Tasmania Road Trip:
10-Day Self-Drive Guide
Why Drive Tasmania?
Tasmania is small enough to cover in 10 days yet packed with astonishing variety. In one trip you can walk a World Heritage wilderness, stand on a white-sand beach, explore centuries-old convict ruins, and eat some of the freshest seafood in Australia — all within a couple of hours of each other. Public transport barely exists here. This is truly a self-drive destination.
I flew into Hobart on a Friday morning, picked up my hire car, and set off clockwise around the island. That loop worked beautifully, though you could just as easily do it anti-clockwise. Wherever you start, the key is not to rush.
Book your accommodation well in advance — particularly around Cradle Mountain and Freycinet. These places fill up fast, especially in summer (December–February). I made the mistake of leaving it too late once and ended up driving an extra 40 minutes each evening. Learn from me!
Cradle Mountain reflected perfectly in Dove Lake on a still morning — one of the most iconic views in Australia.
Quick Snapshot: The 10-Day Route
My route was a complete loop departing and finishing in Hobart. Here is the overview before I go into each day in detail.
Day-by-Day Details
Days 1–2: Hobart
Hobart is the most relaxed capital city I have visited. The waterfront precinct around Salamanca Place is genuinely beautiful — sandstone warehouses converted into galleries, restaurants, and boutiques. If your arrival day falls on a Saturday, the Salamanca Market is unmissable: local produce, handmade crafts, buskers, and the best coffee I had on the whole trip.
MONA — the Museum of Old and New Art — deserves a full morning. It is genuinely unlike any museum I have been to: provocative, darkly playful, and built into a cliff face above the Derwent River. I arrived thinking two hours would be enough. I was there for almost five. Take the ferry from the Hobart waterfront; it is part of the experience.
Salamanca Market on a Saturday morning — the best way to start your Tasmania adventure.
Day 3: Port Arthur Historic Site
The drive to Port Arthur along the Tasman Peninsula is beautiful in itself — rugged sea cliffs and empty roads. But Port Arthur is heavy. This was once Australia’s largest convict settlement, and the ruins carry real weight. I spent a good four hours wandering the grounds, and the guided historic tour brought everything to life. The optional evening ghost tour is genuinely spooky — book it when you buy your entry ticket.
The ruins of the penitentiary at Port Arthur — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Australia’s most significant historic places.
Days 4–5: East Coast — Freycinet & Bay of Fires
The East Coast is my favourite part of Tasmania. The water is an impossible shade of turquoise, the beaches are white and often empty, and the light in the late afternoon is extraordinary.
The hike up to the Wineglass Bay lookout at Freycinet takes around 45 minutes from the car park and is non-negotiable. The view over the perfectly curved bay with the pink granite peaks of the Hazards behind you is simply one of the most beautiful sights in Australia. I went at about 8am to avoid the crowds and had it almost to myself.
The Bay of Fires is further north and feels more remote. The bright orange lichen on the granite boulders is what gives the area its name — early European sailors thought the coastline was on fire from the Aboriginal campfires they could see at night. Walking along the beach with those boulders, the white sand, and the teal water is meditative.
Left: The iconic view of Wineglass Bay from the lookout. Right: The vivid orange lichen boulders of the Bay of Fires.
Day 6: Launceston & Cataract Gorge
Launceston surprised me. I expected it to be a stopover city — a place to sleep between bigger attractions. But the Cataract Gorge right in the heart of town is genuinely stunning: a deep, wild ravine with walking trails, a free swimming pool, peacocks wandering around, and the longest single-span chairlift in the world. I spent three hours there and wished I had more time. The food and coffee scene in Launceston is also excellent — better than I expected for a city this size.
Geronimo Aperitivo Bar for drinks and small plates. Black Cow Bistro for Tasmanian beef done properly. Milkbar for the best breakfast in town. All within easy walking distance of each other in the CBD.
Days 7–8: Cradle Mountain
I am going to say it plainly: Cradle Mountain is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Dove Lake sits at the base of the jagged, ancient dolerite peak, reflecting it perfectly in the still morning light. I arrived for the sunset on Day 7, watched the mountain turn pink, and then stayed to see the wombats emerge at dusk. They are entirely unbothered by people.
On Day 8, I did the full Dove Lake Circuit (6km, about 2.5 hours at an easy pace). Every angle of the lake and mountain is different. If you are a serious hiker, you can also walk a section of the famous Overland Track, which begins here. The park operates a shuttle bus from the visitor centre to the lake — private cars are not permitted beyond the centre during peak season.
Dawn at Dove Lake. I set my alarm for 5:30am and was rewarded with this. Worth every minute of lost sleep.
Day 9: Strahan & Queenstown
The drive from Cradle Mountain down to the West Coast is an adventure in itself — the road winds through dense temperate rainforest, and the landscape gradually becomes more surreal. Queenstown looks like it is from another planet: the surrounding hills are striped in vivid colours of copper, gold, and rust, the result of over a century of mining and the acidic pollution that stripped the vegetation bare. It is genuinely otherworldly.
Strahan, on Macquarie Harbour, is the jumping-off point for the Gordon River cruise — a gliding journey through ancient Huon pine forests and the eerie silence of one of the most remote waterways in the world. Book ahead as cruises fill up quickly in season.
Day 10: Richmond & back to Hobart
The final day is a gentle one. I drove back through the Derwent Valley and stopped at the tiny village of Richmond, which has Australia’s oldest surviving stone bridge (1823) and a charming heritage main street. It is an easy 25 minutes from Hobart and a lovely final pause before returning the hire car and heading to the airport.
Practical Planning Table
Here is a condensed reference for the key stops, drive times, and what to prioritise at each location.
| Stop | Days | Drive from prev. | Must-do | Where to stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | 1–2 | — (start) | Salamanca Market, MONA, Mt Wellington | City centre or Battery Point |
| Port Arthur | 3 | ~1.5 hrs | Historic Site, ghost tour | Eaglehawk Neck or Port Arthur |
| Freycinet | 4 | ~2.5 hrs | Wineglass Bay lookout, Hazards Beach | Coles Bay village |
| Bay of Fires | 5 | ~2 hrs | Binalong Bay, Swimcart Beach | St Helens |
| Launceston | 6 | ~1.5 hrs | Cataract Gorge, Harvest Market | Launceston CBD |
| Cradle Mountain | 7–8 | ~2 hrs | Dove Lake Circuit, wombat spotting at dusk | Cradle Mountain Lodge / cabins |
| Strahan / Queenstown | 9 | ~2.5 hrs | Gordon River Cruise, Queenstown hills | Strahan village |
| Richmond → Hobart | 10 | ~3.5 hrs | Richmond Bridge, Coal Valley wines | Back to Hobart |
Drive times are approximate and do not account for scenic stops — always add buffer time.
Best Time to Visit
Tasmania is a year-round destination, but the season makes a real difference to your experience. Here is a quick breakdown:
| Season | Months | Weather | Crowds | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Dec – Feb | Warm, long days (18–24°C) | Busy — book early | Beaches, bushwalking, festivals |
| Autumn | Mar – May | Mild, gorgeous colours (12–18°C) | Moderate | Photography, hiking, fewer crowds |
| Winter | Jun – Aug | Cold, snow on peaks (3–12°C) | Quiet | Dark MOFO festival (July), cosy pubs |
| Spring | Sep – Nov | Cool, wildflowers (10–17°C) | Low–Moderate | Wildflowers, wildlife, great value |
My personal recommendation: late February or March. Summer crowds are thinning, the weather is still warm, and the light is stunning.
Packing Checklist
Tasmania’s weather is famous for its unpredictability. Even in summer, you can experience all four seasons in one day. Pack accordingly:
- Waterproof jacket (non-negotiable, every season)
- Warm fleece or mid-layer — even for summer trips
- Sturdy walking shoes or light hiking boots
- Sunscreen — the UV is deceptively strong in summer
- Insect repellent for bushwalking areas
- Reusable water bottle
- National Parks Pass (covers entry to all parks — excellent value at around AUD $35/person)
- Offline maps downloaded (mobile signal is patchy in rural areas)
- Power bank for long driving days
- Snacks for remote drives — some stretches have no services for hours
Hire Car Tips
Tasmania’s roads are generally excellent, and you do not need a 4WD for this itinerary. A standard sedan is perfectly fine. That said, a few things are worth knowing:
All the major rental companies operate out of Hobart airport. I booked with Europcar and had no issues, but Rentals deals directly with local companies (like Hobart Car Rentals) can be cheaper. Book well in advance for summer visits. Full comprehensive insurance is worth the extra cost given how remote some roads are. And fill up whenever you can — petrol stations in the West Coast and wilderness areas are sparse.
Speed limits in Tasmania are lower than mainland Australia in many areas — 50km/h through towns and 80km/h on many rural roads. There are also a lot of wildlife crossing signs, especially at dawn and dusk. Wombats are particularly dangerous on roads at night — they do not move. Drive slowly after dark.
Budget Guide (Per Person)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | AUD $40–70 (hostels, budget motels) | AUD $120–200 (B&Bs, guesthouses) | AUD $250–500+ (Cradle Mountain Lodge, luxury eco-retreats) |
| Food (daily) | AUD $30–50 (self-catering + cafes) | AUD $60–100 (mix of dining) | AUD $120–200+ (fine dining) |
| Hire car (10 days) | AUD $400–800 total depending on season and vehicle | ||
| National Parks Pass | AUD $35 per person (8-week holiday pass) — outstanding value | ||
| Fuel (full loop ~2,500km) | AUD $180–240 at current prices | ||
| Key paid attractions | Port Arthur ~AUD $45 · Gordon River Cruise ~AUD $195 · MONA ~AUD $40 | ||
Prices are approximate as of 2024–2025. Budget travellers can do this trip comfortably for ~AUD $120–150/day per person all-in.
Final Thoughts
Ten days in Tasmania felt like the perfect amount of time — enough to cover the highlights without rushing, but it left me genuinely wanting more. The wilderness is extraordinary, the food is outstanding, and there is a quiet, unhurried pace to life here that is rare in the modern world.
If you are considering it, stop considering and just book it. Of all the road trips I have done, Tasmania is the one I recommend most enthusiastically to anyone who asks.
I hope this guide helps you plan your own adventure. If you have any questions about any of the stops or logistics, drop them in the comments below — I check them regularly and love hearing about other people’s Tasmania experiences.
Safe travels! 🌿
— Le Kyau, Mums Travels
