18 days in Tasmania Itinerary

A holiday in Cradle Mountain-Lake St.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park is known for nature, wildlife, and trails. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the activities along Dove Lake Circuit, tour the pleasant surroundings at Marion's Lookout Walk, hike along Lake Lilla Track, and get a dose of the wild on Cradle Mountain Canyons.

For photos, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, read Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park travel itinerary planner.

Melbourne to Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park is an approximately 3-hour flight. You can also ride a ferry. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Sun) early enough to take a bus to Strahan.

Combine breathtaking nature and genuine hospitality, wrap it up in small-town scenery, and you get Strahan, Tasmania.

On the 26th (Mon), see the interesting displays at Morrisons Huon Pine Sawmill, enjoy the sand and surf at Ocean Beach, and then take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Strahan visit app.

Take a bus from Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park to Strahan in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Hobart.

Snaking up the side of a rounded, tree-dotted hill, Hobart sits between Tasmania’s sprawling mountains and the vast estuary of the River Derwent.

Family-friendly places like Food Tours and Mount Wellington will thrill your kids. Venture out of the city with trips to Opossum Bay Beach (in Opossum Bay) and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary (in Brighton). There's much more to do: take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, contemplate the long history of Convict Penitentiary Chapel Historic Site, get curious at Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour.

For maps, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Hobart driving holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Strahan to Hobart takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 24°C, and evening lows to 13°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 31st (Sat) so you can go by car to Port Arthur.

Surrounded by shark-infested waters and connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus of land, Port Arthur ranks among Australia's top historical sites and heritage areas.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Sun): trek along Three Capes Track, then explore the activities along Waterfall Bay, and then get up close to creatures of the deep with Wild Ocean Tasmania. Keep things going the next day: get engrossed in the history at The Parsonage, get to know the fascinating history of Port Arthur Historic Site, and then explore the activities along Stewarts Bay.

To find traveler tips, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Port Arthur route maker tool.

Drive from Hobart to Port Arthur in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December in Port Arthur, expect temperatures between 24°C during the day and 13°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Mon) early enough to drive to Coles Bay.

Overlooking one of Tasmania's most scenic strips of coastline and serving as the gateway to Freycinet National Park, Coles Bay is home to just 500 permanent residents.

Kids will enjoy Wineglass Bay Lookout and Nature & Wildlife Tours. Change things up with these side-trips from Coles Bay: Bicheno (Waubs Bay Gallery, Bicheno Blowhole, &more). Next up on the itinerary: explore the striking landscape of Freycinet National Park, enjoy the sand and surf at Wineglass Bay, and identify plant and animal life at Friendly Beaches.

To find ratings, maps, photos, and tourist information, read Coles Bay attractions planning app.

Traveling by car from Port Arthur to Coles Bay takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Launceston.

Lying in the Tamar Valley and surrounded by forested hills, the grid-patterned city of Launceston boasts shaded avenues, vibrant street life, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Attractions like Cataract Gorge Reserve and City Park make great kid-friendly stops. Venture out of the city with trips to Gunns Plains (Leven Valley Vineyard & Gunns Plains Caves), Leven Canyon (in Ulverstone) and Lavender House The Perfumery (in Rowella). And it doesn't end there: get a dose of the wild on Low Head Penguin Tours, enjoy unforgettable views with a balloon tour, snap pictures at Alexandra Suspension Bridge, and admire nature's wide array of creatures at Seahorse World.

To find where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Launceston trip itinerary maker website.

Drive from Coles Bay to Launceston in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 28°C in January, and nighttime lows around 12°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) to allow enough time to fly back home.