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Orange-lichened granite coastline at The Gardens in the Bay of Fires
❤️ Tourism Tasmania
Itinerary · TAS

Tasmania's east coast: a seven-day road trip

Take Tasmania's east coast at an unhurried pace — from Hobart's harbour to the convict history of the Tasman Peninsula, the pink-granite peaks of Freycinet and the orange-lichened boulders of the Bay of Fires, before turning inland to Launceston.

HobartLaunceston610 km5–12 days5 stops

By Dan Wild · Last reviewed 27 July 2026

What to expect

  • Slow mornings in harbourside Hobart
  • Convict history and sea cliffs on the Tasman Peninsula
  • Two nights at Coles Bay, beside Freycinet and Wineglass Bay
  • The orange-lichened boulders and white sand of the Bay of Fires
  • An inland finish in Launceston and the Tamar Valley

A relaxed week: two nights to settle into Hobart, a night on the Tasman Peninsula, two nights on Freycinet's doorstep at Coles Bay, and a night in St Helens before the inland run to Launceston. Two of the seven days involve no driving at all.

Route at a glance

  1. 1.Hobart

    2 nights recommended

    Tasmania's harbour capital and the start of the drive — worth a full day before you point the car north.

    Next: Port Arthur · 91 km · 1 hr 19 min · Tasman Highway, A3, Arthur Highway, A9

  2. 2.Port Arthur

    1 night recommended

    Base for the Tasman Peninsula — home to Australia's most intact convict site and some of the country's tallest sea cliffs.

    Next: Coles Bay · 240 km · 3 hrs · Arthur Highway, A9, Tasman Highway, A3, Coles Bay Road, C302

  3. 3.Coles Bay

    2 nights recommended

    The gateway to Freycinet — pink-granite peaks, white beaches and the famous curve of Wineglass Bay.

    Next: St Helens · 114 km · 1 hr 32 min · Tasman Highway, A3

  4. 4.St Helens

    1 night recommended

    The east coast's largest town and the base for the southern Bay of Fires.

    Next: Launceston · 165 km · 2 hr 6 min · Tasman Highway, A3, Esk Highway, A4, National Highway 1

  5. 5.Launceston

    Trip ends here

    The northern end of the drive, at the head of the Tamar Valley.

Day plan

1Day 1

Arrive in Hobart

Hobart harbour waterfront with boats and city hills beyond
❤️ Tourism Tasmania

Ease in with an arrival day in Hobart rather than pairing a long drive with unpacking. Stretch your legs along the waterfront and settle into the harbour city.

Overnight in Hobart

Places to stay near Hobart

BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park - 1
BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park - 2
BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park - 3
BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park - 4
BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park - 5
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BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park

Cambridge, Tasmania

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Snug Beach Cabin & Caravan Park - 1
TAS
4.4(533)Google

Snug Beach Cabin & Caravan Park

Snug, Tasmania

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Highlights

  • Settle into Hobart

Things to do

2Day 2

Explore Hobart

Sandstone warehouses and plaza at Salamanca Place in Hobart
Hobart waterfront lit up at night across the harbour
❤️ Tourism Tasmania

A full day in Hobart with no driving — the docks and Salamanca, and the climb (or drive) up kunanyi / Mount Wellington for the view over the Derwent.

Overnight in Hobart

Highlights

  • A day without changing bases

Things to do

CultureAllow 3 hrs
MONA

Set aside a substantial block for Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art; check tickets and ferry or road access before visiting.

Scenic stopAllow 1 hr 30 min
kunanyi / Mount Wellington

Head to the summit lookout for views over Hobart, allowing for fast-changing mountain conditions.

3Day 3

Hobart to Port Arthur

91 km
1 hr 19 min
HobartPort Arthur
Historic sandstone buildings at Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula
❤️ Tourism Tasmania

Head down onto the Tasman Peninsula, trading the city for dolerite sea cliffs and convict history. Check current Tasman Peninsula access before you plan the afternoon.

Parks Tasmania lists current access and alerts for Tasman National Park — worth a quick look when you're planning walks. Check current updates

Overnight in Port Arthur

Places to stay near Port Arthur

NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park - 1
NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park - 2
NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park - 3
NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park - 4
NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park - 5
TAS
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NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park

Port Arthur, Tasmania

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Highlights

  • Tasman Peninsula overnight
Driving details(1 leg)

Hobart → Port Arthur

91 km · 1 hr 19 min · Tasman Highway, A3, Arthur Highway, A9

Sealed public road on the selected base route.

Drive time excludes peninsula activities, stops and current delays.

Stops along the way

NatureAllow 30 min
Tasman Arch

A short Tasman Peninsula coastal stop focused on the natural sea arch and nearby cliff scenery.

NatureAllow 30 min
Tessellated Pavement

Pause at Eaglehawk Neck for the naturally fractured rock platform beside the coast.

4Day 4

Port Arthur to Coles Bay

240 km
3 hrs
Port ArthurColes Bay
Rocky coastline and turquoise water on Tasmania's east coast
Oyster farm sheds and boats at Freycinet Marine Farm
❤️ Tourism Tasmania

The longest drive of the week runs back through Sorell and up the coast to Coles Bay, on the doorstep of Freycinet. Arrive with the afternoon free to settle in for two nights.

Overnight in Coles Bay

Places to stay near Coles Bay

BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park - 1
BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park - 2
BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park - 3
BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park - 4
BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park - 5
TAS
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BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park

Coles Bay, Tasmania

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Highlights

  • Arrival at the Freycinet base
Driving details(1 leg)

Port Arthur → Coles Bay

240 km · 3 hrs · Arthur Highway, A9, Tasman Highway, A3, Coles Bay Road, C302

Sealed public road on the selected base route.

This is the longest base leg; drive time excludes stops and current delays.

Use the sealed return via Sorell; Kellevie, Nugent and Wielangta shortcuts include unsealed sections and are outside this base route.

Stops along the way

Food & drinkAllow 1 hr 15 min
Devil's Corner Cellar Door

Break the long drive at the east-coast cellar door; check current hours and tasting arrangements first.

Official info from Devil's Corner
HeritageAllow 20 min
Spiky Bridge

A quick roadside pause at the distinctive convict-built stone bridge south of Swansea.

5Day 5

Explore Freycinet from Coles Bay

White sand and turquoise water at Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park
❤️ Tourism Tasmania

A day on foot in Freycinet — the Wineglass Bay lookout, the granite Hazards and quiet beaches — with no need to move base. Check current park access before choosing your walks.

Parks Tasmania lists current Freycinet access and alerts — handy before you pick walks for the day. Check current updates

Travelling with a dog? Confirm current pet rules for Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park before you go.

Overnight in Coles Bay

Highlights

  • A full day without changing bases

Things to do

6Day 6

Coles Bay to St Helens

114 km
1 hr 32 min
Coles BaySt Helens
Sunrise light over Georges Bay near St Helens on Tasmania's east coast
Orange granite boulders and pale beach at Cosy Corner in the Bay of Fires
Sandy beach and clear water at Jeanneret Beach in the Bay of Fires
❤️ Tourism Tasmania

Follow the coast north to St Helens, with the Bay of Fires and its orange-lichened boulders within reach. Treat any Bay of Fires visit as a side trip and check access first.

Before heading out from St Helens, check Parks Tasmania for current Bay of Fires access and any temporary restrictions. Check current updates

Overnight in St Helens

Places to stay near St Helens

Scamander Sanctuary Holiday Park - 1
Scamander Sanctuary Holiday Park - 2
Scamander Sanctuary Holiday Park - 3
Scamander Sanctuary Holiday Park - 4
Scamander Sanctuary Holiday Park - 5
TAS
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Scamander Sanctuary Holiday Park

Scamander, Tasmania

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Tasman Holiday Parks - St Helens - 1
TAS
4.7(528)Google

Tasman Holiday Parks - St Helens

St Helens, Tasmania

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Highlights

  • East coast drive
  • St Helens overnight
Driving details(1 leg)

Coles Bay → St Helens

114 km · 1 hr 32 min · Tasman Highway, A3

Sealed public road on the selected base route.

Drive time excludes east coast stops and current delays.

Stops along the way

NatureAllow 30 min
Bicheno Blowhole

Pause in Bicheno for the coastal blowhole, keeping back from spray and exposed rocks.

7Day 7

St Helens to Launceston

165 km
2 hr 6 min
St HelensLaunceston
Aerial view of the North Esk and Tamar rivers meeting near Launceston
Chairlift and gorge views at Cataract Gorge in Launceston
Historic General Post Office building in central Launceston
❤️ Tourism Tasmania

Turn inland for the final leg over the ranges to Launceston and the Tamar Valley. Onward travel is beyond this seven-day plan.

Highlights

  • Inland finish in Launceston
Driving details(1 leg)

St Helens → Launceston

165 km · 2 hr 6 min · Tasman Highway, A3, Esk Highway, A4, National Highway 1

Sealed public road on the selected base route.

Drive time excludes stops, traffic and current road conditions.

Stops along the way

Viewing full route overview

Before you go

Best time to travel
The east coast is a year-round drive. Late spring to early autumn brings the mildest weather for beaches and coastal walks; winter is quieter and cooler. Conditions can change quickly, so check current road, park and weather sources before you set out.
Traveller fit
Made for self-drivers who would rather savour one coastline than rush a full lap of the island.
Preferred direction
The drive runs north: start in Hobart, drop down to the Tasman Peninsula, then follow the coast up through Coles Bay and St Helens before turning inland to finish in Launceston. It works just as well in reverse.
Totals include
The distance and drive time above cover road travel only — they don't include sightseeing stops, side trips, traffic or delays.
Vehicle · caravan
A popular drive for caravans and motorhomes — match each day's roads to your own rig before you tow.
Roads
Before you leave each morning, glance at Tasmania Police community alerts — weather and events can shift road conditions overnight. Check current updates
Towing
Happy towing territory for many travellers — still match each day's roads to your own caravan, campervan or motorhome.
Sources (19)

Official and primary references used for places, access, and trip facts on this itinerary. Check these for tickets, hours, and seasonal closures.

Frequently asked questions

Does the total drive time include sightseeing stops or delays?

No — the distance and drive time cover just the four main legs between stops. Sightseeing, side trips, traffic and any current delays are on top of that.

Do I have to book the stays through Total Parks?

No. The plan stands on its own. Where Total Parks lists a stay near an overnight base, we show it on this page — otherwise arrange accommodation wherever suits you.

Route overview

Full route · 610 km