Tasmania road trip: the ultimate itinerary
From hiking and surfing to wine drinking and whisky swilling (and maybe even some art appreciating) Tasmania is well worth a visit. Pic: Getty Images.
Looking for a Tasmania road trip itinerary that will show you the best of this magic isle? From hiking and surfing to wine drinking and whisky swilling (and maybe even some art appreciating), we’ve got you covered.
Words by James Booth for Escape.com.au
Geniuses are complex. While transcendental, they suffer too. Tasmania is like that – a moody savant dropped down in the middle of the southern ocean, full of rain, hills and gales.
But when the sun comes out? Mwah. Chef’s kiss. Even when it doesn’t, Tasmania is a hot bed of arts and culture that can be appreciated whether its frosty out or not.
So whether you’re a foodie, a wine lover, a hiker (it has some of the world’s best walks and climbs), a surfer, a mountain biker, a dirtbag backpacker living off Coles shopping bags and WikiCamps or whether you’ve come down for air and some museums, here is a Tasmania road trip itinerary to help you see All The Things.
Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary – to see all the highlights
If driving to Tasmania from the mainland, you’ll probably roll out of the Spirit of Tasmania ferry in Devonport. From there, here is my suggested Tasmania road trip itinerary.
See penguins at Burnie
First we’ll head west. 50km from Devonport is a cute little town called Burnie. Here if you’re lucky you can spot penguins along the foreshore, go to the regional museum and indulge yourself at the chocolate factory.
Visit ‘The Nut’ at Stanley
Another 79 kilometres drive west (stop at Boat Harbour Beach on your way) is ‘The Nut’ near the historic town of Stanley. The Nut is a flattop volcanic plug which you can walk (or take a chairlift) to the top of. Here, bathe your eyes in panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and ocean.
Go surfing at Marrawah
The location of the fabled West Coast Classic surf competition, you can be sure there’s good waves to sniff out around here. Though this side of Tasmania can get slammed with weather rendering it unsurfable sometimes, if you catch this place at the right time you’ll score a session to remember.
Depending on the conditions there can be beach breaks suitable for intermediates and reef breaks for advanced surfers. Marrawah is a 55 minute drive (70km) from The Nut, Stanley.
Hike Cradle Mountain
3 hours (237 kilometres) from Marrawah, you’ll find Cradle mountain national park. This is one of the most iconic national parks in Australia, and for good reason. It’s spectacular.
While you need to book well in advance (bookings normally open in early July each year for the following season) to do the famous six-day Overland Track which is 65 km from Cradle Valley to Lake St Clair (taking in cradle mountain summit along the way, if you wish, as a side track), there are heaps of other hiking trails ranging from easy strolls and day walks (like Dove Lake) to hard core multi day hikes.
Just make sure to prepare well. Staying at Cradle Mountain village is a blast too.
Hike the Walls of Jerusalem
Fancy visiting a land sculpted thousands of years ago by glaciers? This three-day, 23km circuit gives you a look at ancient dolerite peaks, pristine pencil pine groves, rich cultural heritage, and classic Tasmanian wildlife.
It’s 89km (one hour 48 minutes drive) from Cradle Mountain. It’s not as famous as Cradle Mountain, but still beautiful, so it can be a good alternative if you can’t get a booking at Cradle.
Head down to Lake Rhona
This relatively short multi day walk is recommended for experienced hikers. It involves a river crossing and a steep trek up to Lake Rhona in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park is tough, but rewarding.
If you make it up you’ll be treated to a stunning camp on a sandy beach next to an untouched lake. The car park to begin the Lake Rhona hike is a five hour and eleven minute drive (243km) from the Walls of Jerusalem.
Take a city break in Hobart
After so much hiking you’ll be exhausted. So after your Lake Rhona escapade treat yourself to some chill days in Hobart (stop at Mount Field National Park, Derwent Valley and horseshoe falls on your way).
I recommend visiting MONA (arguably the world’s quirkiest museum of old and new art), Cascades Brewery, coal river farm (for cheese tasting, chocolate munching and berry eating), Farm Gate Market (great for local produce) and Lark Distillery.
Battery Point is a lovely neighbourhood in the city to see too. Do a day trip to Mount Wellington too while you’re here. Hobart is 3 hours 27 minutes (150km) from the Lake Rhona car park.
Visit Cockle Creek
Now it’s time to head down to the southernmost point of Australia (that you can reach by car). Cockle Creek is a two hour drive from Hobart (122km) and is a beautiful place with several free campgrounds (if you have time, check out Bruny Island and Adventure Bay on your way).
You can also walk part of the South Coast Track from here if you are prepared with the right equipment. Many people choose to walk to South Cape Bay, where there is a pristine creek and a nice little campsite in the trees behind the beach.
All in all, this is one of the highlights of the southwest national park you definitely should see.
See the Tasman Peninsula
The Tasman Peninsula is about 3 hours (200 odd kilometres) drive from Cockle Creek (From the famous Three Capes Track to surfing at Eaglehawk Neck to the whiskey distilleries to the beautiful beachy campsite at Fortescue Bay (to the Port Arthur historic site), there’s a heap to do on the Tasman Peninsula.
Make sure you don’t forget to add this stop to your Tasmania road trip itinerary.
Maria Island
An hour and a half from the Tasman Peninsula is the small town of Triabunna, where you can get a ferry to the (vehicle free) Maria Island.
This amazing island is a great place for bird watching, whale spotting, snorkelling, swimming, kayaking, fishing and walking.
See Freycinet National Park
Now continue your journey up the east coast. An hour and 28 minutes up the coast (112km) from Triabunna is Freycinet National Park where there’s all sorts to do, from seeing wineglass bay, coles bay, hazards beach, mount amos and an almost endless supply of hidden gems, pink granite peaks and secluded bays.
Check out Devil’s Corner Cellar Door (a renowned winery known for its cool climate Tasmanian wine) on your way.
St Helens
A perfect place from which to explore the Bay of Fires, St Helens is the biggest town on the north east coast of Tasmania. Overlooking Georges Bay, St Helens is heart-thuddingly beautiful.
Things to do here include a one hour return walk to St Helens Point Conservation Area and visiting the spectacular Beerbarrel Beach.
You can also search for gemstones on a kayak tour of nearby Ansons Bay. It’s an hour 32 minutes (114km) from Freycinet.
Binalong bay
Stunning white sand, water the colour of blue powerade, this is Tourism Tasmania’s wet dream. Spend your time at this gorgeous beach marvelling at the orange litchen on the rocks, taking a dip and having a picnic. This is a 13 minute drive (11.3km) from St Helens.
Cataract Gorge
Ever get a sore knee or bung ankle and think, “Geez, I’m old.” Well then this place will make you feel spritely as a fairy. At 65 million years old Cataract Gorge is not getting any younger.
It’s still gorgeous though. The gorge itself is tucked into 5km of forested river reserve and you can walk there from Launceston’s city centre. This is 2 hours 38 minutes drive (177km) from Binalong Bay.
Tamar Valley
If you like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this has got to be on your Tasmania road trip itinerary. One of Tasmania’s top cool wine regions this place has over 30 vineyards where you can enjoy wine tastings and local produce.
If you’re looking for more adventure, there’s ziplining too. This is a 41 minute (41.9km) drive from Cataract Gorge.
FAQs
What else is there to do on the West Coast of Tasmania?
Tasmania’s West Coast is rugged and wild. If you’re looking for more things to do there (or simply want to bulk up your Tasmania itinerary), check out the West Coast Wilderness Railway, Macquarie Harbour and the Macquarie Harbour cruise.
Why is Wineglass Bay so famous?
Wineglass Bay is an iconic place due to its natural beauty and its unusual shape (from above, it looks like a wine glass).
Where is the best place in Tasmania to see Tasmanian devils?
Wildlife sanctuaries like Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Devils Cradle and the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo are great for seeing Tasmanian devils. Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary is another great Tasmanian Devil Sanctuary.
Where should I begin my Tasmania driving holiday?
If you’re driving over from the mainland, you’ll roll off the ferry in Devonport (you may have to book a long way in advance, as certain dates can be very popular). If you’re in a rental car, you will probably begin in Hobart or Launceston.
Where is the best luxury accommodation in Tasmania?
Saffire Freycinet, Pumphouse Point, The Keep and Cloudy Bay beach house are some of Tasmania’s lost luxurious places to go on holiday.
What is the best time of year to visit Tasmania?
It’s best to visit in summer, between November and February. There’s plenty to do year round, but for road tripping and car camping summer is definitely best.
What is the best way to see Tasmania?
A Tasmanian road trip makes sense for seeing Tasmania, if you want to see more than just the city you fly into.
This article originally appeared on Escape.com.au as Tasmania road trip: the ultimate itinerary.
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