If you’re planning a Tasmania travel itinerary and want clear, practical advice from someone who’s explored the island, you’re in the right place. I’m the creator behind Virtual Journeys NZ & Australia, and in this guide I’ll walk you through when to visit Tasmania, how to get around, two proven sample itineraries (short and long), and the planning tips you absolutely need to know before you hit the road. Whether you’ve got four days or two weeks, this Tasmania travel itinerary will help you make the most of the island’s beaches, mountains, rainforests and rugged coastline.
Why Tasmania Is Different — Seasons, Weather and Where to Go
One of the most common surprises for international travelers is that Tasmania’s climate is very different from northern and central Australia. When you’re building a tasmania travel itinerary, the first thing to remember is timing. Tasmania’s best travel season runs roughly from October through April — their summer and shoulder seasons — while much of northern Australia prefers the May to October dry season.
Tasmania’s climate is moderate and coastal, more like New Zealand than the tropical north of Australia. Rainfall is higher, especially on the west coast, which is lush with ancient rainforests. The eastern side is warmer and drier, dotted with long sandy beaches and calm bays. If hiking, beach time, or both are important, that east/west split will shape your tasmania travel itinerary.
Key climate takeaways for your Tasmania travel itinerary
- Tasmania’s peak period for outdoor activities: December–March (summer).
- Best months to combine Tasmania with northern Australia: October, November, April, May.
- Expect changeable weather — you can get four seasons in a day, even in summer.
- Western Tasmania = rugged, wet, rainforest; Eastern Tasmania = beaches, calmer conditions.
Getting There and Getting Around: Choosing the Right Transport
Most visitors fly into Hobart from mainland hubs like Melbourne or Sydney, and Hobart makes an ideal starting point for your tasmania travel itinerary. Once on the island, you have two main options: hire a rental car or travel in a motorhome/camper van.
Rental car vs camper van
- Rental car — Easier to navigate narrow, winding Tasmanian roads. Better if you plan to use accommodations as bases and take day trips (e.g. staying in the Cradle Mountain region and doing hikes).
- Motorhome / camper van — Gives flexibility and the freedom to stay close to nature, but travel is usually slower and you rely on motorcamps and holiday parks.
Public transport in Tasmania is limited. If you don’t want to drive, book organized tours from Hobart or Launceston. For short trips (4–5 days) it’s often best to base yourself in Hobart and book day tours to key spots like Bruny Island or Port Arthur.
When to Combine Tasmania with Other Australian Destinations
If your wider Australia travel plans include the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback, or Darwin, timing matters. The best hiking weather in Tasmania (December–March) coincides with the rainy, cyclone season in northern Australia. If you want a smooth multi-destination trip, aim for the shoulder months — October, November, April or May — which are often the best compromise for combining Tasmania with the Great Barrier Reef or Uluru.
If you prefer to travel in Tasmania during peak summer (December–March), plan to pair it with other southern destinations like Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road, Adelaide, or Kangaroo Island. When assembling your tasmania travel itinerary, think regionally and seasonally to avoid weather clashes across Australia.
Short Tasmania Travel Itinerary: 4 Nights / 3 Full Days
Short on time? You can still see a lot of Tasmania with a well-focused plan. Here are two options depending on whether you prefer coastal history or hiking.
Option 1 — Coastal, culture and history: Base in Hobart (4 nights)
This is your relaxed, no-packing-much style of tasmania travel itinerary. Stay in Hobart for four nights and use the city as your base for day trips:
- Bruny Island day tour — wildlife, coastal scenery, and local food.
- Port Arthur Historic Site — convict-era history and dramatic coastal landscapes.
- Explore Hobart — Salamanca Market (Saturday), MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), Mount Wellington lookout and local art scene.
Pros: Minimal packing and moving, relaxed pace, lots of guided options that include transport. Great if you want comfort and curated experiences.
Option 2 — Short hiking escape: Hobart + Cradle Mountain (2 nights each)
If hiking is your priority, split the 4 nights: two in Hobart to get a taste of the city and nearby attractions, then two in the Cradle Mountain area. Note: the drive from Hobart to Cradle Mountain is roughly 4–5 hours, so plan for a full travel day.
With two nights in the Cradle area you can enjoy some of Tasmania’s most famous walks — Dove Lake circuit, shorter peak lookouts, and the alpine environment. If time allows, add an extra night in Cradle Mountain to extend hiking time.
No matter which short option you choose, this compact tasmania travel itinerary lets you see Tasmania’s highlights without feeling rushed.
Complete Tasmania Travel Itinerary: 14 Nights / 13 Full Days
Want to do the full circle and experience Tasmania’s diversity from Hobart to the remote west coast? This comprehensive 14-night tasmania travel itinerary is designed to give you a deep and varied experience — beaches, vineyards, fishing villages, alpine hikes, and rugged wilderness.
Suggested breakdown:
- 2 nights — Hobart (base & day tours)
- 2 nights — Freycinet National Park / Coles Bay
- 2 nights — St Helens or Launceston (east coast exploration / vineyards)
- 2 nights — Stanley (northwest fishing village & coast)
- 2 nights — Cradle Mountain (hiking)
- 2 nights — Strahan (west coast, Gordon River cruise & Macquarie Harbour)
- Last 1–2 nights — Return to Hobart for departure
Day-by-day highlights and rationale
Hobart (2 nights)
Start in Hobart: visit Salamanca Market (Saturdays), Mount Wellington for panoramic views, and MONA if modern art is your thing. From Hobart you can also take day tours to Bruny Island or Port Arthur — both are excellent introductory trips that require minimal driving.
Freycinet / Coles Bay (2 nights)
Drive northeast to Freycinet National Park (about 2.5–3 hours from Hobart, allow extra time). Freycinet’s sandy bays and the famous Wineglass Bay viewpoint are quintessential Tasmania. This part of the island is drier and sunnier — perfect for beach walks and short hikes.
St Helens or Launceston (2 nights)
Head further up the east coast to St Helens — renowned for wide sands and beautiful beaches — or spend your nights in Launceston for a more urban base with food and vineyards nearby. St Helens works well if you want coastal relaxation; Launceston is great for cultural stops, food, and wine tours.
Stanley (2 nights)
From the northeast coast, swing to the northwest and stay in Stanley. This tiny fishing village is a favorite — fresh fish, dramatic coastal rock formations (The Nut), and a remote feel that makes you appreciate Tasmania’s low population density.
Cradle Mountain (2 nights)
Now head inland to the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. This is Tasmania’s hiking heart. Spend your time on iconic walks, alpine vistas, and lakeside circuits. Two nights gives you time for a signature walk and a relaxed second day; add a third night if hiking is the trip’s focus.
Strahan / West Coast (2 nights)
Next, travel to the west coast and stay in Strahan. The west is wild and dramatic — think huge surf, dense forests, and historic sites like the Henty Dunes and Macquarie Harbour. Must-dos include the Gordon River cruise and the West Coast Wilderness Railway (historic railway experiences are often seasonal).
Return to Hobart
The final drive back to Hobart can be long (allow at least 4.5 hours from Strahan), but the journey passes through remote southwestern wilderness. Plan stops for photos and short walks — the road itself is part of the experience.
This 14-night tasmania travel itinerary is a circuit that showcases the island’s diversity and ensures you have time to breathe rather than just tick boxes.
Practical Tips: Accommodation, Driving, Wildlife and Weather
Before you book, keep these crucial planning tips in mind. They’ll make or break your trip if neglected.
Accommodation bookings
If you’re traveling December–March, book accommodations at least six months in advance. Tasmania is very popular with Australian domestic travelers over the summer, and hotspots like Freycinet and Cradle Mountain can fill up quickly. For a stress-free tasmania travel itinerary, secure lodging early — especially if you’re traveling on weekends or school holidays.
Driving distances and times
Tasmania’s narrow and winding roads mean Google Maps estimates can be optimistic. Add 10–15% to drive-time estimates and build in time for scenic photo stops. Many drives are stunning and you’ll want to stop.
Wildlife on the roads
Be extra cautious at dawn and dusk. Wallabies and wombats are often active and collisions can seriously injure wildlife and damage vehicles. If you spot animals near the road, slow down and give them space — it’s a simple rule that saves lives.
Packing and weather prep
Even in summer, pack warm layers and waterproof gear. Tasmanian weather is famously changeable; having a reliable rain jacket, warm mid-layer, and sturdy footwear will keep you comfortable across varied environments from beaches to alpine areas.
Extra Tips & Variations for Your Tasmania Travel Itinerary
Here are a few extra ideas to tailor your tasmania travel itinerary to your style.
- If you love food and wine, add winery stops around the Tamar Valley and sample local seafood in Stanley and Hobart’s waterfront restaurants.
- If you’re short on time but want wilderness, do a condensed 7–10 day loop focusing on Freycinet, Cradle Mountain and a night or two in Hobart.
- For photographers, aim for golden hours on the east coast and the west coast’s dramatic surf during stormy weather — but be safe near waves and cliffs.
- Consider guided walks in Cradle Mountain if you want to learn more about the flora, fauna, and geology — local guides add depth to the landscape.
- Combine with Kangaroo Island if you’re building a broader southern Australia nature trip — they pair beautifully with Tasmania for wildlife and coastal scenery.
Sample Packing List for a Tasmania Travel Itinerary
- Waterproof jacket and layers (thermal base + fleece)
- Sturdy hiking shoes or boots
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen) — the sun can be strong even on cool days
- Reusable water bottle and snacks for long drives and hikes
- Camera with extra batteries and memory cards
- First aid kit and insect repellent
- Chargers, adapters and a portable power bank
Putting It All Together — Planning Your Ideal Tasmania Travel Itinerary
To build an effective tasmania travel itinerary, start by deciding how much time you have and what experience you want most: beaches, hiking, remote wilderness, or a mixture. If you have only a few days, base yourself in Hobart and pick targeted day trips. If you have two weeks, do the full circle and savor the variety from Freycinet’s beaches to Cradle Mountain’s alpine trails and Strahan’s rugged west coast.
Don’t forget to factor in seasonal considerations if you’re combining Tasmania with other parts of Australia: shoulder months (October, November, April, May) are often the most versatile for multi-region trips. Book accommodations early for peak season, allow extra driving time, and respect wildlife on the roads.
Final Thoughts
Tasmania is compact but astonishingly diverse. A well-thought-out tasmania travel itinerary gives you time to enjoy alpine lakes, white sand bays, world-class seafood, and remote wild coasts. Whether you opt for a short city-and-coast break or a full 14-night circuit, the island rewards curious travelers with scenery and experiences that feel both familiar and wonderfully remote.
If you want a downloadable planning sheet to help organize routes and accommodation windows, consider using a trip planner or itinerary template to map each night and major activity. A little planning up front makes the road trip smoother and more rewarding.
Safe travels — and enjoy the unique landscapes and friendly towns that make Tasmania such a special place to explore.
Additional Travel Resources
To further enhance your trip, here are some valuable resources:
Explore our NZ Must Do & See Playlist here
Download the 100% FREE Travel Planning Sheet here
Australia Youtube Playlist here
Watch our NZ Travel Planning Playlist on YouTube here
Review our NZ Sample Travel Itineraries on YouTube here
Check out our NZ Road Trips Playlist for route inspiration here
Other Australia travel blogs:
Best time to Visit Australia
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