I recently spent 7 days in Tasmania and was blown away by how unique the state is. I rented a car in Hobart and made my way north to Cradle Mountain. From there, I headed to the lesser-known west coast before returning to Hobart along one of the most scenic drives I’ve ever done.
In an ideal world, I would’ve visited every corner of the island. But I was trying to make the most of the Easter holidays while only taking a few leave days from work. A week was all I had, and I sure made the most of it.
What I love about this Tasmania itinerary is that it combines the most iconic sights (like Cradle Mountain) with off-the-beaten-track destinations I’d barely heard of before visiting. And if you only have 7 days, this is the perfect route for you!
Hobart
I flew into Hobart and spent my first and last nights here. I recommend doing the same as it’ll make your flight logistics much easier.
To keep things simple, I’ve included all my Hobart highlights below. You can mix and match them between your arrival and final day depending on your schedule.
Where to stay in Hobart | Hobart is smaller than I expected and really walkable. You’ll want to stay in Battery Point, just near Salamanca Market. It’s a great area with character and convenience. I stayed at Lenna of Hobart, a stunning boutique hotel set in a historic building. The location was perfect and I could walk everywhere.
Day 1 – Explore Hobart
Battery Point and Salamanca Place | Battery Point is full of character. The historic precinct is marked by winding streets and colonial architecture. Nearby, you’ll find Salamanca Place which I loved – from the whiskey bars, to the food scene, live music, and more. Walk the streets and take in the lively atmosphere.
Hobart docks | From the Salamanca area, you can easily walk to the waterfront wharf. Here you’ll find the best fish and chips shops. The seafood is next level — especially the oysters! We had a great meal at Fish Frenzy but there are so many places to choose from.
Salamanca Market | The Salamanca Market is an institution in Hobart – full of local produce, art, and handmade goods. If you’re visiting on a Saturday (9 am – 3 pm), check it out. That said, I wouldn’t plan your entire Tasmania itinerary around it. There’s plenty more to enjoy in Hobart even if you miss the market.
Mount Wellington | The 30-minute drive up the mountain gives you the best views over Hobart. We drove up ourselves, but there’s also this Explorer Bus if you don’t have a car.
Cascade Brewery Bar | On your way back from Mount Wellington, stop for a drink at this historic brewery. The gardens are beautiful, and the food’s great for a casual lunch.
MONA | The Museum of Old and New Art is one of Australia’s most talked-about attractions — weird, confronting, and unforgettable. It’s closed on Tuesdays (which happened to be the only day we could go), but everyone I know who’s been says it’s incredible.
Cradle Mountain
No trip to Tasmania is complete without visiting Cradle Mountain.
I’ve travelled all over Australia, and this is easily one of my favourite regions. If you love the outdoors, you’ll be in your element here — hiking trails, wildlife, and stunning scenery.
Where to stay | Stay close to the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre or at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge if your budget allows. Accommodation here books out well in advance, especially over holidays.
READ MORE: WHERE TO STAY IN CRADLE MOUNTAIN
Day 2 – Hobart to Cradle Mountain
We fetched our rental car early on our second day and headed north to Cradle Mountain.
The drive from Hobart takes about 4 hours without stops, but plan for 5 to 6 hours because you’ll definitely want to stop along the way.
I recommend taking the A5 alternative, which is more scenic than the national highway. I wrote this blog post comparing the two options and highlighting the best places to stop along the way.
Once we arrived and checked in, we did two short but beautiful walks – the Enchanted Walk and King Billy Track. Both are easy 20-minute loops through rainforest.
READ MORE: A GUIDE TO THE ENCHANTED WALK IN CRADLE MOUNTAIN
Day 3 – Explore Cradle Mountain National Park
Spend a full day exploring the park. Try to catch the first shuttle into the park from the Visitor Centre as it gets busy later in the morning.
Start at Dove Lake, the iconic spot with Cradle Mountain towering behind it. It’s unbelievably beautiful and home to the famous Dove Lake Boat Shed.
From Dove Lake, there are plenty of different walks you can do. I did the Cradle Mountain Summit walk and highly recommend it if you’re fit and up to the challenge.
Alternatively, you can hike to Hansons Peak or Marions Lookout. For an easier option, the Dove Lake Circuit is also impressive. My guide to the best walks in Cradle Mountain includes all of these.
Afterwards, head to the Tavern Bar at Peppers Cradle Mountain for a well-deserved pizza and beer.
Park entry | You’ll need an Icon Daily Pass ($30 in 2025), which includes the shuttle. Buy it from the Visitor Centre when you arrive. Find out more here.
Strahan
From the alpine peaks of Cradle Mountain to the remote wilderness of the west coast — this is where Tasmania really surprised me.
It feels wild, isolated, and completely different from the rest of Australia.
Where to stay in Strahan | Stay in Strahan village. It’s small, but there are a few charming cottages and waterfront stays. We stayed at Aloft Boutique Accommodation which was just a short walk from the town centre.
Day 4 – Cradle Mountain to Strahan
On day 4 of your itinerary for Tasmania, you’ll be driving west from Cradle Mountain to Strahan.
It’s about a 2-hour drive, but make sure you stop at Montezuma Falls on the way, one of Tasmania’s tallest waterfalls. Save the location here.
With all the hiking I did in Cradle Mountain, I wasn’t sure if I was up for the 3 hour return walk to the falls. But it’s an easy, flat trail and 100% worth it. So don’t skip it!
After arriving in Strahan, take a walk around town but try be done by 5:30 pm so that you can watch the performance, “The Ship That Never Was”. It’s Australia’s longest-running play. It’s funny, interactive, and tells a fascinating true story about convict escapees.
Day 5 – Gordon River Cruise
The Gordon River Cruise is one of Strahan’s biggest attractions – hence you need to book your seat a few weeks in advance. The cruise takes you on an epic 6 hour adventure into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Morning departures are around 8:30 am and include lunch. Check availability here.
If you decide to skip the cruise, here are a few alternative things to do in Strahan that you can do instead.
Afterwards, I suggest visiting Hogarth Falls which is a short walk from the town centre. The 2.1 km return trail follows a rugged path through a rainforest.
For dinner, we treated ourselves to the seafood buffert at 42 degrees restaurant. Prawns, oysters, salmon, mussels – the spread was incredible!
Day 6 – Drive back to Hobart
On day 6, you’ll drive from Strahan to Hobart.
But before you do, you can either visit Hogarth Falls (if you missed it yesterday) or take a 20 minute drive to Macquarie Heads. This is where the harbour meets the open sea at Hell’s Gates.
Note: You’ll need about 2 hours to visit Macquarie Heads so keep that in mind when planning your day as you still need to drive back to Hobart.
The drive back to Hobart takes about 4.5 to 5 hours, and it’s stunning – winding mountain roads, forests, and viewpoints everywhere. One stretch is famously called “99 Bends.”
Along the way, it’s also worthwhile stopping at “The Wall” near Derwent Bridge. it’s an incredible timber art installation carved by artist Greg Duncan.
Depending on what time you get back to Hobart, you can tick off anything you missed from day 1.
Day 7 – Departure from Hobart
Day 7 marks the end of your Tasmania itinerary. You’ll wake up where you started – Hobart.
We had the most delicious breakfast at Jackman & McRoss before heading to the airport.
If your flight’s later in the day, use the morning to visit MONA or Mount Wellington if you didn’t make it earlier.
When to visit Tasmania
The weather in Tasmania is so different to mainland Australia. And it’s nutosously unpredictable, so pack for all seasons.
I visited in April (Autumn) and we had perfect conditions, but a week later, Cradle Mountain got snow!
If you’re following my itinerary and route, I’d avoid Tassie is the winter months (July to August), as the trails in Cradle Mountain may be closed due to snow, and the west coast will be freezing cold.
The summer months (December to February) have a higher chance of good weather but this is also the busiest time to visit.
The best time to plan your trip would be during the shoulder months (March/April or October/November). But you’d still need to be prepared for anything!
Is it worth visiting Tasmania for 7 days
Absolutely! A week in Tasmania is the perfect amount of time to explore two or three regions properly – just don’t try to see it all.
There’s a lot we missed but I’m so glad we took things slow and enjoyed the trip without feeling rushed or exhausted. This itinerary is perfect if, like me, you want to experience Tasmania’s famous spots but also get off the beaten track a little.
Here are a few other posts on places I’ve loved in Australia
- How Difficult Is Hansons Peak In Cradle Mountain?
- Is The King Billy Walk in Cradle Mountain Worth It?
- Driving From Cairns To Cape Tribulation: The Best Route And Stops
- The 12 Best Stanthorpe Wineries To Visit
- 9 Best Daintree Rainforest Walks
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