Tasmanian road trip stops
off the beaten trackPlot a self-drive adventure to some of the island's lesser-known gems.
Find fresh air and freedom on a road trip in Tasmania. Choose from contemplative coastal campgrounds teeming with wildlife, leafy sites beside burbling rivers and quirky caravan parks in far-flung places. Here's where to park, eat and play on your next Tasmanian camping getaway.
Greens Beach
Stop here for Bass Strait serenity, wonderful wildlife and Tamar Valley wines.
Park
Ease into a quiet coastal stay where kanamaluka / River Tamar meets the Bass Strait coastline. Set up camp behind the dunes at Greens Beach Caravan Park or choose from four campgrounds at nearby Narawntapu National Park. Want to go glam for the night? Trade in your tent and head for Wingtons Glamping or Domescapes in the Vines.
Eat
Linger in the vineyards and cellar doors at a host of Tamar Valley wineries. Taste the Tamar terroir and feast on platters of local produce at Small Wonder Wines, or tuck into small-batch wines paired with Tassie cheese at Glendale Estate.
Play
At Narawntapu National Park, stroll seemingly endless beaches and watch wildlife graze at Springlawn. Meet some of the island’s aquatic wonders at Seahorse World and greet mysterious monotremes at Platypus House. Then dig into the region’s history at the interactive Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre.
Where
Greens Beach is at the top tip of the West Tamar region in the north, a 1hr drive from Launceston.
Deloraine
Stop here for craft, culture and Tasting Trail cuisine.
Park
This creative corner of Tasmania makes a superb stop-off. Park-up at peaceful Quamby Corner Caravan Park, 15min south of Deloraine – an artsy northern town. Or free camp at the Lower Liffey Falls camping area and stroll the rainforest track to the falls (2–3hr return). Don't get caught out: the road into Upper Liffey Falls day use area is not suitable for larger vehicles.
Eat
Indulge in a hearty lunch or stock up on gourmet treats at Deloraine Deli. Then roll along the Tasting Trail, stopping at the likes of Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Cafe for a berry-fuelled feast and 41 Degrees South, where sustainable salmon and ginseng are king.
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Get a feel-good creative boost at Yarns Artwork in Silk, a large-scale collaborative textile treasure crafted by more than 300 local artists. Follow the Meander River on the Kooparoona Niara Cultural Trail among native plantings and artworks inspired by palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) culture. Then delve deep underground to explore the dark beauty of Mole Creek Karst National Park.
Where
Deloraine is in the island's central north, a 40min drive west of Launceston.
Corinna
Stop here to immerse in the takayna / Tarkine rainforest, search for ancient Huon pines and drift atop mirror-calm waters.
Park
Set your GPS to secluded Corinna Wilderness Village, tucked among trees at the edge of the Pieman River on the remote west coast. This former gold-mining settlement is now an eco-resort, offering unpowered campsites and rustic cottage accommodation. Access from the south is via barge; bookings aren't required but be sure to check vehicle size restrictions if you're travelling in a larger van.
Eat
Order a hot meal onsite at the Tannin Restaurant or grab a drink at the Ahrberg Bar. Aside from some basic provisions available in the Corinna store, self-sufficiency is key here – the closest towns with small supermarkets are Zeehan (60min drive) and Rosebery (85min drive).
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This is a place to switch off and immerse in nature. Watch mist waft across the serene river from your campsite, kayak to idyllic Lovers Falls, glide along on a Pieman River Cruise and explore the rainforest on a network of walking tracks. It's also the perfect stop before starting your Tarkine Drive adventure.
Where
Corinna is a 2hr 20min drive south-west of Devonport on the west coast.
Boat Harbour Beach and pinmatik / Rocky Cape
Stop here for dramatic coastal vistas, seaside lolling and a glimpse into ancient palawa culture.
Park
This pocket of the north-west coast is best known for the remarkable geological formations of Table Cape at Wynyard and the Nut at Stanley... but in between lie some lesser explored treats. Book into a bushy site at Crayfish Creek Van and Cabin Park, or set up riverside at Inglis River Caravan and Camping (self-contained campers only).
Eat
Graze back onto the Tasting Trail at Blue Hills Honey, where beehives deep in the takayna / Tarkine rainforest produce unique Tasmanian flavours, or head to Alchymia Distillery for meet-the-maker tours and tastings of whisky and gin. Back in Wynyard, settle in at Vault Cafe Bar, a converted heritage-listed bank now proffering creative local cuisine.
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Lick ice-cream and laze on the calm shore at Boat Harbour Beach. Nearby, discover palawa cultural sites, sea caves and striking rock formations at Rocky Cape National Park. Head inland to learn about Tasmania's threatened giant freshwater crayfish (the largest of its kind in the world) at the fascinating Lobster Ponds.
Where
Boat Harbour Beach is just over an hour's drive west of Devonport on the north-west coast.
Mount Field
Stop here to wonder at World Heritage wilderness, whimsical waterfalls and world-class mountain biking.
Park
Mount Field National Park is part of Tasmania's wild World Heritage wilderness, brimming with alpine tarns, endemic species and cascading falls. Stay onsite at the Mount Field Campground or outside the park at Left of Field Camping Gardens, which has powered and unpowered sites, and an outdoor bath to soak off the day's drive.
Eat
Waterfalls Cafe and Gallery serves up fresh food in the national park visitor centre, while at nearby Westerway, the Possum Shed Cafe has a selection of homemade cakes best scoffed on the deck overlooking the Tyenna River. En route from Hobart, meander through the Derwent Valley, stopping at Stefano Lubiana for a biodynamic wine tasting or Plenty Cider for apple-packed brews.
Play
Mount Field keeps hikers happy, with walks ranging from the 25min-return, wheelchair-accessible Russell Falls track to the full-day Mount Field West trek. Down the road, Maydena Bike Park is the place to test gravity, with mountain bike trails to suit all levels and incredible summit views.
Where
Mount Field is in the island's south, a 1hr 30min drive west of Hobart.
Tip: treading lightly in Tasmania
Take charge with your EV.
Travelling in an electric vehicle? There's an expanding network of charging sites available across the island.
Road trip FAQs
How can I bring my vehicle to Tasmania?
For those wanting to travel in their own motorhomes or caravans in Tasmania, the Spirit of Tasmania ferries run between Devonport on Tasmania’s north-west coast and Geelong in Victoria, and accommodate all types of vehicles. Bookings are best made well in advance, particularly during the peak summer months.
Where can I buy a national parks pass?
A parks pass is required for entry and camping in Tasmania’s 19 national parks. Passes are available online, at national park visitor centres, most accredited Tasmanian visitor information centres, on the Spirit of Tasmania ferries and at Service Tasmania shops.
How do I plan a self-drive holiday in Tasmania?
Tasmania is made for road tripping. Planning is easy with our range of ready-to-go multi-day regional itineraries, or create your own using the online Trip Planner. On the ground, use the Discover Tasmania app for real-time tips and updates to guide your travel plans.