There is a misconception that Winter school holidays are not fun. This is simply not the case, and we have put together a fun idea that is sure to warm the socks of all your family members. Why not head to Tasmania for a drive destination break!
Dark Mofo, Festival of Voices and the Winter Feast are just a few of the attractions on offer in Tassie this Winter. Best of all, you can take your own car over on the Spirit of Tasmania, and curate your own self drive holiday.
There are a number of companies that can help you plan your trip, or you can use them to book a trip for you based on the length of stay, and general interests.
Tasmania.com has a huge range of self drive tours available, from Epic East Coast tours to 8 day history, art and nature drives. They have even taken the time to answer some of their frequently asked questions below.
How long does it take to go around Tasmania?
Tasmania’s route is approximately 1,500 km long, so a Tasmania road trip will take around seven days. However, since Tasmania is a small island, some can drive around it in as little as three days. This isn’t recommended because a three-day Tasmania holiday drive around the island will wear you out, and you won’t be able to enjoy the scenic routes.
In addition, you need to allow some extra time for Tasmania trips because of the mountainous terrain you’ll encounter along the way, which will require slower speeds.
How long does it take to travel Tasmania in a caravan or motorhome?
If you plan to go around Tasmania in a caravan or motorhome, you will need to adjust your travel time a little. Adding at least 20 per cent onto any car driving times is ideal when driving a motorhome instead. Don’t worry when going on a Tasmania road trip because the roads are fine for these types of vehicles. However, you need to drive a bit slower than usual. Check out some of the caravan parks in Tasmania, such as the Seven Mile Beach Cabin and Caravan Park or the Somerset Caravan Park. We also offer campervan hire.
What are the driving conditions for a Tasmania road trip?
Generally, going on a Tasmania road trip shouldn’t be stressful because most roads are in good condition, especially if you’re heading between major towns, cities, or attractions. However, you must keep in mind that the island is mountainous, so you must be mindful of sharp bends and narrow and winding roads.
In addition, there is a number of unsealed roads, but most of them are good to drive on, whilst others may be challenging to drive on after rain. Remember that many hire cars will not allow you to drive on unsealed roads. Therefore, it’s worth planning your route before you go on your Tasmania holiday self drive trip.
Where are the best Tasmania road trips?
There are many ways to enjoy Tasmania road trips. For example, if you want to drive around the beachside towns, you should drive down the East Coast. Consider adding Orford, Swansea, and St Helens. From the East Coast, you can get to Freycinet National Park.
On the other hand, if you want to explore more of the farmland side of Tasmania, you can go on the two-hour drive from Launceston to Cradle Mountain.
What is the most scenic Tasmania road trip?
One of the most picturesque Tasmania road trips is the route from Launceston to Hobart. The drive between these two cities will allow you to see and experience iconic destinations—and the trip will take approximately a little over two hours.
You get to travel up the Midland Highway through Longford, Campbell Town, Ross and Oatlands. With another hour on your self-drive Tasmania holiday trip, you can detour to Bothwell or the Highland Lakes Road, which will both take you to the Central Plateau past the Great Lake.
How is the traffic in Tasmania?
Depending on where you’re coming from, traffic may be a bit bad during peak hours (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 6 pm) when heading to the centre, as there are only a few major access points to get there. Avoid the Southern Outlet and Tasman Highway during peak hours as much as possible.
