Some folks say Tasmania is the place every Aussie wants to visit. Others say it’s Australia’s best-kept secret. It’s a great place for a campervan holiday. You’ll be spoiled for choice, even with a 14-day self-drive itinerary. Actually, you still won't see everything you’d wish to see, but there will be fewer regrets when you set aside 14 days to drink in the delights of Australia’s largest island. If you love the outdoors, Tassie has glorious beaches, photogenic mountains and rivers, unique wildlife and World Heritage areas.
The locals call it Tassie, and it’s the 26th-largest island in the world, with just a tiny half million people calling it home. An ideal place for a motorhome holiday, but remember, they drive on the left.
To find your ideal camper, visit our Tasmania rental comparison tool to browse through the different classes of vehicles and find the right one for your travel needs.
Port Arthur Historic Site 6973 Arthur Highway, Port Arthur
There are options galore in and around Hobart, the state’s capital city. About 75 km southeast of Hobart is the Tasman Peninsula, where you’ll marvel at the stunning rock formations. Closer to town is Mount Wellington, which provides expansive views over Hobart and the broader area, including Bruny Island. Other highlights include the Museum of Tasmania, Battery Point and the famous Salamanca Markets.
Cape Tourville Lighthouse Cape Tourville Rd, Coles Bay
Coles Bay has over 300 days of sunshine per year. That’s more than Queensland’s Gold Coast. No wonder it’s popular. Nature lovers and bird watchers love the views, including Wineglass Bay, renowned for sea eagles and other coastal birds. Outside magazine in the US voted Wineglass Bay as one of the 10 best beaches in the world. Wineglass Beach Walk overlooks the bay. It’s a must-see!
Located within the Freycinet National Park, the Cape Tourville Circuit is an easy 12-minute walk with spectacular views of the granite coastline.
Bicheno Blowhole Douglas St, Bicheno
The seaside holiday town of Bicheno is well known for the hole in the rocks that causes the incoming ocean waves to shoot up as powerful jets of water - especially in the afternoon when there's a strong wind and a big swell. Families love the relaxed atmosphere and the beautiful beaches.
Freycinet National Park is ideal for rock climbing, bushwalking, bird watching and nature photography. Well known for its rugged granite peaks, white sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters, the pink granite cliffs make it even more impressive. Choose from 7 excellent walks, including the 3 km mostly uphill walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout. In season, you can see dolphins and whales.
Hint: wear good walking shoes!
Serpentarium Wildlife Park 5 West St, St Helens
Heading further north, there’s St Helens and the Bay of Fires with stunning coastal scenery and Tasmania’s other famous beach, Binalong Bay. Half the fun is exploring, so just park somewhere that looks inviting and go for a wander. Or take the kids to the Serpentarium Wildlife Park, a heated indoor reptile display and museum featuring reticulated pythons, green anacondas and Indian star tortoises.
St Helens is a charming town with a relaxed vibe and delightful weather, with many locals saying the town has the best weather in Tassie. Extensive rainfall means the entire area is lush and green, with many waterfalls.
Halls Falls Anchor Road, Pyengana
Now we head inland through beautiful forests and past stunning waterfalls, including Halls Falls, St Columba Falls and Ralph Falls. Halls Falls has the most accessible access. It’s just off the Tasman Highway, with forests of eucalyptus and myrtle, ferns of all kinds and vocal wildlife up in the trees.
The Halls Falls Track is an easy (45 minutes there and back) trail near Lottah.
There’s also the Tamar Valley Touring and Wine route as another option.
Beaconsfield Mine Museum West St, Beaconsfield
Take a day to explore Launceston. Highlights include the idyllic Cataract Gorge, the wineries and orchards along the Tamar River Valley, and the Beaconsfield Mine museum (the location of the mining rescue).
Seahorse World 200 Flinders St, Beauty Point
As well as Seahorse World, you will also find Platypus House right next door with some very cute resident echidnas.
Marakoopa Cave 330 Mayberry Rd, Mayberry
When travelling to the World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain, consider visiting the caves. Marakoopa and King Solomon's Cave in Liena get rave reviews. Booking is recommended as tour groups are small. Other en-route options include Liffey Devils Falls and Gullet Lookout.
Gordon River Cruises 24 Esplanade, Strahan
With a population of 800, Strahan is a thriving harbourside village that is a great base to see the area, including the world-famous Gordon River. Treat yourself to an unforgettable launch trip into the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Highlights include wild scenery, trout and salmon farms, and a guided boardwalk in the rainforest. Tasmania's world heritage area satisfies 7 criteria out of a possible 10, the highest score of any place on earth.
Morrisons Huon Pine Sawmill 14 The Esplanade, Strahan
In season, there are demonstrations of the mill at work every afternoon. Other attractions in the area include Macquarie Harbour (6 times bigger than Sydney Harbour) and Queenstown (littered with relics from the mining boom).
West Coast Wilderness Railway 62 Esplanade, Strahan
This 35 km train line runs from Strahan to Queenstown, a 6-hour trip through dense rainforests and along the edge of deep gorges. You’ll see what extraordinary engineering and the amazing human spirit have built, and trained guides will bring the history of this remarkable achievement to life at several stops along the way. This cog railway is one of Tassie’s premier tourist attractions.
Hogarth Falls People's Park, Strahan
This spectacular waterfall is 15-20 metres high. It’s an easy, family-friendly 40-minute-return walk to get there. If you’re lucky (and quiet), you might see platypus activity in the creek and colourful fungi on the walk.
Lake Saint Clair A10 Highway, 2 hours east of Strahan
Here you will find Australia's deepest freshwater lake. Calling all bird watchers, this area has been identified as an IBA (Important Bird Area). Home to Tasmanian devils, platypuses, wombats, echidnas, currawongs and wallabies.
Other local highlights include Nelson Falls and the Franklin River.
Waddamana Power Station Heritage Site Waddamana Rd, Waddamana
Tasmania’s first hydropower station, it’s the centrepiece of the Great Lake Power Scheme. While no longer active, the original machinery and its interesting history are on display.
Mount Field National Park 66 Lake Dobson Rd, National Park
Tasmania's oldest national park has glistening waterfalls, massive tree ferns, outdoor baths, hikes, ski fields, and tall swamp gum forests. And wildlife!
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Lower Domain Rd, Hobart
The world’s only Subantarctic Plant House and much more to thrill gardeners and nature lovers. Entry is free.
You’re spoiled for choice here with so much to do before you leave Hobart, including Battery Point (a charming maritime village) and Mount Wellington if you skipped it earlier, a day trip to Bruny Island, or bicycle around Maria Island (a convict settlement in the 1800s).
Tahune Forest Airwalk Arve Rd, Geeveston
Finish your 14 days in Tasmania on a high. Literally! 88 km southwest of Hobart is this unique adventure attraction, a boardwalk 619 metres long and suspended 40 metres above the ground, looking down on treetops and out to the mountains.
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