walking tour, with coastal walks, luxury camping and exquisite meals.  

 

You will love the combination of part self-drive, part private guided walking tour on this ideal Tasmania itinerary. With 3 – 6 hours of walking per day on Bruny Island, you will enjoy easy graded walks alongside the coast – maybe even try to spot some of Bruny Island’s 150 species of birds! 

What makes the award-winning Bruny Island walk so special is access to Bruny’s lesser-known gems. After traversing headlands where the next stop is Antarctica, visit a local oyster farm and shuck an oyster as pristine waters swirl about your ankles. Finally, retreat back to camp, built completely off-the-grid, with luxury in mind.  

Tweak this itinerary... 

For art enthusiasts and culture buffs: Mona, the Museum of Old and New Art is located just up the river from Hobart, you can drive there but we highly recommend taking the ferry from downtown. Mona's subterranean architecture showcases the highlights of David Walsh’s $110m private collection of art and antiquities, as well as hosting a busy exhibitions program.  

For history lovers: Port Arthur is a small town and former convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, which you can visit as a day trip from Hobart. Port Arthur is one of Australia's most significant heritage areas and the open-air museum is officially Tasmania's top tourist attraction. 

Read the full 10 Day Tasmania and Bruny Island Escape Itinerary for in-depth descriptions, plus driving times and distances, and information about the Bruny Island walking tour. 

 

Splash out on a Tasmania luxury lodge holiday

Get a true taste of Tasmania with this 10 day luxury self-drive tour with a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. Explore Hobart, Launceston and the national parks of Cradle Mountain and Freycinet, whilst staying at world class accommodations. 

If you want something secluded, exclusive and more than a little special, this luxury lodge holiday itinerary is for you. 

Bruny Island

Itinerary 3: Luxury 10 Day Tasmania Self Drive Itinerary

Start location: Hobart 

End location: Hobart 

Where will you go? Hobart > Cradle Mountain National Park > Launceston > Freycinet National Park > Hobart 

What’s great about this itinerary? 

The slower pace of this Tasmania self-drive itinerary will give you more time at each destination to really relax and soak up the scenery. Bliss! 

Unwind in comfort at outstanding luxury lodges and boutique hotels, hand-picked for their stunning scenery, with exclusive access to the following: 

  • With only 8 rooms you will feel like royalty staying at the arty and modern Mona Pavilions in Hobart, overlooking the River Derwent. 
  • Enjoy an iconic wilderness experience with sensational local food and indulgent spa treatments at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
  • Set on 150 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, Quamby Estate offers a 9-hole golf course, a tennis court and several lakes and hiking trails. 
  • Saffire Freycinet is Tasmania’s premier luxury lodge, providing an authentic and immersive connection to the magnificent Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay. 

By the end of your 10 days in Tasmania you will have experienced breathtaking nature, five star comfort, a wine and art tour at the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), a guided canoe trip in Cradle Mountain National Park, a unique truffle hunting experience, a Tamar Valley wine tour and more. 

Tweak this itinerary... 

Luxury for less: if these lavish five-star lodges are out of your price range, you can travel the same route and stay at slightly less expensive accommodations: you can still enjoy wine touring, canoeing, museums, galleries and outstanding walks without breaking the bank! Get in touch with our Travel Specialists with your budget, and they'll give you some suggestions.

Read the full Luxury 10 Day Tasmania Self Drive Itinerary for in-depth descriptions, plus driving times and distances, and information about the stunning accommodations on offer. 

Hike the epic Three Capes Track and experience the best of Tasmania’s natural wonders 

Experience Tasmania’s wild beauty and journey along some of the world’s highest sea cliffs with the ‘Three Capes Lodge Walk’, the only fully guided Three Capes Track experience with accommodation inside the National Park. Explore the remote and harsh southern coasts and waterways of the island’s Southwest, cruise the beautiful Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park and indulge in a Bruny Island gourmet tour. Ready to plan your dream Tasmania holiday? Let’s get started! 

Tasmanian Luxury

Itinerary 4: 10 Day Tasmania and the Three Capes Walking

Start location: Hobart 

End location: Hobart 

Where will you go? Hobart > Three Capes Walk (Tasman Peninsula) > Bruny Island > Freycinet National Park > Hobart 

What’s great about this itinerary? 

This self-drive plus hiking and walking tour will give you the ultimate snapshot of Tasmania’s national parks, whilst also including gourmet produce, fabulous accommodations and the best of the best in Tasmania’s must-do activities. If you love hiking and the outdoors, this one’s for you. 

  • Start in the charming state capital of Hobart, where you can enjoy the famous Salamanca Market and world class restaurants. 
  • Four days walking the entire length of the Three Capes Track, with a knowledgeable guide by your side. 
  • Southwest Wilderness Experience – an epic day trip to Tasmania’s untouched southwest, which includes two scenic flights, Bathurst Harbour cruise, a walking tour and gourmet lunch with delicious Tasmanian produce. 
  • Spend the day exploring the spectacular landscapes and gourmet local produce of Bruny Island
  • Experience the tranquility of Freycinet National Park on a cruise, with a delicious scenic lunch stop at Wineglass Bay. 

 

Walking the Three Capes Track and staying at comfortable lodges along the way will truly make your 10 day Tasmania holiday a trip of a lifetime. We can also help you customise this itinerary to ensure it includes everything you’re after, so let us know what you are interested in and we’ll make some suggestions!

Tweak this itinerary... 

For animal lovers: Drive 30 minutes north of Freycinet to the town of Bicheno, famous for its resident population of Little Blue Penguins. The guided twilight tour is a fantastic chance to see the world’s smallest penguins in their natural habitat! 

If you have more than 10 days: Add on another night or two and finish in Launceston instead of Hobart. This will allow you to experience a little more of the Apple Isle, by including day trips to nearby Cataract Gorge and the Tamar Valley, for a quintessential Tasmanian wine experience.

Read the full 10 Day Tasmania and the Three Capes Walking Experience Itinerary for in-depth descriptions, plus driving times and distances, and detailed information about the Three Capes walking tour.

Itinerary 5: 10 Day Essence of Tasmania Road Trip

  • This is a 10-day self-drive itinerary that explores the best of Tasmania, from the vibrant cities of Hobart and Launceston to the stunning scenery of Cradle Mountain and Freycinet National Parks.

  • The itinerary includes a mix of activities, from gourmet food tours and wine tastings to wildlife encounters and scenic cruises.

  • The tour is fully customizable, so you can tailor it to your interests and pace.

  • You'll have 24/7 support throughout your trip, so you can relax and enjoy the journey.

Here are some of the highlights of the trip:

  • Day 1: Arrive in Hobart and explore the city's waterfront and Salamanca Market.
  • Day 2: Take a day trip to Bruny Island for a gourmet food tour.
  • Day 3: Drive to Cradle Mountain National Park and enjoy a scenic walk or hike.
  • Day 4: Spend the day exploring Cradle Mountain, including Dove Lake and Waldheimers Walls.
  • Day 5: Drive to Launceston and visit the Cataract Gorge.
  • Day 6: Take a Tamar Valley wine tour and sample some of the region's award-winning wines.
  • Day 7: Drive to Freycinet National Park and take a cruise on Wineglass Bay.
  • Day 8: Spend the day exploring Freycinet National Park, including Wineglass Bay and Sleepy Lagoon.
  • Day 9: Drive back to Hobart and enjoy a farewell dinner.
  • Day 10: Depart from Hobart.

This itinerary is a great way to experience the best of Tasmania in 10 days. If you're looking for a self-drive adventure that includes stunning scenery, delicious food, and unique experiences, this is the trip for you.

3 Cape walk

So there you have it! Let us know which 10 day self-drive Tasmania itinerary inspired you the most, and we can get started on planning your ultimate adventure. At First Light Travel we specialise in customised self-drive holidays, and we are the experts at producing boutique itineraries.

Whether you have 7 days, 10 days or even 14 days, we can make your dream Tasmania holiday a reality. See our tried and tested Tasmania Road Trips 

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kelly Hughs
By
Kelly Hughes
: 7 Aug 2020 (Last updated: 8 Jan 2024)

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