On our first visit to Australia, we spent most of our time exploring the typical tourist hot spots in Sydney & Melbourne. While we cherish those experiences – be it catching a golden sunrise at Sydney Opera House or visiting the iconic 12 Apostles on a day trip from Melbourne – it was a short side-trip to Tasmania that completely blew us away. Our week-long road trip along Tasmania’s scenic east coast brought us to breathtaking landscapes, pristine beaches, mystical natural phenomena and indigenous wildlife.
When it was time to leave, we only had one regret and that was not allocating more time to explore the island state further. If you are like us – short on time but hoping to explore the highlights of Tasmania’s east coast – below is an itinerary just for you! 🙂
Day 1 & 2 – Hobart City Tour
Arrive & settle into Tasmania’s capital city. Hobart is one of our favorite cities. It is oh-so-perfectly perched along the estuary of a river and boasts delightful colonial architecture, gourmet dining experiences, thriving art scene and refreshingly clean air.
Things to do
- Take a stroll along Salamanca Place. This cobblestone square lined with centuries-old sandstone buildings housing a bustling fresh produce market, contemporary art galleries, craft shops & fine-dining restaurants captures the true essence of Hobart in few hundred yards.
- Visit Mt. Wellington for a bird’s eye view of Hobart City & beyond. While we opted to drive our way up to the top, there are well-maintained trails for those who wish to hike or cycle. Entry to the summit is free of cost.
- Beach-hopping – Hobart is home to a number of clear, sandy beaches. Be it for a BBQ picnic with family, a romantic walk at sunset with your loved one or for some alone time away from all the commotion, you’re sure to find a beach that works perfectly!
- Bio-hunting – At night, Tasmania’s beaches are lit – literally! Hobart is a hot spot for bio-luminescent plankton that emit a bright blue light when disturbed. Watching the shoreline glow with every incoming wave was beyond magical. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip!
- Tasmania’s close proximity to the southern hemisphere means there is a great chance of spotting the Aurora Australis aka the Southern Lights. During our short stay in Hobart, we were lucky to have caught a faint but scintillating display considering how elusive it is.
Travel Tips
- Salamanca Market is only open on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 3 pm. Plan your trip to Hobart accordingly as you wouldn’t want to miss this.
- While Mt. Wellington is open all day, every day, the path to the summit can be closed on account of bad weather. Click here to check the road status prior to your visit. Also, It can get extremely cold & windy at the summit even during the summer. Wear sufficient layers to keep yourself warm.
- If you plan to go aurora or bio-hunting, join discussion groups on Facebook for the latest updates on viewing probability, best vantage points and even photography tips. We joined groups like Aurora Australis Tasmania & Bio-luminescence Tasmania months in advance and the information provided was super helpful considering the unpredictable nature of both phenomena.
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Day 3 – Day Trip to Bruny Island
Tired of city views? Drive 30 minutes south of Hobart to Kettering Ferry Terminal and catch the next available ferry to Bruny Island. Oh, and don’t worry about parking. You can drive your car on to the vehicular ferry and be conveniently transported to Bruny in under 20 minutes. Plus, you only have to pay for the vehicle. Passengers travel free of cost!
Just off the south-eastern coast of mainland Tasmania, Bruny offered a delightful preview of what Tasmanian wilderness had in store for us – towering cliffs, spectacular coastlines, abundant plant & animal life.
Things to do
- First stop – The Neck Look-out. Take in sweeping views of Bruny’s North & South Islands from the narrow strip of land (called ‘the neck’) that connects the two. Game for climbing 238 steps to the viewing platform? Trust me, it’s definitely worth it!
- A trip to Bruny is never complete without visiting the iconic Cape Bruny Lighthouse. Built atop a cliff at the southern tip of the island, the lighthouse & the surrounding landscape is straight out of fairy tales.
- Bruny Island is a treat to the eyes AND the tongue. Start your gastronomic adventure at Bruny Island Cheese Co. They are a hit among locals and tourists alike for their high quality cheese & locally-brewed beer. If you’re in the mood for more, Bruny Island Premium Wines serves up some of the best oysters you’ll ever taste. Pair them with a wine of your choice and voila, there’s a meal you’ll remember for a long, long time.
- The best way to get up, close & personal with Bruny’s rugged coastline and its marine life is to hop on a sight-seeing cruise from Adventure Bay. The 3-hour cruise is priced at AUD 135 for adults & AUD 85 for kids. Click here to purchase tickets in advance.
- Don’t forget your picnic baskets & swim wear for there are so many picturesque beaches on the island. While it’s hard to pick a favorite, the ones along Adventure Bay & Lighthouse Bay sure did sweep us off our feet (I don’t mean the strong ocean currents 😋)
Travel Tips
- Tickets for the ferry can be purchased on the spot. Try to reach the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes prior to your departure time as the queue can be long. Click here for the full ferry schedule.
- Plan your pit stops carefully as there aren’t many restaurants especially on the South Island.
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Day 4 – Drive North to Bicheno & Coles Bay
Take a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Hobart on Tasman Highway/A3 to reach Bicheno – the farthest north this itinerary will take you. From Bicheno, drive south towards Freycinet and spend the night at one of the accommodations within the national park.
Things To Do
- Bicheno is a laid-back, coastal town best known for its lip-smacking seafood and a natural blowhole.
- Friendly Beaches – a two-kilometer-long white sand beach with pristine turquoise waters & hardly any people. The beach is perfect for surfing when the winds are right or just for a warm afternoon dip in the ocean if you suck at surfing like me.
- There is no better sight than a stunning sunset to end your day with and there is no better place than Cape Tourville Lighthouse to do that.
Travel Tips
- The main car park entrance to Friendly Beaches is at the northern end of the sandy stretch (adjacent to the campsite). We followed google coordinates & ended up at a different car park. The path down to the beach from there wasn’t “friendly” at all 😅
- The accommodations in Freycinet National Park tend to fill up months in advance during peak season. Make sure you book early.
- Like every other national park in Tasmania, you need a park pass to enter Freycinet. There are a range of pass options depending on the duration of stay & the number of national parks you plan to visit. Choose appropriately and purchase it in advance here or directly at the visitor center.
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Day 5 & 6 – Explore Freycinet National Park
One look at Freycinet National Park and you’ll understand why it is one of the top tourist attractions in Tasmania. Rewarding hikes through pink granite peaks, lazing away on unspoiled white sand beaches, kayaking next to dolphins & humpback whales and sleeping under a canopy of stars at one of the campsites are just a few of the several activities to embark on at Tasmania’s oldest & most-loved national park.
Things To Do
- Wineglass Bay Look-out – Remember the first image that popped up when you Googled Wineglass Bay? You can get to that view with a 1.6 kilometer hike from the car park. The hike is fairly easy with some steep sections and takes 40-45 minutes to reach the look-out point . Expect plenty of company as this is the shortest and hence, the most popular trail among tourists visiting Freycinet National Park.
- Wineglass Bay Beach – From the look-out, follow the Wineglass Bay track for another 1.5 kilometers to get to Wineglass Bay Beach. This hike involves descending over 1000 steps down to the beach & requires good levels of physical fitness to complete. The reward? One of the top 10 beaches in the world all to yourself!
- Hazards beach – If the 3 kilometer hike down to Wineglass Bay isn’t challenging enough, you can cross-over to the other side of the isthmus to Hazard’s beach. The total circuit (Car Park – Wineglass Bay Look-out – Wineglass Bay Beach – Hazard’s beach – Car Park) takes 5-6 hours (12.8 Kilometers) to complete and is strictly for experienced hikers.
- Beach-hopping – Freycinet National Park is home to many secluded, azure beaches. Our favourites – Sleepy Bay & Honeymoon bay!
- Low levels of light pollution in and around the park means excellent stargazing opportunities. If you are fascinated by Astrophotography like me, you’re in for a treat!
Travel Tips
- While I highly recommend hiking to Wineglass Bay, I understand it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Fret not! There are daily cruises departing from Coles Bay which offer you the luxury of getting to Wineglass Bay without breaking a sweat. Plus, you get the chance to spot dolphins, penguins & migrating humpback whales. More information about the cruise here.
- No matter which trail you choose, wear breathable clothes & a good pair of hiking shoes. Carry plenty of water (there are no drinking fountains), some light refreshments, sunglasses, swimmers, towels and camera.
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Day 7 – Back to base
Our week-long road trip along Tasmania’s East Coast ended where it started – at the capital city of Hobart. The fun doesn’t have to end here. If you have a few more days to spare, you could drive further north to Bay of Fires to orange lichen-encrusted rocks or continue inland to Launceston & Cradle Mountain for a week of epic hiking adventure.
Budget Guide
To help you plan your trip better, below are more details about where we stayed, which car rental we chose and other miscellaneous expenses that you may need to be aware of.
Accommodations
To make the most of our time in Tasmania, we based ourselves at two locations for the entire week.
| Days | Location | Accommodation Name | Average Price/night |
| 1-4 | Hobart | Airbnb at Sandy Bay | USD 120 |
| 4-7 | Coles Bay | BIG4 Iluka at Freycinet | USD 100 |
We absolutely loved our Airbnb in Hobart. Ideal for a group of 3-5 adults, the apartment was spacious, spotless and equipped all the essential amenities. The best part? A patio overlooking the sea to catch sunsets from!
BIG4 Iluka at Freycinet was comfortable, close to eateries and all the main attractions. However, if you wish a little more serenity, you can opt for Freycinet Lodge nestled next to Honeymoon Bay. The rates are slightly steeper at USD 150/night for a standard cabin but definitely worth it.
Car Rental
We rented our vehicle from Europcar (Hobart Airport). The booth was easy to find & pick-up/drop-off was smooth. The average rental cost for a mid-sized sedan was approximately USD 60 per day (with full damage protection). Considering Tasmania’s animal population, you are guaranteed at least one close encounter with a wild kangaroo or a possum on the road. So, I highly recommend opting for full damage protection which will bring down the maximum excess payable to zero in the event of an accident. Better safe than sorry, right?
Last but not least…
The number of road kills we witnessed every day in Tasmania was both heart breaking & alarming. It is estimated that around 32 animals are killed every hour on Tasmanian roads making it the roadkill capital of the world. Please do your part to protect Tasmania’s wildlife. Adhere to speed limits and drive with care at animal crossings. Exercise additional caution while driving at night.
Spare a thought for the voiceless. After all, our planet is theirs too!
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