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Quick answer: the 15 day Tasmania campervan loop
- Route: Hobart, Port Arthur, Mount Field, Lake St Clair, Strahan, Cradle Mountain, Launceston, the Bay of Fires, Freycinet and back to Hobart.
- Distance: about 1,300 km, or 1,350 to 1,400 km with side trips. No day has more than about four hours behind the wheel.
- Pace: two nights each at Port Arthur, Strahan, Cradle Mountain, Launceston and the Bay of Fires, so you unpack properly five times.
- Park pass: a Tasmania National Parks Holiday Pass ($98.35 per vehicle for up to two months) covers every national park on the route.
- Cradle Mountain: campervans can never drive the Dove Lake road. Park at the visitor centre and catch the shuttle bus.
- Best time: the shoulder seasons, March to May and September to November, for milder weather and fewer crowds. Summer is busiest.
It is a lovely loop around Tasmania, with a good mix of wilderness, beaches, convict history and small towns. Fifteen days gives you time to stay two nights in the best spots instead of packing up every morning.
Comparing vans for this trip? Our Tasmania campervan hire guide covers prices, the Hobart and Launceston depots and the rental brands you can book.
Itinerary at a glance
| Day | Route | Distance and drive | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pick up in Hobart | Short city drives | Hobart |
| 2 | Hobart to Port Arthur | 95 km, about 1.5 h | Port Arthur |
| 3 | Tasman Peninsula | Short hops | Port Arthur |
| 4 | Port Arthur to Mount Field | 164 km, about 2.5 h | Mount Field |
| 5 | Mount Field to Strahan via Lake St Clair | About 250 km, 3.5 to 4 h | Strahan |
| 6 | Strahan and the Gordon River | No big drive | Strahan |
| 7 | Strahan to Cradle Mountain | 140 km, 2 to 2.5 h | Cradle Mountain |
| 8 | Cradle Mountain | Shuttle bus only | Cradle Mountain |
| 9 | Cradle Mountain to Launceston | 142 km, about 2.25 h | Launceston |
| 10 | Launceston and Cataract Gorge | No big drive | Launceston |
| 11 | Launceston to St Helens and the Bay of Fires | 159 km, about 2.25 h | Bay of Fires |
| 12 | Bay of Fires | Short hops | Bay of Fires |
| 13 | St Helens to Freycinet | 115 km, about 1.75 h | Coles Bay |
| 14 | Wineglass Bay, then Freycinet to Hobart | 193 km, about 2.75 h | Hobart |
| 15 | Return the campervan in Hobart | Short city drives | Home |
Drive times are estimates from routing data. Tasmanian roads are narrow and winding, so allow extra time in a campervan, especially on the west coast.
Before you go: van, depot and park pass
Most rental campervans are collected in Hobart, with the big brands clustered at Cambridge near the airport. Apollo, Britz, maui, Mighty and Cheapa Campa all pick up there, which makes a Hobart to Hobart loop the simplest and cheapest option.
Buy a National Parks Holiday Pass before you set off. At $98.35 per vehicle (up to eight people) for two months, it covers Tasman, Mount Field, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair and Freycinet national parks. The cheaper daily pass does not cover Cradle Mountain, so it is poor value on a trip like this.
Day by day itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Tasmania
Hobart
Pick up your campervan in Hobart and keep the first day easy. Allow plenty of time for the vehicle handover, then stock up on groceries before you settle in.
Spend the afternoon around Salamanca Place and the waterfront, or drive up kunanyi / Mount Wellington for the view if the weather is clear.
Tonight: Hobart
Tip: do not plan a big drive on collection day. Getting comfortable with the van close to town makes for a much nicer start.
Day 2: Hobart to Port Arthur
About 95 km, allow 1.5 hours
Head south east towards the Tasman Peninsula. On the way, stop at the Tessellated Pavement, Pirates Bay Lookout, Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen. None take long, so pick and choose.
Spend the afternoon at Port Arthur Historic Site, Tasmania's best known convict site. General admission is $55 per adult and includes a harbour cruise and an introductory walking tour.
Tonight: Port Arthur
Day 3: Explore the Tasman Peninsula
No need to pack up
Take the whole day to explore. Remarkable Cave, the coastal lookouts and the short walks in Tasman National Park all make easy half-day outings from Port Arthur.
For something memorable after dark, book the Port Arthur ghost tour. It runs for about 90 minutes and costs $35 per adult, but it only runs on selected nights, so check dates before you go.
Tonight: Port Arthur
Day 4: Port Arthur to Mount Field
About 164 km, allow 2.5 to 3 hours with stops
Head back past Hobart and turn inland along the Derwent Valley to Mount Field National Park.
The star here is Russell Falls, an easy 1.4 km return walk (about 25 minutes) through tall rainforest. If you have time, keep going on the Three Falls Circuit, about 6 km in total.
The Parks-run Mount Field campground is 200 metres from the visitor centre, with powered sites, hot showers and a camp kitchen. From 3 November 2026 powered sites cost $35 per site per night, and a booking system is being introduced.
Tonight: Mount Field
Day 5: Mount Field to Strahan via Lake St Clair
About 250 km, allow 3.5 to 4 hours of driving plus stops
This is the longest drive of the trip, and one of the best. The Lyell Highway crosses the island's wild interior, so start early.
Stop at Lake St Clair (Cynthia Bay), Australia's deepest lake, for lunch and a lakeside stroll. Further west, Donaghys Hill Lookout and Nelson Falls are short walks in Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, and the road then winds down through Queenstown's bare, coloured hills.
Your destination is Strahan, a little harbour town on Macquarie Harbour.
Tonight: Strahan
Day 6: Strahan and the Gordon River
No big drive today
A Gordon River cruise is the classic way to see Tasmania's World Heritage wilderness. Day cruises leave around 9am, return mid afternoon and include Hells Gates, a guided walk on Sarah Island and the Heritage Landing rainforest boardwalk. Expect to pay from about $160 per adult with lunch.
Prefer to stay ashore? Walk to Hogarth Falls (about 2.4 km return) or watch the sunset at Ocean Beach, Tasmania's longest beach. It is not safe for swimming.
Strahan has free dump points, so empty the tanks before the mountains.
Tonight: Strahan
Day 7: Strahan to Cradle Mountain
About 140 km, allow 2 to 2.5 hours
Leave the west coast for one of the highlights of the trip, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.
Campervans stay outside the park gates. Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain has powered sites and a dump point just down the road from the visitor centre. Water is limited, so arrive with full tanks.
No need to cram everything in today. Get settled, visit the visitor centre and try one of the short walks near the gates.
Tonight: Cradle Mountain
Day 8: Cradle Mountain
No driving today
This is why 15 days is worth it. Spend the whole day exploring at your own pace.
Important: campervans and motorhomes are not allowed on Dove Lake Road at any time. Park at the visitor centre and use the Cradle Mountain shuttle bus. With a Holiday Pass, the shuttle costs $15.50 per adult for 72 hours, and under 18s ride free.
The Dove Lake Circuit is about 6 km and takes two to three hours, mostly on boardwalk, with Cradle Mountain towering over the lake. Watch for wombats and wallabies late in the day, and pack warm, waterproof layers even if the morning looks perfect.
Tonight: Cradle Mountain
Day 9: Cradle Mountain to Launceston
About 142 km, allow 2 to 2.5 hours
Leave the mountains and wind down towards Launceston. There is no need to rush, so stop for lunch on the way and arrive with time to wander around the city.
Tonight: Launceston
Day 10: Launceston and Cataract Gorge
A slow day
Spend the morning at Cataract Gorge Reserve, a short walk from the city centre and free to enter. Walk the trails, swim at the First Basin pool in summer or ride the Gorge Scenic Chairlift ($20 return per adult), which has the longest single chairlift span in the world at 308 metres.
The rest of the day is yours. Launceston has a great food scene, and the Tamar Valley wineries are close by. See our Launceston campervan hire guide for local campsites and depots.
Tonight: Launceston
Day 11: Launceston to St Helens and the Bay of Fires
About 159 km, allow 2 to 2.5 hours
Cross the north east to the coast at St Helens, then continue 13 km to Binalong Bay, the southern gateway to the Bay of Fires.
White sand, clear turquoise water and granite boulders splashed with orange lichen make this one of the most distinctive coastlines in Australia.
Tonight: Bay of Fires
Day 12: Bay of Fires
Another day without a big drive
Keep today flexible. Beach hop, walk the coast, have a picnic and enjoy having nowhere to be.
The Bay of Fires campgrounds, including Swimcart Beach and Cosy Corner, are free and cannot be booked. Facilities are basic: toilets at most sites, but no drinking water and no bins, so arrive with full water tanks and take your rubbish with you. Some access roads suit small vans only.
Tonight: Bay of Fires
Day 13: St Helens to Freycinet
About 115 km, allow 1.75 hours
Follow the east coast south to Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park. The drive is short, so stop at the beaches and lookouts along the way.
Camping at Richardsons Beach inside the park is in high demand. New bookings for stays from 3 November 2026 are paused while Parks moves to a new online booking system, and powered sites will cost $35 per night. If you cannot get a site, Coles Bay has a holiday park.
Tonight: Coles Bay or Freycinet
Day 14: Wineglass Bay, then back towards Hobart
Wineglass Bay walk, then about 193 km and 2.75 hours to Hobart
Start early for Tasmania's most famous view. The Wineglass Bay Lookout walk is 2.6 km return and takes one to one and a half hours, with plenty of steps.
Afterwards, head south along the coast to Hobart, allowing time for stops at Swansea, Spiky Bridge or a winery.
Tonight: Hobart
Day 15: Hobart and campervan return
Short city drive
Enjoy a relaxed final morning before returning your campervan. Allow time to pack, tidy the van, empty the waste tanks if required and refuel according to your rental conditions.
Tonight: Home, or your next adventure
How much does the trip cost?
On top of van hire and fuel, these are the main costs on this route.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| National Parks Holiday Pass (per vehicle, up to 2 months) | $98.35 |
| Cradle Mountain shuttle with a Holiday Pass (adult, 72 hours) | $15.50 |
| Port Arthur Historic Site (adult) | $55 |
| Port Arthur ghost tour (adult) | $35 |
| Gordon River cruise with lunch (adult) | From about $160 |
| Gorge Scenic Chairlift, Launceston (adult return) | $20 |
| Powered site at Mount Field or Freycinet (from 3 November 2026) | $35 per site per night |
| Bay of Fires campgrounds | Free |
Where to stay with a campervan
- Parks and Wildlife campgrounds: Mount Field and Freycinet have powered sites, while the Bay of Fires has free, basic sites.
- Holiday parks: the easiest option at Hobart, Port Arthur, Strahan, Cradle Mountain, Launceston and Coles Bay, with showers, laundries and dump points.
- Free and low-cost camping: Tasmania has no statewide freedom camping law or self-containment certificate. Each council and land manager sets its own rules, so only camp where signs or an app such as WikiCamps say it is allowed.
Best time to do this road trip
Summer (December to February) brings highs around 17 to 23°C and up to about 15 hours of daylight in Hobart, but it is also the busiest and most expensive time, and Freycinet and the Bay of Fires get crowded. Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) are the sweet spot, with milder weather and fewer people. Winter (June to August) is cold, with daytime temperatures of about 3 to 11°C and snow at Cradle Mountain and Mount Field, but it is quiet and atmospheric if you pack well. Weather can turn cold and wet in any season.
For more ideas by season, read our guide to summer and winter campervan travel in Australia.
Campervan tips for Tasmania
- Do not judge drive times by distance. Roads are narrow and winding, especially through the mountains and on the west coast.
- Avoid driving at dawn and dusk. Wildlife is most active then, and roadkill is common.
- Book ahead in busy periods, especially at Cradle Mountain, Freycinet and anywhere over Christmas, January and Easter.
- Fill up with fuel and water when you can on the west coast and in the north east, where towns are far apart.
- Taking the Spirit of Tasmania instead? Most rental companies do not allow their vans on the ferry without written approval, so it is usually easier to fly in and pick up in Hobart.
- Stay flexible. If you find a beach, bakery or campsite you love, staying a little longer is all part of the fun.
Want more ideas? Our guide to the best road trips around Tasmania covers shorter routes if you have less than two weeks.
Sources
Prices, walk times and park rules were checked against official sources on 19 October 2026. Fees change, so always check before you travel.
- Park passes and entry fees (Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania)
- Cradle Mountain shuttle bus information (Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania)
- Russell Falls (Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania)
- Mount Field camping (Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania)
- Bay of Fires camping (Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania)
- Wineglass Bay Lookout (Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania)
- Port Arthur Historic Site
- World Heritage Cruises, Strahan
- Gorge Scenic Chairlift, Launceston
