by TraceyLC
Tasmania may be small in size but its overflowing with natural beauty and a rich history. Tasmania’s small size makes it the ideal destination for a road trip and the close proximity of each town means you can spend more time exploring and less time driving.
Day 1 – Devonport
Devonport is Tasmania’s third largest city and the home of the Spirit of Tasmania car ferries. If you are bringing your own car over from the mainland, Devonport will be your first port of call. The maritime city is full of attractions suitable for all ages, from the spectacular ‘Bluff’ headland with its aboriginal carvings and Aboriginal Culture Centre to the Don Railway and Devonport Maritime Museum & Heritage Centre. Devonport is also bursting with unique boutiques and specialty shops making it a shopper’s paradise. A wide variety of restaurants and cuisines can be found on the streets of Devonport, satisfying even the most gourmet tastebuds. Accommodation in Devonport Tasmania is varied and plentiful, from quaint bed and breakfasts to international hotels and even holiday parks and backpackers.
Day 2 – Devonport to Launceston - 100km
The drive from Devonport to Launceston takes you through the picturesque wine region of the Tamar Valley. The Tamar Valley has an abundance of wineries, scenic walks, historic settlements and many small townships to explore. Once in Launceston, the second largest city in Tasmania and the third oldest city in Australia, there are numerous activities for young and old. Launceston is renowned for its fresh local produce and local wines so is a gourmet playground for foodies. The many nature walks and diverse natural attractions will keep nature lovers busy and for adventure lovers the Cable Hang Gliding and Hollybank Treetops Adventure are sure to satisfy. There are a range of Launceston Hotels and accommodation options available for travellers, with prices to suit every budget.
Day 3 – Launceston to George Town – 51km
Take the short drive to the coastal town of George Town, Australia’s oldest township and watch the world’s smallest penguins clamber their way to their nests each night. The Old Watch House Museum, the historic local gaol, is well worth a visit along with Hillwood Strawberry Farm and ‘The Grove’, a historic cottage built in 1829. The weather here can be cold in summer and in winter, so make sure you have a warm jacket no matter what time of year it is. Again, there is a range of accommodation in George Town Tasmania ranging from farm stays to 5 star hotels.
Day 4 & 5 – George Town to Hobart – 250km
The drive from George Town to Hobart takes you past the world famous Bay of Fires, Bicheno and Swansea some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. The Bay of Fires boasts pristine white sand, sparkling blue water, and rocky granite outcrops splashed with patches of orange lichen. Coastal activities such as fishing and diving are popular along this stretch of coastline. Further south you will come across Wineglass Bay consistently ranked as one of the top ten beaches in the world. The perfectly curving beach with its white sand meeting the turquoise water is a sight that will take your breath away. The encompassing Freycinet National Park is alive with native flora and fauna and beautiful walking tracks suitable for all fitness levels. Take a detour to the convict settlement of Port Arthur and delve into its torrid convict history and lively past. Despite its founding, Port Arthur is now a peaceful town surrounded by pretty gardens. Once in Hobart, Tasmania’s capital, accommodation is plentiful. Hobart accommodation is of international standards but also accommodates for backpackers and budget travellers.
Day 6 – Hobart to Queenstown – 260km
Queenstown is situated on Tasmania’s west coast and has a history based around mining. Once the world’s richest mining town, Queenstown’s scenery is dominated by scarred hills, disused tramlines and mineshafts. Although many of the hills have been stripped of their natural bushland there are still dense areas of surrounding forest harbouring stunning wilderness walks, lookouts and waterfalls including Tasmania’s highest waterfall, Montezuma Falls which plummet over 100m. Queenstown accommodation has a pioneering spirit with options ranging from old miners quarters to stately homes with log fires along with the usual hotels, motels and backpackers.
Day 7 – Queenstown back to Devonport – 270km
The road trip from Queenstown to Devonport will take you past the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park, where the iconic Cradle Mountain looms above the picturesque Dove Lake. The sheer magnificence of the Cradle Mountain is a sight not to be missed, and different times of day show it in varying lights and moods. A range of tours including horseback rides, helicopter flights and guided four wheel drive tours enable a variety of viewing experiences for Cradle Mountain and the surrounding landscape.
For more information on accommodation in Devonport, Launceston hotels and accommodation in George Town Tasmania visit Choice Hotels online.
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