Wombats, Wineglass Bay and wilderness: The ultimate 10-day Tassie road trip

By: Lisa Cook

Where else in the world can you see wombats, waterfalls and Wineglass Bay?

If you're wondering whether Tassie deserves a spot on your holiday hit list, I can assure you: it absolutely lives up to the hype.

Tasmania is the kind of place where you can escape into nature without the crowds, enjoy exceptional food and explore fascinating historic sites, all without leaving the country. Plus, you can fly direct from Perth to Hobart in just four hours.

One day you could be hiking, mountain biking and camping. The next you could be winery hopping, fine dining and shucking fresh oysters.

It's the kind of destination that appeals equally to nature lovers, thrill seekers, foodies and history buffs.

People often compare Tasmania to New Zealand. Having visited NZ a couple of times, I think Tasmania deserves its own spotlight.

This island is more than just a picturesque place to visit. It's a wilderness packed with hidden gems and surprises around every corner.

Three things you need to know first

1. Hire a car

If you want to properly explore Tasmania beyond Hobart, a hire car is essential. It may not be a huge island, but you'll struggle to see the best of it without one. Some roads are winding, particularly through national parks and coastal areas, but there isn't much traffic, making the drive part of the experience. Slow down and enjoy the scenery.

2. Go in summer

If you want to experience Tasmania's hiking trails, wildlife, beaches and national parks at their best, aim for summer to early autumn. You'll still want to pack for all four seasons, as cool evenings and the occasional shower are common, but daytime conditions are ideal for exploring. I visited from late February to early March and struck perfect weather and encountered minimal other tourists.

3. Plan ahead

If you're hoping to tackle an iconic multi-day hike such as the Overland Track or Three Capes Track, book well in advance because spots fill quickly.

It's also worth mapping out your itinerary before locking in accommodation. Attractions such as MONA, Salamanca Market and The Agrarian Kitchen don't operate every day, and I learnt the hard way that some of Tasmania's most popular experiences can be easy to miss.

My sister and I spent 10 days exploring as much of Australia's island state as possible to get a true taste of Tassie on a bucket-list road trip. Here's what I'd recommend most from our itinerary:

Bruny Island

Bruny Island is the island-on-an-island that delivers a true Tassie experience.

My mum told me to skip it when she saw our jam-packed itinerary, but it was at the top of my list and I'm so glad we didn't.

Book your barge ticket in advance and arrive early to queue. We'd been warned about long waits, but got lucky and drove straight on.

Our first stop was The Neck, a place you've probably seen in photos. Climb the steps to Truganini Lookout for sweeping 360-degree views of ocean, river and bushland. It's also home to a penguin rookery, where little penguins return ashore at dawn and dusk.

One of Bruny's more unexpected attractions is the famous Bread Fridge. Sitting roadside are a handful of vintage cream-coloured fridges stocked with fresh sourdough and cookies; the roadside stall of the Bruny Baker. Payment is made via bank transfer and, if you arrive early enough, you'll score some of the island's most sought-after baked goods. Pair that with a visit to Bruny Island Cheese Company and you've got a pretty perfect picnic.

Another worthwhile stop is Adventure Bay, where you might spot one of Bruny's famous white wallabies. We also visited Bruny Island Chocolate Company and the Bruny Island Raspberry Farm, where we enjoyed a slice of their popular raspberry cake in the sunshine and picked up a bottle of raspberry balsamic vinegar to take home.

Before heading back to the mainland, we stopped at Get Shucked for fresh oysters. The place was buzzing and made for a great final pit stop before the trip home.

If you have the time, continue south to Cape Bruny Lighthouse. The drive is a little rough in places, but the dramatic coastal scenery is well worth the effort.

Hobart

The food and small bar scene in Hobart is outstanding. For a city of around 250,000 people, it punches well above its weight.

The first restaurant I'd book is Bar Wa Izakaya. It's one of those rare places where the food, service and atmosphere all deliver. Even on a Monday night there's often a waitlist, and I'd happily order my way through the entire menu.

Another standout is Peppina, a beautiful Italian restaurant showcasing Tasmania's local produce. Nearly everything on the menu is sourced from Tasmanian farmers, fishers and producers. If you're struggling to decide, the "Tutti a Tavola" feed-me menu is the way to go. I still find myself thinking about the pizza fritta.

For serious food lovers, Fico lives up to the hype. The nine-course set menu changes weekly and highlights seasonal Tasmanian ingredients through a European lens. For breakfast, Sunbear is a local favourite, while Hobart's bakery scene deserves a category of its own.

Pigeon Whole Bakers has become something of a Hobart institution, with queues often stretching onto the street. South Hobart's Six Russell is equally worth a visit for its pastries, toasties and excellent coffee. I may or may not have demolished a lemon cream donut there. Another hidden gem is Yen's Gluten Free, a small foreshore bakery producing fresh gluten-free loaves by pre-order each week.

No visit to Hobart is complete without spending time on the waterfront. It's packed with restaurants, bars, galleries and markets. Grab some takeaway seafood, wander the docks and join the queue for a scoop from Van Diemens Land Creamery.

Unfortunately, MONA wasn't open during my visit, but it's firmly on my list for next time. If you're visiting in winter, Dark Mofo is another event worth planning around.

For some fresh air, head up Mt Wellington. We tackled the Organ Pipes Track, a 7.5km return hike through forest with views of the mountain's striking dolerite columns. Just remember to pack an extra layer because it gets surprisingly chilly; you can warm up with a coffee at Lost Freight back at the carpark.

The Agrarian Kitchen in nearby New Norfolk also comes highly recommended for lunch, dinner or one of its cooking classes. Sadly, it was another casualty of my planning oversight and a good excuse for a return trip.

Freycinet National Park

Coles Bay is the ideal base for exploring Freycinet National Park. It's a charming fishing village and the gateway to some of Tasmania's most spectacular coastal scenery.

Wineglass Bay is even more impressive in person. There are plenty of ways to experience it, whether that's the lookout walk, the longer circuit to the beach itself, or the more adventurous climb up Mt Amos. We chose Mt Amos so we could see the full panoramic views of the peninsula. While only 2km to the summit, it involves some scrambling and is best tackled in dry conditions. The views from the top were worth every slippery rock and steep section.

One of the highlights of our trip was an AWD buggy tour through the national park. After a quick lesson, we were off exploring dirt tracks, beaches and dunes. My sister and I couldn't stop laughing as we followed each other through the sand and bushland like kids.

Seafood lovers should make time for Freycinet Marine Farm. We missed out on their oyster experience due to bookings, but it remains high on my list for next time.

Bicheno also makes a fantastic day trip. We spent the day exploring boutiques, cafes, galleries and second-hand stores before visiting the Blowhole and grabbing lunch at The Lobster Shack.

While the setting was fantastic, I'll be honest: the lobster roll didn't quite live up to expectations. Next time I'd opt for the seafood platter instead.

If you're driving through the region, Devil's Corner is another stop I've heard consistently good things about for wine, views and lunch.

Cradle Mountain National Park

We based ourselves in Launceston and made a day trip to Cradle Mountain, stopping along the way to explore a few small towns.

Our chosen hike was the Dove Lake Circuit, a 6km loop with uninterrupted views of Cradle Mountain. It's easily one of my favourite walks in Australia. In a single hike we passed through ancient rainforest, pencil pines, waterfalls, rocky lakeshores and alpine bushland, all reflected in the glassy waters of Dove Lake.

As someone whose Tassie bucket list included seeing a Tasmanian devil, I was incredibly excited to visit Devils@Cradle after our hike. The conservation sanctuary focuses on breeding Tasmanian devils, spotted-tail quolls and eastern quolls.

Seeing the devils up close was every bit as exciting as I'd hoped. They were far cuter than expected and far noisier too.

The world-famous Overland Track also begins here, making Cradle Mountain a dream destination for hikers.

On the drive, Deloraine was a lovely stop for lunch and a wander through local shops. Nearby Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm was another standout, with delicious food, great coffee and plenty of raspberry-inspired treats.

My original itinerary also included Liffey Falls and Marakoopa Cave, but I quickly learned that Tasmania rewards a slower pace than my spreadsheet initially allowed.

Port Arthur and the Three Capes Track

Port Arthur is worth visiting for its history alone, but for many people it's also the starting point of the Three Capes Track.

You don't need to consider yourself a hardcore hiker to complete the track. A reasonable level of fitness and a good pair of hiking boots will do the trick. The 48km walk spans four days and showcases some of the most dramatic coastline I've ever seen.

What surprised me most wasn't just the scenery, but the people. Without wi-fi and the distractions of everyday life, evenings were spent swapping stories with fellow hikers over dehydrated dinners. One night we met a man in his 80s who'd trekked all over the world. His verdict? Tasmania is the best hiking destination he's ever experienced.

The start feels a little like Survivor. A boat drops you onto a remote beach with your backpack and suddenly you're on your own. Each day feels completely different. One morning you're walking above towering dolerite cliffs, the next you're winding through moss-covered forest. The track infrastructure is excellent, with boardwalks, lookouts and rest areas throughout. Along the way we spotted wallabies, seals, lots of birdlife and just one tiger snake.

We were also blessed with near-perfect weather. On our final afternoon we celebrated with a swim at Fortescue Bay before paying for a much-needed hot shower afterwards. The ocean was absolutely Baltic.

Port Arthur itself is a fascinating and confronting place. Whether you're interested in history or not, it's impossible not to be affected by the stories attached to the site.

On the drive, make time for the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry and Port Arthur Lavender. Both are fun stops and ideal places to stock up on gifts, treats and local produce.

Launceston

Launceston, or "Launny", is seriously underrated.

While it doesn't have the obvious postcard appeal of some of Tasmania's coastal destinations, it's a fantastic base for exploring the north and has a great food scene of its own.

One standout meal was at Stillwater. Between the food, service, river views and atmosphere, it easily ranked among my favourite dining experiences of the trip.

Another discovery was Bread + Butter. It might be controversial, but I actually preferred it to the bakeries we visited in Hobart. I'm still thinking about the toastie and walnut croissant.

Cataract Gorge is another must-see. Whether you ride the chairlift, walk the trails or simply sit and enjoy the views over lunch, it's an easy place to spend a few hours.

I'll also admit to being a bit of a sauna fanatic, so a visit to the famous Lake Derby Floating Sauna had been on my bucket list for years. Derby itself is worth the drive. The former mining town has reinvented itself as a mountain biking destination and has a relaxed, outdoorsy feel.

The sauna experience was every bit as good as I'd hoped. Sitting in a wood-fired sauna overlooking the misty lake felt almost cinematic. The lake, however, was exactly as cold as you'd imagine. Afterwards we warmed up with fresh hot donuts from a local cafe before making the drive back to Launceston.

Next time

After 10 days on the road, I still left Tasmania with a list of places I didn't get to see.

Maybe that's Tasmania's secret. No matter how much you squeeze into an itinerary, you'll always leave with a reason to come back.

Next time I'd love to visit the Bay of Fires, explore Maria Island for its famous wombats, see the little penguins around Penguin, and spend some time around Strahan exploring the west coast's forests, rivers and waterfalls.

For an island that looks small on a map, Tasmania has an incredible ability to keep you planning your next trip before you've even finished the first one.