We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Tasmania is an island that you could spend a handful of days exploring in part or up to a fortnight zipping from edge to edge, drinking up jaw-dropping natural scenery.
To set the wheels in motion we've outlined self-drives for 2, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days so you can explore what the island down under has to offer. We've also included unmissable activities in each destination and tips on where to spend the night.
For those who don't have too much time to explore, the east coast Tasmania itinerary paints a picture of historical houses, lush bushland and coastal escapes.
Total distance: 598km / 8 hours, 10 minutes along the Great Eastern Drive.
Route: Hobart to Bay of Fires return.
Highlights: Maria Island, St Helens, Coles Bay, Freycinet National Park, Convict Trail.
Best time to drive: Summer to make the most of the beaches.
Eat at: The Fish Van in Triabunna, Freycinet Marina Farm in Freycinet or the Ice Creamery for a cheaper meal and The Lifebuoy Cafe & Quail Street Emporium in St Helens.
Day
Itinerary
Day 1
Distance: 85km
Approx. drive time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Hobart to Triabunna
From Hobart, it's an easy drive to Orford where you can spend the day exploring part of the Convict Trail along the Prosser River or the coastal walk between East Shelly Beach and Spring Beach.
Drive 7km further to Triabunna to take the 30-minute ferry to Maria Island National Park where wildlife roams free and explore the Darlington convict settlement from the 1800s.
Check out the Painted Cliffs and Fossil Cliffs, which are a short walk away.
Optional park drives can take you to Sleepy Bay Peninsula or Cape Tourville Lighthouse.
Spend the night in Coles Bay.
Day 4
Distance: 113km
Approx. drive time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Coles Bay to St Helens
Depart Coles Bay with your first stop in Bicheno to see the Gulch and the Blowhole.
Just north of Bicheno, stop at East Coast Natureworld to see Tasmanian wildlife, go on a nature walk or dip in the water at Douglas Apsley National Park.
A little further north at the Chain of Lagoons, detour inland to drive through Elephant Pass and St Marys, where you can grab lunch.
Stop in either Scamander or Beaumaris for some beach time.
Eat at: Bryer in Launceston, Freycinet Lodge in Freycinet, Geographe Restaurant and Espresso Bar in Coles Bay, MONA or the Salamanca Markets in Hobart, Wild Bushman's in Strahan and Altitude Restaurant + Lounge Bar in Cradle Mountain.
Day
Itinerary
Day 1
Distance: 102km (only if driving from Devonport)
Approx. drive time: 1 hour (only if driving from Devonport)
Devonport (optional) to Launceston
Fly in to Launceston or drive in from Devonport (102km) after arriving by ferry from Melbourne.
Drive straight to Hobart for a full day of exploring.
Check out Salamanca Market, drive to the top of Mount Wellington for epic views, visit the MONA Museum, explore Battery Point and tour the Cascade Brewery.
An easy 2-hour drive will bring you to Cradle Mountain, but take a break at the old mining towns of Tullah or Rosebery on the way.
Once at Cradle Mountain, get active for the afternoon by doing one of the walking trails like Marions Lookout or the Dove Lake Circuit, or instead opt for a half-day of canyoning.
In the evening, do some wildlife spotting on a night tour.
Approx. drive time: 2 hours (1 hour and 15 minutes if going to Devonport)
Cradle Mountain to Launceston (or Devonport)
Spend the morning doing another hike or relaxing in your hotel.
Drive to Launceston for your flight out or continue onwards to Devonport for the ferry.
10-day itinerary: Tasmania highlights loop
You'll leave Tasmania satisfied you've seen it all with 10 days in your kit to explore its highlights in-depth. From combing the beaches of Freycinet National Park to hiking around Cradle Mountain, this is the adventurous road trip path.
Total distance: 1,164km / 17.5 hours.
Route: Eastern and central Tasmania loop from Hobart via Coles Bay and Cradle Mountain.
Highlights: Hobart, Port Arthur, Freycinet National Park, Cradle Mountain National Park, Mount Field National Park and Bruny Island.
Best time to drive: Late spring or early autumn for good hiking and beach conditions.
Eat at: MONA in Hobart, The Fox & Hounds Inn Restaurant in Port Arthur, The Bay Restaurant in Coles Bay, La Cantina Restaurant & Pizzeria in Launceston, Altitude Restaurant + Lounge Bar in Cradle Mountain, Waterfalls Cafe and Gallery near Mount Fields National Park and Get Shucked Oyster on Bruny Island.
Day
Itinerary
Day 1
Distance: 41km
Approx. drive time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Hobart
Spend the day in Hobart exploring the city and surrounding areas.
Take a drive up Mount Wellington and walk the Rivulet Track.
Check out Bruny Island Lighthouse or hike the Fluted Cape track or the Cape Queen Elizabeth track.
Catch the ferry back to the mainland and drive back to Hobart.
14-day itinerary: Tasmania full island round trip
Two weeks is more than enough time to slowly travel your way around the island. You'll hit all the highlights, being able to spend multiple days in scenic locations such as Freycinet, Cradle Mountain and Strahan where you can tuck into day-long activities.
You'll also have ample time to pop over to less frequented destinations like Ansons Bay and Stanley up north or Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park or Southwest National Park in the south.
Highlights: Port Arthur, Devil's Kitchen in Tasman National Park, Maria Island, Wineglass Bay, Friendly Beaches and Bay of Fires in Freycinet Peninsula, Tamar Valley, Cradle Mountain, Stanley, Strahan, Lake St Clair, Derwent Bridge, London Lakes, Gordon Dam, Bruny Island.
Best time to drive: Summer to get the most of the natural scenery.
Eat: Lucky Ducks in Port Arthur, The Fish Van in Triabunna, Richardson's Bistro and Artifakt Gallery and Cafe in Coles Bay, Samuel Pepys Cafe in Tamar Valley, Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge Tavern Bar & Bistro in Cradle Mountain, Touchwood Cafe in Stanley, Bushman's in Strahan, The Possum Shed in Mt Field and Get Shucked Oyster and Bruny Island Cheese Co. on Bruny Island.
Day
Route and itinerary
Day 1
Distance: 100km
Drive time: 1.5 hours
Hobart to Port Arthur
Drive up to the top of Mount Wellington for sunrise and have breakfast in Hobart.
Spend the morning amongst the unique artworks in MONA.
Drive to Port Arthur, stopping by natural iconic Devil's Kitchen and the Blue Arch.
Head up the coast along part of the Great Eastern Drive to Freycinet National Park.
Make pit stops in Swansea, Coles Bay, Friendly Beaches and Wineglass Bay visiting their viewpoints, taking on more extensive hikes or going on a guided kayak tour.
Kick back and enjoy the beauty of this park. Whatever you didn't tick off your list yesterday you can tuck into today. It could be a kayak hire, a few hikes or lounging around on the beaches.
Day 5
Distance: 338km
Drive time: 4.5 hours
Freycinet National Park to Tamar Valley
Wake up early, tuck into a hearty breakfast and hit the road headed for St Helens best known for the Bay of Fires and enviable beaches.
Keep heading north to Ansons Bay for craggy views of Eddystone Rock from Eddystone Point Lighthouse.
Drive to Tamar Valley for a local feed and stay overnight at Trevallyn House B&B.
Day 6
Distance: 138km
Drive time: 1.5 hours
Tamar Valley to Cradle Mountain
Spend breakfast in Tamar Valley and the day exploring its boutique stalls or going on a wine tour.
For a blow-out and flexible experience you can make it a private wine tasting tour. Whatever the case don't forget to nominate a designated driver to get to Cradle Mountain safely as the road to the resort is windy.
Drive to Cradle Mountain National Park for a day hiking its many trails.
Easy walks include the Dove Trail while more challenging day-long walks reach the summit of the mountain or spend the entire day canyoning in the national park.
While you can zip down the highway between these two points, we recommend taking the more scenic route along the coast by Arthur River and through Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area.
Arthur River is officially the westernmost town of the island and is often called the Edge of the World as you can steal panoramic views from its corner. River cruises are popular here.
Drive through Arthur-Pieman Conservation area, stopping at viewpoints or trails that catch your fancy.
Have a late lunch in the former mining town of Corinna while surrounding yourself by mother nature's rainforest and rivers.
Or, if forest views are more your style, book a roundtrip ride on the West Coast Wilderness Railway which travels through rainforest, coast and historic bridges.
In the afternoon, drive to Strathgordon via Derwent Bridge and London Lakes for a break and a photo opportunity.
Strathgordon sits in the heart of the Tasmanian wilderness, surrounded by Franklin-Gordon, Mount Field, Southwest National Park, Mount Field National Park, Lake Gordon and Lake Pedder. Discover the local trails and dams or unwind in your accommodation.
Stay the evening in Strathgordon or you can relocate to Mount Field for a shorter drive tomorrow.
Day 12
Distance: 238km
Drive time: 4 hours
Strathgordon to Bruny Island
Take your time driving east out of Strathgordon toward Kettering where you'll board a ferry to get to Bruny Island.
If you have time you can detour to Richmond for historic sites such as Richmond Bridge.
Wake up late, soak up the last of your Bruny Island experience and slowly make your way back to Hobart.
Great Eastern Drive Tasmania over 2 days
Often coined as one of the nation's greatest road trips, Great Eastern Drive captures the unparalleled beauty of the island's east coast. This includes well-known tourist spots like Wineglass Bay and Bay of Fires.
It starts in Orford which is an hour out of Hobart. However, if you're starting your trip from Launceston you can run the route backwards, starting in St Helens which is just over 2 hours from Launceston.
This one's perfect for anyone short on time as it can be completed in a day, though we recommend two days so you can tuck into a few activities.
Total distance: 176km.
Route: Orford-St Helens/Bay of Fires.
Highlights: Maria Island, Swansea, Coles Bay, Wineglass Bay, Friendly Beaches, Big Oyster Bay, The Hazards, Binalong Bay, Bay of Fires.
Best time to drive: Summer.
Things to do: Hire a bike to explore Maria Island, kayak Freycinet Peninsula, hike down to Wineglass Bay and skip stones in Bay of Fires.
Eat: The Fish Van in Triabunna for local and cheap seafood, Verdi in Swansea for sea views, Freycinet Marine Farm for top quality seafood, Coffee Away in St Helens for a cuppa and the Wharf Bar & Kitchen in St Helens for a blowout meal.
Day
Itinerary
Day 1
Distance: 106km
Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Orford to Coles Bay
Splash about Orford's beautiful beaches such as Raspins, Millingtons, Spring and Rheban before taking to the open road.
Take a break in Triabunna to marvel at the town's architecture and tuck into its fresh seafood.
If you have time you can hop on the ferry out to Maria Island where bird watching, beach combing and historic sites abound. Bikes are available for hire for fast exploration.
Have an early dinner in the sleepy town of Swansea which has family friendly beaches.
Take the morning to visit Wineglass Bay lookout, lounge on Friendly Beaches and do a spot of coastal hiking.
In the early afternoon make your way north to St Helens. Some good stops are Bicheno Blowhole, Little Beach and Four Mile Creek.
In St Helens you can drink up water views and hike St Helens Conservation Area.
While St Helens is the official end of this drive, Binalong Bay and Bay of Fires is an extra 30 minutes north. You can choose to end in St Helens but we'd take the extra leg up to Bay of Fires for its unique setting.
Peel back the layers of Tasmania's south to uncover a hidden treasure south-west of Hobart.
Looking at the map, that whole area of Tassie abounds with national parks and conservation areas that are heavily overlooked by visitors. Are you after somewhere that'll please the carload? If so, the answer is the Huon Valley and Hartz Mountains.
Within it are hiking trails, local produce stalls and tree-top adventure walks.
Total distance: 298km / 5 hours, round trip.
Route: Hobart to Hartz Mountains and Tahune Adventures.
Highlights: Huonville, Franklin, Geeveston, Hartz Mountains and Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs.
Best time to drive: Summer.
Things to do: Jet boat down the Huon River, learn the art of boat building and glass blowing in Franklin, walk among the treetops at the Tahune Adventures Airwalk, hike one of the many Hartz Mountain trails and explore Hastings Caves.
Eat: Willie Smith's Apple Shed and The Old Bank of Geeveston.
Day
Itinerary
Day 1
Distance: 118km
Drive time: 2 hours
Hobart to Geeveston via Tahune Airwalk
Drive along the A6 south towards Kingston and then off to Huonville. Along the way, pop into local produce stations to sink your teeth into the freshest apples, cherries, honey, ciders and wines.
Stop by Willie Smith's Apple Shed for homebrewed cider. Then, continue along the A6 to Huonville and its historic buildings and bushwalks.
If you're a thrillseeker, take on a jet board ride down the river before continuing on to Franklin.
Renowned for its wooden boat centre which overlooks the Egg Islands, Franklin is an underrated find where you can learn the craft of traditional boat building and glass blowing.
Drive to Geeveston, which is the gateway to the Hartz Mountains and the Tahune Airwalk. Spend the last of the daylight walking the Airwalk if it's open. As of September 2020, it's still closed due to the January 2020 bushfires.
Otherwise if you've made good time, choose a suitable walk through the Hartz Mountains.
Geeveston to Hartz Mountains to Hastings to Hobart
Wake up early and zigzag your way to the Hartz Mountains on the Arve Road (C632). It's a mix of sealed and unsealed roads and in winter may be closed due to snowfall.
Coined the "window to the south-west wilderness", the Hartz Mountains offer hikes for all capabilities featuring gushing waterfalls, glacial lakes, wildlife encounters, Indigenous history and panoramic views. A list of walks is available on the Parks & Service website. Walk one or walk a few. The shortest takes five minutes and the longest is the five-hour return peak walk.
Drive south to Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs for an afternoon exploring the cave network or resting your worn-out limbs at the springs.
Jetstar sale: Australia-wide flights from $35 each way
Available on select flights from February - September 2021 to Launceston, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Uluru and more. Sample fare is Adelaide-Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
Available on all rentals from February - March 2021 across Australia, including Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on flights from January - September 2021 to Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Townsville, Darwin and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Ballina. T&Cs apply.
Australia stays from $95/night + Extra 10% off for members
Available on stays up until 13 months from the booking date. Destinations include Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Uluru and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates until December 2021 to Gold Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra, Cairns, Hamilton Island and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates for activities like sightseeing tours, attraction passes, river cruises, hop-on hop-off tours and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Launceston, Melbourne, Cairns, Hunter Valley, Perth and more.
Available on select travel dates until December 2021 to Adelaide, Hobart, Cairns, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
Tasmania: 3-day whisky and gin tour + twilight sailing from $999
Available for travel on select dates from 11 February - 29 April 2021. Includes stay at Crowne Plaza Hobart, breakfast, gourmet lunch and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select stay dates. Sample stay is for a pet friendly accommodation in Brighton Council. Destinations include Launceston, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Up to 25% off driving experiences + an extra 10% off with code
Available on select dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. Activities include rally driving, go karting, quad biking and more. Destinations include Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Perth, Melbourne, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on flights until 30 June 2021 to Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Broome, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid for travel on select dates in 2021 with Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and more. Destinations close from Hobart include Port Arthur, Tasmania and more. T&Cs apply.
Hobart getaways with flights and car hire from $659
Available for travel on select dates from January - October 2021. Package includes return airfare, accommodation at Bay Hotel Apartments and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates in 2021 to Canberra, Hobart, Brisbane, Perth, Sydney and more. Sample rate is for a 3-night getaway from Melbourne to Adelaide. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates in 2021 to Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, Coffs Harbour and more. Sample fares is and Melbourne-Launceston. T&Cs apply.
Available on select 2021 flights to Gold Coast, Sydney, Ballina, Cairns, Brisbane, Canberra and more. Sample fares are Avalon-Adelaide and Melbourne-Hobart with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
Available on select flights until April 2021. Sample fare departs from Melbourne with Jetstar. Other airlines include Virgin Australia from $218 and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select trips from 1 April 2021 - 31 March 2022 when you book for 2. Destinations include Launceston, Hobart, Cradle Mountain and more. Package include accommodation, transfers and guide. T&Cs apply.
Available on select trips from 1 April 2021 - 31 March 2022 when you book for 2. Destinations include Launceston, Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay, Hobart and Port Arthur. T&Cs apply.
Up to $550 savings + up to 40% off Australia cruises
Available on select cruises departing from 2021-2022 with Royal Caribbean Cruises. Destinations include Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Vanuatu, New Zealand and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on rentals until 31 March 2021 when you book a minimum of 21 days. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and more.
Available on select stay dates in 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart and more. Minimum nights stay may apply. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates until 28 February 2021 on participating locations excluding Tasmania. Minimum rental period of one consecutive days applies. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates until 28 February 2021 on participating locations excluding Tasmania. Minimum rental period of 3 consecutive days applies. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel from 1 April 2021 - 31 March 2022. Destinations include Uluru, Darwin, Perth, Hobart, Auckland and more. Must be paid in full by 31 January 2021. T&Cs apply.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).
From picturesque coastal locations to luxurious cabins, these are the caravan parks in Normanville that are worth securing way in advance of your getaway.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We compare from a wide set of banks, insurers and product issuers. We value our editorial independence and follow editorial guidelines.
finder.com.au has access to track details from the product issuers listed on our sites. Although we provide information on the products offered by a wide range of issuers, we don't cover every available product or service.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan.
Products marked as 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money here.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labelling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.