8 Day Self Drive Tasmania Package

Make your own way to Hobart for an early afternoon check-in to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy the evening at leisure to experience some of the many highlights of Hobart.
Please note: Hotel check-in is from 3:00 pm, however, luggage storage facilities are available if you arrive early and want to get stuck into some early exploration of the city.

Overnight: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, or similar
Meals included: None

Today is free at leisure to explore beautiful Hobart. The harbor city offers a fantastic blend of heritage, scenery, and culture, with world-class museums and restaurants.

Recommended activities:
– Tasmania has access to some Australia’s best produce so enjoy a fine dining experience at award winning restaurants
– Take a ferry up the Derwent River to MONA, for an out-of-this-world modern art experience
– Sample beer from Australia’s oldest brewery at Cascade
– Wander Salamanca Place to explore galleries, theatres, craft shops and restaurants

Alternatively, you can join an optional full-day Port Arthur & Tasmanian Devils tour (not included), or a 3-hour Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise (not included).

Overnight: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast begin your self-drive adventure discovering the highlights of Tasmania.

Situated on Tasmania’s beautiful east coast, Freycinet National Park is home to dramatic pink granite peaks, secluded bays, white sandy beaches and abundant birdlife. The park occupies most of the Freycinet Peninsula and looks out to the Tasman Sea from the eastern side and back towards the Tasmanian coastline from the west. There are many more short walks across the park that are suitable for all abilities and that lead to secluded bays, clean beaches and bird-filled lagoons.

For an excellent half-day trek, continue on from the Wineglass Bay lookout down to the beautiful, perfectly curved beach and back to the park entrance via the Hazards Range for amazing views of Great Oyster Bay and the coastline surrounding the sleepy seaside village of Swansea. The Hazards look their best at sunrise and sunset when the pink granite glows bright and brilliant.

The beautiful beaches and pristine waters that surround the park can be enjoyed with swimming, kayaking or just lazing on the perfect white sand, while diving and snorkelling are rewarded with underwater views of abundant marine life.

The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife website can provide you with detailed information about various hiking options in the area, but here are links to two of the more popular hiking options: https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/freycinet-national-park/wineglass-bay-and-hazards- beach https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/freycinet-national-park/wineglass-bay-lookout
Highlights for this region:
– Various winery cellar doors around Cranbrook
– Freycinet National Park with a variety of different hiking options to view Wineglass Bay Lookout or the Wineglass Bay Beach Walk
– Freycinet Marine Farm to sample local oysters and mussels

Overnight: Hotel Beachfront Bicheno, or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

Today’s destination is Launceston, however, the turquoise waters of the Bay of Fires provide a worthy detour. Famous for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and orange lichen-covered granite boulders, the Bay of Fires is one of Tasmania’s most popular conservation reserves. The Bay of Fires conservation area extends along the coast from Binalong Bay in the south to Eddystone Point in the north.

Alternatively, before starting your trip you can join an optional 3-hour morning paddle (not included – 8:30 am December – February; 9:00 am March – November)
The Freycinet Peninsula and sea kayaking were made for each other! Sea kayaks allow us to slowly explore this spectacular coastline, passing quietly by wildlife such as majestic sea eagles. Discover the history of secluded coves such as Honeymoon Bay and the Fisheries, tales of shipwrecked whalers, French explorers, and the ancient culture of the Oyster Bay tribe. Friendly guides provide a safety briefing and paddling instruction before taking you onto the water. The tour is undertaken in stable, double sea kayaks, to cater to all levels of experience and ability. Single bookings are welcome – you will share a double kayak with a guide or fellow participant.
Inclusions:
– All sea kayaking equipment, stable double kayaks, warm jacket, spray jacket, dry-bag for personal items, experienced guides, light refreshments

Upon arrival in Launceston, check in to your overnight accommodation. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in the vibrant city famous for food and wine, culture and nature.

Overnight: Hotel Grand Chancellor, or similar
Meals included: None

Today the journey continues to Cradle Mountain. Part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is full of ancient rainforests, rich and diverse vegetation, deep river gorges, and historic Aboriginal sites.

Highlights for this region:
– Take the 2-hour circuit walk around Dove Lake to enjoy dramatic views of Cradle Mountain
– There are a variety of shorter walks available around the National Park such as the Pencil
– Pine Falls and Rainforest Walk or the Enchanted Walk following a cascading creek
– Keep an eye out for colourful fungi, especially during the colder months

Upon arrival, check in to your overnight accommodation.

Overnight: Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain, or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

Today your trip will bring you to Strahan, a small town and former port on the west coast of Tasmania.

Highlights for this region:
– A 3-hour return walk to the majestic Montezuma Falls
– Discover the mining history in the towns of Zeehan and Tullah

Overnight: Strahan Village Hotel, or similar
Meals included: None

Strahan is the gateway to the World Heritage-listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Just an hour from Strahan, water is ever-present in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park trickling down from mountain peaks, running into creeks that cascade and twist through the rocks, combining to make the powerful Franklin and Gordon rivers.

There are plenty of outdoor adventures to be had, an abundance of fresh food, and a dark-yet-rich history. Surrounded by national parks and wildlife refuges, Strahan is the perfect destination for the naturalist and those seeking a relaxing escape from the daily stress of modern life. Adventure to the end of the world, see the rarest of animals, stand at Hell’s Gates, and take the selfies to prove it.

The seafood in Strahan defines ‘fresh’. Fresh, too, are the paddock-to-plate fruits and vegetables coming straight from the rich Tasmanian soil. Dining ranges from bistro-casual to chef-inspired, from tasty takeaway fish and chips to sumptuous sassafras lamb.

You may like to join an optional 6-hour Gordon River Cruise (not included) which includes a cold buffet lunch. Voyage across Macquarie Harbour and feel the power of the Southern Ocean at Hells Gates. Pass fish farms and learn about salmon and trout farming. Glide past ancient rainforests and admire perfect reflections on the Gordon River. Enjoy quiet cruising on the Gordon River with Spirit of the Wild’s electric motors.

Overnight: Strahan Village Hotel, or similar
Meals included: None

Today begins the final leg of the journey. On your way back to Hobart visit Tasmania’s oldest National park, Mt Field National Park. Stand-out short walks include the Russell Falls and Tall Trees. The Styx Tall Trees Conservation Area is also a must, which is home to the giant ash trees, the tallest eucalyptus on the planet. Later, arrive in Hobart and make your own onwards travel plans.

Meals included: None