Tasmania Wonders Self Drive Itinerary

Welcome to Hobart, the capital of the Apple Isle!

Nestled amongst the foothills of Mt Wellington, Hobart is a harbour town with heritage charm and a modern lifestyle. From the bustling waterfront of Salamanca Place to the historic houses of quaint Battery Point, Hobart is a gorgeous place to wander and get lost in.

Take a bus to the summit of Mount Wellington for panoramic views over the city, or board a ferry at Brooke Street Pier and sail upstream to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).

You won't be short of delicious dining options this evening: Hobart has fast become one of Australia's top gourmet hotspots, thanks to its amazing local produce.

Accommodation: Hobart - 2 nights

Tasman Island Cruise

The awe-inspiring cruise travels beneath the highest vertical sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere at Cape Pillar. Guests explore waterfalls, rock formations, archways, and deep-sea caves. The coastline is part of the Tasman National Park. It is home to a variety of wildlife including hundreds of seals, migrating whales, and abundant sea birds in their thousands.

At any time of year, you're likely to see the feeding frenzy of diving gannets, albatross and sea eagles wheeling on the wind, cliff-nesting cormorants, and peregrine falcons, or a pod of playful dolphins surfing the bow wave of the boat.

Highlights

• Cruise alongside some of Australia's highest sea cliffs
• Encounter marine wildlife & seabirds
• Enter deep-sea caves
• Feel the power of nature at the point where the Tasman Sea meets the might of the Southern Ocean
• Search for abundant coastal wildlife such as seals, dolphins, whales, and sea birds

Explore the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo

The Tasmanian Devil Unzoo is a four-in-one wildlife nature experience that combines up-close animal encounters, wildlife adventures, a Tasmanian native garden and original art. At Unzoo, you'll have face-to-face encounters with animals found nowhere else on earth, discover rare and beautiful Tasmanian plants in the Tasmanian Native Botanic Garden.

Approximate Distance: 77 km | 47 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour  (each way)

This morning collect your car and take a leisure drive to Strahan, check into your accommodation, and relax. This afternoon take a cruise down the beautiful Gordon River.

Gordon River Cruise

Your evening cruise begins by passing through notorious Hell's Gate and across Macquarie Harbour to the Gordon River. Stop for a taste of delicious fresh fish at a local salmon farm on the way.

Disembarking at Heritage Landing, you'll take a guided walk through the temperate rainforest on elevated boardwalks that thread their way between the magnificent rainforest species.

Explore the ruins of Sarah Island's dreaded penal colony and return to Strahan to continue your Tasmanian Road Trip.

Approximate Distance: 305 km | 190 miles   Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Strahan Village - 1 Night

After a short drive, you enter Cradle Mountain National Park, arguably one of the prettiest National Parks in Australia. With alpine wilderness, abundant native wildlife, and a huge variety of walking trails to choose from you'll love exploring this peaceful haven.

The gentle Dove Lake Circuit takes around 2 hours with amazing mountain views. Or you try the climb to Marion’s Lookout if you feel energetic. It's ridiculously steep but the lake & mountain views from the top are a worthy reward.

If hiking isn't your thing, there are endless ways to explore the area: try a scenic flight, horse treks, canyoning adventure, or a wildlife-spotting walk to name but a few!

Approximate Distance: 150 km | 93 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Cradle Mountain - 1 Night

This morning, marvel at the inspiring beauty of Cradle Mountain National Park. We suggest taking one of the many guided walks, where you may spot Bennetts wallabies, echidnas, and pademelons along the way.

Travel on through rolling green hills to Table Cape for spectacular views of Bass Strait. Picturesque Stanley is in your sights as you head west. Enjoy views of the sheer-sided Stanley bluff known as ‘The Nut’ and take some time to explore. Your destination is Smithton.

Welcome to Smithton your gateway to the breathtaking wilderness of Tasmania’s Tarkine region.

Approximate Distance: 190 km | 118 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Smithton - 2 Nights

The Tarkine drive introduces you to unique flora and fauna, globally significant rainforests, wild river landscapes, and dramatic coastlines.

Small Group 4WD Tarkine Wilderness Adventure.

The Tarkine is the largest tract of protected wilderness in “The Edge of the World” region. It is an expansive 447,000-hectare wilderness area of recognised World Heritage significance in Tasmania’s North West corner. The Tarkine is the largest expanse of temperate rainforest in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the last remaining and most significant in the world.

A mixture of rainforest and eucalypt forest, wild rivers, mountains, cave systems, and extensive coastal heathlands await. There are large sand dune areas, with some containing ancient Aboriginal sacred sites. Here you will find well-maintained walking tracks, lookouts, picnic places, and memorable photo opportunities.

You will experience your adventure in our luxury 4WD through the breathtaking Tarkine Wilderness with the region’s most experienced guides. Enjoy fresh Tasmanian produce and a glass of wine for lunch while you experience the area’s unique flora and fauna.

The riverside city of Launceston is a vibrant hub for food and wine, culture, and nature. It's famed for the Cataract Gorge, visit this unique natural formation with panoramic views, walking trails, sculpted gardens, and a chairlift, perhaps consider experiencing the Cataract Gorge River Cruise.

Visit the Queen Victoria Museum, in a 19th-century railway workshop, has exhibitions on Tasmanian history. Its sister Art Gallery lies across the river, by sprawling Royal Park.

Visit the vineyards of the Tamar Valley stretch northwest along the Tamar River. The Tamar Valley is Tasmania's oldest wine-growing area and a place where premium cool-climate wines have become a major tourist attraction on a world scale.

Suggested Activity: Experience the Tamar Valley Wine Discovery Tour

Approximate Distance: 235 km | 146 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Launceston - 1 Night

This morning make your way to the coast until you get to the magnificent Freycinet National Park.

Freycinet National Park

If you thought Tasmania couldn't get any more beautiful, Freycinet will prove you wrong. Against a backdrop of pink granite mountains, you'll discover secluded bays, pristine waters, white sandy beaches, local wildlife, and incredible walking trails.

Wineglass Bay is the jewel in Freycinet's crown. Nestled at the foot of the forest-covered mountains, you'll see a crescent of white sand bordering the emerald waters of the bay. Admire it from the Wineglass Bay lookout point or grab a picnic and hike down to one of the most beautiful beaches you have ever seen (2.5hrs return).

Approximate Distance: 180 km | 112 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Freycinet National Park - 2 Nights

Suggested Activities:

1) Bicheno Penguin Tour (30 mins from Freycinet)

As night begins to fall, see Little Blue Penguins return to their burrows on a twilight guided Bicheno Penguin Tour. This is a rare and thrilling chance to get very close to the world's smallest penguins in a private rookery. Watch as they emerge from the ocean after a hard day of fishing and head home for the night

2) Wineglass Bay Cruise to Freycinet Peninsula

Wineglass Bay, nestled underneath the Hazards Mountain range, is a location of primeval peace and beauty.  Experience the tranquility from a truly unique perspective with a Wineglass Bay Cruise.

Let our experienced and friendly crew guide you through the sights and history of the Freycinet Peninsula; taking you from the gentle shores of Coles Bay, to one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.  Stop for lunch at Wineglass Bay and enjoy some of Tasmania’s finest fresh produce, selected by the head chef at Freycinet Lodge.

Say farewell to Tasmania today as you drop off your rental car and board your onward flight.

We know you will enjoy your Tasmanian Self-Drive Tour, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. We hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent. 

Approximate Distance: 200 km | 124 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 min