Route 06 · The apple isle, slowly
Tassie East Coast Loop
Hobart to Launceston up the east coast — Freycinet’s pink granite, the Bay of Fires’ orange boulders, and a ferry-load of camping in between.
TAS
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The itinerary
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Day 1:Convict coast
Hobart Triabunna 86 km
Up the Tasman Highway with a Maria Island day-trip option — wombats guaranteed, cars banned.
Richmond villageSpiky BridgeMaria Island ferry -
Day 2:Freycinet
Triabunna Coles Bay 75 km
Wineglass Bay lookout then down onto the sand itself. Camp at Richardsons Beach if the ballot gods smile.
Devil’s Corner lookoutWineglass BayHoneymoon Bay -
Day 3:Up the coast
Coles Bay St Helens 115 km
Four Mile Creek and Scamander beaches all to yourself. St Helens is the game-fishing port — bream in the lagoons for the rest of us.
Bicheno blowholeScamander RiverSt Helens wharf -
Day 4:Bay of Fires
St Helens · out and back 40 km
The orange-lichen boulders from Binalong Bay to The Gardens. Free camping right behind the dunes — get in early, leave it spotless.
Binalong BayCosy CornerThe Gardens -
Day 5:Over the tiers
St Helens Launceston 165 km
Through Pyengana (stop for the cheese, stay for the Pub in the Paddock) and over Weldborough Pass’s myrtle forest into Launceston.
St Columba FallsWeldborough PassCataract Gorge
Plan it right
Good to know
The line is a straight join between waypoints, not the driving track. Navigate with official maps and road signs on the ground.
- 1 Hobart
- 2 Triabunna
- 3 Coles Bay
- 4 St Helens
- 5 Launceston
TAS
Nov–Apr
Sealed or well-kept roads. Any vehicle, any experience level.
Leave no trace: pack it in, pack it out, fill your holes. And tell someone your plan before you lose bars.
Before you go
Safety & preparation
This route is editorial guidance, not a substitute for current, official information. Conditions in the outback change fast. Always check the official sources below before you travel, and be ready to change or abandon the plan if the weather, roads or your gear turn against you.
Review date not recorded Treat these notes as indicative and verify everything against official sources.
Official sources to check
- Transport Tasmania road info: road conditions & closures
- Tasmania Parks & Wildlife alerts: park alerts & closures
- Bureau of Meteorology warnings: weather, flood & fire
- AMSA beacon registration: register a PLB/EPIRB before remote travel
These point at government landing pages and can move. Confirm you're on the current official site before you rely on any of them.
Plan & pack for it
- Permits & access. Some sections cross Aboriginal land, pastoral stations or parks that need a permit or pass. Check requirements and carry them.
- Seasonal closures. Nov–Apr is the usual window; roads, gorges and campgrounds close outside it and after rain. Never drive past a road-closed sign.
- Water, fuel & food. Carry more than you think you need and plan every fuel stop. Remote services are far apart and can be shut without notice.
- Comms. Mobile coverage is patchy to none out here. Carry a satellite messenger, sat phone or registered PLB, and leave your route and return time with someone reliable.
- Vehicle & recovery. Easy tourer grade. Sealed or well-kept roads. Any vehicle, any experience level. Carry recovery gear and know how to use it.
- Water crossings. Assess depth and flow on foot only where it's safe to, watch another vehicle cross first, and turn back if you're unsure. Northern waterways can hold crocodiles. Stay well clear of the water's edge.
- Emergency. Call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency; where there's no signal, try 112 from a mobile or activate your PLB / satellite messenger.
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