Hobart to Launceston Road Trip for 5 Days

Thinking of a Road Trip between Hobart and Launceston? Here is my 5 Days Road Trip Itinerary from Hobart to Launceston. Hope you can find it useful.

Day 1: Hobart to Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula Road Trip

The drive from Hobart to Port Arthur normally takes about 90 minutes.

For detailed information on Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula, feel free to also check out this article on ‘Port Arthur Day Trip‘.

1. Tasman Bay National Park Lookout

Tasman Bay National Park Lookout provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the beautiful Pirates Bay. Be sure to spend some time at this lookout to soak in this peaceful view and enjoy some birds chirping.

Tables and benches are also available, which makes this spot perfect for a picnic as well.

2. Tasmans Arch & Devil’s Kitchen

Both Tasmans Arch and Devil’s Kitchen are distinctive geological features & offering spectacular views of this magnificent coastline.

3. Blowhole & Fossil Bay Lookout

The Blowhole and Fossil Bay Lookout are only a short drive from Tasmans Arch and Devil’s Kitchen.

The Blowhole offers impressive views during high tide. However, can be somewhat disappointing during low tide.

If you do arrive at the Blowhole during low tide, there is still no need to be devastated. A short walk from the Blowhole will take you to the Fossil Bay Lookout, where you can expect some striking views of the Tasman Peninsula at all times.

4. Port Arthur Historic Site

Port Arthur Historic Site is a cultural and historic landmark, built in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is a must-visit on the Tasman Peninsula.

Initially built as a convict settlement, Port Arthur Historic Site is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Sites.

Entry ticket to this historic site is valid for 2 consecutive days. Therefore, if you still need to explore this site further, you can always come back to visit the next day.

My suggestion is to plan at least half a day in the Port Arthur Historic Site when visiting.

Day 2: Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula to Bicheno

1. Swansea

Swansea is about a 2-hour drive from the Tasman Peninsula. It is a beautiful seaside village, overlooking the peaceful Great Oyster Bay.

Due to its perfect locations, you can always find freshly caught seafood in Swansea. There are also many cafes, vineyards, and farm gates around Swansea, which makes it the perfect stop to enjoy a relaxing lunch after your long drive.

2. Diamond Island

Diamond Island Nature Reserve is a beautiful hidden paradise and a penguin colony, linked to Bicheno by a thin strip of sandbar on low tide.

There are also many bright orange lichen-covered granite rocks and stunning rock pools scattered around this island. It is a fun place for the whole family to explore.

For detailed information on Diamond Island, feel free to check out this ‘Diamond Island and How to Get There’.

3. Bicheno Blowhole

After spending the afternoon around Diamond Island, we are now taking a short drive towards Bicheno Blowhole for some stunning sunset views.

Bicheno Blowhole is a granite blowhole with no fencings around. You can theoretically walk as close to the blowhole as you desire, but I suggest keeping a safe distance from it at all times since the water jets from this blowhole can change significantly from one to the next.

4. Bicheno Penguin Tour

There are a few penguin colonies around Bicheno, which include Diamond Island and the Bicheno Blowhole area.

After watching the sunset at Bicheno Blowhole, you can wait around and watch the cute fairy penguins going out and about near the blowhole.

Alternatively & for the best viewing experience, you may wish to join a guided penguin tour near Diamond Island instead.

I do suggest joining a guided penguin tour where possible. In this way, you will be safely guided through the penguin colony, without disturbing these fragile little creatures.

Day 3: Bicheno to Freycinet National Park Day Trip

I find Bicheno to be the best place to base yourself when exploring East Coast Tasmania and Freycinet National Park.

Hence, I do suggest staying in Bicheno overnight on day 2 & day 3 of this Hobart to Launceston Road Trip. However, you can certainly base yourself in other locations as well.

For more detailed information on where to stay for this couple of days, feel free to check out my post ‘Where to Stay in Freycinet National Park’.

1. Freycinet Marine Farm

Freycinet Marine Farm is a popular place to source some fresh locally-caught seafood.

It is along the drive from Bicheno to Freycinet National Park. Hence, it can be visited either on the way to, or on the way from the Freycinet National Park.

However, their kitchen closes at around 3-4 pm, depending on the season. Therefore, you may not get to enjoy the full menu, if arriving after the kitchen is closed.

2. Wineglass Bay

Wineglass Bay is the poster child and the most famous attraction of Freycinet National Park.

As the name suggests, Wineglass Bay is shaped like a wineglass. You can view its wineglass shape from either Wineglass Bay Lookout or Mt Amos Summit. Alternatively, you can also visit it close up at Wineglass Bay Beach.

Wineglass Bay Beach is a stunning beach and one of the best beaches in the world. Be sure to allow yourself enough time at the Wineglass Bay Beach to soak in its breathtaking view.

3. Hazards Beach

Hazards Beach is another major beach in the Freycinet National Park.

Different to Wineglass Bay Beach, Hazards Beach is a peaceful beach with much fewer visitors around. Hence, it is much better suited for spending a relaxing afternoon on the beach.

4. Mt Amos

Mt Amos summit offers a magnificent bird’s eye view of Wineglass Bay, Hazards Beach, and Coles Bay. This is easily the best view in the entire Freycinet National Park.

However, the hike to Mt Amos is a 3 hours hard hike, which may not be suited to everyone’s taste.

For more information on the walking trails and how to plan your day in Freycinet National Park, feel free to check out this ‘Freycinet National Park Day Trip’.

Day 4: Bicheno to Bay of Fires

1. East Coast Natureworld

East Coast Natureworld is a huge wildlife sanctuary in Bicheno.

You can wander around this sanctuary at your own pace to visit a variety of Tasmanian wildlife, such as Wombats and Tasmanian Devils.

You will also meet many friendly free-roaming kangaroos, wallabies, and feathered animals, along your walk.

Make sure you stick around for the keeper talks during feeding times, to learn more about the animals in East Coast Natureworld.

For more detailed information about East Coast Natureworld, feel free to check out this article on ‘East Coast Natureworld – A Must Visit in Bicheno‘.

2. St Helens

St Helens is 1 hours drive north of East Coast Natureworld and a 10-minute drive south of Binalong Bay. It is a beautiful beachside town and worth a visit in its own right.

Since there are a lot more cafes and shops in St Helens, it can also be your perfect spot for lunch, before exploring the Bay of Fires.

3. Binalong Bay

Bay of Fires is famous for its white sand, clear blue water, and bright orange lichen-covered granite boulders. It is a stretch of pristine coastline from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point.

Sitting at the southern end of the Bay of Fires, Binalong Bay is the most accessible and popular section of the Bay of Fires.

Although Binalong Bay is more populated with tourists than the rest of the Bay of Fires, it is still a beautiful and relatively peaceful place to visit (in general).

4. The Gardens

After visiting Binalong Bay, be sure to follow the impressive drive towards The Gardens.

Along this drive, you will be driving past many secluded beaches and inlets, which are perfect for a leisure stroll or a swim.

5. Eddystone Point

Eddystone Point is at the northern end of the Bay of Fires.

It is another 60 minutes drive north of Binalong Bay. It is also an inland drive, so you don’t get much of the views from Bay of Fires along this drive.

However, due to its location, there is much less traffic near Eddystone Point, in comparison to Binalong Bay.

In addition, it is a perfect spot for fishing, boating, and kayaking. Be sure to visit the iconic Eddystone Point Lighthouse as well, when in this area.

For more detailed information on the Bay of Fires, feel free to check out my post ‘Bay of Fires‘.

Day 5: Bay of Fires to Launceston

1. St Columba Falls

St Columba Falls is a 40 minutes drive from St Helens.

As one of Tasmania’s highest falls, the stunning view of St Columba Falls can be a great refreshment, during your long drive from the Bay of Fires towards Launceston.

Once you are at the car park, it will be a short 15 minutes walk through a mossy rainforest to the base of St Columba Falls. This walk is also one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks.

2. Bridestowe Lavender Farm

Bridestowe Lavender Farm is a 1 hour and 40 minutes drive from St Columba Falls.

It is a very insta-worthy lavender farm, especially between December and January when the lavenders are in full bloom.

At Bridestowe Lavender Farm, you can also purchase from their unique selection of lavender gifts.

There is a cafe on-site as well, where you can enjoy a delicious lavender scone, lavender tea, and lavender ice cream.

3. Cataract Gorge Reserve

Cataract Gorge Reserve is a 50-minute drive from Bridestowe Lavender Farm and a 5-minute drive from Launceston.

In Cataract Gorge, you can enjoy a range of walking trails and meet many friendly resident peacocks. There is also a restaurant and a cafe within this reserve for your convenience.

5-Day Hobart to Launceston Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Hobart to Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula Road Trip

• Tasman Bay National Park Lookout
• Tasmans Arch & Devil’s Kitchen
• Blowhole & Fossil Bay Lookout
• Port Arthur Historic Site

Day 2: Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula to Bicheno Road Trip

• Swansea
• Diamond Island
• Bicheno Blowhole
• Bicheno Penguin Tour

Day 3: Bicheno to Freycinet National Park Day Trip

• Freycinet Marine Farm
• Wineglass Bay Lookout
• Wineglass Bay Beach
• Hazards Beach
• +/- Mt Amos Summit – depending on time & fitness level

Day 4: Bicheno to Bay of Fires Road Trip

• East Coast Natureworld
• Binalong Bay
• The Gardens
• +/- Eddystone Point – depending on time & personal preference.

Day 5: Bay of Fires to Launceston Road Trip

• St Columba Falls
• Bridestowe Lavender Farm
• Cataract Gorge Reserve