17 days in Tasmania Itinerary

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.

Explore Launceston's surroundings by going to Beauty Point (Platypus House & Seahorse World), Gunns Plains Caves (in Gunns Plains) and Burnie (Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden & Burnie Park). Next up on the itinerary: look for all kinds of wild species at Cataract Gorge Reserve, snap pictures at Alexandra Suspension Bridge, stroll around City Park, and appreciate the views at The Tamar Valley.

For photos, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Launceston road trip planner.

Sydney to Launceston is an approximately 3.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train, ferry, and bus; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Sydney in October, with highs in Launceston at 20°C and lows at 5°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Fri) so you can go by car to Strahan.

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

Start off your visit on the 10th (Sat): admire the sheer force of Hogarth Falls, see the interesting displays at Morrisons Huon Pine Sawmill, and then take a memorable tour with Tours.

To see more things to do, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Strahan trip planner.

You can drive from Launceston to Strahan in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Sat) so you can go by car 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.

Spend the 12th (Mon) exploring nature at Freycinet National Park. Spend a day of island exploring on the 13th (Tue) at Maria Island National Park. There's much more to do: trek along Wineglass Bay Lookout, get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, don't miss a visit to Bicheno Blowhole, and get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour.

To find reviews, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Coles Bay online itinerary maker.

Drive from Strahan to Coles Bay in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Wed) 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.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Port Arthur: Eaglehawk Neck (Wild Ocean Tasmania & Waterfall Bay). The adventure continues: explore the galleries of Port Arthur Historic Site, take in the dramatic natural features at Tessellated Pavement, don't miss a visit to Remarkable Cave, and pause for some photo ops at Dog Line.

To see photos, where to stay, maps, and tourist information, read Port Arthur road trip planning tool.

Traveling by car from Coles Bay to Port Arthur takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of taxi and bus. In October, daily temperatures in Port Arthur can reach 20°C, while at night they dip to 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Sat) 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.

Get out of town with these interesting Hobart side-trips: Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary (in Brighton), Pressing Matters (in Richmond) and Tassie Bound (in New Norfolk). On the 20th (Tue), give your taste buds a day to remember with a local gastronomic tour. There's lots more to do: admire the natural beauty at Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, explore the world behind art at Lady Franklin Gallery, settle in for a delightful tour with Heritage Horse Drawn Carriages, and see the interesting displays at Museum of Old and New Art (Mona).

To see reviews, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, use the Hobart vacation planner.

Traveling by car from Port Arthur to Hobart takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In October, plan for daily highs up to 20°C, and evening lows to 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Thu) to allow enough time to travel back home.