travelling tasmania with a caravan

This Is The Ultimate 21 Day Itinerary Around Beautiful Tasmania

This is the ultimate 21 day Adventure trip itinerary. We spent just over 7 months travelling around Tasmania in our caravan and absolutely fell in love. I think it is the only state in Australia where you are able to drive a few kilometers and discover new beauty around every corner. This island offers so much to see and do, you could spend a lifetime here and still not discover everything in Tasmania. I think you could have a whirlwind trip around Tasmania in 7-14 days just prepare to be driving a lot each day or a more relaxed approach would be spending 21 days here. You can follow this itinerary exactly or tailor to suit your own style of travel. The distance covered is 110 km to 250 km at most per driving day , feel free to use this guide but change it up to suit your abilities and lifestyle.

This itinerary will start in Devonport but you are able to follow the itinerary from Hobart to. When we arrived in Tasmania we arrived at Devonport off the ferry and headed Clockwise towards the Bay of fires. All accommodation is based on 2 adults, If you would like more hotels or want to book your accommodation Click Here or if you prefer to stay in a Home/Apartment instead of a Hotel, here’s a discount link for your first booking on Airbnb Click here . At the end of this blog I have added more information about, Getting to Tasmania, The best time to visit, Information on a Parks and wildlife pass and The top apps to have while your on your road trip.

Day 1 of the ultimate road trip

Arrive in devonport off the spirit of tasmania..

If you’re reaching Tasmania by ferry from Melbourne, you’ll disembark in the city of Devonport. We spent our first week in Railton which is just 20 minute drive from Devonport. Once you arrive off the ferry into Devonport. I would spend the day exploring one of the many beaches, parks or coastal walks and stay one night in Devonport. Click Here for more things to explore in Devonport and the surrounding areas. Another great waterfall to check out is Forth Falls located just 40 minutes from Devonport. Accommodation one night Devonport Camping-Forth Recreation Ground free for Self Contained Vehicles Discovery parks Cabin from $109 per night Or Campsite for unpowered from $33 and Ensuite powered site from $43 Inn Seaclusion Sea view- One bedroom apartment from $130 per night Waterfront apartments from $209 per night

Day 2- Drive towards Launceston Via Sheffield and Liffey falls

This Drive is 138 km 2 hour 9 minutes. Leave Devonport and head towards Sheffield for lunch. Take a look around the towns art murals, there is a walk just behind the visitor center where you can see the Art Mural display. If your after a lunch spot in Sheffield check out Bossimi’s Sheffield Bakehouse they have a great selection of pies including my favorite chicken and camembert pie. Also while in Sheffield make sure you check out there local fruit shop its all local fresh produce and reasonable priced. After Sheffield stop past Ashgrove cheese in Elizabethtown for a great local cheese stop. In the afternoon head to Liffey falls, it’s a 45 minute 2km return walk from the upper car park. Once you leave the falls it is a 40 minute drive into Launceston. In the evening if your up for an adventure walk/ride along the Tamar river in Launceston and stop past Rupert and Hound for Dinner. For bookings and the menu click Here .

Spend a night in Sheffield and 2 nights in Deloraine. In Sheffield you can walk to Kimberley’s lookout or head out to Mt Roland and walk to Minnow falls. Then head to Deloraine and spend Two nights exploring the town. In town you can walk along the river, Otherwise head out of Deloraine and head to Meander forest reserve where you can take a walk to Bastion cascades or Meander falls. Another nice walk we found is just a 15 minute drive out of Deloraine is Montana Falls this is a easy 40 minute return walk. Click Here for the latest blog on Deloraine.

Day 3- Explore Launceston.

-Explore Launceston by bike and taste some of the tasty local food and drinks on a cycle tour . -Explore Cataract Gorge on foot or take a cruise along the Tamar river. -Explore the Tamar Wetlands Check out this blog for more things to do in Launceston .

Optional – if you want to explore the outer suburbs of Launceston. -Take a day trip out to Ben Lomond national park 1 hour from Launceston. -Explore Grindelwald or Beaconsfield 30 minute drive out of Launceston. -Day trip to greens beach, Explore Narawntapu National Park it is a 50 minute drive out of Launceston 2 night Accommodation in Launceston Camping- Old mac’s Farm $15, This camp ground is for fully self contained vehicles only Camping- At Big4 holiday park in Launceston for powered site from $39 or Cabin from $135 (Tamar Villa) Mid range accommodation- Leisure inn Penny royal, Queen room from $135 Luxury- Peppers Silo, Double room from $274

Day 4- Drive from Launceston to Bay of fires

The Drive is 161 km 2 hours 24 minutes. To break up the drive stop at the beautiful Bridestowe lavender field the lavender field is best viewed between December and February when the lavenders are in full bloom. Another stop I would recommend is stopping at St columba falls in the town of Pyengana, it is well worth the stop and only a short walk to the falls. Once you arrive at The Bay of fires you will notice the orange lichen on the rocks and the crystal clear blue water. In the evening make sure you head to one of the beaches and go for a sunset walk along the beach. Optional – Spend a night at Derby this place is for the keen Mountain bike riders or a place to relax at the Floating Sauna at the Derby lake. You also could drive a short 20 minutes to the famous little blue lake. There is free camping in Derby or accommodation from $300 per night on Air BnB.

Day 5- Explore St Helens

-Explore the Peron dunes -Relax at one of the many beaches. -Explore the rock pools -Go mountain biking at St Helens Mountain bike track. 2 night St Helens Bay of fires Accommodation Camping- Sloop reef click here for more free campsites at the Bay of Fires Queechy Motel, Queen room with water view from $130 Pelican Point Sanctuary, One Bedroom cottage from $170 Bay of Fires Apartments, King Suite from $200

Day 6- St Helens to Coles Bay

Drive 1 hour 32 minutes 114 km to Coles Bay. Leave Bay of fires in the morning and head towards Freycient National park. Stop past Bicheno on your way and make sure to stop past the Lobster Shack for lunch. You could also check out the Bicheno Blowhole and the whale lookout which is a 10 minute round trip giving you amazing views over Bicheno.

Day 7-Freycient National Park

Explore the national park click here for more information on what to see and explore at Freycient. If weather permits I would recommend the Mt Amos hike or the wineglass bay lookout hike. Drive out to cape Tourville Lighthouse and explore Coles bay. In the afternoon relax on one of the beaches in Freycient national park. Two night Accommodation at Coles Bay Freycient National Park Camping- Richardson beach $16 per night Big4 Iluka on Freycient cabin from $132 per night Freycient resort from $265 per night.

Day 8- Drive Coles Bay to Triabunna/Orford

Drive 108 km 1 hours and 25 minutes. On the way to Triabunna or Orford stop past Swansea. Check out Kates Berry farm and the spiky bridge. In the evening for sunset head to Three Thumbs Lookout, it has amazing views looking out to Maria island. For more information on the East coast Click Here . Stay at 1 night at Triabunna or Orford Camping free at the back of Spring hotel in Triabunna Caravan Park- Triabunna cabin and caravan park. Powered site from $40, Click Here for more information and bookings. Orford Blue water hotel from $149 per night Orford sands house B&B from $198 per night

Day 9-Maria island and Port Arthur

Catch the 8:30am boat across to Maria island, Boat prices start from $45 return for an adult, For more information click Here . It is worth hiring a bike for the day as the island is quite big it cost $33 a day, Click Here for more information and booking a bike. Once you arrive at Maria island go explore the island, We checked out the painted cliffs, The fossil cliffs and Hiked to the peak of Mt Maria. At around 3:30pm the cute wombats come out this is a good time to get a glimpse of these adorable wombats. Catch the 4pm boat back to Triabunna. Stop at the Fish van for an early dinner, Once you hop off the ferry it is located across the road. In the evening head to Port Arthur which is (91.3 km 1 hour 31 minutes). Optional- Spend an extra night in Triabunna or Orford before heading to Port Arthur.

Day 10- Explore Port Arthur and Eaglehawk neck

In the morning walk around the Port Arthur Historic Centre . Entrance is from $40 per Adult, your ticket includes a 40 minute guided walking tour and a 25 minute Harbour cruise. Stop past Doo-Lishus for lunch which is located at Eaglehawk neck. Whilst in the area go explore the Fossil cliffs and the blowhole. After lunch head to the Tasman’s arch, Devils kitchen, Waterfall bay and the tessellated pavements. Click Here for more information on the places to Explore in Port Arthur. Two night Accommodation Port Arthur- Nrma Port Arthur Holiday Park where you can stay at a number of camping from $27 per night Cabins from $ 102 per night Port Arthur Villars from $148 per night Stewarts Bay lodge from $237 per night

Day 11- Port Arthur to Hobart Via Richmond.

Drive 122 km 1 hour 44 minutes. In the morning head to Richmond stop past the Richmond bakery for lunch and go check out the Richmond Bridge, if visiting between October to April stop past Littlewood Berry Farm for strawberry picking. In the afternoon drive up to Mt wellington for sunset where you will get spectacular views over Hobart. On the way back down the mountain stop in at Fern tree tavern for dinner and drinks.

Day 12- A day trip to Bruny island from Hobart

Check out what to do in Bruny island for the day Here . The ferry is from $38 for vehicles less then 6 meters Click Here for more information on the Ferry. For 1 day on Bruny Island I would suggest to Head to Adventure Bay in the morning either walk the Grassy point walk, Fluted cape Hike or the Mavista nature walk. Then have a picnic for lunch or Drive to ‘Get shucked’ (Oyster restaurant). In the afternoon head to Cape queen Elizabeth it’s a 2 hour return walk check the tides before heading here Or having a relaxing afternoon at Adventure bay. In the Evening head to Raincheck lounge for Dinner its located in North Hobart.

Day 13- The ultimate day in Hobart

-Salamanca markets it is on every Saturday in Hobart -Explore Wellington Park and explore one of the many walking trails, waterfalls or lookouts -For the keen hikers Hike to Cathedral rock -Explore the Hobart Rivulet and the Cascade Brewery . -Check out the Mona Museum . This world class gallery/museum was founded by Tasmanian millionaire David Walsh to showcase his private art collection to the public. Mona is filled with interesting, beautiful, weird and whacky art exhibits. You can also take a Ferry to the museum from the Hobart waterfront. Prices start from $30 per Adult and bookings are a must. The museum is only open Friday- Mondays. -Head to the Botanical Gardens Top your day off with sunset drinks and dinner at The Lounge by Frogmore Creek located on the Hobart Waterfront. Click Here for the Top things to see and do in Hobart. 3 night Accommodation Hobart Camping Hobart river views $15 per night per person Ibis styles Hobart from $125 Movenpick hotel from $265 per night

Optional –

Add an extra two nights to explore Tahune adventures , Hartz National Park , Huonville and Cockle Creek. At Cockle Creek Walk to the Southern most point of Australia. This area is a nice place to relax and explore the Southern Edge drive.

Day 14- Hobart to Lake St Clair –

Drive 2 hour 29 minutes 179 km. In the morning leave Hobart and head towards Lake St Clair. Along the drive stop past Tarraleah Falls, It is a short 45 minute circuit. The walk starts from the car park cross over the bridge with the big pipes underneath from here you will walk through the forest and pass an abandon tree top walk continue along the path until you arrive at the waterfall. After Tarraleah falls continue along the road and stop past Bronte park where you will reach the geographical center of Tasmania.

Lake St Clair

In the Afternoon choose a short walk to check out the stunning Lake St Clair lake check out the walks Here . One night accommodation at Derwent bridge Derwent wilderness hotel free camping for self contained vehicles, If you have a tent head to lake St Clair campground from $30 per night. Derwent bridge chalet from $190 per night Lake St Clair lodge from $242 per night

Stay at Mount field national park for 2 nights. There is plenty of walks and waterfalls to see around the national park we walked around Lake Dobson which is an easy 40 minute circuit. We also walked the 3 waterfall track which takes about 2 hours to complete. It is also worth a day trip or spend the night out at Strathgordon to see Gordons dam wall for more information click Here . This area is beautiful, it has plenty of nature walks and waterfalls to explore.

Day- 15- Derwent Bridge to Strahan via Queenstown

Drive 1 hr. 59 min – 126 km In the morning drive from Lake St Clair to Queenstown. On the way stop past Frenchman’s cape Suspension bridge a short 15 minute return walk. Then stop past Nelsons falls which is a short 20 minute walk. Just before you arrive to Queenstown stop past Iron Blow lookout and Horsetail falls. In Queenstown walk around the town and check out the Art Murals and the Queenstown Station. For Lunch stop at the Tracks Café here you can also explore the Railway Museum .After Lunch head to Strahan a 45 minutes drive along the 99 bend road.

Spend 1 night in Queenstown their is a $5 donation camp at Queenstown oval Or the Queenstown Cabin and Tourist Park powered sites from $30 and unpowered from $20 or Accommodation at The Empire Hotel from $85 per night. Whilst in Queenstown you can hop on board the West coast Wilderness Railway .

Day 16- Strahan

-World heritage River Cruise ‘spirit of the wild’. The Gordon river cruises takes you through the UNESCO Tasmanian world heritage area including the Hell’s gate and Sarah’s Island, for more information click Here -Wilderness railway train. Option of Half day tour or Full day tour for more information click Here -Hogarth falls a 2.5km 50 minute return walk, Grade 2. -Head to the Henty dunes a short 15 Minute drive from Strahan. 2 nights Accommodation Strahan. Strahan retreat holiday park camping from $40 and Cabins from $104 Risby cover from $210 per night Aloft Boutique Accommodation from $143 per night

Day 17- Strahan to Cradle Mountain

Drive 139km 1 hour 54 minutes to Cradle mountain information center. Leave Strahan in the morning stop past the town of Roseberry to see Montezuma falls . It is a 8km/3 hour return walk to find out more click here . In the afternoon settle into your accommodation at One of Cradle mountains resorts. Weather depending complete one of the short walks in the afternoon. Short walks at Cradle Mountain: The king Billy circuit 40 minute return The Enchanted walk 20 minute return Kynvet and Pencil Pine circuit 45 minutes return

Day 18- Cradle Mountain

Take one of the many walks at Cradle Mountain. Click here for the Ultimate day at Cradle Mountain. Choose from one of the short walks . All these walks start at the Ranger station: Enchanted walk 20 minute circuit Kynvet and Pencil Pine circuit 45 minutes return King Billy track 40 minute return Rainforest walk 20 minute return Lake Lilla 40 Minute return Choose a half day walk : 2-3 hour return walks Dove canyon walk Cradle valley board walk 2-3 hour one way Dove lake circuit Marion’s lookout Hanson’s peak Crater lake or Crater falls Choose a full day walk : 4-6 hour return Marion’s lookout via Kitchen hut Cradle Mountain summit Hanson’s peak via the Face track Horse track to Crater Peak and Kitchen Hut 2 nights Accommodation Cradle Mountain Free camping in Moina at Lake Gairdner 25 minutes from Cradle Mountain Discovery parks- Cradle mountain Cabin from $178, Camping from $65 non powered site or $77 for a powered site Peppers lodge Cradle Mountain from $229 Cradle mountain hotel from $164 per night

Day 19- Cradle mountain to Stanley

Drive 2 hour 5 minutes 176 km When you arrive at Stanley explore the town and climb the Nut. In the evening head over Godfrey’s beach to see the Penguins when the sun goes down. One night accommodation Stanley Stanley recreation ground $10 per night (Self Contained only) Stanley cabin and Tourist park Cabin cabins start From $99 per night and Powered site from $30 Hanlon House, Standard Bungalow from $134 with a double bed Touchwood Cottages, Cottage with double bed from $190 Breakfast included Ship Inn Stanley , Double rooms from $303 includes breakfast Optional – Spend an extra two days and go explore Tarkine drive and Arthur river for more information on this area Click Here

Day 20- Stanley to Burnie

Drive 1 hour 13 minutes 95km Leave Stanley head to Table cape Lighthouse in Wynyard then continue to Penguin . In the evening drive to Sulphur creek to see the Penguins when the sun has set. Penguin 1 night Free camp- Sulphur creek Caravan Park from $30 per night, for more information on prices click Here . The Madsen Boutique Hotel, Deluxe Double Room from $129 Penguin beachfront apartments, Park View Apartment from $160 per night Penguin Waterfront Escape, One bedroom Studio Apartment with Ocean View from $220 Optional- One Night at Boat Harbour to explore Rocky Cape national park for more information click Here

Day 21- Penguin to Devonport

Drive 30km 22 minutes Drive from Penguin to Devonport and Catch the ferry back to Melbourne Optional – Add an extra night in Devonport before you catch the ferry back to Melbourne. There is free camping for fully self contained vehicles at Forth Recreation ground which is 15 minutes from Devonport. Mersey Bluff caravan park powered site from $37 per night and a Cabin from $170 per night. Barclay Motor Inn from $135 per night Waterfront Apartments from $215 Per night

When is the best time to visit Tasmania ?

When talking about weather in Tasmania the weather is very unpredictable you can have 4 seasons in one day. Taking that in count be prepared with your swimsuit and raincoat anytime of the year you come. We arrived in Tassie in summer and the weather had warm days and cold days this also is the most popular time tourist visit Tasmania. To give you an Idea the average maximum in Hobart is 21.7 degrees in January (which is the hottest month) and 11.7 degrees in July (the coldest month). Tasmania is a fair bit colder than mainland Australia and averaging 44 days of total sun and 149 partly sunny days a year. Aim for summer (December to January) if you prefer warmer days just keep in mind its bushfire season. If you prefer cool to mild weather aim for spring or Autumn, It should be also be cheaper than if you were to travel in Summer. For crisp air and the chance to see snow visit in Winter. We arrived in Tasmania in December and left Tasmania in July, We discovered the east coast of Tasmania in the Summer and then headed to the West coast in April. Do be prepared for rainy days on the west coast, the average amount of rainy days in Queenstown is 242 days of the year so be prepared to rug up and have a rain jacket.

Getting here

The spirit of tasmania.

The Ferry leaves from Port Melbourne and arrives in Devonport t he travel time of the crossing varies from 9-11 hours and you will need to check in at least 45 minutes prior to departing. The benefits of sailing instead of flying is you can bring everything with you including your vehicle. That means no parking or hire car costs and also no hire fees for all your hiking & camping gear, bikes, golf clubs, surfboards or even kayaks. You can also bring your pet along to as the have kennels to hold your dog whilst you sail across. You have the option of a Day sail or Night sail. Their is a number of accommodation options and whether your doing the day or night I would book some sort of accommodation so you have your own space to relax back and freshen up. If your after a budget option the recliners are from $39pp or the cabins start from $150 and you can fit up to 4 people in a cabin. Booking the tickets is easy Click Here for the Spirit of Tasmania Booking Page . The other way to get to Tasmania is flying from your state to either Launceston or Hobart. From here I would recommend hiring a vehicle as the best way to see the little island is by self driving you can hire a car or motorhome to begin your road trip. Car Hire starts from $110 per day and Motorhome hire starts from $310 per day for a 2 person set up.

Parks and wildlife pass

Since most Tasmania has 19 National parks you are bound to stop by a few national parks. You are able to get a daily pass to a national park which is $40 for 24 hours. A way more economical option is to purchase a 2 month pass for $80 per vehicle or a yearly pass which is $90 and will include the shuttle in cradle mountain. If you plan on doing Cradle mountain I would purchase the yearly as it would be an extra $25 per person to get the shuttle in Cradle Mountain. Their is discounts for concession holders and seniors. You can purchase your pass online Here or as you arrive at a national park there will be a Parks and wildlife office where you can purchase your pass.

The best apps to download before your road trip

Gas finder- A great free app to find all the best prices for gas refuels or swaps. All trails – To find all the walks in your area there is the option to go pro which costs $30 per year this gives you the trails offline as well when your out walking and have no reception. Petrol Spy – A great free app for updated Petrol/Diesel Prices. Trail Forks – For all the mountain bike trails. This app is free for a limited time of use, it costs $36 a yearly subscription. Wiki Camps – To find all the best free and low cost camps around. BOM weather – For all your updated weather reports and weather warnings in your area.

Related posts:

• Top 10 amazing things to see and do in Launceston
• Free Camping at the beautiful Bay of Fires
• The best free Camping on the East Coast of Tasmania
• Camping the West Coast Tasmania

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Overland Exposure

The Ultimate Guide to Travelling Tasmania, Australia

Hi, Welcome to our Overland Exposure website, and our ultimate guide to travelling Tasmania, Australia in a caravan or motorhome.

We travelled this amazing state for 8.5 weeks (February and March) in our caravan and truck, and really wanted to pass on our know how and knowledge for you all.

We started our journey, the same way many of you will, on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, and finished it by the same means. In between we road tripped and free camped our way all around this great state, managing to spend a measly $250 on accommodation for 9 weeks, (don’t worry, we certainly pumped enough dollars into the Tassie economy that they would welcome us back!). Along the way we hit all the major highlights, as well as many smaller less well known areas, free camps and short walks.

We found some amazing gems, like the 60 Best Short Walks of Tasmania, wineries, berry farms, restaurants, cafes, National Parks, lookouts, beaches, waterfalls, playgrounds and world class infrastructure projects like the Gordon Dam that will just blow you away.

Along the way Daniel took his Sony A7RIV camera and took professional landscape photos of the highlights we found, so you can see these photos scattered throughout the blog (and available for purchase if you would like a piece of Tasmania for your wall!)

We headed East first and there were a few reasons for this, mainly being warm weather predicted for the first week when we were to arrive so we wanted to head to the beach, in particular the Bay of Fires and make the most of it! But there is no reason you couldn’t head West first if the weather is looking better that way!

After travelling Tasmania in a caravan (& almost all of Australia), we think Tasmania is the best freedom camping / low cost camping state in Australia. Almost every town you stop at no matter how small welcomes visitors with either RV stops, low costs or free camps, Caravan/RV parking and dump points/water fill stations. There is so much to see and do with a huge amount of variety in landscapes and activities, there is something for everyone – fishing, beach going, walks and hiking, surfing, nature watching, waterfalls and stunning mountain views, wineries/cideries, fruit picking, cafes and restaurants, shopping and art. You name it, Tassie has it!

I will give you a run down of the areas we visited, the attractions we did on day trips and where we camped, grouped into 3 areas of the state, in the order in which we did it while travelling Tasmania, Australia in our caravan. Obviously there is more to see and do, what you are interested in may be different and the weather also affects what you can do so we may not have been able to do some of the attractions in an area due to weather and time of year would be different too, but I hope this gives you a good starting guide to planning your adventures in Tasmania. Each area has it’s own dedicated blog page, with an interactive map as there is so much detail, plus direct links to our relevant YouTube Episodes. All are linked below for easy access. On this page we have a summary of the areas, a summary of our trip, including facts, figures and favourites and a complete interactive Google Map of all three areas of Tasmania.

One thing we haven’t included in our content and maps, are things like dump points and water points, as they change regularly and you are best off with a website or App like Wikicamps or Camps Australia Wide for the most up to date information.

The Area Guides:

North East Tasmania

Southern Tasmania

North West Tasmania

We hope you enjoy the above posts, apologies for the ads on the website, but people clicking on them is how we pay for our hosting for the site. (If you found the content helpful and didn’t feel like purchasing an artwork , we would greatly appreciate clicking on an ad or donating a dollar or two via Buy Me A Coffee , as I mentioned it helps pay for our website hosting.)

Please feel free to leave us comments on here or on any of the area specific posts with any specific or general questions that you have, and we will try and help out with answers if we can.

Lastly, we have a YouTube channel , and have documented all of our adventures while caravan Travelling Tasmania, Australia on there, with the video’s embedded in each post for the area. Hopefully between all of these resources you will be able to plan your own adventures for travelling Tasmania in a caravan or motorhome!

Facts and Figures of Interest:

Length of time 8.5 weeks. (If you can do 10 weeks I think that is a good amount of time, I felt we were a little rushed in some areas). We did end of January to End of March. We caught the last week of the summer school holidays and a couple of long weekends, but it was ok. Some areas were busy, especially on weekends as the Tassie locals also head off exploring and camping in the nice weather.

Top 5 free camps:

• Lake Mackintosh,
• Cooee Point,
• Lake Gairdner,
• Cosy Corner North,
• Bronte Lagoon

💳 Top paid camps:

• Mount Field NP,
• Lime Bay, NP,
• Longley Pub

Top 5 attractions/things we did:

• Gordan Dam,
• Cradle Mountain NP,
• Mount Wellington,
• Bay of Fires

Favourite Waterfalls:

• Russell Falls,
• Nelson Falls,
• Montezuma, Falls,
• St Columba Falls,
• Horseshoe Falls

Other notes:

If you enjoyed this blog or found it useful, please feel free to click on any of the ads on the page, it doesn’t cost you anything, but it does help us see a little money to cover the hosting costs of the website.

Further, if you are looking to support us in other ways, you can buy a product from our discounts page , purchase a piece of Dan’s photography art or ‘ buy us a coffee “.

Finally, don’t forget we have all the specific areas of Tasmania links above, plus so much more!

Thanks heaps!! 🙂

2 responses to “The Ultimate Guide to Travelling Tasmania, Australia”

Hi Daniel, Amanda & Aria, how did you go with power in Tasmania? Were you able to rely on Solar while you were there? Was there enough sunny days? Thanks for your help. Cheers, Debbie

Hi Debbie! Solar was a little on and off in Tassie. Some campsites we had so many trees and/or cloudy days that we had to be a little careful with power. We did plan our day trips well during those spots / times though to drive the truck to help recharge us and we did also have our 2 portable solar panels being moved around constantly lol. It was definitely the least reliable on our whole 2.5yrs around Aus.

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Taking a caravan to Tasmania – Everything you need to know

When you about hitching up the caravan and taking a trip somewhere for a week or two, the chances of Tasmania being at the top of your list are pretty slim. Unless of course you already live there that is. Although the state is a place of undoubted natural beauty, the fact that it’s an island is somewhat limiting for caravaners.

But for those of you who are adventurous of nature, a trip over the Bass Strait on the Spirit of Tasmania might just be the type of trip you’re after.

Getting there

As you may have guessed The Spirit of Tasmania is the only ferry to the island that is suitable for a caravan or camper. Now it can be expensive, but a little tip is to book as early as you can (we’re talking months ahead), so you can get the lowest early-bird rates.

While it might seem costly, if you check the price for flights and caravan rental, it works out to be about the same. Another tip is to check the price for an overnight cabin and try the night sail. If you book early enough, the price could be quite reasonable. The trip is often calmer at night, and you can get a night’s accommodation included in your fare.

On the boat

Tasmania has very strict bio-security laws so you can’t bring any fresh fruit, vegetables, or fish on board the ship. If you like to go fishing (who doesn’t?), then you need to declare your fishing gear so it can be checked. Best to make sure it’s clean as a whistle before you leave.

You can’t get to your car or caravan once you set sail so make sure to bring all you need with you when heading for your cabin.

There are over 50 caravan parks in Tasmania many of which are located in the state’s areas of unspoiled natural beauty. There are sites that cater to every budget and van size so whether you’re driving a huge motorhome or towing a small two berth van; you’ll find a good park not far from every major tourist attraction.

However, with so many sites on the island, you will inevitably come across some not-so-great ones. Do your homework and check out site reviews before making your trip and give yourself a rough schedule to follow.

Maybe you heard that the roads are windy and hilly in Tasmania and it’s true, they are. But the thing is that due to the logging industry these roads are wide and quite well-maintained. There are some that get a little narrow but all in all, the roads are good.

When visiting an area, double check to see if the local information centre has a large enough car park and ask if you can park up your caravan and drive off to take a look at the sights.

So are you all set for a trip to Tasmania or are you still on the fence about making that ferry trip. Perhaps you’re still on the lookout for a new caravan to make the crossing. If that’s the case, then we recommend you opt for caravan finance instead of buying your caravan outright. By doing so, you’re cutting down on your initial investment keeping more of your cash in your account for a rainy day or a quick trip to Tasmania.

Whatever you decide to do with regards to buying your caravan, a trip across the Bass Strait sounds like a hell of an inaugural trip for your new caravan. It also sounds like a pretty great trip for an old reliable one too for that matter. Either way, stick Tasmania on your caravan bucket list because it fully deserves to be there.  If you have successfully arrived with your caravan, check out  holiday parks in Tasmania with cozycozy  and enjoy your trip!

As Australia's largest car finance broker, Stratton Finance know a thing or two about loans and finance. With over two decades of experience in the field they are one of the most trusted authorities in the industry. 

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Thinking about taking your caravan to Tasmania? Better start planning

Dragging your caravan or camper around Tasmania continues to be a bucket list item for many Aussie RVers. This is not due to clever marketing hype. To put it simply, Australia’s island state is stunning and everyone who visits falls in love with the Apple Isle.

Once you get your caravan over there, enjoy free camps , uncrowded roads, amazing scenery and the freshest air in Australia. Those with a 4WD can delve even further into Tassie with great off-road tracks and remote camping.

Actually getting your caravan over there though is proving to be a mission with car and caravan spots on the Spirit of Tasmania booked nearly solid at least six months in advance. There are a few random spots here and there for smaller vehicles, but anyone with a larger vehicle for towing and something to actually tow is going to find it hard to get a ticket on the dates they want.

Don’t worry! There are more ships coming

The current Spirit of Tasmania I and II, the iconic red-and-white ships that serve as vehicle and passenger ferries between Tasmania and the rest of Australia, were originally constructed in Finland in 1998. They were put to work between Greece and Italy for four years before heading our way to replace the original MV Spirit of Tasmania on 1st September 2002.

In a move that should free up some more spots for RVers, two new ships with significantly larger capacities for vehicles and caravans are set to arrive on our shores next year. In fact, there will be a whopping 59.8 per cent increase in lane metres for passenger and freight vehicles. Dubbed Spirit of Tasmania IV and V, we should see the first ship in the first quarter of 2024 and the second in the last quarter.

Check out the size difference here:

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Bernard Dwyer said the new ships will be a game changer for Tasmania. The increased size of the vessels is impressive and will allow us to accommodate many more passengers and vehicles on every journey.

“We’re incredibly excited about these new ships and not just about the increased size but also the quality and design of the build and the new amenities that we’ll have on board for passengers to enjoy,” Mr Dwyer said. 

What should I do? 

Plan your Tasmania trip well in advance and book early to avoid disappointment. With the exception of right now, because at the time of writing, there seems to be spots available over the cold winter period in June. 

Booking super early is particularly important over peak periods such as school holidays. But in general, the spots tend to fill up quickly over the warmer seasons. Bookings for 2024 departures open 11 months ahead, so the earlier you can make plans and book, the better. 

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The Blonde Nomads

Caravanning on the Spirit of Tasmania – Our Tips

28, November, 2017 by Tracy Morris 17 Comments

Tasmania is well known for its abundance of free camps, picturesque locations and easy touring routes – so it’s not surprising that taking your own caravan to explore this magic island state is becoming more and more popular.

The only way to do this is to cross the 240 km of sea via boat on The Spirit Of Tasmania . Many baulk at the cost of this, which for us was $2,210.00 return!! Yes, that is a lot of money. But once we disembark we have our home on wheels with us, as well as all our creature comforts and ‘adventure toys’!  We plan to tour Tasmania for 8 glorious weeks so paying the fee was a no brainer for us. This price included our ticket for our family of four – 2 adults, 1 child and 1 infant (infants under 3 travel free of charge), an overnight cabin, as well as our adventure truck and 22ft Jayco Caravan – all up we measure 14.5 meters in total length.

Book early and save

We booked our ticket months in advance which saved us a lot of money. It was a little tricky for us having to guess our date of sail as we are living on the road travelling full time (and who wants to be ‘locked in’ to a date right?), but booking in advance is a must if you don’t want to miss out, especially in the busy periods. (We met a family in Victoria who left it too late and missed out as the dates they wanted to travel were already booked!).

Hot Tip: Subscribe to the Spirits email newsletter to keep on eye on travel deals and specials a few months before you plan to book. Also, check with the various caravan park memberships as you may be able to save by booking through their website.

Day or Night sail?

The trip takes 12 hours, and in the busy periods you can choose to depart Melbourne at 7am or 7pm. The sail across Bass Strait can get pretty crazy if you cross during bad weather or big swells which we are sure is not fun so we booked on the night sail. With our two mini blondies we liked the idea of putting them to bed while we sailed so they could sleep through any bad seas and hopefully avoid any possible seasickness. Travelling at night also meant we arrived in daylight hours ready to start exploring Tasmania. (As opposed to disembarking at night and having to look for somewhere to camp for the night).

On our trip over we had smooth sailing with only a little rocking of the boat. Once onboard we enjoyed a well deserved drink while the kids played in the play area (located on deck 10), which did a great job in tiring them out! We then had dinner ($25 buffet dinner/kids under 5 eat free) and decided to keep the kids up late to watch a movie in the cinema to ensure they were REALLY tired before heading to our cabin for bed. It was a great night.

Accommodation options

There are 2 options available for your Spirit travel. You can either book your own private room/cabin or stay on deck on a recliner chair in a private lounge area. If you are travelling with an infant like us (under 3 years old), you cannot book a recliner, you have to book a cabin. There are a range of cabins available depending on your budget and travel needs. They range from a whiz-bang Deluxe Cabin complete with double bed, twin windows and TV, to a simple room with 4 bunk beds and a shower/toilet. As we were travelling at night we decided a simple Private Cabin would do us just fine. These cabins are also located in the centre of the boat which means you feel less rocking of the boat too.

Booking – know your stats

At the time of booking, you will also need to know the details of your tow vehicle (make, model, body shape etc.) as well as the exact length of your caravan/trailer. When you insert these details the total combined length of your rig will be generated – be sure to check this length is correct . If it is not long enough you can amend the total length by adjusting your caravan details. A family we were travelling with had misjudged the length of their rig – or the booking form generated the wrong amount for them at the time of booking and they were charged an extra $300.00 upon check-in!!

Preparing for sail

There are strict quarantine controls for travelling to Tasmania as well as safety regulations so you will need to be well prepared before you sail. If you are on a big road trip / Lap of Oz like us , we recommend staying a few nights in Melbourne to allow you to prepare.

Caravan parks close to the port of Melbourne:

• 13km – Discovery Parks BIG4 Melbourne
• 16km – Melbourne BIG4 Holiday Park
• 17km – Honey Hush Caravan Park

We had an email a few days before we sailed outlining a few key elements and what to remember, along with a pre-sailing checklist  :

eTicket You will need your booking information / eticket so if you cannot print it out don’t worry – I simply took a screenshot on my mobile and had that ready at check-in.

Check-in Check-in commences 2.5 hours prior to departure and closes 45 minutes before departure. You do not want to miss that boat!!! As part of our preparations we had a ‘dry-run’ into the Port of Melbourne without the caravan to ensure we knew where to go. We also got there with plenty of time on the day. We were checked in pretty quickly without too much queuing which meant we could relax, watch the sunset and give the kids a play.

So you want to make sure you are well aware of the roads and bridges you need to travel on to arrive in Melbourne AND to get to the port safely. We’ll be posting some tips soon on what we have learnt on our travels so far and especially the importance of knowing the height of your rig (stay tuned). 

Our caravan park provided us with a print out of the map on the best route to take with the caravan, it was a little confusing so we are glad we did the dry run.

Van Parking As we were sailing overnight we didn’t have to be at the dock until 5pm so you have a full day in Melbourne with your caravan. We chose to book an extra night’s stay at our caravan park and left there at 4pm in the afternoon. This allowed us to have a relaxing day, take the kids for a swim in the pool and pack our bags etc. without any fuss. Alternatively, you may even be able to store your van at the caravan park for you for the day if you inquire when you book. Once you travel into the Port of  Melbourne it is hard to find a spot to park with your caravan if you are early. If you are looking for a place to pull up we did pass an oval on Graham Street, not too far away which may have some space to park until boarding time but best to scout this out before the day.

Carriage of dangerous goods You can read about this here . In short – your gas bottles must be off. Which means that your fridge and freezer can’t be on for over 12 hours. Coming from 7 days at Wilsons Promontory the week before, we ran down our fridge supplies in preparation to defrost our fridge the day before we sailed. We just kept a few things like milk etc. in our Engel car fridge.

Jerry Cans and Boat Fuel Containers filled with diesel ONLY can be transported. Jerry Cans and Boat Fuel Containers filled with other dangerous fuel eg petrol, aviation fuel and non-standard fuels are prohibited from carriage. In the event petrol residue is identified inside an empty Jerry Can or Boat Fuel Can, passengers must fill the container with water before being allowed to travel.

Quarantine / bio-security requirements You must comply with Tasmania’s strict biosecurity regulations. Any fruit, vegetables, plants, fish or fish products cannot be brought onto the ship and must be declared and/or disposed of prior to boarding. For more information you can visit the bio-security requirements page.

If you are carrying fishing or aquatic equipment, such as fishing rods, fishing tackle, boats, kayaks, etc they must be declared at each port to the quarantine officer. It’s best to ensure your fishing gear is washed, clean and dry before departure.

What to take on board Once you are on the boat you cannot access your vehicle or caravan so make sure you take everything you will need for the 12 hour trip. If travelling with little ones take the usual –  Pj’s etc. and a change of clothes incase of any accidents or sea sickness, as well as a few extra layers for the aircon and activities/snacks (no fresh food).

Remember where you parked Upon boarding make sure you remember what vehicle deck you have parked on to assist locating your car on disembarkation. There are parking reminder flyers available on every vehicle deck stairwell to assist.  Also, take note of what side (left/right/ port/starboard) of the boat you are on as there are different stairwells for each.

Cabins Cabins contain bedding, linen, towels and soap. If you book for an infant a cot is provided free of charge (but you may want to bring along some bedding/blankets etc. for bubs). You can take an overnight bag onboard with personal toiletries, medication and clothing and leave the rest of your luggage in your car. Our room was pretty basic but clean and roomy enough for the little time that we spent in it.

Sea Sickness I made a quick visit to a pharmacy in Melbourne before our departure and purchased some Kwells (sea sickness tablets) as I have suffered from seasickness in the past. Kwells for kids is also available for kids aged 2 and above. I also travelled with some of my DoTerra Oils that help with seasickness and things like ginger snap biscuits help too. Luckily we didn’t need these but i’d definitely make sure you are prepared especially if you have little ones.

Food and entertainment There are many options on board including a buffet dinner ($25 per adult), kids under 5 yrs eat free. As well as a pizza bar and a simple shop to purchase snacks / hot pies etc. There is a soft playground on board, arcade games, TV, and 2 cinemas screening movies at 8pm and 10pm – so there is plenty to keep you busy. There is a continental breakfast available in the morning but you need to be up super early to ensure you are ready in time to disembark. I just packed a few breakfast fruit pouches (baby food) to give to the kids and keep them happy until we were off the boat.

Disembarking There is an announcement via the loudspeaker 45min prior to disembarking which also served as our wake up call. Our vehicle level (5) was the first called so we simply packed our bags and made our way to the deck area and enjoyed watching the sunrise. Once back in our car we were off the boat in about 5 mins and looking for a place to eat for breakfast. (We found a great cafe just off the boat in an old church with loads of room for the kids to run around.)

A few extra tips:

• When parking your caravan on the boat engage your caravan hand-brake and make sure all cupboards are secure in your caravan and nothing can move around in the case of big swells.
• If you can, push in your caravan towing mirrors.
• In case you were wondering you can travel with pets but they will need to be checked into the onboard kennels, or they can stay in your caravan but you will have to sign a disclaimer – you can read more here .
• Take some cash with you in case the EFTPOS machines do not work when you are out at sea.
• There is a tour information desk onboard so it’s a great opportunity to research and make your travel plans.
• We have also been advised it is a good idea to take photos of your rig (car and caravan from each side) while on the doc before boarding in case any damage is done to your setup during travel.

We really enjoyed our trip on the Spirit of Tasmania and would highly recommend it! With a little preparation and planning, it’s a pretty straightforward process.

Have I missed anything? Please share any tips in the comments below.

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Planning your Tassie itinary? Read our 2 part Tasmania’s Delights post:

Part 1 – Road tripping to the RIGHT  |   Part 2 – Road tripping to the LEFT

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Reader interactions.

28, November, 2017 at 8:23 am

thanks for all these great tips. lots of things that you need to know before making the trip. It is on my bucket list to do one day, so I will keep all of these in mind. Thanks Tracy, and have a wonderful Tassie stay

28, November, 2017 at 9:16 pm

Thanks we booked early inpreparation of our big lap and will board in Feb, can’t wait!

30, November, 2017 at 3:41 pm

Awesome Benji – glad it was helpful

28, November, 2017 at 9:41 pm

Thanks for the tips! Will be aboard in January. What street was the low bridge to avoid??

30, November, 2017 at 3:40 pm

Thanks Mark. It was Victoria Road, in Footscray – Nasty!!!

28, November, 2017 at 10:23 pm

We have done this trip multiple times. Your information is very accurate and helpful to first timers. Navigating Melbourne is the hardest part!

30, November, 2017 at 7:56 am

Thanks for your lovely comment Liz – yes Melbourne was a bit stressful 🙂

29, November, 2017 at 6:49 am

Your trip notes are fabulous …….. thank you so much. It is our first crossing and so looking forward to the trip. Best wishes and have fun Lorraine

30, November, 2017 at 7:55 am

Thanks Lorraine – so glad it was helpful. Enjoy your trip 🙂

29, November, 2017 at 8:15 pm

Sounds like a nice comfy way to cross the Strait…..I could think of other ways, but you guys have nailed it once again. Safe travels! Darren M.

30, November, 2017 at 7:54 am

Thanks Darren, yes it was a bit of luxury compared to a solo kitesurf if anyone was wild enough to do that!!

20, December, 2017 at 11:05 am

Wonderful Tracy, so informative

11, March, 2018 at 3:22 pm

Excellent info. Thank you. Great info for our trip next year with our van

4, January, 2020 at 9:00 pm

What was your start point for your trip to the left? I thought that you would have gone through Stanley etc to get to Arthur River. I was planning to do the left trip then the right. I love your trip notes, fantastic!! Cheers, Keith

[…] in Tasmania, we were after a little time to spread out from our caravan, especially following our 12 hour journey across Bass Strait on the Spirit of Tasmania boat. We knew we had hit the ‘quirky accommodation jackpot’ when we saw the listing for The Round […]

[…] Our Tassie adventure started in Devonport like most other caravanners as we rolled our home on wheels off the Spirit of Tasmania ship. We were lucky to enjoy smooth sailing as we crossed Bass Straight both there and back. We share some helpful tips on how to prepare your caravan and family for this journey in a post here. […]

[…] Abel Tasman Caravan Park is only a stone’s throw away from where you get on and off the Spirit of Tasmania Ship making it a great place to begin and end your Tassie tour. Just out the front is Coles Beach which […]

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Who are faramagan.

After 6 years of long distance, Darren and Lauren quit their day jobs to live the day dream. Far am a gan translates to “where am I going” from the Scot’s language, Doric. A phrase muttered several times a day by this travelling twosome as they avoid adulthood one adventure at a time. Through this blog they document the tales (and fails) from their experiences, offering a refreshing and unfiltered approach to travel in the hope they inspire others to embrace adventure.

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Campervanning in Tasmania: The Ultimate Guide

Thinking of travelling Tasmanian in a campervan? This guide covers everything you need to know from costs to campsites, highlights to hidden gems.  

It’s no secret campervanning in Tasmania has become incredibly popular but, it’s not as easy as Instagram makes it out to be. While this enchanting Australian island offers insane scenery, friendly locals and bucket list adventures you’ll also be contending with unique wildlife, unpredictable weather and a rural infrastructure. 

With our guide however, you’ll be well equipped with everything you need for a safe and successful time travelling Tasmania in a campervan. From packing lists to National Park passes, vehicle rental tips to a detailed road trip itinerary – we’ve got you covered!

WHY TRAVEL TASMANIA IN A CAMPERVAN

We loved campervanning in Tasmania for the flexibility and freedom, but it’s not for everyone. Undecided if a Tasmania road trip is for you? Here are our top reasons why we decided a driving holiday in Tasmania was the best way to see this incredible island. 

• Breathtaking Scenery: Tasmania is known for its stunning landscapes, from pristine beaches to rugged mountains. After travelling New Zealand in a camperva n , we found the scenery very similar. By travelling Tasmania in a campervan, you can soak in the beauty at your own pace.
• Remote Beauty: on the topic of outdoor adventures, it’s impossible to head off the beaten path on a bus or train. Exploring remote locations and hidden gems that public transport can’t reach is one of the best ways to truly get to know a destination.

7. Picturesque Drives: We are not strangers to epic road trips – we adored the Great Ocean Road in Australia and Te Anua to Milford Sound in New Zealand however, Tasmania offers some of Australia’s most scenic drives, like the Great Eastern Drive along the east coast or the Tarkine Drive in the northwest.

8. Freedom and Flexibility: With a campervan, you have the freedom to change your plans last minute. If you stumble upon a picturesque spot, you can stay the night without needing to book accommodation in advance. Travelling with a car may require you to stick to a fixed itinerary and book accommodations in advance, limiting your spontaneity.

9. Local Interaction: Another reason we loved campervanning in Tasmania – the locals! Not only are they super helpful with recommendations, shortcuts and hidden gems but it offers a more powerful insight into the local culture. 

10. Family Friendly: Our road trip in Tasmania was our toddler’s first taste of van life and we found it SO much easier than expected. A campervan meant more space for naps, we could cook wherever and whenever she got hangry and we always had toys, snacks, outfit changes on hand. Campsites are also very family friendly with the majority offering laundry and kitchen facilities as well as hot showers, playgrounds and activities.  Checking in and out of hotels (on time!), paying for and setting up travel cots and finding baby friendly restaurants on the road would add a whole different level of stress. The constant fresh air also means she slept better in a campervan than she ever has at home *sells house for a campervan ASAP*

11. Epic Campsites: We LOVED camping in Australia so couldn’t wait to hop over to Tassie to explore it on four wheels too.  We found it was cheaper travelling Tasmania in a campervan than hiring a car + booking accommodation as you’ll be travelling with your bedroom & kitchen on wheels! Free camping is common and campsites are incredibly well equipped and affordable, saving you money on hotels or Airbnbs. 

BEST TIME OF YEAR FOR CAMPERVANNING IN TASMANIA

This completely depends on personal preference – to us, there is no “bad” time to travel Tasmania in a campervan. Many would argue that during the austral summer, from December to February is the best time due to warmer temperatures, more hours of daylight and ideal conditions for outdoor adventures. 

However, this is peak season for tourists as well as locals. It’s when the school holidays are so accommodation, vehicle rental and campsite costs are higher. Some campsites also introduce a ballot system in the summer months or need to be booked well in advance so for us, this limits the spontaneity that van life offers.

If you crave a crowd free experience that’s a little more budget friendly, aim to go campervanning in Tasmania during the shoulder seasons of spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) . 

We opted for April, and found the weather was still pleasant (although a little drizzly) campsites, hikes and beaches were quiet and prices more reasonable. This includes flights, ferries, van rental and tour tickets all proving cheaper and easier to book last minute in comparison to Summer. 

WHERE TO HIRE A CAMPERVAN IN TASMANIA

Step 1: hire from tassie or melbourne.

There are two options you need to consider when researching campervan hire in Tasmania . 

• Option 1: Hire your van in Victoria then take it across on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry between Geelong and Devonport.
• Option 2: Fly (or ferry) across, then hire your campervan once you arrive in Tassie.

The cost and convenience of these options will depend on the season. For us – travelling in April – we found it was much cheaper to fly from Melbourne to Hobart, then pick up a campervan at the airport in Hobart. 

You can also hire campervans from Launceston if you’re flying into there instead or from Devonport if you’re taking the Tasmania ferry. 

Step 2: Compare Online

We used Motorhome republic to find the best prices for campervan hire in Tasmania. 

In both New Zealand and Australia we have previously used Travellers Autobarn for campervan hire and cannot recommend them enough. Their customer service is incredible, vans are well equipped and reliable and they offered the best price we could find after weeks and weeks of searching.

However, for campervanning in Tasmania we found Cheapa Campa (owned by Apollo) to have the best deal for our dates. 

Step 3: Book (with a sneaky Discount Tip!)

Once you have done your own research online, we then recommend you take your quote to a third party. For our Tasmania road trip, we took our quote to Rat Pack travel . They are Aussie experts when it comes to campervan hire (and travelling Australia in general) so we asked them if they could beat the online price. They did! Better yet, they saved us over $100.

Motorhome Republic also offer a price beat promise where if you find a lower price, they’ll beat it by $150 so it pays to be a little cheeky and always ensure its the best price available. 

FUEL UP BEFORE YOU SET OFF

Download the ultimate cooking in a campervan cookbook.

• Recipes with ideas for breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Digital E-book so you can download instantly
• Use offline on your phone, tablet, laptop or print off
• Recipe ideas without the need for bulky cookbooks or Wi-Fi

Price: £7.99

How much does it cost to travel tasmania in a campervan.

We really struggled to find an honest breakdown of costs for travelling Tasmania in a campervan so, we took note of every penny we spent to help you guys out (not all heroes wear capes, huh?)

We will be honest, you could definitely do this cheaper if you missed out the major tourist attractions and rented off peak but as a guide, we spent:

HIRE: $150 per day

This will depend on the size of your campervan, time of year, duration of your trip and additional extras such as bedding packs etc. This is what we paid for a 3 berth, high top campervan in April. Find best prices here.

FUEL: $2 per Litre

Obviously the price of fuel will go up and down however, we used a few handy apps and websites that can help find cheap fuel near you. For example:

• Fuelprice.io   Shares fuel prices in pretty much real time for 9,700 petrol stations across 230 Australian towns/cities.
• Fuel Map shows gas stations nearby as well as prices. You can also track daily fuel usage, like a diary if you’re nerdy about that sorta stuff.

CAMPSITES: $0 – $85 per night 

If you plan on campervanning Tasmania on a budget and you’re self contained you could technically free camp your entire trip. For us, travelling with a toddler we needed a few home comforts like hot showers and laundry facilities which meant using paid campsites. 

It’s cheaper to camp in the National Park Campsites, for example Mt Field National Park was only $20 and still had hot showers, camp kitchen, laundry etc. Then campsites near major attractions or in cities will be much more expensive. For example, Discovery Parks own the nearest campsite to Cradle Mountain (and there is only one campsite here) so it is $85 per night! We also camped in Hobart just 20 minutes from the airport which was $75 per night. 

PARKS PASS: $89 for 2 months

If you plan on campervanning in Tasmania it is essential you purchase a Parks Pass to enter all of the National Parks for the duration of your trip. We’ll explain the options later in this guide, but the best value for money for us was the “Holiday Pass” which was $89 for 2 months. 

FOOD / DRINKS: $150 per week

If you’re trying to keep costs down, we highly recommend making a weekly meal plan (using our camping food list ) then do a big shop when you pick up your van. You’ll struggle to find larger supermarkets like Woolworths, Aldi or Coles outwith the major destinations. Our food  shop averaged $150 a week for three people. This included breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. We did eat out a few times and there’s no denying our shiraz and cheese expense got a little out of hand some days.

ACTIVITIES: $0-$unlimited

Again, you could keep these costs super low, as one of the many joys of travelling Tasmania in a campervan is that the majority of activities are free – beaches, hikes, wildlife watching etc. However, we paid for some iconic activities that were all incredible value for money and worth the added expense. This includes:

• Gordon River Cruise: Around $320 for 2 people (all day, included lunch) – toddler was free.
• East Coast Nature World: Approx $30pp – toddler free.
• MONA in Hobart: $35pp entry fee + $25pp for return ferry .

Budget Tips for Campervanning in Tasmania

• Avoid one-way hire: If you can, try planning your Tasmania campervan road trip in a loop as it’s usually cheaper to pick up and drop off from the same place. Most companies charge extra for a ‘one-way’ hire.
• Start in Hobart: This will depend where you’re travelling from, but as we were coming from Melbourne we played around with many route options, dates and starting points and found over and over again picking up and dropping off in Hobart was cheaper than Launceston or Devonport. We also found this had the most campervan rental options which made pricing more competitive.
• Ferry prices : As mentioned, it may be cheaper to hire a campervan in Victoria then take it on the ferry. Always double check the your insurance small print as not all rental companies allow you to do this.
• Cook your own meals: Think five star dining isn’t possible on four wheels? Think again. Check out our vegetarian camping meals and one pot camping recipes to save some serious dollar dining out.
• Tolls: There are no toll roads in Tasmania, so you won’t need to worry about toll fees during your road trip which caught us out big time when we were travelling mainland Australia in a campervan . 
• Relocation: If you are short on time and budget, look into campervan relocation . For as little as $1 a day you can relocate vehicles for hire companies!
• Save on Fuel: Some supermarkets offer a discount off your fuel if you spend over a certain amount. For example, Woolworths offer 4c off per litre at Ampol when you spent $30 or more on a groceries. 

PLANNING THE PERFECT ITINERARY FOR TASMANIA IN A CAMPERVAN

We won’t lie, this is the hardest (although the most fun) part – deciding where to go campervanning in Tasmania. It can feel overwhelming as there is SO much to see and do. Our top tip would be don’t feel pressured to do it all. You’ll feel rushed and exhausted. 

When campervanning in Tasmania (or anywhere!) by all means visit the highlights but the many joys of van life is creating your own adventure and heading off the beaten track. Leave some wiggle room for you to get lost, meet people and find your own hidden gems.

Before we get to the juicy details of our itinerary, there are a few points to consider when planning a route for Tasmania in a campervan:

Where to start your Tasmania campervan trip

Deciding where to begin your Tasmania campervan trip will depend on whether you fly or get the ferry. We recommend starting in Hobart, but you could also start in Launceston or Devonport. Then decide clockwise or anti-clockwise from there. 

We chose to do the West Coast first as we knew the weather was going to be wetter there so wanted to end our road trip in the sunshine. We also knew there was more we wanted to see/do on the East Coast so we did the West first, to allow more time on the East. 

How long do you need for campervanning in Tasmania?

FOREVER. You might think I’m joking, but the minute you sit behind that wheel or sleep under the stars you will quickly start googling vans for sale and writing your resignation letter for a lifetime on the road.

At an absolute minimum we recommend 7 days. This will give you just enough time to hit the highlights and do a full lap of the island.

To keep it relaxed instead of rushed, ideally you don’t want to drive more than 100-200km a day. This means most people opt for 10-14 days but for us, a month would’ve been the perfect amount of time to travel Tasmania in a campervan.

What are the main highlights on a tour of Tasmania?

When campervanning in Tasmania we recommend you do a full lap, not only so you see the entire island but because it will work out cheaper for campervan hire if you drop off your van in the same place you picked it up.

Although there is so much to see and do, as a general guide the main highlights (with driving distances) are as follows: 

• Start: Hobart > Mt Field (80km)
• Mt Field > Strahan (250 km)
• Strahan > Cradle Mountain (140km) 
• Cradle Mountain > Stanley (410 km) 
• Stanley > Launceston (235km) 
• Launceston > Bingalong Bay/Bay of Fires (240km)
• Bay of Fires > Coles Bay/Freycinet National Park (130km)
• Coles Bay > Port Arthur (240km)
• End: Port Arthur > Hobart (110km)  

During our 7 days in Tasmania we had to skip Stanley and head from Cradle Mountain to Launceston. We then headed straight from Coles Bay to Hobart, skipping Port Arthur. 

TASMANIA CAMPERVAN ITINERARY

When we picked up our van in Hobart, we got chatting to a couple who had just spent 5 weeks travelling Tasmania in a campervan and could have happily stayed much longer. After our own road trip, we completely understand why! 

This is a very brief overview of our Tasmania campervan itinerary. We covered the main attractions in 7 days but wished we had more time to visit Bruny Island, Port Arthur and Stanley. 

Check out our 7 day Itinerary for Tasmania which covers this route in more detail. It includes all the hikes, highlights and hidden gems we squeezed into our week on the island. 

Day 1: Hobart > Mt Field National Park

• Salamanca markets on every Saturday 8:30am – 3:00pm. You’ll find over 300 stalls with delicious street food, artisans, breweries and producers. 
• Mount Wellington: Drive or hike up to the summit for stunning panoramic views of Hobart. It’s especially breathtaking at sunrise or sunset.

Stay: Mount Field National Park Campsite | $20.00 powered site 

Day 2: Mt Field National Park > Lake St Clair > Strahan

Highlights 

• Hiking Mt Field National Park: Hikes for all abilities including Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Tall Trees and Lady Barron Falls.
• Lake St Clair: Not only is it Australia’s deepest freshwater lake, but Lake St Clair is actually the end point for Tasmania’s iconic Overland Track and a beautiful picnic spot for food and photos.

Stay: Strahan Beach Holiday Park | $50.00 powered site

Day 3: Strahan > Gordon River Cruise > Cradle Mountain

• Gordon River Cruise: Depart Strahan 8:30am for an all day river cruise including lunch and visits to Hell’s Gate, Heritage Landing  and Sarah Island.

Stay: Cradle Mountain Holiday Park | $85.00 powered site (Top Tip: if you plan on an early start for visiting Cradle Mountain the following day, this is the only campsite – hence the pricetag!)

• Discover the world heritage listed Gordon River on a morning cruise
• Savor a delicious lunch of local Tasmanian produce
• Enjoy a guided tour of Sarah Island
• Stroll through a UNESCO World Heritage listed ancient Rainforest

Day 4: Cradle Mountain > Sheffield > Launceston

• Hiking at Cradle Mountain: There are over 20 different walking tracks around Cradle Mountain & Dove Lake, ranging from 20 minutes to 9 hours. We particularly enjoyed the Dove Lake Circuit (takes around 2 hours) as it was easy with a toddler in the backpack but still offered impressive views. 

Stay: Old Mac’s Farm – Launceston | $35.00 powered

Day 5: Launceston > Bay of Fires > St Helens

• Best of the Beaches: We had a swim in the sea at Binalong Bay then headed up to Jeanneret Beach (literally, paradise + there is a free campsite) followed by Swimcart Beach (neighbours Jeanneret Beach, also free to camp here) and finished with Taylors Beach (picture perfect white sand and turquoise waters) 
• Bay of Fires Conservation Area :  home to the iconic orange rocks and more beautiful beaches.

Stay: Big 4 St Helens Holiday Park : $44 per night

Day 6: St Helens > Bicheno > Freycinet National Park

• East Coast Nature World, Bicheno: You cannot go campervanning in Tasmania without seeing a Tasmanian Devil. East Coast Nature World is an adorable animal sanctuary where you’ll see Tasmanian devils, kangaroos and wombats roaming free among other native animals.
• Freycinet National Park: Visit Honeymoon Bay the perfect spot for a paddle, snorkel and photo opportunities. Then we hiked to the Wineglass Bay viewpoint which offered insanely beautiful views. A definite highlight from our Tasmania road trip. Hiking not your vibe? This adults only tour from Coles Bay to Wineglass Bay complete with lunch and wine sounds amazing! If we’d had more time, we would’ve also considered visiting Wineglass Bay on a relaxing cruise from Coles Bay. 

Stay: BIG4 Iluka Holiday Park | $45.00 powered

Day 7: Freycinet National Park > MONA, Hobart

• MONA, Hobart: A definite highlight from our time campervanning in Tasmania. Whether you do it on your first or last day of your road trip, visit the MONA ! From the ferry ride where the seats are sheep to the gallery itself carved into a cliff – words cannot describe how insane it is.

Stay : Discovery Parks Hobart | $75.00 powered (Top Tip: If you’re campervanning in Tasmania this is a great site for the start or end of your trip as it is only a 20 minute drive from the airport) It meant we could then get up early and head to the airport the next day.

PERMITS & PASSES FOR CAMPERVANNING IN TASMANIA

As the island is 40% national parks it would be pretty impossible to go campervanning in Tasmania without a parks pass. It is essential you display your parks pass on your van in order to enter the national parks. 

There are various options depending on the duration of your stay and if you plan visiting all parks or just a single park. You can purchase passes per vehicle, or per person if you are travelling by bus, motorbike, bike or on foot instead. 

Please do not try and skip this small fee. The money raised from park fees are reinvested into the parks and pay for maintenance and upgrades of the visitor facilities such as walking tracks, toilets and visitor centres. Failing to display a valid pass may also result in prosecution. 

Daily Pass – 24 Hours

You could purchase a daily pass which allows entry to national parks for a 24 hour period. This costs approximately $45 per day, per vehicle (Up to 8 people) – excluding Cradle Mountain.

Cradle Mountain Daily Pass – 24 hours

You will need a specific daily pass for Cradle Mountain, called an Icon Daily Pass which can be purchased from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Center. This pass is charged per person, not per vehicle. This costs approximately $28 per adult and $12 for 5 -17 year olds . It also includes the Cradle Mountain Shuttle Bus service.

Holiday Pass – Up to 2 months

If you plan on campervanning in Tasmania, do not bother with a daily pass. We found it far more cost effective to buy a holiday pass. This cost only $89 for up to 2 months, so it lasted the duration of our trip. 

Annual Parks Pass – Up to 1 year

If you plan on travelling Tasmania in a campervan for more than 2 months, purchase an annual parks pass. This costs just $95 (so only $6 for 10 months more than the holiday pass!) and permits access to all national parks for up to 12 months.

How to Buy a Tasmania Parks Pass 

Applying for or renewing a parks pass takes around 15 minutes and can be done online – here . We did this before our Tasmania campervan trip, then simply printed the PDF and displayed it on our windshield.

Alternatively, you can purchase your parks pass when you arrive from the following places: 

• National Park visitor centres
• At your nearest service centre
• Most accredited Tasmanian Travel Information Centres
• Onboard the Spirit of Tasmania ferry

WHERE TO STAY WITH A CAMPERVAN IN TASMANIA

Free camping.

Free camping in Tasmania is easy to do, as long as you’re self contained. You’ll find free campsites in picturesque areas such as beaches, near lakes or in the heart of the forest.

However, you’ll also find some pubs and hotels allow campervans to pitch up overnight in their carparks for free. Not so Insta-worthy, but does mean the money you’ve saved on a campsite, can be spent on a local business (and beer!) instead. 

Parks Tasmania

Your next budget friendly option would be the national park camping grounds. These are maintained by Parks Tasmania and are dotted all over the island. 

Prices range from free – $30 per night, noting the majority are for self-contained campervans or tents only and won’t have power. These campsites however usually do have toilets, camp kitchens and basic laundry facilities, which are hard to find when free camping.

The other bonus is that they are usually in the most beautiful locations, so are well worth utilising if you’re looking for budget friendly campsites when travelling Tasmania in a campervan. 

Paid Campsites/Holiday Parks

The most expensive option is then Holiday Parks or privately owned campsites. The main holiday park chains are Big4 and Discovery Parks – you’ll find these near all major attractions or towns. 

While these campsites are more expensive, it is usually because of there convenient location or the facilities on offer. You can expect on site shops, restaurants, playgrounds, hot showers and well equipped kitchens. We’ve even came across holiday parks with swimming pools, bike rental and games rooms.

As we were campervanning Tasmania with a toddler, we found holiday parks were ideal for those home comforts that make life a little easier. 

HOW TO FIND CAMPSITES WHEN TRAVELLING TASMANIA IN A CAMPERVAN

Whether you’re a book-on-the-day type of person, or prefer to plan an itinerary well in advance, these are our 4 tried & tested methods for finding clean, safe and affordable places to sleep each night. 

If you prefer, take a peek at our in depth video below which explains each of these methods in detail as well as a few favourite hacks we used for finding campsites while campervanning in Tasmania.

1. Use Camping Apps

When travelling Tasmania in a campervan, these apps won’t just help you find campsites but also hot showers, water points, petrol stations, toilets and more: 

• Wikicamps Australia | $7.99 | Apple / Google
• CamperMate | Free | Apple  /  Google
• Travellers Autobarn| Free |  Apple / Google  

Campstay | Free | Apple / Google

2. Ask Locals

If there was one thing we learned from camping in Australia its that the best campsites are the ones that only locals know about. 

By popping in to local coffee shops, chatting with dog walkers, or simply asking your camping neighbour where they’re headed next you are bound to learn a tip or two about the local area and where your next night’s sleep will be. 

When travelling Tasmania in a campervan, don’t be scared to ask a local as they’re the best source of information, from shortcuts to stargazing spots, hikes to hidden gems.

3. Facebook

This is another great resource as these groups are used by locals and tourists alike so you can post asking for recommendations, or search for a specific area. Facebook can be useful for the most up to date information too as users post in real time, unlike on apps which can take a while to publish and update.

As well as campsite recommendations, these groups are great for sharing road closures, bush fires, opening times and more:

• Caravan and Camping Tasmania
• Low Cost And Free Camping Australia Wide
• Low Cost, Free camping Tasmania
• Free Camping Aussie
• Free Camping Around Australia

Apologies, Millenials you may roll your eyes but internet or phone coverage can be extremely limited at times when campervaning Tasmania. That’s why we recommend keeping an Australia camping guide like the one below handy so you have a back up when your phone battery dies or you’re stranded without signal and sleeping arrangements.

Book detailing campsites of Australia.

WHAT TO PACK FOR CAMPERVANNING IN TASMANIA

Generally, most rental campervans come equipped with the basics such as bedding, utensils and kitchen equipment. However, these are the essentials that saved us money, time and stress when travelling Tasmania in a campervan.

1. Head Torch

We’ve found so many camping packing lists miss out a head torch. Have you ever tried holding a torch for someone else as they pee in the dark? It isn’t sexy. It’s also ideal for the more romantic stuff like cooking under the stars or sunrise hikes.

LED USB rechargeable head torch.

2. Portable Speaker

Good tunes make everything better including your navigation and cooking schools. We also couldn’t have survived our Tassie campervan trip without our speaking blasting baby shark for our toddler 24/7.

Why not purchase an eco-friendly bamboo Bluetooth speaker from Amazon now?

3. Coffee Grinder / Nanopresso

Switch those wasteful takeaway coffees and make your own barista worthy coffee in your van instead! Not only will this help you save money (and the planet!) but we actually bring ours to music festivals when we’re camping there too. Yes, we’re that old. 

Wacaco nanopresso portable espresso maker bundled with protective case.

4. Fairy Lights

Whether you’re parked outside a pub or you’ve just had a screaming match over the sat nav, fairy lights can make anywhere feel cute.

Warm white battery powered fairy lights

5. Camping Chairs

We found when campervanning in Tasmania, most rental companies will supply these. If not, you can pick some up quite easily. 

Extra large padded folding outdoor camping chair with bag.

6. Portable Charger

If you don’t plan on using powered sites very often, this is an absolute essential for travelling Tasmania in a campervan. This is the best one we have ever used (still going strong 5 years since we bought it!) You only need to charge it once, then it lasts around 1 week – 7 full charges of a mobile phone. It can also be used to charge Go Pro & drone batteries!

Anker PowerCore 20100mAh portable charger.

7. Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot

As well as a working mobile phone, you may need Wi-Fi for booking activities, campsites and finding directions. We recommend this one in particular as it can be used in almost any country and is open to all operators SIM cards – perfect for more road trip adventure. Just grab a local data SIM and connect your devices.

E5577Cs-321 4G LTE mobile WiFi hotspot.

8. Insect Spray

The creepy crawlies can legit make or break your trip. Whether it’s ticks, flies or mossies – no one wants to be kept awake itching! You might want to invest in ant spray too as they are horrendous for invading backpacks and campervans (some campervan hires come with).

100% deet mosquito, tick and insect repellent.

Download our Free Road Trip Packing List

Feeling organised? Download our free road trip packing list so you can tick off the items as you travel. This interactive PDF checklist works on both mobile and desktop so you’ll never leave home without a road trip essential again! Check out our other free downloadable tools such as our budget tracker and camping checklist on our resources page .

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TOP TIP:  We do not recommend you use a suitcase, as it can be so awkward to store in your campervan (unless you’ve hired a cheeky mansion-on-wheels 6 berth motorhome!) Instead we use packing cubes inside our Osprey backpacks , these fitted perfectly under the seats. Packing cubes keep your clothing and equipment tidy and contained so you don't risk it all falling out when you're driving.

MEAL IDEAS FOR TRAVELLING TASMANIA IN A CAMPERVAN

It’s no secret a campervan holiday in Tasmania is expensive. That’s why we try to save as much money as possible by getting creative in our wee kitchen on wheels. Lucky for you, we have SO many guides and top tips to help you save money on campervan cooking all while ensuring you are not limited to boring pasta.

You’ll find most campsites have kitchens, but if you only have a one-ring camping stove our recipes are ideal. They cater to those those limited on time, space and equipment with all meal ideas promising to be quick, cheap and easy.

Not to mention we have an entire cookbook you can download and use offline to save you scrolling the internet when hanger strikes!

The Best Camping Recipes

• One Pot Wonders: If like us, you are travelling Tasmania in a campervan with kids or simply only have one ring to cook on, you might appreciate our one pot camping meals – they require minimum ingredients, time and washing up but promise big portions and flavour!
• For Vegetarians: Not all campervans come with refrigerators or a way of storing meat, so we swear by these vegetarian camping recipes. They are all super quick and easy with ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Top Tips: Don’t miss our cooking in a campervan tips  with storage ideas, recipe suggestions and more.
• A Recipe for Disaster: If it’s been a rough road trip, enjoy a giggle at our cooking videos on our YouTube . Please be warned these were made after a wine or two in New Zealand so we can’t promise you’ll learn much but it might inspire a camping recipe or two.

TOP TIPS FOR CAMPERVANNING IN TASMANIA

• Stay Left: Drive on the left side of the road, as is the rule in Australia. You also need to park facing the direction of traffic which earned us a cheeky fine as this is not law in the UK! 
• Road Conditions: Be prepared for changing road conditions, especially in mountainous areas and rain and fog, especially in coastal areas. Always check for road closures and weather updates before you set off and remember Tasmania’s weather can change quickly. 
•   Star places on Google Maps: One of our most used   apps for backpackers.  Star the locations, campsites and hikes we’ve mentioned then you can download the maps to use offline. This will help plan your route saving you time and stress! Ideal when Wi-Fi & signal will be scarce! 
• Leave enough time: Although, Google maps will give a driving time, always consider the weather, road conditions (gravel is common in Tassie) as well as the never ending photo/petrol/toilet stops. The most common thing to slow you down when campervanning in Tasmania is other campervans or caravans. Getting stuck behind huge motorhomes can be common, or tourists that are not used to the road so be patient. 
• Watch for Wildlife: Tasmania is home to various wildlife that we could bet money on you won’t find at home. Drive cautiously, especially at dawn and dusk, to avoid collisions with these wonderful animals. 
• Pull over:   As campervanning in Tasmania is so popular, you can understand the locals frustration at being stuck behind tourists regularly on their way to work etc. For this reason, make use of passing places/pull over spots to let those faster moving vehicles past.
• Plan Fuel Stops: As well as the camping apps, don’t forget to download those fuel apps we mentioned earlier (especially for remote areas) so you can plan your fuel stops ahead of time to avoid running low in isolated locations. 
• Mobile Coverage: While major towns have good mobile coverage, some remote areas may have limited or no signal. Download maps and directions before your trip.
• Responsible Traveller: It’s vital when travelling Tasmania in a campervan that you are a responsible traveller . Leave campsites as you found them (or even better!) don’t light fires unless permitted, avoid feeding the wildlife and always take your three for the sea. Many roads pass through pristine wilderness areas and National Parks. Respect the environment and follow Leave No Trace principles.

We hope this guide to Tasmania in a campervan has dispelled any doubts, and left no question unanswered. Driving holidays are a choice we keep returning to, now even with our children in tow and it doesn’t get better than a road trip in Tassie. With its untamed beauty, warm-hearted locals, and the chance to fall asleep under the stars, a home on wheels really is the best way to see this island. Let us know in the comments how campervanning in Tasmania goes for you and if you have any top tips we’ve missed!

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FIRST TIMERS TIPS FOR TASSIE!!

HERE’S A FEW TIPS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR TRIP TO TASMANIA THAT LITTLE BIT EASIER!!

Tassie is one of the most picturesque places we’ve seen on our travels around Australia. This isolated Island has you indulging in history, hiking amazing trails, relaxing on pristine beaches & enjoying the spectacular wilderness and fresh produce.

THIS WAS TAKEN JUST BEFORE WE LOADED UP FOR OUR DAY SAIL TO TASSIE!!

TIPS FOR THE SPIRIT OF TASMANIA

BEFORE YOU GET ON THE SPIRIT OF TASMANIA

Navigating through Melbourne isn’t for the faint hearted! The narrow roads, freeways, unpredictability of traffic PLUS  towing a caravan can present a very stressful situation. 

As we were leaving on a day sail we needed to be in Melbourne the night before, so we needed to seek out accomodation.

After plenty of research we found a caravan park only 13km from the Port of Melbourne and where the Spirit of Tasmania was to depart from. 

BIG4 Melbourne was an easy 20 minute drive and a fantastic park & a great place to start and finish our Tassie travels. It’s a resort style caravan park situated in Coburg, it has everything for the kids (and big kids). A large swimming pool and spa, games room, playground & indoor playground and if you’re keen, a gym! 

SPEND $80, SAVE $20 ON A247 GEAR. SITEWIDE!!!

DON’T DO A BIG GROCERY SHOP BEFORE YOU LEAVE

The Spirit of Tasmania is big on quarantine and it’s a huge operation when boarding. The staff that work for quarantine will take all of your fresh produce so please check the current quarantine restrictions. Once you arrive in Devonport there is a Woolworths and Coles to stock up with all your the fresh produce and supplies you will need. 

CARGO DECK REMINDER CARD

Remember to get your deck reminder card. These are located right next to the doorways as you leave the cargo deck. This will ensure you know exactly where on the Spirit of Tasmania your car and van are parked. That way you wont be in a panic to find it once disembarking commences.

If it’s within your budget we do advise getting a cabin. It’s a loooong sail and having the space where you can relax during the day and put the kids down for a sleep is well worth it. Also, for the night sail, it was fantastic going to sleep in Devonport and waking up in Melbourne! Perfect!! 

The trip from Melbourne to Tasmania is about a 11 hours sale. As comfortable as the boat is, having a cabin to chill out and sleep in made the trip across Bass Strait all the more enjoyable. Here’s a quick walkthrough of what the 4 berth porthole cabins look like.

ON BOARD MOVIE THEATRE

There is a fantastic movie theatre on board that screens both kids and adult movies. If you are keen to get in a flick while your sailing, head straight to the kiosk/reception once you board to book your ticket. Depending on the month and season, this books out very quickly and you don’t want the kids to be disappointed.

TRAVEL STORIES, ITINERARIES, TIPS & TRICKS

We weren’t aware as to how good the food on The Spirit is and kids under 5 eat FREE with a paying adult. They offer all meals and they are delicious and at an excellent price. Do take some snacks, but honestly, the amount of food you’ll eat, you wont want to snack!

SEA SICKNESS

Do you get sea sick? We sure do, so I made sure to stock up on sea sickness medication for the whole family. We loaded up on Kwells for us and ginger tablets for the kids. Luckily we had fairly calm seas on both sails across and the Spirit is a very stable vessel!

PARKS PASS (National Parks)

Located on the boat you will find the Tourism Hub. This is where you can buy your parks pass and pick up all the travel brochures you will need to plan your trip. It is well worth the money at about $95 and definitely bang for your buck if your visiting several National Parks.

TRAVEL BROCHURES

Absolutely amazing beach camp on Bruny Island in Tasmania. Tow your big caravan down the beach to a bush camp.

YOUR VEHICLE AND CARAVAN

As we said above the roads are hard on the gear. Make sure you have your car and van serviced and checked over before you head to Tassie. Your engine will be working hard pulling the van up all the hills & the brakes will be working overtime coming back down the steep wind sections. 

In built up areas such as Devonport, Launceston and Hobart, Woolworths & Coles are readily available. However, once you leave these largely populated areas your only options are IGA’s, which are much more expensive. Do try to stock up as much as you can at the big chain supermarkets as you’ll make a huge saving.

For us, Summer is undoubtedly the best season to visit Tasmania. We are beach bums and loved visiting the amazing beaches and campsites around Tassie’s coastline. The whole state comes to life with a heaps of events & some amazing fresh produce, cider and wine which is produced on the Island. It’s also a great opportunity to hit up some of their best wilderness walks without freezing your butt off.

SALAMANCA MARKETS

BOAT HARBOUR BEACH

PUDDLEDUCK WINERY

OUR TOP PICKS

After spending 5 weeks in Tasmania doing a full lap we’ve put together a list of our top picks.

Bay of Fires | Binalong Bay | Freycinet National Park | Cradle Mountain | Stanley and ‘The Nut’ | Launceston | Cataract Gorge | Bruny Island | Salamanca Markets | Mount Wellington | Boat Harbour | Port Arthur Historical Site | Eaglehawk Lookout | Tasmazia – The Village of lower crackpot | Turners Beach Berry Patch | Puddleduck Winery | Willy Smith Cider | Cockle Creek | Cloudy Bay | Bakers Beach | Left Of Field | 

Did you know Tasmania as the worlds cleanest air? No wonder they’re all so happy and relaxed over there!

We HIGHLY recommend visiting Tasmania. Around each & every corner, Tassie totally blew our minds. Although sparsely populated, it’s rich in wildlife and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. The Island possesses a sense of calm and laid back nature that ensures you’ll have a relaxing holiday.  

Without a doubt, it’s now one of our favourite places to visit in Australia.

Come with us for a day trip up the Beach. We’ll show you bit more about our rig and the gear we use.

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10 Campervan Tips for Tasmanian Adventures

Tasmania is the southernmost state of Australia, best known for its dramatic coastlines, unspoiled wilderness and culinary delights. With over 40 percent of the island consisting of wild and breathtaking national parks and reserves, Tasmania self drive tours make it easy to experience all that this incredible state has to offer.

Whether it’s hiking, mountain biking, learning about local heritage, fishing, trying one of the many adventure activities, shopping or eating great food - there’s something for everyone.

There are so many things to consider when travelling by campervan through the wild southern state. We’ve put together this list of our top ten tips for a Tasmanian campervan adventure, so you can have all the know-how for your upcoming road trip.

1. Research exciting places to visit 

As one of the smallest states in Australia, Tasmania packs a punch with things to do. Within a few hours’ drive, you can hike heritage-listed peaks, mountain bike in world-class downhill parks, immerse yourself in the history and culture of world-renowned museums, or spend your days exploring a huge variety of national parks and attractions.

With so much to choose from, researching the places you want to visit in advance will help you make the most out of your driving holiday in Tasmania whilst staying within budget. Choosing a mix of paid and low-cost/free Tasmania attractions is a great way to ensure you get out in nature to experience the wilder sides of this southern state. There are so many places to see and explore, including:

• Sea kayaking in Freycinet National Park
• Mountain biking in the world-famous Blue Derby Mountain Bike Park
• Forest segway adventure
• 4x4 ATV adventure
• Descend Mount Wellington on a cycling tour
• Explore the treetops at Hollybank Wilderness Adventures
• Ziplining in Launceston
• Have a go at fishing
• Hike to see Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park
• Explore Cradle Mountain National Park
• See the wildlife on Bruny Island
• Swim in the crystal blue waters of the Bay of Fires
• Mount Field National Park
• Tasman National Park
• Experience the many things to do in Hobart , including the Salamanca Markets, out-of-this-world modern art experience at MONA and more
• Explore the busy coastal city of Devenport
• Explore Cataract Gorge in Launceston

As you can see, there are many options. It really comes down to what your interests are.

2. Make a budget before you leave 

While budgeting requires a bit of additional planning, it is the best way to make sure you don’t overspend and get the most out of your campervan adventure. There are a few things to consider when creating a holiday budget for your Tasmanian road trip, including:

• Petrol - Map out your kilometres to get an estimate of costs.
• Food - How many meals will you make in your camper vs eating out?
• Drinks - Will you buy drinks out or keep them in the camper?
• Caravan parks - Will you stay at holiday parks every night? Or try a mix of free camping?
• Leisure money - Research your bucket list activities and estimate how much these will cost.
• National parks pass - This is essential if you want to travel to see some of the best Tasmania attractions.

3. Choose a convenient time to visit 

Tasmania is generally much cooler year-round than other parts of Australia. If you want to travel while it’s warm, it's best to plan a trip during the Tasmanian summer months from December to February. Summer is a good time to visit if you’re planning to take part in a lot of outdoor activities - especially going hiking in places like Cradle Mountain , which can become dangerous in the winter months.

It's important to note that snow can be possible between April and August. Travelling in a campervan does get cold at night in these months, and some hiking tracks may be shut. For this reason, the Mighty Hobart branch is closed between 1 July and 31 August. Be sure to factor this into your plans.

4. Plan your Tasmania road trip on a map 

Planning a route before you leave is the best way to ensure your Tasmanian road trip is as smooth and enjoyable as possible. This will also help you account for how much money you’ll need for things like transport, fuel, and how long you might want to spend at each destination.

To begin exploring the beauty of this island state you can choose to fly to Hobart, Tasmania and pick up your camper from the Mighty Hobart branch . Alternatively, you can pick up your motorhome from one of the other Mighty branches as part of a larger trip. In that case, you’ll come across on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry .

It's a good idea to map your route using a road trip itinerary planner such as the thl Roadtrip app . This road trip itinerary planner is a one-stop shop to help plan your trip. It can show you everything from campgrounds, free campsites, free things to do, water fill-ups, Tasmania attractions, and more. It's a great way to make sure you don't miss a beat while exploring the incredible beauty that an Australian road trip offers.

5. Pack for any weather 

Unlike many parts of Australia, Tasmania has four distinct seasons. The summer months between December and March generally remain cool - fluctuating between 17°C and 23°C, while winter temperatures average between 3°C and 11°C. However, with 40 percent of the landmass being rainforest, it is still prone to sudden changes in weather.

Regardless of what season you visit, it's good to pack a variety of clothes for these sudden weather changes. If you’re planning to spend a lot of time hiking it’s important to consider what hiking items to pack for these cooler climates. Also, it’s a good idea to pack books and games to keep yourself occupied inside if the weather is bad. Some items to consider when packing for a camper trip to Tasmania include:

• Rain jacket
• Towels and swimmers
• Hiking boots
• Insect repellent
• A jumper or light layers (even in summer)

6. Make the most of free things to do in Tasmania 

What may seem like small costs can quickly add up, so it’s good to integrate a mix of free things to do in Tasmania to help stretch your budget like:

• Make the most of free wi-fi spots around Tasmania ( there are 170 of them ).
• Use cooking and campsite facilities at campgrounds to save on your own gas.
• Fill up your water bottle wherever you can, e.g. cafes and campsites.
• Explore natural wonders, e.g. the Nut State reserve , Bicheno Blowhole, Montezuma Waterfall and Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

7. Book your Tasmania caravan park spot in advance

It's a good idea to book your campsite in advance, so you don’t pay more than you bargained for at the last minute. This is especially important during peak holiday times when caravan parks are at their peak times and prices.

There are loads of caravan parks across Tasmania , with a lot of them having powered camping sites available. Tasmania is also home to some of the best free camping spots in Australia. In saying that, it's important to include a mix of caravan parks so you can recharge your 12V battery.

 8. Find out where nearby dump points are

One of the biggest perks of travelling in a campervan is having a toilet with you. Using your onboard toilet is just one of the ways you can do your bit to keep Tasmania beautiful!

There are dump stations at a range of locations across Tasmania . Keeping a list on hand of dump stations will ensure you’re not caught out when you’re out exploring. The thl Roadtrip app is a great resource for finding dump stations while on the road. Some are free, whereas others require a donation. It’s worth carrying some coins just in case.

9. Mix up your meals by dining in and out of your camper

There are lots of amazing things to eat and drink in Tasmania. However, there are some uniquely Tasmanian foods that you don't want to miss, such as the quintessential scallop pie. While you may want to plan a few meals out, eating out for every meal will add up quickly. So, it's important to have a few campervan-friendly recipes planned. This is a great way to enjoy local ingredients without the price tag of eating out every night.

Try to stock up on food and ingredients when you’re in the more populated areas with larger supermarkets. Buying snacks that have a long shelf life like nuts and seeds means you’ll always have snacks available. When adventuring daily, it can also be a great time saver to cook large dinners so that you have enough leftovers for lunch the next day.

10. Check out the epic events in Tasmania

Tasmania has an incredible lineup of events and festivals running year-round, including markets, garden concerts, performances and cultural showcases. There are also natural events to experience such as the Aurora Australis/Southern Lights and humpback whales travelling north from the Freycinet Peninsula. Check out what’s on when you’re visiting with the Discover Tasmania event calendar . Some of the highlights of Tasmanian events include:

• Ten Days On The Island
• Royal Hobart Show
• Taste of summer
• Salamanca market
• Aurora Australis/Southern Lights

These are just some of the highlights. It’s well worth doing your own research.

Turn your Tasmanian holiday into an adventure with Mighty 

Tasmania is a wild and beautiful place worthy of any travel bucket list holiday. With so many things to do within such a short distance of one another, Tasmania is the perfect destination to explore in a campervan.

If you’re ready to rent a van to travel this wild landscape for yourself, check out all our latest deals and book your Mighty camper today . If you’re looking for other ways to get the most out of your Tasmanian road trip, then be sure to check out our blog or speak to one of the incredible staff at Mighty Hobart branch.

• Questions? Talk to us now

Tasmania’s Best Caravan Parks: 16 Great Sites by Region

Tasmania is a gorgeous island state located off the southern coast of Australia. It’s renowned for its wild and rugged beauty, as well as its delicious food and wine. If you’re thinking of spending your next caravan holiday in Tasmania, then you’ll need to know about the best caravan parks on the island. 

This article is dedicated to giving an outline of the most popular holiday parks in Tasmania. There are many options to choose from, including some of Australia’s holiday park chains and independent campsites. Some of them have a variety of accommodation options to suit visitors travelling either as small or large groups.

Caravan park reviews in Tasmania can definitely be mixed, with some complaints around cleanliness, security, and customer service. That’s why researching the best holiday parks in advance will help you plan your caravan itinerary. 

If you are planning to visit Tasmania for your next holiday, here are 16 of the best to suit all budgets and preferences. 

Jump To Section

Is Tasmania a Good Place for Caravan Holidays?

There are a number of reasons why Tasmania is a good place for a caravan holiday. Firstly, Tasmania has a climate that appeals to the traditional older market, with four seasons that appeal to different tastes.

Additionally, Tasmania has quieter roads and less traffic congestion than other states, making it a more relaxed destination to travel through.

Tasmania also offers a diverse range of experiences within easy driving distance, from beautiful wilderness and nature-based experiences to cultural heritage and quality food and beverages. 

Finally, Tasmania is perceived as a relatively safe destination, which is an important consideration for many caravan and camping visitors.

Since most caravan holiday makers tend to be on touring trips, with shorter stays in a variety of locations, Tasmanian caravan parks often focus on great on-site amenities rather than activities. After all, with the great outdoors and many historical sites to explore, there’s no shortage of things to do in Tasmania! 

If you’re heading on a longer trip, check out our guide to touring 4WD storage and bes t caravan storage hacks . 

The Best Caravan Parks on Tasmania’s East Coast 

Tasmania’s east coast has many fantastic holiday parks for caravan, camping and touring trips. With great family-friendly amenities and comfortable site features, these locations are perfect for groups of all ages. The East Coast of Tasmania offers some of the best spring fishing locations in Australia , so be sure to pack your rod and reel. 

BIG4 St. Helens Caravan Park 

• Tourism Tasmania State Award (The Best Caravan Park, 2008 – 2018 and 2016)
• Induction into the Hall of Fame (2010) 
• TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence (2015 – 2021)  
• BIG4 Customer Service Excellence Award (2020) 
• Caravan and Camping with Kids 
• Reader’s Choice (2020) 
• Best Park (2021) 
• Out and About with Kids Readers’ Choice Awards (2020, 2012) 
• No 1 Holiday Park in Tasmania 

The park has numerous facilities for every member of the family. Kids can enjoy the Kids’s Club and Games Room, Toy Room, Baby Bath, Craft Activities, and Indoor Games,  among others. Of course, pet friendly cabins are also available for the furry members of the family for their own “me” time. 

Adults on the other hand, can enjoy a slew of facilities like the recreation lounge, nearby sporting venues, walking tracks, and the lending library to name a few. There are of course, facilities for both adults and children such as the bike path and Wildlife Viewing areas, so families have something to bond over. There are a lot of things to do within these facilities, so everybody can keep busy and enjoy themselves while at the caravan park.

Triabunna Cabin and Caravan Park 

Triabunna Cabin and Caravan Park have a combined total of 25 tourist sites, and five are  powered. They have a facility for hot showers, washing machines and dryers for laundry  purposes. 

The cabins have electric heating systems, electric blankets, and the entire kitchen facilities. The park is pet friendly, making it convenient for families to bring their favourite pets on-site. One can easily communicate with loved ones because the facility has excellent  mobile phone reception. Part of the site has free space for tents and BBQ machines. The fees are reasonable given the facility amenities at your convenience.  

Those interested can make bookings via telephone directly to the park staff and management.

BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet 

BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet was established by Alex and Rosalie Kain when they bought the park  in 1989. Their primary objective was to select a family-friendly caravan park and a popular holiday destination for the people of Tasmania. Since then, the park has witnessed commendable developments. New cabins and facilities  have now been built. The park is located near conveniences like a tavern, bistro, a shop, and a bakery.  

Part of the entertainment is a range of outdoor activities to treat the visitors. A portion of the area is used for berry farming hence the wine production. There is plenty of seafood sold around the adjacent restaurants.  

The Best Caravan Parks near Hobart 

If you’re looking for a campsite or RV site in the Hobart area, don’t go past these top four parks. Of course, this destination is a must-see for a touring holiday in Tasmania, with an abundance of historical sites to explore. 

Port Arthur Holiday Park 

The park has a variety of accommodation packages to suit visitors’ preferences. The options  are Garden Cabins, Studio Cabins, Safari Tents and the Water View Cabins. The facility has a  recreational facility for visitors. Port Arthur Holiday Park also has a car-hire option for the mobility of their valued customers. 

The Port Arthur Holiday Park boasts facilities that are meant to bring together the family and bond over activities. The park’s Camp Kitchen and Woodfired Pizza Oven brings together the family over love of food and cooking. Show off your culinary prowess or get some wacky recipe ideas from your kids! 

If you’re looking for a physically engaging activity, then head on to the park’s BMX Pump Track with your bikes and scooters. Challenge yourselves to the track and develop or show off your skills. Lastly, the park’s self-guided convict trail is meant to be a much more slow paced activity for both solo goers and families. With the trail’s rich colonial history, you could take the time to learn and/or teach your kids a history lesson or two.

Huon Valley Caravan Park 

Due to its proximity to the city of Hobart, people find it convenient to travel by bus. Besides  the other amenities, the place has a post office, banks, restaurants, and petrol stations. There is a supermarket and cafes around the main site for your shopping. In farming, dairy  cows produce the milk that supplies the local population. They also grow apples and  vegetables from the gardens that sustain the community. 

The park houses a slew of modern amenities that come standard in almost every caravan park today. The Huon Valley Caravan Park’s charm comes from its proximity to nature and wildlife points of interest, such as the Huon River, which allows the families to go kayaking and fishing; and the Mountain River, where families can enjoy the calm and serene environment. The park also offers  farm activities as well as Tasmanian Devil feeding everyday.

White Beach Tourist Park, Nubeena South 

Partly, the site is designated for tents with an allowance for parking cars. Those booked on  the site will be issued with a code for the vehicle to go through the boom gate as a security  measure. Besides the security measures, from 10 pm to 7 am, the period is a quiet time. 

The White Beach Tourist Park has self powered cabins, powered sites, and unpowered sites, depending on the preference of the visitors. Due to being located within the area of Wedge Bay, visitors have direct access to the beach for water activities such as swimming, fishing, and kayaking, among others. 

It is also only a few minutes away from the Port Arthur Historic Site, and near the Tasman Peninsula Trails, Tasman Golf Club, and the Pennicott Wilderness where visitors can undertake a short trip to see the stunning coastlines of the Tasman Peninsula.

Barilla Holiday Park

Barilla Holiday Park offers a wide range of accommodation options such as cabins and  camping grounds. The park is ideal for family camping, with full entertainment for adults  and kids. 

The place is managed by staff with excellent customer service. The place is blessed with  many tourist attraction sites around the area. Some roads lead to popular tourist sites like  Richmond, Port Arthur, and the nearby golf courses. 

Barilla Holiday Park boasts a camping ground with provisions for both powered and unpowered sites, as well as modern facilities such as a children’s play area, a sheltered BBQ area, campers kitchen with TV, and a free Wi-Fi connection. The park is also near multiple attractions such as the Putt and Play mini golf site, oyster farm harvests (which are considered to be home to the best Pacific Oysters in the world), great Coal Valley wineries, and some nearby beaches for water activities. The park is well equipped to be your family’s  next destination for the holiday season.

The Best Caravan Parks in Northwest Tasmania  

There are plenty of good Caravan Parks in Northwest Tasmania, but most have family friendly amenities. The sites have sufficient security measures to guarantee your safety and  valuable property. 

Discovery Holiday Park Cradle Mountain 

It houses the usual facilities of BBQ, camp kitchen, and some kiosks and stores. The park is notably home to the famous Overland Track, which spans more than 160,000 hectares with both guided and non-guided walks for individuals of all skill levels. Canoe tours, horseback trail rides, as well as helicopter flights are also available in the area for the adventure seeking individuals.

Besides the mainstream activities, one can go fishing. There is also a place for supervised  kids’ entertainment, including swimming areas. For those who love sports, there is a  playground convenient for different sporting disciplines. 

Zeehan Caravan Park 

The parks are for both short  and long-stay alternatives. There are powered caravans, campervans, and trailers to choose from, as well as glamping accommodation from November 1st to April 30th each year. 

Gowrie Park Wilderness Village 

Experts in the tourism and recreational industry manage the site. Their pricing is designed to  accommodate people with different income levels. 

The accommodation is available at any given moment. One can make a pre-booking or book  on the site, and there is always time to facilitate your accommodation. Gowrie Park  Wilderness Village accommodates single visitors, small and large families given an  assortment of rooms and settings to fit your needs.  

Gowrie Park Wilderness Village offers both cabins and powered/unpowered sites. The cabins themselves offer the complete suite of basic facilities such as toilets, showers, kitchen with microwave and cooktop, television, and beds. The sites on the other hand offer a different experience, such as camp kitchens, games/TV rooms, and BBQ areas. The park is pet friendly and is located near notable locations – it’s perfect for camping near Cradle Mountain National Park as well as Mount Roland Range, and Lake Barrington.

Stanley Cabin and Tourist Park, Stanley 

For those on a romantic getaway, Stanley Cabin and Tourist park is a great romantic honeymoon location near the beaches. The beaches have hotels, shops, and restaurants within walking distance. Stanley’s beaches have fantastic fishing sites, or one can buy fresh seafood from the shops close to the site.  

The Best Caravan Parks near Launceston 

The Best Caravan Parks near Launceston offer a range of excellent options for visitors. The  options include accommodation packages, recreational activities, discounts, and menu  options to suit different eating cultures.  

Launceston Holiday Park Legana 

In terms of accommodation options, there is a variety to choose from. At Launceston Holiday Park Legana, one can opt for cabins ranging from a single bedroom to a two bedroom accommodating up to four people. They also have powered sites with the option of pitching tents. 

All the accommodation packages are budget-friendly, taking into consideration variances in  income. There are plenty of local attraction sites which make your visit a dream trip. 

You’ll find a range of different amenities at Launceston Holiday Park Legana, such as free gas BBQ and hotplates, a camp kitchen area which includes a fridge, microwave, toaster, and kettle, and nearby kiosks for basic purchases. A games room is also present to keep the kids occupied while you find time to relax. 

There are a couple of nearby locations you may want to visit as well, such as the Legana Tavern (sports bar), the Legana Hair and Beauty Salon, and the Woolworths Supermarket, among others.

BIG4 Kelso Sands Holiday and Native Wildlife Park 

They have a platform for tips and advice for visitors. That will assist visitors in terms of  strategies for navigating the gateways during the tours. They also offer a membership  package that allows you to save up to $50 each time you book with BIG4 Kelso Sands  Holiday and Native Wildlife Park.  

Among the main attractions of the BIG4 Kelso Sands Holiday and Native Wildlife Park are the solar swimming pool and the large play areas where adults and kids alike can play volleyball, as well as a soccer field and a basketball court. Basic facilities are also found in the park, such as camp kitchens, free Wi-Fi, walking tracks, and wildlife viewing. For families looking for more bonding activities, there is a facility for Bocce, face painting activities, and unpowered Go Karts.

Bridport Holiday Park 

The accommodation is reasonably priced to match the budget of every customer. We have  hotels, apartments, resorts, and Villas. With five-star ratings, our accommodation has all the  facilities to make your bookings worthwhile. The accommodation is world class with  professionally cleaned to make your stay sensible.  

The Bridport Holiday Park contains a lot of the usual facilities you would expect to have in a caravan park – children’s playground, laundry provisions, and an undercover BBQ area. There is an herb garden for individuals with a green thumb, a tennis court for the sporty, and bikes and boogie boards for hire for the adventurous. There are also wheelchair accessible facilities which means you can bring PWD friends or relatives and they will enjoy the trip just as much. If you’re bringing your kids with you, there is a nearby ice creamery and kiosk to satiate their sweet tooth. 

Discovery Holiday Parks Devonport 

To make your trip especially friendly on the budget, Discovery Parks frequently offer promotions as well as ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ options. 

Latrobe Mersey River Caravan Park and Working Hostel 

Latrobe Mersey River Caravan Park and Working Hostel is situated near Devonport, near the  Bells Parade River in the Patrobe area. It is a magnificent town with facilities for many  caravan parks. The town offers free parking for visitors, free wine, and a self-service laundry  for valued tourists. 

The park has hostel and cabin accommodations, as well as both powered and unpowered sites. Amidst the usual facilities such as a BBQ facility, and a large covered camp kitchen, the park is located in a location that is surrounded by pleasant gardens, and near both the CBD and the Ferry Terminal for accessibility. 

The park is often used as a central base for visiting the state’s northern  attractions, such as the Axeman’s Hall of Fame, and the Trout and Platypus Interpretation Centre, where the family can bond together. 

Best Pet Friendly Caravan Parks in Tasmania 

Pet friendly caravan parks in Tasmania include:

• St. Helens Caravan Park – This park contains pet friendly cabins specifically made and designed to take the family’s furry friends into consideration. Remember that this cabin will have to be specifically booked through a call since they are not offered through online booking platforms. These cabins also charge a $25 cleaning fee due to all the fur and/ or waste your pets may leave behind.
• BIG4 Kelso Sands Holiday and Native Wildlife Park – This park specifically houses pet friendly parks for families, couples, and/ or individuals who prefer to travel with their dog. 

Best Big 4 Holiday Parks Tasmania  

Some of the notable BIG4 holiday parks in Tasmania include:

• BIG4 St. Helens Caravan Park – This park makes it into the list of being among the best BIG4 Holiday Parks in the state just by the numerous awards it has won, such as the Reader’s Choice Award (2020), Best Park Award (2021), and the No. 1 Holiday Park in Tasmania Award, among others. The long list of awards this park has is a testament not only to its facilities, but also to the service given by its employees/ staff.
• BIG4 Kelso Sands Holiday and Native Wildlife Park – Once again this park comes to the top of the list due to the variety of facilities and activities that are available to its clients. This park is unmatched in terms of the sports facilities available – including a soccer field, basketball court, volleyball area, solar swimming pool, and Bocce area, among others.

Are there Free Caravan Parks in Tasmania?  

Absolutely. There are free caravan parks and campsites in Tasmania. Some of them are located near the  ocean, along the rivers and nearby magnificent lakes. Others are close to wineries and pubs.  Some of the free camping sites in Tasmania include the following:

• Bay of Fires
• Swimcart Beach
• Pondering Frog
• Friendly Beaches
• Freycinet National Park
• Spring Bay Hotel

Related Questions 

Can you camp anywhere in tasmania.

Yes. You can park your campervan anywhere in Tasmania so long as there aren’t any signages around that prohibit parking. Wild camping using a tent is also legal in the state, so long as you follow the usual rules such as being discreet enough and not trespassing over private property such as farmlands.

How many caravan parks are there in Tasmania?

Can you live permanently in a caravan park in tasmania.

You are legally permitted to live permanently in a caravan only when you have a licence. You  can also live in a caravan if you are based on a private property with a licence from your  local authorities. Without a licence, the law compels you to move to a different location  after every 30 days.  

Tourism Tasmania reports that the average length of a caravan trip in Tasmania is 30 days, but with a typical stay in each location of just two nights. 

When is the best time to caravan in Tasmania? 

An ideal time for caravaning in Tasmania is from December to March. The reason is that it is  the summer season, hence the weather will be mild with limited cloud cover and perfect for outdoor adventures. Tourism Tasmania reports that the Easter holidays are the busiest period for caravan parks, so you may struggle to find a last-minute booking, while winter is the quietest season. 

How much is a powered caravan site in Tasmania?

It depends on the caravan site. High end or luxurious caravan parks will cost more, but the general average sits around $35 to $65 per night, and the inclusions that come with the site will again depend on the specific caravan park you are staying at. 

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James Mitchell

Hi, I’m Jimmy Mitchell and I love exploring this great country with my wife and two boys. I have a 2015 Sterling LX that is the Mitchell Family camping machine. Lets Getaway is the website where I share things about my trailer as I learn them, and help other camper owners to enjoy their RV even more.

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Campervanning Tasmania 2024 Guide

Campervanning in Tasmania has become the most popular way to see the island, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re wondering about whether a Tasmania campervan holiday is a good idea for you, this article has everything you need to know to decide.

I spent nearly two weeks road tripping around Tasmania (the smallest state in Australia ) in a campervan last month and, while it was an awesome experience, there were definitely a few things that went wrong so I’ve put together this guide to help you prepare and hopefully not make the same mistakes we did.

A quick note for my American friends, a campervan is a small RV, we would call a big RV a motorhome.  Everything I say in this article applies to a motorhome trip in Tasmania as much as campervanning. 

A caravan would mostly be the same too, except I wouldn’t recommend taking a caravan around Tasmania unless you’re experienced towing one as the roads aren’t easy.

Tasmania campervan itinerary

There are so many options of where to go with a campervan in Tasmania and it really depends on how much time you have.

If you can, come for 10+ days and try one of my 10 day Tasmania itineraries which include all the highlights. With more days you can stay longer in each place.

If you have less time, for a 5-7 day Tasmania itinerary, I’d recommend the below (stay an extra night in Freycinet and Launceston if you can):

• Pick up the campervan in Hobart
• Days 1-2: Hobart (check out my weekend in Hobart itinerary )
• Day 3: Drive from Hobart to Freycinet National Park via Richmond
• Day 4: Freycinet to Bay of Fires via Bicheno
• Day 5: Bay of Fires to Launceston via Bridestowe Lavender Farm
• Drop the campervan in Launceston

This itinerary is best in summer when you can swim at the beaches, lavender is in bloom. In winter make sure to check the road alerts closely as the Bay of Fires/Launceston road can be snowed out.

Related: Tasmania Winter Travel Tips

Where to hire a campervan in Tasmania

You can hire campervans from Hobart or Launceston if you’re flying in or from Devonport if you’re taking the Spirit of Tasmania ferry. Almost all the hire depots are close to the airports/ferry wharf.

There are soooo many campervan hire companies in Tasmania. Most of them are global chains like Budget and Maui. The two most popular (based on actual campervans we saw on the road) are Cruisin and Leisurerent.

We went with Leisurerent which is a pretty lowkey local company and was the cheapest for our dates. We thought they were great [not sponsored] although there weren’t many vehicle options.

Honestly, all the companies are pretty similar so unless you need a specific vehicle (in which case go for Cruisin’ or one of the big chains), then just pick the cheapest.

Tips for saving money on Tasmania campervan hire

It’s cheapest to pick up and drop off from the same place as most companies charge $30-100 extra for a ‘one-way’ hire.

Picking up and dropping off in Hobart is also normally cheaper than Launceston or Devonport as there are more campervan hire companies with depots in Hobart than any of the other cities so pricing is more competitive, and you’ll have more vehicle options.

If you need a specific size campervan or motorhome like if you need one to fit more than 2 people, you’ll have the best luck in Hobart.

If you are taking the ferry to Tasmania, it’s worth checking if you can hire a campervan cheaper in Victoria and bring it over with you. Prices in Tasmania can be hiked quite a bit, especially in peak season.

When you’re looking at campervan hire prices, if a deal looks really cheap, check whether it includes insurance. We found the actual rates (once you added the per-day insurance cost) could often be double the advertised rate.

I’d recommend booking as far out as possible to guarantee a booking and avoid any last-minute rate hikes. There are only so many campervans on the island so they can literally book out in summer!

What do you need to bring for a campervan holiday in Tasmania?

Honestly, not much. The campervan hire companies have bedding, towels, all cooking utensils, camp chairs and even heaters that either come with the van or can be added for a small fee.

We paid for the top-level insurance with Leisurerent which included linen and camp chairs (the rest was already included). 

I was worried about the cold as our trip was mid-winter so we bought our own blanket but we didn’t need it most nights as the linen package was great with plenty of blankets to keep us warm.

The only extra thing that you might not otherwise pack for a regular holiday is soap/body wash as the campgrounds don’t have any.

Where to stay with a campervan in Tasmania

This depends on how much you like hot showers and whether your campervan is self-contained. 

We like showers a lot and had no toilet on board so we stayed in holiday parks every night where we could have showers, use a full camp kitchen (most didn’t do that because it was too cold out) and plug our van into power and water.

If your van is self-contained (most campervans aren’t but many motorhomes are) you can free-camp or stay at the basic level campgrounds run by Parks Tasmania (these cost around $10-30 per night and usually don’t have power). 

Free camping and Parks sites are the cheapest option but be aware that spots fill up in summer so arrive early or have a backup option. Some Parks campsites are balloted so check the details on their websites in advance.

We wanted the freedom to show up at any time and know we had a guaranteed spot for the night so we were willing to pay extra for holiday parks. Holiday parks cost on average $30-60 per night for a powered site.

There are tons of holiday parks and other campsites in Tasmania. You could pay for an app like Wikicamps that helps you find them, but we found it easiest to just google “[town] campground”. We found the Big4 chain was super reliable [not sponsored].

When is the best time of year for campervanning in Tasmania?

Shoulder season! If you go around October-November or March-April then you’ll get decent weather but without peak season prices or crowds that can make it really hard/expensive to book a campervan in Tasmania. 

When I said we made some mistakes with our campervan trip, going in the middle of winter was the biggest one.

We had to massively change up our itinerary because of road closures (or restrictions to 4WD, which most campervans don’t have). Also, it was constantly freezing and damp which is not fun for those late-night runs to the campground bathroom.

Is campervanning Tasmania right for you?

Campervanning is the best way to see Tasmania if you want to cut down on costs. Even when you factor in fuel and campground fees, we found it’s much cheaper to hire a campervan than hire a car and pay for accommodation each night.

You can take a campervan everywhere in Tasmania – even on the Bruny Island ferry ! – so campervanning doesn’t restrict your movement at all. 

The best part of Tasmania is its natural beauty and sleeping in a van helps you really get amongst it. You can park up right next to the beach and wake up to the sound of the waves.

If you’re more of a luxury traveller and like your creature comforts, you probably won’t love campervanning as you’re much better off staying at some of the many amazing boutique hotels, Airbnbs and cabins.

Campervanning is never as ‘pack up and go’ as you think it’ll be. Most vehicles require you to set up a bed each night and every time you drive off you have to unplug, check the gas is off and make sure everything is secured. There’s a lot that can go wrong.

On that note, driving a van can be a bit tricky if you aren’t used to it. It’s definitely doable, my partner hardly ever drives at home but did all the campervan driving just fine. However, it can be a bit stressful while you get used to the extra size.

Unless you’re on an organised tour, the only way to see Tasmania is to road trip. So, it really comes down to whether you want the flexibility of #vanlife (no check-in times, only unpack once) or if you prefer the comfort and low admin option of hotels.

Have you done a campervan holiday before? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Happy travelling!

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Kate is the founder of Kate Abroad. She has travelled to nearly 40 countries from Austria to Vanuatu, and lived in 3. She's on a mission to empower other Gen Zs and Millenials travel affordably by sharing helpful travel guides, stories and tips to over 200,000 readers.

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Hobart Round-trip: 14-Day Campervan Itinerary

A true taste of tasmania—two-week trek.

Some folks say Tasmania is the place every Aussie wants to visit. Others say it’s Australia’s best-kept secret. It’s a great place for a campervan holiday. You’ll be spoiled for choice, even with a 14-day self-drive itinerary. Actually, you still won't see everything you’d wish to see, but there will be fewer regrets when you set aside 14 days to drink in the delights of Australia’s largest island. If you love the outdoors, Tassie has glorious beaches, photogenic mountains and rivers, unique wildlife and World Heritage areas.

The locals call it Tassie, and it’s the 26th-largest island in the world, with just a tiny half million people calling it home. An ideal place for a motorhome holiday, but remember, they drive on the left.

To find your ideal camper, visit our Tasmania rental comparison tool to browse through the different classes of vehicles and find the right one for your travel needs.

Day 1: Hobart and Port Arthur

Port Arthur Historic Site 6973 Arthur Highway, Port Arthur

There are options galore in and around Hobart, the state’s capital city . About 75 km southeast of Hobart is the Tasman Peninsula, where you’ll marvel at the stunning rock formations. Closer to town is Mount Wellington, which provides expansive views over Hobart and the broader area, including Bruny Island. Other highlights include the Museum of Tasmania, Battery Point and the famous Salamanca Markets.

Day 2: Port Arthur to Freycinet National Park

Cape Tourville Lighthouse Cape Tourville Rd, Coles Bay

Coles Bay has over 300 days of sunshine per year. That’s more than Queensland’s Gold Coast . No wonder it’s popular. Nature lovers and bird watchers love the views, including Wineglass Bay, renowned for sea eagles and other coastal birds. Outside magazine in the US voted Wineglass Bay as one of the 10 best beaches in the world. Wineglass Beach Walk overlooks the bay. It’s a must-see!

Located within the Freycinet National Park, the Cape Tourville Circuit is an easy 12-minute walk with spectacular views of the granite coastline.

Day 3: Explore the Freycinet National Park

Bicheno Blowhole Douglas St, Bicheno

The seaside holiday town of Bicheno is well known for the hole in the rocks that causes the incoming ocean waves to shoot up as powerful jets of water - especially in the afternoon when there's a strong wind and a big swell. Families love the relaxed atmosphere and the beautiful beaches.

Freycinet National Park is ideal for rock climbing, bushwalking, bird watching and nature photography. Well known for its rugged granite peaks, white sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters, the pink granite cliffs make it even more impressive. Choose from 7 excellent walks, including the 3 km mostly uphill walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout. In season, you can see dolphins and whales.

Hint : wear good walking shoes!

Day 4: Freycinet to St Helens

Serpentarium Wildlife Park 5 West St, St Helens

Heading further north, there’s St Helens and the Bay of Fires with stunning coastal scenery and Tasmania’s other famous beach, Binalong Bay. Half the fun is exploring, so just park somewhere that looks inviting and go for a wander. Or take the kids to the Serpentarium Wildlife Park, a heated indoor reptile display and museum featuring reticulated pythons, green anacondas and Indian star tortoises.

St Helens is a charming town with a relaxed vibe and delightful weather, with many locals saying the town has the best weather in Tassie. Extensive rainfall means the entire area is lush and green, with many waterfalls.

Day 5: St Helens to Launceston

Halls Falls Anchor Road, Pyengana

Now we head inland through beautiful forests and past stunning waterfalls, including Halls Falls, St Columba Falls and Ralph Falls. Halls Falls has the most accessible access. It’s just off the Tasman Highway, with forests of eucalyptus and myrtle, ferns of all kinds and vocal wildlife up in the trees.

The Halls Falls Track is an easy (45 minutes there and back) trail near Lottah.

There’s also the Tamar Valley Touring and Wine route as another option.

Day 6: Explore the Launceston area

Beaconsfield Mine Museum West St, Beaconsfield

Take a day to explore Launceston . Highlights include the idyllic Cataract Gorge, the wineries and orchards along the Tamar River Valley, and the Beaconsfield Mine museum (the location of the mining rescue).

Seahorse World 200 Flinders St, Beauty Point

As well as Seahorse World, you will also find Platypus House right next door with some very cute resident echidnas.

Day 7: Launceston to Cradle Mountain

Marakoopa Cave 330 Mayberry Rd, Mayberry

When travelling to the World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain, consider visiting the caves. Marakoopa and King Solomon's Cave in Liena get rave reviews. Booking is recommended as tour groups are small. Other en-route options include Liffey Devils Falls and Gullet Lookout.

Day 8: Cradle Mountain to Strahan

Gordon River Cruises 24 Esplanade, Strahan

With a population of 800, Strahan is a thriving harbourside village that is a great base to see the area, including the world-famous Gordon River. Treat yourself to an unforgettable launch trip into the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Highlights include wild scenery, trout and salmon farms, and a guided boardwalk in the rainforest. Tasmania's world heritage area satisfies 7 criteria out of a possible 10, the highest score of any place on earth.

Day 9 10: Around Strahan

Morrisons Huon Pine Sawmill 14 The Esplanade, Strahan

In season, there are demonstrations of the mill at work every afternoon. Other attractions in the area include Macquarie Harbour (6 times bigger than Sydney Harbour) and Queenstown (littered with relics from the mining boom).

West Coast Wilderness Railway 62 Esplanade, Strahan

This 35 km train line runs from Strahan to Queenstown, a 6-hour trip through dense rainforests and along the edge of deep gorges. You’ll see what extraordinary engineering and the amazing human spirit have built, and trained guides will bring the history of this remarkable achievement to life at several stops along the way. This cog railway is one of Tassie’s premier tourist attractions.

Hogarth Falls People's Park, Strahan

This spectacular waterfall is 15-20 metres high. It’s an easy, family-friendly 40-minute-return walk to get there. If you’re lucky (and quiet), you might see platypus activity in the creek and colourful fungi on the walk.

Day 11: Strahan to Mount Field

Lake Saint Clair A10 Highway, 2 hours east of Strahan

Here you will find Australia's deepest freshwater lake. Calling all bird watchers, this area has been identified as an IBA (Important Bird Area). Home to Tasmanian devils, platypuses, wombats, echidnas, currawongs and wallabies.

Other local highlights include Nelson Falls and the Franklin River.

Waddamana Power Station Heritage Site Waddamana Rd, Waddamana

Tasmania’s first hydropower station, it’s the centrepiece of the Great Lake Power Scheme. While no longer active, the original machinery and its interesting history are on display.

Day 12: Mount Field to Hobart

Mount Field National Park 66 Lake Dobson Rd, National Park

Tasmania's oldest national park has glistening waterfalls, massive tree ferns, outdoor baths, hikes, ski fields, and tall swamp gum forests. And wildlife!

Day 13: Around Hobart

Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Lower Domain Rd, Hobart

The world’s only Subantarctic Plant House and much more to thrill gardeners and nature lovers. Entry is free.

You’re spoiled for choice here with so much to do before you leave Hobart, including Battery Point (a charming maritime village) and Mount Wellington if you skipped it earlier, a day trip to Bruny Island, or bicycle around Maria Island (a convict settlement in the 1800s).

Day 14: Farewell, Hobart

Tahune Forest Airwalk Arve Rd, Geeveston

Finish your 14 days in Tasmania on a high. Literally! 88 km southwest of Hobart is this unique adventure attraction, a boardwalk 619 metres long and suspended 40 metres above the ground, looking down on treetops and out to the mountains.

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Your Free Guide to some of the great Holiday Parks and Attractions in Tasmania.

Welcome to Tasmania, an island which is perfect for touring holidays. You may have a campervan or caravan, or be staying at one of the many park cabins situated around this beautiful state. Our compact island has diverse scenery and interesting roads that lend themselves to touring.

This guide is an initiative of Caravanning Tasmania, showcasing the wonderful caravan, camping and cabin experiences offered by our members which are available to self drive travellers. It details many of the caravan parks in Tasmania, and should prove valuable to every visitor.

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A Campervan Tour Guide To Tasmania

Tasmania is an island south of Australia, making it ‘the land below Down Under.’ Despite the redundancy, this island state offers a unique travel experience. Travellers who’ve set their foot on Tasmanian soil feel they’re in another country, with the exotic destinations and an unlimited supply of agricultural delights.

From September 2020 to 2021, some 651,500 tourists went to Tasmania. Additionally, the island saw over AUD$1.7 billion in tourism-related expenditures during the said period. (1)

Here’s a guide in making the most out of your campervan trip on this enchanting island.

What makes Tasmania ideal for campervan touring?

The island’s low population density of 7.24 people per kilometre and its great road networks makes it an ideal campervan touring destination. Plus, it has several campsites at numerous sites, including national parks and scenic spots. Campgrounds await campervan tourists stopping by in several points, such as Bay of Fires, King’s Island, Cradle Mountain, Lake St. Clair National Park, etc. The best part is Tasmania’s tourism sector encourages travellers to make road trip itineraries based on their interests. (2)(3)

As the state pushes to become the premier self-drive touring destination globally, the island will undoubtedly see more travellers touring in campervans instead of renting regular vehicles. Because of the numerous choices on the market, picking the right one can be daunting. Fortunately, you can avoid wasting time and resources in finding the right campervan with the help of Camper Champ . With a reliable campervan, you’re now ready to explore Tasmania in its full splendour.

A 7-day itinerary guide to Tasmania

Tasmania is one of Australia’s major agricultural contributors, earning the moniker “Apple Isle.” Apart from crops and wine, the island also boasts abundant marine products and breathtaking views. Despite these blessings, the island has only around 541,000 inhabitants, spread out over its 68,401 km² area. (4) (5)

Here’s a suggested itinerary for your campervan road trip around Tasmania:

Day 1: Hobart City – Freycinet National Park – Sleepy Bay

Tasmania’s scenic drive from Hobart to Coles Bay is a popular tourist activity. This road stretch will take you to many places––both on the ground and water––allowing you to do the following:

• Explore the sandstone warehouses of Sullivans Cove.
• Drive towards the north for two hours to reach the Great Oyster Bay and Maria Island.
• Visit Coles Bay to prepare for your Freycinet National Park Adventure.
• Food lovers shouldn’t miss the oysters at Freycinet Marine Farm.
• Getting into the national park will take you on a short or long hike to Sleepy Bay.
• The road will also take you to Mount Amos, along the granite mountains called the Hazards and Wineglass Bay. (6)

Day 2: Freycinet National Park – Binalong Bay – Bay Of Fires

• Head toward the north to reach St. Helens or Friendly Beaches for swimming and surfing
• Drive towards Binalong Bay and the orange-hued granite rocks in the Bay of Fires.
• Take a short tour of the Cape Tourville Lighthouse and the breweries. (6)

Day 3: Bay of Fires – Launceston – Tamar Valley

• Drive west to reach Derby village, which is touted as one of the world’s best mountain biking sites.
• If you want to relax, drop by Lake Derby’s Floating Sauna.
• Hit the road and head to Launceston, about 100 kilometres away. It’s a historical city that houses the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery and the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania.
• If you have time, visit the Barnbougle Dunes or Tamar Valley vineyards toward the north. (6)

Day 4: Launceston – Narawntapu Park – Stanley

• Take a short drive to the west to reach Deloraine and Devonport towns.
• Visit the Narawntapu National Park to see endemic Australian wildlife, including wallabies, wombats, and the Tasmanian devil.
• Take a ride on The Nut Chairlift to explore the plateau in Stanley. Otherwise, rent a chopper to explore the scenic view in one of the best island destinations in the world . (6)

Day 5: Stanley – Cradle Mountain – St. Clair National Park 

• Take your campervan two hours into the Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage destinations.
• Don’t miss this chance to visit the Cradle Mountain and experience abundant wildlife. (6)

Day 6: Cradle Mountain – Strahan – Wild West Coast

• Take a scenic road trip along Anthony Road towards the south, and pass through forests and lakes.
• Drop by quickly in one of the mines in Queenstown, which used to hold the world’s largest deposits of gold and copper.
• A few minutes more and you’ll reach Strahan, which leads you to the Wild West Coast, another World Heritage destination. (6)

Day 7: Strahan – Hobart City 

• A 2.5-hour drive along Lyell Highway will take you to Australia’s first hydroelectric station in Tarraleah.
• Take a 100-kilometre drive to Mount Field National Park to explore Horseshoe, Russell, and Lady Barron Falls.
• Before reaching the centre of Hobart, take a look at the Museum of Old and New Art, or MONA, for awe-inspiring works of art. (2) (6)

Final Thoughts

With this campervan itinerary, you’ll be able to visit Tasmania’s breathtaking destinations and historical wonders. As a traveller, you also get to experience daily life in this culture-rich destination, drawing you in and making you come back for more.

• “Tourism Fast Facts,” Source: h ttps://www.tourismtasmania.com.au/industry/facts
• “Tasmanian Drive Journeys Frequently Asked Questions,” Source: h ttps://www.tourismtasmania.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/94554/TasDriveJourneys-FAQ.pdf
• “Where to Stay,” Source: h ttps://parks.tas.gov.au/where-to-stay
• “Why Tasmania is the Perfect Pandemic Destination,” Source: h ttps://travelandleisureasia.com/why-tasmania-is-the-perfect-pandemic-destination/
• “Population of Tasmania 2022,” Source: h ttps://www.population.net.au/population-of-tasmania/
• “Circle Tasmania Road Trip,” Source: h ttps://www.australia.com/en/trips-and-itineraries/hobart-and-surrounds/circle-tasmania.html
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Travel with us during THE Oᖷᖷ SEASON and you’ll find plenty of comfort in Tasmania’s cold!

Embrace the cold... but feel the warmth of our welcome with a $100 CREDIT ^ to redeem at Coal River Farm, only 10 minutes from Hobart airport. Yes, $100 to spend on your choice of Coal River Farm's amazing artisan cheese and chocolate! They will even shout you a complimentary hot chocolate while packing your order.

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Make Yourself At Home On Flinders & King Island

TasVacations is partnering with Sharp Airlines to promote a range of enticing holiday packages to Flinders and King Island. Sharp Airlines operate DIRECT services from Hobart to these amazing islands using their popular 19 seat Metroliner aircraft.

Check the link below for some wonderful package options – play golf on King Island or enjoy the stunning nature and tranquil coastline and beaches of Flinders Island... now barely one hour from Hobart!

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To Hobart - 1 Hour 15 Mins   //   To Launceston - 1 Hour 5 Mins

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To Hobart - 1 Hour 55 Mins   //   To Launceston - 1 Hour 45 Mins

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See what people are saying about tasmanian vacations....

The holiday to Tasmania has been and gone, and my wife and I just want you to know that we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The package that you put together worked a treat and everything worked like clockwork. Thank you for your meticulous work in booking everything for us.

Hi Ben, Just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know that our trip was absolutely fantastic! We got back to Brisbane late Friday and can’t stop talking about it and looking at the over 1,200 photos I took! Thanks again for organising everything. It was wonderful!

Hi Zuleika, we just wanted to send our thanks to you now that we have returned from our trip to Tasmania. We thoroughly enjoyed our couple of weeks. The scenery was fantastic, the experiences you booked for us were really enjoyable and we didn’t experience any problems. Again, thank you so much for organising our trip.

Hi Talise, I just want to thank-you and the Tasmanian Vacations team for organising our Tassie holiday earlier this month. It went off without a hitch. The hotels and B&B were great. So was the cruise and railway journey. And the rental car. At every place, the staff were thoroughly professional and friendly, like nearly every local we met. We'll be back.

Hi Talise, We just wanted to thank you for organising the accommodation and dinners for our trip last weekend. It was a fantastic 5 days and everything went smoothly!

Hi Caitlyn, Just a note to say how happy we were on our all too brief visit. The heritage accomodation was lovely, the staff were helpful and answered our every need. Congratulations on a great job, two octogenarians who thought they had seen all, greatly impressed.

A big thank you for arranging our Tasmanian holiday. Everything went very smoothly so we had a very relaxing, enjoyable holiday. The accommodations were superb and we did so enjoy the local food and wines. Each region had highlights of their own but have to say our last two nights in Hobart at the Henry Jones were the icing on the cake for the whole trip. Thanks again for your organisation, we would recommend Tasmania as a destination and definitely recommend you to do the organising.

Talise, just wanted to let you know we had a wonderful time in Tasmania. It was a truly brilliant holiday for us both. Everything you arranged went smoothly and we were happy with all the locations and accommodation you selected and recommended. We particularly loved the day trip to Josef Chromy in Launceston and the day cruise on the Gordon River. Our accommodation in Hobart was perfect as it was so close to the markets and Mona ferry. We will be sure to recommend your services to friends and family. Thank you so much for everything.

Dear Talise, thank you very much for helping us organise our Tasmanian vacation. We had an amazing time. Our highlights would have to include the national parks Apsley Gorge, Wineglass Bay, Montezuma Falls and the Wombats at Cradle Mountain. Attractions wise we loved the Bicheno Penguin Tour, Seahorse World, Platypus House (the echidna experience was brilliant), Cataract Gorge Chairlift, and Devils@Cradle (we viewed a night time feeding). We had a fabulous holiday and appreciate your help with organising our itinerary.

Thank you very much for your time for putting together our trip to Tasmania. You have done a marvellous job and we enjoyed our accommodation that you organised for us. We had a great time in Tasmania, with great weather. Once again THANK YOU.

Brenda and myself would like to thank Tasmanian Vacations for the great way the organised our recent trip to Tasmania. Every aspect went extremely well making our holiday not good but GREAT.

Caitlyn, we are now back home again following a wonderful trip to Flinders Island. We were more than impressed with Island Quarters and the way that Roweena looked after us. The unit itself is really nice and the location of course was perfect, being only a few metres away from everything in Whitemark and being so close to the beach. We look forward to using Tas Vacations again.

Talise, thank you for organising a wonderful trip (only one day of rain!). The accommodation was great - our favourite being Gardenia House. Our favourite place was Stanley and the Bruny Island trip was a treat. We will be back to do more on the East Coast.

Kim, we really wanted to let you know how impressed we were with all of the accommodation and tours that you booked for us. The standard was great – stand outs for us were the Corinna Wilderness Experience and the Oyster Catcher Villa at Bruny Island. There were no problems anywhere with our bookings and we were very impressed with the friendliness of staff. We wanted to thank you for organising the trip for us.

Caitlyn, I write to express our appreciation for your arranging the 'ground' bookings for our tour of the State. Your expertise in interpreting our needs led to a great experience for us. We enjoyed all the accommodation and tours on the itinerary. Everything worked well in terms of location, time and distance.

Caitlyn was fantastic in arranging our Tasmanian holiday. Nothing was too much trouble for her to arrange and even the changes we asked her to make. We had no issues on our Tasmanian holiday. A beautiful and friendly place to visit and I certainly hope to go back one day to see what I couldn't fit in this time.

I was impressed with how Talise had looked after my alterations to original plans and the speed that she was able to resolve the alterations. Thank you Talise. My wife & I thoroughly enjoyed our holiday.

I just wanted to reach out and thank Zuleika very much for the most wonderful holiday. We had such a great time travelling around Tassie and we are in awe of how beautiful the scenery is as well as the food and people. We will certainly be back as 10 days was not even close enough to feeling satisfied. I will be in touch later this year for stage 2 adventures. Thanks again for everything.

It was absolutely fantastic!!. Everything from the car pickup and drop off, to all the different accommodations. It went seamlessly and we both had the best time. The choices you made for us were amazing and we loved every minute of our time in Tasmania thanks to your work and expertise.

Karen and her team were excellent. They know Tasmania and were quick to make helpful suggestions. We would have no hesitation using Tasmanian Vacations again or recommending them to friends.

Jess our consultant was amazing pulling our holiday together so quickly. It was a fabulous trip!

Booking through Tasmanian Vacations helped make our trip to Tasmania a very special one - from the ease of car hire, national park pass & brilliant accommodation - everything was terrific. This allowed us to have a very enjoyable holiday that, had we tried to book this ourselves, may not have been possible. Thank you, Tasmanian Vacations for your efforts!

The accommodation provided was wonderful, and we enjoyed the whole experience. Have recommended your company to family and friends.

Zuleika was fantastic and helped me through the planning process. So simple and easy.

Hi Sophie, we wanted to thank you for organising our wonderful Tasmanian holiday! We just got back last week and are still buzzing from how fantastic it was. All the places you chose for us were varied and interesting with superb accommodation. We wanted to let you know what a great job you did. We will recommend you to all our friends.

It was absolutely fantastic!

We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday, experiencing so much beauty in this part of Australia.

From our initial enquiry we were blown away by the help provided by Ben and Jess. They certainly made our trip run smoothly and did all the thinking for us. We had a fabulous 9 days and are recommending Tasmanian Vacations to all our friends. You could not do it better yourself.

Just wanted to say we have returned from our stay down at Tassie and it was amazing. Thank you for putting all that together. It was so easy and stress free.

Had a fantastic holiday in Tasmania. Everything went smoothly starting from booking, then car hire and accomodation. The Coal River Farm voucher set us up with delicious treats and a wonderful lunch to begin our Tassie adventure

Many thanks to Ben for his help. It was a last-minute trip and Ben was very patient and helpful.

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Tasmania Explorer

Tasmania Road Trip Planner✅: How To Plan A Trip To Tasmania

Planning to travel Tasmania and looking for a complete guide with everything you need to know? You’re in the right place!

We’ve written this article to help your travel to Tasmania be as organised and enjoyable as possible. We love Tasmania and have both lived here and travelled the state extensively (I was born here). There are so many phenomenal things to see that a holiday Tasmania guide is essential to get the most out of visiting this stunning state.

Tasmania is an awesome destination and a road trip Tasmania is the best way to explore this state. This state has the advantage of being rather compact but with plenty of unique and interesting places to explore. A Tasmanian road trip can visit mountains, ancient rainforests, walking tracks and historical towns with their own story, and includes some of the best produce and wine the country offers.

As you can imagine, a guide is essential to see the highlights of Tasmania and get the most out of your trip. This is the only guide you need to plan your trip to Tasmania.

Let’s get started!

Click here to download your free Tasmania Road Trip Planner checklist . We’ll help you get ready for your trip! Wan t help with your itinerary? Find our full Tasmanian Road Trip Planner here.

• 1.1 Consider When You Want To Go
• 1.2 Consider How Long You Want To Go
• 3.1 Flying To Tasmania
• 3.2 Getting The Boat (Spirit Of Tasmania)
• 4 Where To Go On Your Tasmania Road Trip
• 5 Itineraries For Your Road Trip To Tasmania
• 6 Where To Stay In Tasmania
• 7.1 1. Drive Or Hire A Car
• 7.3 3. Taxi And Ride Sharing Apps
• 7.4 4. Tours
• 8 Planning Tasmania Tours
• 9 What To Pack For Your Trip To Tasmania
• 10 What To Book And When
• 12 Travelling Tasmania With Kids
• 13 Other Things To Note
• 14.1 Related posts:

The Ultimate Holiday Tasmania Guide – How To Plan A Trip To Tasmania

There are a few things you will want to consider first before planning your road trip around Tasmania. This includes how much time you have available to explore the state, when you can go and also planning a trip to Tasmania during Covid.

Consider When You Want To Go

Depending on what you want to see, you should definitely consider the weather when planning your trip around Tasmania.

Tasmania has a temperate climate similar to Victoria but cooler with less extremely hot days. Summer days can be either sunny and pleasant or cold and windy.

The west coast differs from the east. On the west there is considerably higher rainfall than the east of the state. If you want to spend time outdoors exploring the national parks, spring and summer are your best bet.

Spring/summer lasts between September – March but the best road trip Tasmania times are usually towards the end of December through to the end of March. This is also the bulk tourist season and I recommend booking ahead for anything you want to do.

During winter it can be wet and very cold (the centre of the state is usually blanketed in snow) and the top of Mount Wellington snows which makes Hobart cold. Thankfully, most days are not too wet and you can usually get by with some warm clothes. Less tourists are also seen during these times.

You can read our full guide to when to visit Tasmania here .

Consider How Long You Want To Go

There are a variety of Tasmania trips you can do depending on your timeframe.

Tasmania is easy to explore and you can see a lot even in a short amount of time, but to get the most out of its variety of attractions I recommend over a week here. This will give you a good overview of the state. A one week road trip in Tasmania can be enough to explore Hobart and either the east or west of the state.

If you want to see both the east and the west then I recommend longer, like a 14 day trip in Tasmania. You can decide what you want to see in the itineraries which are listed further below.

Use the map below as your Tasmania road trip planner to get an idea of the state and the spread of attractions.

How To Travel To Tasmania

Flying to tasmania.

Tasmania has airports in Hobart and Launceston (and small airports in Devonport and Burnie). Most people fly into Hobart Airport which is fairly well connected to the mainland (with direct flights to Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney Canberra and Perth) and flights to New Zealand.

Hiring a car at either Hobart or Launceston Airport is easy and there are plenty of car hire companies. This is the best option for a short break Tasmania, or a longer trip if you live far from Geelong or don’t have your own car.

Getting The Boat (Spirit Of Tasmania)

If you want to take your own car to Tasmania you can do this on the Spirit of Tasmania (or “the boat” as it’s known in Tasmania). This is a drive-on-drive-off ferry that departs from Geelong and arrives in Devonport in the north of the state.

The Spirit of Tasmania operates night sailings year round and day sailings during peak seasons. There are a few amenities on board like bars, a restaurant, shop and cinema and you can get a cabin or seat. On day sailings, you don’t need to book a cabin or seat.

This is a fun way to travel but be mindful you need to factor in another day for the sailing.

As the ship also docks in Devonport (a bit over 3 hours from Hobart) you’ll also need to plan your trip from here.

It’s not super cheap to travel on the Spirit but for a longer trip it might be comparable to the cost of a hire car (with the convenience of having your own car).

I do recommend paying extra for a cabin. It’s far more comfortable, even for day sailings when the public areas can be quite crowded, and you get your own bathroom. At the time of publishing, it also has the advantage of not needing to wear a mask in your cabin whereas you do need to in all public areas of the ship.

Read our complete guide to taking the Spirit of Tasmania here.

Where To Go On Your Tasmania Road Trip

Tasmania may be a small island but each part of the state really does offer visitors something different. There is a vast array of national parkland with some phenomenal natural wonders to witness as well as unique towns and a rich colonial and celebrated convict past.

Read up on the different areas below to plan a trip Tasmania that interests you.

• Hobart – The state capital and a must see. Full of historic charm, museums, art galleries, bars and restaurants. It’s a good base to explore nearby sites like Richmond, MONA, wineries, Mt Wellington etc.
• Huon & South – Easily accessible from Hobart. See the Huon Valley and towns along the coast. Visit Hasting Cave, Tahune Airwalk and Bruny Island – a large island off the east coast of Tasmania. This rugged island has stunning lookouts like the Neck Lookout, beaches, some excellent produce and a historic lighthouse.
• West Coast – Connect with nature by visiting the west coast. This rugged area consists mostly of national park land with abandoned settlements, towns like Queenstown and  Strahan and the opportunity to see Tasmania’s rare cold temperate rainforest.
• East Coast – Vastly different from the west, the east coast includes towns like stunning St Helens, Bicheno and Coles Bay (where you can sample excellent seafood). Hike to the stunning Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park. See amazing beaches and beautifully scenic coastline.

• North West Coast – Visit Boat Harbour for the beach, Stanley for the Nut, see the tulips in Table Cape, visit the towns of Stanley, Burnie and more.
• South East Coast – Explore Orford and take a ferry to Maria Island – an ex-penal settlement complete with historic buildings and natural trails. The island has no permanent inhabitants.
• Launceston –  The second largest city in Tasmania with plenty of it’s own things to see and do.
• Tamar Valley – One of our favourite spots in Tasmania. A beautifully scenic region with vineyards and wineries as well as plenty of things to do in towns like Beaconsfield, Low Head, Beauty Point etc.
• Midlands –  The centre is perfect for fishing, camping and simply getting away. The centre (like Miena) are less frequently visited by tourists and covered in snow in the winter. Northern towns include Evandale and Longford and have some interesting UNESCO estates .

Itineraries For Your Road Trip To Tasmania

Once you’ve decided how long you’ve got for your road trip to Tasmania, it’s time to start planning your trip!

Tasmania offers a lot of variety and the east and west offer very different scenery so it’s good to get an idea of what you would like to see, especially if you have limited time.

Your itinerary will also depend on whether your trip starts from the north of the state (if you take your car on the Spirit of Tasmania which docks at Devonport, or if you fly into Launceston Airport) or the south (by flying into Hobart Airport).

We have Tasmania itineraries for anywhere between 3 to 21 days in the state. These itineraries are your personal road trip planner Tasmania.

• 4-5 Day Tasmania Itinerary with options for a 3 day trip or just a weekend.
• 7 Day Tasmania Itinerary with options for 6 – 8 days.
• 10 Day Tasmania Itinerary with options for 9 days.
• 14 Day Tasmania Itinerary with options for 12 – 21 days.

You can also find more itineraries and a detailed plan for each day in our full Tasmanian Road Trip Planner here.

A 14 day trip offers the best overview of the state although you can definitely spend longer. However, some people may not have this much time available.

A week is a good amount of time for a great taste of the state and will allow you explore either the west or east of the state.

If you only have time for a short trip to Tasmania, it’s good to consider whether you want to spend more time exploring the cities and towns or the national parks. A short trip from Devonport for example could include a stop in Launceston, a trip though the Tamar Valley, continue on to Cradle Mountain and then return to Devonport.

Read the itineraries linked to above from our road trip Tasmania blog to get an idea of what you would like to do.

Where To Stay In Tasmania

Tasmania offers accommodation options for all travelers. Throughout the state are numerous caravan parks, hotels from budget to luxury and also plenty of camping grounds.

I always use Booking.com for my accommodation in Tasmania. Most accommodation options are available on here and cancellation is usually very clear and easy (particularly important during Covid).

For older caravan parks, you may need to book with the park directly.

You can find some free camping grounds around Tasmania, but for the best camping you’ll want to purchase a National Park Pass. This will give you access to camping grounds with facilities like BBQ’s, toilets, showers etc (although this varies at different camping grounds). You can find camping grounds and their facilities listed here .

All of my accommodation guides are listed below.

• Launceston Accommodation
• Tamar Valley Accommodation
• Derby Accommodation
• St Helens Accommodation
• Boat Harbour Accommodation
• Derwent Bridge Accommodation
• Deloraine Accommodation
• Strahan Accommodation
• Queenstown Accommodation
• East Coast Accommodation
• Sheffield Accommodation
• Maria Island Accommodation

How To Get Around Tasmania

Tasmania has limited public transport and if you want to see a lot, the best way to get around Tasmania is to drive. However, you could travel by bus if you really don’t want to drive.

1. Drive Or Hire A Car

For the best road trip around Tasmania you really need your own car. This is the best way to see a lot in a short amount of time. Attractions are generally spread apart, but the relatively small size of the state means the distances aren’t huge.

Tasmania generally has good roads and driving around is very easy with plenty of parking available. Traffic isn’t a big problem even in Hobart (at least outside peak hour), especially compared to other capital cities in Australia.

Click here to read my full guide specifically about driving in Tasmania and how it differs to elsewhere.

As mentioned above, you can either take your own car over on the boat or hire a car from either Launceston or Hobart Airport. Major companies operate here as well as some great local operators. You can book ahead or hire one upon arriving at the airport. Note it can be expensive to hire a car especially during the peak season and they do run out of cars so book as soon as you can.

I recommend you book through Bargain Car Rentals . This Tasmanian car rental company has some great deals and availability. Even better is if you use the code: TASEXPLORE you save 5%

Simply click here.

Then after you enter the dates and location, enter: TASEXPLORE for the “Discount Code”.

They are located in both Hobart and Launceston.

You can also find other car hire options here .

Hiring a van or campervan is also a popular way to see the state. These come with different sleeper capacities (anywhere from 2 to 6), amenities like kitchens and sometimes bathrooms, TV’s and other conveniences. You will need somewhere to park it. Your options include a campground in one of the national parks or a caravan park.

If you can’t or don’t want to drive you could get around some of Tasmania by bus. This is the only real form of public transport in Tasmania. Note buses don’t run often between towns and this really isn’t an ideal way to visit the state.

Hobart Airport has a Skybus connecting Hobart with Hobart Airport ( more details here ).

Metro buses operate around Hobart, Launceston and Burnie and use a prepaid card called a GreenCard.

For longer distances and between towns, there are many different operators depending on where you are going.

TassieLink offers the most comprehensive services with routes from Hobart to the East Coast and Tasman Peninsula.

The Redline bus operates services between Hobart and Launceston.

TassieLink and the Mersey Link Bus Service operate services in the North West of the state.

Visiting specific attractions like Cradle Mountain and Port Arthur is best done as part of a tour (discussed below).

3. Taxi And Ride Sharing Apps

Taxis also operate throughout Tasmania as well as Uber and Ola in Hobart and Launceston. These are suitable for shorter trips like getting to and from the airport but as in other cities are much more expensive for longer distances (and sometimes difficult to organise). We only recommended using them for short distances or when another option is unavailable.

Another option for getting around Tasmania if you don’t want to drive is to travel as part of a tour group. There are Tasmania tours you can do which take you to the top attractions around the state.

You’ll have less flexibility to stop and see attractions outside the scheduled tour, but this may be more suitable for people who have a good idea of what they want to do. This is discussed more below.

Click here to check out Tasmanian day tours and attraction prices now.

Planning Tasmania Tours

Tours in Tasmania are a good option for visiting specific attractions if you don’t want to drive, or for your entire trip if you don’t want to plan a trip around Tasmania and instead would like it organised for you.

There are many tour groups operating in Tasmania and it really depends what you want to do, what your budget is and how long you have.

For tours around the state, Intrepid Travel ( click here for more info ) offers good tours to suit different budgets and interests, with tours of the east and west of the state.

Under Down Under also offers tours to attractions like Port Arthur and Mount Wellington, tours around the state of different durations both to the east and west and also a special central plateau tour.

Adventure Tours also offers tours around Tasmania for different budgets.

For specific attractions, there are companies like Experience Oz who operate a return shuttle bus to Port Arthur ( click here ). You can take the kunanyi Mt Wellington Explorer bus to the top of Mt Wellington. MONA offers shuttle bus or cruises from Hobart. You can visit Cradle Mountain from Launceston with this tour .

Experience Oz lists loads of day tours including attractions like Bruny Island as well as multi day tours around the state.

If you want to do something like the Overland Track (a walk through Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park), you can do this as part of a tour with Tasmania Expeditions . This is a 6 day trek with meals and camping gear included.

What To Pack For Your Trip To Tasmania

If there’s one essential item for your trip to Tasmania, it’s a warm jacket or coat.

Although most parts of Tasmania aren’t freezing cold (even in winter), there can be temperature variations throughout the day. On hot summer days the weather might reach 25-30 degrees Celsius, but it may only stay there for an hour or two and dip quite a bit.

Even in summer you may find yourself wearing shorts and a t-shirt in the middle of the day and needing to rug up towards the end of the day.

Sunscreen and a hat are recommended everywhere, especially if you plan to spend time outdoors exploring the national parks. You can get burnt in Tasmania even on cool days and the sun is noticeably harsher than in the rest of Australia.

In addition to the clothes you’ll need for your journey, you might want to consider bringing the following:

• Sunscreen and hat
• Umbrella, warm jacket and a raincoat (more essential if you’re visiting the west of the state)
• Lots of layers – it can be boiling hot one moment in the sun then cold as a harsh wind comes in
• Swim wear if you’re visiting during warmer months
• Good walking shoes
• A good camera for all the stunning sites

What To Book And When

Ready to start planning your trip? This is the exciting part!

As with anywhere prices vary in peak seasons, and the prices for accommodation and hire cars can rise considerably in Tasmania.

The best way to avoid crazy price hikes is to book your flights/accommodation as far in advance as possible. This is especially recommended during school holidays. For it’s small size, Tasmania receives a lot of visitors, and shortages make it even more essential to do this.

If this isn’t an option for you, just be aware you might need to pay a bit more and may not find accommodation with your preferred venue.

You can find this information in our FREE Tasmania Road Trip Planner checklist. Click here to download it now!

6+ months in advance:

• Book flights/Spirit of Tasmania and consider getting travel insurance. Click here for best flight prices.
• Plan your itinerary around the state
• Book your accommodation
• Book your tour (if you’ll be doing a multi-day tour around the state)
• Work out how you will get around and pre-book a hire car (if needed – click here for car hire and use discount code: TASEXPLORE for 5% off or click here for best rental campervan deals and use code: explore for 5% off)

In peak period from Christmas to Easter, book all these items as far ahead as you can.

1 month in advance:

• Book your attractions and day tours ( click here )
• Purchase a National Park Pass if you’ll be visiting national parks
• Book airport transfers if needed (Hobart has a Skybus – book here )
• Work out whether you need a Telstra sim card (discussed further below)

1-3 days in advance:

• Pack for your trip!
• Have all attractions/passes either printed or readily available on your phone
• Consider booking restaurants (or you can do this as you go)

Like all Australian cities, travelling in Tasmania is not cheap. The cost is comparable to other smaller cities, although accommodation can be very expensive during peak periods.

You will first need to factor in how you’ll get to Tasmania. It’s usually more expensive to travel on the Spirit of Tasmania than to fly, but this will save you the cost of hiring a car. The cost of hiring a car depends on demand. Sometimes this can be over $100 a day, sometimes a lot less.

You can often return it to different cities without extra charge – so pick up in Launceston and return to Hobart for example. Click here for car hire options and prices .

You can also consider hiring a campervan or motorhome. LeisureRent is a Tasmanian company that specialises in car, campervan and motorhome rental. Click here to see the options and prices and make sure you use the code: explore for 5% off.

Note that at peak times, car hire can be booked out or prohibitively expensive so I recommend booking it at the same time as your flights.

The biggest expense will be your accommodation but you can find options to suit all budgets, from hostels for backpackers, budget accommodation, midrange and luxury options.

You also need to factor in the cost of attractions and travel between destinations (petrol, taxis, bus fares, tour costs etc).

A sample budget might be:

Backpacker: $75+ per day

Budget Traveller: $150+ per day

Midrange Traveller: $250 – $350+

Luxury Traveller: $400+ per day

As with anywhere the budget will depend on what you want to do and how you want to travel (for example, whether you want to eat at restaurants every night or are satisfied with something more simple).

It will also depend on how many people are in your group. It will be more expensive for solo travellers since they can’t split the cost of car hire and accommodation.

Travelling Tasmania With Kids

There are a few places easier to visit with kids than Tasmania. The relaxed atmosphere makes a family trip to Tasmania perfect for the whole family, and the small size of the state means attractions are never too far apart. There’s also plenty of things to do in Tasmania with kids .

It really is the perfect place in Australia for a family road trip thanks to these shorter distances and plenty of variety.

Some of the places we’ve visited with kids are below.

• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
• Richmond Gaol
• Launceston With Kids
• Seahorse World
• Platypus House
• Low Head Penguins
• Woolmers Estate
• Marakoopa Cave
• Tasmazia & The Village Of Lower Crackpot 

You can also find many other options in our full list of things to do in Tasmania with kids here .

Other Things To Note

• Because of Covid many venues require you to book ahead. Therefore it’s worth reading through our itineraries and having a good idea of what you want to do before you visit.
• Internet and mobile reception are generally fine in larger cities but can be choppy in smaller towns and totally unavailable in the national parks. Telstra has the most coverage in the state and it might be worth getting a Telstra sim if you need mobile/data access at most times. I am with Vodafone and it’s very painful travelling around Tasmania with them if you like to have data access.

Final Words

Tasmania is a fabulous place to visit and whatever you plan, I’m sure you’ll have a great time! Keep looking through Tasmania Explorer for guides for everything you need to know.

For more planning guides, click here . You can also buy our full Tasmanian Road Trip Planner here.

Related posts:

By Shan Hutchinson

Shan grew up in Tasmania, moved away and then came back with her family twenty years later. She loves re-discovering her home state and sharing it with you here.

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• The Ultimate Tasmania Road Trip: 6-12 Days

by Emily Cass | Nov 6, 2023 | Australia & NZ , Most Popular | 14 comments

Sometimes it’s the destinations closest to your home that can take you by surprise. We’ve travelled long and far to some pretty incredible places around this world but we’d never taken the time to explore our own home country of Australia, let alone Tasmania.

Tasmania, with a population of only 519,000 is becoming an increasingly sought after holiday destination and after spending 10 days in this state we are starting to understand why.

The landscapes are forever changing, there’s an extensive culinary scene with locally sourced produce, world-class wineries, picturesque beaches (that are never crowded), epic mountain ranges, hikes galore, cute coastal towns, rural farm villages, amazing wildlife and a very laid back Aussie vibe.

Exploring is the key in Tasmania and it’s definitely a place you will keep coming back too!

Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary: Interactive Map

Below is the ultimate Tasmania road trip map, that would ideally be done in 10-11 days but could be done in 6 if you skip certain places.

If you have less time, we suggest choosing either north+east (Launceston) or south+east (Hobart).

Take a Guided Tour in Tasmania

Before we dive in to our self guided tour, you may want to consider an organised tour or activity. Check out these top tours from GetMyGuide.

Car Rental in Tasmania

The first thing you’ll realise when you get to Tasmania is, you’ll need a car! We rented our car directly from Hobart Airport with Bargain Car Rentals and they were far cheaper than their competitors. The service was quick, pain-free and the car was fine. For a 10-day economy car rental, we paid $560 AUD plus $150 in gas over 10 days. Aside from a regular vehicle, many people choose to travel around Tasmania in full-blown houses on wheels, caravans, campervans, motorbikes or 4WD’s. Anything goes as long as it gets you from A to B!

The BEST Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary

Below is our itinerary over the course of 10 days. Tasmania may be small but there’s so much to see. How long would we recommend? It depends what you’re coming for, but generally speaking, nothing less than 6 days if you want to see the main sights but even then you may find yourself rushing.

DAY 1: HOBART

You’ve arrived into Hobart, the capital of Tasmania or maybe you’ve come into Devonport via ferry (if that is the case, do this itinerary in reverse). Either way, if you’ve been to Sydney or Melbourne before you’ll be shocked to see the difference of this small Tasmanian capital. Hobart, whilst small, still has a lot to offer, especially in the restaurant department! There’s a very dynamic food scene combined with rich history, parks, shopping and preserved towns.

To start the day off right, grab a freshly baked croissant and coffee from Daci & Daci Bakery . You’ll be coming back for seconds, we assure you. Next, make your way to the famous MONA (Museum of Old & New Art), a unique interactive museum that is sure to leave an impression with some downright crazy exhibitions including an entire wall of 100+ uniquely shaped vaginas. Allow at least 2 hours. Not for the vaginas, but for the whole museum. Entry $28 AUD. Get there as it opens (10 am) as it gets very crowded.

When you’ve finished marvelling at the artworks at the MONA, carry on to  Bonorong Wildlife Park where you can get up close with wombats, Tasmanian devils and our furry friend, the koalas. Entry is $29 AUD and includes a tour (check the times). Here are some very interesting facts about these creatures. Word of warning, don’t try and pat them, they are very aggressive with their teeth.

When you’re done, spend the afternoon sampling beers at Cascade Brewery , Australia’s oldest operating brewery. Or sample whiskey at  Lark Distillery, one of Hobart’s famous whiskey bars.  Salamanca Place has a large range of restaurants to choose from for dinner for those sweet tooth lovers, Honey Badger Dessert Cafe will do the trick (or make you sick).

Set your alarm for 4:30 am… we promise it’ll be worth it.

Overnight: Hobart

• Budget: Montacute Boutique Bunkhouse
• Midrange:  Zero Davey Boutique Apartment Hotel
• Luxury:  MACq1 Hotel

Top Tours in Hobart

If organized tours are your thing, here are some recommendations from GetMyGuide:

DAY 2: HOBART

Rise and SHINE, it’s time for sunrise over Mount Wellington.

Mount Wellington is a short 30-35 minute drive from the CBD and it offers breathing taking panoramic views of Hobart and surrounding areas. We chose to visit at sunrise and would highly recommend doing the same. The constant changing of light and colours is simply beautiful. It is at least 10 degrees colder up there, so dress appropriately! If it gets too cold there’s a pinnacle observation shelter to get warm.

It’s free to visit and you can drive directly to the top so there’s no hiking involved. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take something prior and please watch out for the animals on the way up! There are plenty of walks to do around the base of Mt Wellington if hiking is your thing. See here for options.

Once you’ve got back to the city, grab yourself some breakfast a t Machine Laundry Cafe or the famous Jackman & McRoss and slowly stroll towards the preserved town of Battery Point , a quaint suburb with cottages, cute roundabouts and historical landmarks. Go shopping on Liverpool street , roam around Elizabeth Street Pier  and if you love ciders, visit  Willie Smiths Apple Shed in Huon Valley (30 minutes from the city) for lunch and a refreshing cider! End the day with dinner at  Frank’s , an Argentinian restaurant with great steaks and even better vegetable side dishes.

TOP TIPS: (for foodies!)

• SALAMANCA MARKETS: The Salamanca Markets are Australia’s largest open-air market and are one of Tasmania’s main attractions! Please note they only take place on Saturday mornings from 8:30 – 3:30 and host 100’s of fresh food, clothing, music and an unforgettable atmosphere (so we’ve been told!). Unfortunately, we were in Hobart on a Monday & Tuesday (not recommended!) and missed this experience. If you can, plan to be in Hobart over a weekend to enjoy what all these markets have to offer. Devastated we missed out on all the free samples.
• STREET EATS @ FRANKO: Every Friday from 4:30pm – 9:30pm between November and April, Franklin Square boats a hyperactive street food night market featuring funky stalls, music, food, beer, wine & ciders. Picnic rugs are provided.

Day 3: PORT ARTHUR & THE TASMAN PENNINSULA

Say farewell to Hobart and a big hello to the Tasman Penninsula.

Head straight towards Eagle Hawk Neck , a narrow isthmus that connects the Tasman Peninsula with the Forestier Peninsula. Walk down to the Tesselated Pavements and soak in the beautiful scenery of the Tasman Arch.

Continue your drive along the coast towards the historical site of Port Arthur  for a look into the fascinating convict past. Tickets are $39 which includes a guided tour and a boat ride. You also have the option to do a self-guided tour with audio for an extra charge. If you’re into spooky tours, stick around for the nighttime ghost tour.

Our next stop was rather different! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a town where everything starts with doo? Well, you can, here in Tasmania. There’s such a thing and it’s called, “ Doo Town “. How doolightful! Grab a snack at the doo-lishus food truck before checking out the nearby blowhole.

Along the peninsula you can also get up close and personal with the Tasmanian Devils at The Unzoo , sample Tasmanian chocolate at the chocolate factory and if you have more time consider walking The Cape Hauy walk . Avoid eating at Port Arthur and instead, stop into Bangor Wine and Oyster Shed (even if you don’t like oysters) for a wine tasting and lunch. The rosé was just delightful!

We spent the night in the small coastal town of Swansea.  There are short walks to do around the headland or you could eat fish and chips on the beach from  Oyster Bay Seafood. Not a must do, but a decent place to break up the drive.

Note: If you wish to visit Maria Island, (more info below) spend the night in Triabunna, not Swansea. 

Overnight: Swansea 

• Budget: Swansea Backpacker Lodge 
• Midrange: Swansea Beach Chalets
• Luxury: Piermont Retreat

Top Tours in Port Arthur

Day 4: the great eastern drive.

By now you will have begun the Great Eastern Drive ! 176km’s of vineyards, coastal towns, bays, beaches and never-ending beauty.

Just 10 minutes from Swansea is Kates Berry Farm . Sample a variety of jams, including “adults only jams” and enjoy a berry-filled breakfast before hitting up some wineries along the east coast trail.

This part of your journey will allow you to sample some of the world’s most renowned wines. The wineries are all relatively close together and all offer a different experience. Gala Estate , holds tastings in a 100-year-old home, still with its original stove and lounge room making for a very personal experience.  Devil’s Corner is one of the more popular and modern wineries along this route, especially for lunch. Spring Vale had a cute picnic area. The tastings at all these wineries were free.

Aim to spend the night in Bicheno. Bicheno is the closest coastal town to the famous Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park and is a great base for you to explore the region tomorrow! Allow enough time to walk around the town and if you’re there in time, have lunch at The Farm Shed , visit the beach and then head for a relaxed dinner at The Gulch which boasts fresh fish and chips on the wharf, accompanied by 1000’s of seagulls.

Overnight: Bicheno

DAY 5: COLES BAY & FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK

Have breakfast at Blue Edge Bakery in Bicheno (great pastries, coffee and sandwiches) and travel 30 minutes towards Coles Bay . It’s a good idea to pack sandwiches or snacks as there aren’t too many places to grab food inside the National Park without the high price inflation. The bakery has you sorted!

The primary reason tourists visit Freycinet National Park is to hike to the famous  Wineglass Bay lookout. It took roughly 30 minutes to get to the top and Jacob did it in no shoes, which caught the attention of a lot of other tourists who had bulky boots and walking poles…

There is a “do it yourself ” parking pass which allows you to buy a ticket and leave the receipt on your car. Rangers do come and inspect so don’t get yourself a fine by trying to avoid the system. The parking pass is $24 AUD. If you wish to walk down to wineglass bay, it is a 1.5-hour walk but remember, once you go down, you have to come back up! There are also Wineglass boat tours for a different experience.

You could spend hours in this National Park, especially if the weather is on your side. Be sure to stop by Honeymoon Bay  for a swim and it won’t take long before you feel like you’ve just entered a movie scene. On your way out, don’t miss the Friendly Beaches in Coles Bay. Before you ask, yep, that’s their real name and they’re definitely pretty friendly! Stunning.

Overnight: Bicheno or Freycinet National Park. If budget isn’t a concern, be sure to treat yourselves to a night ( or two)  at Freycinet Lodge ! 

Top Tours in Freycinet National Park

Day 6: bay of fires.

The Bay of Fires  stretches from Binalong Bay  in the south to Eddystone Point in the north and is an impressive combination of untouched wilderness with perfect strands of beaches. There are many white sandy beaches and inlets to explore. This area is famous for its orange-hued granite rocks which are actually produced by a lichen. There’s a fun fact for the day! It was really impressive to see, especially from above on our drone!

Do note that The Bay Of Fires refers to a whole area, not just a singular bay . The closest town is St Helens and there are a handful of restaurants to choose from. In Tasmania standards, it’s one of the “larger” of the towns. (Not including Hobart or Launceston). Binalong Bay Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Tasmania and where we spent our Australia Day although unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on our side.

The drive from Bay of Fires directly to Launceston isn’t too long (2 hours 45min) but after a day on the beach relaxing we chose to break it up by spending a night in the very quiet town of Pioneer. This is a very quiet country town with no restaurants or cafes so it’s best to stop in St Helens prior and get yourself some dinner for the evening. Our accommodation, Pioneer Lodge (one of the only two) was a large farmhouse with an old-school kitchen, but it was a unique place to spend the night. They have cooking facilities and breakfast included. Just don’t expect luxury!

Note: If you’re pressed for time, you can drive directly from The Bay Of Fires to Launceston (2 hours and 50 minutes). 

Overnight: Pioneer 

DAY 7: LAUNCESTON via DERBY

After breakfast head for the small town of Derby which is close by. Derby is famous for its Blue Derby Mountain Bike trails with more than 100km of trails to chose from.

You can rent the bikes from Vertigo MTB in the centre of town and spend as little or as long on the mountain as you wish for $59 AUD. I, unfortunately, had a big fall within the first 15 minutes and opted out for the rest of the morning but Jacob enjoyed over 40km’s worth, accident-free.

If mountain biking isn’t your thing (I don’t blame you), you can choose a more appropriate activity like wine tasting at Piper Brooks or Jansz Winery , take a walk along the beach at Bridport or d uring the summer season (January being the best) make a worthy pit stop at Bridestowe Lavender Estate  and marvel at the never-ending rows of bright purple lavender fields. Don’t forget to try the lavender flavoured ice cream! Launceston can be reached within 45 minutes from here.

Photo Credit: Georgie Sharp.

Overnight: Launceston 

• Budget: Pod Inn
• Midrange: Two up on York
• Luxury: Peppers Silo

Top Tours in Launceston

Day 8: tamar valley.

There’s always more room for wine and the Tamar Valley is one of the most popular of the wine routes in Tasmania. You can jump on a tour from Launceston or head out on your own and stop in as many or as little as you like. Our top picks were Velo , Wines for Joanie , Moore Hill Estate , and a family-owned vineyard,  Iron Pot Bay Vineyard . Is there such a thing as too much cheese and wine in a day? I don’t think so.

If the weather calls for it, take a drive to Batman’s Bridge and Low Head Lighthouse for a relaxing afternoon.

Top Tip: On the 4th Sunday of every month between November and April, Moore Hill Estate holds “Sparkling Seafood Sundays” which includes fresh seafood dishes along side delicious wines. You don’t need to purchase tickets, just make a reservation and show up hungry and thirsty!

Overnight: Launceston

DAY 9: LAUNCESTON

Today we spent the day exploring the city of Launceston ! A vibrant hub for food, wine and culture. Make a reservation for breakfast at   Stillwater Cafe , a restored 1830s flour mill on the Tamar River.  The green and red bowls were both delicious!

Just outside Stillwater Cafe, you’ll find the beginning of the Cataract Gorge . A beautiful gorge super close to the city centre. The gorge is the perfect place for a long walk or run, a place to relax or in the warmer months, a swim in either the gorge or it’s very own pool. For those more prone to hiking, head out on the Zig Zag Track.

The rest of the day could be spent shopping in the CBD , taking a tour of the James Boag Brewery , relaxing in City Park , visiting the Automotive Museum, taking in the art at The Queen Victoria Museum and MOST importantly, making room for all the food from one of the many high-quality restaurants including dessert at Charlie’s Dessert Bar . Drool. Here are some top recommendations for restaurants. 

It would take up half the post if we listed every single winery in Tasmania but there are two more worth mentioning a short drive from the city so if you have the time, check them out! Joseph Cromey Wines  (shown below) and Leaning Church Vineyard were two standouts for us. Have a beautiful sit-down lunch at the award-winning restaurant in Joseph Cromey or devour a kick-ass cheese plate alongside your favourite glass of wine. Mmm wine and cheese.

Overnight: Launceston (or Mole Creek to break up the drive tomorrow)

DAY 10: CRADLE MOUNTAIN & MOLE CREEK

Prepare yourself for a whole day out! This was one of our biggest days.

Drive from Launceston towards Cradle Mountain but first, take the edge off with breakfast at The Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm (40 minutes from Launceston). They have a huge selection of delicious meals with fresh raspberries galore! Jump back on the road and carry on to the Mole Creek Caves .

There are 2 caves to see, The Marakoopa Caves which is home to the largest concentration of glow worms in the country and The King Solomon Caves which are the dry caves. You can’t access the caves without being on a tour. Marakoopa tours leave on the hour starting at 10:00 am and King Solomon at 10:30 am. Entry ( + tour) is $19 AUD. It’s 9 degrees in the caves so bring a jacket.

The drive to Cradle Mountain is a further 1.5 hours (or just under). Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania’s famous attractions. Shuttle buses leave from the visitor centre and drop hikers to designated spots throughout the park. There is a range of walks to do from easy to challenging with the most popular hike being around Dove Lake . This can be completed in 2-3 hours and is easy to moderate.

From October-May, keen hikers can tackle “The Overland Track”. A 6-day hike  covering 82km. You have to carry everything with you (food, water, tents, clothes). The weather can change rapidly in Cradle Mountain and it is not recommended for anyone without a high level of fitness and/or experience.

Before you reach Launceston, we’d suggest stopping into Ashgrove Cheese Factory to sample 6 -7 different kinds of cheese and then onwards to Van Diemen’s Land Creamery and end the day with 2 scoops (or more) of ice cream! It’s a 40-minute drive back to Launceston from here.

Top Tours at Cradle Mountain

Accommodation in cradle mountain.

If you have the time, break up your trip with a night or two at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge  or Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village. The views from the surrounding Tasmanian wilderness aren’t to be missed! 

But WAIT there’s more…

There’s never enough time for everything but had we have had more time, these are some other notable places worth visiting.

1. Bruny Island (South-East Coast) : 

Take a day trip via ferry (with your car) from Hobart or better yet, stay overnight at one of the many accommodation choices.  Explore the island by foot, bicycle or car. Bruny Island offers beautiful scenery, crystal clear waters and small beaches as well as a chance to enjoy Tasmania’s finest cheeses at the Bruny Island Cheese Company . Ferries leave from Kettering, 40 minutes south of Hobart and you can find the schedule here . Note: Some car companies don’t allow you to take the car here so be sure to check the fine print on your rental. 

2. Maria Island (East Coast) : 

A 30-minute ferry from Triabunna will bring you to Maria Island. An island with convict heritage, rare wildlife, great walks and stunning scenery. There are no vehicles allowed on this island making it a very special place to enjoy without any of the chaos. There is some accommodation available  but don’t expect 5 stars. You can find the schedule and fares for the ferry here . Note: You will need to bring your own food and water. There are no shops on this island and it is recommended to pre-buy your ferry tickets. 

3. Strahan (West Coast) :

A small town on the west coast of Hobart tucked between Macquarie Harbour and the rainforest. During the winter it can be a very sleepy fishing village but in the summer months, it comes alive with hoards of tourists. Be sure to take a sunset stroll down Ocean Beach, Tasmania’s longest beach (30km!), a cruise down The Gordon River and enjoy the Tasmanian wilderness (an entirely different scene than the east coast).

Insider Tips for your Tasmanian Road Trip

• If you’re looking for a phone carrier, opt for Telstra. We struggled to get service on Vodaphone through the towns and mountains.
• Please watch out for the wildlife . There is a staggering 1/2 a million animals killed every year on the roads in Tasmania. You literally couldn’t go 1km without seeing a dead animal. It was really awful. Slow down, pay attention to the signs and if you hit an animal, call Bonorong Rescue Centre, Tasmania’s only 24-hour wildlife rescue service.
• It’s a real Aussie thing to eat a meat pie, but you’re in Tasmania so be sure to indulge in a Tasmanian Scallop Pie. They’re sold everywhere. 
• Don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a single person for hours at a time on the roads. Tasmania is SO quiet!
• Try to aim for the weekend in Hobart, there’s a lot more going on and a lot of restaurants closed Monday/Tuesdays.
• Visit Mt Wellington at sunrise.

• Get yourself a National Park Pass for $60 if you plan to visit 2 national parks. This allows entry into all of the parks.
• Those pesky parking ticket attenders scout the streets religiously for people overstaying their parking . Don’t presume it won’t happen to you.
• Launceston’s premier event is Festivale , a 3-day event held in February each year. This festival offers you a chance to sample Tasmania’s best produce incl beer, wine, ciders, food, arts and entertainment.
• Petrol stations can be few and far between on the longer roads so if you’re in doubt and you see one, fill ‘er up!
• Some, but not all wineries do free tastings. Ask prior if they will cost. If they do, it’s usually only $5 which is refundable with a bottle of wine purchase.

STRAYA’ MATE

Who knew kangaroos could lift cars?!

Have you done a road trip to Tasmania before? Anything you’d like to add? We’d love to hear from you!

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14 Comments

Thanks for the great blog. My wife and I set off on the Spirit of TAS on the 20th March for 2 weeks in our Troop carrier. We look forward to checking out what the island state has to offer. Looks like you two had fun!

You’re welcome Zac, enjoy your time there. And yup, lots of fun!

Love your itinerary. Looking forward to our December trip. Will keep your itinerary in hand.

Glad to hear Helen! Enjoy 🙂

question ; How do we return to Hobart at the end of the road trip, do we drive back the same route and if so is the time on the road included in the ultimate itinerary?

You can either go the same way you came or a different way which is more direct through the centre which will take around 2 hours or so.

Great article guys and love the photo gallery. We took a similar itinerary but included the loop from Hobart around to Cradle Mountain. Added a lot more driving but some beautiful stops along the way such as Russell Falls and Lake St Clair.

Such a nice trip isn’t it! I wish we had longer!

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14-Day Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary

Your 'ultimate' self-drive holiday and tasmania road trip.

This self-drive 14-day Tasmania itinerary is what I like to call your ‘Ultimate’ Tasmania 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!

This page contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). Read my full disclosure policy  here .

Self-drive Tasmania Itinerary (14 days)

Want to experience the very best Tasmania trip? 

14 days is the perfect amount of time, and a Tasmania 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 and stress-free I’ve used my extensive local knowledge to create this 14-day self-drive Tasmania itinerary.

Together with my wife I have called Tasmania home for more than 15 years now, so you can rest assured that all my recommendations come from personal experience and my passion to get out on the open road.

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 Richmond

Day 14 – Richmond to Hobart

When it comes to the structure of this 14-day Tasmania itinerary, I understand that  everyone has different travel priorities , and that’s why I’ve provided multiple options on some days so you can choose the place or activity that suits you best.

For some travellers, 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.

It is so important to me that your Tasmania road trip is as special as possible, no matter what your style of travel – which is why I have tailored this Tasmania itinerary to be extremely flexible and adjustable.

You can follow this itinerary exactly, or adjust it to suit your own preferences . Clockwise or anti-clockwise doesn’t matter at all – it’s that easy!

If you have any questions at all, or need more advice, we would love to hear from you over in our Lap of Tasmania Facebook Group . It is a super-friendly community without any grumpy buggers or keyboard warriors to spoil your fun – come and say g’day 😊

I feel that 14 days is the ideal amount of time for a Tasmania driving holiday .

The distance covered per day in this itinerary varies from as little as 110km up to 250km at the most, and this means you can drive around at a leisurely pace while still making the most of your time in Tasmania.

To ensure you aren’t feeling too rushed I’ve also included 2-night stays in the 5 most popular locations.

That’s enough chat… let’s get this show on the road!

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

📌  Derwent Valley

• New Norfolk – St Matthews church, Bush Inn and Drill Hall Emporium.
• Pulpit Rock lookout
• Mt Field – Russell Falls short walk, Waterfalls Cafe and Gallery (souvenirs!)
• Westerway – Westerway Raspberry Farm (Dec-Mar) – OR – Platypus spotting
• Hamilton – Kingdom Gallery at Glen Clyde House
• Tarraleah – Highland cows and Hydro history
• Budget –  Highland Cabins and Cottages   (Bronte Park – 20mins from Derwent Bridge)
• Mid-Range – Derwent Bridge Chalets and Studios (Derwent Bridge)
• Indulgence – Tarraleah Lodge (Tarraleah)
• Camping – Mt Field National Park – OR – Left of Field (Mt Field)

Read More : Best Places to Stay in the Derwent Valley

🗺️ Got a couple of extra days? Extend your road trip!

For me, the Derwent Valley is one of Tasmania’s most special places and you could easily spend 3 or 4 nights in the region.

If you have the time, I recommend basing yourself in New Norfolk at the stunning  Explorers Lodge B&B ( read my review here ) and using it as a base to drive up to Mt Field, and out to Maydena, Lake Pedder and Strathgordon.

One other region that flies waaaay under the radar is the Central Highlands of Tasmania. Reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands, you will love a couple of nights at the gorgeous  Ratho Farm  in Bothwell ( read my review here ) and doing day-trips into the surrounding region.

Day 2: Derwent Bridge to Strahan

• Wall in the Wilderness wood carving – OR – Lake St Clair walking trails
• Drive the ’99 Bends’
• Franklin River Nature Trail
• Nelson Falls Nature trail
• Queenstown – Iron Blow Lookout
• Option 1: RoamWild Tour   – OR – Mountain biking on Mt Owen
• Option 2: Explore Queenstown by foot (Paragon Theatre, Soggy Brolly shared art space, Missing Tiger book store, historic Empire Hotel)
• Drive to Strahan
• Budget – Strahan Village (Strahan)
• Bed and Breakfast – Harrison House B&B (Strahan)
• Luxe – Wheelhouse Apartments (Strahan)
• Camping – Big4 Strahan Holiday Retreat (Strahan)

🥂 Special Offer - Harrison House B&B

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:

V alid for direct bookings only.

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 3: Strahan

• Gordon River & Macquarie Harbour Cruise – Promo Code : LAPOFTAS for 10% OFF
• Ocean Beach
• Platypus spotting at Hogarth Falls (Strahan) – OR – Henty Dunes
• Strahan – The Ship That Never Was

🗺️ Want more time on the West Coast? Queenstown is fantastic!

Queenstown is one of the most fascinating towns you will find anywhere in Australia.

Stay an extra night or two on your way to/from Strahan and discover its emerging arts scene and stark landscapes with a couple of nights at historic Penghana B&B ( read my review ). 

Many road trippers tell me that the West Coast Wilderness Railway is at its best when you start from the Queenstown end as well! 

Day 4: Strahan to Cradle Mountain

• ‘River and Rainforest’ Wilderness Railway Tour
• Zeehan – Spray Tunnel (if time allows)
• Vale of Belvoir Lookout
• Cradle Mountain Village – Explore short walks around the interpretation centre
• Best of the Best – Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village  – Promo Code:  LAPOFTAS  for  10% OFF
• Camping – Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain  – Promo Code:  TASBINGO for  25% OFF
• Budget  – Cradle Mountain Highlanders  
• Luxe – Cradle Mountain Lodge

Read More: Cradle Mountain Accommodation – 6 Amazing Places to Stay

Day 5: Cradle Mountain

🍴 Breakfast – Your accommodation – OR – Cradle Mountain Hotel (non-guests are allowed)

• Option 1: Dove Lake loop walk
• Option 2: Cradle Canyons Tour (summer)
• Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery
• Waldheim Alpine Spa – Spa Treatment
• Peppers Lodge – Wine and cheese tasting
• ‘After Dark’ Tassie Devil feeding tour
• Best of the Best – Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village –  Promo Code:  LAPOFTAS for 10% OFF
• Camping – Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain –  Promo Code:  TASBINGO  for  25% OFF

😍 Special Offer - Cradle Mountain Accommodation

Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village Resort is my favourite accommodation at Cradle Mountain, and after reaching out to them I was so happy when Andy and the team became a Partner of the Lap of Tasmania, helping road trippers find the perfect place to stay and keeping your holiday costs as low as possible 😊

Use the LAPOFTAS code and SAVE 10% when you stay at Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village Resort !

Day 6: Cradle Mountain to Stanley

• Hellyer Gorge scenic drive
• Table Cape – Lighthouse
• Table Cape – Tulip Farm (Sep-Oct)
• Boat Harbour Beach
• Drive on to Stanley
• Highfield House – Self-guided tour
• The ‘Nut’ – Chairlift to the top of the ‘Nut
• The ‘Nut’ – Explore the walking trails on top
• Camping – BIG4 Stanley Holiday Park (Stanley)
• Budget –  Stanley Upstairs (Stanley)
• Bed and Breakfast – The Ark Stanley (Stanley)
• Indulgence – Horizon Deluxe Apartments (Stanley)

Special Offer - The Ark Stanley

Mention the Lap of Tasmania when booking your relaxing stay at The Ark Stanley and receive:

• Late checkout to noon!

Check prices and availability

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

• Coastal drive
• Burnie – Tastings at Hellyers Distillery
• Turner’s Beach – The Berry Patch
• Penguin – The ‘Big Penguin’
• See Ulverstone and Devonport
• Latrobe – Anvers Chocolates
• Sheffield – Explore the murals
• Ashgrove Cheese / Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm / Van Diemens Land Creamery
• Hagley – Hazelbrae Hazelnuts   (enjoy a picnic in their beautiful orchard!)
• See the historic towns of Deloraine, Westbury and Hadspen on your way to Launceston.
• Camping – Discovery Parks Hadspen –  Promo Code:  TASBINGO  for  25% OFF
• Budget – Leisure Inn Penny Royal Apartments   (Launceston)
• Mid-Range – Kurrajong House  (Launceston)
• Modern – Hotel Verge (Launceston)
• Indulgence – Peppers Silo (Launceston)

Read More : Best Places to Stay in Launceston

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

• Launceston – Cataract Gorge – OR – Tamar Wetlands Walk
• Tamar Valley Wineries (after 11am) – Moores Hill, Small Wonder
• Bridestowe Lavender Farm (allow an extra 40mins drive time)
• ‘Tin Dragon’ Trail – 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’
• 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 - Beaumaris Beach Guest House

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 9: Bay of Fires

• Bay of Fires Eco Tour (by boat)
• 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 over the rocks of Binalong Bay ( here )
• Budget – Queechy Motel   (St Helens)
• Relaxing B&B –  Beaumaris Beach Guest House (Beaumaris Beach)

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

• Four Mile Creek – Tastings at Ironhouse Brewery
• Douglas Apsley National Park – Apsley River Waterhole
• Bicheno – The Bicheno blowhole
• Freycinet Marine Farm
• Friendly Beaches
• Cape Tourville Lighthouse
• 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 - Freycinet Waters B&B

Mention the Lap of Tasmania when booking your cosy seaside retreat at Freycinet Waters and receive:

Day 11: Coles Bay (Freycinet)

• Option 1: Wineglass Bay Cruise
• Option 2: Walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout and then either spend the rest of the morning looping back via Hazards Beach, or return the same way you went in and then explore Coles Bay until lunch
• Option 1: If you book the cruise then lunch is provided
• Option 2: Enjoy lunch at The Bay Restaurant at Freycinet Lodge
• Option 3: Enjoy a casual meal at Geographe Restaurant and Espresso Bar (Coles Bay)
• Option 1: Freycinet and Maria Island scenic flight
• Option 2: Visit Providore Wine Glass (Freycinet Lodge) and then enjoy a Tasmanian Tasting session – wine, whisky or gin – at the Lodge (Freycinet Lodge)

Day 12: Coles Bay to Port Arthur

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

🌊 Maria Island Cruises - 10% OFF

Located halfway between Freycinet and the Tasman Peninsula, Maria Island is my favourite place in Tasmania, and it is an absolute ‘must’ if you can squeeze it into your itinerary!

Let the wonderful crew at  Maria Island Cruises   take care of you as you enjoy one of their two cruise/walk combo tours departing from Triabunna.

Both tours provide the opportunity to spend time on the island exploring by foot, but you also get the choice of either a full circumnavigation of the island, or a cruise to the stunning Ile des Phoques.

Use my  LAPOFTAS  code and receive  10% OFF  your cruise!

Valid for direct bookings only.

• Pirate’s Bay Lookout
• Tessellated Pavement – OR – Officer’s Quarters Museum (Eaglehawk Neck)
• Tasman Arch
• Devil’s Kitchen
• Remarkable Cave
• Port Arthur Ghost Tour
• Camping – NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park   (Port Arthur)
• Budget – Port Arthur Villas (Port Arthur)
• Relaxing Bed and Breakfast – Storm Bay B&B (White Beach – 10mins from Port Arthur)
• Indulgence – Stewarts Bay Lodge (Port Arthur)

🌞 Special Offer - Storm Bay B&B

Use my LAPOFTAS code online, or mention the Lap of Tasmania when booking your relaxing escape at  Storm Bay B&B on the beautiful Tasman Peninsula and receive:

• 10% OFF stays of 2-nights or longer

Valid for direct bookings only. Some blockout dates may apply. Not applicable to tours booked through Storm Bay B&B.

Day 13: Port Arthur to Richmond

• Port Arthur Historic Site
• 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
• Families – Tara’s Richmond Farmstay  
• Budget – Every Man and His Dog Vineyard  
• B&B –  Mulberry Cottage  
• Luxury and Romance – Prospect Country House   – Stay 3 Nights & Pay for 2 – Mention the Lap of Tasmania over the phone to claim!

    Looking for a romantic escape?

Stay 3-nights & Pay for 2  at gorgeous Prospect Country House. Just mention the Lap of Tasmania when making your booking over the phone! – Check Prices Here

Day 14: Richmond to Hobart

• Mt Wellington Summit
• Salamanca Market (Saturday) – OR – Farm Gate Market (Sunday)
• Hobart Waterfront – Salamanca, Brooke Street Pier
• Visit Beauty and the Bees
• Lark Distillery
• Kelly’s Steps
• Walk to Battery Point and explore
• Alternative Option – Hobart’s Hop-on Hop-off Bus
• MONA Ferry and Museum – Splurge and get a ‘Posh Pit’ ticket ( my guide )
• Sunset drinks at The Glass House
• Camping – Discovery Parks Hobart –  Promo Code:  TASBINGO  for  25% OFF
• Couples B&B (south side) – Waterview Gardens B&B (Margate)
• Couples B&B (east side) – Oceana B&B (Howrah)
• Budget (Families) – Bay Hotel Apartments   (Hobart)
• Budget (Historic) – Edinburgh Gallery (Hobart)
• Mid-Range – RACV Hobart Hotel  (Hobart)
• Indulgence – MACq 01 (Hobart)
• Ultimate Luxury – MONA Pavilions (Hobart)

Read More : Best Places to Stay in Hobart

🌞 Special Offer - Waterview Gardens B&B

Mention the  Lap of Tasmania  when booking your delightful Hobart getaway at  Waterview Gardens B&B  and receive:

• 10% OFF  your booking; and
• FREE bottle of bubbles 🍾 – OR –  cheese platter 🧀 upon arrival!

Plan your Tasmania road trip

I hope you have found my 14-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

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.

Guide to Tasmania

Map of tasmania, road trip guide.

Andrew Strikis

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community as the traditional owners  and continuing custodians  of  this island lutruwita (Tasmania).

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Caravan campground info - Tasmania Forum

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Trying to figure out the camping booking options for Tasmania. We planning 10 day trip mid November 2024. Renting a camper van.

We would want power service sometimes.

I know we need a National park pass. But also plan to do community or non national park camping.

Can’t seem to figure out how to book camp spots. I have been on many links that say “book now” and then with so much junk advertising the link goes elsewhere.

Is there a more direct website that is more straightforward. Listing campgrounds, that list number of sites, and how to booking options.

I’ve looked over the forum topics and can’t seem to find any similar questions regarding camp booking steps.

Thanks for any suggestions.

2 replies to this topic

The two main operators of camping, caravan, cabin parks across Australia are the Big4 and Discovery park groups. They operate facilities in Tasmania and you will find them well equipped and in ideal locations across the state. On a recent trip to Tasmania we saw a number of camper vans in the ones we stayed at. There are also a number of other well run camping grounds across the state. 🤠

http://Www.big4.com.au http://Www.discoveryholidayparks.com.au

Do have a read through this as it may assist you with what is available and the places where to book direct not the weblink I sent it is Not a booking site but ones listed are.

https://www.campingtasmania.com/how-to-book/

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Predators aren't waiting to eat you in Tasmania: 7 things travelers should know

• Tasmania is an island off the southern coast of Australia.
• The island is known for its pristine wilderness, rugged coastlines and captivating wildlife.
• American travelers will find themselves instantly at ease in Tasmania, but don't be fooled – the island's allure lies in its ability to surprise and inspire with breathtaking sights.

The U.S. is teeming with beautiful landscapes, but there's something to be said about experiencing the power of nature halfway across the world.

Embarking on a journey to Tasmania, Australia, is like stepping into a realm where the familiar meets the extraordinary. For first-time visitors looking to start ticking bucket list destinations, Tasmania offers a unique blend of comfort and adventure – with a welcoming g'day. Nestled off the southern coast of the mainland, Tasmania boasts pristine wilderness, rugged coastlines and captivating wildlife.

Move over Hawaii, The Azores Islands also bring vibrant beauty (with fewer crowds)

With English as the primary language and a culture of warmth and hospitality, American travelers will find themselves instantly at ease. But don't be fooled, the island's allure lies in its breathtaking sights.

From exploring ancient rainforests to indulging in culinary surprises, Tasmania promises an unforgettable escape. I visited the island for the first time in May, the start of Australia's winter, and my jaw was on the floor most of the time there. Here's what you need to know before planning your own trip to Tassie.

1. The flights are exactly what you'd expect

There are no direct flights from the U.S. to Tasmania. You'll have to connect through Sydney or Melbourne to Launceston or Hobart. I went from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco to Melbourne to Launceston. It was terrible, I'm not going to lie. Next time I go, I'll spend a day on the West Coast before taking the U.S.-Australia 14-hour flight.

My recommendation is to take a red-eye flight to Australia and use it to sleep and switch over time zones.

Flight availability from the U.S. to Melbourne and Sydney (to transfer to Tasmania) is plentiful, with several major airlines offering regular routes. Travelers can choose from direct flights departing from major U.S. cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas and even New York (with direct service to Auckland). Airlines such as United, American, Delta, Hawaiian, Qantas and Air New Zealand provide nonstop services.

(New direct service from Dallas to Brisbane via American Airlines is expected to launch in October, and from Los Angeles to Brisbane via Delta in December.)

How to visit Australia without flying: Holland America launches new Grand Voyage

2. Americans need a visa to enter the country

American travelers should be aware of the visa requirements before heading down under.

U.S. citizens need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or an eVisitor visa, which can be easily obtained online before departure.

The process is straightforward, typically requiring basic personal information and a valid passport. Once approved, the visa allows for multiple entries into Australia for up to 90 days at a time over a 12-month period. I downloaded the Australian ETA app ( iOS and Android ), filled out a quick application, and my visa was granted in less than an hour.

3. Don't fret about the time zone difference

There's a 14-hour time difference from the U.S. East Coast. It sounds complicated but just embrace it.

The unique advantage of Tasmania’s 14-hour time difference is that you can truly disconnect and savor your vacation. The time zones down under can offer the perfect balance of relaxation and connectivity. Travelers can immerse themselves in the serene landscapes and vibrant culture during the day while still having a few hours in the morning and evening to connect with loved ones back home. It’s the ideal scenario for those seeking to unwind without completely losing touch.

4. Connection with nature

Travelers can immerse themselves in Tasmania's breathtaking nature through a variety of experiences.

At Cradle Mountain in Lake St. Clair National Park, visitors can hike rugged trails and take in stunning alpine views. If you visit at night, you can enjoy a view of cute wildlife with McDermotts Coaches .

But it's OK if you don't enjoy hiking. For a unique adventure, truffle hunting with The Truffle Farm in Deloraine offers another way to explore the island's culinary practices. Wine enthusiasts can savor the flavors of Tasmania at the Clover Hill winery in Lebrina, known for its exquisite sparkling wines and picturesque vineyards.

Whether it's trekking through pristine landscapes, foraging for gourmet treats, or indulging in fine wines, Tasmania offers something for every nature lover.

5. Nothing is likely to kill you

We've all seen social media videos of Australians battling snakes or large spiders, but you can relax.

Fear of wildlife often looms large for travelers, but Tasmania is free of large predators, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts. Here, you can explore lush forests and pristine coastlines without the fear of being eaten.

Tasmania’s unique ecosystem is home to creatures like Tasmanian devils (which are incredibly rare to spot – I also didn't), puggles, platypuses, pademelons, wombats and wallabies, ensuring a safe and enriching experience for all visitors.

There are three kinds of snakes in Tasmania and while two of them can be dangerous to humans, it is extremely rare to encounter them, according to Tourism Australia.

6. The food scene has something for everyone

You will not go hungry in Tasmania. Far from it.

Tasmania's food scene is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, reflecting the island's culinary influences. From fresh seafood caught in pristine waters to farm-to-table produce, there's something for every palate. Influences from British, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisines converge, creating a unique gastronomic experience. Visitors can savor everything from gourmet dining in Hobart’s top restaurants to artisanal cheese and local wine in countryside eateries.

The coffee scene deserves a special mention. The great people of Melbourne will claim they have the best coffee in the world, but Tasmania is right there with them.

Make a stop at Tatler Lane by Sweetbrew in Launceston for a perfect cup, delicious food and a great ambiance.

7. Easy access to a different side of the world

Once in Australia, travelers can take advantage of affordable flights to explore the continent and beyond.

Budget airlines offer frequent, low-cost flights to other Australian cities. This opens up opportunities for reasonably priced trips to exciting neighboring destinations such as Bali, Japan, Fiji or New Zealand. These nearby countries are just a few hours away by plane, so you can expand your adventure without breaking the bank.

Embrace the chance to explore more of the Asia-Pacific region with convenient and cost-effective travel options.

The reporter on this story received access to this event from Tourism Australia. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .