How long does it take to travel around Tasmania?
The ‘Lap of Tasmania’ route, considered one of the world’s premier road trips, is approximately 1,500 km long. How long you choose to explore is up to you, there’s always more to see than you expect! Seven days is a great starting point if you’re planning on visiting the east or west coasts with a stay in Hobart and Launceston, or add Cradle Mountain on to an east coast itinerary. Anything more than that and you’re well set up to explore the whole island. If you’re limited on time, there are still plenty of opportunities to explore and have a magical Tasmanian experience – have a read through our self-drive touring options and find the one that’s perfect for you, or speak with one of our expert travel designers who can tailor your holiday to your needs.
It’s recommended to allow more time than you think for your Tasmanian adventure – the mountainous terrain you’ll encounter along the way will invite you to slow down, breathe and take it all in. Plan your self-drive tour today with our Tasmania holiday packages.
How long does it take to travel Tasmania in a caravan or motorhome?
Plan to take approximately 20 percent longer to get around if travelling with a caravan or motorhome, longer if it’s a vehicle size and type that you’re unfamiliar with. The roads are generally well made but can be narrow and windy – they will require a slower pace than you may be used to. Check out some of the caravan parks in Tasmania, such as the Seven Mile Beach Cabin and Caravan Park or the Somerset Caravan Park. We also offer campervan hire.
What are the driving conditions for a Tasmania road trip?Â
Generally speaking a Tasmanian road trip won’t be stressful as most roads are in good condition, especially if you’re heading between major towns, cities, or attractions. Keep in mind that the island is mountainous, with plenty of sharp bends and narrow and winding roads.
In addition, there are many unsealed roads – most of them are well made and fine to drive on, whilst others may become challenging after rain or snow. Many hire car providers will not allow you to drive on unsealed roads so it’s worth planning your route before you depart and check the terms and conditions carefully.
We offer an extensive range of self-drive itineraries in Tasmania, such as our 5-day East Coast Tour
Where are the best Tasmanian road trips?
The first thing to consider when deciding on the best road trip for you is what kinds of experiences you would like to have. The East coast is more ‘beachy’ with stunning coastal scenery and lazy beachside towns, whereas the West is renowned for its wilderness and mountains. On the other hand, if you want to explore more of the farmland side of Tasmania, you can take the two-hour drive from Launceston to Cradle Mountain or take a day trip to the Huon Valley from Hobart and grab yourself an apple or two.
Our friendly and knowledgeable agents will be more than happy to help you work out an itinerary that will best suit the type of holiday you want to have.
What is the most scenic Tasmania road trip?
One of the most picturesque Tasmania road trips is the route from Hobart to Launceston. The drive between these two cities will allow you to see and experience iconic destinations—and the trip will only take a little over two hours if you can resist the urge to stop en-route.
Travel up the Midland Highway through Longford, Campbell Town, Ross and Oatlands. With another hour on your self-drive Tasmania holiday trip, you can detour to Bothwell or the Highland Lakes Road, which will both take you to the Central Plateau past the Great Lake. Check out our 7-day Tassie Icons Package Deal from Launceston and immerse yourself in some of the wonders of this beautiful state.
How is the traffic in Tasmania?
Tasmania, and more specifically Hobart, is generally accepted as having lighter peak hour traffic than other state capitals in Australia. As with any travel to a new destination it is recommended to familiarise yourself somewhat with your route prior to departure – Hobart has a large number of one way streets which can take some getting used to!
