Two road trips from Hobart to Launceston
Thanks to the breathtaking views and interesting places that you’ll see along the way, the drive from Hobart to Launceston is one of the most popular road trip routes in Australia. You can also choose which route to take — either by the ocean or through the mountains.
If time allows, there’s no need to do one road-trip or the other — you can do them both with little overlap. Regardless of which option you choose, to help you experience a memorable road trip, it is a good idea to book a reliable rental car through VroomVroomVroom.
Hobart to Launceston via the coast
With the coastal option, for much of the road-trip you’ll be hugging Tasmania’s east coast. Think historic sights, beautiful beaches and plenty of good eating along the way. This trip begins in Hobart then visits Port Arthur, Triabunna, and Bicheno before finishing up in Launceston.
| From | To | Distance & duration |
| Hobart | Port Arthur | 91 km & 1 hr 20 min |
| Port Arthur | Triabunna | 95 km & 1 hr 30 min |
| Triabunna | Bicheno | 93 km & 1 hr 15 min |
| Bicheno | Launceston | 160 km & 2 hr |
| Hobart | Launceston | 439 km & 6 hr 5 min |
All distances in kilometres, calculated on the shortest direct route by car with Google Maps. Distances and trip times correct as at 12 November, 2025.
Day 1: Hobart
Pick up your rental car in Hobart and tour the city before leaving for your road trip adventure. Drive about 12 km north of Hobart and you’ll find one of the oldest wineries in Tasmania — the Moorilla Estate, famous for its cool climate wines as well as local brews. If eclectic art exhibits pique your interest, there’s also the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) that houses the founder’s collection of ancient and contemporary art pieces.
Meanwhile, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery boasts of preserved historical artefacts telling the story of Tasmanian Aboriginal People. Once you’ve had your fill of art history, resume your city tour at Salamanca Place, previously a hub of warehouses serving the Port of Hobart. Only a few minutes from the TMAG is the Salamanca Market, lined with old sandstone buildings and now bustling with local eateries and pubs — what better way to end your day than how it began, with a beer in hand?
Day 2: Hobart to Port Arthur
The fastest route to Port Arthur is via Arthur Highway/A9 which takes around an hour and a half. When you get there, take a tour of the Port Arthur Historic Site which consists of 30 buildings including the Convict Church, the Penitentiary, and Separate Prison.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Port Arthur represents Tasmania’s history under British rule. Prisoners built the Convict Church as a general place of worship, while the Penitentiary was a flour mill converted as an extension for prisoner housing — now one of the most popular attractions in Tasmania, preserved and elevated for tourists with touching digital displays. Convict Church and the Penitentiary, along with Separate Prison, are the three must-visits in the Port Arthur Scenic Reserve, so be sure to add these to your itinerary. If you’re not scared of ghosts, join the After Dark tour for a chance to witness paranormal activities.
How far: The drive from Hobart to Port Arthur is 91 km.
Drive time: Getting to Port Arthur from Hobart will take you one hour and 20 minutes.
Day 3: Port Arthur to Triabunna
After getting your dose of history, drive along Arthur Highway/A9 and Wielangta Road for an hour and 30 minutes to get to Triabunna. The quaint fishing town has some fascinating places to visit, including St Mary’s Anglican Church on Franklin Street. Not far from the city proper is Spring Bay, where you can go boating and take a cruise to Maria Island. Being a coastal town, Triabunna is famous for its locally-caught fish and chips.
After a hearty meal, refresh with an afternoon drink at the century-old Spring Bay Hotel. Travelling in a campervan? A campervan park is conveniently located across the historic hotel, so you won’t have to worry about parking your rental vehicle when you tour the town.
While defense troops settled in Triabunna, Maria Island held prisoners during the colonial period. The island has since been named the Maria Island National Park, preserved for its archeological artefacts and as a wildlife reserve for wombats. The furry marsupials are native to the island and free-roaming — visitors (and all animal lovers) are in fact encouraged to take a pledge to keep wildlife wild — so it’s easy to spot wombat trails through their unique cube-shaped excrements that kids will surely want to take home (because why not!)
How far: The distance between Port Arthur and Triabunna is 95 km.
Drive time: The drive time from Port Arthur to Triabunna is one hour and 30 minutes.
Day 4: Triabunna to Bicheno
Just an hour and 15 minutes from Triabunna is the picturesque town of Bicheno, the jewel of Tasmania’s east coast famous for its sunny weather and sandy beaches. The town itself experiences little rain throughout the year, so feel free to dress light for a day at the beach and visiting the shops. Walk towards the coast until you reach the Waubs Esplanade near the Bicheno Blowhole if you want to see saltwater spew from a large rock.
If you decide not to lounge by the water, exploring the rest of the town is also a wise choice — but make sure you come back to the beach in the afternoon to watch Fairy Penguins waddle back to their burrows! Rent a bike with your family or friends and go on a food crawl, as Bicheno has some worthy food and wine spots visitors should try. Bicheno celebrates its seaside cuisine and culture through an annual food and wine festival in November — sit back and watch as local musicians share their talent with the community that inspires their craft.
How far: Triabunna is 93 km away from Bicheno.
Drive time: Driving from Triabunna to Bicheno will take one hour and 15 minutes.
Day 5: Bicheno to Launceston
Wrap up your road trip by driving to Launceston, which takes about two hours via Lake Leake Highway/B34 and National Highway 1. The beautiful riverside city is known for the Cataract Gorge where you can enjoy panoramic views of the South Esk River, but as one of the most populous cities in Tasmania, its cityscape can be just as captivating. The city has developed into a cultural melting pot, thanks to its diverse food scene — thus hailed a City of Gastronomy by UNESCO — and thriving community of artisans.
Other popular attractions include the Heritage Walks, which will introduce you to Launceston’s past as one of Tasmania’s oldest cities, City Park — have a cosy BBQ while your kids hang at the play space — and the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, with centuries-old items and authentic Tasmanian displays.
How far: The shortest route from Bicheno to Launceston is 160 km long.
Drive time: Bicheno to Launceston is two hours by car.
Hobart to Launceston through the mountains
While taking the coastal route between Hobart and Launceston will deliver you to some beautiful beaches, by taking the inland “mountain route” you’ll have the opportunity to experience Tasmania at its most spectacular. Starting in Hobart, first head south to Bruny Island, before backtracking north, then through the interior, with stops at Mount Field National Park and Cradle Mountain National Park before wrapping up at Launceston.
| From | To | Distance & duration |
| Hobart | Bruny Island | 83 km & 1 hr 30 min |
| Bruny Island | Mount Field National Park | 165 km & 3 hr |
| Mount Field National Park | Cradle Mountain National Park | 307 km & 4 hr 30 min |
| Cradle Mountain | Launceston | 147 km & 2 hr 10 min |
| Hobart | Launceston | 702 km & 11 hr 10 min |
All distances in kilometres, calculated on the shortest direct route by car with Google Maps. Distances and trip times correct as at 12 November, 2025.
Day 1: Hobart
If you’re flying to Hobart, you can pick up your rental car at Hobart Airport, then commence your journey with a drive to Seven Mile Beach via Grueber Avenue. To savour the best view of Hobart, drive to the summit of Mount Wellington which takes approximately 45 minutes. Make sure to wear comfy shoes since you need to go hiking to reach the top — the view is worth it.
Another event for your Hobart bucket list is the Festival of Voices. Join thousands of attendees in singing around a huge bonfire, an activity known as The Big Sing, though there will be several opportunities for you to belt your favorite tunes along with the crowd throughout the event. As Tasmania is famous for holding community events, building a road trip itinerary around festival season is ideal. You can find more information on similar events in this festival calendar for Tasmania.
Day 2: Hobart to Bruny Island
A popular day trip from Hobart is to Bruny Island, which takes around two hours to reach via B66. There is a ferry that can take you to the island and it only takes 20 minutes to cross the D’Entrecasteaux Channel to Bruny Island.
There’s a long list of activities you can do in Bruny Island, with Island Scenic Flights being one of them where you take off from Bruny Island Airport and see the island from a bird’s eye view. Exploring Bruny Island on foot will likely take you to one of the many species of eucalyptus trees in the area — rest on a sturdy trunk with a Tasmanian brew and a charcuterie board of locally sourced fruits, chocolates and cheese. You’ll also spot the fairy penguins at the Truganini Lookout at the Neck Game Reserve, where the rookery is gathered. Go surfing in Cloudy Bay — where you can also set up camp nearby — or take a selfie at the Cape Bruny Lighthouse.
How far: Hobart is 83 km away from Bruny Island by car and ferry.
Drive time: The total travel time between Hobart and Bruny Island is one hour and 30 minutes
Day 3: Bruny Island to Mount Field National Park
After a fun day trip in Bruny Island, you can drive back along B66 to reach Mount Field National Park. The travel time is approximately three hours, but the long drive is worth it. The park will welcome you with spectacular vistas and remarkable nature walks. An easy 1 km walk will take you to the famous Russell Falls — with reinforced paths for better accessibility, even at night. Apart from the falls itself, you’ll find unique flora and fauna in your path, including glow worms in the grotto — turn off your phones and flashlights to see them in action!
Large eucalyptus trees will greet you as you continue along the Tall Trees trail, until you reach Lake Dobson with a view of Mount Mawson, which opens for skiers during the winter months. For day hikers, the 12 km walk to the Tarn Shelf is an exciting one — it’s a collection of small glacial lakes hikers can walk around. In autumn, a golden bed of grass covers the terrain, which makes for gorgeous panoramic photos.
How far: Bruny Island is about 307 km away from Mount Field National Park.
Drive time: Travelling from Bruny Island to Mount Field National Park will take you around three hours.
Day 4: Mount Field National Park to Cradle Mountain National Park
Another park that’s worth visiting is Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park, which is four and a half hours away via Highland Lakes Road/A5. This park is famous for the majestic Cradle Mountain hugging Dove Lake. Cradle Mountain is the sixth highest mountain in Tasmania and is home to Tasmanian devils, wombats, platypus, and several other species of wildlife that will intrigue both kids and kids at heart.
In Cradle Mountain, there are also opportunities to ride a horse and a helicopter — no better way to explore the wilderness than to see it in the eyes of a bird or a four-legged animal. Meanwhile, walking to Dove Lake will take you to high-altitude grasslands and rainforests, including the King Billy tree endemic to Tasmania. Another lake worthy of visiting is Lake St Clair, the deepest freshwater lake in Australia and the endpoint of the Overland Track. Before you go, visit the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery for unique souvenirs and more nature exhibits.
How far: The distance between Mount Field National Park and Cradle Mountain National Park is approximately 307 km.
Drive time: The drive from Mount Field National Park to Cradle Mountain National Park will take about four hours and 30 minutes.
Day 5: Cradle Mountain National Park to Launceston
After immersing yourself in nature, it’s time to finish up your journey in Launceston. The fastest route is via National Highway 1, which only takes a little over two hours but you can also take the Frankford Road/B71 or Cradle Mountain Road/C132 routes.
Enjoy a Tamar River Cruise in Cataract Gorge, wherein you’ll ride on a replica of the Lady Launceston, a steam-boat from the 19th century, while learning about Launceston’s Seaport before it became a waterfront attraction. On land, indulge in great food and wine by joining the Valleybrook Wine Tours and visiting the Harvest Launceston Community Farmers’ Market, where you’ll be up close and personal with Launceston’s gastronomy.
How far: Cradle Mountain National Park to Launceston is about 147 km.
Drive time: The drive time from Cradle Mountain National Park to Launceston is around two hours and 10 minutes.
Best time to go to Tasmania on a self-drive holiday
It’s best to go to Tasmania during the Australian summer — between December and February — as it’s cool enough for pleasant beach walks and easy hikes in high-altitude areas. Seeing as Tasmania is a relatively wet state as it experiences rainfall year-round, travelling in the summer months will be your best bet for a self-drive holiday, whether you’re taking the coastal or inland road trip route.
In summer, the daily high temperatures float around 28°C (82F) and the lows at 6°C (43F), while the winter months of June, July, and August bring about temperatures between 0°C and 15°C (32F to 59F) — and the heaviest rainfalls in a year. In case your trip to the national park lands on a rainy day, expect wet forests and glacial slopes to wade through, so don’t forget to wear waterproof clothing and bring hiking boots that work well on mud and slippery ground.
Here are two of the ways you can travel to Tasmania by car. If you have more time, consider doing the Overland Track, a popular alpine trekking route that covers 65 km in six days. For such trips, you can hire an SUV in Tasmania that fits a week’s worth of luggage and gear, whether you’re travelling alone or with a group. Before you book a rental vehicle, make sure you understand the terms and conditions set by the provider and you’ve prepared the rental booking requirements.
