Tasmania Clockwise Loop Self-Drive

From Hobart, head up the West Coast, passing through Cradle Mountain, the Bay of Fires, and Wineglass Bay, before returning to Port Arthur.

A classic loop around the island covering approximately 1,400 km. Travel clockwise through the wild West Coast first, then head to the North and East Coast, leaving you closer to Hobart Airport on the final day for a more relaxed flight departure. Spend two nights each in Strahan and Cradle Mountain, with mostly single-night stays elsewhere, meaning frequent accommodation changes. Ideal for first-time self-drive visitors who don't mind moving every day or two. Stanley and Bruny Island are not included.

Accommodation is tight in summer and needs to be booked early; the road to Mount Wellington may close due to snow in winter.

Day by day

Day 1 · Hobart: Mountain, Sea & Historic Town

Hobart（kunanyi / Mount Wellington、Battery Point、Constitution Dock & Hobart Waterfront）

After picking up the car, drive up Mount Wellington (approx. 30 minutes), descend to the waterfront area, and explore the historic town on foot.

The mountain road closes for snow or maintenance; check park alerts before setting off.

Stay: Waterfront and Salamanca

Day 2 · Cross the Midlands to the West Coast

Hobart（Mount Field National Park） → Cradle Mountain（Lake St Clair） → Strahan（Nelson Falls）

Drive from Hobart via Mount Field and Lake St Clair to Strahan, covering about 360 km with over 5 hours of net driving time.

The route is winding; start early and avoid driving after dusk to prevent wildlife collisions.

Stay: Strahan Town

Day 3 · Full-Day Gordon River Cruise

Strahan（Strahan & Gordon River Cruise、Sarah Island (Macquarie Harbour Penal Station)、Ocean Beach）

Board the cruise at Strahan Wharf in the morning for about 6 hours, stopping at Sarah Island and Heritage Landing.

Cruise schedules are fixed; book tickets as early as possible once your dates are confirmed.

Stay: Strahan Town

Day 4 · Queenstown Steam Railway

Strahan（Queenstown, Tasmania、West Coast Wilderness Railway） → Cradle Mountain（Devils@Cradle）

Drive to Queenstown (approx. 35 minutes), take the steam rack railway for a 3-hour round trip, then drive about 1 hour 45 minutes to Cradle Mountain.

The railway only departs from Queenstown and does not run daily; book several weeks in advance.

Stay: Cradle Mountain Village (Park Entrance)

Day 5 · Dove Lake & Marion Lookout

Cradle Mountain（Cradle Mountain & Dove Lake、Marions Lookout、Ronny Creek (Wombat Viewing)）

Take the park shuttle bus from the visitor center to Dove Lake (approx. 20 minutes), and explore on foot all day.

A National Parks Pass and shuttle bus tickets are required; private vehicles are not allowed on Dove Lake Road.

Stay: Cradle Mountain Village (Park Entrance)

Day 6 · Mural Town to Launceston

Cradle Mountain（Sheffield, Tasmania） → Launceston & Tamar Valley（Cataract Gorge Reserve、City Park）

Drive from Cradle Mountain via Sheffield to Launceston (approx. 2.5 hours), and explore Cataract Gorge in the afternoon.

Stay: Launceston City Centre

Day 7 · Northeast Inland to the Bay of Fires

Launceston & Tamar Valley（Bridestowe Lavender Estate） → Bay of Fires & St Helens（St Columba Falls、Pyengana Dairy、Binalong Bay）

Drive east from Launceston through the inland to Binalong Bay, taking about 3 hours 15 minutes along winding mountain roads.

The lavender blooming season is from around December to January; you can skip it in other months.

Stay: Binalong Bay

Day 8 · Bay of Fires South to Coles Bay

Bay of Fires & St Helens（The Gardens） → Freycinet & Bicheno（Bicheno Blowhole、Friendly Beaches、Cape Tourville Lighthouse）

Drive south along the East Coast via Bicheno to Coles Bay, covering about 170 km with over 2 hours of net driving time.

There are very few shops in the northern section of the Bay of Fires; stock up on water and food beforehand.

Stay: Coles Bay

Day 9 · Wineglass Bay to Port Arthur

Freycinet & Bicheno（Wineglass Bay、Devil's Corner Cellar Door、Spiky Bridge） → Hobart（Tasman Peninsula）

Hike to the lookout in the morning (approx. 1.5 hours), then drive south to Port Arthur (approx. 240 km, 3 hours of driving).

The Wineglass Bay carpark fills up easily in the morning; try to arrive as early as possible.

Stay: Port Arthur

Day 10 · Port Arthur Historic Site & Richmond

Hobart（Port Arthur Historic Site、Richmond Bridge & Coal River Valley）

Explore the historic site in the morning, and drive back to Hobart via Richmond after noon (approx. 1.5 hours of driving).