Few regions encapsulate what makes Australia so special like Tasmania. From its rich history to its natural wonders, the island state is full of things to do and sights to see. While there are many ways to explore Tasmania, there’s nothing quite like a good old-fashioned road trip for exploring the region at your own pace.
Before setting off on your Tassie adventure, you need to put together a detailed itinerary to ensure that your trip stays on track. Keep in mind, however, that most of Tassie’s western and south-western coast is actually protected conservation areas, so a lap of Tassie isn’t so much coast to coast, as it is from coast to high country and back again.
So where should you go if you’ve got about 7 days to spend in Tassie? Read on for a sample itinerary you can use as inspiration when planning your road trip.
Day 1: Arrive in Hobart
Hobart is the most common point of arrival for visitors to Tasmania, and it’s not hard to see why. There are plenty of charming accommodation options in Hobart, so whether you’re looking to rent a quaint bed and breakfast or want something a bit fancier, you’re sure to have a comfortable stay.
There’s also no shortage of must-see attractions in and around Tasmania’s capital, including the Salamanca Market, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), which is renowned for its iconic subterranean architecture. What’s more, Hobart is Tasmania’s biggest city, and is the perfect place to stock up on some travel gear before you embark on the rest of your adventure.
Day 2: Visit Port Arthur
Port Arthur is the next stop on this Tasmanian itinerary. This historic town is the perfect place to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s history – namely Tasmania’s super interesting penal history. While you’re there, make sure to hit up the Port Arthur Historic Site and The Penitentiary. And if you’re feeling up for it, you can also take one of the many ghost tours hosted at the town’s most historic locations.
You’ll also find that there’s more to Port Arthur than its historical sites. If you’re a nature lover, sites like Maingoon Bay and Cape Raoul are sure to appeal to you. Port Arthur is also home to plenty of quaint restaurants and eateries. Whether you’re looking to do a deep dive into Tasmania’s history or simply want to kick back and relax in a stunning regional township, Port Arthur is a must-visit during your road trip.
Day 3: Freycinet National Park
Speaking of nature, there are few more iconic outdoor destinations in Tasmania than Freycinet National Park. This stunning national park is about three hours from Port Arthur by car, so make sure to set off bright and early to make the most of the day. Along the way, you’ll get a firsthand view of lush forests and beautiful coastlines. As with any long trip, you need to follow certain safety tips like protecting your valuables and driving defensively.
When you reach Freycinet, be sure to pay a visit to the iconic Wineglass Bay, which has some of the most beautiful waters anywhere in Australia. If time permits, you also shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to take a leisurely hike around Freycinet: the area features a high concentration of native flora and fauna that’s hard to match.
For those looking to spend the night in this region after a whole day of exploring Freycinet, we have to recommend a pit stop at Bicheno, a quaint little town that’s a mere thirty-minute drive away from Freycinet. Here, you can continue your exploration of Tasmania’s natural beauty by visiting attractions such as Waubs Beach and Bicheno Foreshore Footway Cove.
There’s plenty to see in Bicheno, but it’s also a great place to kick back and relax in a small town setting. Once you’ve recharged your batteries, you’ll be ready to approach the rest of your road trip with renewed vigour.
Day 4: Launceston and the Tamar Valley
From Freycinet and Bicheno, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump to Launceston – another iconic Tassie town that sits right at the head of the River Tamar and its vibrant connecting wetlands. The Tamar Valley is also known for its local cuisine, which includes seafood, wine and cheese. Make sure to try the local delicacies before you leave.
As for the city itself, Launceston offers a wide variety of cultural attractions to break up your explorations of the Tassie wilderness. If you enjoy history, we can’t recommend the Queen Victoria Museum highly enough. You’ll also find the Art Gallery nearby, where you can enjoy works by both local and international artists.
Day 5: Hike Cradle Mountain
When you’re driving west out of Launceston, you can expect to cruise through some of Tassie’s most iconic country towns like Deloraine, Sheffield, and Railton. These are all renowned for unique local creative flair, with Railton being the City of Topiaries because of all the manicured hedges that line its streets, Sheffield being the City of Murals thanks to all of its colourful murals, and Deloraine being a locale renowned for its thriving local arts and crafts scene, with sculptures lining the streets. We highly recommend stopping for a coffee and cake in any of these bustling country towns before you make the big trip over to Tassie’s alpine country and into the heart of Cradle Mountain.
But believe us – once you do arrive in alpine country, you’ll know it immediately based on the mesmerising horizon line. Besides its stunning scenery, Cradle Mountain is also known for its wild wombats: pay a visit to Ronny Creek to catch a glimpse of these cute critters. And if you want to spend a little more time at Cradle Mountain, you can also take on the challenge of hiking the Overland Track, which ranks among Australia’s most challenging routes.
While there are many possible accommodations at Cradle Mountain, the most authentic way to enjoy it is by camping in the wilderness. Simply bring a tent or rent one at the area’s many campsites to enjoy the great outdoors for a night. Then, when day breaks, enjoy a hearty breakfast under the rising sun and get ready to continue on your journey.
Day 6: Queenstown and Strahan
Driving away from Cradle Mountain and all its majesty can definitely feel bittersweet, but our next two stops are still sure to thrill. Queenstown and Strahan lie in Tasmania’s central west and south-west, making these destinations the gateway to Tassie’s Macquarie Harbour and the island’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed southwestern wilderness regions.
Although you can’t really drive through the Tassie wilderness as the region has been left largely untouched by civil development, you can book a cruise tour of Macquarie Harbour departing from Strahan, or a helicopter ride over the forest areas in Queenstown. Either of these experiences are sure to provide magical memories that let you really experience some of Tassie’s most isolated and stunningly beautiful landscapes.
That, and Macquarie Harbour also has a rich colonial history much like Port Arthur, with the harbour being home to Sarah Island, one of Australia’s most historically brutal penal colonies. Crumbling prison facilities aside, Sarah Island and surrounds are still absolutely breathtaking, making Queenstown and Strahan must-visit destinations for any Tassie itinerary.
Day 7: Back to Hobart (or over to Devonport!)
Your last day of this Tassie road trip itinerary provides a few options, depending on how you’d like to get back to the Australian mainland. If you wanted to fly out from Hobart, you can quickly drive from Queenstown through the Huon Valley and straight to Hobart Airport, or you could drive north instead towards Devonport and catch the Spirit of Tasmania ferry back to Geelong, Victoria.
Both options have their pros, so you can base your decision off how you’d like to spend your last few hours in Tassie. For those looking to return to the south coast to see a few more destinations like Hastings and Huonville, you can definitely head on over before flying out from Hobart.
And for those who want to take one last drive through the high country, then setting your sights northeast to Devonport could be the way to go. There’s plenty to see and do along Tassie’s north coast across Burnie, Ulverstone, Devonport and Latrobe before you board the Spirit and head on back to the mainland!
Experience all of Tassie in a Bite-Sized Itinerary
Exploring Tasmania by car is an experience like no other. This bite-sized lap of a road trip allows you to get a feel for the region’s scenery in a way that taking planes or public transport simply can’t match. What’s more, driving also allows you to explore at your own pace and make changes to your plans along the way if needed.
