Overview
Pick up your camper at the Apollo Hobart branch and set off on a slow-travel coastal loop that showcases Tasmania’s wild shores, white-sand beaches, historic sites, and cool-temperate rainforests from the East Coast to the West Coast via Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair. This itinerary keeps daily drives to around 3 hours, leaving plenty of time to explore in comfort. Spring and summer deliver long daylight hours and calm seas, but autumn’s colours and winter’s misty mountains can be just as magical. Plan to stick to sealed roads in a 2WD camper, book popular sites in advance, and enjoy a steady pace that blends iconic highlights with scenic detours.
Trip Details
Where to stop between Hobart and Port Arthur
Richmond: Photograph the 1820s stone bridge and stroll the village for sweet treats and convict-era history. Eaglehawk Neck: Pause at the Tessellated Pavement and Pirates Bay lookout for sweeping coastal views. Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen and the Blowhole: Short, easy walks to dramatic sea cliffs and rock formations.
Things to do in Port Arthur
Spend the afternoon at the Port Arthur Historic Site. Wander atmospheric ruins, join a guided tour, and cruise the harbour for a deeper insight into Tasmania’s convict past. If time allows before sunset, drive to Remarkable Cave for a coastal viewpoint framed by wild surf.
Where to stay in Port Arthur
Set up at NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park for powered sites among native bushland close to the historic site. For a quieter forest feel, search for small campgrounds around the Tasman Peninsula with easy sealed-road access.
Where to stop between Port Arthur and Swansea
Orford: Stretch the legs by the Prosser River or take a lookout detour for vistas across Mercury Passage. Triabunna: Consider timing a break here to browse local seafood and marina views. Spiky Bridge: A quirky convict-built roadside attraction just south of Swansea.
Things to do in Swansea
Stroll the waterfront esplanade, visit local galleries, and sip a cool-climate wine nearby. Sunset often paints the Hazards mountain range across the bay in soft pinks. If you arrive early, wander the beach for shells and shorebirds.
Where to stay in Swansea
Swansea Holiday Park offers powered sites within walking distance of the beach and town. Alternatively, consider beachfront cabin-style sites or boutique stays for a gentle upgrade before tomorrow’s national park adventures.
Where to stop between Swansea and Coles Bay
Spiky Beach and Dolphin Sands: Quick beach stops for coastal views and sea breezes. Friendly Beaches lookout: A brief detour to admire bright-white sands and turquoise water.
Things to do in Coles Bay
Walk the Wineglass Bay Lookout track for one of Tasmania’s most famous vistas. Explore Honeymoon Bay’s calm rock pools, then drive to Cape Tourville for an easy circuit with clifftop panoramas. Late afternoon is perfect for a swim or beach picnic along Richardsons Beach.
Where to stay in Coles Bay
Book into the Freycinet National Park campground at Richardsons Beach for a nature-first stay near the water. Alternatively, stay at a well-equipped holiday park in Coles Bay for powered sites, facilities, and easy access to town cafes, such as BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park.
Where to stop between Coles Bay and Bay of Fires
Bicheno Blowhole: Watch the sea surge through a natural spout beside wave-lashed rocks. Douglas-Apsley lookouts: Short roadside pauses for inland gorges and forested ridges. St Helens: Stock up on supplies and fresh seafood before heading to the beaches.
Things to do in Bay of Fires / St Helens
Amble along white sands at Cosy Corner or Swimcart Beach, dip into clear shallows, and explore headlands for rock pools. If you base in St Helens, wander the foreshore and take a sunset drive to Binalong Bay for pastel light over crystal water.
Where to stay in Bay of Fires / St Helens
For a back-to-nature feel, choose a beachfront campsite within the Bay of Fires Conservation Area such as Cosy Corner or Swimcart Beach. Prefer facilities and power? Opt for a caravan park in St Helens with showers, laundries, and easy dining options.
Where to stop between Bay of Fires / St Helens and Devonport
Scottsdale or Bridport area: Break up the drive with country views or a quick beach detour. Port Sorell: A peaceful inlet with calm waters and birdlife.
Things to do in Devonport
Head to Mersey Bluff for a lighthouse, coastal walking track, and expansive views across Bass Strait. Stroll the foreshore, browse local galleries, and enjoy a relaxed dinner as the ship lights twinkle on the horizon.
Where to stay in Devonport
Discovery Parks Devonport offers powered sites near the water and a convenient base for tomorrow’s inland climb to alpine country. There are also smaller holiday parks and cabins if you prefer a boutique option.
Where to stop between Devonport and Cradle Mountain
Sheffield: The town of murals, perfect for coffee and a colorful wall-art stroll. Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre: Collect park passes and shuttle details before heading to trailheads.
Things to do in Cradle Mountain
Walk the Dove Lake Circuit for mirrored views of Cradle Mountain on still days. Add the short Enchanted Walk through mossy rainforest or visit Pencil Pine Falls. Wildlife is active at dawn and dusk, so keep an eye out for wombats grazing near boardwalks.
Where to stay in Cradle Mountain
Stay at Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain for powered sites close to the park entrance. If you prefer a cabin feel, choose accommodation clustered around the village with easy access to shuttle buses and walking tracks.
Where to stop between Cradle Mountain walks
Ronny Creek boardwalks: Gentle strolls with high chances of wombat sightings. Waldheim Chalet: A window into the area’s early alpine tourism history. Glacier Rock viewpoint: Quick access to broad lake and mountain vistas.
Things to do in Cradle Mountain
Return to Dove Lake for changing light, try Marion’s Lookout if conditions and fitness allow, or opt for shorter loops like Knyvet Falls. In the evening, consider a nocturnal wildlife tour to spot quolls and Tasmanian devils in a responsible setting.
Where to stay in Cradle Mountain
Remain at your Cradle Mountain base for a second night so you can start early tomorrow and make the most of the west coast’s wild edges.
Where to stop between Cradle Mountain and Strahan
Waratah: Stretch by the falls that tumble through the heart of town. Philosopher Falls walk: A short rainforest track to a beautiful cascade if time permits. Tullah: Lakeside views that make a perfect coffee stop.
Things to do in Strahan
Explore the historic waterfront, then walk to Hogarth Falls through cool-temperate rainforest. Drive to Ocean Beach for a colossal horizon and a west coast sunset that lingers long after the last light fades.
Where to stay in Strahan
Settle into a holiday park near the foreshore such as BIG4 Strahan Holiday Retreat or Strahan Beach Tourist Park. Both offer powered sites and an easy base to access the harbour, dunes, and rainforest walks.
Where to stop between Strahan and Lake St Clair
Queenstown: Dramatic, copper-stained hills and a proud mining history. Derwent Bridge: Visit The Wall in the Wilderness to see a remarkable series of hand-carved timber panels.
Things to do in Lake St Clair
Walk a lakeshore track from Cynthia Bay to glimpse Australia’s deepest natural lake and the terminus of the famed Overland Track. Picnic by the water, watch for echidnas, and enjoy the hush of alpine eucalypt forest.
Where to stay in Lake St Clair
Choose the campground at Cynthia Bay within the national park for a nature-rich stay with easy access to lakeside walks. Alternatively, look to nearby accommodation at Derwent Bridge if you prefer a pub meal and a warm lounge at day’s end.
Where to stop between Lake St Clair and Hobart
Mount Field National Park: Walk to Russell Falls on a gentle rainforest path beneath towering tree ferns. New Norfolk: Riverside heritage buildings and a good place to grab lunch before rolling into Hobart.
Things to do in Hobart
Return your camper at the Apollo Hobart branch or, if you have extra time, wander Salamanca Place, browse galleries, and toast the trip with a waterfront dinner. If your timing aligns, add a sunrise or sunset visit to kunanyi/Mt Wellington for panoramic city and river views.
Where to stay in Hobart
If you plan a final night in town before drop-off, consider a holiday park on the eastern shore for easy access to the airport and branch, or a city-fringe option that lets you walk to the waterfront.
From the sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula to the white sands of the Bay of Fires, from alpine reflections at Dove Lake to west coast sunsets at Ocean Beach, this loop blends Tasmania’s best coastal scenes with just the right amount of mountain magic. With short daily drives and scenic stops, it is an easygoing campervan adventure that you can make your own. Pick up the keys at Apollo Hobart and set your sights on the coast. The island’s edges are waiting.
