Roadtrip Hobart to Launceston via Freycinet: Top Stops Exploring Tasmania’s East Coast Beauty
Your Roadtrip Hobart to Launceston via the visually beautiful Freycinet (or reverse it and go the other way) is a scenic road trip. Our Roadtrip an itinerary around the East Coast of Tasmania, highlights Wineglass Bay along with many other must-see destinations. The total trip is designed to take about 4-5 days, depending on how much time you spend at each stop. A wonderful pitstop for a 2 to 3 nights stay is at Walters at Coles Bay, Freycinet, not forgetting there’s Travellarks’ Things to do around Freycinet that’ll keep you busy!
Ready for your Roadtrip Hobart to Launceston via Freycinet?
Day 1 Hobart to Orford: Home to (some of ) Tasmania’s Best Oysters
Distance 80 km (approx. 1.5 hours)
Depart from Hobart
If you’ve just arrived from interstate or from overseas, Hobart is the charming capital of Tassie. Here, you can explore popular spots Salamanca Place where artisans gather with the State’s best; the Hobart waterfront famous for its Sydney Hobart Race commencing on Boxing Day annually; or take a quick trip up Mount Wellington for its sweeping views. For art devotees or simply the curious, there’s the MONA, a fascinating and eclectic mix of old and new art. Defined by its quirkiness its bound to draw conversations from strangers around you, raucous laughter, disgust, surprise and serious frowns and admiration.
Stopping Point Richmond
Distance from Hobart 25 km (approx 30 minutes)
Richmond is a charming historic town known for its colonial architecture and the famous Richmond Bridge. Take a short stroll to the bridge and visit the Richmond Gaol, which is the oldest intact gaol in Australia.
Arrive in Orford
Distance from Richmond: 55 km (1 hour)
Orford is a peaceful coastal town where you can relax and take in views of the Great Oyster Bay. Renowned for its oyster farming and its breath taking coastal beauty, it’s located on the eastern side of the Freycinet Peninsula. Famous for it’s delicious, plump oysters that are sought after both locally and internationally. Visitors can often tour oyster farms and enjoy fresh oysters straight from the water. An area also known for its rich marine life for example dolphins, seals, and seabirds. You might want to take a short walk along the beach or visit the nearby Maria Island National Park, only accessible by ferry from Triabunna. World heritage Listed, here in a near pristine environment, you’ll discover excellent bushwalking, fishing and wildlife viewing of the island’s more than 80 species of birds and native animals. in particular, birdlife is critical on Maria Island because of its significant numbers of endangered swift parrots and forty-spotted pardalotes, populations of most of and Tasmania’s endemic and endangered bird species.
Day 2: Orford to Freycinet National Park
Distance: 120 km (1.5 – 2 hours)
Depart from Orford to an awesome pitstop at Swansea
Distance: 45 km (45 minutes)
Stop in Swansea to explore the charming seaside village. Check out the Swansea Bark Mill that’s a restored mill and museum in Swansea on Tasmania’s east coast, established in 1885 to mill bark used in the tanning process. Nowadays its a fab stop because you’ll be able to slip into the bakery for cakes,, tarts, pies, pastries, sandwiches & rolls. Swansea Bark Mill are also host to Tasmanian providore with cured meats, wine an abundance of Tassie treats. If your stomach is screaming for a pizza because the wafts from their iconic Water Tank Pizza Oven is taking over your taste buds, go for it. the Bark Mill Bar & Restaurant is open 7 days a week featuring of course Tasmanian produce, craft beers and world class wines. If you need to top up at the bottle shop for your stay at Walters at Coles Bay. here’s your chance.
Then walk off the calories and visit the nearby Spiky Bridge, a beautifully built stone arch bridge dating back to the 1840s.
Continue to Freycinet National Park
Distance: 75 km (approx 1 hour)
It’s almost a hop, step and a jump to Freycinet National Park, one of Tasmania’s most stunning natural attractions. Famous for its white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and dramatic granite peaks, the park is home to Wineglass Bay. You might be drawn to thinking that the naming of the bay would reflect Tasmania’s rich harvests of wines. Not so. Wineglass Bays’ name stems from its whaling history in the 1800s, when whale blood would stain the waters, resembling red wine in a glass – so that’s where the wine connection ends!
Highlights to enjoy in Freycinet National Park
- Wineglass Bay Lookout Hike is a 45-minute hike that provides stunning panoramic views of Wineglass Bay.
- Wineglass Bay Beach: You can hike down to the beach at this magnificent crescent shaped bay with fine white beach sand that apparently ‘squeaks’ as you walk on it.
- Cape Tourville Lookout: A drive-up vantage point has wonderful views over the park.
- Stay Overnight: Freycinet or Coles Bay (nearby)Â Walters at Coles Bay, Freycinet
Day 3 Freycinet to Bicheno – a charming pitstop on your Roadtrip Hobart to Launceston via Freycinet
Distance: 40 km (40 minutes)
Depart Freycinet National Park or Coles Bay
Head north towards Bicheno, a small coastal town known for its beautiful beaches and the chance to see penguins. Renowned for fishing and beaches, hopefully you brought your tackle box to give shore fishing a go. You might catch calamari, sand flathead, bream, silver trevally, wrasse, and garfish. Big boat fishing brings an entirely different catch such as albacore, flathead, , gurnard, mackerel, leatherjacket, skipjack tuna, yellowtail kingfish, cod, and warehou.
To catch the Little Penguins, they travel largely at sea to feed during the day and clamber over the rocks at sunset to their homes. They go out again at dawn.
On any given day you are likely to see eagles, Australian fur seals, wallabies, penguins and more native wildlife.
 Highlights in Bicheno
- Bicheno Blowhole: A natural rock formation where seawater shoots up through the rocks with great force.
- East Coast Natureworld: A wildlife park where you can see native animals, including Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, and koalas.
- Penguin Tour: In the evening, you can take a guided tour to see the little penguins coming ashore after dusk.
Stay Overnight: Bicheno or simply continue your stay at your Coles Bay base with daily roadtripping
Day 4: Bicheno to St Helens – the largest town on Tassie’s north east coast, fun and (sea) food!
Distance: 50 km (45 minutes)
Depart from Bicheno to St Helens
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Drive north to St Helens, known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant fishing community. Life here revolves around the ocean: beaches, bays, and estuaries of St Helens perfect for swimming, beach walks, sailing, snorkelling, and fishing.  It’s surrounded by some of Tasmania’s most pristine coastal areas that ensures pescatarians will delight in the quality of seafood caught in local waters. Whether you have the luxury of your own boat to explore and fish or hire one, or drop a line off the jetty, St Helen’s is the hub for anglers, amateurs or pros!
St Helens Highlights:
- Bay of Fires is breath taking and a must-see destination known for its white sand beaches, crystal-clear water, and iconic orange lichen-covered rocks. It’s perfect for a swim or a coastal walk. Choose a beach, any beach for a dip (Cosy Corner and Binalong Bay are recommended), then laze on the pure white sand. Discover the headlands, smothered in orange lichen, bring out the camera ready for ‘can you believe this images’.
- St Helens Point Conservation Area: Another great spot for a relaxing walk along the beach or around the stunning coastline.
- If you’re an experienced 4WD enthusiast, Peron Dunes will not disappoint spirits who love being challenged. with deep bogs, steep slopes, soft sand.
- Interested in exotic captive bred reptiles, head to Serpentarium.
- For Foodies, there’s no shortage of choices of good eateries such as Priory Ridge Estate (a winery no less), East Coast Village Providore located at 55-59 Cecilia street, Cecilia St, St Helens – picnic supplies aplenty. Then there’s Lease 65 Oysters – only takeaway but an epic starter of plump boys for your picnic – located at 444 Binalong Bay Rd, St Helens. Something a bit more formal – dine at Parkside Bar and Kitchen. Or out to impress? Then the go to restaurant is the modern French – Australian modern cuisine at Furneaux Restaurant and is not to be missed. If its a welcoming cafe for barista made coffee alongside all day breakfast, lunches, daily specials, homemade cakes and fresh scones – breakfast stop at Sco & Co and The Lifebuoy Cafe.
For a bucket of fabulous local info see St Helen’s History Room
Stay Overnight: St Helens or stay in Coles Bay at your base, daytripping all the while.
Day 5 St Helens to Launceston – charm, heritage and world class cuisine
Distance: 150 km (2 hours)
Depart from St Helens to Launceston
Travel west towards Launceston, Tasmania’s second-largest city, known for its well-preserved Victorian architecture and beautiful parks and now a UNESCO listed, City of Gastronomy. Check into wonderful accommodation from Travellarks Getaways at either The Townhouse, Launceston or Henry’s on Balfour, Launceston depending on how many guests you have in tow – both are welcoming and heavenly homely places to stay, centrally located.
Launceston Highlights:
- Cataract Gorge: A unique natural reserve located just minutes from the city centre, featuring walking tracks, a chairlift, and stunning views.
- City Park: A lovely park with a Japanese macaque monkey enclosure and beautiful gardens.
- Tamar Valley Wine Region: If you’re a wine lover, make sure to explore the Tamar Valley, just outside Launceston, home to some of Tasmania’s best vineyards.
End of your Roadtrip Hobart to Launceston via Freycinet
Additional Notes::
The Townhouse, Launceston is a Travellarks Getaway, a wonderful way to end your Roadtrip Hobart to Launceston via Freycinet.
Total Distance:Â For your Roadtrip Hobart to Launceston it’s approximately 500 km, so this trip is easily manageable over 4-5 days.
Best Time to Visit: Spring (November to early December) and autumn (March to May) are ideal, with pleasant weather and fewer tourists.
