Tasmania has magnificent nature and landmarks which make this small island off the coast of Australia perfect for a road trip. The roads lead through gorgeous landscapes which will let you experience Tasmania fully especially if you travel by car or camper. From urban dwellings to riveting natural sights, a Tasmanian road trip is once in a lifetime experience that should be on anyone’s bucket list.
Start with Hobart
As the capital of Tasmania, Hobart is the perfect way to start with your road trip. The city has some of the best seafood restaurants in Australia surrounded by colonial architecture and marine settings. If you are starting a road trip on Saturday, stop by Salamanca Market and buy fresh produces for your journey. The town has the oldest Synagogue in Australia and Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are perfect to meet important Australian flora.
Visit the prisons of Port Arthur
Port Arthur is a historic site telling a story of the convict era when the Tasman Peninsula served as a prison in the 19th century. There is a popular Port Arthur Ghost Tour which takes place at night and guides tell ghost stories about the sites along the way. Make sure to park the car at the Maingon Bay Lookout and take a panoramic view of the area which looks amazing in the dawn. Take a hike on the Three Capes Track to enjoy the cliffy coastline and breath-in fresh scents of the eucalyptus forest.
Go on a wine tour in Launceston
Launceston is the second famous city in Tasmania and full of wonderful architecture like Art Deco and Victorian style. If you find yourself here in February, go to the Festival event where you can try and buy the best produce of Tasmania. However, when you travel to Tasmania you simply can’t forget to try its magnificent wines. Tamar Valley is famous for its wineries so you will have a wonderful time on a wine tour trying the best whites, roses and reds Tasmania has to offer.
Cataract Gorge is great for a short hike from the city center situated on the South Esk River. Also, take a look at the exhibitions of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery which is one of the largest museums in Australia.
An active day at the Freycinet National Park
Freycinet National Park is a perfect reason to leave your car for the day and stretch your legs through the beautiful Tasmanian nature. The area is full of campsites so you can even spend a night here and enjoy starry sky with no urban interference.
Try some of the best oysters in Australia at Freycinet Marine Farm and you can even have seafood to go and have a picnic at the Wineglass Bay. Friendly Beach is famous for its sunsets and you will also catch that enchanting afternoon glow by overlooking the four pink-granite mountains called the Hazards.
Enjoy some beach-time in Bay of Fires
Bay of Fires is an ideal spot to take a break from driving and enjoy pearly Tasmanian beaches surrounded by orange rock formations. This is a famous camping and fishing site full of secluded beaches like Sloop Reef and Jeanneret Beach.
Snorkeling and diving are even more interesting thanks to the area’s diverse marine life. Although the calm waters are ideal for kayaking and sailing as well. Visit the Mount William National Park to see famous Australian wildlife like wombats, kangaroos and, of course, Tasmanian Devil.
Try lavender ice cream at the Bridestowe Lavender Estate
Bridestowe Lavender Estate is one of the most famed landmarks of Tasmania. If you go on a road trip between December and February, then this should be on your itinerary. The Estate grows French lavender which is in full bloom then and turns the area in the dreamy shade of purple. However, you can’t visit the Bridestowe Lavender Estate and not try the farm’s signature ice cream. Also, you can buy their honey, tea and Bobbie Bear filled with lavender to help you sleep better.
The penguins of Stanley
Stanley is a Tasmanian village surrounded by dramatic landscapes of the Nut a geologically significant feature which was once a volcano. You can climb on top of it and enjoy a spectacular view of the whole area from its many viewing platforms. Stanley Discovery Museum is situated in St Paul’s Church and will tell you all about Stanley’s past through relics, photographs and town documents.
Seal cruises are very popular here since Stanley is the home of protected Australian fur seal. The Nut State Reserve is home to the Little Penguin colony and they are only found in Southern Australia and New Zealand.
Canoe the glacial lakes of Cradle Mountain
If you are a hiker then Cradle Mountain will be an ideal stop for you on your Tasmanian road trip. The Overland Track is one of the most famous hiking trails in the world going through the bushland of the Tasmanian wilderness. Since the track is over 40 miles long, you may need to plan to stay here for a couple of days, but it’s the best way to fully enjoy glacial mountains, rivers, and rainforests of the area.
However, if you are not so much into hiking, the Cradle Mountain definitely won’t disappoint. Canoeing on Dove Lake and Lake St Clair is an incredible adventure of glacial sights and scents of fresh air. And if you are lucky, you may spot a family of wombats in the wild during one of your walks. Limestone caves of the area are one of the most important testaments of human occupation in the world dating 20,000 years in the past.
All in all
A Tasmanian road trip is an ideal way to see all the wonders and beauties of this Australian island in several days. Every place you visit is a remarkable example of diverse natural ecosystems and stunning landscapes. And locals grown produces an abundance of fresh seafood will give you energy for sightseeing, hikes and water sports.
