A trip to Tasmania is a huge undertaking – it may look small compared to the rest of Australia, but there is so much to see here! I spent one amazing month of my Lap of Australia road tripping around Tasmania, and loved every second. If you’re looking to put together a one-month itinerary for Tasmania, this article is for you! Based off of my own Tassie trip, here’s a one-month itinerary for road tripping Tasmania.
How to Get to Tasmania
There are two main options for traveling Tasmania: taking your vehicle over on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, or flying into one of the cities and renting a car. I brought my car over on the ferry – which was pretty pricey! – but regardless of what you do, you’ll really need your own vehicle. Public transportation is limited or non-existent in Tassie, so having a car is essential! The itinerary below is based on arriving into and departing from Devonport, on the ferry.
Day 1
Your first day will likely be arriving in Tasmania. This itinerary is from my own experience in Tassie, so I took the ferry from Geelong to Devonport. This took all day! There are night sailings if you’d prefer to save time. If you’re flying and picking up a rental vehicle, you’ll still probably spend several hours doing this. So be realistic and don’t try to cram too much in on the first day!
Day 2
Spend this day visiting Launceston, Tassie’s second city (after the capital, Hobart). There are a good number of accommodation options, shops, restaurants, and cafes to keep you busy here. Be sure to head out to Cataract Gorge – I loved the short walk out to Sentinel Lookout. Drive up to Grindelwald for a quick visit to this Swiss-themed village, and take a stroll around the church. Spend most of the afternoon at Bridestowe Lavender Estate, one of the most iconic spots on Tasmania. From November to January, the fields here turn into a blanket of purple flowers – I’m so sad that I missed the prime colors on my trip to Tasmania!
Day 3
You’ll spend a good chunk of the day driving to the East Coast. The Little Blue Lake is one unmissable spot in northern Tasmania – it was originally a mine hole, but now a shockingly bright blue lake. Swimming in the water is not recommended due to the lake’s high mineral content. After some time here, drive to the Bay of Fires. Stick to the highways, as I ended up taking unsealed roads for over an hour thanks to GoogleMaps sending me on the quickest route! Bay of Fires was one of my favorite parts in all of Tasmania. Explore the beautiful beaches around Binalong Bay, Taylor’s Beach, Suicide Beach, and the Gardens. Suicide Beach was probably my favorite of all the beaches here.
Day 4
Spend another day at the Bay of Fires, relaxing on the pristine white sand beaches and swimming in that crystal-clear blue water. This really is paradise on earth! I could have spent a week here easily – especially since there are so many top-notch free campgrounds on this stretch of the coast.
Day 5
Bid the Bay of Fires farewell, and get ready for an epic coastal drive today. Detour inland to see St Columba Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Tasmania at 90 meters tall. Then drive down past Bicheno to Freycinet National Park. If you have time tonight and the weather forecast is on your side, head up to Mount Amos for sunset/golden hour. It was one of the best experiences of my entire year in Australia.
Day 6
Start the day with a hike: the Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach circuit loop. This will take anywhere from 3.5 to 5 hours, so give yourself plenty of time. After the hike, it’s time to hit the beach! Relax at Honeymoon Bay, or head out to Sleepy Bay for a less-crowded afternoon. Richardson’s Beach is another great spot – the beach is so long, that it won’t feel crowded even if it’s busy.
Day 7
Soak up the last of your morning and afternoon at Freycinet National Park, hiking Mount Amos or doing other hikes in the park. Then it’s time to drive down to Triabunna – be sure to follow the highways here, as GoogleMaps may take you on some unsealed roads that are signed as only suitable for 4WDs!
Day 8
Spend the whole day on a trip to Maria Island. See the Painted Cliffs, or spend the day hiking up Bishop and Clerk. Learn about the island’s convict history in Darlington, the main settlement. Hopefully you’ll also spot a wombat – the island is home to a big population, and they are just so cute! Maximize your time on the island and take the last ferry back in the day. Or, choose to camp overnight on the island and come back the next morning!
Day 9
It’s time for another Tassie bucket-list destination today: the Tasman Peninsula. Drive down the coast and cross over onto the peninsula, visiting the Tessellated Pavement and Tasman Arch. Give yourself a few hours at Port Arthur – the historic site here is one of the most infamous prison and convict settlements in all of Australia. I learned so much on my visit here, and highly recommend it.
Day 10
Continue your exploration of the Tasman Peninsula on the hike out to Cape Hauy, which will take about 3 to 4 hours altogether. The trail is undulating, with some steep sections, but well-signposted and not too difficult. After the hike, relax on the sandy beach at Fortescue Bay. I couldn’t believe just how clear the water was here!
Day 11
Cape Raoul is one of the symbols of the Tasman Peninsula, and Tasmania in general. It’s a 16.5km hike altogether, but well worth it for the epic views of the hexagonal basalt columns, protruding out of the sea at the end. It’ll take about 3.5 to 5 hours.
Day 12
Spend the morning in Richmond, admiring the historic church and beautiful bridge. Then, visit Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary – this fantastic organization does so much for the local animal population in Tassie, and is well worth a visit. It’s a great opportunity to spot Tasmanian devils, along with wombats, echidnas, emus, and kangaroos. End the day in Hobart, Tassie’s thriving capital city. Catch the sunset from the top of Mount Wellington, if you can.
Day 13
Spend all day exploring what Hobart has to offer: MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art), the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Mount Wellington, and all of the local shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars in the city. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, be sure to visit the Salamanca Market!
Day 14
Spend the morning on any last-minute adventures in Hobart, then leave the city behind and drive out to hike the Cathedral Rock Track. It’s a steep 10km hike, but the views from the saddle are simply incredible. It’ll take about 3 to 4 hours in total, so perfect for an active afternoon.
Day 15
Leave the Tasmanian mainland behind and take the ferry to Bruny Island this morning. This is one of the best places to visit in Tasmania! See the phenomenal views from the Neck Lookout, try to spot the rare local white wallabies at Adventure Bay, hike the Fluted Cape track, and end the day at Jetty Beach. If you’re after another hike on Bruny Island, head to Mount Mangana – this is the highest point on the island, accessed by an unsealed road with varying conditions. I didn’t actually think the views here were that great, but it’s a top choice for escaping the crowds.
Day 16
Explore more of Bruny Island today. Visit Bruny Island Lighthouse, stop by the Bread Fridge, go for a tasting at Bruny Island Premium Wines, then spend the afternoon hiking the Cape Queen Elizabeth Track. This trail is very poorly signposted – many people choose to just hike to the first or second beach, and then turn around. Check the tide times in advance if you’re planning on walking along the beach.
Day 17
Leave Bruny Island on an early morning ferry, and set off to explore more of southern Tasmania. Hike the Hartz Peak Track – one of the best hikes in Tassie! It’s 8.5km in total, with a steep section requiring hopping across large boulders to reach the summit. The hike will take about 2.5 to 3.5 hours. If you aren’t up for hiking, head to Cockle Creek, the southernmost point of Tasmania (that you can drive to). Visit Hastings Cave and Thermal Springs on the way.
Day 18
Head north to Mount Field National Park on this day; your arrival time will depend on whether you went south to Cockle Creek or not. Be sure to walk the Three Falls Circuit in Mt. Field – Russell Falls is one of the prettiest waterfalls in Tasmania!
Day 19
Spend the day hiking the epic Tarn Shelf Circuit in Mount Field National Park. This was easily one of my favorite days in my entire Tasmania trip! The hike can be done in either direction, taking you past a number of beautiful alpine lakes high up on the tarn shelf. It’s 16.5km and will take 4.5 to 6.5 hours in total.
Day 20
Spend the day road tripping the less-traveled Wild West of Tasmania. Follow the B61 out to the Needles, a steep but spectacular hike on a good day, before continuing onto Gordon Dam. The views here are simply magnificent – I loved this part of Tasmania so much. Take your time here; today is about the journey. Spend the night around this area, or head up to Brady Lake – one of Tassie’s best free camps.
Day 21
It’s another day of road tripping Tassie’s Wild West: stop by the Lake St Clair Visitor Center, before driving onto Nelson Falls, Iron Blow Lookout, and Horsetail Falls. The road here (the Lyell Highway) is narrow and winding – ignore GoogleMaps time estimates, as it’ll almost certainly take longer. Stop in at Queenstown, or continue onto Strahan and Hogarth Falls.
Day 22
Spend the day on a Gordon River Cruise – this was a huge highlight of my time in Tasmania! I learned so much about the environment of the river and harbor, plus the fascinating (and macabre) history of Sarah Island, the oldest and most remote convict settlement in Tasmania. The cruise is 6 hours, so plan on spending the whole day doing this!
Day 23
They don’t call it the Wild West for nothing: on this day, visit Montezuma Falls and Lake Rosebery. The views here are really something else – this area is full of scenic roads and natural wonders. Swimming in Lake Rosebery, under the shadow of Mount Murchison, was one of my top experiences of my entire trip in Tasmania.
Day 24
Hikers will want to spend the day summiting Mount Murchison. This is the most underrated day hike in Tasmania! It’s a very steep and challenging route – covering almost 700 meters of elevation gain in just 3.5km. The total trial length is 7km, and will take 4 to 6 hours. Don’t miss this hike when traveling Tasmania. At the end of the day, head towards Cradle Mountain National Park.
Day 25
Check the weather forecast to plan your two days in Cradle Mountain. Hopefully, one of the days will be clear and you can hike up to the summit of Cradle Mountain! This is a challenging hike, and not one to be taken lightly – there is a lot of boulder-hopping and light scrambling to get to the true summit. But it’s one of the top day hikes in Tasmania, with good reason. It’s a 16km hike, taking between 6.5 to 8 hours.
Day 26
Depending on the weather or your ability level, spend a day doing some of the easier hikes in Cradle Mountain. The Dove Lake circuit is a great, low-level loop with amazing views of Cradle Mountain on a good day. For fewer crowds, head to Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat and hike to Bridal Veil Falls and Champagne Falls.
Day 27
Leave Cradle Mountain behind and drive to northwest Tasmania. Some of the scenery here is truly spectacular! Visit Philospher’s Falls, a pretty waterfall outside Waratah. Note that a Belgian backpacker went missing here in 2023, and her body has never been found – take extra caution when visiting this area if you’re a woman traveling alone.
Day 28
Drive part of the epic Tarkine Drive and visit the Trouwatta Arch – this part of Tasmania is truly off the beaten path, and a great way to escape the crowds. I wish I’d had time to do the full drive! In the afternoon, head to Stanley and admire the superb views from the Nut. I loved this part of Tassie, so give yourself enough time here.
Day 29
Explore some of the best spots around northern Tasmania today. Do the short hike around Leven Canyon Lookout, walk through the bush to Forth Falls, and go for a swim at Lake Barrington. There’s a great free campsite here, with access to the lake and dock for swimming.
Day 30
On your last full day in Tasmania, continue seeing the top destinations in the north. Visit Sheffield to see its impressive collection of murals, and admire the view from Kimberley’s Lookout. Stop at Latrobe to see the Big Platypus – maybe even spotting a real platypus in the river! If you’re taking the ferry, you’ll likely want to end the day close to Devonport – and get ready to bid a fond farewell to Tasmania.
Planning Your Trip to Tasmania
Hobart is the main airport in Tasmania – it’s the best choice for both domestic and international flights. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. If you want to travel to Tasmania by ferry, there is just one company: the Spirit of Tasmania. Book far in advance if possible – vehicle spots on ferry crossings, especially during the peak summer season, can be crazy expensive. Research your options in advance, too. It may be cheaper to fly and rent a car for your Tasmania trip, than to take your car on the Spirit of Tasmania. I definitely recommend having a car to make the most of your trip to Tassie – this itinerary is based on having a vehicle! Interested in joining a tour? Check out tour options in Tasmania below!
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Tasmania is one destination you can’t miss on a trip to Australia. For people who love the outdoors, it’s simply paradise – hiking, swimming, wildlife, and non-stop adventures await you here! My month in Tasmania went so fast, and I wish I’d had more time. But all good things must come to an end, I’m afraid. I definitely wish I’d had more time here, and I know it’s somewhere I’ll return. I hope this post helps you planning a one-month itinerary in Tasmania!
Have you visited Tasmania before? What was your itinerary like? Share in the comments!
You might also like my posts:
49 Spectacular Places You Must Visit in Tasmania
The Best Hikes in Tasmania, Australia
12 Tips for a Road Trip Around Tasmania
The Best Free Camps in Tasmania
Hiking the Tarn Shelf Circuit in Mount Field National Park, Tasmania
Australia Budget: Month 11 (February 2024)
All of my Australia posts!
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