Q: How long does it take to drive around Tasmania?

Quick Answer : 7 days is the minimum amount of time to drive around Tasmania safely, while having enough time to enjoy your road trip. If you can, try to stretch it out to 14 days or longer. You can drive around Tasmania in as little as 3 days... but I don't recommend this for travellers. Not only is it unsafe, but you'd be an absolute wreck at the end, and probably more stressed than when you started! Working out how long to drive around Tasmania depends on your road trip route, how long you'd like to spend in each destination, and how much driving you'd like to do each day. The Lap of Tasmania route [ map ] is around 1,500km long, and I feel that you should allow a minimum of 7 days for a full 'lap' ( this itinerary shows you how). Ideally, I recommend 14 days or more to drive around Tasmania (especially if you are in a caravan). This lets you stay in iconic locations for at least a couple of nights, gives you enough time to see the ' Big 12 ', and opens up the option of extending down into the Huon Valley , exploring the Highlands, or doing day-trips to Bruny Island or Maria Island.

Question 1

How long does it take to drive around Tasmania?

Accepted Answer

Quick Answer: 7 days is the minimum amount of time to drive around Tasmania safely, while having enough time to enjoy your road trip. If you can, try to stretch it out to 14 days or longer.

You can drive around Tasmania in as little as 3 days... but I don't recommend this for travellers. Not only is it unsafe, but you'd be an absolute wreck at the end, and probably more stressed than when you started!

Working out how long to drive around Tasmania depends on your road trip route, how long you'd like to spend in each destination, and how much driving you'd like to do each day.

The Lap of Tasmania route [map] is around 1,500km long, and I feel that you should allow a minimum of 7 days for a full 'lap' (this itinerary shows you how).

Ideally, I recommend 14 days or more to drive around Tasmania (especially if you are in a caravan).

This lets you stay in iconic locations for at least a couple of nights, gives you enough time to see the 'Big 12', and opens up the option of extending down into the Huon Valley, exploring the Highlands, or doing day-trips to Bruny Island or Maria Island.

Question 2

What is the distance from Launceston to Hobart?

Accepted Answer

The distance from Launceston to Hobart is 200km (124 miles) along the Midlands Highway.

I recommend allowing 2.5hrs by car, or 3hrs in a campervan or motorhome, to drive between the two cities.

As I mention above, road works are ongoing on the Midlands Highway and short delays are not uncommon.

Question 3

How long does it take to drive from Hobart to Port Arthur?

Accepted Answer

It takes around 1.5hrs to drive from Hobart to Port Arthur by car, or a little more than 2hrs by campervan or motorhome .

The multi-lane Tasman Highway (A3) between Hobart and Sorell is in great condition and the only chance of delay is if you are leaving Hobart during the afternoon peak hour (after 4:30pm).

The Arthur Highway (A9) from Sorell to Port Arthur is also in good condition, however it is single-lane for much of the route. Work is currently underway to increase the number of overtaking lanes and 'pull-over' lanes for slow vehicles.

Port Arthur Historic Site | Photo: Hype TV

Question 4

What is the Launceston to Cradle Mountain driving time and distance?

Accepted Answer

The Launceston to Cradle Mountain driving time is 2hrs by car (via Sheffield), and around 2.5hrs if you're driving a campervan or motorhome.

The distance between Launceston and Cradle Mountain is 140km (87 miles).

The Bass Highway from Launceston to Christmas Hills is one of the best roads in Tasmania. The road between Christmas Hills and Cradle Mountain Village is rural and in decent condition, although some sections are narrow and winding, and overtaking opportunities can be limited, particularly around Cethana.

Places to See Snow in Tasmania - Enchanted Forest Walk | Photo: Paul Fleming

Question 5

How long does it take to drive from Hobart to Freycinet Peninsula?

Accepted Answer

It takes around 2hrs 45mins to drive from Hobart to Freycinet (Coles Bay) by car, or 3.5hrs by campervan or motorhome.

There is a narrow winding section just before Orford, but otherwise the Tasman Highway (A3) from Hobart is in great condition all the way to the Coles Bay turn-off at the Pondering Frog (Apslawn). Coles Bay Road is single lane and also in good condition.

Important: They may look very close, but it is impossible to cross the water from Dolphin Sands to Coles Bay in a vehicle.

Freycinet and the Hazards | Photo: Luke Tscharke

Question 6

How long does it take to drive from Hobart to Bay of Fires?

Accepted Answer

It takes around 4hrs to drive from Hobart to Bay of Fires (Binalong Bay) along the coastal road by car, or 5hrs by campervan or motorhome.

There is a narrow winding section just before Orford, but the Tasman Highway (A3) from Hobart is in great condition all the way up the East Coast to St Helens. The last 10kms along Binalong Bay Road is narrow and winding, but still in good condition.

Important: People often refer to the 'Bay of Fires' as though it is a town, but this isn't correct and will give strange results when entered into a GPS navigator. The 'Bay of Fires' is a region and the closest town is Binalong Bay, with St Helens a further 10km away.

A rainbow of colour at the Bay of Fires | Photo: Sean Scott

Question 7

How long does it take to drive from Port Arthur to Swansea?

Accepted Answer

It takes around 2.5hrs to drive from Port Arthur to Swansea by car via Sorell, or 3.5hrs by campervan or motorhome.

The Arthur Highway (A9) from Port Arthur to Sorell is in good condition, however it is single-lane for much of the route. Work is currently underway to increase the number of overtaking lanes and 'pull-over' lanes for slow vehicles.

From Sorell through to Swansea the Tasman Highway (A3) is in good condition.

Important: Don't take Wielangta Road between Copping and Orford. Google is always recommending this road and many tourists get caught out - especially those towing caravans. It looks like a big shortcut, however the road is in very poor condition and is often impassable due to washouts.

Spiky Bridge near Swansea| Photo: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett

Question 8

How long does it take to drive from Hobart to Strahan

Accepted Answer

It takes around 4.5hrs to drive from Hobart to Strahan by car, or 6hrs or more by campervan or motorhome. This is a long drive, and for this reason I recommend breaking this section up and staying at either Mt Field or Derwent Bridge if you can afford the time.

Beyond New Norfolk the Lyell Highway is in good condition and passes through open countryside all the way up to Wayatinah at the foot of the Highlands.

From Wayatinah to Tungatinah the road climbs and becomes very windy. The road is good, but larger vehicles will need to take it slow. The road from Tungatinah to Derwent Bridge is flatter, and it continues like this to King William Saddle where the long, winding descent to Queenstown begins. They don't call it the '99 Bends' for nothing!

The road from Queenstown to Strahan is also narrow and winding and will take just under an hour to drive the 40km.

It's a long journey between Hobart and Strahan, but the scenery is stunning and well worth the effort!

Macquarie Harbour World Heritage Cruises | Photo: World Heritage Cruises

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