A 10-day self-drive loop from Hobart covering the Bay of Fires, Wineglass Bay, Cradle Mountain, and the Gordon River wilderness. Everything you need to plan the classic Tasmania circuit.
Tasmania doesn't need much persuasion. The sheer density of wilderness packed into an island the size of Ireland makes it one of the world's great self-drive destinations: alpine plateaus, orange-lit coast, ancient Gondwanan rainforest, and a food scene punching well above its weight.
This Tasmania road trip itinerary covers the classic clockwise circuit from Hobart, taking in the east coast's famous beaches, Freycinet Peninsula, Launceston, Cradle Mountain, and the remote west coast, all in 10 days. No single driving leg exceeds five hours. The roads are paved throughout and manageable in any standard rental car.
The route loops from Hobart, clockwise. It can be driven anticlockwise if you prefer, though the clockwise direction delivers a natural progression from the east coast's gentle beauty to the escalating drama of the alpine centre and wild west.
Best season: November to March, when days are long and mountain roads are snow-free. January is the busiest month; book accommodation and the Gordon River cruise two to three weeks ahead. April and October are excellent shoulder options with far fewer visitors.
Car hire: Pick up and drop off in Hobart. All major rental companies operate from Hobart Airport and the CBD.
National parks entry: One fee covers all Tasmanian national parks. The Holiday Pass (valid 8 weeks) is best value for a 10-day circuit.
Arrive in Hobart and base yourself near Salamanca Place. The waterfront warehouse precinct is walkable, atmospheric, and full of good cafes and restaurants. If it's a Saturday, the Salamanca Market fills the sandstone quarter with local food producers, artists, and craftspeople from early morning.
On any other day, take the free Mona Roma ferry from Sullivan's Cove to MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), Tasmania's world-class subterranean gallery. An afternoon at the museum followed by dinner on the waterfront is a fine way to start the circuit.
Drive to Freycinet: 193 km, about 2 hours 35 minutes
Freycinet is the reason many people come to Tasmania. The Hazards Mountains rise pink above turquoise Great Oyster Bay, and the classic lookout hike to Wineglass Bay is one of Australia's great short walks.
Day 2: Drive from Hobart in the morning, stopping at Swansea if you need a break. Arrive in time for the 90-minute return hike to the Wineglass Bay lookout. The view is iconic: a perfect white crescent framed by pink granite and deep blue water. Walkers with more energy can continue down to the beach itself, adding two hours to the return trip.
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Day 3: Take a guided sea kayaking tour through the sheltered bays of the peninsula, or walk the Cape Tourville lighthouse loop at dawn. The lighthouse track is short and mostly flat, with big coastal panoramas.
Drive to Bay of Fires: 80 km, about 1 hour 15 minutes
The Bay of Fires is one of Australia's most photographed coastlines. The defining image is simple: bright white sand, crystal-clear water, and white granite boulders coated in vivid orange lichen (Caloplaca), a colour that intensifies at golden hour.
Base yourself at Binalong Bay or St Helens. The coast road north from Binalong Bay reaches a series of deserted beaches (Gardens Beach, Swimcart Beach, The Gardens) that rank among the finest in the country. Facilities are sparse north of the village; stock up in St Helens before heading out.
Day 4: Settle in and spend the afternoon at Binalong Bay. Walk north along the coast, stopping at whatever beach calls to you, and watch the light shift on the lichen through the afternoon.
Day 5: If mountain biking appeals, Blue Derby is 30 minutes inland from St Helens with world-class trails through tall eucalypt forest and options for all abilities. Otherwise, continue the slow coast walk north toward Policemans Point.
Drive to Launceston: 166 km, about 2 hours 35 minutes
Tasmania's northern capital is smaller than Hobart but rich in good food and one genuinely great natural attraction. Cataract Gorge is a dramatic rocky chasm five minutes' walk from the city centre, complete with a freshwater swimming pool, free-roaming peacocks, and what is reportedly the longest single-span chairlift in the world. Entry to the gorge is free; the chairlift costs a small fee but the view over First Basin is worth it.
The Tamar Valley to the north is Tasmania's main wine region. Pipers Brook and Jansz are both worth a cellar door visit on the drive in or out. For dinner, Launceston has some of the best restaurants outside Hobart: Stillwater (in a converted flour mill on the river) and Black Cow Bistro both require advance booking.
Drive to Cradle Mountain: 141 km, about 2 hours
Cradle Mountain is the emotional heart of this itinerary. Rising sharply above the alpine moorland, the craggy peak reflected in the still surface of Dove Lake is one of the most photographed scenes in Australia and one of the best reasons to visit Tasmania.
Day 7: The Dove Lake Circuit (6 km, 2-3 hours) is the essential walk: a flat loop around the lake with unbroken views of the mountain. Take the park shuttle from the visitor centre to avoid the midday car park queue. The evening brings the best wildlife sighting on the circuit: platypus at Ronny Creek, a short walk from the lodge precinct at dusk.
Day 8: Walkers can tackle the Cradle Mountain summit route (5-8 hours return, some scrambling required). Others can explore the short Enchanted Walk through ancient rainforest, spot wombats near the campground, or simply sit by Dove Lake in the early morning light before the day-trippers arrive.
Drive to Strahan: 129 km, about 1 hour 40 minutes
Strahan sits on the edge of Macquarie Harbour and acts as the gateway to Tasmania's remote west coast. The surrounding landscape is among the most intact temperate rainforest on earth, protected within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Day 9: Arrive in time to drive west to Ocean Beach, the longest beach in Tasmania and one of the most desolate in the country. Battered by the Roaring Forties and usually deserted, it is a complete contrast to the east coast. Return to Strahan for dinner at Risby Cove or the Strahan Village restaurant.
Day 10: The full-day Gordon River cruise is the non-negotiable highlight of the west coast. The Strahan Cruises departure travels through Macquarie Harbour, past the ruins of Sarah Island (once Australia's most brutal convict settlement), and deep into the Gordon River through ancient, untouched rainforest. The tannin-dark water reflects the trees perfectly. Book well ahead: the boat fills fast in summer.
Drive to Hobart: 300 km, about 4 hours 30 minutes
The return drive southeast to Hobart passes through Queenstown, whose surrounding hills were stripped bare by a century of copper smelting and now present an extraordinary palette of red, orange, and purple. Stop for coffee and a look at the landscape before continuing through the southwest highlands back to the capital.
Budget: Mid-range. Expect to pay AUD 120-200 per night for accommodation (less for holiday parks and campgrounds), AUD 90-130 for the Gordon River cruise, and around AUD 80 for national park entry covering all Tasmanian parks.
Getting there: Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin Australia fly to Hobart from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide. The Spirit of Tasmania ferry crosses Bass Strait overnight from Melbourne to Devonport if you want to bring your own vehicle.
Mobile coverage: Telstra has the widest rural network in Tasmania. Expect patchy coverage between Freycinet and Bay of Fires, around Cradle Mountain, and across the west coast. Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) before leaving any town.
Wildlife: Wombats and wallabies are a serious dusk hazard on rural roads. Drive slowly after dark and be extra cautious at dawn and dusk. Tasmanian Devils are nocturnal; the best guaranteed sightings are at accredited wildlife sanctuaries near Hobart or at the wildlife tours run from Cradle Mountain Lodge.
Tasmania rewards slowing down. The island is compact enough to cover quickly, but the walks, the food, the wildlife, and the wild west coast all conspire to slow your pace. Ten days gives you a full circuit; anyone who builds in two weeks leaves wondering why they didn't stay longer.
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The full route — stops, maps, and driving times — is on Routebook by Kington.
A clockwise loop of Australia's island wilderness state, taking in the orange-lit beaches of the east coast, the alpine drama of Cradle Mountain, and the untouched rainforest of the Gordon River.
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