From the tranquil beaches of Tasmania’s east to the rugged mountains flanking the west, this comprehensive self-drive holiday follows a circular route around the island. Travelling from the capital, Hobart and visiting several national parks en route, discover the history and abundant natural wonders that make this island state such a compelling place to visit.
Soak up Hobart’s convict history before heading to Freycinet National Park and the perfect curve of Wineglass Bay. Look over Launceston from Cataract Gorge and spot wildlife in Narawntapu National Park. Soothe your soul in the World Heritage-listed wilderness of Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park and encounter marsupials in Narawntapu National Park.
With a full day tour of Bruny Island and a cruise along the Gordon River included, this circular self drive tour has it all.
Itinerary
On arrival in Hobart you’ll be transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay. Uncover Hobart’s food, wine, and eclectic creativity at the galleries, bars and restaurants of MONA. The rest of your day is free to explore. You may like to visit Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, home to over 80 free-roaming kangaroos, plus wombats, koalas, birds, quolls and many amazing natives including the Tasmanian devils.
Optional Experiences
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Hobart
Enjoy a full day tour of Bruny Island, exploring spectacular landscapes and gourmet local produce as well as spotting wildlife. You’ll meet cheese makers, oyster farmers and fudge makers and journey though pristine wilderness, home to diverse wildlife including the rare white wallabies.
Collect your rental vehicle and travel to Port Arthur, a historical site on the Tasman Peninsula. Separated from Tasmania by a narrow neck of land surrounded by shark-infested waters, Port Arthur was sold as the ‘inescapable prison’. Stroll the landscaped Victorian gardens and you’ll find it hard to imagine this was once a reviled prison that held 1,100 convicts at its peak. You may like to spend this afternoon on a guided walking tour of the site’s many buildings, ruins and restored houses.
Make your way to Coles Bay and experience the beauty of Freycinet Peninsula, a paradise of pink granite mountains, white beaches and turquoise sea on Tasmania’s east coast. The rest of your day is at leisure.
Spend the day exploring the area. Highly recommended is the hike over the Hazard Ranges for breathtaking views of Wineglass Bay. Or for the more adventurous why not consider sea kayaking with dolphins.
Set off on the journey from Coles Bay to Launceston. Stop off at St Helens to swim and indulge in fresh seafood. Continue to rugged Mount William National Park, where the Bay of Fires Walk winds you past boulder-covered beaches, unique plants, native animals and ancient Aboriginal middens. On arrival in Launceston take in panoramic views of the city from Cataract Gorge. Spend the rest of your day at leisure.
Optional Experiences
Quoll Patrol, Launceston
Browse art and craft galleries in historic Deloraine, murals in Sheffield and antique shops in Latrobe. Arrive in Devonport, where the Spirit of Tasmania ships are almost landmarks. Don’t miss Narawntapu National Park, where kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and pademelons graze peacefully on the grass. Travel on to Stanley for a 2-night stay.
Spend the day at leisure in Stanley, a fishing village framed by the volcanic outcrop known as ‘The Nut’. See seal and fairy penguins around the port and walk or take the chairlift to the top of the headland for sweeping coastal views.
Soothe your soul in the World Heritage-listed wilderness of Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. Enjoy your 2-night lodge stay on this edge of this spectacular national park.
Enjoy time exploring the area at leisure. You may like to climb Cradle Mountain, walk around the mirrored waters of Dove Lake or search for wallabies, wombats and possums on a nocturnal wildlife tour.
Optional Experiences
Devils After Dark, Cradle Mountain
Make your way to Strahan, the gateway to Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed Wild West. In Strahan, you can kayak on Macquarie Harbour, walk windswept Ocean Beach and explore pine and myrtle forests by four wheel drive or simply relax and indulge in great food and wine.
Enjoy a half day cruise down the majestic Gordon River. You’ll travel from the vibrant port town of Strahan, across Macquarie Harbour, and into the lower reaches of the Gordon River. You’ll cruise gently along the river where lush rainforest is reflected in the mirror calm waters, stained amber by button grass tannins.
Travel along the Lyell Highway, back through the heart of Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed wilderness. Stop in Tarraleah, an old hydro-electric town where platypus, quolls, wallabies, wombats, Tasmanian devils and echidnas wander the streets. Take a side trip to Mount Field National Park, where you can bushwalk through lush fern forests to the spectacular Russell Falls and Lady Barron Falls. Before you reach Hobart, check out classic village square and antique stores of New Norfolk.
Make your way to the airport and return your rental vehicle.
Prices & departures
What's Included
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Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
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Car rental throughout
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Private transfer on arrival in Hobart
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Full day Bruny Island tour
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Half day Gordon River cruise
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24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £1997 Excluding Flights
13 Nights
Year Round
Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Lauren
Fiordland penguins encountered
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We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.