Tasmania by Campervan

Tasmania suits a campervan. Distances are short compared with the mainland, the main sights sit on a loop, and many national parks have campgrounds. This guide covers getting a camper to the island, a route with drive times from Discover Tasmania, and the rules to check before you go.

Getting a campervan to Tasmania

You have two options:

• Hire on the island. Fly into Hobart or Launceston and pick up there. Tourism Australia lists the Melbourne to Hobart flight at about 1.3 hours.
• Take the ferry. Spirit of Tasmania runs passenger and vehicle ferries between Geelong (near Melbourne) and Devonport. Sailings are long, often overnight. Check vehicle length and height limits on the Spirit of Tasmania site before you book, and check whether your rental company allows its vehicles on the ferry.

Drive times on the main loop

Figures from Discover Tasmania. Tasmanian roads are winding, so a camper will often take longer.

A 10-day campervan loop from Hobart

1. Days 1–2: Hobart. Collect the camper, stock up, and visit the city and Mount Wellington (kunanyi).
2. Day 3: Tasman Peninsula. Port Arthur and the coastal lookouts.
3. Days 4–5: Freycinet. Wineglass Bay lookout and beaches from Coles Bay.
4. Day 6: Bay of Fires or St Helens. East coast beaches.
5. Day 7: Launceston. Cataract Gorge and the Tamar Valley.
6. Days 8–9: Cradle Mountain. Dove Lake circuit and shorter walks.
7. Day 10: Back to Hobart via the Midland Highway, or end in Devonport for the ferry.

With 14 days, add the west coast (Strahan) and the Huon Valley south of Hobart. With 7, skip the Bay of Fires and the Tasman Peninsula.

National park passes

You need a parks pass to enter Tasmania's national parks, including Cradle Mountain and Freycinet. Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania sells passes for different lengths of stay; for a campervan loop, a multi-week pass usually works out better than daily passes. Check current options and prices on the Parks and Wildlife Service site.

Where to camp

Options range from national park campgrounds to council-run free camps and commercial holiday parks with power and showers. Rules on free camping vary by council and change, so check signage and the council's website, and use official sites. In summer and school holidays, book holiday parks near Freycinet and Cradle Mountain ahead.

Driving tips

• Drive on the left. Many roads are narrow and winding; let faster traffic pass.
• Wildlife is most active at dawn and dusk, and the U.S. State Department advises avoiding country driving at those times.
• Fill up before remote stretches, especially on the west coast.
• Weather changes fast at altitude; Cradle Mountain can be cold in any month.