A 2 week Tasmania Road Trip Travel Guide
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Take a 2 week Tasmania road trip you will not forget. Have you ever wanted to visit Tasmania? If not, you will after reading this.
Tasmania
A Tasmania road trip you will not forget. Due to Tasmania's southern location it is known for being cold but that doesn't compete against its beauty. Fairy tale forests of mossy green, cascading waterfalls surrounded by snow peaked mountains are just some of the things that you can see and experience on the holiday island.
Tasmania is an island located south of the main land of Australia
What to bring
Depending on the type of activities you like to partake in, here is a list of some things you should remember to pack for your holiday.
- Camera
- Winter Clothing
- Thermals
- Winter PJ's
- Bathers
- Casual Shoes
- Hiking Shoes
- Hire Car or Camper
Top Places to Visit in Tasmania
Here is a list of my top reccomendations for you to see while holidaying around Tasmania.
Follow My Road Trip
Follow along my 2 week road trip around Tasmania. My Partner and I started our road trip from Hobart, where we hired our camper van and hit the road.
Day 1
Mount Wellington
Let’s start that Tasmania road trip. From Hobart, head to Mount Wellington. You can’t miss it as Mount Wellington is the big hill that towers over the town.
There are many different hiking trails that you can follow up around the mountain. For those who are not into hiking, don’t worry as you can take it easy and drive all the way to the top.
It is a great place to bring out your inner child. Make little snow men, snow angels and have snow ball fights with your friends.
Click Here to watch a YouTube video of my first time seeing snow at Mount Wellington.
Next stop, Geeveston
We chose to stay at the Huon Valley caravan park for the night. The park is by the Huon river and if your lucky you may spot Platypus swimming up and down the river.
Day 2
Head into Geeveston and take in the small town vibe.
Tahune Adventures
Take a walk over looking the tree tops then brave yourself with two 100 meter suspension bridges that wiggle over the raging river. I found that the view from the tree top walk gave a good glimpse into the view of the mountain ranges of the south west of Tasmania. Swinging my way across the rivers is not only fun but a real adrenalin rush.
Next stop, camp for the night
The RSL in Geeveston offers camping. They have toilets and firewood available for a reasonable fare. We where even lucky to spot a possum climbing about the trees at night.
Click here to see the suspension bridges at Tahune Adventures
Day 3
Platypus walk
Take a morning stroll from the camp ground to the river and follow the Platypus walk trail. They can be spotted during dawn and dusk, watch for bubbles along the surface.
Hastings Cave and Thermal Springs
Hastings cave and thermal springs is a must see on your Tasmania road trip. Start with a brisk walk through a Jurassic style forest following thermal springs where you can touch and feel the different temperatures of the flowing water. There is also a pool for those who are after a swim in the naturally heated water. After walking under the tree ferns walk into another world inside Hastings cave.
I recommend to call ahead to book the cave tour so you don’t miss out.
Next stop, Hobart
Completely optional here but we chose to head towards Hobart for the night. We stayed at the Discovery Parks caravan park for one night.
Click here to see my Hastings Cave and Thermal Springs experience on YouTube
Day 4
Seeing coastal wonders
Heading south east, Tasmania has some amazing cost lines to see. The Tessellated Pavement is a natural phenomenon where the exposed sea floor really does look like perfect stone tiles. Follow the road around to see the Tasman Arch and the big blowhole.
Visit Port Arthur
It is not a Tasmania road trip without visiting the Port Arthur Historical site. Take a step back in time and imagine what it would of been like if you where a convict, banished to Van Demons Land.
Sea side cave
South of Port Arthur, take a look at Remarkable cave. During low tide you can walk through, but during high tide listen to the ferocious waves roll the large rocks back and forth turning them into small pebbles.
Next spot for the night
We chose to drive north along the east coast and stayed at the Triabunna caravan park for the night.
Click here to see our day following the coast to Port Arthur on YouTube
Day 5
Following the coast
This day we followed the east coast heading north from Triabunna to the Bay of Fires.
Stopping in Bicheno to see the Bicheno blow hole is a must. Penguins are also known to nest in the area.
Head further along to see the Bay of Fires. The orange lichen that cover the large boulders along the coast here add to characteristic charm of the bay. The Bay of Fires was actually named after real fires that the native Aboriginal people would light around the bay.
There is many free camping around around the bay so take your pick. We chose to stay at the Cosy Corner North camp ground for the night. Free camping is a perfect way to making the Tasmania road trip more affordable so when you find it take it.
Day 6
Driving across the island
We decided to head from one side of the island of Tasmania to the other in a day. It takes about 5 and a half hours to drive from one side to the other. Our next destination is the town called Strahan (pronounced Strawn)
Roads can be scary as they are winding along cliff edges in the mountains regions. Watch for black ice in high elevated areas. Some parts of the forest are so thick that the roads never see direct sunlight. It is recommended not to drive between dusk and dawn due to the high amount of nocturnal wild life.
Staying in a Air BNB
We chose to step away from the campervan for 2 nights and stay in a Air BnB. Our chosen spot is part of the Letts cottages that sit along the shore line in Strahan.
From the out side they look like old sea side shacks but are renovated and modernised on the inside. They are heritage listed as they played a large making into helping create holiday accommodation to the miners and rail workers who worked for the near by mining town of Queenstown.
Strahan is a small, former port town. Harbour views with mountain backdrops, this quiet town is like a relaxing retreat.
Day 7
West Coast Wilderness Railway
Take a journey back in time on the West Coast Wilderness Railway. This 4 hour tour took us from Strahan, following the river into the mountains to the half way point that is Dible Barrel station.
Learn about the history of the early mining and extensive work that went into building this rail way line.
The rail way line runs between Strahan and Queenstown. Crossing many bridges, passing small hidden waterfalls all while being under the canopy of the rain forest.
Oh and don’t forget the 5 course meal. As we visited Tasmania in July, we where greeted to a Christmas in July themed lunch. Bonbons and all.
Be shore to pre book this tour.
Hogarth Falls
Take a walk to Hogarth Falls, located in Strahan. Follow the trail by the stream that leads you to the falls. The spray of the water is powerful so you may get wet.
Day 8
Drive to Cradle Mountain
Drive from Strahan to Cradle Mountain. Take in the scenery as you wind your way through many different land scapes. Watch for icy roads. There are many view points around the island. Take a rest and soak in the views while on your Tasmania road trip.
Entrance into Cradle Mountain national park does includes fees. The entrance fees do cover many days, if not months depending on what type you purchase. 100% worth it.
Devil's at Cradles
Visit one of the many Tasmanian Devil wildlife sanctuary’s around Tasmania. Here you can watch the Devil’s play, fight and growl at each other.
This sanctuary also holds other animals including many native possums and wombats.
Wombats in the wild
Be sure to keep an eye out for Wombats. I was lucky enough to spot my first wild Wombat just out side of the Devil’s at Cradles Wildlife Sanctuary.
Take a small hike
There are many different hikes that you can take around Cradle Mountain. One of my favourite was the Enchanted walk that takes you past cascading falls and flowing rivers. You will feel like your living inside a fairy tale land with the winding paths around moss lined trees.
Camp for the night
Our chosen spot for the night was at a farm stay called Camping and Fisheries. We spotted this camp on the app called Wiki Camps.
The owners of the farm have Trout where people compete in fly fishing. I’m not into fishing so I fed the fish instead.
Click here to see how our day started in Strahan and ended at a camp ground by Cradle Mountain
Day 9
Hike around Dove Lake
It’s not a Tasmania road trip with out seeing the famous Dove Lake Boat shed. It is the post card picture after all.
The hike takes between 2 to 3 hours to complete. It took me 2 and a half hours, and that was including me taking plenty of photos.
When you reach the Dove Lake Boat shed, be patient to get your scenic photo. The hiking trail leads right by the boat shed so you may need to wait to get a photo with no one else in the picture.
Wombats on the trail
Follow along some of the other hiking trails and keep and eye out for Wombats.
Wombats do square shaped poo’s, so if you see any, you know you are on the right track. They make burrows that can be seen from the path. You may be lucky enough to have one walk on the trail with you or right under like how we did.
Click here to see the Dove Lake circuit and the Wombats on the trail
Camping at Cradle Mountain
We chose to stay at the Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain caravan park for the night. After the hike around Dove Lake our legs where sore. Warm showers and a large camp kitchen fire place was well deserved.
Day 10
Drive to Launceston
Time to head to Launceston. Take your time enjoying the views as you leave Cradle Mountain, heading into the farming lands before reaching the town.
World longest single span chair lift
Next to Launceston is Cataract Gorge. Home to the worlds longest single span chair lift. There is a span of roughly 400 meters between one pole to the other.
Exploring Cataract gorge
Take a walk around Cataract Gorge. Cross the suspension bridge. Say hello to the local Pademelon’s and Wallaby’s. Don’t forget to have a scone with jam and cream from the café by the little English gardens.
Camp for the night
We chose to stay at the Big 4 caravan park in Launceston. There are also horses who live next door who where friendly.
Day 11
Monkeys in Launceston
Did you know there are monkeys in Launceston? Neither did I. At city park in the heart of Launceston you will find a one off animal exabit free to view.
The Japanese Macaque monkeys do seam to be on odd piece to the park. From the early 1900’s to late 1970’s there where many different animals on display at the park. By 1990 10 Japanese Macaques, also known as snow monkeys where bought here.
Long story short this is now their home. The park also has many different English style gardens to walk around. Even a fountain that was presented by the Queen’s mother during her reign.
Ferry to Bruny Island
You cant go to Tasmania with out a trip to Bruny island. Yes, it is an island off of an island.
To get to the island you need to cross via ferry/barge. The Bruny island ferry terminal leaved from the port of Kettering. You do not need to pre book. Simply rock up and pay at the drive through toll booth.
The ferry runs back and forth roughly every half an hour and takes only 10 minutes to arrive.
Camp for the night
Our chosen camp for the night was at the Neck campgrounds in the middle of the island. Bruny island is roughly in the shape of the figure eight. The Neck of Bruny is, you guessed it, in the middle.
Even though my pictures make it look like we where in the middle of a deep forest, we where actually very close to the two beaches on either side.
During the night by our camp fire we where able to listen to waves crash back and forth. Pademelons even gave us a visit as they hopped on past our camp fire.
Click here to watch us start our day feeding Kangaroos and ending it at the Neck of Bruny island
Day 12
The Neck of Bruny
Probably one of the most popular things to see and do on Bruny island is to walk up the steps to the view of the Neck of Bruny island. Panoramic views over the isle here is the best place to soak in the coast line with the mountainous back drop.
At night time you can also come back and watch the Fairy Penguins nesting by the board walk at the right season. Please do not use torches or flash photography as you can scare the Penguins from nesting.
Miniature Farm
If you like animals you need to visit the miniature farm on Bruny island. There are many miniature animals to see and pet at the farm.
Our favourite where the munchkin cows. Two of the cows in the paddock like the attention and a pet.
Mavista Walking Track
Walk the Mavista walk trail through the tree ferns. A there and back trail under the canopy, this short trail is one to take in your last of Tasmania’s wonder.
Camp for the night
Our last night on Bruny island we stayed at the Captain Cook Holiday Park caravan park. Close to the beach and a camp kitchen fireplace it was a good place to keep warm for the night.
Day 13
Bruny island Lighthouse
Take a drive and see the Bruny island lighthouse at the south end. The 360 degree views are beautiful. From rolling greens to the ferocious waves, this look out is not to be missed. You can also take a tour in the light house.
Leave Bruny Island
Unfortunately by now the two week road trip is coming to an end. It is time to leave Bruny island and catch the ferry back to Tasmania. Head back to Hobart.
Relax for the last night
For the last night of the holiday I recommend to step away from the campervan and reward your self to a night in a hotel. Take your pick as there is many to choose from. We chose to stay at the Vibe hotel in Hobart.
Day 14
Visit MONA art gallery
If your after something quirky to see in Hobart go to MONA. The MONA art gallery is privately owned and cost more then 75 million to build. The owner is looking at spending up to 2 billion dollars to complete his dream of adding more exhibits in a 50 year plan.
What is currently there to see is mind boggling. There is a mix of modern art next to antient artefacts. I would not advise on taking children as some art is sexually graphic. What amazed me the most was the exhibition of a mechanical digestive system that actually poop’s!
Heading home
My Tasmanian two week road trip has come to and end and it is time to fly home. I really hope this travel guide inspires you to go out and visit Tasmania. It really is a stunning place to go.