Tasmania Road Trip From Devonport (1 Month) + FREE Map

The 2-month stint we did in Tassie has been one of the BEST trips we’ve ever done! We ferried our caravan and took our time exploring the island, it was magical.

The main highlights are very spread out, though – Cradle Mountain, Bruny Island, Hobart, Bay of Fires… we wished we planned that better TBH, we got really exhausted from all the driving .

So this is the itinerary we’d do if we had 1 month to explore. The goal is to save you from our mistakes, and enjoy the highlights without having your butt glued to the car seat!

Road trip snapshot

• Distance: ~1,400km total
• Drive time: ~35 hours across the whole month
• Areas covered: Cradle Mountain, Hobart & surrounds, Bruny Island, Cockle Creek, East Coast, Derby, Launceston.
• Best time: Autumn is our fave time, summer is peak season but higher prices, winter is best for aurora spotting.
• Vehicle: 2WD is fine for this itinerary.
• Pet-friendly: Mixed. Spots like Cradle Mt and some areas on the Bay of Fires don’t allow dogs. But there are plenty of dog-friendly stops on the East Coast.
• Good for: First-time road-trippers, hikers, and campers who want to explore the island, not just tick off the highlights.

Day 1-3: Devonport > Cradle Mountain

• Distance: ~85km
• Drive time: ~1h 40m

The ferry runs from Geelong (1-hour drive from Melbourne) to Devonport, on Tassie’s north coast. The ferry ride takes ~9-11 hours.

Quick tips for the ferry: 

• Book it ASAP. They sell out weeks or even months in advance.
• Morning departures are cheaper than overnight, BUT you’ll arrive in Tassie with everything closed (most shops close by 7pm), so plan carefully. 

We recommend booking the overnight ferry if possible. That way, you can stock up in Devonport and start driving to your first destination – Cradle Mountain! 

Cradle Mountain

This place really lives up to the hype. We spent a couple of days hiking there and it absolutely delivered!

It’s very much a hiking-focused stop, you’re here to walk, soak up the scenery, and cop a bit of leg burn. So, we recommend picking which walks you want to do before getting there.

These are the hikes we did and 100% recommend: 

• Dove Lake Circuit: 6km loop, 2-3 hours. One of the easiest walks in the area, very flat, with the classic Cradle Mountain views. Great option for sunset.
• Marion’s Lookout: 7.5 km return, 3-4 hours. A bit steep and there’s some scrambling involved, but one of the best viewpoints without doing the full summit.
• Cradle Mountain Summit: 12.8 km return, 8-10 hours. Very taxing hike, both mentally and physically. Lots of scrambling, incredible views but only for fit hikers.

If you’re doing the summit, definitely plan for some time to recover afterwards! We were dead by the end of that one LOL, it took us a few days to recover. 

Where to stay at Cradle Mountain?

You can stay inside the park at Waldheim Cabins, but they’re extremely limited and hard to book.

So most people stay in the small settlement just outside the park. There are loads of options, here are some of our picks:

• Discovery Parks – Cradle Mountain. Best option for campers and vans, powered sites, hot showers, very close to the park entrance.
• Cradle Mountain Hotel. Comfortable and popular stay with a great restaurant.
• Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge. Luxury option surrounded by bushland, perfect if you want comfort after big hike days.

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Day 4: Cradle Mt > Strahan

• Distance: ~140km
• Drive time: ~1.5 hrs

Strahan is a small harbour town on the West Coast, and a must-stop for history buffs!

One day is more than enough to explore it in our opinion.

Here are some things to do in Strahan:

• Book a Gordon River cruise tour. It’s a half-day activity which includes visits to historic spots like Sarah Island and Hells Gates. 
• The West Coast Wilderness Railway, a heritage train ride between Strahan and Queenstown.
• Henty Dunes, epic for sandboarding! We’re told you can hire boards in Strahan.
• Ocean Beach, near Henty Dunes, great for beach driving.

We didn’t spend much time there, so here’s a list of excellent stays in Strahan!

Day 5: Strahan > Hobart

• Distance: ~300km
• Drive time: ~4.5 hrs

Today is a long day on the road, mostly because of the windy roads of the West Coast. So start early and take it easy.

Here are some cool places to stop along the way:

• 99 Bends: A twisty stretch of road between Queenstown and Gormaston. If you’ve got a drone, definitely take some footage from above!
• Iron Blow Lookout: A massive open-cut mine site, now filled with water. Really impressive.
• Nelson Falls: A short walk (1.4km return, ~20 min) to a gorgeous waterfall. Perfect for breaking up the drive.
• Westerway Raspberry Farm: Pick your own produce! It’s a fun little stop if you’re in the area between December and May.

Then you’ll arrive in Hobart, Tassie’s capital! There’s heapsss of things to do, so we recommend spending the next 3-4 days there.

Where to stay in Hobart?

Stay in or around Hobart CBD or North Hobart, so you’re central to food spots and day trips! Here are some recommendations:

• Discovery Parks Hobart. Great campsite with hot showers, power, 15 mins from the city. Pet-friendly cabins upon request. 
• Hobart Showground. Solid campsite near the city with powered sites, easy access to public transport. Pet-friendly.
• Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart. Our hotel pick in the heart of the city, walking distance to Salamanca Markets and Tasmanian Museum. Not pet-friendly.
• YHA Hobart Central. Budget-friendly option with an excellent location, plus we’ve stayed in several YHA’s around the country and always had great experiences. Not pet-friendly.

Day 6-9: Hobart & surroundings

There’s so much to do in Hobart, as well as some epic day trips from there! Here are some suggestions:

Things to do in Hobart CBD:

• MONA: Huge, wild modern art museum in Berriedale. Plan at least 3-4 hours, and check the exhibits ahead of time if you’re travelling with kids.
• Salamanca Market: A big, lively outdoor market with handmade crafts, local produce, food trucks, buskers, and everything in between. It runs every Saturday.
• Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens: A free, beautiful garden, and a great spot for a picnic.
• Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery: It covers Tasmania’s natural history, Aboriginal culture, and colonial past. Plus it’s free to enter!
• Battery Point Sculpture Trail: An easy, self-guided 2km walk through historic Hobart, linking Salamanca to Battery Point.
• Beaches: Nutgrove Beach is popular for swimming and chilling, while Seven Mile Beach is famous for surfing.

You can get to most of these spots by foot, bike, or take the hop-on hop-off bus if you don’t want to drive.

More things to do in and around Hobart here!

Day trips from Hobart

Hobart is the BEST base to explore these spots:

• Port Arthur: One of the most important historic sites in Australia. It was a penal settlement and, sadly, the place of the 1996 massacre that led to major gun law reforms. Now, it’s a huge open-air museum worth spending half a day exploring. Book your tickets here.
• Mount Wellington: A beautiful area with epic views, little walking tracks and waterfalls. You can easily spend the whole day there! This bus can take you there if you don’t want to drive.
• Mount Field National Park: One of the best hiking spots in Tassie. There are several walking trails, waterfalls (including Russell Falls), campsites, and some of the world’s tallest eucalypt trees. Here’s a full-day tour if you’re keen.
• Coal River Valley: A small wine region just outside Hobart, known for its cool-climate varieties like pinot noir, riesling, and chardonnay. Here’s an excellent wine-hopping tour that includes 4 cellar doors!
• Bruny Island: Some people visit as a day trip from Hobart. That’s good enough if you’re tight on time, but honestly try staying there at least 1 night, especially if it’s aurora season (winter).
• Three Capes Track: One of the best multi-day hikes in all of Australia! It takes 3-4 days to complete and it’s honestly very demanding, but sooo worth it.

Want to do the Three Capes Track? Here’s our full guide on how to do it for free!

Day 10-11: Hobart > Cockle Creek

• Distance: ~150km
• Drive time: ~2 hrs

Cockle Creek is as far south as you can drive in Australia! After spending a couple of days camping there, it quickly became one of our favourite things to do in Tasmania

We think it’s a bit underrated, which is why we recommend adding it to your trip if you’re up for it!

The free camping there is incredible. There are a couple of great hikes too, good surfing, and you can also spot stingrays on the water!

The drive in is a bit long and unsealed (in good conditions last time we went). You’ll also have to be self-sufficient, but honestly the effort is so worth it.

Day 12-14: Cockle Creek > Bruny Island

• Distance: ~120km
• Drive time: ~2 hrs, plus a 20-min ferry crossing

From Cockle Creek, drive up to Kettering to catch the Bruny Island ferry!

We spent a week here and honestly could’ve stayed longer. Give yourself at least 2 full days here, it’s one of our favourite places in all of Tassie.

It has some of the best campsites in all of Tasmania, the beaches and the hikes are absolutely epic, and there’s wildlife everywhere!

Things to do in Bruny Island

• Truganini Lookout (The Neck): The most iconic photo spot on the island, best at high tide.
• Get Shucked: A legendary oyster stop with a drive-thru window. Even non-oyster people get converted here (i.e. Bec)
• Cloudy Bay: wild, remote, and stunning, but 4WD only for the last stretch. Great surfing, camping, and an excellent aurora spot.
• Fluted Cape Walk: A 6km loop (2-3 hrs) with huge coastal views, one of our top hikes on the island.
• Cape Bruny Lighthouse: Feels like the edge of the earth, with a guided tour option to go inside.
• Bruny Island Cheese and Beer Co.: Handmade cheeses, wood-fired sourdough, and small-batch beers. Heaven!

Where to stay on Bruny Island?

We recommend camping! There are heapsss of options, but our favourite is Cloudy Bay. It’s absolutely magical but it’s 4WD-only.

There’s also a campsite in Truganini Lookout that’s 2WD-friendly.

If you’re looking for more hotel-like stays, check Alonnah, Lunawanna, and Adventure Beach. The latter is the main hub, with a general store and the only petrol station on the island. 

Day 15-27: Bruny Island > East Coast

• Distance: ~400km total across 12 days
• Drive time: Short hops of 30 min to 1 hr between each base

This is a big stretch up the coast, and it honestly deserves to be explored slowly! You’ll visit spots like Maria Island, Freycinet NP, Bicheno, and the iconic Bay of Fires.

First, start by leaving Bruny Island and stoping on Hobart to stock up if needed.

Then, drive ~2 hours to Triabunna and hop on the ferry to Maria Island!

Maria Island (1-2 days)

Visiting Maria Island was a last-minute decision that we’re SO glad we made.

It’s a no-car island with heaps of wildlife, icy blue beaches, and some really unique things to do:

• Painted Cliffs: Cliffs with these spectacular honeycomb patterns. They’re only accessible at low tide, but you can snorkel there at high tide.
• Fossil Cliffs: A 4.5km loop (2 hrs) through high limestone cliffs lined with ancient shell fossils, plus wombats grazing everywhere.
• Bishop and Clerk: An 11km return hike (4-5 hrs) to two dramatic dolerite columns at the summit, with boulder scrambling near the top.

You’ll be walking or cycling everywhere, you can hire bikes in Triabunna. You can camp overnight and have to bring everything with you so it’s not for everyone, but we absolutely loved it.

Stay at Darlington Campground if you want to be close to the ferry, or the old Penitentiary accommodation if you want a typical bed (shared bunk rooms).

There are also full-day tours from Hobart. They’re pricier, but extremely convenient, especially if you don’t want to stay overnight.

Here’s a great full day tour to Maria Island from Hobart if you’re keen!

Freycinet National Park (1-2 days)

Freycinet is one of the best-known national parks in Tasmania, and for good reason!

If you’ve ever seen a postcard of Tassie, it probably was of Wineglass Bay, which is there. And the rest of the coastline is full of pink granite peaks, coves, and white-sand beaches.

Here are some of our favourite things to do in Freycinet NP:

• Wineglass Bay Lookout: A 2.6km return walk (1-1.5 hrs) to Tassie’s most iconic view. Go early to beat the crowds.
• Mt Amos: A steeper, more dramatic alternative view of the bay (3.6km return, ~3 hrs). Only attempt in dry conditions, the granite gets seriously slippery when wet.
• Sleepy Bay and Honeymoon Bay: quieter, calmer alternatives if you want a swim without the crowds.

If you want to hang around for a couple of days, most people stay in Coles Bay, a small town right at the park entrance. It’s got a few good cafes and places to stay.

There’s also a free campground a 30-minute drive north, in Friendly Beaches. 100% recommended if you’re self-contained.

Bicheno (1-2 days)

Bicheno was one of our favourite towns in Tassie! It’s very small but packs a punch.

We stayed near Redbill Beach (great surfing) and loved how easy it was to access everything by foot.

There’s a small island offshore you can walk to at low tide, too – Diamond Island. Just make sure you’re back before the tide comes in, unless you want to swim back (we nearly did, not recommended LOL).

Plus you can see penguins! They go to the ocean early in the morning and come back to their nests at night. Absolutely adorable.

There’s also the Bicheno blowhole which is really cool, and a nice community garden! Plus the general beach vibes. We loved it. 

St Helens & Bay of Fires (5-6 days)

St Helens is your last stop for fueling up, grabbing groceries, and getting reception before going to the Bay of Fires.

Everything will be closed after 7pm except a couple of petrol stations, though! So either get there early or spend the night so you can stock up before continuing up the coast.

If you want to break the trip there, we’d recommend staying at the BIG4 St Helens. It has cabins, campsites, hot showers, power, and dump point. Plus it’s pet-friendly!

Then it’s on to Bay of Fires, one of the BEST free beach camping spots in the country.

The campsites are a few steps away from the beach, with the iconic orange rocks and crystal clear water.

The snorkelling and fishing are absolutely epic too. You’ll want to spend a couple of days there, believe us!

There were 8 campsites in that area last time we checked. Dogs on lead are allowed in all of them except Jeanneret Beach.

If you’d rather have a bed than a tent, base yourself in Binalong Bay, a quiet settlement with self-catering cottages right on the edge of the coastline.

Here are all the campsites, facilities available, and dog policies.

Day 28: Derby

• Distance: ~100km
• Drive time: ~1.5hrs

Derby is one of the best MTB destinations in the world, so pretty much everything here revolves around that.

Blue Derby is the main attraction, it’s a network of 125km of biking trails, all free! There’s something for every level and there are bike hires in town if you’re not bringing your own. 

If you’re not there to ride, there’s not much else going on, to be honest. Apart from Blue Derby, here are some things you could easily tick off in 1 day: 

• The floating sauna. Epic experience where you go from the sauna into the cold lake! The setting is beautiful, too.
• Derby Tunnel, easy walk in an old railway tunnel. Bring a torch and a jumper, it’s cold inside all year.

The town is very small and accommodation is limited, so book well ahead if you’re visiting in peak season. Most stays are private cabins or lodges rather than big hotels.

Day 29-30: Launceston > Devonport

• Distance: ~200km across two days
• Drive time: ~2.5hrs total

Launceston is one of Tassie’s main cities, but has more of a chill, country-town feel than Hobart. It’s still worth spending a night or two, though!

If you’re there, here are some cool things to do:

• Cataract Gorge. Right next to the city, epic spot for swimming, chilling, and having a nice day out.
• Tamar Valley. Tassie’s biggest wine region, with vineyards stretching along the river north of town. If you’re a foodie, consider spending an extra day or two just for this.

From there, do the 1-hour drive to Devonport for the ferry back home!

Where to stay in Launceston?

Most people stay in the city centre for easy access to everything. Here are some solid options: 

• BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park, a good pick if you’re camping or want a cabin. It’s family-friendly and you’ll have space to spread out.  
• Peppers Silo Hotel is the luxury option. It’s literally built inside old grain silos! And the river views look top-notch.  
• The Dragonfly Inn is a quirky B&B with a bit of character, perfect for the Gilmore Girls fans out there.

The Tasmania guide

Have Tassie in your pocket

• 200+ spots pinned and mapped in an app
• 10+ done-for-you itineraries
• Your whole trip in one place and available offline

Get the guide

Planning your Tassie road trip from Devonport

Ferry to Devonport

The Spirit of Tasmania sails from Geelong (about 1 hour from Melbourne) to Devonport.

The crossing takes around 9-11 hours, there are morning and evening departures.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Book well ahead in peak season (summer and school holidays), spots for vehicles fill up fast
• Bag your seasickness tablets if you’re prone to it, the Bass Strait can get choppy
• Morning departures are cheaper than evening ones, but that means you’ll arrive in Tassie with most shops closed (they close at 7 PM)
• For evening departures, try to book a cabin if you can swing it. It makes a BIG difference sleeping in a comfy bed vs the recliner

Park Passes

Tasmania is essentially a big national park LOL, so a Park Pass is a must.

There are a couple of options, but for this road trip, we’d go with the Holiday Pass. It covers entry to every national park in the state for up to 2 months, including Cradle Mt.

The only thing it doesn’t include is the bus shuttle in Cradle Mt, but that can be purchased separately.

Purchase it online here.

Moving around Tasmania

Roads are generally in good condition, but they do get windy and narrow the further out you go, so budget more time than Google Maps tells you, especially in the west and south.

Please avoid driving around dusk or dawn. There’s SO much wildlife in Tassie, which is great but it makes driving around those times particularly dangerous.

Reception can drop out completely, too. So always make sure to have your maps downloaded for offline access.

Did you know? Our Tasmania guide can be downloaded for offline access! Check it out here.

Best time to visit Tasmania

Tassie is worth visiting year-round, it just depends on what you’re after:

Summer (Dec-Feb) is peak season, with the best odds of good weather for hikes like the Overland Track or Cradle Mountain Summit. It’s also busier and pricier, so book accommodation and tours ahead.

Winter (May-Aug) is aurora season! If seeing the Aurora Australis is on your list, this is your best shot. It’s colder and some high-altitude tracks can close due to snow, but the crowds thin right out.

Shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) are a nice middle ground, decent weather, fewer people, and autumn especially brings some gorgeous colour to spots like Mount Field.

Just know that weather in Tassie can change fast no matter the season, so always check conditions before heading into anything remote or alpine.

What to pack?

• Layers, layers, layers! Tassie weather can go from sunny to freezing in the same afternoon
• A proper rain jacket, even in summer
• Sturdy walking shoes (a lot of the best spots involve at least a short hike)
• Swimmers, for the beaches and thermal springs
• A torch or headlamp, handy for early starts, cave tours, and campsites with no lighting
• Offline maps or a downloaded guide, since reception drops out constantly
• Cash, some smaller towns and honesty boxes don’t take card
• A camera, obviously! This is one of our favourites

Camping in Tasmania

If you’re up for it, camping is honestly one of the best ways to experience Tassie.

There are heaps of free, first-come-first-served campsites scattered around the state, especially along the East Coast and in national parks.

Most free sites are basic (pit toilets, no power, no water), so you’ll need to be self-contained.

National park campsites require your Park Pass, and some popular spots get busy fast in peak season, so arrive early to grab a good spot.

Do you need travel insurance?

This one’s really up to your specific needs! If you’re not an Australian citizen, you need travel insurance, period. This is the one we recommend.

But for Australian citizens, domestic travel insurance is not about medical bills because Medicare covers them. 

The main reason we recommend it is for all the other expensive stuff that can go wrong on a big road trip like this one, such as:

• Lost or stolen bags, cameras or laptops
• Rental car excess if you hire a caravan
• Extra accommodation or transport costs if something goes wrong
• Cancelled flights or tours

For us, travel insurance is a must because we literally travel in our home, with ALL our valuables inside (expensive camera gear, laptops, etc). 

It’s not something everyone has to get of course. You definitely need to read the PDS because every policy is different, also check what’s covered for the crossing itself.

But for a big road trip like this one, we think it’s definitely worth considering!

This is the domestic travel insurance we recommend.

Top Tips

Tassie has LOTS of wildlife which get very active at dusk and dawn, so please avoid driving around those hours.

The West Coast is famous for having very windy roads, so be careful and drive slowly.

The only service station in Bruny Island is in Adventure Bay general store. It’s pricey, so bring a full tank.

FAQs