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Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
Cataract Gorge bridge, Launceston, Tasmania
Coles Bay, Freycinet National Park Tasmania
Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
Port Arthur, Hobart, Tasmania
River Derwent, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Hobart, Tasmania

Tasmania’s Enchanting East Coast

6 day Self Drive – from £499

Enjoy unspoilt natural scenery mixed with fascinating convict history on a leisurely journey of Tasmania. From the northern gateway of Launceston, along the East Coast to famous Freycinet National Park before heading to Tasmania’s capital.

Highlights:
  • Visit the gardens of Launceston
  • Soak in the views over Freycinet National Park
  • Explore Hobart, Tasmania’s friendly capital
  • Gaze upon the snow-capped Mount Wellington

Your Itinerary

Expand All

You can customise this Tasmanian self drive itinerary by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.

Cataract Gorge bridge, Launceston, Tasmania

Day 1 – Launceston

Pick up your Avis intermediate automatic sedan rental car at the Launceston City Depot or Launceston…

Pick up your Avis intermediate automatic sedan rental car at the Launceston City Depot or Launceston Airport Depot.

Launceston is known as the ‘garden city’ because of its abundance of well established beautiful public and private gardens. The city is nestled in a wide river valley amid lush green countryside. Cataract Gorge is well worthwhile visiting, located only a few minutes drive from the city. A 1.6km walk along the face of the cliff ends in the Cataract Cliff Grounds Reserve from where a chairlift crosses the gorge.

    Standard: Best Western Launceston

    Deluxe: The Sebel Launceston

Cataract Gorge bridge, Launceston, Tasmania
Coles Bay, Freycinet National Park Tasmania

Day 2 – Coles Bay

Depart Launceston via the Midland Highway to Campbell Town, travelling towards the coast, and the beautiful…

Depart Launceston via the Midland Highway to Campbell Town, travelling towards the coast, and the beautiful Coles Bay.

Coles Bay is nestled beside the world famous Freycinet National Park where spectacular red granite peaks plunge deep into the Ocean. The park itself has long been recognised and was proclaimed in 1916 as a flora and fauna reserve. Now it covers 11,000 hectares and boasts a variety of vegetation including wattles, Oyster Bay pines, grass trees and banksias with the predominant feature being its coastal heath lands.

Secluded swimming areas can be found on the east coast of the park such as Wineglass Bay with spectacular sandy beaches.

    Launceston > Coles Bay | 170 kms

    Standard: Freycinet Lodge

    Deluxe: Coastal Pavilions at Freycinet Lodge

Coles Bay, Freycinet National Park Tasmania
Freycinet National Park, Tasmania

Day 3 – Freycinet National Park

Today is yours to explore the region at your leisure. The Coles Bay-Freycinet National Park area…

Today is yours to explore the region at your leisure. The Coles Bay-Freycinet National Park area is noted for its spectacular coastal scenery and its emphasis on fishing, boating, bushwalking and swimming. Where else would you find granite mountains rising straight from the sea to form a magnificent sheltered waterway?

Walk into the park and climb the Hazards or the mountains to the south, both of which offer marvellous views across the bay and out across the Tasman Sea. Or drive on the rough roads through the National Park stopping for a spectacular view or pulling off the road to go swimming in the clear, safe waters of the bay.

    Standard: Freycinet Lodge

    Deluxe: Coastal Pavilions at Freycinet Lodge

Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
Port Arthur, Hobart, Tasmania

Day 4 – Port Arthur

Depart Coles Bay and journey along the Arthur Highway via Dunalley to Port Arthur. Port Arthur is…

Depart Coles Bay and journey along the Arthur Highway via Dunalley to Port Arthur.

Port Arthur is a symbol of Australia’s 19th century convict system. The settlement operated from 1830 to 1877 as a timber producing sawing station, and later as an industrial prison. After the closure, most of the land and buildings were auctioned off, with new residents renaming it Carnarvon township. Following bushfires in 1895, the old settlement has now been restored and is today, Tasmania’s premier historic site. In the evening, you can attend Ghost Tours where you walk around the settlement with a guide who tells of all the ghosts who still ‘live’ in the area.

    Coles Bay > Port Arthur | 210 kms

    Standard: Stewarts Bay Lodge

    Deluxe: Port Arthur Villas

Port Arthur, Hobart, Tasmania
River Derwent, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Day 5 – Hobart

Depart Port Arthur and travel via the Arthur Highway, through Sorell to Hobart. Hobart is situated on…

Depart Port Arthur and travel via the Arthur Highway, through Sorell to Hobart.

Hobart is situated on the Derwent River, one of the deepest harbours in the world. The old city centre, with its wealth of colonial buildings, clusters around Sullivans Cove, backed by wooded slopes rising to the often snow-capped peak of Mount Wellington. Its limited size, rich architectural heritage and beautiful setting make Hobart a delight to explore.

    Port Arthur > Hobart | 100 kms

    Standard: Best Western Hobart

    Deluxe: The Henry Jones Art Hotel

River Derwent, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Hobart, Tasmania

Day 6 – Hobart

You should have time for a leisurely breakfast, and maybe some some souvenir shopping, before you…

You should have time for a leisurely breakfast, and maybe some some souvenir shopping, before you will need to return your vehicle to the Hobart Airport depot or Hobart city Avis Depot.

Hobart, Tasmania

Your Itinerary

You can customise this Tasmanian self drive itinerary by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.

Day 1

|

Launceston

Pick up your Avis intermediate automatic sedan rental car at the Launceston City Depot or Launceston Airport Depot.

Launceston is known as the ‘garden city’ because of its abundance of well established beautiful public and private gardens. The city is nestled in a wide river valley amid lush green countryside. Cataract Gorge is well worthwhile visiting, located only a few minutes drive from the city. A 1.6km walk along the face of the cliff ends in the Cataract Cliff Grounds Reserve from where a chairlift crosses the gorge.

    Standard: Best Western Launceston

    Deluxe: The Sebel Launceston

Cataract Gorge bridge, Launceston, Tasmania

Day 2

|

Coles Bay

Depart Launceston via the Midland Highway to Campbell Town, travelling towards the coast, and the beautiful Coles Bay.

Coles Bay is nestled beside the world famous Freycinet National Park where spectacular red granite peaks plunge deep into the Ocean. The park itself has long been recognised and was proclaimed in 1916 as a flora and fauna reserve. Now it covers 11,000 hectares and boasts a variety of vegetation including wattles, Oyster Bay pines, grass trees and banksias with the predominant feature being its coastal heath lands.

Secluded swimming areas can be found on the east coast of the park such as Wineglass Bay with spectacular sandy beaches.

    Launceston > Coles Bay | 170 kms

    Standard: Freycinet Lodge

    Deluxe: Coastal Pavilions at Freycinet Lodge

Coles Bay, Freycinet National Park Tasmania

Day 3

|

Freycinet National Park

Today is yours to explore the region at your leisure. The Coles Bay-Freycinet National Park area is noted for its spectacular coastal scenery and its emphasis on fishing, boating, bushwalking and swimming. Where else would you find granite mountains rising straight from the sea to form a magnificent sheltered waterway?

Walk into the park and climb the Hazards or the mountains to the south, both of which offer marvellous views across the bay and out across the Tasman Sea. Or drive on the rough roads through the National Park stopping for a spectacular view or pulling off the road to go swimming in the clear, safe waters of the bay.

    Standard: Freycinet Lodge

    Deluxe: Coastal Pavilions at Freycinet Lodge

Freycinet National Park, Tasmania

Day 4

|

Port Arthur

Depart Coles Bay and journey along the Arthur Highway via Dunalley to Port Arthur.

Port Arthur is a symbol of Australia’s 19th century convict system. The settlement operated from 1830 to 1877 as a timber producing sawing station, and later as an industrial prison. After the closure, most of the land and buildings were auctioned off, with new residents renaming it Carnarvon township. Following bushfires in 1895, the old settlement has now been restored and is today, Tasmania’s premier historic site. In the evening, you can attend Ghost Tours where you walk around the settlement with a guide who tells of all the ghosts who still ‘live’ in the area.

    Coles Bay > Port Arthur | 210 kms

    Standard: Stewarts Bay Lodge

    Deluxe: Port Arthur Villas

Port Arthur, Hobart, Tasmania

Day 5

|

Hobart

Depart Port Arthur and travel via the Arthur Highway, through Sorell to Hobart.

Hobart is situated on the Derwent River, one of the deepest harbours in the world. The old city centre, with its wealth of colonial buildings, clusters around Sullivans Cove, backed by wooded slopes rising to the often snow-capped peak of Mount Wellington. Its limited size, rich architectural heritage and beautiful setting make Hobart a delight to explore.

    Port Arthur > Hobart | 100 kms

    Standard: Best Western Hobart

    Deluxe: The Henry Jones Art Hotel

River Derwent, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Day 6

|

Hobart

You should have time for a leisurely breakfast, and maybe some some souvenir shopping, before you will need to return your vehicle to the Hobart Airport depot or Hobart city Avis Depot.

Hobart, Tasmania

This Self Drive Includes

5 nights hotel accommodation
6 days car hire, with unlimited kilometers

Flights & More

Ask your FREEDOM Consultant to include Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for a complete ABTA and ATOL protected package.

They can also add extra nights and experiences in places you choose, to create the exact holiday you are looking for. Popular options include:

  • An upgrade to deluxe hotels from £379
  • Extra nights in Launceston, Hobart or any location en route

Next Step

Please get in touch with our Australia Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.

Tasmania’s Enchanting East Coast

6 day Self Drive – from £499

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double or twin room. Flights, hotels and tours are subject to availability and seasonal variations may apply. Please call Freedom Destinations for details.

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Touring Tasmania Map

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