A Week in Tasmania

Tasmania, Tassie, The Apple Isle, whatever you like to call it, a journey across the Bass Strait is well worth the visit. There’s truly something for everyone here.  If you’re a fan of the Arts, MONA’s unique and intriguing works will delight the most curious of travellers. Avid explorers will love discovering the wilderness of the famed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, and animal lovers can encounter the Tasmanian Devil up close on a wildlife tour. With so much to do and see, all that’s left to do is pick up the keys to your Thrifty rental vehicle, start your engine and let the open road guide your adventure.

Local Living and Scenic Surrounds

Arrive in Hobart and pick up your rental car from either our Hobart Airport or Hobart Downtown branch to get your holiday started. Spend your first day in Tassie exploring Hobart’s historic sites, beginning with breakfast at Salamanca Market. If you’re visiting the capital city on a Saturday, you’re in luck - the historic Salamanca Market brings Salamanca Place in the city centre to life with artisan stalls, delicious food and roving entertainment on offer here. Discover more of Hobart with a visit to the city’s first suburb in Battery Point and kunanyi / Mount Wellington for epic views, before wrapping up the day with dinner at Solo Pasta and Pizza - a local favourite. On your second day in the island state, take a trip in your Thrifty rental car to Freycinet National Park - about 2.5 hours from Hobart. It’s a nature-lovers paradise here, with stunning views over Wineglass Bay and tramping tracks galore. There’s also room for water activities like kayaking, snorkelling and cruising around the magnificent Freycinet Peninsula. However you choose to explore the area, you’ll be amazed by white sandy beaches, bright blue waters, and marvellous granite mountain ranges - don’t forget to bring along your camera to snap shots of the scenery and commemorate your Tassie road trip.      

Explore from East to West

After exploring Tasmania’s central city and scenic Eastern Coast, travel inland to reach Launceston - one of Australia’s most liveable regional cities. It’ll take you just over two hours to get here from Freycinet National Park, so make the most of your road trip and stop by the historic town of Ross along the way to explore its convict-built bridge and bakery. Once you’ve reached Launceston, enjoy tramping, swimming or a ride on the chairlift to admire the epic scenery at the famed Cataract Gorge Reserve. If the words ‘ale, lager and draught’ tickle your fancy, pop into the James Boag Brewery in town for a guided tour and tasting of three of the esteemed brand’s bevvies. Always remember to assign a designated driver when drinking alcohol throughout your road trip. If you’re seeking even more opportunities to immerse yourself into nature, head West to one of Tassie’s most iconic National Parks - Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Here, the Dove Lake Circuit and Cradle Mountain Summit tramping trails are the most popular, with uninterrupted views of Cradle Mountain and landscapes ranging from rainforests to rocky shores.

River Cruises and Seafood Delights

Embrace the beauty of the Tasmanian wilderness during your time in Cradle Mountain and let the awesome views and serene landscapes fuel your sense of adventure. Continuing on to venture Tassie’s West Coast, drive to Strahan - about two hours away in your rental car. Here, enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Gordon River to contrast the adventurous activities you’ve undertaken over the past few days - after all, what’s a holiday without a little ‘r’n’r’? Indulge in a tasty meal at Risby Cove Restaurant where fresh Tassie oysters, cured Tasmanian trout and locally caught crustaceans are on the menu while unwinding with dazzling views over the Macquarie Harbour. As you prepare to depart Tasmania after your whirlwind week-long journey, it’s time to see what the Tassie nightlife has to offer. Head back to Hobart, where a plethora of wine bars, pubs and comedy clubs await your visit. End your time in Tasmania by reflecting on your holiday and picking out the best snaps from your camera roll. From scenic drives along the coast to hiking in National Parks, consider keeping mementos, souvenirs and printing out photos from your trip to create a scrapbook or photo album to look back on.

A road trip around Tassie is the perfect way to enjoy the dramatic landscapes and scenery of Australia’s ‘island state’. With world-class National Parks to explore, mountains to climb and charming towns to wander, there’s so much to do here, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Play your way and journey at your own pace with a Thrifty.