The Ultimate Road Trip Guide To Tasmania Australia

There’s no better way to explore Tasmania, Australia’s island state, than taking to the open road. Mother Nature’s finest work is here – mountains, oceans, waterfalls and forests aplenty – so take your time and stop frequently. There are plenty of routes to explore, but here are our favourites.

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Great Eastern Drive

Tasmania has many beautiful places to explore

Explore pristine beaches on Tasmania’s dramatic east coast. Starting in Hobart, the 176km (109mi) Great Eastern Drive passes poster-worthy beaches such as Bicheno, Taylors Beach and Binalong Bay. The route also cuts past 19 of Tasmania’s national parks including the oldest, Freycinet. Along the way, scuba dive among dolphins at Governor Island Marine Reserve, eat seafood at one of the many waterfront locations or discover vineyards on the East Coast Wine Trail.

A two-hour drive from Hobart is the southernmost road in Australia – the gateway to Tasmania’s southern islands. By boat, cross the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, named after French explorer Antoine Bruni d’Entrecasteaux, the first European to sail the waters. Follow his 1792 journey to Bruny Island, now a favourite for seafood and spotting marine life. From May to August, this is the best to see the Aurora Australis. You can also visit the adorable little (or fairy) penguins at the Neck Game Reserve.

Western Tasmania

Cruise along western Tasmania to explore some of the state’s most gorgeous natural wonders. Starting in Hobart, take Lyell Highway. Your inner racing driver will love the section known locally as the 99 Bends, a contorting collection of sharp turns and hairpins. As you travel, enjoy forest walks such as Huon Pine Walk and Creepy Crawly Track. When you reach the historic mining town of Corinna, kayak the Pieman River in search of the secluded Lovers Waterfall.

Tasmania’s Cradle Coast

Cradle Coast, on the north-west of the island, is wild Australia at its very best. A two-hour road trip from Launceston to Cradle Mountain takes you into woodlands, across rivers and through historic villages. You could stop at Sheffield, a quirky hamlet where artists have covered every available wall with captivating murals. The goal, however, is Cradle Mountain. Here epic hikes await. You can also camp under the stars at Lake St Clair and spot the local platypuses, echidnas and Tasmanian devils.

Northern Tasmania

Starting in Launceston, head west across the top of the island, taking in the dramatic Bass Strait coastline en route. Stop at the fishing village Stanley, famous for its fresh seafood and views of the Nut, an extinct volcano rising from the sea. Explore Rocky Cape National Park – where wild treks await – and watch the surfers at Green Point Beach in Marrawah. The journey ends in Burnie, a former port town now home to a thriving community of artists.

Central Tasmania

Explore the centre of Tasmania and uncover the island’s recent history. It’s here you’ll find colonial architecture built by convicts, historic homesteads and remnants of the wool-farming industry. Visit the 19th-century town, Ross, home to Georgian buildings and Australia’s third-oldest bridge. Also stroll down the streets of Bothwell, which are lined with listed buildings. From here, you can take the self-guided Highlands Power Trail to visit the revolutionary Waddamana Power Station, the state’s first hydro-electric power plant.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.