Tasmania Itinerary (14 days)

14-Day Tasmanian Road Trip Itinerary

The 'Ultimate' Self-Drive Holiday

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!

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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 we’ve used our extensive local knowledge to create this 14-day self drive itinerary.

Table of Contents

Day 1 – Hobart to Derwent Bridge

Day 2 – Derwent Bridge to Strahan

Day 3 – Strahan

Day 4 – Strahan to Cradle Mountain

Day 5 – 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 9 – Bay of Fires

Day 10 – Bay of FIres to Coles Bay (Freycinet)

Day 11 – Coles Bay Freycinet)

Day 12 – Coles Bay to Port Arthur

Day 13 – Port Arthur to Hobart (via Richmond)

Day 14 – Hobart

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!

Explore: Lap of Tasmania map

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!

Day 1: Hobart to Derwent Bridge (via Mt Field)

225 km

3hr 30mins + Stops

📌 Derwent Valley

Breakfast – Dandy Lane (Hobart)

Morning

New Norfolk – St Matthews church, Bush Inn and Drill Hall Emporium.
Pulpit Rock

Lunch – Agrarian Kitchen (New Norfolk)

Afternoon

Mt Field – Russell Falls, Waterfall Gallery
Westerway – Westerway Raspberry Farm (Dec-Mar)
Hamilton – Kingdom Gallery at Glen Clyde House
Tarraleah – Highland cows

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 – Pumphouse Point (Lake St Clair)

Day 2: Derwent Bridge to Strahan

130 km

2 hours + Stops

West Coast

Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Hungry Wombat Cafe (Derwent Bridge)

Morning

Wall in the Wilderness – OR – Lake St Clair
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
Option 2: Queenstown – Paragon Theatre, LARQ Gallery, Eric Thomas Galley Museum
Drive to Strahan

Dinner – Bushmans (Strahan)

Accommodation

Budget – Strahan Village (Strahan)
Mid-Range – Aldermere Estate Luxury Apartments (Strahan)
Indulgence – Wheelhouse Apartments (Strahan)

Day 3: Strahan

Free Day

West Coast

Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – The Coffee Shack (Strahan)

Morning

Macquarie Harbour Cruise

Lunch – Included in your cruise

Afternoon

Ocean Beach
Henty Dunes
Strahan – The Ship That Never Was

Dinner – Fredericks (Strahan)

Accommodation

Budget – Strahan Village (Strahan)
Mid-Range – Aldermere Estate Luxury Apartments (Strahan)
Indulgence – Wheelhouse Apartments (Strahan)

Day 4: Strahan to Cradle Mountain

140 km

2 hours + Stops

West Coast + Cradle Coast

Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – The Coffee Shack (Strahan)

Morning

West Coast Wilderness Railway – ‘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 – Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge (Tavern Bar and Bistro – OR – Highland Restaurant)

Accommodation

Budget – Cradle Mountain Highlanders (Cradle Mountain Village)
Mid-Range – Cradle Mountain Hotel (Cradle Mountain Village)
Indulgence – Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village (Cradle Mountain Village)

Day 5: Cradle Mountain

Free Day

Cradle Coast

Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Highland Restaurant (Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge)

Morning

Option 1: Dove Lake loop walk
Option 2: Cradle Canyons Tour (summer)

Lunch – Picnic hamper (ask the hotel)

Afternoon

Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery
Waldheim Alpine Spa – Spa Treatment
Peppers Lodge – Wine and cheese tasting
Peppers Lodge – Native animal spotlight tour

Dinner – Altitude Restaurant (Cradle Mountain Hotel)

Accommodation

Budget – Cradle Mountain Highlanders (Cradle Mountain Village)
Mid-Range – Cradle Mountain Hotel (Cradle Mountain Village)
Indulgence – Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village (Cradle Mountain Village)

Day 6: Cradle Mountain to Stanley

170 km

2hrs 30mins + Stops

Cradle Coast

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 – The Chocolate Gallery and Cafe (Stanley) – [Special Offer]

Afternoon

Highfield House – Self-guided tour
The ‘Nut’ – Chairlift to the top of the ‘Nut
The ‘Nut’ – Explore the walking trails on top

Dinner – Xanders (Stanley)

Accommodation

Budget – Stanley Cabin and Tourist Park (Stanley)
Mid-Range – Stanley Upstairs (Stanley)
Indulgence – Horizon Deluxe Apartments (Stanley)

Day 7: Stanley to Launceston (via Devonport and Sheffield)

230 km

3 hours + Stops

Cradle Coast

Breakfast – Your accommodation – 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 – The Apple Tree Cafe (Sheffield)

Afternoon

Sheffield – Explore the murals
Ashgrove Cheese
Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm
Van Diemens Land Creamery
See the historic towns of Deloraine, Westbury and Hadspen on your way to Launceston.

Dinner – Black Cow – OR – Brisbane Street Bistro (Launceston)

Accommodation

Budget – Leisure Inn Penny Royal Apartments (Launceston)
Mid-Range – Change Overnight (Launceston)
Indulgence – Stillwater Seven (Launceston)

Day 8: Launceston to Bay of Fires (via Tamar Valley)

240 km

3hrs 15mins + Stops

Tamar Valley + North East

Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Stillwater (Launceston)

Morning

Launceston – Cataract Gorge
Tamar Valley Wineries – Moores Hill, Wines for Joanie

Lunch – Pipers Brook Vineyard Cafe (Pipers Brook)

Afternoon

Bridestowe Lavender Farm (allow an extra 40mins drive time)
‘Tin Dragon’ – See the historic towns of Branxholm, Derby and Weldborough
Pyengana – Pyengana Dairy Farm Gate Cafe, Pub in the Paddock

Dinner – Lichen Restaurant (Binalong Bay)

Accommodation

Budget – Queechy Motel (St Helens)
Mid-Range – Bay of Fires Eco-Hut (Binalong Bay)
Indulgence – Sea Eagle Cottage (Binalong Bay)

Day 9: Bay of Fires

Free Day

East Coast

Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Lifebuoy Cafe (St Helens)

Morning

Bay of Fires Eco Tour (by boat)

Lunch – The Bays Kitchen (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 at the ‘Lone Tree’ of Binalong Bay (here)

Dinner – Nina Restaurant and Bar (St Helens)

Accommodation

Budget – Queechy Motel (St Helens)
Mid-Range – Bay of Fires Eco-Hut (Binalong Bay)
Indulgence – Sea Eagle Cottage (Binalong Bay)

Day 10: Bay of Fires to Coles Bay (Freycinet)

120 km

1hr 40mins + Stops

East Coast

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 – Lobster Shack (Bicheno)

Afternoon

Freycinet Marine Farm
Friendly Beaches
Cape Tourville Lighthouse

Dinner – The Bay Restaurant (Freycinet Lodge – Coles Bay)

Accommodation

Budget – Swansea Holiday Park (Swansea – 40mins from Coles Bay)
Mid-Range – Freedom at Freycinet (Coles Bay)
Indulgence – Freycinet Lodge (Coles Bay)
Ultimate Luxury – Picnic Island (Coles Bay)

Day 11: Coles Bay (Freycinet)

Free Day

East Coast

Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Geographe Restaurant (Coles Bay)

Morning

Option 1: Wineglass Bay Cruise
Option 2: Walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout and then either loop back via Hazards Beach or return and explore Coles Bay
Option 3: Book a full-day East Coast Food and Wine Tour and walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout early tomorrow morning

Lunch

Option 1: If you book the cruise then lunch is provided
Option 2: Speak with Freycinet Lodge about their Hazards Seafood Indulgence Package (Hazards Beach)
Option 3: Enjoy a casual meal at Geographe Restaurant and Espresso Bar (Coles Bay)

Afternoon

Option 1: 2-hr Freycinet ATV Adventure Tour
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

Budget – Swansea Holiday Park (Swansea – 40mins from Coles Bay)
Mid-Range – Freedom at Freycinet (Coles Bay)
Indulgence – Freycinet Lodge (Coles Bay)
Ultimate Luxury – Picnic Island (Coles Bay)

Day 12: Coles Bay to Port Arthur

240 km

3 hours + Stops

East Coast + Tasman Peninsula

Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Geographe Restaurant (Coles Bay)

Morning

Apslawn Wineries – Devil’s Corner, Spring Vale and Milton vineyards
Swansea – Spiky Bridge

Lunch – Bangor Vineyard Shed (Dunalley)

Afternoon

Tessellated Pavement – OR – Officer’s Quarters Museum (Eaglehawk Neck)
Tasman Arch
Devil’s Kitchen
Federation Chocolate
Remarkable Cave
Port Arthur Ghost Tour

Dinner – 1830 Restaurant and Bar (Port Arthur)

Accommodation

Budget – NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park (Port Arthur)
Mid-Range – Stewarts Bay Lodge (Port Arthur)
Indulgence – The Pear Cottage (Nubeena)

🌞 Day Trip to Maria Island

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.

Day 13: Port Arthur to Richmond

90 km

1hr 20mins + Stops

Tasman Peninsula + Coal River Valley

Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Port Arthur General Store

Morning

Port Arthur Historic Site

Lunch – Gabriel’s on the Bay (Port Arthur) – OR – Doo-Lishus (Eaglehawk Neck)

Afternoon

Richmond Village – See St John Church, Richmond Bridge, historic Main Street, Richmond Gaol, and the Richmond Wine Wall
Wicked Cheese
Coal River Farm

Dinner – Prospect House Private Hotel – OR – Richmond Arms Hotel

Accommodation

Families – Tara’s Richmond Farmstay (Richmond)
Couples (Mid-Range) – Mulberry Cottage (Richmond)
Couples (Romance) – Prospect House Private Hotel (Richmond)

💕 Looking for a romantic getaway?

Save 15% at the gorgeous Prospect House Private Hotel when you mention the Lap of Tasmania!

Day 14: Richmond to Hobart

Free Day

Hobart

Breakfast – Ashmore on Bridge Street – OR – Prospect House Private Hotel (Richmond)

Morning

Mt Wellington Summit
Salamanca Market (Saturday) – OR – Farm Gate Market (Sunday)
Hobart Waterfront – Salamanca, Brooke Street Pier
Lark Distillery
Kelly’s Steps
Walk to Battery Point and explore
Alternative Option – Hobart’s Hop-on Hop-off Bus

Lunch – Templo (Hobart)

Afternoon

MONA Ferry – ‘Posh Pit’ ticket
Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)
Sunset drinks at The Glass House

Dinner – Franklin (Hobart)

Accommodation

Budget (Families) – Bay Hotel Apartments (Hobart)
Budget (Couples) – Alabama Hotel (Hobart)
Mid-Range – RACV/RACT Hotel Apartments (Hobart)
Indulgence – MACq 01 (Hobart)
Ultimate Luxury – MONA Pavilions (Hobart)

Plan your Tasmania road trip

Here’s how to make your Tasmania road trip happen in 5 simple steps!

Learn more about the Lap of Tasmania, the best time to visit and places to see
Plan your road trip itinerary
Book your flight or ferry to Tasmania
Book your hire car or campervan
Book your accommodation

It’s that easy!

Travel planning resources

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.

Guide to Tasmania

Buy Now

Map of Tasmania

Buy Now

Road Trip Guide

Buy Now

Andrew Strikis

Andrew is an award-winning travel writer and photographer from Tasmania. Over the last 10 years he has been an advocate for Tasmanian tourism, working with and supporting many of Tasmania's prominent organisations such as Tourism Northern Tasmania, Hobart and Beyond, and MONA. Together with his wife he enjoys exploring Tasmania by road, and he looks forward to helping others plan and enjoy their own Lap of Tasmania road trip.

14-Day Tasmanian Road Trip Itinerary

The 'Ultimate' Self-Drive Holiday