There are many amazing places to visit in Tasmania.
To get the most out of your trip to Tasmania, I suggest spending at least 2 weeks in Tasmania (check out this 14-Day Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary
if this is what you are interested in). However, you can still get a good taste of Tasmania in only one week.
To help plan your visit, I have put together a 7-Day Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary, based on my previous visit to Tasmania.
Suggestions on food and accommodations for this Itinerary are also provided to remove some hassles out of your trip planning process.
7 Day Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary – Overview
- Day 1: Hobart
- Day 2: Tasman Peninsula
- Day 3: Freycinet National Park
- Day 4: Bicheno > Bay of Fires > Launceston
- Day 5: Launceston
- Day 6: Launceston > Cradle Mountain
- Day 7: Cradle Mountain > Lake St Clair > Hobart
Day 1: Hobart
Itinerary
- Battery Point: Lined with charming sandstone cottages and quirky antique shops, a stroll around Battery Point is a great way to start your day in Hobart.
- Salamanca Place: Well-known for its Salamanca Market on Saturdays. With that being said, Salamanca Place is lined with impressive colonial buildings & it is worth a visit even on those non-market days.
- Hobart Waterfront: The buzzing Hobart Waterfront is only a 5-minute stroll from Salamanca Market, but presents a different feel.
- MONA (Museum of Old and New Art): A 20-minute drive from Hobart, you can find this unconventional museum sitting right beside the beautiful River Derwent.
- Mount Wellington Summit: Only a 30-minute drive from Hobart, you can find the best sunset view of Hobart at the Mount Wellington Summit.
Food
- Breakfast: Check out Jackman & McRoss during your morning stroll in Battery Point.
- Lunch: Enjoy a Fish & Chips near Hobart Waterfront.
- Dinner: Try out some delicious Japanese food at Bar Wa Izakaya.
Where to Stay
- As a capital city, you can easily find a range of accomodation choices for every budget and need in Hobart & feel free to also check them out here on Booking.com.
Day 2: Tasman Peninsula
Itinerary
- Tasman Bay National Park Lookout: Tasman Bay National Park Lookout is among the first few attractions you will come across when driving into the Tasman Peninsula. Be sure to stop by and admire the breathtaking views of Pirates Bay when driving by.
- Tessellated Pavement: Check out the impressive rock formations at Tessellated Pavement.
- Port Arthur Historic Site: A must-visit historic landmark in Tasmania & make sure you plan out at least half a day to check out this site.
- Doo Town: A peaceful seaside village, famous for its Doo themed signage and house names.
- Tasmans Arch & Devil’s Kitchen: Check out the spectacular views at Tasmans Arch and Devil’s Kitchen after visiting Doo Town.
Food
- Breakfast: Visit Sisterhood (Sandy Bay) for a delicious breakfast, before heading off to the Tasman Peninsula.
- Lunch: Port Arthur Historic Site has a cafe on-site, which can be a convenient option when visiting.
- Dinner: There aren’t many options for dinner on the Tasman Peninsula & you may wish to cook something instead.
Where to Stay
- There are many accommodations to choose from on the Tasman Peninsula from Booking.com.
- You can also stay closer to the Freycinet National Park tonight, so you don’t have a long drive tomorrow morning.
- If this is you, Swansea can be a great option for tonight (Swansea on Booking.com). It is a 50-minute drive from the Freycinet National Park & has a range of affordable accommodations.
Day 3: Freycinet National Park
For detailed information on visiting the Freycinet National Park, you may wish to also check out this article on ‘Freycinet National Park Day Trip‘.
Itinerary
- Mt Amos Summit: If your fitness level allows, you may wish to hike up the Mt Amos Summit for a magnificent bird’s eye view of the Freycinet National Park.
- Wineglass Bay: Shaped like a wineglass, Wineglass Bay is one of the most picturesque and well-known attractions in the Freycinet National Park.
- Guided Penguin Tour in Bicheno: Spend the night viewing those cute fairy penguins surfing out of the sea & heading back to their colonies.
Food
- Breakfast: Enjoy your morning coffee with a view at Cubed Espresso Bar in the Tasman Peninsula; or taste one of the best coffees in this area at Coastal Wholefoods Cafe & Health Grocer in Swansea.
- Lunch: Enjoy a picnic within the Freycinet National Park.
- Dinner: Fresh lobsters from Lobster Shack in Bicheno.
Where to Stay
- Stay in Bicheno for its affordable options – check out accommodations in Bicheno on Booking.com.
- Stay in Coles Bay for its convenience – check out accommodations in Coles Bay on Booking.com
- For more detailed information on where to stay near the Freycinet National Park, you may wish to also check out this ‘Where to Stay in Freycinet National Park’.
Day 4: Bicheno > Bay of Fires > Launceston
Itinerary
- East Coast Natureworld: Check out a range of free roaming native wildlife at East Coast Natureworld.
- Binalong Bay: Binalong Bay is the most accessible section of the Bay of Fires. You do get a lot more visitors here than in the rest of the Bay of Fires, but you can still find some quiet spots all for yourself to enjoy.
- Binalong Bay to Launceston: It takes about 2.5 hours to drive from Binalong Bay to Launceston & make sure you take sufficient breaks to avoid fatigue.
Food
- Breakfast: Start the day at Little Bay Patisserie in Bicheno.
- Lunch: Try out the delicious tacos from Spicy Mamas (food van near Bicheno IGA).
- Dinner: After your long drive today, you may wish to indulge in some meaty burgers from Burger Junkie (Launceston).
Where to Stay
- Launceston offers a range of accommodations for every budget.
- For accommodations in Launceston, feel free to check out here on Booking.com.
Day 5: Launceston
Itinerary
- Tamar Island Wetlands Centre: Centrally located & only a short drive from Launceston CBD. A great place for a relaxing stroll along its boardwalk.
- Brady’s Lookout: Check out the spectacular views from Brady’s Lookout, where you can have the entire Tamar Valley and Launceston in one glance.
- Low Head Lighthouse: Check out Low Head Lighthouse for the best views of the river mouth of Tamar River.
- Bridestowe Lavender Farm: If you are visiting Launceston in December and January, be sure to visit Bridestowe Lavender Farm for a perfect Instagram photo.
- Cataract Gorge Reserve: Only a brief drive from Launceston CBD, you can find a range of hiking trails within the stunning Cataract Gorge Reserve.
Food
- Breakfast: Enjoy a brunch at the Local Hideout Cafe in Launceston.
- Lunch: Bridestowe Lavender Farm offers a delicious lavender inspired menu, which can be interesting to try out.
- Dinner: Check out Geronimo Aperitivo Bar & Restaurant (Launceston) for a set of mouthwatering dishes.
Where to Stay
- Stay in Launceston for its convenience.
- Or stay closer to Cradle Mountain, to reduce your driving time tomorrow.
- With a range of decently priced accommodations, Sheffield is just over an hour’s drive from Launceston & a 50-minute drive from Cradle Mountain. It could be your base for tonight, in preparation for your visit to Cradle Mountain tomorrow. Find accommodations in Sheffield here on Booking.com.
Day 6: Cradle Mountain
Itinerary
- Launceston / Sheffield > Cradle Mountain: Cradle Mountain is a 2-hour drive from Launceston & a 50-minute drive from Sheffield.
- Cradle Mountain: Choose from a range of hiking tracks in Cradle Mountain to suit your needs and fitness level. For detailed information, please check out ‘All Things to Know When Visiting Cradle Mountain‘.
- Wildlife Spotting: Near Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, you can spot many Wombats and Wallabies after dark. You can even spot platypuses in the creeks near Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge.
Food
- Breakfast: Sweetbrew in Launceston; or Blacksmith Gallery Cafe in Sheffield.
- Lunch: Enjoy a picnic during your walk in Cradle Mountain.
- Dinner: Tavern Bar & Bistro in Cradle Mountain.
Where to Stay
- There is a good selection of accommodations within Cradle Mountain. These accommodations range from hotels to self-contained chalets and cabins. However, they are in general more pricey than outside of the Cradle Mountain. You can find these accommodation here on Booking.com.
- If you don’t mind the extra commute after your long hike, cheaper accommodations are available in Tullah (45 minutes drive) and Queenstown (1.5 hours drive).
Check out ‘All Things to Know When Visiting Cradle Mountain‘, for more detailed information on where to eat & stay in Cradle Mountain.
Day 7: Cradle Mountain > Lake St Clair > Hobart
I have writing a detailed itinerary covering attractions along the drive between Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair, feel free to check it out here on ‘Lake St Clair to Cradle Mountain via Queenstown‘.
Itinerary
- Iron Blow Lookout: Take a break at the impressive Iron Blow Lookout to appreciate its unique landscape.
- Nelson Falls: An easy 10 minutes stroll in a stunning rainforest, for a spectacular view of Nelson Falls.
- Lake St Clair: Be sure to stop by to admire this tranquil blue lake. Short walking trails are also available around Lake St Clair if time allows.
Food
- Breakfast: Check out Elements Cafe before leaving Cradle Mountain.
- Lunch: Stop by Linda Cafe (next to the Ruins of the Old Royal Hotel) for a delicious cafe menu; or check out Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel (near Lake St Clair) for a filling restaurant meal.
- Dinner: Finish the day with a mouthwatering pub meal at The Duke (Local Pub in Hobart).
Where to Stay
- Try to stay near Hobart Airport, if you are departing Tasmania by air tomorrow.
- For accommodations near Hobart Airport, feel free to check it out here on Booking.com.
