Why Tasmania Works So Well for a Campervan Trip
Tasmania is compact enough to lap in 10 days but varied enough that you'll never feel like you're rushing through the same landscape twice. You get alpine wilderness, working fishing ports, world-class food, and some of the darkest night skies in the Southern Hemisphere — all within a state roughly the size of Ireland. Distances are manageable, most roads are sealed, and powered sites are genuinely affordable compared to the mainland. The catch? Weather changes fast, some roads are genuinely rough on a standard campervan, and ferry bookings fill up months in advance. Get those details right and this is one of the best road trips in Australia.
If you're still deciding between Tasmanian routes or want broader context on operators and costs, the Tasmania Road Trip by Campervan: The Complete 2026 Guide is worth reading alongside this itinerary.
Getting There: The Spirit of Tasmania Ferry
Most campervans arrive via the Spirit of Tasmania, operated by TT-Line, sailing between Melbourne (Station Pier, Port Melbourne) and Devonport. There are day and overnight crossings — the overnight sailing (roughly 9–10 hours) is the practical choice for most travellers because you arrive rested and ready to drive. Book your vehicle berth as early as possible, ideally three to six months ahead for school holidays and summer (December–February). A campervan berth plus a cabin for two people typically runs $600–$1,100 return depending on season, cabin type, and vehicle length. Measure your vehicle carefully — TT-Line charges by length and height, and a Maui or Star RV large motorhome will cost more than a Jucy or Cheapa Campa compact van.
Alternatively, fly into Launceston or Hobart and pick up a vehicle locally. Compare campervan hire in Launceston across operators like Apollo, Britz, Mighty, Travellers Autobarn, and Camperman to find the right size and price for your trip — one-way hires between Launceston and Hobart are often available, which suits a lap itinerary perfectly.
Choosing Your Campervan for Tasmania
Not all campervans are equal on Tasmanian roads. The Tarkine, Walls of Jerusalem, and some Freycinet tracks are unsealed and corrugated. Most standard hire campervans (2WD) are fine for the main loop described below, but check your hire agreement carefully — many operators void insurance on unsealed roads beyond a certain distance or condition rating. Apollo, Britz, and Maui offer larger motorhomes with more comfort for couples or families. Jucy, Cheapa Campa, and Mighty are better value for budget travellers happy with a smaller berth. Travellers Autobarn and Camperman sit in the mid-range. Lets Go and Star RV are worth comparing if you want something more premium.
The 10-Day Lap: Overview
| Day | Stage | Approx. Drive | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Devonport → Launceston | 100 km | Cataract Gorge, local produce |
| 2 | Launceston → St Helens | 170 km | Bay of Fires southern access |
| 3 | St Helens → Bicheno | 90 km | Bay of Fires, Bicheno penguins |
| 4 | Bicheno → Freycinet / Coles Bay | 50 km | Wineglass Bay lookout, kayaking |
| 5 | Freycinet → Hobart | 210 km | Triabunna, Richmond village |
| 6 | Hobart (base day) | 0–40 km | MONA, Salamanca Market (Sat), kunanyi |
| 7 | Hobart → Port Arthur → Dunalley | 130 km | Port Arthur Historic Site |
| 8 | Dunalley → Strahan via Derwent Valley | 310 km | Mt Field, Russell Falls |
| 9 | Strahan → Cradle Mountain | 210 km | Gordon River cruise, Dove Lake |
| 10 | Cradle Mountain → Devonport | 85 km | Leven Canyon optional detour |
Day-by-Day Breakdown
Day 1 — Devonport to Launceston (100 km)
If you've come off the overnight ferry, you'll dock around 6–7 am. Grab breakfast in Devonport — the Providore on Rooke Street is a solid stop — then head south on the A1. Launceston is an easy 90-minute drive. Spend the afternoon at Cataract Gorge, which is free to enter and genuinely impressive for a city park. The First Basin swimming area is worth a dip in summer. Stay at the Treasure Island Caravan Park in Launceston (powered sites from around $45–$55/night) or head slightly out of town to the Launceston Holiday Park. Stock up at Coles or Woolworths before leaving the city — supermarket access gets patchier from here.
Day 2 — Launceston to St Helens (170 km)
Head northeast on the B82 through Scottsdale and the Ringarooma Valley — this is proper green farming country, nothing like the tourist brochure version of Tassie. St Helens is the largest town on the east coast and a good base for the Bay of Fires. Check into the St Helens Caravan Park (powered sites around $40–$50/night) and spend the afternoon driving north to Binalong Bay, the southern gateway to the Bay of Fires Conservation Area. The orange-lichened granite boulders and turquoise water are as good as advertised. Swim, walk, and be back for a camp cook-up by sunset.
Day 3 — St Helens to Bicheno (90 km)
A short driving day by design. Spend the morning exploring more of the Bay of Fires — walk north from Binalong Bay toward The Gardens if you have time. Then head south on the A3 to Bicheno. The Bicheno Penguin Tours run nightly guided walks to see little penguins come ashore (bookings essential, around $30–$40/adult). The Bicheno Caravan Park sits right on the foreshore. This is also a good spot to check your National Parks Pass — you'll need it for Freycinet tomorrow. A two-month pass costs around $60 per vehicle and covers all Tasmanian national parks, which is good value across a 10-day trip.
Day 4 — Bicheno to Freycinet / Coles Bay (50 km)
The shortest drive of the trip. Coles Bay is the base for Freycinet National Park, and the road into the park is sealed all the way. The Wineglass Bay lookout walk is 2.5 km return with a solid climb — allow 90 minutes. If you want to get down to the beach itself, add another hour each way. Kayaking with Freycinet Adventures is worth the cost if conditions allow. Stay at the Freycinet National Park Campground (bookings via the Parks Tasmania website, around $25–$35/night unpowered). It's a beautiful site but facilities are basic — composting toilets, no powered sites, limited water. Come prepared.
Day 5 — Freycinet to Hobart (210 km)
A longer drive today, but the Tasman Highway south is genuinely scenic. Stop at Triabunna for coffee and a look at the old wharf precinct, then detour through Richmond — a well-preserved colonial village with Australia's oldest intact bridge and a decent bakery. You'll arrive in Hobart by mid-afternoon. The Treasure Island Caravan Park in Hobart (Berriedale) offers powered sites from around $50–$65/night and is the most practical option for campervans. It's about 12 km from the CBD, which is manageable.
Day 6 — Hobart Base Day
MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) alone justifies a full day — take the MONA ROMA ferry from Brooke Street Pier for the full experience (entry around $35/adult, ferry extra). If it's a Saturday, Salamanca Market is unmissable. kunanyi / Mount Wellington is a 45-minute drive from the city centre and offers views across the whole Derwent estuary on a clear day — check the summit road conditions before you go, as it can be closed in winter or after snow. Eat at Smolt on Salamanca Place or grab fish and chips from Mures on the waterfront.
Day 7 — Hobart to Port Arthur to Dunalley (130 km)
Drive the Arthur Highway southeast to Port Arthur Historic Site. Budget at least three hours — the site is large and the guided tours add real context. Entry is around $45–$50/adult. Dunalley, on the way back, has a good caravan park and the famous Dunalley Fish Market for fresh oysters and scallop pies. Stay at the Dunalley Waterfront Caravan Park (powered sites around $40–$50/night).
Day 8 — Dunalley to Strahan via Derwent Valley (310 km)
This is the longest driving day, so start early. Head back through Hobart and up the Derwent Valley on the A10. Stop at Mt Field National Park — Russell Falls is a 20-minute return walk and one of the most photogenic waterfalls in the state. Then continue west through Queenstown (the moonscape copper-mining landscape is genuinely strange and worth a slow drive through) and down to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour. Stay at the Strahan Holiday Retreat (powered sites from around $45–$60/night).
Day 9 — Strahan to Cradle Mountain (210 km)
Book the Gordon River Cruise with Gordon River Cruises or World Heritage Cruises — a half-day on the water through the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park is one of those experiences that's hard to replicate anywhere else. Depart Strahan by early afternoon and drive north to Cradle Mountain. The Cradle Mountain Tourist Park has powered sites from around $50–$70/night and is the closest commercial campground to the park entrance. Do the Dove Lake Circuit (6 km, 2–3 hours) in the late afternoon light if you arrive in time.
Day 10 — Cradle Mountain to Devonport (85 km)
An easy final morning. If you didn't get to Dove Lake yesterday, do it now. The optional Leven Canyon detour (via Nietta, about 30 minutes off the main route) is worth it for the gorge lookout. You'll be back in Devonport well before any afternoon ferry departure. If you're flying out of Launceston, it's another 100 km east on the A1.
Campsite Costs: What to Budget
Across 10 nights, expect to pay $400–$650 total for campsites, depending on whether you mix national park unpowered sites with commercial powered sites. National park sites require advance booking through the Parks Tasmania website — don't leave this until the last minute in peak season. Commercial parks like BIG4 affiliates tend to be pricier but offer better facilities (hot showers, camp kitchens, laundry).
Weather and Best Time to Go
December to March is the most reliable window — longer days, warmer temperatures, and the best chance of settled weather on the west coast. That said, Tasmania can deliver four seasons in one day at any time of year, especially around Cradle Mountain and the southwest. Always carry warm layers, a waterproof jacket, and extra food in the van. April and May offer fewer crowds and beautiful autumn colour in the Derwent Valley. Winter (June–August) is possible but the west coast and highlands can be genuinely harsh, and some campgrounds reduce services.
Practical Tips Before You Go
- Book the ferry early. Spirit of Tasmania vehicle berths sell out months ahead in summer. Don't assume you can book last minute.
- Get a National Parks Pass. At around $60 for two months, it pays for itself quickly across Freycinet, Mt Field, and Cradle Mountain.
- Check your hire agreement for road restrictions. Unsealed roads can void your insurance with most operators. Ask before you drive.
- Carry cash. Some smaller campgrounds and farm stalls are cash only.
- Download offline maps. Mobile coverage drops out regularly between Queenstown, Strahan, and Cradle Mountain.
- Book popular campsites ahead. Freycinet National Park Campground and Cradle Mountain sites fill fast in peak season.
If you're comparing this trip to other Australian road trip formats, the Great Ocean Road Campervan Itinerary: 4 Days Done Properly and the Sydney to Byron Bay Road Trip by Campervan: 7-Day Itinerary are both worth a look for contrast — Tasmania's pace and landscape are quite different from either of those routes.
Comparing Operators and Booking
Campervan hire prices in Tasmania vary significantly by operator, season, and vehicle size. As a rough guide, budget campervans (Jucy, Cheapa Campa, Mighty) start from around $80–$130/day in shoulder season, while mid-range options (Apollo, Britz, Travellers Autobarn, Camperman) run $120–$200/day, and larger motorhomes (Maui, Star RV, Lets Go) can reach $200–$350/day or more in peak summer. Use CamperCompare to run a side-by-side comparison across operators for your specific dates — it saves a lot of tab-switching and makes the inclusions (kilometres, insurance excess, one-way fees) much easier to compare in one place.
For longer Australian road trips to benchmark against, the Brisbane to Cairns Campervan Road Trip: 14-Day Itinerary gives a useful sense of how a bigger mainland lap compares in cost and logistics.
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