❤️ Tourism TasmaniaTasmania'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.
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.Hobart
2 nights recommendedTasmania'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.Port Arthur
1 night recommendedBase 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.Coles Bay
2 nights recommendedThe 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.St Helens
1 night recommendedThe 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.Launceston
Day finish (no overnight)The northern end of the drive, at the head of the Tamar Valley.
Arrive in Hobart
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
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Highlights
- Settle into Hobart
Things to do
Salamanca Place
Walk the sandstone warehouse precinct beside Hobart's waterfront.
Explore Hobart
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
MONA
Set aside a substantial block for Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art; check tickets and ferry or road access before visiting.
kunanyi / Mount Wellington
Head to the summit lookout for views over Hobart, allowing for fast-changing mountain conditions.
Hobart to Port Arthur
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.
Overnight in Port Arthur
Places to stay near Port Arthur
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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
Port Arthur Historic Site
Allow at least half a day for the historic buildings, ruins, grounds and included experiences.
Tasman Arch
A short Tasman Peninsula coastal stop focused on the natural sea arch and nearby cliff scenery.
Tessellated Pavement
Pause at Eaglehawk Neck for the naturally fractured rock platform beside the coast.
Port Arthur to Coles Bay
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
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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
Devil's Corner Cellar Door
Break the long drive at the east-coast cellar door; check current hours and tasting arrangements first.
Spiky Bridge
A quick roadside pause at the distinctive convict-built stone bridge south of Swansea.
Explore Freycinet from Coles Bay
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.
Overnight in Coles Bay
Places to stay near Coles Bay
Highlights
- A full day without changing bases
Things to do
Wineglass Bay Lookout
Climb through the Hazards to the lookout; the official guide suggests 60 to 90 minutes for the return walk.
Cape Tourville Lighthouse
Take the short lighthouse boardwalk for an open coastal perspective over Freycinet.
Coles Bay to St Helens
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.
Overnight in St Helens
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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
Bicheno Blowhole
Pause in Bicheno for the coastal blowhole, keeping back from spray and exposed rocks.
Binalong Bay
Use the St Helens base for a southern Bay of Fires beach stop, subject to current access advice.
St Helens to Launceston
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
Cataract Gorge Reserve
Finish with a walk in the river gorge and reserve close to central Launceston.
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
- We haven't assessed this route for any particular caravan or motorhome — check each road against your own rig before you tow.
- caution · road
- Tasmanian roads can change with weather and events. Check Tasmania Police community alerts before you set out — this plan doesn't claim every road is open today. Check the official live source before travel.
- caution · rig towing
- We haven't verified this route for any particular caravan, campervan or motorhome — assess each road against your own rig.
Sources (19)
Official and primary references used for places, access, and trip facts on this itinerary. Check these for tickets, hours, and seasonal closures.
- Discover Tasmania 14-day island itinerary — Tourism Tasmania
- Discover Tasmania lap of the map road trip — Tourism Tasmania
- Human review of Tasmania east coast legs in Google Maps — Google Maps
- Tasmania Police current road conditions and closures — Tasmania Police
- Tasman National Park visitor and access information — Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service
- Freycinet National Park visitor and access information — Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service
- Bay of Fires Conservation Area visitor information — Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service
- Port Arthur Historic Site driving directions — Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority
- Tasmania drive times and distances — Lap of Tasmania
- Total Parks Tasmania route and suitability review — Total Parks
- Discover Tasmania top attractions — Tourism Tasmania
- Discover Tasmania natural landmarks — Tourism Tasmania
- Discover Tasmania Freycinet Peninsula itinerary — Tourism Tasmania
- Discover Tasmania Bicheno guide — Tourism Tasmania
- Salamanca precinct guide — Salamanca.com.au
- Devil's Corner cellar door — Devil's Corner
- Port Arthur Historic Site visitor guide — Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority
- Cataract Gorge Reserve — City of Launceston
- OpenStreetMap reviewed POI coordinates — OpenStreetMap contributors
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