Tasmania looks small on a map, but its roads wind through mountains and forest, and the best places sit at opposite ends of the island. Here are three sample loops for 7, 10 and 14 days, with real drive times, the parks pass you need and the season that suits your trip.
How many days do you need in Tasmania?
Plan at least 7 days to see Hobart, the east coast and Cradle Mountain, and 10 to 14 days to loop the whole island without rushing. Distances are short by Australian standards, but roads are narrow and winding, and you will want time to walk, not just drive.
With fewer than five days, pick one half: Hobart, Bruny Island and Port Arthur in the south, or Launceston, Cradle Mountain and the north-east. Our guide to how many days you need in Australia shows how Tasmania fits into a longer trip.
Should you fly into Hobart or Launceston, or take the Spirit of Tasmania?
Fly into Hobart if you have a week or less, because the south has the densest cluster of sights. Hobart has direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Launceston has direct flights from Melbourne and Sydney, plus seasonal ones from Brisbane. Flying into one and out of the other saves a day of backtracking.
The Spirit of Tasmania car ferry sails between Geelong, near Melbourne, and Devonport on the north coast. The crossing takes about 9 to 11 hours, usually overnight, with extra day sailings in peak season. Two new ships, Spirit of Tasmania IV and V, are due to replace the current pair from late October 2026, with tickets on sale for sailings from 31 October. Check the timetable before you book, as schedules may shift during the changeover.
The ferry makes sense if you are bringing your own car or campervan from the mainland. Otherwise, flying and hiring a car is usually faster.
What does a 7-day Tasmania itinerary look like?
A week covers Hobart, Port Arthur, Freycinet and Cradle Mountain if you fly into Hobart and out of Launceston. Time your Hobart days to include a Saturday for Salamanca Market, which runs from 8:30am to 3pm with more than 300 stalls.
| Day | Route | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive; Salamanca, Battery Point, waterfront | Hobart |
| 2 | MONA by ferry; sunset on kunanyi/Mt Wellington | Hobart |
| 3 | Day trip to Port Arthur (1 hr 30 each way) | Hobart |
| 4 | Hobart to Coles Bay; Wineglass Bay Lookout | Coles Bay |
| 5 | Freycinet to Launceston; Cataract Gorge at dusk | Launceston |
| 6 | Launceston to Cradle Mountain; Dove Lake Circuit | Cradle Mountain |
| 7 | Morning walk; drive to Launceston (2 hr) to fly out | — |
MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art, opens 10am to 5pm and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan day 2 around that. The summit of kunanyi/Mt Wellington is 1,271 m high and can be freezing even in summer. Port Arthur Historic Site opens daily from 9am to 5pm, and general admission costs A$55 for adults. Our guide to Australia's convict sites explains its history.
What can you add with 10 days in Tasmania?
Ten days lets you add Bruny Island, a second night at Freycinet and the Bay of Fires, still flying out of Launceston.
- Days 1–2: Hobart, Salamanca Market, MONA and kunanyi.
- Day 3: Bruny Island. The car ferry leaves from Kettering, 35 minutes south of Hobart; arrive early in summer.
- Day 4: Port Arthur, then back to Hobart.
- Days 5–6: Coles Bay. Walk the Wineglass Bay Lookout, then down to the beach on the second day.
- Day 7: North to the Bay of Fires, with white sand and orange, lichen-covered boulders. Stay in St Helens.
- Day 8: St Helens to Launceston (2 hr 35) and Cataract Gorge.
- Days 9–10: Cradle Mountain, then back to Launceston for your flight.
The east coast is also Tasmania's best snorkelling coast; see our Tasmania snorkelling and diving guide for kelp forests near Bicheno.
How do you spend 14 days driving around Tasmania?
Two weeks is enough for a full loop from Hobart, adding the wild west coast, Lake St Clair and Mt Field on the way home.
| Day | Route | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Hobart, Salamanca Market, MONA, kunanyi | Hobart |
| 3 | Bruny Island via the Kettering ferry | Hobart or Bruny |
| 4 | Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula | Port Arthur |
| 5–6 | Freycinet and Wineglass Bay | Coles Bay |
| 7 | Bicheno and the Bay of Fires | St Helens |
| 8–9 | Launceston, Cataract Gorge, Tamar Valley | Launceston |
| 10–11 | Cradle Mountain walks | Cradle Mountain |
| 12 | Cradle Mountain to Strahan | Strahan |
| 13 | Gordon River cruise | Strahan |
| 14 | Lake St Clair and Mt Field to Hobart | Hobart |
From Strahan, Gordon River Cruises runs a six-hour day trip at 8:30am across Macquarie Harbour, through Hells Gates and up the river, with guided walks in rainforest and at the Sarah Island convict ruins. On the last day, stop at Lake St Clair, Australia's deepest freshwater lake at 167 m, for the short Watersmeet walk. Then break the drive at Mt Field for the sealed path to Russell Falls. Hobart to Strahan is 300 km and about 4 hr 30 without stops, so leave early.
If you want a multi-day walk, the Overland Track links Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair over six days; see our Tasmania hiking trails guide and book well ahead.
How long are the drives in Tasmania?
Most legs take 1.5 to 2.5 hours, but allow extra time for winding roads, rain and photo stops. These are Discover Tasmania's figures without breaks.
| From | To | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Kettering (Bruny ferry) | 32 km | 35 min |
| Hobart | Port Arthur | 92 km | 1 hr 30 |
| Hobart | Coles Bay (Freycinet) | 193 km | 2 hr 35 |
| Hobart | Launceston | 200 km | 2 hr 20 |
| Launceston | St Helens | 166 km | 2 hr 35 |
| Launceston | Cradle Mountain | 141 km | 2 hr |
| Devonport | Cradle Mountain | 79 km | 1 hr 20 |
| Hobart | Strahan | 300 km | 4 hr 30 |
Wildlife is everywhere at dawn and dusk, so avoid rural roads at those times where you can. Mobile reception is patchy outside towns, so download offline maps. Hire car insurance generally does not cover unsealed roads.
Do you need a parks pass in Tasmania?
Yes. Every national park, including Freycinet, Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair and Mt Field, needs a valid pass. For a road trip, buy the Holiday Vehicle Pass: A$98.35 per vehicle for up to eight people, valid for two months. A Holiday Person Pass is A$49.20, and under-5s are free.
Daily passes cost A$49.15 per vehicle but do not cover Cradle Mountain, so two park visits already make the holiday pass better value. At Cradle Mountain, private cars cannot drive to Dove Lake while the shuttle runs. The shuttle takes about 20 minutes from the visitor centre and costs A$15.50 for adults unless you hold a pass that includes it. Our booking guide covers what else to reserve early.
When is the best time to visit Tasmania?
Summer, from December to February, is best for a first road trip, with the longest days and warmest weather, though it is also the busiest. Book beds at Coles Bay and Cradle Mountain early.
- December and January: peak bloom at Bridestowe Lavender Estate at Nabowla, north-east of Launceston. By February most fields are harvested.
- Autumn: settled days and fewer crowds, a good time for walking.
- Winter: cold, with snow on the mountains, but the longest nights for the aurora australis. The Bureau of Meteorology says displays can happen any time of year and are often low on the southern horizon; look from a dark beach or headland, roughly 10pm to 2am, and sign up for its free aurora alerts.
- Spring: waterfalls run high, but weather is changeable.
Snow can fall in the highlands in any month, so pack warm and waterproof layers. See our month-by-month guide to Australia and the Tasmania region guide to plan around the rest of the country.
Facts checked October 2026. Ferry schedules, park fees and opening hours change; confirm with the operator or Parks and Wildlife Service before you travel.
- About the ships (Spirit of Tasmania)
- Staged ticket release for Spirit of Tasmania IV and V (Premier of Tasmania)
- Flights to Tasmania (Virgin Australia)
- Drive times and distance (Discover Tasmania)
- Apply for or renew a parks pass (Service Tasmania)
- Cradle Mountain shuttle bus information (Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service)
- Lake St Clair (Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service)
- Opening hours and ferry (Mona)
- Salamanca Market (City of Hobart)
- The Mountain: kunanyi/Mount Wellington (Wellington Park)
- Port Arthur Historic Site (Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority)
- Gordon River cruises (Spirit of Tasmania)
- Seasons at Bridestowe Estate (Bridestowe Lavender Estate)
- Aurora australis: coming soon to a night sky near you (Bureau of Meteorology)
