Premier Tasmania 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.

After you have checked into your hotel you may like to 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 - 1 Night 

Drive to Port Arthur: The Inescapable Prison

Come and discover the real people and living history of Port Arthur Historic Site. Established in 1830, over a thousand of Tasmania's most notorious convicts were housed here.

Take a Harbour Cruise around the Isle of the Dead and discover the grim and violent history of the early Australian Penal system with Port Arthur's expert guides. As you tour the prison building you'll get a real sense of the isolation experienced by the convicts in this “inescapable prison”.

Port Arthur Historic Site is a special place of vivid history. Full of powerful stories of hardship and loss, it's one of Tasmania's most rewarding travel experiences.

Approximate Distance: 95 km | 59 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 30 mins

Accommodation: Port Arthur - 2 Nights

The Tasman Peninsula boasts some of Tasmania’s most remote and dramatic coastal scenery. Take to the waves on a Wilderness Cruise this morning and see the spectacular peninsula at its best.

Tasman Peninsula Wilderness Cruise

Cruise between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck with unrivalled views over the rugged shoreline. With Australia’s highest sea cliffs as looming over you, you'll discover waterfalls, rock formations, archways and sea caves along the shore. At any time of year, you're likely to see the feeding frenzy of diving gannets, albatross and sea eagles, cliff-nesting cormorants and peregrine falcons, or a pod of playful dolphins surfing the bow wave of the boat

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. 

Approximate Distance: 205 km | 127 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Freycinet National Park - 2 Nights

Set sail across the turquoise waters of Wineglass Bay; take in the sheer beauty of Wineglass Bay from the rarely seen perspective of the water, a shimmering crescent of white sand fringes spilling into glass turquoise waters. 

Uncover the rich history of the region, including aboriginal heritage and tales of early explorers and entrepreneurs. Sit back, relax, and watchout for humpback whales, dolphins, and sea eagles as you are taken from the gentle shores of Coles Bay, to one of the world's most beautiful beaches.

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.

Approximate Distance: 180 km | 112 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Launceston - 1 Night

While you can drive to Stanley from Launceston in about 3 hours, it is a very pleasant day drive between overnight stops. Meander through some wonderful farming areas and historic towns, before taking the coast road through Ulverstone and Penguin Town, 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 before arriving to your final destination today - Smithton.

Stopping at Penguin is a Must

Penguin is a delightful seaside town on the north coast with a finely honed sense of humour about its name. It has a quiet, serene charm which is a common feature of the coastal towns between Launceston and Stanley. Apart from the very beautiful Uniting Church on the beachfront, it is a celebration of the fairy penguins (sometimes called little penguins) which inhabit the beaches on either side of the town.

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

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

After a very scenic 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. If you are feeling energetic, try the climb to Marion’s Lookout. 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!

The park also provides a rich habitat for wildlife inlcuding Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypus, echidna and many bird species.

Approximate Distance: 190 km | 118 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Cradle Mountain - 2 Nights

The Joey Encounter tour will take a small group of visitors behind the scenes to the animal nursery, where you will interact (face to face) with some of our youngest residents. The tour will incorporate, handling and general health checks by our keepers, and afford visitors the opportunity to pat and get photographs with these beautiful young animals. As part of the Day Keeper Tour you can look into a Tasmanian devils den from comfort of the indoors or step outside onto the viewing deck for a closer look. This centre houses a large number of adult, sub-adult and baby devils within a range of naturally landscaped viewing enclosures.

Strahan is a harbour-side village with a dark and fascinating convict past set on the edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Nestled on the shores of massive Macquarie Harbour, Strahan is the gateway to the World Heritage listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Strahan is full of stories from the days of convicts and pioneers toughing it out in Tassie's wild west. These days, Strahan is an iconic travel destination with shops selling artisan wares and eateries serving up delicious local produce.

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

Accommodation: Strahan - 2 Nights

Embark on the West Coast Wilderness Railway’s Drewry diesel train from Regatta Point Station in Strahan, delving into the rainforest as guides recount tales of its builders. Cross the historic Iron Bridge at Teepookana, once a bustling port, before arriving at Lower Landing Station on the King River.

Enjoy a brief nature walk and sample honey sourced from local endemic species before returning to Strahan. Enjoy dining in the Wilderness carriage starting with Tasmanian sparkling wine or juice, accompanied by a locally inspired light menu.

Today return to the Seaside city of Hobart, taking in the stunning scenery along the way.

If you have time, pop up to Lake St Clair to see the Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park from another perspective. Lake St Clair is at the southern end of the National Park and is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The Aboriginal people of the area called the lake Leeawuleena, meaning sleeping water. Carved out by ice during several glaciations over the last two million years, this is the deepest freshwater lake in Australia (167 metres/ 547 feet) and the headwaters of the Derwent River.

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

Accommodation: Hobart - 2 nights

The award-winning Salamanca Market is Tasmania's most visited tourist attraction and one of the largest outdoor markets in all of Australia. This iconic Saturday tradition brings Hobart's waterfront alive with a celebration of the senses. In a vibrant atmosphere of cultural commerce, over 300 stallholders line the street from sunrise where locally crafted products include Tasmanian timber treasures and homewares, unique clothing and jewelry, fresh and seasonal produce, artwork, leather goods soaps and skincare, artisan cheeses, breads, as well as tasty 'on the go' eats. The historic sandstone warehouses form the background to this bustling event, with the waterfront beckoning just alongside.

Say farewell to Tasmania today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Tasmanian experience. We know you will enjoy your Tasmanian self-drive vacation and we hope to help you explore other regions of Australia on your next trip!