Road trip around charming Tasmania
- theleavers
- Apr 12, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 26, 2025
Tasmania, Australia’s southernmost island, is an untamed land of breathtaking beauty, where rugged coastlines meet ancient rainforests, charming villages contrast with wild wilderness, and there is the opportunity to see wildlife at every corner. Many compare Tasmania to the New Zealand's South Island - and in our honest opinion we prefer Tasmania to New Zealand.
Due to its compactness, Tasmania is one of the best places in Australia to plan a road trip. In January 2022 we embarked on a road trip through this pristine paradise. If you are looking to explore this beautiful part of Australia then get ready for an adventure that will take you from the island's lush interior to its dramatic shorelines and everywhere in between.
Car Hire: We used East Coast Car Rentals when we visited Tasmania (and have used them for other road trips around Australia). Highly recommend them and if you book using this link you will receive a 5% discount.
When to visit Tasmania: Tasmania is a fantastic destination during the Southern Hemisphere summer months (November - March). The weather can still be quite chilly but compared to the rest of Australia the weather is perfect. Summer months also provide the opportunity to taste the wonderful variety of locally grown fruits.
Day 1: Hobart – Arrival & Exploration
Arriving in Hobart, Tasmania’s vibrant capital, kick off your journey by immersing yourself in the local culture. If it's a Saturday, don't miss the iconic Salamanca Market, where you can browse local produce, art, and crafts. Spend the afternoon wandering through the historic Battery Point neighborhood, where charming colonial-era houses line narrow streets. As evening falls, head to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), a surreal and world-renowned museum located just outside Hobart.
Accommodation: Hadley's Orient Hotel. This luxury hotel offers old-world charm and history as well as close proximity to the city center attractions.
Day 2: Hobart
Begin your day with a drive up to the summit of Mount Wellington. At 1,270 meters, the summit offers panoramic views of Hobart and its surroundings. The journey to the top takes approximately 30 minutes, allowing time to explore and photograph the breathtaking scenery. Note that the weather up here can be chilly and windy - even in the summer months.
Afterwards, stop for a visit of the Cascade Brewery, Australia's oldest operating brewery since 1832. Located at the foot of Mount Wellington, the brewery offers guided tours that delve into its rich history and brewing process. After the tour, relax at the Cascade Brewery Bar, to enjoy a meal and sample a range of beers brewed on-site.
In the afternoon, we would highly recommend a visit to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, located near the city center. Established in 1818, these gardens showcase a diverse collection of plants from Tasmania and around the world. Notable features include the Sub-Antarctic Plant House and the historic Japanese Garden
Day 3: Hobart to Port Arthur (1.5 hours)
On the way to Port Arthur make a detour to visit the historic Richmond. Located just 25 kilometers northeast of Hobart, Richmond is a picturesque village that offers a rich tapestry of history, architecture, and culinary delights as well as its preserved Georgian streetscape. Richmond's historical significance is evident in its array of convict-era architecture. The highlight is the Richmond Bridge, constructed between 1823 and 1825, making it Australia's oldest stone bridge still in use.
For architectural enthusiasts, St. John's Catholic Church stands as Australia's oldest Catholic church still in use.
Make sure you visit the Wicked Cheese Company on the outskirts of Richmond and stock up on some excellent cheeses to accompany the wines that you will undoubtedly stop to also buy!
From Richmond it is a one hour drive to the Port Arthur Historic Site, a former convict settlement that offers a haunting glimpse into Tasmania’s dark colonial history. Wander through the eerie ruins, visit the convict museum, and take a boat tour to the nearby Isle of the Dead.
Day 4: Port Arthur to Freycinet National Park / Swansea (3 hours)
Drive north to Swansea. Swansea serves as an excellent base for exploring Tasmania's east coast and Freycinet National Park. Its proximity to other attractions, such as the Freycinet National Park and the bustling town of Bicheno, ensures that visitors have a range of activities to choose from. Whether you're hiking the trails of Freycinet, savoring local wines, or simply relaxing by the bay, Swansea promises a memorable Tasmanian getaway.
Food lovers will find Swansea to be a haven of fresh, local produce. The town is known for its vineyards, such as Milton Vineyard, Spring Vale Vineyard, and Craigie Knowe Vineyard, offering cool-climate wines that pair perfectly with the region's cuisine. For a sweet treat, Kate's Berry Farm presents a variety of locally grown berries and handmade chocolates, providing a delightful experience for visitors.
Accommodation: Swansea Beach Chalets. These luxury chalets are right on the waterfront and will have you falling to sleep listening to the waves and nature that surrounds you.
Day 5: Freycinet National Park
Drive north towards Freycinet National Park, home to some of Tasmania’s most iconic landscapes. After arriving, take a hike to Wineglass Bay, one of the most photographed beaches in the world. If you’re up for a longer trek, the Wineglass Bay Lookout Trail offers panoramic views of the pristine white sand and turquoise waters below. You can also explore the nearby Hazards Range or spend the day kayaking or relaxing on the beach.
Make sure you stop and pick up some fresh Coles Bay oysters. Freycinet Marine Farm is a family-owned farm offers a variety of fresh seafood, including Pacific oysters and Tasmanian blue mussels.
Day 6: Bicheno to St Helens (2 hours)
A short drive from Swansea and you will come across the Devil's Corner Winery. This is a great place to stop for lunch and not only enjoy the wines but the view. Visitors are able to climb the tower for views over the vineyards.
Next stop north up the coast is Bicheno. The Bicheno Blowhole offers a mesmerizing display as seawater surges through a natural rock formation, creating impressive sprays. It's a sight best witnessed during high tide when the waves are at their most forceful.
Arriving in St Helens you will experience the Bay of Fires. Explore one of the world's most beautiful beaches, known for its white sands and distinctive orange-hued rocks.
Day 7: St Helens to Launceston (2.5 hours)
On the way to Launceston, stop off at the village of Pyengana. Here, the Pyengana Dairy Company offers a chance to sample some of Tasmania's finest cheeses, crafted from the milk of local dairy cattle.
Next, nature enthusiasts will appreciate the detour to the Mount Victoria Forest Reserve, home to two of Tasmania's tallest waterfalls:
Then drive onto Launceston. Tasmania’s second-largest city, known for its mix of modern art and colonial history. Take a stroll around the Cataract Gorge Reserve, where you can hike, swim, or even ride the world’s longest single-span chairlift.
Stop off for lunch at the 'Bread and Butter' Bakery in Launceston - this place has amazing food and atmosphere. If you have time, you can spend an extra day in Launceston and explore north to the Tamar Valley for excellent wine and chesses.
Day 8: Launceston to Cradle Mountain (2 hours)
On the way out from Launceston, stop by Elizabeth Town at the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm and Ashgrove Cheese Dairy Door to stock up on delicious goodies. If you are in Tasmania in cherry season (at the end of the year / early new year) then you will find plenty of cherry farms as well.
The Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is a nature lover’s paradise and a definite bucket list destination, with towering peaks, pristine lakes, and vast wilderness. You will ideally spend 2 nights here to make sure you have plenty of time to explore this pristine wilderness.
Note: A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania's national parks. All visitors must park at the Cradle Mountain visitor center, validate their parks pass and organise a shuttle bus ticket to access the park.
Start by visiting Dove Lake, a stunning alpine lake with panoramic views of Cradle Mountain. Dove Lake Circuit is a 6 km loop offering panoramic views of Cradle Mountain and its reflection in Dove Lake. Suitable for most fitness levels.
There are numerous hiking trails to explore, and with the shuttle bus you can hop on and hop off at different hiking locations.
Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Hotel
Day 9: Cradle Mountain
Another day to further explore and hike Cradle Mountain National Park.
Cradle Mountain is home to wombats, wallabies, echidnas, and the elusive Tasmanian devil. Early morning or late afternoon walks increase the chances of sightings. We didn't get to see any echidnas, but we did see lots of wombats - but they only came out at the end of the day on dusk.
Day 10: Cradle Mountain to Ross (3 hrs)
Ross is a picturesque village that offers a captivating glimpse into Tasmania's colonial past. As you wander along the heart of Ross, you'll encounter several notable landmarks:
Ross Bridge (1836): This iconic sandstone bridge is Australia's third-oldest bridge still in use.
Ross Uniting Church (1885): Perched atop a hill, this Gothic-style church is renowned for its hand-carved sandstone walls, Tasmanian blackwood pews, and an Italian marble font adorned with cherubim.
Tasmanian Wool Centre: Delve into the region's wool industry history through interactive exhibits and displays that shed light on Ross's significance in Tasmania's colonial economy.
Female Factory Historic Site: Established in 1833, this site once housed convict women and their children. While above-ground remnants are minimal, the site is recognized as Australia's most archaeologically intact female convict site, offering insights into the lives of its former inhabitants.
Make sure you time your visit so that you have an appetite as no visit to Ross is complete without indulging in its culinary offerings:
Ross Village Bakery: Famous for its vanilla slices and traditional baked goods, this bakery operates an antique oven that's been in use for over a century.
Bakery 31: Renowned for its savory pies, including the popular scallop pie.
Day 11: Ross to Huonville (2 hours)
An hour outside of Ross is the town of Brighton. We love 'Brighton's Best Bakehouse' - so make a stop here for pies and pastries.
Afterwards, make sure you take a drive 5 minutes outside of Brighton to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Here you not only have the chance to come up close with some of Australia's most precious and protected species, but you are helping to support Tasmania’s largest 24/7 Wildlife Rescue Service. What I love about Bonorong is that it is not a zoo - their aim is to get healthy animals back to the wild.
End the day with a 1 hour drive south to Huonville. Set at the edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the town is an ideal base for exploring Tasmania's far south. At the heart of Tasmania’s original apple-growing region, Huonville is a great town to enjoy the fine produce on offer. The surrounding area produces smoked and fresh salmon, honey, mushrooms, apples, stone fruit, pears, olives, saffron, wines and plenty of cider. A must visit is Willie Smiths Apple Shed for its famous apple ciders.
Day 10: Bruny Island
30 mins from Huonville and you will arrive at Kettering - the place to catch the car ferry over to Bruny Island. The ferry takes about 20 minutes to reach Bruny Island and the waterway is very sheltered. Tip: Arrive 15–20 mins early for the ferry, especially in summer. You pay at the terminal or online for a return fare.
The island offers an incredible blend of wilderness, wildlife, and local food. We started by driving all the way to the end to the Cape Bruny Island Lighthouse. This is as far south as you are likely to get to in Australia.
On the drive back, stop off at Adventure Bay, named after Captain Cook’s ship, the “HMS Adventure” which visited in 1777. The Bruny Island Bligh Museum is well worth a visit. Another must stop is the Bruny Island Chocolate Company.
Keep retracing your route back and follow the B66 (Bruny Island main road) north to the narrow neck of land that joins north and south Bruny Island to Truganini Lookout.
Finish the day off with a visit to the Bruny Island Cheese Company for a tasting before catching the ferry back to the main island.
You have the option of staying the night on Bruny Island or driving 2 hrs back to Hobart.
Day 11: Hobart – Departure
Tasmania is a road-tripper’s dream, with a unique blend of untamed wilderness, rugged coastlines, charming towns, and world-class food and wine. Whether you’re hiking through national parks, soaking in coastal views, or enjoying local produce, this 10-day itinerary is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories of the world's most beautiful and pristine destinations.
Please note: Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you).
Comments