12 Day Tasmanian Deluxe Road Trip

Make your way to your accommodation. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities arranged for the day.
Consider exploring Hobart’s highlights such as Salamanca Place, Battery Point and constitution dock.

Check in & arrival information.
A taxi or Uber from Hobart airport to your accommodation costs approximately $90 per car. Hotel check in is at 2pm. Should you arrive earlier than this, hotel staff will do all possible to check you in as soon as possible. If your room is not available before check-in time, you are welcome to leave your luggage in storage and explore the surrounding area.

Make your way Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Centre (some 450m from your accommodation) by 07.15am to embark on a full day guided tour and cruise of Port Arthur. Today you will join the ultimate Tasman Peninsula day tour. Your day includes a return guided bus tour from Hobart, award-winning 3 hour cruise, morning tea and lunch as part of three hours at the Port Arthur Historic Site. Please make sure you dress warmly for today’s cruise - even during summer months! Part of this journey will be in open sea.

Collect your rental vehicle from Avis Hobart city depot and drive to Strahan. As a suggested route, you may want to make a first stop at Mt Field National Park and take a short walk to Russell Falls. Continue driving towards the mining town of Queenstown before making your way to Strahan, your final stop for the day. 

Approximate distance driven: 320km 

Walk to Straham Wharf (approximately 170m from your accommodation) by 8am to join your Gordon River Cruise. Cruising aboard Spirit of the Wild you will experience quiet cruising with electric motors while taking in the tranquil surrounds of the Gordon River. Dedicated guides and character-based interpretation will take you through the history of this remarkable place as you cruise across Macquarie Harbour to Hells Gates and then on to the Gordon River. Your premier upper deck seat includes private viewing deck and lounge area as well as morning tea and lunch serving canapés, Tasmanian red and white wines, sparkling wines, beers, juices, tea and espresso coffee. 

Your cruise returns to Strahan at approximately 2.30pm. Return to your hotel, collect your luggage, drive to your accommodation and prepare to explore your next destination: Cradle Mountain - Lake St Claire National Park.

Approximate distance driven: 145km

Today is at leisure for you to explore Cradle Mountain. Cradle Mountain - Lake St Claire National Park is one of the state's most special places, where ancient pines fringe  glacial lakes and icy streams cascade down rugged mountains. You may wish to explore on foot on one of the many walks and hikes in the region, or set up the tripod and take some photos at the famous Dove Lake.

Take your time, sleep in and relax as the morning is free until check out time. Once ready, continue driving northwest to Stanley, nestled at the base of the Nut - a 143 metre high massif rising from Bass Strait and the sole remains of an ancient volcanic plug.

The rest of the day is at leisure. Take your time to discover the historic city centre of Stanley or make your way to the summit of the Nut for spectacular views across Bass Strait beaches and over the town.  If you are feeling energetic you may choose to walk to the top (10 to 20 minutes walk). Alternatively, you can catch a chairlift, which  operates from the 1st Thursday of September until the last Wednesday of May, from 9.30am to 4.30pm and it costs approximately $17 per person return or $11 per person one way.

Approximate distance driven: 180km

Today take your time to drive to Launceston. Along the way recommend you to stop at Burnie for lunch and maybe a visit to Burnie's Regional Art Gallery which is open on Saturdays from 11.30am to 4pm (the gallery may close during the winter monhts - please call ahead to confirm opening hours). Afterwards, perhaps pay a visit to Hellyers Road Distillery to withness how one of the finest single malt whiskies in the world is made.  The distillery offers daily guided tours at 3pm for $19.50 per person. The tour takes approximately 30-40’ to complete. If interested, call them ahead of time to book and to check for alternative tour times that day.

Approximate distance driven: 230km

Today, make your way to Josef Chromy Winery & Restaurant by 10:30am for an intimate tour of its winery, before heading to the cellar door for a seated wine tasting flight and a two course lunch of fine Tasmanian produce with matched wines.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore Launceston

Approximate distance drive: 30km

Today, drive to Freycinet.  The two most popular options for today's drive are:

1 - Drive from Launceston straight to Coles Bay. Arrive by lunchtime, explore the town or go for a walk or a drive along Esplanade.

2 - Alternatively, and our recommended option, take a longer drive visiting Bridestowe Lavender Estate and the picturesque sea town of St Helen along the way. 

Bridestowe Lavender Estate is located about 50 minute drive from Launceston and it is the largest lavender farm in the Southern Hemisphere. Activities and events change throughout the year with the seasons. Generally speaking, in summer you will find lavender flowers in bloom and it's perhaps the most photogenic time of the year. While during autumn lavenders flowers are pruned to stimulate growth, the Estate gardens come to life with changing colour leaves. Winter is the quietest season. Sitting in front of the fire, coffee in hand and watching snow covered Mount Arthur is the name of the game. During Spring many bulbs and shrubs in the gardens come to life once more to complement the landscape. For up to date information on what to do during your trip, visit Bridestowe Lavender Estate's website.

Once ready, continue driving to St Helens, the largest town on Tasmania's north-east coast and just a few kilometres away from Binalong Bay and the southern end of the beautiful beaches of the Bay of Fires. Options for a light lunch or coffee and cake abound abound in St Helens

Finally, continue driving south to Freycinet Lodge, your accommodation for tonight.

Approximate distance driven: Option 1: 180km, Option 2: 310km

This morning join your fully guided morning cruise.  Cruise beneath the ruggedly beautiful pink granite cliffs that rise from the Tasman Sea, skirt forested capes and discover hidden, sea-swept bays. En route, you’ll encounter some of the peninsula’s remarkable wildlife including graceful white bellied sea eagles and prolific sea birds. Keep watch for pods of sleek dolphins, cavorting seals or if you’re lucky, the unforgettable sight of majestic whales on their yearly migration.

Today we have reserved the Sky Lounge for you. The Sky Lounge is on the upper deck of Schouten Passage II. The adults only lounge with banquette style seating for up to 26 passengers provides an intimate experience, with direct access to the Captains bridge and private viewing deck. Morning tea, lunch and beverages are included. Enjoy a smorgasbord of plump local oysters, alongside salmon and smoked meats, breads, cheeses and salad served with the east coast's renowned wines and artisan brews. 

Wineglass Bay Cruises offer two pick-up points:
9.30am – 61 Jetty Road
10.00am – Freycinet Lodge Jetty
Please refer to your travel document for further details.

Leave Freycinet behind and drive south to your accommodation in Hobart. On the way, you may want pay a visit to the historic towns of Ross & Richmond.

Ross is arguably the finest nineteenth century village in Australia. Cobble-style paths and grand old elm trees line the main street, while the Ross Bridge, Australia's third oldest bridge still standing, is possibly the most beautiful of its kind left in the world.

The detail of its 186 carvings by convict stonemasons was deemed of such high quality that it won the men a free pardon.

Continue driving south to Richmond - a picture-perfect town in the heart of the Coal River Valley wine region that tells the story of an early Australian colonial village. The town's most photographed landmark is the Richmond Bridge. Built by convicts in the 1820s, it's the oldest bridge in Australia and offers a perfect picnic spot on the grassy banks of the Coal River.

Approximate driving distance: 240km

Today your Tasmanian Deluxe Road Trip comes to an end. Farewell Hobart as you make your own way to the airport (rental car drop off can be at the airport depot) for your onward flight or to continue the next part of your journey.

Check-out & departure information
Hotel check out is at 11am. You are welcome to leave your luggage in storage and explore the surrounding area if departing later.