It’s no wonder Tasmania made New York Times’ annual list of 52 Places to Go in 2024. Think of it as a mini-Australia – all the fun packed into one tiny island. It’s rich in history, scenic views, ideal surf, epic hiking trails and crystal-blue bays, with a bourgeoning food and wine scene to boot.
Need an extra reason to visit Tasmania? Princess Mary, now Queen of Denmark, was born in Hobart! Visit her home-town to experience a touch of Royalty.
Ask a local or someone who’s travelled the Apple Isle, and they’ll tell you that the best way to see it is by car. So, we’ve carved out a 10-day self-drive route that’s full of adventure to give you a great taste of Van Diemen’s Land.
While 10 days is the perfect amount of time to take on this trip, you can easily shorten or lengthen it depending on what you want to do.
Best time to visit Tasmania
Tassie doesn’t get quite as warm as its northern sister states, so a summer trip is ideal – December, January and February are the peak season. However, if you prefer a more quiet holiday, then you may want to try September or October for the beautiful spring season, or the cooler but pleasant autumn climate in March and April.
What to pack for Tasmania
Packing for Tasmania can get a little tricky, so we’ve put together a list of essentials:
- Poncho or raincoat
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Windproof clothes
- Scarf and beanie
- Swimmers
- Towel
- Camera
- Smart-casual outfit (for that fine-dining experience)
- Snacks and water
Day 1 – Hobart Starting point
Our journey through Tasmania begins in its quaint capital city, Hobart. Car hire in Hobart is easy – SIXT has a location at both Hobart airport and right in the city itself. Stroll through Sullivans Cove to see the iconic 19th-century sandstone warehouses before heading to Salamanca Place to the bustling markets. Next, you might want to pay a visit to the famous Barilla Bay Oysters for those freshly shucked goodies. And, of course, no trip to Hobart is ever complete without a visit to MONA, known as not only one of the best art museums in Australia, but one of the best museums in the world. It’s situated on a winery, so you know the views won’t disappoint and the food rivals any top-end restaurant. Plus, there’s the art, but we’d need a whole post to cover that!
Day 2 – Hobart to Port Arthur
101 km | 1.5-hour drive
Step back in time at the Port Arthur Historic Site to explore Australia’s convict past. Visit the prison buildings, dockyards or church dating back hundreds of years and a museum holding many artifacts recovered in archaeological projects.
From here, serious hikers can attempt the Three Capes Track. This four-day, three-night trek covers 46 km of Tasmania’s most south-east point. From cliff-hugging coastlines to soaring eucalypt forests and the Tasman Sea by your side, it’s as raw as it gets.
Day 3 – Port Arthur to Swansea
156 km | 2.25-hour drive
If you enjoyed the historic buildings, oysters, and beautiful scenery of Hobart, then Swansea is the town for you. Overlooking Great Oyster Bay, and surrounded by the peaks of Freycinet National Park, Swansea is a must on your Tasmanian road trip. For the history buffs, take a self-guided walk of Swansea past Schouten House, Meredith House, and Morris’ General Store to see what this place is all about.
Day 4 – Swansea to Freycinet National Park
35 km | 30-minute drive
Bordered by rugged mountains and white sandy beaches, Freycinet National Park is truly a sight for sore eyes. There are few places on Earth where you will find such contrast in the landscape, making this park one of the gems of Tasmania. Day-trippers can go for a nice wine cruise out on the bay, or for the more adventurous traveller, hire a 4wd vehicle and tackle some of the scenic back roads!
For the more active folk, take the popular Wineglass Bay Lookout track to see the picturesque blue water & white sand beach of Wineglass Bay. Feeling like an extra challenge? Why not try the Mt Amos Walking track for more panoramic views with less tourists, but be aware, it’s not for the faint hearted!
Day 5 – Freycinet National Park to Bay of Fires
114 km | 1.75-hour drive
So awe-inspiring is the Bay of Fires, over 50 km of sugary-white sand stretches along rocky coastlines with secluded inlets forming entries to the impossibly clear ocean beyond. Stay in St Helens or Binalong Bay overnight, and enjoy the award-winning Bay of Fires walk. If you’re a big-time hiker, you can do a full four-day trek, though there are plenty of shorter walks that can be done in a day or just a few hours if you are limited on time.
Day 6 – Bay of Fires to Nabowla
145 km | 2.25-hour drive
This unassuming, quaint country town is quite the jaw-dropper. With lush violet fields of lavender sprawling across 260 acres, it is home to one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. Bridestowe Lavender Estate is one of Tasmania’s best-kept secrets. Don’t miss the sunset – it’s the stuff dreams are made of.
Day 7 – Nabowla to Launceston
53 km | 45-minute drive
Tasmania’s second largest city and cultural hub, Launceston, is another must-see – and potentially a starting point for your trip. With the luxury of having an airport and being surrounded by some of Tasmania’s most amazing food and wine country, Launceston has the perfect balance of metropolitan frills and rural comfort. Architecture, museums, vineyards, and hiking trails are all just a stone’s throw away from the centre of Launceston.
Like Hobart, SIXT car rental in Launceston can cater to your car hire needs, with locations at Launceston airport and in the city offering a range of preferred vehicles to get you around Tassie.
Launceston is also the gateway to Tasmania’s oldest and premier wine region: the Tamar Valley. Home to cool-climate wines, mouth-watering fresh local produce, and award-winning vineyard restaurants, the valley could easily claim to be the best of the Tasmania food and wine trails (download our map to see the rest of the wine trails). With more than 32 vineyards offering somewhat of a specialty cellar door tasting, this one is a real celebration of Tasmania’s fine wine and culinary talent. The Jansz Tasmania winery in Piper Brook is our pick – devoted to sparking varieties, they offer tastings paired with local cheeses.
Day 8 – Launceston to Stanley
225 km | 2.5-hour drive
Filled with old colonial buildings, and nestled in the shadow of ‘The Nut’ on Tasmania’s northeast coast is beautiful and intriguing Stanley. Famous for its fish and chips, chairlift ride, and local penguins (yes, actual penguins) coming in to nest, Stanley is a place that can really feel like home. If you’re feeling energetic, take a walk up the winding path to the top of The Nut for one of the most beautiful panoramic views Tasmania has to offer.
Day 9 – Stanley to Cradle Mountain
175 km | 2-hour drive
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park has received worldwide acclaim for two of its natural wonders: the six-day bushwalk known as the Overland Track, and the iconic Cradle Mountain. The park features ancient pines, glacial lakes, and a rugged mountain terrain – no wonder it’s a hit with outdoor enthusiasts. Set out on foot, in a canoe or with your 4WD hire.
Day 10 – Cradle Mountain to Strahan
138 km | 2-hour drive
The final stop on your Tasmanian road trip tour is the town of Strahan. Don’t be fooled by its tiny population of 660 people. Being the gateway to World Heritage-listed Frankin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, the warmer months bring plenty of tourists to add some hustle and bustle to this quaint port town. Those up for a hike should visit the nearby Hogarth Falls for some picturesque trails and scenery.
Returning Home
From Strahan, you can drive to Launceston Airport in just over three and a half hours. If you’re returning your hire car in Hobart Airport instead, it’s a slightly longer drive at four and a half hours. Either way, you can return home after this road trip knowing you saw Tasmania in the very best way possible.
That’s our recommendation for making the most of a Tasmania Roadtrip. You’ll certainly make your own discoveries along the way, but to help you get there, remember to download our maps. Happy driving!
Is a hire car the best travel option for a Tasmania road trip?
For most visitors, yes. Tasmania’s highlights are spread right across the island, from Hobart in the south to Cradle Mountain in the north-west, and public transport between them is limited. A car is the most practical way to see the places on this itinerary, which is why locals will tell you the same thing: the best way to see Tassie is by road.
The real question is usually how you get a car onto the island. You have two options.
Option 1: Fly in and hire a car
Fly into Hobart or Launceston, pick up your hire car at the airport or in the city, and you’re on the road within an hour of landing. The advantages:
- No long ferry crossing, and no need to drive to the mainland departure point first
- You can pick the right vehicle for the trip, a 4WD for Freycinet’s back roads, or something roomier for a family
- SIXT has locations at both Hobart and Launceston airports, plus city pickup, so you can start and finish wherever suits your route
- No need to reserve vehicle space on the ferry months ahead
Option 2: Bring your own car on the Spirit of Tasmania
The Spirit of Tasmania is Australia’s only passenger and vehicle ferry, sailing between Geelong in Victoria and Devonport on Tasmania’s north coast. Bringing your own car makes sense in some cases:
- You travel in your own vehicle, packed how you like, with no luggage limits, handy for caravans and motorhomes.
- It can work out economically for a long stay (longer than 14 days), or if you already live near Geelong.
The trade-offs are worth weighing, though. The crossing takes roughly 9 to 11 hours each way, on top of the drive to Geelong. Vehicle fees sit on top of passenger fares, and peak-season sailings over summer and Easter book out months in advance. Hiring a car is generally the most cost-effective option for shorter trips.
Which one suits you?
Hiring is the simpler choice for most short-to-medium trips where you’re flying in and want to be on the road quickly. Bringing your own car pays off mainly for long stays, caravans and motorhomes, or travellers already on the Victorian side of Bass Strait. For a 10-day loop like the one above, flying in and hiring keeps the driving focused on Tasmania itself.
FAQs
Is it worth hiring a car to get around Tasmania?
Yes, for most visitors. Tasmania’s attractions are spread across the island and public transport between them is limited, so a car is the most practical way to see the highlights on a road trip like this one.
Can you take your own car to Tasmania on the ferry?
Yes. The Spirit of Tasmania carries both passengers and vehicles between Geelong and Devonport. Book well ahead in peak season, as vehicle space fills months in advance over summer and Easter.
How long does it take to drive around Tasmania?
You can see the main highlights on a 10-day self-drive loop like the one in this guide, roughly taking between 15-22 hours. It’s easy to shorten or extend depending on how much time you have and how many stops you want to make.
Do you need a 4WD in Tasmania?
Not for the main route, a standard car handles the sealed roads on this itinerary comfortably. A 4WD is useful if you plan to explore unsealed back roads, such as some of the scenic routes around Freycinet National Park.
Where can you hire a car in Tasmania?
SIXT has car hire locations at both Hobart and Launceston airports, as well as in the cities themselves, so you can pick up on arrival and drop off wherever your road trip ends.
