Tasmania Itinerary (14 Days)
Your ‘Ultimate’ Self-Drive Road Trip
This self-drive 14-day Tasmania itinerary is what I like to call your ‘Ultimate’ Tasmania road trip.
No rush. No pressure. Just 14 days of pure driving pleasure as you experience the best natural wonders, gastronomic delights and historic sites Tasmania has to offer!
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Self-drive Tasmania Itinerary (14 days)
Want to experience the very best Tasmania trip?
14 days is the perfect amount of time, and a Tasmania road trip is the ultimate way to explore this amazing island.
But what should you see? Where to stay? And do you know the best places to eat?
To make things easy and stress-free I’ve used my extensive local knowledge to create this 14-day self-drive Tasmania itinerary.
Together with my wife I have called Tasmania home for more than 15 years now, so you can rest assured that all my recommendations come from personal experience and my passion to get out on the open road.
When it comes to the structure of this 14-day Tasmania itinerary, I understand that everyone has different travel priorities, and that’s why I’ve provided multiple options on some days so you can choose the place or activity that suits you best.
For some travellers, family-friendly activities are essential. Or perhaps you want to focus on the outdoors over historic sites? Maybe you prefer to self-cater, rather than eat out. And of course many of us need to stretch our travel dollar as far as it can go, while others will want to experience the Lap of Tasmania in luxury.
It is so important to me that your Tasmania road trip is as special as possible, no matter what your style of travel – which is why I have tailored this Tasmania itinerary to be extremely flexible and adjustable.
You can follow this itinerary exactly, or adjust it to suit your own preferences. Clockwise or anti-clockwise doesn’t matter at all – it’s that easy!
If you have any questions at all, or need more advice, we would love to hear from you over in our Lap of Tasmania Facebook Group. It is a super-friendly community without any grumpy buggers or keyboard warriors to spoil your fun – come and say g’day 🙂
I feel that 14 days is the ideal amount of time for a Tasmania driving holiday.
The distance covered per day in this itinerary varies from as little as 110km up to 250km at the most, and this means you can drive around at a leisurely pace while still making the most of your time in Tasmania.
To ensure you aren’t feeling too rushed I’ve also included 2-night stays in the 5 most popular locations.
That’s enough chat… let’s get this show on the road!
Day 1: Hobart to Derwent Bridge (via Mt Field)
Breakfast – Pigeon Hole Cafe (Hobart)
Morning
- New Norfolk – St Matthews church, Bush Inn and Drill Hall Emporium.
- Pulpit Rock lookout
Lunch – Agrarian Kitchen (New Norfolk) -OR – Cheeky Little Place (New Norfolk)
Afternoon
- Mt Field – Russell Falls short walk, Waterfalls Cafe and Gallery (souvenirs!)
- Westerway – Westerway Raspberry Farm (Dec-Mar) – OR – Platypus spotting
- Tarraleah – Highland cows and Hydro history
Dinner – Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel (Derwent Bridge)
Accommodation
- Budget – Highland Cabins and Cottages (Bronte Park – 20mins from Derwent Bridge)
- Mid-Range – Derwent Bridge Chalets and Studios (Derwent Bridge)
- Indulgence – Tarraleah Lodge (Tarraleah)
- Camping – Lake St Clair Tourist Park – OR – Derwent Bridge Hotel
Read More: My guide to the Best Places to Stay in the Derwent Valley
Got a couple of extra days? Extend your road trip!
For me, the Derwent Valley is one of Tasmania’s most special places and you could easily spend 3 or 4 nights in the region.
If you have the time, I recommend basing yourself in Fentonbury at the lovely Hamlet Downs (read my review here) and using it as a base to drive up to Mt Field, and out to Maydena, Lake Pedder and Strathgordon.
Another region that flies waaaay under the radar is the Central Highlands of Tasmania. Reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands, you will love a couple of nights at the gorgeous Ratho Farm in Bothwell (read my review here) and doing day-trips into the surrounding region.
Day 2: Derwent Bridge to Strahan
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Hungry Wombat Cafe (Derwent Bridge)
Morning
- Wall in the Wilderness wood carving – OR – Lake St Clair walking trails
- Drive the ’99 Bends’
- Franklin River Nature Trail
- Nelson Falls Nature trail
- Queenstown – Iron Blow Lookout
Lunch – Tracks Cafe (Queenstown)
Afternoon
- Option 1: RoamWild Tour – OR – Mountain biking on Mt Owen
- Option 2: Explore Queenstown by foot (Paragon Theatre, Soggy Brolly shared art space, Missing Tiger book store, historic Empire Hotel)
- Drive to Strahan
Dinner – View 42 – OR – Hamers Bar & Bistro (Strahan)
Accommodation
- Budget – Strahan Village (Strahan)
- Luxe – Wheelhouse Apartments (Strahan)
- Camping – Big4 Strahan Holiday Retreat (Strahan)
Important ‘eating out’ information for Strahan
Strahan 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 – ideally around 6-7pm. 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.
Day 3: Strahan
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – The Coffee Shack (Strahan)
Morning
- Gordon River & Macquarie Harbour Cruise – Promo Code: LAPOFTAS for 10% OFF
Lunch – Included in your cruise
Afternoon
- Ocean Beach
- Platypus spotting at Hogarth Falls (Strahan) – OR – Henty Dunes
- Strahan – The Ship That Never Was
Dinner – Risby Cove (Strahan)
Accommodation
- Budget – Strahan Village (Strahan)
- Luxe – Wheelhouse Apartments (Strahan)
- Camping – Big4 Strahan Holiday Retreat (Strahan)
How about Queenstown?
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).
Many road trippers tell me that the West Coast Wilderness Railway is at its best when you start from the Queenstown end as well!
Day 4: Strahan to Cradle Mountain
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – The Coffee Shack (Strahan)
Morning
- ‘River and Rainforest’ Wilderness Railway Tour
Lunch – On the train (included in the ‘Wilderness Carriage’ carriage upgrade) – OR – Risby Cove after the tour (if you select the ‘Heritage Carriage’)
Afternoon
- Zeehan – Spray Tunnel (if time allows)
- Vale of Belvoir Lookout
- Cradle Mountain Village – Explore short walks around the interpretation centre
Dinner – Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village Resort Restaurant – OR – The Tavern Bar and Bistro (CM Lodge)
Accommodation
- Best of the Best – Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village – Promo Code: LAPOFTAS for 10% OFF
- Camping – Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain – Promo Code: LAPOFTAS for 20% OFF
- Budget – Cradle Mountain Highlanders
- Luxe – Cradle Mountain Lodge
Read More: Click here to read my guide comparing all the Cradle Mountain accommodation options.
Day 5: Cradle Mountain
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Cradle Mountain Hotel (non-guests are allowed)
Morning
- Option 1: Dove Lake loop walk
- Option 2: Cradle Canyons Tour (summer)
Lunch – Picnic hamper – OR – The Wilderness Lounge (Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village Resort)
Afternoon
- Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery
- Waldheim Alpine Spa – Spa Treatment
- Peppers Lodge – Wine and cheese tasting
- ‘After Dark’ Tassie Devil feeding tour
Dinner – Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village Resort Restaurant
Accommodation
- Best of the Best – Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village – Promo Code: LAPOFTAS for 10% OFF
- Camping – Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain – Promo Code: LAPOFTAS for 20% OFF
- Budget – Cradle Mountain Highlanders
- Luxe – Cradle Mountain Lodge
Special Offer – Cradle Mountain Accommodation
Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village Resort is my favourite accommodation at Cradle Mountain – I’ve stayed there twice now with my wife!
Use the LAPOFTAS code and SAVE 10% on all room rates!
Day 6: Cradle Mountain to Stanley
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Highland Restaurant (Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge)
Morning
- Hellyer Gorge scenic drive
- Table Cape – Lighthouse
- Table Cape – Tulip Farm (Sep-Oct)
- Boat Harbour Beach
- Drive on to Stanley
Lunch – Touchwood (Stanley)
Afternoon
- Highfield House – Self-guided tour
- The ‘Nut’ – Chairlift to the top of the ‘Nut
- The ‘Nut’ – Explore the walking trails on top
Dinner – Stanley Hotel and Bistro (Stanley)
Accommodation
- Camping – BIG4 Stanley Holiday Park (Stanley)
- Budget – Stanley Upstairs (Stanley)
- Bed and Breakfast – The Ark Stanley (Stanley)
- Indulgence – Horizon Deluxe Apartments (Stanley)
Special Offer – The Ark Stanley
Mention the Lap of Tasmania when booking your relaxing stay at The Ark Stanley and receive:
- FREE cooked breakfast
- Complimentary bottle of wine for stays of 2 or more nights
- Late checkout to noon!
Valid for direct bookings only.
Day 7: Stanley to Launceston (via Devonport and Sheffield)
Breakfast – The Ark Stanley – OR – Moby Dick’s Breakfast Bar (Stanley)
Morning
- Coastal drive
- Burnie – Tastings at Hellyers Distillery
- Turner’s Beach – The Berry Patch
- Penguin – The ‘Big Penguin’
- See Ulverstone and Devonport
- Latrobe – Anvers Chocolates
Lunch – Blacksmith Gallery Cafe (Sheffield)
Afternoon
- Sheffield – Explore the murals
- Ashgrove Cheese / Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm / Van Diemens Land Creamery
- Hagley – Hazelbrae Hazelnuts (enjoy a picnic in their beautiful orchard!)
- See the historic towns of Deloraine, Westbury and Hadspen on your way to Launceston.
Dinner – Stelo at Pierre’s (Launceston)
Accommodation
- Camping – Discovery Parks Hadspen – Promo Code: LAPOFTAS for 20% OFF
- Budget – Leisure Inn Penny Royal Apartments
- Mid-Range – Kurrajong House
- Modern – Hotel Verge
- Indulgence – Peppers Silo
Read More: Click here to see my favourite places to stay in Launceston.
Day 8: Launceston to Bay of Fires (via Tamar Valley)
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Stillwater (Launceston)
Morning
- Launceston – Cataract Gorge – OR – Tamar Wetlands Walk
- Tamar Valley Wineries (after 11am) – Moores Hill, Small Wonder
Lunch – Pipers Brook Vineyard Cafe (Pipers Brook)
Afternoon
- Bridestowe Lavender Farm (allow an extra 40mins drive time)
- ‘Tin Dragon’ Trail – See the historic towns of Branxholm, Derby and Weldborough
- Pyengana – Pyengana Dairy Farm Gate Cafe, St Columba Falls, Pub in the Paddock
- Mountain bikers will want at least half a day to ride the world-class trails of ‘Blue Derby’
Dinner – The Wharf Bar and Kitchen (St Helens) – OR – Parkside Bar and Kitchen (St Helens)
Accommodation
- Camping – Big4 St Helens Holiday Park (St Helens)
- Budget – Queechy Motel (St Helens)
- Relaxing B&B – Beaumaris Beach Guest House (Beaumaris Beach)
- Indulgence – Sea Eagle Cottage (Binalong Bay)
Special Offer – Beaumaris Beach Guest House
Use the 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.
Day 9: Bay of Fires
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Lifebuoy Cafe (St Helens)
Morning
- Bay of Fires Eco Tour (by boat)
Lunch – East Coast Village Providore (St Helens)
Afternoon
- Lease 65 Oysters
- Option 1: Explore the Bay of Fires beaches, dunes and coves north of Binalong Bay
- Option 2: Visit Suncoast Gallery, The Shop in the Bush, and Priority Ridge Winery (Sep-May)
- Sunset over the rocks of Binalong Bay (here)
Dinner –The Wharf Bar and Kitchen (St Helens) – OR – Parkside Bar and Kitchen (St Helens)
Accommodation
- Camping – Big4 St Helens Holiday Park (St Helens)
- Budget – Queechy Motel (St Helens)
- Relaxing B&B – Beaumaris Beach Guest House (Beaumaris Beach)
- Indulgence – Sea Eagle Cottage (Binalong Bay)
Day 10: Bay of Fires to Coles Bay (Freycinet)
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Lifebuoy Cafe (St Helens)
Morning
- Four Mile Creek – Tastings at Ironhouse Brewery
- Douglas Apsley National Park – Apsley River Waterhole
- Bicheno – The Bicheno blowhole
Lunch – The Lobster Shack (Bicheno)
Afternoon
- Freycinet Marine Farm
- Friendly Beaches
- Cape Tourville Lighthouse
Dinner – The Bay Restaurant (Freycinet Lodge – Coles Bay)
Accommodation
- Camping and Cabins – Big4 Iluka on Freycinet
- Family Value – Waterline Holiday Home
- Quirky Couples – Numie Glamping
- Indulgence – Freycinet Lodge
- Ultimate Luxury – Picnic Island
Day 11: Coles Bay (Freycinet)
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Geographe Restaurant (Coles Bay)
Morning
- Option 1: Wineglass Bay Cruise
- Option 2: Walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout and then either spend the rest of the morning looping back via Hazards Beach, or return the same way you went in and then explore Coles Bay until lunch
Lunch
- Option 1: If you book the cruise then lunch is provided
- Option 2: Enjoy lunch at The Bay Restaurant at Freycinet Lodge
- Option 3: Enjoy a casual meal at Geographe Restaurant and Espresso Bar (Coles Bay)
Afternoon
- Option 1: Freycinet and Maria Island scenic flight
- Option 2: Visit Providore Wine Glass (Freycinet Lodge) and then enjoy a Tasmanian Tasting session – wine, whisky or gin – at the Lodge (Freycinet Lodge)
Dinner – The Edge Restaurant (Edge of the Bay Resort)
Accommodation
- Camping and Cabins – Big4 Iluka on Freycinet
- Family Value – Waterline Holiday Home
- Quirky Couples – Numie Glamping
- Indulgence – Freycinet Lodge
- Ultimate Luxury – Picnic Island
Day 12: Coles Bay to Port Arthur
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Geographe Restaurant (Coles Bay)
Morning
- Apslawn Wineries – Devil’s Corner, Spring Vale and Milton vineyards
- Swansea – Spiky Bridge and Spiky Beach
Lunch – Blue Seal Seafood Shack (Eaglehawk Neck) – OR – Port Arthur Lavender Farm (Port Arthur)
Maria Island Cruises – 10% OFF
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 the LAPOFTAS code and receive 10% OFF your cruise!
Afternoon
- Pirate’s Bay Lookout
- Tessellated Pavement – OR – Officer’s Quarters Museum (Eaglehawk Neck)
- Tasman Arch
- Devil’s Kitchen
- Remarkable Cave
- Port Arthur Ghost Tour
Dinner – On the Bay Restaurant (Tue-Sat, Port Arthur) – OR – Fox & Hounds Hotel (Port Arthur)
Accommodation
- Camping – NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park (Port Arthur)
- Budget – Port Arthur Villas (Port Arthur)
- Relaxing – Stewarts Bay Lodge (Port Arthur)
Day 13: Port Arthur to Richmond
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Port Arthur General Store
Morning
Lunch – Fox & Hounds Hotel (Port Arthur) – OR – Doo-Lishus (Eaglehawk Neck)
Afternoon
- Richmond Village – See St John’s Church, Richmond Bridge, historic Main Street, Richmond Gaol, and the Richmond Wine Wall
- Wicked Cheese
- Pooley Wines – OR – Coal River Farm
Dinner – Prospect Country House – OR – Richmond Arms Hotel
Accommodation
- Families – Tara’s Richmond Farmstay
- B&B – Mulberry Cottage
- Luxury and Romance – Prospect Country House
Special Offer – Prospect Country House
An escape to Prospect Country House would have to be one of Australia’s most romantic getaways.
Conveniently located just 20mins drive from Hobart among the stunning wineries of the Coal River Valley. It’s your perfect base for exploring the region!
Stay 3 nights and only Pay for 2 – Just mention the Lap of Tasmania when making your booking over the phone!
Day 14: Richmond to Hobart
Breakfast – Ashmore on Bridge Street (Richmond) – OR – Prospect Country House (Richmond)
Morning
- Mt Wellington Summit
- Salamanca Market (Saturday) – OR – Farm Gate Market (Sunday)
- Hobart Waterfront – Salamanca, Brooke Street Pier
- Visit Beauty and the Bees
- Lark Distillery
- Kelly’s Steps
- Walk to Battery Point and explore
- Alternative Option – Hobart’s Hop-on Hop-off Bus
- Lunch – Templo (Hobart) – OR New Sydney Hotel (Hobart)
Afternoon
- MONA Ferry and Museum – Splurge and get a ‘Posh Pit’ ticket (my guide)
- Sunset drinks at The Glass House
Dinner – Aloft (Hobart)
Accommodation
- Budget – Bay Hotel Apartments
- Mid-Range – RACV Hobart Hotel
- Indulgence – MACq 01 – OR – MONA Pavilions
- B&B – Waterview Gardens B&B (Margate)
- Camping – Discovery Parks Hobart – Promo Code: LAPOFTAS for 20% OFF
Read More: Discover the Best Places to Stay in Hobart
Special Offer – Waterview Gardens B&B
Mention the Lap of Tasmania when booking your delightful Hobart getaway at Waterview Gardens B&B and receive:
- 10% OFF your booking; and
- FREE bottle of bubbles – OR – cheese platter upon arrival!
Valid for direct bookings only.
Next steps…
I hope you have found my 14-day Tasmania road trip itinerary helpful in planning your holiday!
Here are some more guides and articles to put the finishing touches on your Tassie trip:
- Choose the best vehicle for your road trip:
- Book your accommodation
- Decide on all the exciting tours you want to experience
If you have any questions at all about the planning process, please come and join us over in our Facebook Group here. It is a very friendly community and I have no tolerance for ‘keyboard warriors’ – we’d love to say g’day!
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!