Coastal Routes

10-Day Tasmania Campervan Road Trip: East Coast, Cradle Mountain & West Coast

Duration 12 days

Distance 2500 km

Difficulty Moderate

Best Time Apr – Oct

Perth

Tasman Peninsula
Hobart

Trip overview

This 10-day Tasmania campervan road trip combines the beaches and granite peaks of the East Coast with Launceston, Cradle Mountain and the rugged landscapes of Tasmania’s west. Starting and finishing in Hobart, the route is designed for travellers who want a mix of scenic driving, national parks, short walks and relaxed overnight stops without trying to cover the entire island.

Tasmania’s roads can be winding and slower than the distance suggests, so leave room in the schedule for viewpoints, wildlife and unplanned stops.

Why this route works well by campervan

The route links several of Tasmania’s best-known landscapes while regularly passing through towns where you can refuel, buy groceries and restock your campervan.

Freycinet and Cradle Mountain are natural multi-night stops, giving you days with little or no driving between the longer travel days. Freycinet has caravan access and camping facilities, while Cradle Mountain requires campervans and motorhomes to remain at the visitor centre rather than driving along Dove Lake Road.

Before you go

Get a Tasmania Parks Pass if you plan to enter national parks such as Freycinet and Cradle Mountain. Wineglass Bay is within Freycinet National Park and requires a valid parks pass.
Book popular campsites early, particularly around Freycinet and Cradle Mountain during the summer period.
Allow more time than the kilometre count suggests. Tasmanian roads can be winding and steep.
Avoid unnecessary driving around dusk and dawn, when wildlife is more likely to be on the road.
At Cradle Mountain, park your campervan at the visitor centre. Campervans, motorhomes and caravans are not permitted on Dove Lake Road; use the shuttle to reach Dove Lake and the main walking areas.
Carry drinking water at Freycinet, where drinking water within the national park is limited.

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Route Highlights

Hobart

Freycinet National Park

Wineglass Bay

Bay of Fires

Launceston

Cradle Mountain

Strahan

Lake St Clair

Western Australia Coast

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Hobart → Tasman Peninsula

Start your campervan trip in Hobart and head towards the Tasman Peninsula. Rather than rushing north immediately, use the first day to settle into the campervan and explore southeast Tasmania. Stop around Richmond before continuing towards Eaglehawk Neck and the dramatic coastline of the Tasman Peninsula.

Overnight: Tasman Peninsula

Day 2: Tasman Peninsula → Freycinet National Park

Travel north towards Tasmania’s East Coast and Freycinet National Park. Take your time on the journey, stopping around Orford or Swansea before continuing to Coles Bay.

Once you arrive, spend the late afternoon around the Freycinet Peninsula or take the short Cape Tourville walk if time allows. The main entrance to Freycinet is reached via Coles Bay Road and then through Coles Bay township.

Overnight: Coles Bay / Freycinet

Day 3: Freycinet National Park & Wineglass Bay

Keep the campervan parked and dedicate the day to Freycinet.

Walk to the famous Wineglass Bay lookout, explore Honeymoon Bay or spend some time around the beaches and granite landscapes of the peninsula. Freycinet offers everything from short walks and beach stops to longer hikes.

Refill your drinking water before heading out, as drinking water within the national park is limited.

Overnight: Coles Bay / Freycinet

Day 4: Freycinet → Bay of Fires

Continue north along Tasmania’s East Coast. Stop at Bicheno before travelling through St Helens and on towards Binalong Bay and the Bay of Fires.

Spend the afternoon exploring the white beaches, clear water and distinctive orange-lichen-covered granite rocks. This is deliberately a relatively relaxed driving day, giving you plenty of time for coastal stops.

Overnight: St Helens / Bay of Fires area

Day 5: Bay of Fires → Launceston

Leave the coast and travel inland towards Launceston.

Use the afternoon to explore the city, replenish groceries and prepare for the mountain section of the trip. If time permits, visit Cataract Gorge before settling in for the night.

Overnight: Launceston

Day 6: Launceston → Cradle Mountain

Travel west towards Cradle Mountain, stopping around Sheffield on the way.

Arrive early enough to visit the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, organise your park access and check the latest weather and walking conditions.

Remember that campervans and motorhomes cannot travel along Dove Lake Road. Park at the visitor centre and use the shuttle service for access into the park.

Day 7: Cradle Mountain National Park

Spend a full day at Cradle Mountain without moving the campervan.

Take the shuttle into the national park and choose a walk that suits the weather and your fitness level. Dove Lake is the classic starting point, while Crater Lake offers a 5.7 km circuit option.

Mountain weather can change quickly, so check conditions at the visitor centre before setting out.

Overnight: Cradle Mountain area

Day 8: Cradle Mountain → Strahan

Leave Cradle Mountain and travel towards Tasmania’s remote West Coast.

The drive itself is a major part of the experience, with forest, mountains and increasingly wild scenery as you approach Strahan. Keep the day relatively flexible rather than trying to fit in too many stops.

Spend the evening around Strahan and Macquarie Harbour.

Overnight: Strahan

Day 9: Strahan → Lake St Clair

Travel from Strahan through Queenstown and continue towards Lake St Clair.

Stop around Queenstown to experience the dramatically different West Coast landscape before continuing into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Lake St Clair forms the southern end of Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park and makes a peaceful final national-park stop before returning to Hobart.

Overnight: Lake St Clair / Central Highlands

Day 10: Lake St Clair → Hobart

Leave Lake St Clair and travel back towards Hobart.

If time allows, break up the return journey with a stop at Mount Field National Park before continuing south. Return the campervan in Hobart or spend an additional night in the city if your rental schedule allows.

This final day completes the loop without requiring an excessively long drive at the end of the trip.

Finish: Hobart