After collecting your vehicle the time is yours to explore Launceston, Tasmania’s second largest city, nestled in the hilly country where the Tamar, North Esk and South Esk rivers meet.

Only 10 minutes from the city centre is the magnificent Cataract Gorge, here almost vertical cliffs line the banks of the South Esk River as it enters the Tamar. There are galleries to explore, you can take a tour of the James Boag’s Brewery or discover the many Tamar Valley wineries.

Best Western Plus, Launceston

Depart Launceston this morning and drive to Deloraine and then on through Railton and Sheffield, which sits in the foothills of Mount Roland, in one of the most scenically attractive areas on the island. From here, travel straight on to Cradle Mountain in the  Lake St Clair National Park.

Launceston > Cradle Mountain | 140 kms

Cradle Mountain Hotel

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Cradle Mountain situated in St Clair National Park with its forests and abundance of wildlife. Cradle Mountain covers some of Tasmania’s highest country. Lake St Clair occupies a basin gouged out by two glaciers more than 20,000 years ago. Take a whole day to relax, enjoy and explore the Cradle Mountain area.

There are extensive walking tracks, glorious forests, log fires, pure mountain air, fishing, climbing and gourmet food.

Cradle Mountain Hotel

Explore more of Cradle Mountain this morning if you wish. When you are ready to depart Cradle Mountain, travel south through the towns of Tullah and Rosebery. Zeehan was a booming mining town in the early 1900’s. Continue onto Strahan, the only town on the rugged West Coast, which is situated on Macquarie Harbour.

Cradle Mountain > Strahan | 138 kms

Strahan Village

Today you will travel along a spectacular road across the heart of Tasmania, following the Great Circle Route (also called the Lyall Highway). From Strahan the road winds along to reach Queenstown, surrounded by stark mountains, giving the town an eerie look.

Travel on the Lyall Highway to Derwent Bridge. The scenery on this part of the drive today is quite spectacular passing through the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Continue south from Tarraleah to New Norfolk and onto Hobart.

Hobart is an attractive city built around a beautiful harbour and in the shadow of Mount Wellington. Hobart spreads out over the area from the bottom of Mt Wellington to both sides of the Tasman Bridge. Places of interest include the Royal Botanical Gardens, Constitution Dock, Sandy Bay, Salamanca Place and Battery Point.

Strahan > Hobart | 300 kms

Travelodge Hobart

Return your car to the airport depot before your onward flight from Hobart.