This 7 day Tasmania road trip itinerary is a loop from Hobart that covers the island’s greatest hits without driving yourself into the ground. You’ll spend two nights in Hobart, head up the east coast via Port Arthur to Freycinet and the Bay of Fires, cross to Launceston, hike at Cradle Mountain, then drive back to Hobart through the middle of the state. As a Melburnian, Tassie is my favourite long-weekend-turned-week escape, and I’ve refined this route over three trips.
Tasmania Road Trip Planning Essentials
7 Day Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1–2: Hobart and Port Arthur
Spend day one in Hobart. Wander Battery Point and the sandstone warehouses of Salamanca Place, and if it’s a Saturday, don’t miss Salamanca Market. In the afternoon, drive up kunanyi/Mount Wellington for a view over the whole city and the Derwent River. Take a jacket; it’s always colder at the top. If you love art that makes you think (and sometimes squirm), book a visit to MONA, ideally arriving by the ferry.
On day two, drive to Port Arthur Historic Site on the Tasman Peninsula. It’s confronting and fascinating, and you need at least half a day. On the way back, stop at Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch and the Devils Kitchen for some wild coastal scenery.
Days 3–4: Freycinet and the Bay of Fires
Head north up the east coast towards Freycinet National Park, stopping at Swansea for lunch and the convict-built Spiky Bridge. On arrival, hike to the Wineglass Bay Lookout. It’s a steady climb of roughly an hour return. If you’re fit and have time, continue down to the beach itself. For a quieter alternative, the Cape Tourville lighthouse walk is short and spectacular at sunset.
Day four is about beaches. Drive north to Binalong Bay and the Bay of Fires, famous for granite boulders covered in bright orange lichen against turquoise water. Pack a picnic, walk between the coves, and swim if you’re brave. The water is cold even in summer.
Days 5–6: Launceston and Cradle Mountain
Cross inland to Launceston, stopping at a winery in the Tamar Valley if you’re not the designated driver. In town, walk the Cataract Gorge trail from the city centre and catch the chairlift over the basin. Launceston has a great food scene for its size, so treat yourself to a good dinner.
Next morning, drive to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Use the shuttle bus from the visitor centre to reach Dove Lake, then walk the Dove Lake Circuit, a mostly flat loop of around two to three hours with the jagged peak of Cradle Mountain reflected in the water. Look for wombats grazing near the boardwalks around dusk. Stay as close to the park as your budget allows.