Tasmania Road Trip by Campervan: The Complete 2026 Guide

Tasmania is Australia's ultimate campervan destination. It's compact enough to circle in a week, wild enough to feel like another world, and packed with world-class national parks, incredible food, and empty roads. Whether you're taking the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne or flying into Hobart, a campervan is the best way to explore the Apple Isle.

Getting to Tasmania with a Campervan

You have two options:

Option 1: Spirit of Tasmania Ferry

• Route: Geelong (Melbourne) to Devonport, 11 hours overnight
• Cost: From $280 return for a vehicle + 2 passengers (book early for best rates)
• Pros: Drive your own hire van (with permission), scenic Bass Strait crossing
• Cons: Adds 2 nights of travel, some brands charge a Tassie surcharge

Option 2: Hire Directly in Tasmania

• Pickup: Hobart, Launceston, or Devonport depots
• Brands: Apollo, Britz, Maui, Mighty, Cruisin', local operators
• Pros: No ferry cost, no surcharge, fly in and start driving
• Cons: Slightly smaller fleet selection than mainland cities

Tasmania Campervan Routes

🏔️ Classic Tasmania Loop (10–14 days)

The ultimate route hitting all the highlights:

Hobart → Bruny Island → Freycinet/Wineglass Bay → Bay of Fires → Launceston → Cradle Mountain → Strahan/West Coast → Lake St Clair → Hobart

• Distance: ~1,200 km
• Best for: First-time visitors who want everything
• Highlights: Wineglass Bay, Cradle Mountain summit, Gordon River cruise, MONA in Hobart

⚡ Tasmania Highlights (7 days)

Short on time? Hit the must-sees:

Hobart → Freycinet (2 nights) → Launceston (1 night) → Cradle Mountain (2 nights) → Hobart

• Distance: ~800 km
• Best for: Time-poor travellers, winter trips

🌊 Wild West Coast Explorer (7–10 days)

For adventurers who want to go off the beaten track:

Hobart → Lake St Clair → Strahan → Queenstown → Cradle Mountain → Walls of Jerusalem → Launceston

• Distance: ~900 km
• Best for: Wilderness lovers, hikers, photographers

Must-See Stops

🏛️ Hobart & Surrounds

• MONA — Museum of Old and New Art, one of Australia's best museums (accessible by ferry from the city)
• Salamanca Market — Saturday morning markets, local produce and crafts
• Mount Wellington/kunanyi — Drive to the summit for panoramic views
• Bruny Island — Day trip for cheese, oysters, and dramatic cliffs

🏖️ East Coast

• Freycinet National Park — Wineglass Bay, one of the world's most beautiful beaches
• Bay of Fires — Orange lichen-covered boulders, crystal-clear water
• Bicheno — Penguin viewing at dusk (free!)

🏔️ Cradle Mountain & Highlands

• Cradle Mountain — Iconic peak, walk the Dove Lake Circuit (2 hrs), or attempt the summit (8 hrs)
• Walls of Jerusalem — Remote alpine wilderness, day or overnight hike
• Lake St Clair — Southern end of the Overland Track, beautiful lake walks

🌿 West Coast

• Strahan — Gordon River cruises through ancient Huon pine forests
• Queenstown — Haunting mining town with moonscape hills
• Montezuma Falls — Tasmania's tallest waterfall via a historic tramway walk

Tasmania Campgrounds

Tasmania has excellent camping infrastructure:

• Free camps: Limited compared to mainland but available via WikiCamps app
• National Park campgrounds: $13–$16/night per person (Parks Pass required, $30/vehicle for all parks)
• Powered sites: $25–$45/night at caravan parks
• Top picks: Freycinet National Park (Coles Bay), Cradle Mountain (Discovery Parks), Bay of Fires (Swimcart Beach free camp)

Tasmania Budget Breakdown (10 days, couple)

Expense	Budget	Mid-Range
Campervan hire	$500–$800	$800–$1,500
Fuel	$150–$200	$150–$200
Campgrounds	$130–$200	$250–$400
Food & activities	$300–$500	$500–$800
TOTAL	$1,080–$1,700	$1,700–$2,900

Essential Tips

1. Download WikiCamps and Parks Tasmania app before you go — phone signal is patchy
2. Buy a Parks Pass ($30) at the first national park — it covers all parks for 8 weeks
3. Fill up fuel in towns — the west coast has long stretches between servos
4. Pack warm layers even in summer — Tasmania weather changes rapidly, especially at altitude
5. Book Cradle Mountain shuttle early — private cars can't always access the park in peak season
6. Compare prices on CamperCompare and unlock our exclusive discount code for extra savings

📍 Getting to Tasmania: Most travellers depart from Melbourne — read our Melbourne campervan hire guide for brand comparisons. For the ferry crossing, see our Melbourne to Tasmania guide.

Ready to explore Tasmania? Compare campervans now →