Road Trip: Tasmania
In December 2016, I spent 6 days exploring Tasmania, an isolated island state off Australia’s south coast.
I traveled through Hobart, Port Arthur, the Tasman Peninsula, Coles Bay, the Freycinet Peninsula, Cradle Mountain, Longford, Launceston, and many small towns along the way.
Not interested in the play-by-play? You can skip to our itinerary.
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Day One: Drive from Hobart International Airport to Port Arthur.
The Tasman Peninsula is home to Australia’s highest sea cliffs and striking panoramic views.
I stopped in the town of Sorell earlier in the day and bought a few groceries so that I could enjoy a relaxing and quiet dinner at the cottage.
What a great way to end a long day of traveling. And if I’m not mistaken, I was asleep before sunset.
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Day Two: Drive from Port Arthur to Coles Bay.
I woke up refreshed and ready to explore a little more of the strikingly rugged Tasman Peninsula:
And then enjoyed a delightful lunch of Freicinet Oysters and fish and chips at Devil’s Corner Cellar Door.
It was the perfect fuel for hiking and exploring Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park.
You can read all about that adventure HERE.
Tombolo Freycinet is one of the most popular spots on the Freycinet Peninsula and best known for their Wood Fired Pizza.
I ordered one to-go, bought a bottle of local wine, and enjoyed another gorgeous evening in my home away from home.
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Day Three: Drive from Coles Bay to Cradle Mountain.
The drive from Coles Bay to Cradle Mountain is about 3.5 hours.
I stopped in Ross along the way, a charming colonial village from the early 1800s.
Ross Village is a good place to stop and stretch your legs. Definitely check out the history of the Ross Female Factory, a workhouse (prison) for female convicts and their babies.
And be sure to grab a snack at the Ross Village Bakery, circa 1860.
About an hour and a half from Ross is Ashgrove Cheese Farm. This is another great place to stop for cheese snacks and ice cream.
I arrived at Cradle Mountain in time to hike around Dove Lake, a 5.7 km picturesque circuit located at the foot of Cradle Mountain.
You can read all about that HERE.
Cradle Forest Inn is located in Moina, about 25 minutes from Dove Lake, and offers private chalets in the forest.
I loved the contrast it offered from my previous stops.
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Day Four: Explore Cradle Mountain.
My second day in Cradle Mountain ended up being cold and rainy, so I cancelled my hike at Montezuma Falls.
Instead, I visited Devils @ Cradle, a unique conservation facility concentrating primarily on the Tasmanian devil.
That photo makes the Tasmanian devil appear vicious, but to be honest, he was only yawning.
Look how cute!
Devils @ Cradle offers several tours including an after dark feeding tour.
I spent the rest of the day at a cozy chalet reading, looking through my trip photos, and watching the snow fall.
There was also another pizza.
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Day Five: Drive from Cradle Mountain to Longford.
I woke to a gorgeous day for driving.
My first stop was Mole Creek to see Mickey the Tasmanian Devil located outside of Trowunna Wildlife Park.
These are important stops for me.
This was right up there with Larry the Lobster and The World’s Largest Peanut.
Another worthwhile stop is Melita Honey Farm.
After tasting countless flavors of honey, I finally settled on a spicy one to go with the cheese I bought at Ashgrove Cheese Farm.
I arrived in Relbia in time for my 1pm reservation at Josef Chromy Cellar Door.
You can read all about our Chef’s Choice 4-course lunch overlooking the vineyard HERE.
The Racecourse Inn in Longford is a Historic Georgian Coaching Inn, built 1860.
Longford is a country town full of colonial charm and was the ideal spot to spend my last night in Tasmania.
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Day Six: Explore Launceston.
My last day in Tasmania began with a hearty breakfast at The Racecourse Inn:
They use eggs from their resident chickens and produce from their extensive orchard.
Launceston’s own piece of wilderness is located just outside the city center and an easy 15 minutes from the airport.
Launceston Cataract Gorge & First Basin is home to the the world’s longest single span chairlift:
And many hiking trails, wildlife, and views.
It was the perfect way to end my Tasmanian adventure!
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Day One Highlights
Drive from Hobart International Airport to Port Arthur.
- Lodging: Abs by the Bay
- Food:
- Coles Supermarket in Sorell
- Sorell Fine Meat
- Things to do/see:
- Remarkable Cave
- The Maingon Bay Lookout
Day Two Highlights
Drive from Port Arthur to Coles Bay.
- Lodging: Hazards Escape
- Food:
- Things to see:
- Tasman Blowhole
- The Tasman Arch
- Devil’s Kitchen
- Eaglehawk Neck Tessellated Pavement
- Doo Town
- Wineglass Bay
Day Three Highlights
Drive from Coles Bay to Cradle Mountain.
- Lodging: Cradle Forest Inn
- Food:
- Ross Village Bakery
- Ashgrove Cheese Farm
- Feathers Bistro
- Things to see:
- Ross Village
- Ross Female Factory
- Dove Lake Circuit
Day Four Highlights
Explore Cradle Mountain.
- Lodging: Cradle Forest Inn
- Food:
- Feathers Bistro
- Things to see:
- Montezuma Falls
- Devils @ Cradle
Day Five Highlights
Drive from Cradle Mountain to Longford.
- Lodging: The Racecourse Inn
- Food:
- Josef Chromy Cellar Door
- Cheqered Flag Bistro
- Things to see:
- Large Tasmanian Devil in Mole Creek
- Melita Honey Farm
Day Six Highlights
Drive from Longford to Launceston.
- Food:
- Burger Got Soul
- Things to see:
- Launceston Cataract Gorge