7-Day Van Trip Guide Through Tasmania

Are you ready to embark on an adventure like no other? Tasmania, the land of unique wildlife and breathtaking landscapes, is calling you. Join us as we share our comprehensive guide to a 7-day road trip through this stunning island, filled with essential tips, must-see locations, and valuable insights to help you make the most of your journey.

Before setting off on our Australian adventure, we weren't entirely sure whether to include Tasmania in our itinerary. The thought of booking additional flights from Melbourne seemed daunting and costly. However, our desire to explore this southern island and meet its unique inhabitants, such as the Tasmanian devil, ultimately persuaded us to dedicate a week to discovering its wonders. We are thrilled we did!

Here’s a detailed guide to our road trip in Tasmania, complete with stages, total kilometers driven, places to sleep, and unmissable sights. Your adventure awaits!

Note: Prices mentioned may have changed since our trip. Please double-check for current rates!

General Information about the Road Trip

Let’s kick things off with some essential facts about our road trip:

• Starting and Ending Point: Hobart
• Total Days: 7
• Total Kilometers: 1,792
• Type of Vehicle: Rented camper van (similar to Euro Tourer from Apollo or Deuce 2 from Mighty). More details in the rental section.

Itinerary Overview

The typical route to explore Tasmania is circular, starting and ending in its capital, Hobart. We chose to go counter-clockwise, a decision we wholeheartedly support after the experience.

Our journey began southeast towards the Tasman Peninsula, then we travelled north along the stunning east coast. After a visit to the Bay of Fires, we ventured inland and followed the northern coastal road back down towards the center, including a stop at Cradle Mountain, before concluding our trip on Bruny Island. Finally, we returned to Hobart to catch our flight back to Melbourne.

Below, we outline the details of each stage, linking to specific articles that capture our experiences at each location.

Stage 1: Tasman Peninsula

• Kilometers: 255 km
• Starting Point: Hobart Airport
• Ending Point: Camping at Mayfield Bay
• Must-See Attractions: Richmond Bridge, Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen, Blow Hole, Port Arthur Historic Site, Remarkable Cave, Maingon Bay Lookout, and Spring Beach.
• Read the Article

Stage 2: Freycinet National Park

• Kilometers: 230 km
• Starting Point: Camping at Mayfield Bay
• Ending Point: Camping at Jeanneret Beach
• Must-See Attractions: Spiky Bridge, Devil’s Corner Scenic Farm View, Freycinet National Park (including Wineglass Bay Lookout, Honeymoon Bay, Sleepy Bay, Cape Tourville Lighthouse and Lookout, and Friendly Beaches) and Bicheno with its Blowhole.
• Read the Article

Stage 3: Bay of Fires

• Kilometers: 300 km
• Starting Point: Camping at Jeanneret Beach
• Ending Point: Camping at Liffey Falls
• Must-See Attractions: The Gardens, Binalong Bay, Halls Waterfalls, Derby, Launceston with its impressive Cataract Gorge Reserve, Grindelwald Swiss Village, and the Liffey Falls.
• Read the Article

Stage 4: Northern Coast

• Kilometers: 298 km
• Starting Point: Camping at Liffey Falls
• Ending Point: Burnie
• Must-See Attractions: Devonport, Penguin Road (Scenic Route), Table Cape Lighthouse, Tollymore Road (Scenic Route), and The Nut in Stanley.
• Read the Article

Stage 5: Cradle Mountain National Park

• Kilometers: 407 km
• Starting Point: Burnie
• Ending Point: Ellendale (Russell Falls)
• Must-See Attractions: Cradle Mountain and its trails (we hiked the 6 km loop around Dove Lake), Queenstown, Horsetail Falls, and Nelson Falls.
• Read the Article

Stage 6: Bruny Island

• Kilometers: 226 km
• Starting Point: Ellendale (Russell Falls)
• Ending Point: Camping at The Neck on Bruny Island
• Must-See Attractions: Russell Falls, The Neck Lookout, the camping area and its beach, and the Lighthouse at the southern tip.
• Read the Article

Stage 7: Hobart

• Kilometers: 75 km
• Starting Point: Camping at The Neck on Bruny Island
• Ending Point: Hobart
• Must-See Attractions: We cover 20 attractions in our article.
• Read the Article

Budget for the Trip

If you find yourself in Australia and want to explore Tasmania by camper van, rest assured that the overall cost need not break the bank. Traveling in a camper van saves on accommodation and allows you to cook your own meals, further reducing expenses. Here’s a breakdown of our total budget per person for a one-week trip for two people:

* The flights mentioned refer to round-trip tickets from Melbourne. Two low-cost airlines, Jetstar and Tigerair, operate this route. We recommend booking in advance for better prices. You can compare all options on Skyscanner. While it is possible to reach Tasmania by ferry to Devonport, we found it less favorable in terms of price and duration.

** Miscellaneous expenses cover the national park pass, which costs 60AUD per vehicle (approximately €18 per person), travel insurance, and a contingency fund for unexpected costs.

Renting the Camper Van

One major advantage of road tripping in Tasmania is that you can pick up and drop off the camper van at the same office, saving you one-way fees. Keep in mind that basic coverage is typically included in the rental price, but it often comes with a deductible amount (ranging from 2,700 to 5,000 AUD), which is the maximum you’ll pay in case of an accident.

Many companies offer an extended coverage package for an additional daily fee of 25 to 50 AUD, which eliminates the deductible. These packages often include extras like bedding, waiving the administrative fee for the deductible, and camping table and chairs. It’s essential to compare among different companies, as the best rental price may not always translate to the best insurance rates. Always calculate and compare!

Rental prices vary slightly depending on the season. Expect to pay around €50 per day for a Hitop camper. We made our reservation through Motorhome Republic, which compares all rental companies in Australia and offers the best prices. We rented a manual Hitop for 7 days, costing 562 AUD (approximately €350), not including the extended insurance, which was around 40 AUD per day.

Campsites Where We Stayed

Tasmania, like the rest of Australia, is well-equipped for camper van travelers. There are numerous spots (both free and paid) to spend the night. It’s important to pay attention to signage, as some places prohibit overnight parking, and you risk fines if caught. We utilized two handy apps to find these campsites: Wikicamps and Campermate.

Now, let us share the places we stayed each night:

• Stage 1: Mayfield Bay Conservation Area Camping (free, donation recommended)
• Stage 2: Jeanneret Beach Campground (free)
• Stage 3: Liffey Falls Camping (free)
• Stage 4: Caravan Park Ocean View (25 AUD per site with electricity)
• Stage 5: Town of Ellendale (free)
• Stage 6: Reserve Camping Area (10 AUD per vehicle)

Top 10 Highlights of Tasmania

A week-long journey through Tasmania in a camper van offers countless opportunities to explore captivating places. Here’s our personal Top 10 of the most memorable experiences:

1. Trekking around Dove Lake in Cradle Mountain National Park
2. The Gardens in Bay of Fires
3. Wineglass Bay Lookout in Freycinet National Park
4. Russell Falls
5. The Neck on Bruny Island
6. Tasman Arch in the Tasman Peninsula
7. Richmond Bridge
8. Port Arthur Historic Site
9. Cataract Gorge Reserve in Launceston
10. The Nut in Stanley on the northern coast (and of course, the Blowhole in Bicheno)

We hope this guide to our one-week road trip through Tasmania in a camper van proves helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment!

A few handy tips for saving on your trip:

* Photo credit for the main image: by Jack Cain on Unsplash

East Coast Australia Road Trip Guide from Melbourne to Cairns

Tasmania Road Trip Stage 3: Exploring Bay of Fires

Tasmania Road Trip Stage 5: Cradle Mountain National Park