This self drive Tasmania 10-days itinerary is what I like to call the ‘Essential’ Tasmania road trip.
Cradle Mountain, Bay of Fires, Freycinet…it covers Tassie’s best natural attractions in less than two weeks. So if 10 days in Tasmania is all you have, this is your perfect road trip itinerary!
This page contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). Read my full disclosure policy here.
Don’t worry if you have less than two weeks for your Tasmania itinerary. 10 days is plenty of time to see its iconic attractions, and a road trip is the best way to get around the island.
But there are so many things to see and do in Tasmania that you might be wondering where to start? How long to take? What are the ‘must see’ attractions in Tasmania?
To keep things simple I’ve created this easy-to-follow 10-day Tasmania itinerary for the best road trip.
It doesn’t matter if you’re travelling solo, as a couple, or with your family of five – this itinerary has you covered. A range of budgets is included as well, so you can choose your accommodation to fit your preferred style of travel.
With this self-drive Tasmania (10 days) itinerary there is something for everyone, no matter whether this is your first ever road trip, or your fiftieth!
The itinerary can be shortened to 7-days, or lengthened to 14-days or more – and I also include alternative route options to reduce your driving time and maximise sight-seeing opportunities.
Read more: Tasmania Car Hire Comparison
Read more: Tasmania Campervan Rental Comparison
Best of all?
As with all the road trip planning information on the Lap of Tasmania website, it’s completely free!
 360 km
 5hr 15mins + Stops
 Derwent Valley + West Coast
Note: This is one of the longer days on the road, so I recommend starting as early as possible.
Breakfast – Bear With Me (Hobart)
Morning
Lunch –Â Waterfalls Cafe and Gallery (souvenirs as well!)
Afternoon
Dinner – View 42 (Strahan) – OR – Risby Cove (Strahan)
Accommodation
Book the ‘Bed, Breakfast & Boat’ package with Harrison House B&B, and when you mention the Lap of Tasmania you will also receive your choice of either:
 – OR –
 and a ‘Button Grass Brewery’ craft beer 
Valid for direct bookings only.
 ImportantStrahan is a small town with limited late night dining options – especially on a Sunday.
View 42 (all week), Hamers Bar & Bistro (all week), and Risby Cove (Wed-Sun) are your three best options, but make sure you arrive before 8:30pm. Regatta Point Tavern is also a good option, however they are only open from 6-8pm for dinner (all week).
For other venues around town try to arrive before 6:30pm.
 Free Day
  Free Day
 West Coast
Breakfast –Â Your accommodation â OR â The Coffee Shack (Strahan)
Morning
Lunch – Included in your cruise
Afternoon
Dinner – Risby Cove (Strahan)
Accommodation
Queenstown is one of the most fascinating towns you will find anywhere in Australia.
Stay an extra night or two on your way to/from Strahan and discover its emerging arts scene and stark landscapes with a couple of nights at historic Penghana B&B (read my review).Â
Many road trippers tell me that the West Coast Wilderness Railway is at its best when you start from the Queenstown end as well!Â
 140 km
  2 hours + Stops
 West Coast + Cradle Coast
Breakfast –Â Your accommodation â OR â The Coffee Shack (Strahan)
Morning
Lunch –Â On the train (included in the ‘Wilderness Carriage’ carriage upgrade) – OR – Risby Cove after the tour (if you select the ‘Heritage Carriage’)
Afternoon
Dinner – Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge (Tavern Bar and Bistro – OR – Highland Restaurant)
Accommodation
 Free Day
  Free Day
 Cradle Coast
Breakfast –Â Your accommodation â OR â Cradle Mountain Hotel (non-guests are allowed)
Morning
Lunch –Â Picnic hamper (if staying at Peppers Lodge) – OR – Tavern Bar and Bistro (at Peppers Lodge)
Afternoon
Dinner –Â Hellyers Restaurant (Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village)
Accommodation
 410 km
  5hr 40mins + Stops
 Cradle Coast
Note: This is a big, fun-filled day, so try to hit the road as early as possible.
Breakfast – Your accommodation â OR â Cradle Mountain Hotel (non-guests are allowed)
Morning
Lunch – Touchwood (Stanley)
Afternoon
Dinner – Stelo at Pierres (Launceston)
Accommodation
 More time on the road? Less time on the road?If you have time on your hands, an extra night in Stanley is a ‘must! The Ark Stanley is the best B&B in the region, and your wonderful host, Rhonda, is offering some special perks for Lap of Tasmania members! (read my review here)
Do you want to spend less time on the road, and more time enjoying the foodie options?Â
Skip Stanley by driving from Cradle Mountain to Sheffield, and you’ll have an extra half-day to eat ALL the cheese, chocolates, icecream, berries and hazelnuts that you can handle đ
 240 km
  3hr 15mins + Stops
 Tamar Valley + North East
Breakfast – Your accommodation â OR â Stillwater (Launceston)
Morning
Lunch – Pipers Brook Vineyard Cafe (Pipers Brook)
Afternoon
Dinner – Meresta Eatery (Binalong Bay) – OR – Raida (St Helens) – OR – Naturaliste (St Helens)
Accommodation
Use my LAPOFTAS code when booking your beach escape at Beaumaris Beach Guest House and receive 5% OFF all room rates!
Valid for direct bookings only, and not available in combination with other offers.
 115 km
  1hr 40mins + Stops
 East Coast
Breakfast – Your accommodation â OR â Lifebuoy Cafe (St Helens)
Morning
Lunch –Â The Lobster Shack (Bicheno)
Afternoon
Dinner – The Bay Restaurant (Freycinet Lodge – Coles Bay)
Accommodation
Mention the Lap of Tasmania when booking your cosy seaside retreat at Freycinet Waters and receive:
Valid for direct bookings only.
 240 km
  3hrs + Stops
 East Coast + Tasman Peninsula
Breakfast – Your accommodation â OR â Geographe Restaurant (Coles Bay)
Morning
Lunch – Bangor Vineyard (Dunalley)
Located halfway between Freycinet and the Tasman Peninsula, Maria Island is my favourite place in Tasmania, and it is an absolute ‘must’ if you can squeeze it into your itinerary!
Let the wonderful crew at Maria Island Cruises take care of you as you enjoy one of their two cruise/walk combo tours departing from Triabunna.
Both tours provide the opportunity to spend time on the island exploring by foot, but you also get the choice of either a full circumnavigation of the island, or a cruise to the stunning Ile des Phoques.
Use my LAPOFTAS code and receive 10% OFF your cruise!
Valid for direct bookings only.
Afternoon
Dinner – 1830 Restaurant and Bar (Port Arthur)
Accommodation
Use my LAPOFTAS code online, or mention the Lap of Tasmania when booking your relaxing escape at Storm Bay B&B on the beautiful Tasman Peninsula and receive:
Valid for direct bookings only. Some blockout dates may apply. Not applicable to tours booked through Storm Bay B&B.
 100 km
  1hr 30mins + Stops
 Tasman Peninsula + Coal River Valley
Breakfast –Â Your accommodation â OR â Port Arthur General Store
Morning
Lunch – On the Bay (Port Arthur) – OR – Doo-Lishus (Eaglehawk Neck)
Afternoon
Dinner – Landscape Restaurant and Grill (Hobart)
Accommodation
Use my LAPOFTAS code when booking your relaxing stay at Oceana B&B on Hobart’s sunny eastern shore and receive 10% OFF your booking!
Valid for direct bookings only.
 Free Day
  Free Day
 Hobart
Breakfast –Â Pigeon Hole Cafe (Hobart)
Morning
Lunch – Templo (Hobart) – OR – New Sydney Hotel (hobart)
Afternoon
Dinner – Aloft (Hobart)
Accommodation
Mention the Lap of Tasmania when booking your delightful Hobart getaway at Waterview Gardens B&B and receive:
Valid for direct bookings only.
I hope you have found my self-drive Tasmania (10 days) road trip itinerary useful in planning your holiday!
To put it all together just takes 5 simple steps…
It’s that easy!
Happy travels,
Andrew.
ps. If this is your first time visiting Tasmania, or you are a bit nervous about planning your road trip, then you will love my eBook – “How to Plan Your Tasmania Road Trip“. It takes you through the whole process in easy-to-follow steps and also includes a free Holiday Planner that you can use for Tasmania and any other holiday you take in the future!
Tasmania’s remote location means there are internet ‘black spots’ across the island.Â
A hard copy travel guide or map is the perfect backup, and I love the range from Lonely Planet.
We acknowledge and pay respect to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community as the traditional owners and continuing custodians of this island lutruwita (Tasmania).
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Š Lap of Tasmania – 2022-23
This website uses cookies to personalise your experience here and on social media, and to analyse traffic. See my Privacy Policy for more information.
Subscribe to my ‘Welcome’ email series (full of Tassie road trip tips and advice!), and receive your Tasmania road trip packing list absolutely FREE!
