Try this good 2-week self drive Tasmania street journey itinerary that will help you plan your epic journey round Australia’s most stunning state!

Tasmania, that little bit of Australia that everybody is aware of exists however few appear to go to.

I first visited Australia in 2008 and sadly didn’t make it to Tasmania. Since then it’s been a spot that has been on my bucket listing.

In January 2018 my spouse and I lastly made it down that far south to take a look at all the very best locations to go to in Tasmania.

This beautiful island may be Australia’s best-kept secret. Though I can not think about it staying that means for lengthy.

In contrast to the remainder of Australia, Tasmania is small and compact.  The journeys are brief, the roads are winding and the ocean is chilly. It’s good for a street journey.

The surroundings is solely breathtaking. Of all of the locations I’ve been in Australia, this may occasionally simply be my favorite state.

Highlights of a 2-Week Tasmania Itinerary
* Visiting Port Arthur Historic Website * Bicycle round Maria Island * Mountaineering and Exploring Freycinet Nationwide Park * Discover Wineglass Bay * Benefit from the seashores alongside the Bay of Fires and Binalong Bay * Hike round Cradle Mountain & loosen up alongside Lake St Clair * Day journey to Bruny Island

From the great thing about a nationwide park to the pure magnificence from practically any aspect of the street views, a street journey by way of Tasmania is really spectacular.

Ideas for a Self Drive Tasmania Street Journey

Beneath is our 2-week Tasmania itinerary that took us all the best way round this stunning island. Clearly there are elements that may be prolonged or chopped off as you want.

Nonetheless, we discovered this Tasmania itinerary gave us loads of time to see the overwhelming majority of what we needed to see with out being rushed.

Be warned although, Tasmania is just not like mainland Australia.

It does rain, particularly round Cradle Mountain. So even in the course of summer time, don’t be stunned in case you encounter a good few showers throughout your street journey.

READ MORE: Don’t miss our new journey to Australia information.

Tips on how to Get Round – Automobile vs Campervan

You can’t street journey Tasmania by public transport alone. To actually get pleasure from and expertise every part this unimaginable place has to give you want your personal set of wheels.

Fortunately renting a automotive in Tasmania is reasonable, we rented a automotive for $66 {dollars} a day, which included zero extra insurance coverage.

The most cost effective campervan we discovered was 3 occasions this quantity. However in case you love this model of journey, then this might be an excellent possibility. Try Spaceships for reasonably priced vans for lease.

We’d advocate hiring a automotive for Tasmania for the next causes:

Price

The general price of renting a automotive is considerably cheaper. Nonetheless, in impact, you must work out if automotive rental + lodging goes to be cheaper than camper-van + vacation parks.

From our pre-trip calculations, a automotive turned out to be our greatest wager.

We averaged $150 on automotive + lodging on our journey, which was cheaper than the rental price of a camper van.

Petrol

Automobiles drink much less gasoline, interval. We had a stunning Toyota Prius Hybrid which meant our gasoline prices had been minimal. It is a massive plus on a Tasmania street journey, the place gasoline costs may be fairly excessive.

Driving Consolation

I personally want driving automobiles to camper vans as a result of manoeuvrability, ease of parking in cities and fewer stress driving on winding roads.

After all, that is all as much as you although. With an epic Tasmania itinerary, you’ll have a tremendous time regardless of the way you select to get round.

One of the simplest ways to get round is to lease a automotive and discover by yourself! We advocate Rental Automobiles, which has the biggest vary of automobiles for the very best worth in the marketplace.

Shopping for a Nationwide Parks Move

Shopping for a Nationwide Park Move is a should for anybody planning to go to Tasmania’s Nationwide Parks.

It prices $58 AUD per automobile and provides you limitless entry to Tasmania’s Nationwide Parks for two months.

You should buy it at any Nationwide Park customer centre. Simply bear in mind to show it in your dashboard or you’ll be fined.

It additionally saves $10 AUD on the ferry to Maria Island. The choice is paying $24 AUD per 24 hours. As long as you go to nationwide parks for a minimal 3 days then you definately’ve made your a refund.

Consuming and Ingesting in Tasmania

Like mainland Australia, consuming out may be fairly costly at occasions. Consequently, the overwhelming majority of travellers can be cooking for themselves at quite a few factors on their travels.

Decide up an affordable cool bag to maintain meals recent, as you can’t all the time assure a fridge (except in fact, you might have a campervan).

We stayed in a combination of vacation parks, AirBnBs, accommodations and guesthouses on this Tasmania itinerary. We solely had a few nights and not using a kitchen which helped us preserve our spending down.

Click on right here to get $35 off of your first AirBnB reserving!

That being mentioned, Tasmania’s connoisseur produce is each common and scrumptious so don’t overlook to indulge every now and then, particularly on the Cradle to Coast Tasting Path!

2-Week Tasmania Street Journey Itinerary

With out additional ado, let’s hit the street with my final Tasmania street journey itinerary!

Day 1: Hobart

Fly into Hobart and choose up your rental automotive.

After attending to our AirBnB and dumping our stuff head up Mount Wellington for beautiful views over Hobart and the broader space, even so far as Bruny Island.

Then head to the Museum of Tasmania earlier than spending the night wandering round Battery Level and delightful Salamanca.

Day 2: Port Arthur

From Hobart, it’s a brief drive to Port Arthur on the east coast. This glorious historic web site provides you the chance to grasp extra about Tasmania’s fascinating convict historical past.

You possibly can ebook a guided tour or a ghost tour to be taught extra in regards to the historical past and spookiness across the historic web site. Additionally think about reserving your entry ticket on-line prematurely throughout peak season to save lots of your self a while.

Port Arthur can also be dwelling to Australia’s worst-ever bloodbath. Whereas it is a fairly morbid subject, it’s vital to pay homage to the victims on the Port Arthur Memorial Backyard.

Day 3: Tasman Peninsula

On Day 3 of your Tasmania street journey, you’re more likely to first expertise the island’s infamously temperamental climate.

Spend the morning exploring the convict coal mines situated on the north west coast of the Tasman peninsula.

From there, head again to quirky little Doo City for some beautiful coastal surroundings and glorious meals from the fish and chip van subsequent to the blowhole.

Near Doo City are some stunning coastal viewpoints which a nicely value exploring.

After crossing again throughout the Eagles Neck, try the canine line museum earlier than heading on in the direction of the tessellated pavements. Right here there’s a pretty stroll alongside the coast giving some great views of the Tasman peninsula.

From right here, head as much as the tiny coastal city of Triabunna, in preparation on your journey to Maria Island.

Day 4: Maria Island

Catch the ferry from the Tiabunna Customer Centre at 10:30. You need to intention to get to the ferry terminal round half-hour earlier than departure.

By the way, you may also choose up you Nationwide Park Move right here and save your self $10 AUD on the ferry experience.

The journey solely takes round half-hour. And if the climate is wanting good, you possibly can stake out house on the entrance to sunbathe.

We solely spent someday on Maria Island. If you wish to keep the evening there are campsites and cabins that may be booked.

READ MORE: Try our model new information to the greatest issues to do in Tasmania!

You’re additionally in a position to lease mountain bikes, which may be organized on the customer centre in Triabunna and picked up in Darlington.

In case you are solely doing 1 day, a motorcycle provides you the chance to cowl an honest quantity of floor.

From Darlington, we headed for the painted cliffs that are leisurely 30-minute experience. We dumped our bikes and went to discover the wonderful shoreline.

We carried on additional down the observe stopping at varied factors alongside the best way to discover the shoreline and discover a place to have our picnic.

It was right here we encountered wombats, wallabies and pademelons.

We carried on additional down the coast earlier than heading again to snorkel across the painted cliffs.

The realm from Darlington to simply past the painted cliffs is a protected marine reserve. The snorkelling is fairly good, however the visibility isn’t nice.

This wasn’t helped by the large thunderstorm that hit not lengthy after getting in.

As I used to be coming again in I obtained the fright of my life within the type of a 2-meter vast stingray popping out of nowhere.

Do remember that the water right here is chilly too. I went in and not using a moist swimsuit and was okay, however you’ll undoubtedly have a extra nice expertise with one.

We spent the remaining couple of hours dropping the bikes off, recognizing roos on the hills shut the jetty and avoiding the rain.

After getting the final ferry again we drove as much as Bicheno. Coles Bay is the opposite common possibility for lodging within the park. Coles Bay is nearer to the points of interest, however Bicheno is a bit larger and has extra occurring.

We selected this because it was cheaper than the rest near Freycinet and after tenting within the rain in Triabunna a tent wasn’t on the agenda for Miranda.

Day 5: Freycinet Nationwide Park and Wineglass Bay

We hopped in our automotive and headed for the Freycinet Nationwide Park for day 5 on our Tasmania street journey.

From Bicheno, it’s round a 30-minute drive. Most likely extra throughout daybreak or nightfall as the chance of wildlife leaping out will increase dramatically in and across the nationwide park.

We headed all the way down to the customer centre to take a look at among the walks to provide you with our plan of motion. We ended up doing the Wineglass Seaside Stroll overlooking Wineglass Bay.

Understandably this is among the hottest walks in Tasmania, so don’t be stunned if it’s busy. To keep away from the crowds merely stroll all the way down to Wineglass Bay Seaside from the lookout.

The overwhelming majority of vacationers head as much as the Wineglass Bay Lookout and again down once more. Consequently, the seaside is definitely very quiet as compared. It is a great place to drag out that picnic basket.

Alternatively, when you have the time, think about this Wineglass Bay cruise from Coles Bay.

There are many different nice walks within the nationwide park. The Hazards Seaside stroll, specifically, will get rave evaluations, and you may’t actually beat the Mount Amos hike at dawn.

Don’t overlook to show your Parks Move if you’re doing any longer than 2 days in Tasmania’s parks.

That night it was again to our AirBnB in Bicheno and dinner at a Pasini’s, an excellent little restaurant on the sting of Bicheno.

Day 6: Freycinet Nationwide Park and Bay Of Fires

Day 6 of the street journey, we spent the morning at Freycinet testing Sleepy Bay and the attractive pleasant seashores. The latter giving the enduring windswept seaside vibe that Tasmania is thought for.

We grabbed one thing to eat in Bicheno and headed up in the direction of the Bay of Fires. This drive is spectacular, an actual spotlight of any street journey round Tasmania. So have your digicam prepared and preserve your eyes peeled for locations to park.

Lodging within the Bay of Fires space round St Helens in the summertime may be eye-wateringly costly. We really stayed half-hour south of St Helens at Scamander Sanctuary Vacation Park in presumably the nicest tent I’ve ever seen.

After dumping our stuff we carried on up Tasmania’s different well-known seaside, Binalong Bay alongside the east coast. Head to the Northern part of Binalong Bay, by taking the C848, to keep away from the crowds.

The water right here really wasn’t too chilly, though it will possibly get actually windy, so a tent or windbreaker might be a lifesaver on the seaside.

The park has a completely outfitted kitchen and improbable glamping model tents. It’s superior for a Tasmania street journey.

Day 7: Bay of Fires

On Day 7 of your Tasmania street journey itinerary you’re in for a deal with.

From Scamander in the direction of St Helens and the Bay of Fires, the shoreline is completely beautiful and the possibilities are you should have all of it to your self.

Even in mid-January, one of many busiest occasions in Tasmania, we had entire seashores to ourselves.

Following this, we headed past Binalong Bay as much as the Gardens for some stunning coastal surroundings and a little bit of bouldering.

When you get past one in every of Tasmania’s most well-known seashores you might have a plethora of gorgeous locations to cease and discover.

We headed so far as the street would take us hopped out of our automotive and went exploring. Half the enjoyable of the Bay of Fires is exploring. Simply park up someplace that appears fairly and go for a wander.

Late afternoon we headed for little Launceston, Tasmania’s second metropolis, for need of a greater description.

We nonetheless had some picnic meals so we took it all the way down to the marina for dinner because the sundown.

This was undoubtedly a spotlight of our street journey alongside Tasmania’s east coast.

Day 8: Tamar Valley

We took a barely extra relaxed tempo in our street journey at present taking within the beautiful Tamar Valley.

We did plan on heading over the Bridestowe Lavender Farm. Nonetheless, we ended up in Seahorse World and Platypus Home on the northwestern finish of the Tamar Valley.

This was somewhat expensive, however fairly attention-grabbing. The platypuses and echidnas are extraordinarily lovely.

From Tamar Valley we headed again down in the direction of to Cataract Gorge stopping in on the Exeter bakery for a curry rice pie (a should in case you’re passing).

At Cataract Gorge, there’s a pretty stroll or you are able to do like most and hop straight within the lake.

Day 9: Cradle to Coast Tasting Path

This was one in every of our highlights throughout our two-week street journey in Tasmania.

Successfully it is a 150km path that you simply drive and cease off at connoisseur produce locations and eateries on the route. In case you are in any means a foodie, that is an absolute should.

Many of the eateries are between Deloraine and the splendidly named city of Penguin. Nonetheless, we carried on past Penguin to stunning Stanley for our last cease on the path.

After a tremendous seafood dinner, we hiked up the Nut for some beautiful sundown views. While it’s not an extended hike, the preliminary climb is extraordinarily steep.

Day 10: Boat Harbour Seaside and Cradle Mountain

On day 10 of the street journey, we spent the morning on the seaside and the afternoon within the mountains.

We spent the morning on the stunning Boat Harbour Seaside with golden sands, clear blue water and lovely coastal surroundings!

From right here it was a 1.5-hour drive all the way down to one in every of Tasmania’s highlights; Cradle Mountain.

After checking into our lodge, we headed down to finish the Dove Lake hike. Right here we discovered a stunning, simple hike that’s good to do round sundown.

The Cradle Mountain Resort was above our price range. However the comfort and lack of extra reasonably priced lodging near the park made this a winner in our eyes.

Day 11: Cradle Mountain Summit

Cradle Mountain- Lake St Clair Nationwide Park has among the greatest mountaineering in Tasmania and is a must-see on a street journey. It’s the starting of the Overland Monitor, in addition to being the stage for some phenomenal day walks.

Sadly we didn’t have sufficient time to do the Overland Monitor so I settled for the summit hike. (Though you possibly can learn all in regards to the founders of this web site’s expertise of mountaineering the Overland Monitor by clicking right here.)

Secure to say it is a powerful hike and it completely shouldn’t be tried in moist or snowy situations since it can make the ultimate rock scrambling and bouldering sections extraordinarily harmful.

This hike is an absolute should if you’re heading to Cradle Mountain. And you may simply spend a couple of hours enjoyable alongside Lake St Clair after the hike.

Don’t miss the NOMADasaurus information to mountaineering the Larapinta Path, one in every of Australia’s different nice walks.

Day 12: Cradle Mountain, Horse Driving and onto The West Coast

We checked out among the shorter walks that started across the expertise centre within the morning.

Afterwards, we headed out with Cradle Nation Adventures to go horse driving round their Belvoir Space observe taking us up for a surprising view of Cradle Mountain.

From right here we headed down in the direction of the previous mining city of Queenstown stopping in a Zeehan on the best way.

While it makes an attention-grabbing place to go searching, Zeehan does have a slight “straight out of a horror movie” sort of vibe, fascinating in an odd sort of means.

Queenstown is affected by relics and reminders of the mining increase. It was an excellent place to spend the evening.

This glorious previous lodge is a stark reminder of the gold period time of the west coast. The meals right here is nice!

If you’d like an actual journey from Cradle Mountain and have a bit extra time, head out to the Tarkine for this 2-day street journey extension!

Day 13: Strahan and the Western Wilderness Means

On Day 13 of our street journey, we drove down the west coast to the quaint seaside village city of Strahan. Should you head due west from right here the following little bit of land you’d hit could be Argentina.

Together with Zeehan and Queenstown, Strahan additionally benefitted vastly from the gold rush occasions. Now it’s a way more sedate and laid again affair.

It’s an honest place to probe for a morning, however in all probability not value way more time than that. From right here it was an extended drive all the way down to Hobart.

The west coast is Tasmania at its most desolate. There may be one street from Strahan to Hobart. At occasions, it nearly looks as if the outback however with extra timber.

There are many viewpoints, brief hikes and sights on route to interrupt up this lengthy drive.

Day 14: Bruny Island

This beautiful little island is barely an hour or so away from Hobart. Consequently, Bruny Island can get fairly busy at weekends or in the course of the holidays.

It pays to point out up half an hour early than you actually need to because the queue to get on the boat may be fairly lengthy.

We instantly headed for the Neck viewpoint, which because it is among the greatest viewpoints may be fairly busy. Nonetheless, the views are completely spectacular.

From right here we headed all the way down to grass level for an exquisite coastal after which spent to remainder of the day seaside hopping round the remainder of the island.

An incredible thought is to go forward and ebook this tour prematurely so that you get the very best of Bruny Island in a 3-hour cruise. When you have extra time, think about this highly-rated full-day tour.

Alternatively, in case you missed it on Day 1 of your Tasmania street journey you would spend the day exploring Mount Wellington for some unimaginable views over Hobart.

What Did We Miss on our Tasmania Street Journey Itinerary?

Properly in our 2 week Tasmania street journey we managed to see an enormous quantity of the island. However there have been a couple of issues we sadly didn’t get the chance to go to.

The listing under had been locations that we deliberate on visiting on the street journey. Nonetheless, sadly for us, time ran out.

1. Haast Caves
2. Mole Creek Nationwide Park
3. MONA
4. Mt Area Nationwide Park
5. Coles Bay

There are in all probability loads of different wonderful issues that we missed on our street journey, however that simply provides us a cause to return to this unimaginable island.

Hope you loved my 2-week Tasmania street journey itinerary. Should you did depart a remark under! Completely happy travels.