7-Day Tasmanian Road Trip Itinerary
The 'Tassie Whirlwind' Self-Drive Holiday
This Tasmania self-drive 7-day itinerary is what I like to call the ‘Tassie Whirlwind’.
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 – February 2022
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Self-drive Tasmania Itinerary (7 days)
Do you only have one week for your Tasmania itinerary?
Don’t listen to the nay-sayers… 7 days is all the time you need to get a taste of the Lap of Tasmania and have the road trip of your life!
At the same time, with 1 week in Tasmania it is important to realise that every minute counts.
I’ve lived in Tasmania for more than 15 years now, and with this Tasmania self-drive 7-day itinerary I will make sure your Tasmanian road trip is all killer, no filler 
Fair warning, one week is the absolute minimum amount of time I 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 Tasmania self-drive 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.
Do you like to live life in the fast lane? Do you try to pack as much as possible into your holiday? Do you find the drive just as enjoyable as the destination?
If you answered ‘yes’, then this exciting ‘Tassie Whirlwind’ is the itinerary you’ve been looking for, showing you the best bits of Tasmania in 7 days!
ps. If this sounds a bit too quick for you, then please have a look at my Tasmania Itinerary (10 Days), or Tasmania Itinerary (14 Days) for a more relaxed self-drive road trip.
2x Bonus 7-day Self-Drive Loop Itineraries
I 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 of Tasmania – 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 – Pigeon Hole Cafe (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 (souvenirs as well!)
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 – Risby Cove (Strahan)
Accommodation
- Budget – Strahan Village (Strahan)
- Bed and Breakfast – Harrison House B&B (Strahan)
- Luxe – Wheelhouse Apartments (Strahan)
- Camping – Big4 Strahan Holiday Retreat (Strahan)
🥂 Special Offer!
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:
- FREE bottle of 9th Island Pinot Noir
– OR – - FREE glass of sparkling wine
and a ‘Button Grass Brewery’ craft beer 
Valid for direct bookings only.
Important
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. 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 2: Strahan to Cradle Mountain
140 km
2 hours + Stops
West Coast + Cradle Coast
Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – The Coffee Shack (Strahan)
Morning
- Macquarie Harbour Cruise (Promo Code: LAPOFTAS for 10% OFF) – OR – ‘River and Rainforest’ Wilderness Railway Tour
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 (Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village) – OR – Tavern Bar and Bistro (Peppers Lodge)
Accommodation
- Camping – Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain – Promo Code: LAPOFTAS for 20% OFF
- 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 – Touchwood
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
- Hagley – Hazelbrae Hazelnuts (they have a fantastic cafe for light meals as well)
- Drive through the historic towns of Deloraine, Westbury and Hadspen
Dinner – Stelo at Pierres (Launceston) – OR – Pachinko (Launceston)
Accommodation
- Camping – Discovery Parks Hadspen – Promo Code: LAPOFTAS for 20% OFF
- Budget – Leisure Inn Penny Royal Apartments (Launceston)
- Mid-Range – Kurrajong House (Launceston)
- Modern – Hotel Verge (Launceston)
- Indulgence – Peppers Silo (Launceston)
Optional alternative
Day 3 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 Day 4 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, 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 – Meresta Eatery (Binalong Bay) – OR – Raida (St Helens) – OR – Naturaliste (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!
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.
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
- Camping – Big4 Iluka on Freycinet (Coles Bay)
- Great Value B&B – Freycinet Waters B&B (Swansea – 40mins from Coles Bay)
- Indulgence – Freycinet Lodge (Coles Bay)
- Ultimate Luxury – Picnic Island (Coles Bay)
🎁 Special Offer!
Mention the Lap of Tasmania when booking your cosy seaside retreat at Freycinet Waters and receive:
- a FREE cooked breakfast
- and early check-in
Valid for direct bookings only.
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
- 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 – 1830 Restaurant and Bar (Port Arthur)
Accommodation
- Camping – NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park (Port Arthur)
- Budget – Port Arthur Villas (Port Arthur)
- Relaxing B&B – Storm Bay B&B (White Beach – 10mins from Port Arthur)
- Indulgence – Stewarts Bay Lodge (Port Arthur)
🎁 Special Offer!
Mention the Lap of Tasmania when booking your relaxing escape at Storm Bay B&B on the beautiful Tasman Peninsula and receive:
- a FREE cooked breakfast
- and early check-in from 2pm
Valid for direct bookings only.
🌞 Day Trip to Maria Island
For something truly special, 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 either.
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 – On the Bay (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 – Landscape Restaurant and Grill (Hobart)
Accommodation
- Camping – Discovery Parks Hobart – Promo Code: LAPOFTAS for 20% OFF
- Relaxing B&B – Waterview Gardens B&B (Margate)
- Budget (Families) – Bay Hotel Apartments (Hobart)
- Budget (Couples) – Alabama Hotel (Hobart)
- Budget (Historic) – Edinburgh Gallery (Hobart)
- Mid-Range – RACV/RACT Hotel Apartments (Hobart)
- Indulgence – MACq 01 (Hobart)
- Ultimate Luxury – MONA Pavilions (Hobart)
(Bonus) Tasmania Self-Drive 7-Day 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 my 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: Storm Bay B&B
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 – OR – Freycinet Waters B&B
Day 3: Freycinet
- See: Wineglass Bay Cruise | Freycinet/Maria Island Scenic Flight
- Eat: Tasmanian Tasting Session | The Edge Restaurant | Geographe Cafe
- Stay: Freycinet Lodge – OR – Freycinet Waters B&B
Day 4: Freycinet to Bay of Fires
- See: Friendly Beaches | Bicheno Blowhole | Apsley River Waterhole | St Helens
- Eat: Lobster Shack | Tastings at Ironhouse Brewery | Naturaliste
- Stay: Beaumaris Beach Guest House – OR – Bay of Fires Eco-Hut
Day 5: Bay of Fires
- See: Bay of Fires Eco Tour | Explore Bay of Fires beaches
- Eat: The Bays Kitchen | Lease 65 Oysters | Meresta Restaurant and Cafe
- Stay: Beaumaris Beach Guest House – OR – 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 | Stelo at Pierres | Pachinko
- 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 | Imbibers | Shene Estate and Distillery
- Stay: MACq 01 Hotel – OR – Prospect House Private Hotel
West Coast Loop | Tasmania Itinerary (7 days)
Day 1: Hobart to Strahan or Queenstown
- See: New Norfolk | Russell Falls | Wall in the Wilderness | Lake St Clair | Queenstown
- Eat: Agrarian Kitchen | Salmon Ponds | Waterfalls Cafe | Tracks Cafe | View 42 | Empire Hotel
- Stay: Harrison House B&B (Strahan) – OR – Penghana B&B (Queenstown)
Day 2: Strahan or Queenstown
- See: Macquarie Harbour Cruise | The Ship That Never Was | Ocean Beach | Henty Dunes
- Eat: Risby Cove | View 42 | Empire Hotel
- Stay: Harrison House B&B (Strahan) – OR – Penghana B&B (Queenstown)
Day 3: Strahan/Queenstown 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 (Cradle Mountain)
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 (Cradle Mountain)
Day 5: Cradle Mountain to Stanley
- See: Hellyer Gorge | Table Cape | Boat Harbour Beach | Highfield House | The ‘Nut’
- Eat: Touchwood | Stanley Hotel and Bistro
- Stay: The Ark Stanley B&B (Stanley)
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 | Hazelbrae
- 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 | Imbibers | Shene Estate and Distillery
- Stay: MACq 01 Hotel
Plan your Tasmania road trip
I hope you have found my 7-day Tasmania road trip itinerary useful in planning your holiday!
To put it all together just takes 5 simple steps…
- Learn more about the Lap of Tasmania, the best time to visit and places to see
- Plan your road trip itinerary (right here!)
- Book your flight or ferry to Tasmania
- Book your hire car or campervan
- Book your accommodation
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!
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 I love the range from Lonely Planet.
