The state of Tasmania is home to some incredibly diverse landscapes and jaw dropping natural landmarks all packed into one island. From epic mountain ranges to spectacular beaches and unique wildlife, each drive will reward you with a different kind of scenery.
We have created this ultimate 10 day Tasmania itinerary to showcase the wonders that Tasmania has to offer. We made sure to include all of the must-see highlights as well as some lesser known gems to ensure your Tasmania road trip is just as epic as ours was.
Tasmania is simply made for road trips! It’s the only place in Australia where you’ll see so many amazing sights without having to drive for hundreds of kms per day.
After recently completing a Tasmania road trip on our lap around Australia, it’s safe to say that it was a stand out highlight of the entire journey. We hope that our comprehensive 10 day Tasmania itinerary helps you to plan your very own adventure in this special little corner of Australia!
Table of Contents
10 Day Tasmania Itinerary – Overview
Recommended Stops
- Hobart / Richmond
- Port Arthur
- Maria Island
- Bay of Fires
- Launceston / Tamar Valley
- Stanley / Boat Harbour Beach
- Cradle Mountain
- Queenstown / Strahan
- Lake St Clair / Mt Field
- Hobart
10 Day Tasmania Road Trip Summary
Day 1 – Head straight out of Hobart and check out the small town of Richmond. Continue on to Port Arthur and explore the surrounding area/ Don’t worry, you’ll have time in Hobart at the end!
Night 1 – Port Arthur
Day 2 – Head to Triabunna and catch the ferry to Maria Island. Spend the day meeting super cute wombats and seeing the painted cliffs
Night 2 – Triabunna
Day 3 – A short drive up the coast to Freycinet National Park and the famous Wineglass Bay
Night 3 – Freycinet / Coles Bay
Day 4 – Continue heading north to the Bay of Fires. Spend the day enjoying the beautiful beaches and rock formations
Night 4 – Binalong Bay (Bay of Fires)
Day 5 – Launceston with optional detours to waterfalls, wineries and the Platypus House
Night 5 – Launceston
Day 6 – Spend the morning in Launceston then head to the cute little town of Stanley via Burnie and Boat Harbour Beach
Night 6 – Stanley
Day 7 – Explore the beautiful surrounds of Cradle Mountain and climb to the summit if you dare!
Night 7 – Cradle Mountain
Day 8 – Head to Queenstown and explore the awesome wilderness railway as well as the coastal town of Strahan
Night 8 – Strahan
Day 9 – Drive the amazingly scenic road back to Hobart via Mt Field National Park
Night 9 – Hobart
Day 10 – Finish your trip with a casual stroll around the attractions of Hobart and perhaps an eclectic ferry ride to MONA
Total Driving Time
~20 hours with optional detours included
Longest Stretch of Driving
4hr 42min (323km) – Strahan to Hobart via Mt Field NP
Total KM Covered
~1,515 km
10 Day Tasmania Itinerary Highlights
- Dramatic coastal rock formations around Port Arthur
- Spotting super cute wombats and seeing the Painted Cliffs on Maria Island
- The view of Wineglass Bay in the morning/evening light
- Seeing the elusive platypus up close at Platypus House
- Taking a dip at the beautiful Boat Harbour Beach
- Exploring the stunning Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park
- The West Coast Wilderness Railway in Queenstown
- Beautiful waterfalls in Mt Field National Park
Spectacular scenery to be seen on this Tasmania road trip
Can You Complete This 10 Day Tasmania Itinerary From Devonport?
Absolutely. A lot of people bring their own car/camper/caravan on the ferry. Just start the itinerary from Day 6 (minus the morning in Launceston). We have included an aside in this section to show how best to modify the itinerary in this case.
Accommodation for this Tasmania Road Trip
There are plenty of accommodation options available throughout this trip. If you have an RV or caravan then there are some great camp sites and caravan parks too. In each section we list our recommended accommodation and the best areas to stay.
Best Time of Year To Visit Tasmania
The weather is unfortunately very unpredictable in Tasmania! Being a very southerly landmass the temperatures are quite cool compared to most of Australia.
Summer is going to be the most reliable time to visit. December to March will have the best temperatures and lowest chance of rain. Don’t be afraid to travel in the bumper months, just bring some warmer clothing! We visited in April and had mostly good weather.
Come face to face with the sweetest wombats on Maria Island
Tasmania Road Trip Tips
- Buy a Parks Pass: You will need a pass for the national parks. The best option is the holiday pass that will cover one vehicle and everyone in it for 2 months. You can buy this when booking the Maria Island ferry on day 2.
- Don’t drive at night: Always plan your drives during daylight hours. There is a lot of wildlife along Tasmanian roads.
- Book ahead for popular stops: Tasmania has amazing small town vibes everywhere but this does mean limited accommodation and tickets. Make sure to plan ahead, especially for Wineglass Bay, Cradle Mountain and the Wilderness Railway.
- Be prepared for 4 seasons: Tasmania has some wild weather fluctuations. If hiking or out for the day, make sure to pack for all conditions.
►Check out our list of all of the best Australian road trip tips you must know before hitting the road!
The Best Travel Insurance for Road Trips
If you are travelling to Australia from overseas then make sure you have good travel insurance before hitting the road. We use Heymondo when we travel as it’s perfect for adventures such as hiking, surfing, road tripping etc.
For peace of mind while abroad, Heymondo is one of the most reputable travel insurance companies that will provide you with simple and flexible coverage. Whether you are into adventurous activities or simply looking for trip cancellation and basic medical insurance, Heymondo has you covered.
As a reader of The Road Is Life, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance by using the link below!
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Hiring a Car
Check out the best prices for hire cars in Hobart using the form below. We always use Rental Cars to find the best price between various operators. They have an option to include full insurance with no excess, which is highly recommended.
Explore the beautiful Boat Harbour Beach
10 Day Tasmania Itinerary – A Bucket List Road Trip
Day 1 – Hobart to Port Arthur
Tasmania may be a small state but it is packed full of great sights and experiences. To fit as much as possibly into a 10 day Tasmania itinerary, you’ll want to hit the ground running.
The easiest place to hire a car is right at the airport when you fly in. Depending on your arrival time you may be able to hit the road right away. If you have a late arrival you’ll at least be ready to go first thing the next morning.
Don’t worry about missing out on Hobart, you’ll have a full day at the end of the itinerary to explore the city. If you are coming across on the ferry to Devonport then skip ahead to day 5. We have included a section on how to easily modify the itinerary to fit.
The historic Richmond Bridge
Optional detour via Richmond
Depending on time you might consider taking the scenic route to Port Arthur, via the historical town of Richmond. This will only add 15km or about 10 minutes to your travel time so is well worth it.
Richmond was founded in the early colonial days and has amazingly preserved historical buildings. The Richmond Bridge, built in 1823, is the oldest bridge still in use in the whole of Australia. They also have the oldest Anglican church in the country.
There are many sandstone buildings in the Georgian style that make for a lovely stroll around town. You will definitely want to check out the bridge as well as St Johns church and the old gaol.
Time permitting the following attractions also make great stops:
- Old Hobart Town – A model village displaying life in the early settlement of Hobart.
- Wicked Cheese Co – A selection of delicious cheeses made on site with fresh Tasmanian milk.
- Every Man and His Dog Vineyard – A great little boutique cellar door. The perfect place to pick up something local for your first night.
- Drink Tasmania Tasting House – A great little bar showcasing the best of Southern Tasmania’s wine and spirits producers.
- ZooDoo Zoo – A super comprehensive and quality zoo that feels more like a sanctuary. See Tasmanian natives plus a lot more.
Cape Raoul in Port Arthur
Port Arthur
Jump back in the car and head for Port Arthur. It’s only a 1 hour drive from Richmond so you should have plenty of time to see the sights. Keep in mind that the ferry to Maria Island tomorrow is either at 10am or 11:30am so you won’t be able to see much tomorrow morning.
The main attraction here is of course the extensive Port Arthur Historic Site. This is the best example of a convict built settlement in the whole of Australia. Those interested in Australia’s convict history will want to head straight here and take one of the fantastic tours.
This is a popular attraction so if you want to hit the ground running then consider booking your tickets in advance.
Another option is to take the evening ghost tour. This will free up plenty of time to check out some of the great natural attractions on the peninsula. See below for a list of some of the best spots.
Devil’s Kitchen, Port Arthur
Natural attractions near Port Arthur:
- Remakable Cave and Maingon Bay Lookout – Only a short drive from Port Arthur, this spot offers a great view of the dramatic coastal cliffs.
- Tasmans Arch and Devils Kitchen Lookout – Located near Eaglehawk Neck, these sites can alternatively be visited when heading into or out of Port Arthur.
- Tessellated Pavement – Again right near Eaglehawk Neck, this is a great photo spot at sunrise and sunset.
- Cape Raoul Lookout – This spot is a little harder to reach than the others and involves a hike but is well worth it. You’ll be rewarded with amazing coastal views from your perch on top of a giant rock-face.
Where to Stay in Port Arthur
NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park – This is the one stop shop for accommodation in Port Arthur! This beautiful park has a whole variety of cabins, safari tents and sites. The grounds are beautifully treed and full of birds and wallabies.
Day 2 – Maria Island
Pre-Departure Information
You’ll have to get a fairly early start this morning to make the most of your day trip to Maria Island. The town of Triabunna is where the ferry service departs and is 1.5hrs drive from Port Arthur. You ideally want to aim for one of the early departures as there is plenty to do on the island.
The ferry service is operated by Encounter Maria Island and costs $47 return at the time of writing. The schedule changes based on the time of year so make sure to check the link provided. It’s advisable to book tickets in advance, which can also be done through this link.
You will also need to buy a national parks pass if you don’t have one already. This can be booked at the same time as your ferry ticket. This will cover you for all national parks on the trip including Cradle Mountain. The $80 holiday pass is the best value and will cover up to 8 people.
Painted Cliffs, Maria Island
A brilliant alternative to the ferry and bike plan is the award winning tour below. Perfect for those who aren’t able to cycle or just plain dislike it!
Maria Island Cruise and Guided Walk Day Tour with Lunch and Drinks – The boat visits beautiful coves and small beaches that very few people get to see. Spot all sorts of wildlife such as seals and wombats as well as the famous painted cliffs. You will also get some time on the island to explore the convict station and lunch/drinks can be enjoyed on-board. Find tour prices and availability here.
Things to do on Maria Island
Taking a day trip to Maria Island was an absolute highlight of our Tasmania road trip. While including this stop does make your time in Port Arthur a little rushed, it is well worth the extra effort.
The island is blissfully free of vehicles aside from those used by the rangers. The best way to get around is to hire a bike when booking your ferry. This will set you back $33 per person but will allow you to explore further afield. It is possible to walk to the painted cliffs if this is your only goal.
The best place to start your day is at the great little info centre and museum near where the ferry docks. This will give you a good idea of where you are in relation to all the attractions.
Free roaming wombats on Maria Island
Following the coastal road will take you to the main highlights of the island. First stop are the beautiful sandstone “Painted Cliffs”, which have eroded away in an amazingly artistic manner. Access is tide dependent so if you can’t reach them when you first arrive then come back later.
The equal biggest highlight here are the incredibly cute wombats that thrive on the island. We rode all the way to French’s Farm as this was a great place to see them however it turned out not to be necessary!
Being nocturnal, there aren’t many wombats around during the day. Never fear because the last hour or so before the return ferry they start coming out of the woodwork. There were many to be seen beside the road from the Painted Cliffs to the jetty.
If you hire a bike we also highly recommend checking out Four Mile Beach. This is a really nice white sand beach and the perfect place to cool off after a long cycle.