Tasmania Family Road Trip 14 Day Itinerary with Kids
- rachnamone
- Jun 12, 2025
- 13 min read
Updated: Jul 27
Why Tasmania? Why Not!
When we told friends we were going on a Tasmania family road trip, the first reaction was often: “Wait, you’re going to Tanzania?” Nope—Tasmania, with an ‘s’, not Tanzania with a ‘z’!
Tasmania is a small island state of Australia, off the southeastern coast, separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait. Known as the Apple Isle—not just for its apple production, but also because the island itself resembles the shape of an apple—it’s a destination that feels wonderfully remote yet incredibly accessible.
Whether you’re after wildlife encounters, scenic adventures, or kid-friendly activities, Tasmania has something for every family. From family-friendly hiking trails and glamping spots to pristine beaches and curated wildlife experiences, this island is perfect for an unforgettable 14-day family road trip.
✅ Planning Your Tasmania Trip? Start Here Ultimate Tasmania Travel Guide
What This 14-Day Tasmania Family Road Trip Includes
Trip Feature | Details |
📅 Best Time to Visit | Suitable year-round, but autumn (April–May) offers beautiful fall colours, pleasant temperatures, and fewer crowds. |
🥾 Family-Friendly Hikes | Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay Lookout, and kunanyi / Mt Wellington – mostly easy to moderate walks suitable for families with kids. |
🐾 Wildlife Encounters | Spot wombats, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, wallabies, dolphins, platypus, and even seahorses. |
🏖️ Beaches & Coastline | Explore Bay of Fires, Bruny Island, Honeymoon Bay, and the dramatic rock formations of the Tasman Peninsula. |
🏕️ Unique Accommodation | Stay at a farm stay, glamping site, and cosy self-contained cottages and family apartments. |
🎡 Kid-Friendly Activities | Daily playground stops, berry picking, animal feeding, wildlife parks, free museums, and plenty of open spaces to explore. |
🚗 Driving | Approximately 30–40 hours of driving over 14 days, with the longest driving day around 4.5 hours. |
📍Quick Summary: Tasmania Family Road Trip 14 Day Itinerary
Day | Route / Area | Stay | Highlights | Rough Drive Time |
1 | Launceston → Beaconsfield | Beaconsfield | Cataract Gorge, Grindelwald Swiss Village, Brady's Lookout | ~45 min |
2 | Tamar Valley & Surroundings | Beaconsfield | Seahorse World, Platypus House, Hillwood Berry Farm, Low Head Lighthouse | ~1–1.5 hrs |
3 | Cradle Mountain Day Trip | Railton | Dove Lake Circuit, Ronny Creek Boardwalk, Wild Wombats | ~1.5 hrs to Cradle Mountain + 45 min to Railton |
4 | Mole Creek & Trowunna | Railton | Marakoopa Cave Glowworms, Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary, Tasmanian Devils | ~1 hr |
5 | Stanley → Zeehan | Zeehan | The Nut, Scenic West Coast Drive, Zeehan Bush Camp Glamping | ~2 hrs + 3 hrs |
6 | Zeehan → Hobart via West Coast | Taroona | Queenstown, Iron Blow Lookout, Nelson Falls, New Norfolk | ~4–4.5 hrs |
7 | Hobart & Huon Valley | Taroona | kunanyi / Mt Wellington, Willie Smith's Apple Shed, Scenic Hill Lookout | ~1.5 hrs |
8 | Bruny Island Day Trip | Taroona | Kettering Ferry, The Neck, Adventure Bay, Kingston Park Playground | ~30 min + island driving |
9 | Tasman Peninsula | Forcett | Pirate's Bay, Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch, Port Arthur Lavender | ~1 hr + 1 hr |
10 | Richmond & Bonorong | Forcett | Richmond Bridge, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Puddleduck Vineyard | ~45 min each way |
11 | Hobart City Day | Forcett | TMAG, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Japanese Garden, Wentworth Park | ~45 min each way |
12 | Freycinet → St Helens | St Helens | Wineglass Bay Lookout Hike, Honeymoon Bay, East Coast Scenic Drive | ~3 hrs + 1.5 hrs |
13 | Bay of Fires & East Coast | St Helens | Bay of Fires Rockpooling, Pyengana Dairy, Wild Dolphins at Binalong Bay, Aurora Australis (seasonal) | ~1–1.5 hrs |
14 | Little Blue Lake → Launceston | — | Little Blue Lake, Derby, Scenic Scottsdale Drive, Return to Launceston | ~2.5–3 hrs |
Day-by-Day Tasmania Family Road Trip Itinerary
Ready to explore Tasmania with your family? Here’s our detailed 14-day family road trip itinerary, packed with kid-friendly activities, wildlife encounters, beaches, hikes, and scenic spots—day by day!
💡 Tip: This loop works equally well in reverse, so you can start and finish in Hobart instead of Launceston. For the best experience, visit in April–May to enjoy beautiful autumn colours, pleasant weather, and fewer crowds.
Day 1: Launceston to Beaconsfield
We began our Tasmanian adventure with an early morning flight to Launceston. After picking up our rental car at the airport, we headed straight to Cataract Gorge Reserve—a stunning natural area just minutes from the city. The kids loved the free-roaming peacocks and wallabies, and there’s even a playground to burn off some energy. With a café and public toilets on-site, it’s a perfect family-friendly stop (note: there’s a small parking fee).
Next, head to Grindelwald—a quirky Swiss-style village just off the highway. It’s a lovely place to stop for an ice cream and a quick wander. Continuing our drive north, we planned to stop at Brady’s Lookout for expansive views of the Tamar River, but unfortunately, the weather turned rainy and we had to skip it.
Our final destination for the day was the charming little town of Beaconsfield, about 45 minutes from Launceston. If you arrive early, you can visit the Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre, or simply enjoy the fantastic local playground with the kids. The town has a couple of grocery stores (which close by 7 PM), as well as bakeries, restaurants, and petrol stations—everything you need to wrap up a peaceful first day.
Day 2: Tamar Valley & Surroundings
Just a short drive (about 20 minutes) from Beaconsfield is Seahorse World at Beauty Point. One of the highlights was getting to gently hold a seahorse—an unforgettable moment, especially for the kids! Right next door is Platypus House, it offers hourly guided tours about one of Australia’s most elusive creatures. The platypus are fascinating to watch, but the real stars of the show (at least for our kids!) were the friendly echidnas who roam freely around visitors during the echidna talk. For lunch, we drove to Hillwood Berry Farm (about 20 minutes away). We had tasty, farm-fresh meals and the highlight—without question—was the fresh berry ice cream. Depending on the season, you can also enjoy a “pick your own” berry experience.
Later in the afternoon, we headed toward Low Head Lighthouse for breathtaking ocean views. If you have time and the weather’s good, walk the trail down to the beach around dusk—you might just catch penguins waddling back to their burrows. We ended our day at George Town Playground, which turned out to be one of the best playgrounds we’ve visited in Tasmania—fun, spacious, and a great place to relax before heading back for the night.
To read more about places to stay and fun activities to do with kids, check out our blogs -
Day 3: Cradle Mountain Day Trip
On day three, we set off for one of Tasmania’s most iconic destinations—Cradle Mountain, about an hour and a half from Beaconsfield.
We drove to the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, where all visitors need to park, as private vehicles aren’t allowed past a certain point. From there, we bought shuttle bus tickets that take you deep into the national park—don’t forget to buy a national parks pass. We bought ours online, before our travel, you can purchase it here - Tasmania Parks Pass . The 2-month all-parks pass costs 95.50 Australian dollars (approx. ₹6,400) and is perfect for a 14-day family road trip.
We chose a family-friendly walk that starts at Dove Lake and ends at Ronny Creek. It’s mostly flat and very scenic, making it perfect for young kids. Along the way, we were thrilled to spot wombats grazing in the wild! There's a café at the visitor centre and water bottle refill stations at Dove Lake. The weather here can be unpredictable, so come prepared with water, sunscreen, hats, jackets, raincoats, and plenty of snacks.
Day 4: Glow Worm Caves and Wildlife Encounters
Our first stop for the day was the Marakoopa Cave, about 30 minutes from Cradle Mountain, famous for its underground river and glow worms. Walking through the cave, we were surrounded by ancient limestone formations, and the moment when the lights went out to reveal a ceiling sparkling with glow worms was truly unforgettable. It felt like staring up at a night sky full of stars, but deep inside the Earth.
After the caves, we made a quick stop in the nearby town of Mole Creek for snacks and lunch. The town is charming and particularly beautiful in the autumn, with stunning fall foliage lining the roads.
In the afternoon, we visited Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary offers engaging talks where rangers introduce you to Tasmanian devils and wombats, even allowing visitors to touch the animals under supervision! Afterward, we had the chance to feed friendly kangaroos, which freely hop around the open area.
Day 5: Stanley’s Nut & Glamping in Zeehan
The Nut is an extinct volcano that rises dramatically above the town, about 2 hours from Railton. We took the chairlift up for breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline and surrounding landscape—it's also possible to do a 2–3 km circuit walk at the top if you'd rather hike it.
From Stanley, we began the long but gorgeous drive to Zeehan (about 3 hours), a small town on Tasmania's wild west coast. We specifically chose Zeehan for the chance to try glamping at Zeehan Bush Camping and Glamping, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip.
Day 6: Scenic Drive to Hobart (via Queenstown, Nelson Falls & Taroona)
Zeehan to Hobart is a long drive (around 4–4.5 hours in total), so we recommend starting early. Keep in mind that , there are very few fuel stations along this route, so make sure to fill up your tank in Zeehan or Queenstown before setting off!
Our first stop of the day was Queenstown. We grabbed breakfast at Tracks Café, located at the old railway station. From there, we drove to the Iron Blow Lookout, an old quarry site that now offers a breathtaking view over a deep, emerald-green pit surrounded by stark, rugged cliffs. Next, we made our way to Nelson Falls, one of the best short walks in Tasmania and perfect for families.
The drive then continued through Tasmania’s forests and marshlands, gradually opening into rolling farmland as we approached New Norfolk. If you're visiting during autumn, this region is ideal for spotting colourful fall foliage.
Our final destination for the day was Taroona, a quiet seaside suburb just south of Hobart.
Day 7: Mount Wellington & Exploring the Huon Valley
We started our day at a relaxed pace before heading up to the majestic Mount Wellington (kunanyi), about 20 minutes from Taroona, which towers over Hobart and offers mind-blowing panoramic views of the city, the Derwent River, and the surrounding landscapes. Make sure to carry a jacket, even in warmer months, as the temperature can drop significantly at the summit!
From there, we made our way to the Willie Smith’s Apple Shed (about 45 minutes)—a must-visit stop in the Huon Valley. We enjoyed walking around the small garden filled with different varieties of apple trees, giving the kids a chance to explore while we soaked in the countryside atmosphere.
Next, we stopped at the Scenic Hill Lookout, which offers a breathtaking view over Huonville and the winding Huon River! For lunch, we found our way to the Summer House Bakery (highly recommended!).
Before heading back, we let the kids burn off some energy at the Ranelagh Playground.
Day 8: Day Trip to Bruny Island
We started the day with an early morning drive to Kettering (about 30 minutes from Taroona), a small town south of Hobart where the car ferry departs for Bruny Island. Bruny Island is split into North and South Bruny, connected by a narrow isthmus called The Neck—our first stop for the day. We climbed the stairs at The Neck Scenic Reserve to take in the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding ocean and the narrow land strip that connects the two parts of the island. It’s also a habitat for fairy penguins, and if you stay the night, you might get the chance to see them return to shore at dusk.
Next, we drove to Adventure Bay, hoping to spot the elusive white wallabies that call this area home (we didn't spot any!).
Although Bruny Island can easily fill a full day, you can stay overnight to explore more of the island at a relaxed pace or to catch the penguin parade in the evening.
End the day at Kingston playground - The best playground in Tasmania!
Day 9: Exploring the Tasman Peninsula | Overnight at Forcett
Our first stop was the Pirate’s Bay Lookout — a fantastic spot to soak in the sweeping views of the bright blue ocean glistening under the sun. Next, we visited the fascinating Tessellated Pavement — a natural rock formation that looks just like a carefully tiled floor.
From there, we drove through the quirky little town of Doo Town (where every house has a playful name!) on our way to visit the Tasman Arch and Blowhole —two impressive coastal formations shaped by years of sea erosion. These spots have short walks and are easy for kids to explore.
We stopped for lunch at the Port Arthur Lavender Farm. Although the lavender had already been harvested, the café was amazing. The kids enjoyed running around in the open space while we tucked into a delicious meal with a view.
Later, we made our way to the Remarkable Cave and Maingon Lookout.
Though we skipped it this time, you can also visit the historic Port Arthur site — a UNESCO World Heritage-listed former convict settlement.
After a full day of sightseeing, we drove back and stayed overnight at Forcett.
Day 10: Day trip to Richmond and Bonorong wildlife sanctuary
Started the day with a super delicious breakfast at a local bakery in Sorell – fresh pastries, warm coffee, and happy tummies all around! The drive from Sorell to Richmond (about 30 minutes) was a treat in itself — gently winding roads lined with beautiful vineyards and golden autumn leaves.
Our first stop was Richmond, one of Tasmania’s oldest and most charming towns. We visited the iconic Richmond Bridge — Australia's oldest stone bridge still in use — and the kids had a blast chasing the ducks by the river.
Next, we made our way to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary .The kids were thrilled to see wombats, Tasmanian devils, and a whole lot of friendly kangaroos they could hand-feed.
In the afternoon, we visited Puddleduck Vineyard. There's outdoor seating with views of the vineyard, a small playground for kids, and even ducks to feed!
Before heading back, we made a quick stop at the Wicked Cheese Company. It’s a great little place to sample a variety of delicious cheeses.
Day 11: Hobart Museum, Botanical Gardens
We began our day with a visit to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG), about 45 minutes from Forcett. It’s a compact yet beautifully curated museum. The Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) exhibit was both fascinating and sobering, a powerful reminder of why preserving our wildlife matters.
Another hit with the kids was the Antarctic exhibition, where they got to explore displays about life in the freezing south. You can easily spend 2–3 hours here — and the best part? Entry is free, making it a great indoor option for rainy days.
Next, we headed to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. The highlight for us was the Japanese Garden — serene, lush, and meticulously maintained.
Later in the afternoon, we visited the Wentworth Park Playground, set right next to a scenic beach with views overlooking Hobart. We even saw a flock of wild galahs feeding right in front of us!
We ended the day in Sorell, with dinner at Banjo’s Bakery Café !
Day 12: Freycinet National Park & Stay at St Helens
This was one of our longer driving days, but absolutely worth it. The journey from Forcett to Freycinet National Park takes about 3 hours, and you’ll be driving along the beautiful East Coast Scenic Route.
Freycinet National Park offers a range of trails suitable for all ages and fitness levels. We decided to do the Wineglass Bay Lookout Walk, and it’s easy to see why it’s one of Tasmania’s most iconic hikes (took about 2 hours return). The track is well-maintained and mostly shaded by forest, making it manageable even with kids. The view from the top is simply stunning! Be sure to stop at the visitor centre before you start your hike to check trail conditions and ask about age-appropriate walks for kids.
Later, we continued our drive to St Helens, which takes about 1.5 hours from the national park.
Day 13: Bay of Fires, Wild Dolphins & the Southern Lights
Our day began with a visit to The Gardens, a breathtaking part of the Bay of Fires- striking orange lichen-covered rocks, soft white sand, and the crystal-clear blue waters. Next, we headed to Pyengana Dairy for a delicious lunch. We highly recommend trying their fresh scones and cheeses!
In the evening, we made our way to Binalong Bay for sunset views along the east coast. There’s a small playground here that kept our little ones happy while we relaxed and watched the sky change colors. And then — a magical surprise — we spotted a pod of wild dolphins playing near the shore! It was an unforgettable moment.
Back in St Helens, Tasmania saved one final surprise for our last night — we were treated to the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis)! Absolutely mesmerising — a once-in-a-lifetime moment and the perfect ending to our Tasmanian adventure.
Day 14: Little Blue Lake & Back to Launceston
Our first stop was the Little Blue Lake (about 1 hour from St Helens)— a striking, mineral-rich lake known for its vivid turquoise-blue water. Swimming isn't allowed in this lake.
Next, we stopped for lunch in the quaint town of Derby, a charming place that’s become popular with mountain biking enthusiasts.
From Derby, we drove on through Scottsdale before continuing to Launceston—the Scottsdale-to-Launceston stretch is incredibly scenic, with winding roads through rolling farmlands and forested hills. A lovely way to soak in Tasmania's natural beauty one last time. The full drive from St Helens back to Launceston takes about 2.5–3 hours.
Once we reached Launceston, we returned our rental car and took the airport shuttle, full of happy memories and tired feet!
And just like that, our amazing 14-day family road trip across Tasmania came to an end. From wild coastlines to friendly wildlife, magical beaches to historic towns — Tasmania truly stole our hearts. Until next time!
We’ve packed this blog with kid-friendly activities, must-visit cafés, unmissable playgrounds, and some of the best family-friendly places to stay. Whether you're chasing wildlife encounters, hiking adventures, delicious local food, or just great spots for the kids to play—this is your one-stop guide for making the most of your time on this incredible island.
Planning Your Tasmania Trip? Start Here:
Ultimate Tasmania Travel Guide for Indian Families – Visa, Currency & Kid-Friendly Tips
Tasmania Trip Cost from India: Budget Guide for Families – real cost breakdown
6 Family-Friendly Accommodations in Tasmania – our tested places to stay
20 Best Things to Do in Tasmania with Kids (Part 1) – top experiences to start with
20 Best Things to Do in Tasmania with Kids (Part 2) – more amazing experiences
FAQs about Tasmania trip with family -
Q1. How long do families need to explore Tasmania by road?
Fourteen days is ideal — it gives you time to enjoy Hobart, Launceston, the East Coast, Cradle Mountain, and the West Coast without feeling rushed.
Q2. What’s the best route for a 14-day Tasmania family road trip?
The most popular loop - Launceston, Cradle Mountain, Zeehan,Hobart, Port Arthur, Freycinet , Bay of Fires and back to Launceston. This loop can also be started and finished at Hobart.
Q3. Is Tasmania suitable for young kids on a road trip?
Yes! With short driving distances, plenty of playgrounds, wildlife parks, and easy hikes, Tasmania is one of Australia’s most child-friendly road-trip destinations.
Q4. What accommodation works best for families on a Tasmania road trip?
Self-contained cabins, farm stays, and family apartments near key stops give you kitchen access and extra space for kids.
Q5. How can we keep kids entertained during long drives in Tasmania?
Pack snacks, audiobooks, activity books, and stop at scenic lookouts or nature walks every couple of hours to break up the journey.
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