Tasmania In-Depth Loop via Melbourne Ferry
Bring your car across from Melbourne on an overnight ferry, completing a full island loop plus Bruny Island and Stanley
Perfect for slow travel with your own car or motorhome. Take the overnight ferry from Geelong to Devonport to save a night's accommodation, then travel clockwise via the East Coast, Hobart, West Coast, Cradle Mountain, and Stanley in the northwest, before returning to Devonport for the ferry. More expensive than flying, but with unlimited luggage, access to almost all sights, and a more relaxed pace. Ferry tickets must be booked months in advance during peak season.
Ferry tickets and summer accommodations often sell out months in advance; some train services are reduced in winter.
Day by day
Day 1 · Melbourne to Geelong Boarding
Melbourne（Flinders Street Station & Federation Square、Hosier Lane） → Geelong Ferry Terminal
Drive from Melbourne to Geelong (approx. 1 hour) and board the Spirit of Tasmania for the overnight crossing in the evening.
The boarding point is in Geelong, not Melbourne; check-in closes 45 minutes before departure.
Day 2 · Devonport Arrival to Launceston
Launceston & Tamar Valley（Tamar Valley Wine Route、Cataract Gorge Reserve）
Arrive in Devonport in the early morning, then drive along the Tamar Valley to Launceston (approx. 1.5 hours).
Most wineries open after 11:00; if you arrive early, have breakfast first.
Stay: Launceston City Centre
Day 3 · Northeast Inland to Binalong Bay
Launceston & Tamar Valley（Bridestowe Lavender Estate） → Bay of Fires & St Helens（St Columba Falls、Pyengana Dairy、Binalong Bay）
Drive east from Launceston to Binalong Bay (approx. 3 hours) on winding mountain roads.
The lavender blooming season is around Dec to Jan; skip it at other times.
Stay: Binalong Bay
Day 4 · Bay of Fires to Coles Bay
Bay of Fires & St Helens（The Gardens） → Freycinet & Bicheno（Bicheno Blowhole、Friendly Beaches）
Head south along the East Coast, about 170 km, taking just over 2 hours of pure driving.
Stay: Coles Bay
Day 5 · Freycinet Peninsula Full Day
Freycinet & Bicheno（Wineglass Bay、Honeymoon Bay、Cape Tourville Lighthouse）
Short drives within the park; hike to the Wineglass Bay Lookout or complete the beach loop.
The parking lot fills up easily in the morning, so arrive early; a National Parks Pass is required.
Stay: Coles Bay
Day 6 · South to Tasman Peninsula
Freycinet & Bicheno（Devil's Corner Cellar Door、Spiky Bridge） → Hobart（Tasman Peninsula）
Drive from Coles Bay to Port Arthur, about 240 km, taking approx. 3 hours.
Stay: Port Arthur
Day 7 · Port Arthur to Hobart
Hobart（Port Arthur Historic Site、Richmond Bridge & Coal River Valley）
Explore the historic site in the morning, then drive via Richmond to Hobart in the afternoon (approx. 1.5 hours).
Stay: Waterfront and Salamanca
Day 8 · Hobart City & MONA
Hobart（Salamanca Market、Battery Point、Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)）
Walk around the old town; take the ferry to MONA (approx. 30 minutes) or drive (approx. 20 minutes).
The market is Saturday only; MONA is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Stay: Waterfront and Salamanca
Day 9 · Bruny Island Day Trip
Drive to Kettering in about 35 minutes, take the ferry (approx. 20 minutes), and self-drive on the island.
Key sights are spread across North and South Bruny; leave plenty of time for the return ferry queue.
Stay: Waterfront and Salamanca
Day 10 · Central Highlands to Strahan
Hobart（kunanyi / Mount Wellington、Mount Field National Park） → Cradle Mountain（Lake St Clair） → Strahan（Nelson Falls）
Drive via Mount Field and Lake St Clair to Strahan, about 360 km, taking over 5 hours of pure driving.
You can head up Mount Wellington in the morning, but start early and avoid driving at night.
Stay: Strahan Town
Day 11 · Gordon River Cruise
Strahan（Strahan & Gordon River Cruise、Sarah Island (Macquarie Harbour Penal Station)、Henty Dunes）
Board the cruise at Strahan Wharf in the morning (approx. 6 hours); visit the beach or dunes in the afternoon.
Book the cruise in advance during peak season.
Stay: Strahan Town
Day 12 · Queenstown Railway to Cradle Mountain
Strahan（Queenstown, Tasmania、West Coast Wilderness Railway） → Cradle Mountain（Devils@Cradle）
Drive to Queenstown (approx. 35 minutes), take the steam train return trip (approx. 3 hours), then drive to Cradle Mountain (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes).
The railway does not run daily, so check schedules in advance; departures are from Queenstown only.
Stay: Cradle Mountain Village (Park Entrance)
Day 13 · Dove Lake Full Day Hike
Cradle Mountain（Cradle Mountain & Dove Lake、Marions Lookout、Ronny Creek (Wombat Viewing)）
Take the park shuttle bus (approx. 20 minutes) to Dove Lake, then spend the day hiking.
Motorhomes and caravans are not allowed on Dove Lake Road; you must transfer to the shuttle bus.
Stay: Cradle Mountain Village (Park Entrance)
Day 14 · Northwest to Stanley
Cradle Mountain（Enchanted Walk） → Stanley
Drive from Cradle Mountain via Hellyer Gorge to Stanley, about 180 km, taking approx. 2.5 hours.
Penguins and wildlife are active at dusk; slow down your driving in the evening.
Stay: Stanley
Day 15 · North Coast to Devonport
Cradle Mountain（Sheffield, Tasmania） → Devonport Ferry Terminal
Drive along the north coast to Devonport (approx. 2 hours), with an optional 30-minute detour via Sheffield; board the ferry in the evening.
Departure is around 18:45; refer to the ferry company's timetable for exact times.
Day 16 · Geelong to Melbourne
Geelong Ferry Terminal → Melbourne（Queen Victoria Market）
Arrive in Geelong in the early morning, drive about 1 hour to Melbourne, and explore the markets in the morning.
Markets are closed on Mondays and Wednesdays; check opening days before setting off.