9 Days • 8 Nights
Tasmania Self-Drive Adventure
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Freedom of a self-drive on quiet, scenic roads
- Wineglass Bay and the Freycinet Peninsula
- Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake
- Strahan and a Gordon River wilderness cruise
- Tamar Valley and east-coast wineries
- Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 9-day journey.
You are met at the airport and transferred to your Hobart hotel, where your road book and trip briefing await. The rest of the day is free to explore the waterfront and Salamanca on foot before your drive begins tomorrow.
Collect your car and ease into island driving with a run out to the Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur, or a morning at MONA followed by the summit of kunanyi. Everything is close, and the pace is entirely yours.
You drive up the east coast, a glorious ribbon of empty beaches and seaside hamlets, to Coles Bay. In the afternoon walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout, its famous curve of white sand laid out below, and toast the view with east-coast wine.
Turning inland you reach Launceston, pausing at the Bay of Fires' orange-lichened boulders or a cellar door on the way. Explore Cataract Gorge on foot before dinner in this handsome Georgian city.
A scenic drive west brings you to Cradle Mountain. Walk the Dove Lake circuit beneath the serrated peak, watch wombats graze the moorland, and settle into a cosy lodge as the alpine chill sets in.
The road drops through wild button-grass country and old mining towns to Strahan, a fishing village on the vast Macquarie Harbour. The afternoon is free to walk to Hogarth Falls or watch the fishing fleet come in.
A highlight of the west coast, a cruise across Macquarie Harbour and up the tannin-dark Gordon River, gliding past mirror-still reflections of ancient Huon pine rainforest and stopping at the grim convict ruins of Sarah Island.
A spectacular final drive back east through the highlands, past Lake St Clair and the hop fields of the Derwent Valley, returns you to Hobart. Drop into a distillery or a farm gate along the way.
Return your car and transfer to Hobart Airport for your onward flight, closing a nine-day loop of the whole island at your own unhurried pace.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 8 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Private airport transfer on arrival
- Rental car for the full trip with unlimited kilometres
- Detailed self-drive road book with maps, routes and recommendations
- Gordon River wilderness cruise from Strahan
- Cradle Mountain national park entry
- Port Arthur entry
- Tasmania Parks Pass and 24/7 support line
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Australia
- Australian ETA or visa fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- Car rental insurance excess reduction (optional)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most visitors need an ETA or eVisitor visa arranged online before travelling, with a passport valid for the duration of your stay. We can point you to the right one for your nationality
- Currency: The currency is the Australian Dollar. Tasmania is largely cashless, with cards and contactless payment accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for small stalls and markets
- Cooler climate: Tasmania is Australia's coolest state, noticeably cooler than the mainland, so pack warm and waterproof layers even in summer, especially for Cradle Mountain and the highlands
- Seasons reversed: Tasmania is in the southern hemisphere, so summer (December to February) is the warmest and busiest season, autumn is golden, and winter is cold, crisp and atmospheric
- Driving: Tasmanians drive on the left, and the roads are scenic but winding, so a self-drive is popular and easy but allow plenty of time. Drive carefully at dawn and dusk, when wildlife is active near roads
- Wildlife: Tasmania is famous for wombats, pademelons, echidnas, little penguins and the endangered Tasmanian devil; respect wildlife, never feed animals, and enjoy sightings at sanctuaries and in the wild
- National parks: A Tasmania Parks Pass is required for the national parks such as Freycinet and Cradle Mountain, which is included in your tour
- Best time: Summer (December to March) is ideal for the outdoors and the beaches, autumn for colour, and any season for MONA, food, wine and the wilderness — Tasmania rewards year-round
- Sun protection: Despite the cool air, Tasmania's UV is strong, so bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses even on cool days
- Tipping & power: Tipping is not expected in Australia. Power is 230V with the Australian type I plug, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tasmania easy to drive in?
Very. Traffic is light, roads are well maintained and distances are short, though roads can be winding and you should drive carefully at dawn and dusk when wildlife is active. Australians drive on the left.
What kind of car is included?
A comfortable mid-size car with unlimited kilometres is standard, and we can upgrade to an SUV or arrange a campervan if you prefer. All bookings and your detailed road book are handled for you.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific meals named in the itinerary, such as a Bruny Island food tour or a Gordon River cruise lunch. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy Tasmania's superb food and wine.
Are transfers and touring arranged?
Yes — your airport transfers, scenic touring and activities are arranged for you, with the option of guided touring or a self-drive itinerary to suit your style.
Do I need a visa for Australia?
Most visitors need an ETA or eVisitor visa, applied for online before you travel. We guide you to the right one for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit Tasmania?
Summer (December-March) is best for the outdoors, walks and beaches, autumn for golden colour, and any season for MONA, food, wine and the wilderness. Tasmania is cooler than the mainland year-round.
Should we self-drive or take a guided tour?
Both work wonderfully — Tasmania is compact and easy to self-drive on scenic roads, while a guided tour takes care of everything. We can tailor either to you.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, regions, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can add Bruny Island, the west coast, wildlife or luxury lodges. Just tell us what you have in mind.
Will we see a Tasmanian devil?
Yes — the endangered Tasmanian devil is guaranteed at the wildlife sanctuaries our tours visit, and around Cradle Mountain you are also very likely to see wombats, pademelons and echidnas in the wild.
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