Best of Tasmania: Hobart to Launceston Travel Guide

WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT

Tassie isn’t a huge place, so if you’ve got a car you might as well use it. Here, instead of taking the highway directly between the state capital and its second largest city, map the scenic route. Meander up the coast road taking in the places and attractions for which Tasmania is most famous. Enjoy a quieter pace of life, as well as the many riches it offers: fine wine, excellent produce and some of the most stunning scenery you’ll find anywhere in the country. Whether your idea of heaven is a deserted beach at sunset or watching kangaroos graze, you’ll find it on this road trip.

DON’T MISS

Just 30 minutes off the coast is Maria Island, a former penal settlement that is now a magical land where wombats, kangaroos and Cape Barren geese act as though people are no threat to them. You can camp or stay in bunkhouses in the old penitentiary, but if you head over early you’ll be able to see the highlights – the former township of Darlington, the Painted Cliffs, views from the hills around Darlington, the Fossil Cliffs – before catching the ferry back to Triabunna on the mainland.

FIVE ON THE DRIVE

1. It’s only 11 kilometres out of the Hobart, but if you’ve never been, add Mona to your itinerary. David Walsh’s audacious museum exhibits art from around the world and across the ages (Mona stands for Museum of Old and New Art). Spend a few hours checking it out then taste what’s on offer at Moorilla winery or Moo Brew. There’s also a selection of restaurants and bars – posh and more relaxed – as well as pre-booked experiences that package up the best of Mona to suit your tastes.

2. If you love seafood, spend the morning with Oyster Bay Tours. You’ll pull on a pair of waders and wander into the waters of Freycinet Marine Farm to see how these juicy molluscs are grown. You’ll learn how to shuck an oyster and, of course, enjoy some extracted straight from sea alongside a glass of riesling.

3. It’s one of the most popular national parks in Tasmania, and Freycinet is criss-crossed with hiking trails to glorious bays and beaches. For those keen to join the fun but who don’t fancy a long walk, try Sleepy Bay. It’s a 10-minute walk down some stairs to the lichen-covered rocks, where you can sit and contemplate life while staring out over the turquoise water.

4. The coastal town of Bicheno is surrounded by Freycinet and Douglas Apsley national parks. The latter is home to a beautiful swimming spot, Apsley River Waterhole. To get there you’ll hike through open woodland. It takes two to three hours to do the return journey or, if the landscape is dry, take the circuit trail down through Apsley Gorge (about five hours in total).

5. It’s Tasmania’s premier alpine resort, but one of the best parts of Ben Lomond National Park is getting to its peak. The zig-zag road called Jacobs Ladder is a little bit scary and very impressive. When you get to the top of the plateau, what you do will depend on the season: in winter, strap on skis; in the warmer months, take one of the short walks where you’ll likely see Bennett’s wallabies and wombats.

WHERE TO STAY

Swansea Beach Chalets

Options with Freycinet in the title tend to be pricey. Instead try somewhere like Swansea Beach Chalets, with its well-appointed, self-contained cabins set on grassy dunes and easy access to all you need, including wineries, restaurants, shopping and the national parks.

Bicheno by the Bay

Another central option is Bicheno by the Bay, which has motel rooms and bungalows. It’s an easy walk to the blowhole, the Lobster Shack and the office of Bicheno Penguin Tours. Also stop by Blue Edge Bakery, said to have Tassie’s best scallop pie.

Mantra Charles Hotel Launceston

Set yourself up in the centre of town at Mantra Charles Hotel Launceston. Contemporary, stylish and decorated in warm autumnal shades, the rooms here have views over Launceston and the surrounding countryside.

WHERE TO STAY

Swansea Beach Chalets

Options with Freycinet in the title tend to be pricey. Instead try somewhere like Swansea Beach Chalets, with its well-appointed, self-contained cabins set on grassy dunes and easy access to all you need, including wineries, restaurants, shopping and the national parks.

Bicheno by the Bay

Another central option is Bicheno by the Bay, which has motel rooms and bungalows. It’s an easy walk to the blowhole, the Lobster Shack and the office of Bicheno Penguin Tours. Also stop by Blue Edge Bakery, said to have Tassie’s best scallop pie.

Mantra Charles Hotel Launceston

Set yourself up in the centre of town at Mantra Charles Hotel Launceston. Contemporary, stylish and decorated in warm autumnal shades, the rooms here have views over Launceston and the surrounding countryside.

HERE’S HOW TO DO IT

When you arrive at Hobart Airport, pick up the keys for your pre-booked vehicle from Apex Car Rentals. If you were in a hurry, you could cut a swathe through the centre of the Apple Isle and be in Launceston two-and-a-half hours later. Instead take five or six days travelling up the east coast, stopping at wineries, beaches and national parks.

WHEN YOU’RE DONE

Most visitors don’t stop for long in Devonport (this is where the Spirit of Tasmania arrives from Melbourne), so it often feels as though you’re in on a well-kept secret. Set at the mouth of the Mersey River, another hundred kilometres north of Launceston, it has a strong seafaring history worth exploring at the Bass Strait Maritime Centre. It’s also a great spot to get active, with hiking, kayaking and fishing all excellent options.