The Perfect Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary

There is no better way to see Tasmania than a good old fashioned road trip! Australia’s southern island state is a place of truly incredible beauty and its compact size makes it perfect to explore by car. So get ready to take in some of the most beautiful spots this island has to offer on this perfect Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary.

Tasmania is small but that doesn’t mean there isn’t much to see or do. It is recommended to allow at least 10-14 days to really enjoy all that Tasmania has to offer without feeling rushed, however it is also possible to do it in 5 days if you can sacrifice a few things to see. That is why I have made this a 10 day Tasmania road trip itinerary with your own flexibility to extend or shorten it wherever you wish.

So let’s go on this Tasmania road trip!

Tasmania Road Trip Plan- The Logistics

There are two ways of getting to Tasmania. One is to cross over on an overnight ferry from Melbourne and dock in Devonport on the northern tip of the island. The Spirit of Tasmania is the only company that operates on this route and offers passenger ferry rides across the Bass Strait.  

This choice is great for someone who already owns a car and wants to save money on hiring a car. You can just bring your camping equipment along and off you go. If camping isn’t for you and you prefer a bit more luxury then you can opt stay in a hotel.

The second, faster and most popular way is to fly in to Hobart – Tassie’s little capital. Companies like Virgin Australia and Jetstar are leaders when it comes to flight connections between Australia’s mainland and Tasmania. 

The best way to explore the little island is by self driving. If you brought a car with you, you’re all set to go. If you need to rent one, you will find many car rentals or motorhome rentals at the airport.

My preferred way for road tripping is by travelling in a small camper van or motorhome, as it gives you a lot of freedom when it comes down to accommodation. Essentially your home is where you park it!

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Parks & Wildlife Entry Pass

Around 40% of Tasmania is protected in national parks and reserves. (There are 19 National Parks in total!) Most of them are stunningly beautiful and within easy reach of the major cities – and all of them are safe to visit.

Since most of the island is a protected area, you will require a parks pass to enter national parks in Tasmania. I can tell you straight away, that purchasing separate day passes is not worth it. For example a day pass for Cradle Mountain National Park costs $16.50 per person/day. If there is 2 of you that’s already $33. And that’s only for one day!

A way more economical option is to purchase an 8 week pass for $60, which will cover up to 8 people for all national parks on the whole island!

That’s way better value for money and it will save you time too as you will only have to purchase it once! You can get one at the Parks and Wildlife office located at the gates of any of the national parks or online through Parks & Wildlife Service prior to your travels. 

10 Day Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary

Below you can find the map of the whole itinerary. If you click in the top left corner of the map you will find 2 separate layers marking the route and best photography spots along the Tasmania road trip itinerary.

To hide and show different layers just click on the check box next to the layer’s name. You can also click on the icons on the map to see names of the places I have marked. I will be talking about them as I break the itinerary down day by day.

This road trip begins and finishes in Hobart*. You can simply fly here from mainland Australia and pick up your rental car right at the airport without having have to spend money getting a taxi or shuttle bus into town.

You will then travel counterclockwise through some of the most scenic spots on the island including Bruny Island, Freycinet NP, and Cradle Mountain NP just to name a few.

*If you came to Tasmania on a ferry you will start in Devonport. In this case you can start your exploration in Cradle Mountain NP and follow the loop from there. 

Day 1- Bruny Island

Drive 30 mins south of Hobart and catch the passeger/vehicle ferry to Bruny Island. The ferry leaves from a small town called Kettering and costs min $38 return during peak season. Timetables for the ferry can be found here, and the journey last approximately twenty minutes.

Bruny Island is basically two islands connected by a small stretch of road called The Neck, which happens to be one of the best photography spots in Tassie. This is a great part of the road trip.

Once on you find yourself on the island you’ll get the chance to eat your way around the island sampling the local cheeses, meats, whiskeys, seafood, wines, beers and much more. You won’t need to look far to find these as most of them are located just off the main road.

Don’t worry you can walk it off on the Cape Queen Elizabeth track and discover the beautiful Mars Bluff Arch. 

Click here for a full detailed guide to spending the day on Bruny Island (including the Cape Queen Elizabeth track)

Top Tours on Bruny Island

Day 2- Hobart

Hobart is Tasmania’s beautiful capital city full of character and life.

If you happen to be in Hobart on a Saturday then you’re in luck because the Salamanca Markets are open every Saturday from 8:30am to 3pm. It is one of the most popular markets in Australia and boasts incredible food stalls, live music and all sorts of bits n bobs!

After some shopping and a coffee head over to MONA- the Museum of New and Old Art which is supposed to be interactive, entertaining, controversial, confronting and riveting- all in one.

And for the perfect end to the day, make your way to the summit of Mt Wellington to see the views that give you a perfect introduction to Tasmania’s breath taking landscape. However, be sure to check the live webcam first so you can make sure it’s a clear view before you make the commitment to go up there.

Top Tours in Hobart

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Day 3- Richmond and Bicheno

It’s now time to really hit the road with your first stop being in the quaint town of Richmond. Heritage-listed buildings and features are found on almost every street, so that even a casual stroll offers insights into early settlement days. Grab a scallop pie (Tassie’s signature pie) from a local bakery and sit down on the grassy bank by the Old Richmond Bridge– Australia’s oldest standing bridge!

Once you’ve enjoyed your pie and have had a stroll across the bridge, it’s time to hit the road again and make your way to Bicheno*.

There are 3 main things you want to see in Bicheno- and that’s the “Rocking Rock”, the Blowhole and the adorable fairy penguins. You will find the Rocking Rock and Blowhole side by side- just follow the signs from town it’s very easy to find.

The Bicheno Penguin Tours takes you to see fairy penguins at dusk at the private rookery where you can watch the fairy penguins (also known as the little penguin) emerge from the ocean and head for their homes.

*Optional: If you have 2-3 days extra – before driving to Bicheno, you have the option to explore Port Arthur, Maria Island and Wineglass Bay in Freycinet NP. Check out my Tasmania Bucket List to find out more.

Top Tours in the area

Day 4- Bay Of Fires

Further north of the east coast of Tasmania is the ever popular Bay of Fires. The name didn’t actually come from the bright orange, lichen covered boulders though. The bay’s indigenous name is Iarapuna, but it was given its current name in 1773 by Captain Tobias Furneaux as his ship HMS Adventure sailed along the coast and his imagination was captured by the sight of fires lit by Aboriginal people, burning bright on the beaches all along the bay.

The Bay of Fires is another pristine location on this Tasmania road trip. It’s relaxed atmosphere is perfect for unwinding, hanging out, having a BBQ and then enjoying a cold beer (or wine) with a fire on the beach whilst watching the sun set. My top 3 recommended photo stops would be Binalong Bay, Cosy Corner and The Gardens.

Top Tours in Bay of Fires

Day 5 & 6- Launceston & Tamar Valley Wine Region via Bridestowe Lavender Estate

On your way through to Launceston there are 2 optional stops- the “Little Blue Lake” in South Mt Cameron and Bridestowe Lavender Estate.

The Little Blue Lake is an optional stop for those interested in checking it out and taking some insta worthy photos. It is a small detour in the road trip but is still technically on the way through to Bridestowe Lavender Estate from the Bay of Fires. It adds only about 15 minutes to the driving time on the trip. The lake gets its gorgeous aqua blue hues from the high mineral content in the water that was left from the pioneering days in the surrounding area. Important: You cannot swim in this water as it is highly contaminated with toxic heavy metals.

If you are travelling on this Tasmania road trip between December/January- continue on to Bridestowe Lavender Estate to admire the beautiful purple rolling hills. The entry fee during high season is only $10 and you can also check the status of the lavender fields on their website. If you do make it here, be sure to try out their delicious Lavender ice-cream!

Your day should end in Launceston where you can explore the small city and if you have time take a stroll through Cataract Gorge which is located right in the centre of the CBD.

Spend the next day, touring the scenic Tamar Valley wine region and sample some great aromatic wines with a smorgasbord of delicious, organic delicacies that come fresh from farm to plate. My top 2 recommended wineries in Tamar Valley is: Josef Chromy– be sure to have lunch here, you will not regret it! And the second recommendation is Goaty Hill.

Top Tours in Launceston

Day 7- Penguin

Penguin is a picturesque seaside town with a pretty esplanade, scenic walking trails, great coastal drives and a quirky collection of penguins on the street.

This town takes its name from a nearby penguin rookery and it’s obvious this town dearly loves its little feathered friends. There’s a 10-foot penguin that makes a quirky photo opportunity, while the real thing can be seen each night at Penguin Point.

If you don’t spot any Penguins in Penguin, there is also another spot located 15 minutes further north of the coast in a town called Burnie. Knowledgeable volunteer guides talk to you about the penguins, answer questions and help you view and photograph (without flashes!) the penguins as they go about their normal activities. You will find the guides for the evening at the Burnie Penguin Observation Centre at dusk, nightly from October 1st until March 31st, regardless of the weather. And it is completely free- although a small donation is nice to help the volunteers continue the great work they are doing.

On Sundays, Penguin hosts Tasmania’s largest undercover market with more than 200 stalls selling food and wine, woodcraft and second-hand goods.

The coastal road between Ulverstone and Wynyard is a beautiful scenic drive with sweeping ocean views, great picnics spots and clean beaches for seaside walks and fun.

Optional: If you have an extra day to spare, make your way further Tasmania’s northwest coast to another small township called Stanley. It is remarkable for its incredibly well-preserved colonial buildings and its massive volcanic plug called “The Nut”. It is a strenuous hike that takes you 150 meters above the sea where you can marvel at Tasmania’s beautiful and rugged northwest coastline. Or you can opt to take the chairlift if the steep hike is too much. Find out more on my post The Ultimate Tasmania Bucket List.

Day 8 & 9- Cradle Mountain National Park

Cradle Mountain National Park is best experienced for 2 days minimum. Hiking and photography go hand in hand here, so if you are after some awesome shots from your travels be prepared to break the sweat. The trails in the park are very well maintained and most of the walks start from Dove Lake car park. One of the easiest and most accessible walks is the Dove Lake Circuit.

I would also highly recommend the beautiful Enchanted Walk which is actually located right next to the Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge. (This should be before you jump on the shuttle bus to the Dove Lake carpark) It’s a very easy 20 min circuit that takes you through a magical, mossy forest, along a cascading creek. I can see why they call it “Enchanted.”

The Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and Transit Terminal is the departure point for the Dove Lake shuttle bus. A valid shuttle bus service ticket is required prior ​​to boarding the Dove Lake shuttle bus which you can obtain by presenting your valid National Parks Pass in the Visitor Centre. The shuttle service operates seven days a week, free of charge. Keep in mind that private vehicle access between the visitor centre and Dove Lake is not permitted during the shuttle bus operating ​times.​ 

Places to stay in Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain National Park is very limited when it comes to accommodation and also sits in the moderate to luxury range when it comes to the price. My top 2 recommendations for Cradle Mountain is:

1. Cradle Mountain Highlanders Cottages

2. Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge (which is also where I had lunch and the place looked absolutely fantastic!)

Top Tours in Cradle Mountain

Day 10- Time to go home

Unfortunately your time in Tasmania has come to an end. Drive back to Hobart, drop off your rental and catch a flight back to the mainland.

If you have the time, drive back to Hobart from Cradle Mountain via Queenstown to take in the scenic views of Tasmania’s West Coast. 

If you found this itinerary useful please use the affiliate links I have provided in the itinerary. It won’t cost you anything extra (in fact it’ll actually save you money) and every time you make a purchase I make a small commission of the products and places I recommend. It also helps me to maintain my website and create more awesome itineraries like this one! Thanks!

Follow me on Instagram @miastravelmemoirs to see my latest adventures!

Have you got any questions about this Tasmania road trip itinerary? Post them in the comments! I always answer. 

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As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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See my blog post on The Ultimate Tasmania Bucket List

Or if you’re looking for a day trip from Hobart, click to read What to do on Bruny Island

Find things to do in Tasmania:

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