This self-drive 14-day itinerary is what we like to call the ‘Ultimate’ Tasmanian 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!
Last Updated – August 2020
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Want to experience the very best of Tasmania? 14 days is the perfect amount of time, and a 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 for you on your Tasmania trip we’ve used our extensive local knowledge to create this 14-day self drive itinerary.
Day 1 – Hobart to Derwent Bridge
Day 2 – Derwent Bridge to Strahan
Day 4 – Strahan to Cradle Mountain
Day 6 – Cradle Mountain to Stanley
Day 7 – Stanley to Launceston (via Devonport and Sheffield)
Day 8 – Launceston to Bay of Fires (via Tamar Valley)
Day 10 – Bay of FIres to Coles Bay (Freycinet)
Day 12 – Coles Bay to Port Arthur
We understand that everyone has different travel priorities, and that’s why we’ve provided multiple options on some days – so you can choose the place or activity that suits you best.
For some, 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.
You can follow this itinerary exactly, or adjust it to suit your own style of travel. It’s that easy!
We feel that 14 days is the ideal amount of time to experience the Lap of Tasmania.
The distance covered per day varies from as little as 110km to 250km at the most. And to ensure there’s no rush we’ve included 2-night stays in the 5 most popular locations.
So, let’s get this show on the road!
225 km
3hr 30mins + Stops
📌 Derwent Valley
Breakfast – Dandy Lane (Hobart)
Morning
Lunch – Agrarian Kitchen (New Norfolk)
Afternoon
Dinner – Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel (Derwent Bridge)
Accommodation
130 km
2 hours + Stops
West Coast
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Hungry Wombat Cafe (Derwent Bridge)
Morning
Lunch – Tracks Cafe (Queenstown)
Afternoon
Dinner – View 42 (Strahan)
Accommodation
ImportantStrahan is a small town with limited late night dining options – especially on a Sunday.
View 42 (all week) and Frederick’s at Ormiston House (Mon-Fri) are your two best options, but try to arrive before 8:30pm.
For other venues around town try to arrive before 6:30pm.
Free Day
Free Day
West Coast
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – The Coffee Shack (Strahan)
Morning
Lunch – Included in your cruise
Afternoon
Dinner – Fredericks at Ormiston House (Strahan)
Accommodation
140 km
2 hours + Stops
West Coast + Cradle Coast
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – The Coffee Shack (Strahan)
Morning
Lunch – 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 – Your accommodation – OR – Highland Restaurant (Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge)
Morning
Lunch – Picnic hamper (ask the hotel)
Afternoon
Dinner – Altitude Restaurant (Cradle Mountain Hotel)
Accommodation
170 km
2hrs 30mins + Stops
Cradle Coast
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Highland Restaurant (Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge)
Morning
Lunch – The Chocolate Gallery and Cafe (Stanley) – [Special Offer]
Afternoon
Dinner – Stanley Hotel and Bistro (Stanley)
Accommodation
230 km
3 hours + Stops
Cradle Coast
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Moby Dick’s Breakfast Bar (Stanley)
Morning
Lunch – Blacksmith Gallery Cafe – OR – Fudge’n’Good Cafe (Sheffield)
Afternoon
Dinner – Black Cow – OR – Smokey Joe’s (Launceston)
Accommodation
240 km
3hrs 15mins + Stops
Tamar Valley + North East
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Stillwater (Launceston)
Morning
Lunch – Pipers Brook Vineyard Cafe (Pipers Brook)
Afternoon
Dinner – Meresta Eatery (Binalong Bay)
Accommodation
Free Day
Free Day
East Coast
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Lifebuoy Cafe (St Helens)
Morning
Lunch – The Bays Kitchen (St Helens)
Afternoon
Dinner – Nina Restaurant and Bar (St Helens)
Accommodation
120 km
1hr 40mins + Stops
East Coast
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Lifebuoy Cafe (St Helens)
Morning
Lunch – Lobster Shack (Bicheno)
Afternoon
Dinner – The Bay Restaurant (Freycinet Lodge – Coles Bay)
Accommodation
Free Day
Free Day
East Coast
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Geographe Restaurant (Coles Bay)
Morning
Lunch
Afternoon
Dinner – The Edge Restaurant (Edge of the Bay Resort)
Accommodation
240 km
3 hours + Stops
East Coast + Tasman Peninsula
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Geographe Restaurant (Coles Bay)
Morning
Lunch – Bangor Vineyard Shed (Dunalley)
Afternoon
Dinner – 1830 Restaurant and Bar (Port Arthur)
Accommodation
For something equally as special as our itinerary above, or if you have an extra day available, why not consider a day trip to Maria Island?
This island is pure magic, getting you close to nature without the crowds. Wombats are everywhere, the walks are stunning, and there is plenty of history as well.
You will need to allow a full day, as you can’t drive onto the island – the ferry takes 30 minutes each way from Triabunna Wharf. Don’t forget to take a packed lunch as well, as there are no shops on the island.
Hot Tip – Hire a bike to make the most of your time on the island! For photos and more information about Maria Island click here.
90 km
1hr 20mins + Stops
Tasman Peninsula + Coal River Valley
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Port Arthur General Store
Morning
Lunch – Gabriel’s on the Bay (Port Arthur) – OR – Doo-Lishus (Eaglehawk Neck)
Afternoon
Dinner – Prospect House Private Hotel – OR – Richmond Arms Hotel
Accommodation
Save 15% on the ‘Room + Breakfast’ rate at gorgeous Prospect House Private Hotel when you use our LAPOFTAS promo code!
Free Day
Free Day
Hobart
Breakfast – Ashmore on Bridge Street – OR – Prospect House Private Hotel (Richmond)
Morning
Lunch – Templo (Hobart)
Afternoon
Dinner – Franklin (Hobart)
Accommodation
Here’s how to make your Tasmania road trip happen in 5 simple steps!
It’s that easy! 
Tasmania’s remote location means there are internet ‘black spots’ across the island.
A hard copy travel guide or map is the perfect backup, and we 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.
© Lap of Tasmania – 2020
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