Tasmania Campervan & Motorhome Hire

Day 1: Collect your campervan from a depot near Hobart Airport at Cambridge and stock up on groceries before leaving the city. Spend the afternoon on the Hobart waterfront around Salamanca Place, then settle into a holiday park near the airport for an easy first night. Flying into Launceston instead? This loop works just as well from there, or as a one-way hire between the two cities.

Day 2: Drive about 1.5 hours (95 km) south-east to the Tasman Peninsula, stopping at the Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen near Eaglehawk Neck. Spend the afternoon at the Port Arthur Historic Site and stay on for an evening ghost tour. Book a powered site at the holiday park near Port Arthur, as nearby Fortescue Bay is reached by a long gravel road.

Day 3: Take a final look around Port Arthur, then head back through Sorell and Hobart and inland via New Norfolk to Mount Field National Park, about 2.5 to 3 hours of driving. Arrive in time for the short rainforest walk to Russell Falls. The national park campground sits right by the entrance, so you can stroll back to the falls after dark to spot glow worms.

Day 4: Walk the Tall Trees Track and Horseshoe Falls in the morning, but skip the gravel Lake Dobson Road in a hire van. Continue west on the Lyell Highway to Lake St Clair, about 1.5 hours, Australia's deepest lake and the southern end of the Overland Track. Walk the Platypus Bay circuit, then camp near Derwent Bridge and watch for wallabies on the road at dusk.

Day 5: Today's drive across the West Coast is about two hours (125 km) of winding highway, so stop at Nelson Falls and take the tight bends down into Queenstown slowly. Fill up with fuel and supplies in Queenstown, as services are sparse out here. Continue to the harbour town of Strahan and book a powered site at a holiday park for two nights.

Day 6: Join a Gordon River cruise into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, with a rainforest walk at Heritage Landing and a stop at the old Sarah Island convict settlement. Spend the afternoon at the wild surf of Ocean Beach or on the short walk to Hogarth Falls. Back at camp, enjoy the quiet harbour and a long West Coast sunset before tomorrow's drive north.

Day 7: Drive north through Zeehan and along the Murchison Highway to Cradle Mountain, about 2.5 hours with plenty of curves and few towns. Check in at the holiday park near the Cradle Mountain visitor centre, where you will leave your van. Campervans and motorhomes are not allowed on Dove Lake Road at any time, so buy shuttle tickets and your parks pass at the visitor centre.

Day 8: Ride the shuttle to Dove Lake and walk the 6 km Dove Lake Circuit, with Cradle Mountain reflected in the water on calm mornings. Pack warm, waterproof layers, as the weather here can turn quickly even in summer. Look for wombats grazing around Ronny Creek in the late afternoon, then return to your van for a second cosy night at the park.

Day 9: Head to Launceston, about 2.5 hours, via the mural town of Sheffield and the tasting trail around Elizabeth Town, home of Ashgrove Cheese. Arrive in time to walk the trails and suspension bridge at Cataract Gorge, just minutes from the city centre. Stay at a Launceston holiday park with full facilities, a handy spot to catch up on laundry and refill water tanks.

Day 10: Spend the day exploring the Tamar Valley, one of Australia's best known cool-climate wine regions, with about an hour of driving each way. Visit cellar doors on both banks of the river and the Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre. Stay overnight at Low Head, near the mouth of the river, and join an evening tour as little penguins come ashore at dusk.

Day 11: Cross to the East Coast on the Tasman Highway, about 2.5 to 3 hours from the Tamar to St Helens. In December and January, detour to Bridestowe Lavender Estate, and take the winding Weldborough Pass slowly. Restock in St Helens, then head north to the Bay of Fires, where free Parks campgrounds such as Cosy Corner take campervans on a first-come basis.

Day 12: Keep today free for beach hopping around Binalong Bay and The Gardens, famous for white sand, clear water and orange lichen on the granite boulders. Swim, walk or relax with a picnic beside the van. The campgrounds have pit toilets but no drinking water, so carry in plenty, take all rubbish out, and claim your spot by early afternoon in summer.

Day 13: Follow the coast south through Bicheno to Coles Bay, about 1.5 hours (115 km), with time for fresh seafood by the water. Walk to the Wineglass Bay Lookout, about 1 to 1.5 hours return, for the classic view over the curved white beach. Your parks pass covers entry, and Richardsons Beach sites go to a ballot in peak summer, so book a Coles Bay holiday park early.

Day 14: Make the final drive to Hobart, about 2.5 to 3 hours (195 km), stopping at Kate's Berry Farm near Swansea and the convict-built Spiky Bridge. Allow time to empty the waste tanks, refuel and tidy the van before your return. Aim to reach the Hobart depot by early afternoon, as some depots close as early as 3:30pm, then head to the airport for your flight home.

Day 1: Collect your campervan near Launceston Airport at Western Junction, where some local operators run a free shuttle from the terminal. Stock up on groceries in the city, then walk the Cataract Gorge trails and cross the suspension bridge, just minutes from the CBD. Spend your first night at a Launceston holiday park, getting to know the van's heater, water and power before the coast.

Day 2: Loop north through the Tamar Valley wine region, stopping at cellar doors on either bank of the river and the Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre, with about an hour of driving each way. Stay at Low Head, where the lighthouse precinct looks out over Bass Strait, and join a guided tour to watch little penguins waddle ashore at dusk.

Day 3: Drive east on the Tasman Highway to St Helens, around 2.5 to 3 hours with stops. Detour to Bridestowe Lavender Estate in December or January, and pause in Derby, a mountain bike town on the river. Take the Weldborough Pass slowly, as it is narrow and winding, then set up at a St Helens holiday park and restock with groceries and fuel.

Day 4: Head north from St Helens to the Bay of Fires, where white beaches meet granite boulders splashed with orange lichen. Swim at Binalong Bay and walk the coast around The Gardens. Free Parks campgrounds such as Cosy Corner suit campervans, but they are first come, first served, with pit toilets and no drinking water, so arrive early in summer and carry everything you need.

Day 5: Follow the Great Eastern Drive south to Bicheno, about 1 to 1.5 hours away. Watch the blowhole in action, grab fresh seafood by the harbour and book an evening tour to see little penguins return to their burrows. Stay at a Bicheno holiday park, an easy base with powered sites and laundry facilities, and walk to the beach straight from camp.

Day 6: Drive about 40 minutes to Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park, where your parks pass covers entry. Walk to the Wineglass Bay Lookout, about 1 to 1.5 hours return, or continue down to the beach for a swim. Watch the sunset over the Hazards from Honeymoon Bay, then camp at a Coles Bay holiday park, as Richardsons Beach sites go to a ballot in peak summer.

Day 7: Take it slow down the coast to Swansea, about 45 minutes away, stopping at Kate's Berry Farm and the historic Spiky Bridge. Continue to Triabunna or Orford, roughly another 45 minutes, and set up at a local holiday park. Book tomorrow's Maria Island ferry in advance during summer, and pick up picnic supplies, as the island has no shops.

Day 8: Leave the van at Triabunna and take the passenger ferry to Maria Island, a car-free national park where wombats wander freely around the old convict settlement of Darlington. Walk to the Painted Cliffs at low tide or follow the coast to the Fossil Cliffs for sweeping views. Return on the afternoon boat and enjoy a quiet night back in camp.

Day 9: Drive south through Sorell and Dunalley to the Tasman Peninsula, about 1.5 to 2 hours. Stop at the Tessellated Pavement and Tasman Arch on the way to the Port Arthur Historic Site, where entry includes a guided walk and harbour cruise. Stay at the holiday park near Port Arthur and join an evening ghost tour for a memorable final night.

Day 10: Spend the morning at Remarkable Cave or back at the historic site, then drive about 1.5 hours to Hobart. Detour to Richmond to see its convict-built bridge if time allows, as it is only a short drive from the airport depots. Empty the waste tanks, refuel and tidy up, then return your van to the Hobart depot, allowing for early afternoon closing times.

Day 1: Pick up your campervan near Hobart Airport and stock up on supplies, then drive about 20 minutes to the historic village of Richmond to see Australia's oldest bridge still in use. Head into Hobart for an afternoon on the waterfront and an early seafood dinner. Stay at a holiday park close to the city, ready for a full day of exploring tomorrow.

Day 2: Spend the morning at Salamanca Place, home to the famous Saturday market, or take the ferry from Brooke Street Pier to MONA. In the afternoon, drive the Pinnacle Road to the summit of kunanyi/Mount Wellington for sweeping views over Hobart and the Derwent. The road closes in snow and ice, so check its status with the City of Hobart before you go.

Day 3: Drive about 35 minutes south to Kettering and join the queue for the 20-minute vehicle ferry to Bruny Island, as tickets are for the next available sailing rather than a set time. Climb the steps at The Neck lookout and taste local cheese and oysters along the way. Set up at a holiday park in Adventure Bay, after confirming your hire company allows the ferry.

Day 4: Join a three-hour wilderness cruise from Adventure Bay past towering sea cliffs, seal colonies and, in season, migrating whales. In the afternoon, tackle the Fluted Cape walk or relax on the beach. Many side roads on Bruny Island, including the drive to Cape Bruny Lighthouse, are unsealed, so check your rental terms before heading off the main road.

Day 5: Catch the ferry back to Kettering and spend the day in the Huon Valley, about 30 minutes away, tasting craft cider, fresh apples and local produce around Cygnet and Huonville. Follow the Huon River south to Franklin and Geeveston for riverside stops and cafes. Stay at a holiday park in Huonville or Cygnet, both easy bases for exploring the region.

Day 6: Drive to the Tasman Peninsula, about 2 hours via Hobart and Sorell, stopping at the Tessellated Pavement and Tasman Arch near Eaglehawk Neck. Spend the afternoon exploring the Port Arthur Historic Site, where entry includes a guided walk and harbour cruise. Stay at the holiday park near Port Arthur and book an evening ghost tour for an atmospheric finish.

Day 7: Visit Remarkable Cave in the morning, a sea cave framed by sandstone cliffs, then make the easy 1.5-hour drive back towards Hobart. Stop for oysters at Dunalley or fresh berries near Sorell on the way. Empty the waste tanks, refuel and clean the van, then return it to the Hobart depot in good time for your flight home.