Best of Tasmania: Self-Launched 10-Day Adventure

Pick up your hire car in Hobart first thing — this is your lifeline for the whole trip. Head northwest to Mount Field National Park (entry ~£15) for a guided walk among towering swamp gums and the iconic three-tiered Russell Falls. Continue west to Lake St Clair, Australia's deepest freshwater lake, and stretch your legs on the lakeshore trail. Stop at Nelson Falls in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park — a short 15-minute boardwalk through cool temperate rainforest. Detour to the historic Iron Blow open-cut mine lookout above Queenstown for dramatic views of the rainbow-streaked hills, then check in to your motel in Queenstown.

🚌Hire car from Hobart (~£45–55/day for a compact car, book via Europcar or Thrifty in advance). Drive is approximately 3.5 hours to Queenstown.

🛏Mount Lyell Motor Inn, Queenstown (~£55–70/night) or Empire Hotel Queenstown (~£45/night budget option)

• →Walk to Russell Falls in Mount Field National Park (self-entry ~£15)
• →Walk the lakeshore at Lake St Clair
• →Short boardwalk to Nelson Falls in Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers NP
• →Visit the Iron Blow historic mine lookout
• →Spot the buttongrass plains and Mt Lyell on the drive in

Drive to Strahan for the highlight of the west coast: the Gordon River and Macquarie Harbour cruise. Book directly with Gordon River Cruises (or World Heritage Cruises) — prices start around £70pp for the half-day cruise, which includes passing through Hells Gates, visiting the eerie convict ruins of Sarah Island, and walking a boardwalk through ancient Huon pine rainforest. Lunch is available on board. After the cruise, drive north to Tullah, a tiny mountain village beside Lake Rosebery, with views of Mount Murchison.

🚌Hire car. Strahan is 40 min from Queenstown; Tullah is a further 1 hour north.

🛏Tullah Lakeside Lodge (~£60–75/night) — basic but charming lakeside setting

• →Gordon River & Macquarie Harbour cruise — book direct with Gordon River Cruises or World Heritage Cruises (~£70–85pp)
• →Visit to Sarah Island convict ruins (included in cruise)
• →Boardwalk walk through Huon pine rainforest (included in cruise)
• →Scenic drive to Tullah along Lake Rosebery

Head north through Waratah to see Philosopher Falls — a short 3km return walk through rainforest to a spectacular waterfall. Drive through Hellyer's Gorge (pull over at the picnic area for a short rainforest stroll). Continue to Stanley and ride the chairlift to the top of The Nut — a dramatic 150m-high volcanic plug with panoramic coastal views (chairlift ~£8, or walk the 20-min track for free). Drive south to Arthur River at the Tarkine coast for the 'Edge of the World' experience — stand at the westernmost point of the Australian mainland-facing coastline. Push on to Smithton for the night.

🚌Hire car. Full driving day of approximately 3.5–4 hours with stops.

🛏Smithton Motor Hotel or Tall Timbers Tasmania (~£65–85/night)

• →Walk to Philosopher Falls near Waratah (free, 3km return)
• →Short walk through Hellyer's Gorge (free)
• →Ride the chairlift up The Nut in Stanley (~£8) or walk for free
• →Visit Arthur River 'Edge of the World' at the Tarkine coast (free)

Spend the morning exploring the Tarkine — visit Sumac Lookout for sweeping views over the ancient forest, then walk through to the remarkable Trowutta Arch, a natural stone arch formed by a collapsed cave system (short 15-min walk, free). Continue east along the coast to Boat Harbour Beach, one of Tasmania's most beautiful sandy coves, perfect for a swim. Stop at Table Cape for wildflower views in season, then swing through the town of Penguin — famous for its little penguin colony and giant penguin statue. Check in to Devonport, the ferry gateway to the mainland.

🚌Hire car. Approximately 3 hours driving with stops.

🛏Molly Malones Irish Pub & Accommodation Devonport (~£55/night) or Argosy Motor Inn (~£70/night)

• →Visit Sumac Lookout in the Tarkine (free)
• →Walk to Trowutta Arch (free, 15-min return)
• →Swim or walk at Boat Harbour Beach (free)
• →Stop at Table Cape lookout (free)
• →Visit Penguin town and foreshore (free)

An early start to beat the crowds at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Take the free shuttle bus into the park from the visitor centre (included with park entry, ~£20). Stop at Ronny Creek — a prime spot to spot wombats grazing at dawn and dusk. Walk past the historic Waldheim Chalet, then complete the iconic Dove Lake Circuit — a 6km loop around a pristine glacial lake with Cradle Mountain looming above. This is Tasmania's most celebrated walk and utterly unmissable. Afterwards, drive east through the mural town of Sheffield to Launceston, Tasmania's second city.

🚌Hire car. Cradle Mountain is 1.5 hours from Devonport; Launceston is a further 1.5 hours east.

🛏Launceston Backpackers (~£25–35/night dorm) or Sportsmans Hall Hotel (~£55–65/night private room)

• →Cradle Mountain National Park entry and free shuttle bus (~£20pp)
• →Wombat spotting at Ronny Creek (free with park entry)
• →Visit to Waldheim Chalet (free with park entry)
• →Dove Lake Circuit — 6km glacial lake walk (free with park entry)
• →Stop in Sheffield to see the outdoor murals (free)

Start the morning at Launceston's Cataract Gorge — one of Australia's most dramatic urban nature reserves. Walk the First Basin Circuit (free) and keep an eye out for wallabies grazing on the slopes. Drive northeast through St Helens — grab lunch from the bakery or fish and chip shop — before continuing to the Bay of Fires (Larapuna), named for the orange-lichen-covered granite boulders blazing against the white sand. Walk along the beach and through the coastal heath. Continue south to Bicheno, a small fishing village, and check in for the night. If the timing works, the Bicheno Penguin Tours evening walk is worth booking (~£20).

🚌Hire car. Approximately 2.5 hours driving Launceston to Bicheno with stops.

🛏Bicheno Backpackers (~£25–35/night) or Bicheno by the Bay (~£70/night)

• →Cataract Gorge First Basin Circuit walk, wallaby spotting (free entry)
• →Lunch stop in St Helens (own expense, ~£10–15)
• →Walk along Bay of Fires / Larapuna (free)
• →Optional: Bicheno Penguin Tour evening walk (~£20, book direct)

Drive south to Freycinet National Park — the jewel of Tasmania's east coast. Pay park entry (~£20) and hike the Wineglass Bay Lookout track (2.5km return, ~45 min) for the famous view of the perfectly curved white beach framed by pink granite peaks. Continue around to Honeymoon Bay for a quieter beach walk, then drive to Cape Tourville lighthouse for 360-degree coastal panoramas (flat 20-min boardwalk, free with park entry). Head south on the Great Eastern Drive back to Hobart — a stunning coastal road. Check back in to your Hobart base.

🚌Hire car. Bicheno to Freycinet is 45 min; Freycinet to Hobart is approximately 2.5 hours.

🛏Central City Backpackers Hobart (~£28–38/night dorm) or Customs House Hotel (~£65–80/night private)

• →Freycinet National Park entry (~£20pp)
• →Wineglass Bay Lookout hike (2.5km return, ~45 min)
• →Walk at Honeymoon Bay
• →Cape Tourville lighthouse boardwalk (panoramic coastal views)
• →Scenic drive south on the Great Eastern Drive

A full day around Hobart and surrounds. Start at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary (~£20 entry) to see Tasmanian devils, quolls, wombats, kangaroos, and native birds up close — one of the best wildlife experiences in Australia. Drive through the Coal River Valley wine region to the historic village of Richmond — walk across the oldest intact convict-built bridge in Australia (1823) and explore the colonial streetscape (free). In the afternoon, drive up to Mount Wellington (Kunanyi) for sweeping views over Hobart and the Derwent estuary — the summit road is free and the views are extraordinary. End the day with dinner and a drink on Salamanca Place.

🚌Hire car for day trips out of Hobart. Mount Wellington summit road is driveable (or take the Bus 48 from Hobart CBD part-way).

🛏Central City Backpackers Hobart or Customs House Hotel (as Day 7)

• →Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary — Tasmanian devils, quolls, wombats, kangaroos (~£20 entry)
• →Scenic drive through Coal River Valley
• →Walk through historic Richmond village and over the convict bridge (free)
• →Drive to the summit of Mount Wellington / Kunanyi (free)
• →Evening at Salamanca Place for food and drinks

Take an early morning drive to Kettering (35 min south of Hobart) and catch the Bruny Island Ferry (~£25 return for a foot passenger or ~£45 for car). On the island, drive or walk the isthmus to Truganini Lookout — a steep 279-step climb rewarded with sweeping views north and south over the narrow neck connecting North and South Bruny. Explore South Bruny National Park (entry ~£15) and walk out to the historic Cape Bruny Lighthouse (guided tours available ~£15). Head to Adventure Bay on the east coast to spot the rare white Bennett's wallabies. Stop at the Bruny Island Cheese Co. or Get Shucked oyster farm for local produce — oysters, artisan cheese, and craft beer. Return on the evening ferry.

🚌Hire car to Kettering ferry terminal, then drive car onto ferry (recommended for flexibility) or go as foot passenger and hire a bike on the island.

🛏Central City Backpackers Hobart or Customs House Hotel (as previous nights)

• →Bruny Island Ferry from Kettering (~£25 return foot passenger, or ~£45 with car)
• →Truganini Lookout 279-step climb (free once on island)
• →South Bruny National Park entry (~£15)
• →Cape Bruny Lighthouse guided tour (~£15)
• →White wallaby spotting at Adventure Bay (free)
• →Tasting stop at Bruny Island Cheese Co. or Get Shucked oyster farm

Final day on the Tasman Peninsula — one of Tasmania's most dramatic coastlines. Drive an hour southeast from Hobart to Port Arthur Historic Site (entry ~£30, includes harbour cruise and ghost tour option in the evening). Spend 2–3 hours exploring the hauntingly beautiful convict ruins, gardens, and penitentiary. Continue around the peninsula: stop at Pirates Bay Lookout for incredible coastal views, walk across the Tessellated Pavement — a natural rock formation of geometric tiles at low tide (free). Continue to Tasman Arch and Devil's Kitchen — dramatic sea arches and blowholes carved into 300m dolerite sea cliffs (all free, 10-min walking loop). Return to Hobart for a farewell dinner on Salamanca Place. Return hire car at the airport or city depot.

🚌Hire car. Port Arthur is approximately 1 hour from Hobart CBD. Return car at end of day.

🛏Check out — transfer to airport or extend Hobart stay as needed

• →Port Arthur Historic Site entry with harbour cruise (~£30pp, book online direct for discount)
• →Pirates Bay Lookout (free)
• →Tessellated Pavement geological walk (free)
• →Tasman Arch and Devil's Kitchen coastal walk (free)
• →Farewell dinner on Salamanca Place, Hobart