Circle Tasmania road trip

Wander past the 9th-century sandstone warehouses of Sullivans Cove to Salamanca Place – be sure to pause at one any of the excellent restaurants. If you’re in Hobart on Saturday, don’t miss the vibrant Salamanca Market.

Gain a richer understanding of Hobart on a tour that gives a voice to the palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal people). The takara nipaluna walking tour combines historical storytelling with a truth-telling performance that will stay with you long after the tour.

Swansea wows with long beaches and views of the pink granite peaks of the Hazards range. It’s also home to Kate’s Berry Farm, which is renowned for its cool climate berries. Sample the fruit, jams and ice cream at the quaint café.

The seaside holiday village of Coles Bay is the gateway to Freycinet National Park. Make a pitstop here to appreciate the town’s location, perched beneath the peaks of the Hazards range. If you’re hungry, you can’t go past Géographe Restaurant.

Freycinet’s forest beckons keen hikers, and there are a number of trails to choose from including the easy 10-minute walk to Sleepy Bay, the challenging walk to the summit of Mount Amos, or the 90-minute loop walk to Wineglass Bay lookout.

Tasmania’s east coast is a mecca for seafood lovers. Freycinet Marine Farm harvests oysters and mussels daily, and you can even pull on a pair of waterproof waders and shuck your own oysters right in the water.

Camping in Freycinet National Park can be booked through the Freycinet Visitor Centre. You can also stay at Freycinet Lodge, where the Coastal Pavilions come with outdoor tubs. Cruises around Wineglass Bay are also on offer.

St Helens is all about the sea – come here to swim, surf and try the local speciality: crayfish. Explore the area by foot along the one-hour return trail to the spectacular Peron Dunes and Beerbarrel Beach.

The laidback village of Binalong Bay is the gateway to the Bay of Fires, where perfectly clear water meets stretches of pure white sand. This area is known especially for its orange boulders (thanks to the growth of lichen on the rocks). This is nature at its finest.

Witness the Bay of Fires’ beauty from a different perspective while cruising through the aquamarine waters with Bay of Fires Eco Tours. Various trips take you to the southern end of the bay to see impressive rock formations and seals splashing about. 

Spend the night glamping at the Bay of Fires Bush Retreat, where bare feet and salty hair are positively encouraged. Prepare a meal in the communal kitchen, or pre-order meals that hero Tassie produce. Then let the sounds of nature lull you to sleep.

The countryside surrounding Derby is home to world-class mountain biking trails catering to all experience levels. If you have extra time, the multi-day luxury mountain bike experience offered by Blue Derby Pods is unforgettable. 

Ready to feel revived and relaxed at once? On Lake Derby you’ll find a Floating Sauna, where you can turn up the wood-fired heat in the steam room before plunging into the brisk waters of the lake. It’s absolutely exhilarating.

One of Australia’s oldest cities, Launceston is gaining a reputation as a gastronomic hub. In town, you can visit art galleries and museums including the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery or the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania.

Just a short walk from the centre of Launceston you’ll find a stretch of river reserve wrapped in the immense Cataract Gorge. Cross a suspension bridge above the water or ride the world’s longest single-span chairlift.

Golf enthusiasts will not want to miss teeing off on the legendary Barnbougle Dunes Golf Links – three world-class courses set amid a wild and dramatic landscape. You can enjoy a meal on the grounds and even stay overnight.

The Tamar Valley sits just north of Launceston along a calm estuary. This is Tasmania’s largest wine region, home to more than 20 vineyards. When you’re not enjoying a drop, catch the evening penguin parade at Low Head. 

An artsy town straddling the Meander River, Deloraine’s streets are lined with Georgian and Victorian buildings home to galleries, boutiques and craft stores. In fact, the town hosts one of Australia’s biggest working craft fairs each November.

Make a pitstop in Devonport. The bustling coastal city is known for its great beaches and its walking and cycling tracks. Nearby Lillico Beach is home to the world’s smallest penguins, which waddle ashore each night. 

Narawntapu National Park has often been called the ‘Serengeti of Tasmania’ for its abundance of native animals. Spot kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, pademelons and even Tasmanian devils in the wild.

The fishing village of Stanley is framed by a dramatic volcanic outcrop known as The Nut. Ride The Nut Chairlift to explore the plateau; a 2km (1.2mi) walk around the summit will reward you with sensational views. 

If you'd like to take your vantage point even higher, consider a scenic flight with Osborne Helitours. You'll take to the skies to gaze down upon the dramatic coastline and ocean speckled with islands.

Dramatic peaks, glacial-carved lakes and ancient rainforest – welcome to the World Heritage-listed wilderness of Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. Take in the immense beauty by foot on the picture-perfect Dove Lake Circuit.

Devils@Cradle is a working conservation centre dedicated to protecting the normally elusive Tasmanian devil. You can do day or night tours, spotting nocturnal creatures as you take a night walk through the wilderness.

A scenic flight with Cradle Mountain Helicopters will take your breath away. There are several flights to choose from, including trips above Dove Lake, Fury Gorge (Australia’s deepest gorge), Mount Ossa, and of course, Cradle Mountain. 

Paddling through the crisp water of Dove Lake with a panoramic view of Cradle Mountain just ahead. Sounds pretty epic, doesn’t it? That’s just what you’ll get on a two-hour guided kayak tour with Cradle Mountain Canyons.

Stay overnight at the family-friendly Cradle Mountain Hotel or Peppers Cradle Mountain Hotel. If you’re looking for something extra special, book in at Pumphouse Point, a converted hydroelectric pumphouse suspended over the water.

Queenstown’s King River snakes through dense, green forest, making it a stunning place to river raft. Hop into the raft with your expert guide and navigate rapids, glide along glassy water and stop on the bank for a picnic.

Board the West Coast Wilderness Railway between Queenstown and Strahan. You’ll climb the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest steam rail track and journey through cool, temperate rainforest and along the incredible King River Gorge.

Explore the region’s mirrored waterways with Gordon River Cruises and World Heritage Cruises. You’ll glimpse Hells Gates, where Macquarie Harbour meets the Southern Ocean, then cruise into the serene Gordon River. The final stop is the former penal colony of Sarah Island.

Your final stop today is the harbour-side Strahan, the gateway to Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed wild west. Kayak on Macquarie Harbour – Australia's second-largest natural harbour – or walk along windswept Ocean Beach, the longest beach in Tasmania.

Tarraleah was home to Australia’s first hydro-electric system. Many of the original 1930s-built cottages in the highland village have undergone restoration, some in stunning Art Deco style. One such building is The Lodge, today a boutique hotel.

One of Tassie’s oldest national parks – and one of its most diverse – Mount Field National Park offers towering trees, waterfalls and alpine lakes. Follow trails to the spectacular Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls. 

New Norfolk is Tasmania’s third-oldest settlement, home to historic buildings including one of Australia's oldest pubs, the Bush Inn. Drop in on The Agrarian Kitchen for a farm-to-table meal or cooking class.

On the outskirts of Hobart lies one of Australia’s most acclaimed galleries: Mona (the Museum of Old and New Art). This dramatic subterranean space is home to Australia’s largest (and most thought-provoking) privately owned art collection.