Plan an epic East Coast Tasmania road trip and witness the dramatic natural beauty all along. From snow-capped mountains, ancient wildernesses to sapphire-blue bays, Tasmania is overflowing with coastal wonders as you follow one of the island’s grandest road trips. Plan a road trip itinerary from Hobart to the Bay of Fires, where the beaches are white, the air is clean, and the scenery is magnificent. A self-driving holiday is, without a doubt, the best way to appreciate the magnificent landscape along with its bountiful food, wine, and spirits.
This five-day itinerary has been designed to take in Tasmania’s most beautiful sights. From cute little towns, gorgeous wineries to an entire field of bright purple lavender, you will find plenty of photo ops opportunities around every corner. Book a self-drive rental car that makes this trip worthwhile as the road kisses everything from farmlands to the ocean as it twists its way along an impressive coastline. Continue reading our East Coast Tasmania road trip itinerary, so you do not miss any of the gems along the way.
Tasmania East Coast Itinerary
Day 1 Hobart to Orford Via Maria Island
Start your Tasmania East Coast road trip itinerary from its capital city, Hobart. Follow the coastline through forests and farmlands for most of the way from Hobart to Bicheno. You can catch the first glimpse of the Prosser River that follows the road until you reach the little town of Orford. It is a beautiful coastal village centered on the mouth of the Prosser River. Here you can grab a snack while taking in the multiple shades of blue ocean and Maria Island in the distance.
You can also take a ferry to visit the beautiful Maria Island for the day. With no shops around, this remote island is a tranquil haven for bushwalking, wildlife watching, and a glimpse into Tasmania’s convict history. You can also try swimming, scuba diving, or snorkeling at one of the island’s many beaches. Return to Tasmania’s mainland and stay at the beautiful Orford Riverside Cottages on the Prosser River, which features a spacious timber deck with a barbecue.
Day 2 Explore Bicheno & Coles Bay
Bicheno is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Tasmanians. Visitors can go for Penguin tours, which are a lot of fun for the family, whereas surfers can have a blast at Redbill Beach. Adventure seekers can visit Apsley Gorge, which has a range of hiking trails or could take swimming togs and float across the cool, turquoise waters of Apsley Waterhole.
Coles Bay is the main township on the Freycinet Peninsula and the best-known starting point to explore Freycinet National Park. The bay is bordered by the mighty granite peaks of The Hazards that tower 500m above the dazzling waters of Great Oyster Bay. Coles Bay has an array of outdoor activities allowing you to see the pristine environment on a personal level; sea kayaking, cruising to Wineglass Bay, sailing, joining a fishing charter, scenic flights, swimming, bushwalking are to name a few.
Day 3 Freycinet National Park
Freycinet National Park is just at a distance of 10 min from Coles Bay. It has been a national park since 1916, covered with a wide variety of flora and fauna. It is extremely popular as a bushwalking and camping destination. Before entering the national park, stop at the visitor center, where you will be provided with a map and information relating to how you can spend your day. Inside the center are many creative displays sharing the heritage and culture of the region. Visitors need to purchase a pass for entry, and the pass options are available on the National Parks and Wildlife website.
Must-See in Freycinet National Park
Cape Tourville Lighthouse | There are many incredible walks for all fitness levels and ages that you can enjoy while in Freycinet National Park. The Cape Tourville lighthouse walk is one of the more famous trails as it is child-friendly.
The wooden walkway has a slight incline up to the lighthouse and takes around 20 minutes to complete the circuit, but you no doubt will spend more time in this area savoring the views of Mt Graham, Mt Freycinet, and Wineglass Bay in the distance.
This area is not only breathtaking above the water, but fascinating underneath. The information boards posted along the path share that underneath the sheer cliffs in the deep blue ocean sonar mapping of the seafloor has revealed the continental shelf drops a whopping 5000 meters.
Day 4 Visit St Helens
Drive about 40 minutes north to the town of Bicheno and see some of the region’s most treasured wildlife at East Coast Natureworld. Set on 150 acres of natural parkland and lagoons, it is home to Tasmanian devils, quolls, koalas, snakes, and parrots. Continuing north, make a detour into Douglas-Apsley National Park – dotted with gorges, waterfalls, and bush walks – and stop for a swim at Apsley River Waterhole. Try the Mount Elephant Pancakes, famous for its European-style sweet and savory pancake menu. Spend a few hours exploring the shops and galleries in the charming fishing village of St Helens or visit the History Room for a taste of the region’s colorful past, from the Georges Bay Aboriginal people to sailors, whalers, and Chinese tin miners. From here, you can also drive to Peron Dunes, which is a great spot for sandboarding. You can spend the night at the pretty cottage or contemporary villa at Pelican Point Sanctuary.
Day 5 Bay of Fires
From St Helens, head 20 min north to the resort town of Binalong Bay, the gateway to the Bay of Fires, where you will find a cluster of idyllic lunch spots. The Bay of Fires is a bay on the northeastern coast of Tasmania, extending from Binalong Bay in the south to Eddystone Point in the north. It is one of Tasmania’s most popular conservation reserves, famous for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and orange lichen-covered granite boulders.
Visitors can go on a The Gardens afternoon cruise to see the southern reaches of the Bay of Fires, which at certain times of year is home to whales, fur seals, sea lions, and dolphins. Then venture into Mount William National Park and explore some of the gorgeous coastal walks threaded through the surroundings.