Tasmania’s compact size makes it perfect for a road trip, with scenic drives that take you from bustling cities to remote wilderness. Starting and ending our seven day journey in Devonport where the Spirit of Tasmania ferry docks, we drove along the West Coast , home to dense rainforest and wild rivers and through the stunning East Coast passing through vineyards, beaches and charming seaside towns.
Day 1- Devonport to Cradle Mountain
We picked up our home and transport for the next 7 days from Autorent depot, then we shopped for supplies at a local IGA. Drove to Lake St Clair National Park which took about 2 hours. We then spent the rest of the day hiking The Dove Lake Circuit and exploring the surrounding areas. The weather is unpredictable here, it even snows sometimes in summer. When we visited it was 9°C so we were chilled to the eyeballs , but the stunning landscape was worth it!
Day 2 – Strahan to Queenstown
Strahan was originally established as a port to serve the mining industry in the region in the late 1800s. It quickly became the gateway to the remote wilderness of Tasmania. Strahan has beautifully preserved 19th century buildings lining the waterfront, although the port now serves mainly the tourist industry as deprture points for cruises and excursions. Not to be missed is the West Coast Wilderness Railway. It offers a unique way of enjoying the untouched wilderness that Strahan has to offer.
The spectacular Nelson Falls at the Wild River National Park- easy walk from the highway.
The aftermath of any mining is difficult if not impossible to reverse as with the case in Queenstown. Acid rain which devastated the surrounding areas resulted in desolate moonscape and ghost towns. Ever so slowly coming back to life.
Day 3 – Hobart
A visit to Hobart would not be complete without experiencing Salamanca Market so we timed our visit on a Saturday when the outdoor market is held. Pretty busy when we visited, but finally got a chance to try the famous Tasmanian Scallop Pie, and it was as great as advertised. Flaky pastry and a generous curry scallop filling. We explored the rest of the capital city via the Red Tourist Bus, which was a great way to see the sights without worrying about driving and parking and having the option to stop on the places which caught our interest like the Carlton Brewery.
Day 4 -Historic Port Arthur
Nestled on the Tasman Peninsula Port Arthur is witness to the tortured penal history of Australia. Coincidentally when we visited, it was also the 28th anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre, where Martin Bryant shot 35 people in this same historic sight. Once a notorious convict settlement, picturesque Port Arthur offers visitors a chance to revisit Australia’s colonial past, amidst breathtaking scenery. The site includes remains of original buildings including the Commandant’s House and the iconic Church of Port Arthur. Walking through the grounds , it’s possible to imagine the lives of convicts and the officers who lived there.
The sites visitor centre has everything you need including maps and printed guides, cafe and a gift shop filled with locally made products.
Day 5 – Freycinet National Park
We spent the morning exploring the fringes of Freycinet National Park then Wineglass Bay, one of Tasmania’s iconic beaches. We could have spent another week at this beautiful place, but for now just a short visit. On the way we also visited the Hazard’s Beach and for lunch we stopped at the Freycinet Marine Farm (Cole’s Bay) where we tried the freshest tastiest oysters ever, paired with a lovely Tasmanian Sauvignon Blanc. A short hop and we found ourselves at the Port Arthur Lavender Farm. Everything Lavender, can be found at this spectacular shop, including Lavender Ice Cream.
A short drive from Port Arthur you’ll find some of the most extraordinary dramatic sceneries, like the Devil’s Kitchen Rock formation, the Tasman Arch and the Tessellated Pavement.
Freycenet National Marine Park
Day 6- Launceston
On the drive to Launceston I spied a winery on the way. Devil’s Corner Winery happens to make my all time favourite rosé, so we made a quick stop. We were feeling a little bit under the weather so we skipped the full on wine tasting and had coffee and sweets instead. What a missed opportunity, however I made sure to get a few bottles to take home, for when our sinuses cleared up.
Located in Norther Tasmania, Launceston is a vibrant city with stunning natural beauty and is one of Australia’s oldest, having been established in 1806.Launceston offers some of the best food and wine in the region, particularly Tamar Valley, famous for its dairy products and wineries.
Just a few minutes from Launceston CBD is the beautiful Cataract Gorge which flows to River Esk. It features walking trails and a suspension bridge which provides incredible views of the river below. The Gorge is perfect for hiking or picnicking. It even has a chairlift ride, the better to enjoy the scenery. The surrounding gardens are a peaceful retreat, particularly stunning in autumn sunset.
Day 7 – Back to Devonport
Our seven day adventure is coming to a close so we head back to Devonport to return our home and chariot for the past few days. We clocked over 17000 kilometres, enjoying the diverse beauty of this amazing state and meeting wonderful characters along the way. The camper van gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace while enjoying the comforts of home. More than just a mode of transport, it provided us the flexibility to change plans on the fly as you’re not tied up to a specific time. This flexibility makes camper van travel perfect for spontaneity so we were able to linger at the places we loved and left quickly when it wasn’t. Compact and cozy, it had everything we needed.
The ferry back to Victoria leaves at 6 pm, so we had plenty of time to explore Davenport city on foot. When we got tired, we rested at the local library which had a great selection of local reading materials and cozy places to just relax. One final dinner at Mr Good Guy located at Novotel Hotel, which served scrumptious “street food” inspired dishes and then were off to sail into the sunset via The Spirit of Tasmania ferry. What an amazing seven days that was.
