Itinerary
- Day 1
Hobart
You'll land in Hobart and pick up your rental car, then start exploring Tasmania's capital at your own pace. Check out Salamanca Place to browse the colorful flea market, or drive up Mt. Wellington for views across the city and surrounding wilderness. The local food and wine scene here focuses on regional products, so there's plenty to try if you're interested. You'll spend one night in Hobart getting oriented.
Optional Activities
- Visit Salamanca Place flea market
- Drive up Mt. Wellington for city views
- Explore Hobart's food and wine scene
Landmarks/POIs Salamanca Place Mt. Wellington - Day 2
Hobart to Lake St. Clair
Head out on about a 180 km drive toward Tarraleah, which means 'forest kangaroo' in the local Aboriginal language. Stop at Mt Field National Park, Tasmania's first national park, where you can see Russell Falls and watch for platypuses, wallabies, wombats, Tasmanian devils, and echidnas. Later you'll continue to Lake St. Clair, Australia's deepest freshwater lake, and settle in for the night.
Included Activities
- Visit Mt Field National Park
- See Russell Falls
Optional Activities
- Hiking trails around Mt Field National Park
- Wildlife spotting (platypuses, wallabies, wombats, Tasmanian devils, echidnas)
Landmarks/POIs Mt Field National Park Russell Falls Lake St. Clair Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park - Day 3
Lake St. Clair to Strahan
Drive through farmland toward Queenstown, traveling about 130 km total. The Empire Hotel here has a striking facade from the town's mining days when copper, silver, and gold were big business. The surrounding landscape looks almost lunar because of past mining activity. After that, continue west to Strahan on Tasmania's coast.
Optional Activities
- Visit the historic Empire Hotel in Queenstown
Landmarks/POIs Empire Hotel - Day 4
Tasmania West Coast
This day is yours to spend how you'd like around Tasmania's west coast. The region has rivers, mountains, and rainforests that are part of a UNESCO World Heritage wilderness area. If you want a different perspective, there's an optional boat cruise on the Gordon River to see the rugged landscape from the water, or you can explore on your own.
Optional Activities
- Boat cruise on the Gordon River
Landmarks/POIs Gordon River Tasmanian Wilderness UNESCO World Heritage Area - Day 5
Strahan to Cradle Mountain
Drive through dramatic mountain scenery toward Cradle Mountain, covering roughly 180 km. This route takes you through some of Tasmania's most striking landscapes, and you'll end up at accommodation in the alpine region where the mountains dominate the setting.
Landmarks/POIs Cradle Mountain - Day 6
Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park
Spend the day in Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can choose your own hiking routes or join a guided tour to see glacial lakes, ancient rainforests, and alpine vegetation. The area was shaped by glaciers and contains steep gorges and part of the world's last temperate rainforests, so the landscape really reflects that history.
Optional Activities
- Hiking trails (self-guided or guided tour)
- Guided tour of the national park
Landmarks/POIs Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park Overland Track - Day 7
Cradle Mountain to Launceston
Leave the mountains and head to Sheffield to see colorful murals covering the houses around town. After that, drive through the countryside and rural villages to Launceston, Tasmania's second largest city, traveling about 135 km. Cataract Gorge has scenic walks and you can take an optional chairlift ride if you want to see more.
Optional Activities
- View the colorful murals in Sheffield
- Walk through Cataract Gorge
- Ride the chairlift at Cataract Gorge
Landmarks/POIs Sheffield Cataract Gorge - Day 8
Launceston to St. Helens
Leave Launceston and drive via the Tasman Highway through Scottsdale and Derby, heading to St. Helens on Tasmania's north-east coast. This coastal town has about 2,000 people and you'll have two nights here to settle in and get a feel for the area.
Landmarks/POIs St. Helens - Day 9
St. Helens
You have the day free in St. Helens to explore. Check out the History Room to learn about the town's background as a center for sealers and whalers. Then head to Binalong Bay and the Bay of Fires, which stretches to Eddystone Point. The water's crystal clear, the beaches are white sand, and the granite cliffs are covered with orange lichen, which creates a really distinctive look.
Optional Activities
- Visit the 'History Room' in St. Helens
- Explore Binalong Bay
- Explore Bay of Fires Conservation Area
Landmarks/POIs Binalong Bay Bay of Fires Eddystone Point - Day 10
St. Helens to Freycinet National Park
Head south on the Midland Highway toward the coast, passing through Campbell Town and continuing to Bicheno, a coastal town on Tasmania's east coast known for its beaches and rock formations, traveling about 120 km. You'll stay in either Bicheno or Freycinet National Park depending on your preference.
Landmarks/POIs Bicheno - Day 11
Freycinet National Park
Freycinet National Park is open for you to explore on your own schedule. The dramatic pink granite peaks and secluded bays with white sand make for good hiking, and if you want to get in the water, you can swim, snorkel, or kayak. Stop by Cape Tourville's lighthouse for views of Wineglass Bay, which is Tasmania's most well-known beach with that perfect white crescent shape backed by the Hazards Mountains. You might spot whales and other marine life from the cape.
Optional Activities
- Hikes to bays and beaches
- Swimming in Freycinet waters
- Snorkeling
- Kayaking
- Visit Cape Tourville lighthouse and promenade
- Wildlife spotting from Cape Tourville (whales and marine life)
Landmarks/POIs Freycinet National Park Wineglass Bay Hazards Mountains Cape Tourville - Day 12
Freycinet to Hobart
On your final day, drive back to Hobart (about 167 km), and on the way visit the ruins of Port Arthur, the infamous former prison on the Tasman Peninsula. After you arrive in Hobart, return your rental car. If you're interested, individual extensions are available so you can stay longer in Tasmania.
Included Activities
- Visit Port Arthur prison ruins
Landmarks/POIs Port Arthur Tasman Peninsula
