A lesser travelled road trip for us Aussie mainlanders, the drive from Hobart to Launceston (and back again), is a minefield of coastal gems. Make sure to capture the magnificent scenery along the way!
Stats:6 days / 5 nights
Drive distance = 666kms
Travelling time = Just over 9 hours
Key roads = A3, B82, B83, National Highway 1
Day One – Hobart & MONA
If you’re not a Hobart local, spend some time exploring Hobart before you kick off your road trip. If you are, skip day one and hit the road!
Pick up your hot wheels from Hobart Airport or the CBD and head into the heart of town.
For some great road trip tunes, lovingly handpicked by the lastminute lovelies, scroll to the bottom of the itinerary and get dancing to the Spotify playlist.
Hobart is famous for its amazing local produce and this is best seen by visiting the Salamanca Market, held every Saturday. If it’s not Saturday, not to worry – there are many amazing cafes and restaurants that showcase the region’s best in show, including Machine Laundry Cafe, located in Salamanca Square.
Another thing that puts Hobart on the map is its art and cultural scene, especially the Museum of New and Old Art (MONA). Situated within the Moorilla Winery (stop in for a drop if you’re thirsty), MONA was officially opened on 21 January 2011 and features antiquities, modern and contemporary art from the David Walsh collection. On entering the museum, visitors are greeted with a bar so feel free to grab a drink before embarking on the epic journey that is MONA.
MONA; Image Credit www.mona.net.au
All that culture will surely leave you tired, so book in to a Hobart hotel for the night. Availability is hard to come by, but if you’re lucky, we highly recommend the MONA Pavilions for a special treat.
MONA Pavilions
Book a Hobart hotel.
Day Two – Sorell, Richmond, Swansea
Okay, now it’s time to hit the road. Jump on the A3 and head to the next stop on your great Aussie road trip, Sorell, just thirty minutes away. On the coast, Sorell is famous for its fresh fruit, so be sure to pull the party over at Sorell Fruit Farm and pick some healthy treats for the road. From boysenberries to peaches, Sorell Fruit Farm has plenty of delicious fruit for you to stock up on.
Just fifteen further from Sorell is Richmond. Stop here for some lunch at the Richmond Maze and Tearooms or check out the old gaols for a healthy dose of history.
Inside Richmond gaol
Next, jump in the car and drive an hour and a half further along the A3 on to Swansea, a historic township that overlooks Great Oyster Bay and Freycinet National Park. Check in to some comfy accommodation and spend the rest of the afternoon with a glass of wine in hand. You know that’s what we’d do.
Book a Swansea hotel.
Day Three – Freycinet, Wineglass Bay, Coles Bay
The best way to wake up is to the sound of chirping birds, so sleep in and make the most of Swansea’s musical backyard.
When you’re up and raring to go, find yourself some naughty nosh at Kate’s Berry Farm. The cafe itself is called ‘Just Desserts Cafe’, so get ready for freshly made scones and toasted Belgium waffles with fresh berries, picked onsite. When you’re done, grab some berries, jams, dessert wines and/or chocolates to go. Delicious!
Today’s plan features Freycinet National Park. Freycinet, Wineglass Bay and Coles Bay are well-known as go-to destinations for hiking, fishing, rock climbing and even whale watching. Embark on a walk around the sites to make the most of all of them. Only here will you find pink granite mountains rising up and out of the sea to form Wineglass Bay, one of the best beaches in the world. Take your cossies too, because the water is mighty fine (if a little chilly!).
Stay in Freycinet for the night so you can experience the spectacular sunset (and sunrise, if you’re that way inclined).
Book a Freycinet hotel.
Day Four – Bicheno, St Helens
A brekkie of kings (or queens) is calling at Tombolo Freycinet, in Coles Bay. Known for their killer coffee, they’ll give you a kick-start to the day that will be essential for the drive ahead.
Then it’s on to Bicheno, a mere half hour drive away. There’s wildlife aplenty in Bicheno so keep an eye out for wombats, Tassie devils, penguins and other Aussie critters. Take a walk around the foreshore and have a look at the famous Bicheno blowhole, if only for the amazing coastal view.
Done? Keep on driving to St Helens, the game fishing capital of Australia and home to incredible, fresh oysters. If you’re just not that into game fishing, don’t despair because there are loads of other things to do here (including drinking wine – tick!).
Rock lobster nets
End the day with Latris with some ocean-to-plate oysters, before finding a comfy bed to sleep in. Bed in the Treetops is our absolute fave.
Book a St Helens hotel.
Day Five – Bay of Fires, Bridport, Launceston
Rise and shine nice and early, ready to spend some time today exploring the stunning Bay of Fires; you won’t regret it. From Binalong Bay and extending to Eddystone Point in the north, the Bay of Fires was named when Captain Tobias Furneaux discovered in 1773 that the area had many fires along the coast, believing that it was densely populated. This was due to the large Aboriginal population; an occupation that is still prevalent today.
The area offers many activities including boating, fishing, swimming, surfing and walking, and is well-known for many lengthy tourist coastal walks. If you’re up for it, put on your walking boots and get going!
Drive along the A3, and then the B82 to Bridport. Hit the beach in summer and make the most of the balmy temps. Last year the mercury rose to 39 degrees (yikes, who said Tassie was always cold?!). In winter, there’s nothing better than snuggling up in front of the wood fire with a glass of red.
Be sure to visit the Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm, one of the world’s largest lavender oil producers, and grab yourself some smelly goodness. From there, you can play golf (or try to) on the coast side Barnbougle Dunes, whatever your handicap.
From Bridport, it’s time to make tracks to Launceston. Driving along the B82 and the B83, Launceston is just over an hour’s drive away.
If you have time in the afternoon, the Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery is a must-see, before sampling the best of Launceston’s fresh produce to top off the trip. There are many restaurants to choose from to spend the afternoon.
Stay the night in Launceston to recover some essential energy for the final leg of the journey.
Book a Launceston hotel.
Day Six – Hobart
Yep, it’s a sad moment. Your road trip is coming to an end. Just over a two hour drive away along the National Highway 1 is Hobart, your final destination. But don’t despair, there’s plenty to do to make the most of your final day!
Check out the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens on the Eastern Edge of the city and then celebrate the end of your holiday with a well-deserved indulgent lunch and glass of wine somewhere nearby. Our faves include Republic Bar & Cafe and Segreto Cafe Trattoria.
If you’re craving some more Hobart time, check into a Hobart hotel and spend another day. We won’t judge 😉
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Have we missed anything? Add your tips in the comments below!