7-Day Tasmanian Road Trip Itinerary
The 'Tassie Whirlwind' Self-Drive Holiday
© Jason Charles Hill
This Tasmania self-drive 7-day itinerary is what we like to call the ‘Essential’ Tasmanian road trip.
It’s fast. It’s furious. It’s jam-packed full of things to see and do, and you’re going to have the time of your life!
Last Updated – March 2020
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Tasmania Itinerary (7 days)
Do you only have one week for your Tasmania itinerary? 7 days is all the time you need to experience the Lap of Tasmania and have the road trip of your life!
With 7 days up your sleeve, every minute counts. And that’s where we can help.
We know Tasmania inside out, and with this itinerary we’ll make sure your Tasmanian road trip is all killer, no filler 
Fair warning, one week is the absolute minimum amount of time we recommend for a full Lap of Tasmania.
It’s a small island, but it is also jam-packed full of things to see and do.
This 7 day itinerary takes you to Tassie’s Big 12 iconic natural wonders and historic sites, while also giving you the chance to taste the amazing food you’ll find around every corner.
2 x Bonus 7-day Loop Itineraries
We also provide two bonus 7-day itinerary options – the East Coast Loop and West Coast Loop.
With less driving, and more time at each destination these itineraries are a fantastic alternative to the full Lap – and they give you the perfect reason to return to Tasmania for another road trip!
Day 1: Hobart to Strahan (via Mt Field)
360 km
5hr 15mins + Stops
Derwent Valley + West Coast
Breakfast – Dandy Lane (Hobart)
Morning
- Explore New Norfolk – St Matthews church, Bush Inn and Drill Hall Emporium
- Salmon Ponds
- Russell Falls (Mt Field)
Lunch – Waterfalls Cafe and Gallery (Mt Field)
Afternoon
- Wall in the Wilderness – OR – Lake St Clair
- Drive the ’99 Bends’ between Derwent Bridge and Queenstown
- Franklin River Nature Trail – OR – Nelson Falls Nature trail
- Iron Blow Lookout (Queenstown)
Dinner – View 42 (Strahan) – OR – Fredericks at Ormiston House (Strahan)
Accommodation
- Budget – Strahan Village (Strahan)
- Mid-Range – Aldermere Estate Luxury Apartments (Strahan)
- Indulgence – Wheelhouse Apartments (Strahan)
Important
Strahan 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 make sure you arrive before 8:30pm.
For other venues around town try to arrive before 6:30pm.
Day 2: Strahan to Cradle Mountain
140 km
2 hours + Stops
West Coast + Cradle Coast
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – The Coffee Shack (Strahan)
Morning
Lunch – Included in your cruise – OR – Risby Cove after the railway tour
Afternoon
- Zeehan – Spray Tunnel (if time allows)
- Vale of Belvoir Lookout
- Cradle Mountain Village – Explore short walks around the interpretation centre
- Peppers Lodge – Native animal spotlight tour
Dinner – Hellyers Restaurant at Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village
Accommodation
- Budget-ish – Cradle Mountain Highlanders (Cradle Mountain Village)
- Mid-Range – Cradle Mountain Hotel (Cradle Mountain Village)
- Indulgence – Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village (Cradle Mountain Village)
Day 3: Cradle Mountain to Launceston (via Stanley and Sheffield)
410 km
5hr 40mins + Stops
Cradle Coast
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Highland Restaurant (Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge)
Morning
- Dove Lake loop walk
- Hellyer Gorge scenic drive
- The ‘Nut’ – Chairlift to the top of the ‘Nut and explore
Lunch – The Chocolate Gallery and Cafe (Stanley) – [Special Offer]
Afternoon
- Coastal drive through Burnie, Penguin and Devonport
- Anvers Chocolates (Latrobe)
- See the murals at Sheffield (if time permits)
- Ashgrove Cheese – OR – Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm – OR – Van Diemens Land Creamery
- Drive through the historic towns of Deloraine, Westbury and Hadspen
Dinner – Black Cow – OR – Smokey Joe’s (Launceston)
Accommodation
- Budget – Leisure Inn Penny Royal Apartments (Launceston)
- Mid-Range – Change Overnight (Launceston)
- Indulgence – Stillwater Seven (Launceston)
Optional alternative
This is a big day. By staying in Sheffield or Devonport (instead of Launceston) you can have a bit more time in either Cradle Mountain or Stanley.
The only downside is that the next day will be a little bit longer, and you won’t stop in Launceston – pushing through to Bay of Fires instead.
Day 4: Launceston to Bay of Fires (via the Tamar Valley)
240 km
3hr 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
- Sunset at the ‘Lone Tree’ of Binalong Bay (here)
Dinner – Meresta Eatery (Binalong Bay)
Accommodation
- Budget – Queechy Motel (St Helens)
- Mid-Range – Bay of Fires Eco-Hut (Binalong Bay)
- Indulgence – Sea Eagle Cottage (Binalong Bay)
Day 5: Bay of Fires to Coles Bay (Freycinet)
115 km
1hr 40mins + Stops
East Coast
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Lifebuoy Cafe (St Helens)
Morning
- Explore the Bay of Fires beaches, dunes and coves north of Binalong Bay
- Four Mile Creek – Tastings at Ironhouse Brewery -OR – 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 6: Coles Bay (Freycinet) to Port Arthur
240 km
3hrs + Stops
East Coast + Tasman Peninsula
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Geographe Restaurant (Coles Bay)
Morning
- East Coast 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)
🌞 Optional Extension – Day Trip to Maria Island
Do you have an extra day available? You’ve got to experience 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 (you will pass through Triabunna on your way between Coles Bay and Port Arthur). 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 7: Port Arthur to Hobart (via Richmond)
100 km
1hr 30mins + 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
- Richmond Village – See St John Church, Richmond Bridge, Main Street, Richmond Gaol, and the Richmond Wine Wall
- Wicked Cheese
- Coal River Farm
Dinner – Landscape Restaurant and Grill (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)
(Bonus) 7-day Tasmania Road Trip Itineraries
If you’ve only got one week in Tasmania and you don’t want your road trip to feel rushed, then you’ll love these two little loop itineraries.
Less driving. More sight-seeing!
East Coast Loop | Tasmania Itinerary (7 days)
This 7-day itinerary takes you along Tasmania’s beautiful East Coast, up to Launceston and then back down through Tasmania’s midlands and the historic towns of Campbell Town, Ross and Oatlands.
As with all our itineraries, you can drive it either clockwise or anti-clockwise and you also have the freedom of starting in either Hobart, Launceston or Devonport (with an additional 1hr).
Day 1: Hobart to Port Arthur
- See: Richmond Village | Eaglehawk Neck | Tessellated Pavement | Tasman Arch
- Eat: Coal Vallery Farm | Wicked Cheese | Bangor Vineyard Shed | 1830 Restaurant and Bar
- Stay: The Pear Cottage
Day 2: Port Arthur to Freycinet
- See: Port Arthur Historic Site | Spiky Bridge | Cape Tourville Lighthouse
- Eat: East Coast Wineries | Freycinet Marine Farm | The Bay Restaurant
- Stay: Freycinet Lodge
Day 3: Freycinet
- See: Wineglass Bay Cruise | ATV Adventure Tour | East Coast Food and Wine Tour
- Eat: Tasmanian Tasting Session | The Edge Restaurant | Geographe Cafe
- Stay: Freycinet Lodge
Day 4: Freycinet to Bay of Fires
- See: Friendly Beaches | Bicheno Blowhole | Apsley River Waterhole | St Helens
- Eat: Lobster Shack | Tastings at Ironhouse Brewery | Nina Restaurant and Bar
- Stay: Bay of Fires Eco-Hut
Day 5: Bay of Fires
- See: Bay of Fires Eco Tour | Explore Bay of Fires beaches | Sunset at the ‘Lone Tree’
- Eat: The Bays Kitchen | Lease 65 Oysters | Meresta Restaurant and Cafe
- Stay: Bay of Fires Eco-Hut
Day 6: Bay of Fires to Launceston
- See: Pyengana Dairy Farm | Bridestowe Lavender Farm | Tamar Valley Wineries | Cataract Gorge
- Eat: Pyengana Farm Gate Cafe | Piper’s Brook Vineyard Cafe | Black Cow | Smokey Joe’s
- Stay: Change Overnight
Day 7: Launceston to Hobart
- See: Josef Chromy Wines | Woolmers Estate | Brickendon Estate | Ross Female Factory | Callington Mill
- Eat: Stillwater | Ross Village Bakery | Feisty Hen Pantry | The Pancake and Crepe Shop | Shene Estate and Distillery
- Stay: MACq 01 Hotel
West Coast Loop | Tasmania Itinerary (7 days)
This 7-day itinerary takes you to Tasmania’s wild West Coast, up to Cradle Mountain and the stunning Cradle Coast, and then back down through Tasmania’s midlands and the historic towns of Campbell Town, Ross and Oatlands.
As with all our itineraries, you can drive it either clockwise or anti-clockwise and you also have the freedom of starting in either Hobart, Launceston or Devonport.
Day 1: Hobart to Strahan
- See: New Norfolk | Russell Falls | Wall in the Wilderness | Lake St Clair | Queenstown
- Eat: Agrarian Kitchen | Salmon Ponds | Waterfalls Cafe | Tracks Cafe | View 42
- Stay: Aldermere Estate Luxury Apartments
Day 2: Strahan
- See: Macquarie Harbour Cruise | The Ship That Never Was | Ocean Beach | Henty Dunes
- Eat: Fredericks | Risby Cove | View 42
- Stay: Aldermere Estate Luxury Apartments
Day 3: Strahan to Cradle Mountain
- See: West Coast Wilderness Railway | Zeehan Spray Tunnel | Cradle Mountain short walks
- Eat: Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge (Tavern Bar and Bistro – OR – Highland Restaurant)
- Stay: Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village
Day 4: Cradle Mountain
- See: Dove Lake loop walk | Cradle Canyons Tour | Wilderness Gallery | Waldheim Alpine Spa
- Eat: Picnic hamper | Wine and cheese tasting | Altitude Restaurant
- Stay: Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village
Day 5: Cradle Mountain to Stanley
- See: Hellyer Gorge | Table Cape | Boat Harbour Beach | Highfield House | The ‘Nut’
- Eat: The Chocolate Gallery and Cafe (Special Offer) | Stanley Hotel and Bistro
- Stay: Cable Station
Day 6: Stanley to Launceston (via Devonport and Sheffield)
- See: Coastal drive | Sheffield murals | Mole Creek caves | Deloraine
- Eat: Hellyers Distillery | Anvers Chocolates | Blacksmith Cafe | Ashgrove Cheese | Christmas Hills | Van Diemens Land Creamery
- Stay: Change Overnight
Day 7: Launceston to Hobart
- See: Josef Chromy Wines | Woolmers Estate | Brickendon Estate | Ross Female Factory | Callington Mill
- Eat: Stillwater | Ross Village Bakery | Feisty Hen Pantry | The Pancake and Crepe Shop | Shene Estate and Distillery
- Stay: MACq 01 Hotel
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.
