A winter road trip

If your winter wanderlust is calling for something a little wilder, let Tasmania be your playground.

This is an island of wilderness, quirky locals and a worldclass food scene. In Tasmania, self-drive holidays are a great way to experience the state due to its small size and easy-to-access points of interest. Whether you’re an intrepid explorer or simply want to wind down with a good glass of Tassie pinot, with a self-drive and fly-drive holiday, you get the freedom to explore at your own pace – no tour bus schedules, no rushing, just you and the road ahead.

Getting to Tasmania is part of the adventure, with a number of options by land and sea.

BYO Vehicle

If you’re starting your journey from mainland Australia, consider taking your own wheels on the  Spirit of Tasmania: the ferry that shuttles travellers from Geelong (Victoria) to Devonport on Tasmania’s north-west coast. Simply roll onto the boat with everything you need for your Tasmania driving holiday, then relax and enjoy the sea views and comfortable cabins.

Onboard, you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained, including a restaurant, bars, reading room, cinemas, and a kids' play area. All sorts of vehicles can travel on the Spirit of Tasmania, including cars and 4WDs, motorbikes, motorhomes, caravans, electric vehicles, and bicycles.

When you book, you’ll be asked to share the make and model of your vehicle, so they can allocate the right space on board for you. Pro tip: book ahead to ensure your spot (especially if you have a bigger vehicle) and remember to adhere to Tasmania’s strict quarantine laws.

Car rental in Tasmania

If you’re planning a fly-drive in Tasmania without bringing your own ride, a car rental's got you covered.

Many agencies are conveniently located near airports in major cities and towns, so you can jump straight from your flight into the driver's seat to kickstart your Tasmania fly-drive holidays.

You’ll need a valid driver’s licence to pick up a rental car, and if you’re travelling from overseas, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) too. An IDP proves that you hold a valid licence in your home country. If you’re from interstate Australia or New Zealand, you’re good to go with your regular valid licence for up to six months.

Most car rentals in Tasmania will place a temporary hold (but not a charge) on your card to cover any potential damage; this is called pre-authorisation or deposit.

Petrol stations and charging electric vehicles in Tasmania

Travelling in an electric vehicle (aka EV)? No problem.

There's an expanding network of charging sites across the island, making it easier than ever to discover Tasmania in an EV. You can track each EV site via this interactive map. If you’re driving a vehicle that runs on petrol or diesel, consider downloading the FuelCheck TAS App to get real-time information about fuel prices at service stations across Tasmania.

Safety tips for driving in a winter wonderland

Tasmanian winter roads require cool-season caution due to the atmospheric Off Season ice, rain, fog and shorter daylight hours.

Here are some sources to keep an eye on when you’re travelling around Tasmania:

• Head to Tasmania Police for community alerts and road closures;
• TasALERT for official emergency information;
• Bureau of Meteorology for weather information and road weather alerts;
• State Emergency Service for storm and flood information; and
• Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service for track, campsite and reserve closures.

Weather and road conditions can change fast, especially in winter. Both sealed and unsealed roads can become very slippery with ice and snow, which isn’t always visible. Drive slowly in cold conditions and use headlights in foggy and low-visibility areas.

It's a good idea to check your vehicle’s demisters, windscreen wipers and tyre suitability. Some roads may require you to carry snow chains.

Many national parks have patchy mobile reception, so download offline maps and emergency apps before you set out. Or better yet – build your personalised trip with the Discover Tasmania app trip planner and save it offline for easy access.

And remember: you’re sharing the roads with native wildlife, so watch out for animals – especially between dusk and dawn. Get where you’re going safely with our driving and road safety tips.

Tasmanian places best visited via car

One of the best things about driving in Tasmania is the access it gives you to breathtaking places.

Take, for example, Bruny Island, which is just a 30min drive from Hobart plus a short ferry ride. You'll be rewarded with dramatic sea cliffs, wildlife, gourmet food and unbeatable lookouts.

Drive the adventurous Lyell Hwy from Hobart to Strahan on the west coast, where the air is crisp and the World Heritage wilderness stretches far and wide. From there, head 90min north to Corinna, the heart of Takayna / Tarkine, accessible via the ‘Fatman Barge’.

For the foodies, theme your Tasmania self-drive around local produce on a road trip along the island’s Tasting Trail. Feeling inspired yet? These top road-trip spots barely scratch the surface of Tassie gems reachable by car.

Highlights of winter in Tasmania

Winter in Tasmania is both exhilarating and relaxing, as the island transforms into a wonderland of snowy peaks and misty forests. Whether you’re into winter sports, festivals, or simply a cosy night by the fire, there’s an off beat adventure for every winter person this Off Season.

Winter festivities

• Dark Mofo (11–22 June): Hobart’s major Off Season festival celebrates the winter solstice with all things dark, weird, and wonderful. Don’t miss the communal Winter Feast, the purging of your deepest fears at the Burning of the Ogoh-Ogoh, heady late-night rave Night Mass and, if you’re prepared to brave the cold and bare all, the Nude Solstice Swim in Hobart’s River Derwent.
• Light up the West (19–28 June): Venture to the wild west coast where Strahan and Queenstown glow up with events, lightshows, workshops and more.  
• Bicheno Beams (27 June–18 July): Over on the east coast in Bicheno is this free family event, a spectacular display of light and sound.
• Island Escape Winter Festival (3–5 July): Launceston fires up for this bold new three-day celebration of Tasmania's music, food, art and winter spirit.
• Permission to Trespass (3–12 July): For a full month, Tasmania’s north-west coast unlocks its gates. Experience rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes in places usually off-limits to the public.
• Tasmanian Whisky Week (1–9 August): Warm the soul with some of the island’s finest whisky at events held in both the north and south of the state – just don’t get behind the wheel until the liquid gold is out of your system.
• Tassie Scallop Fiesta (early August): Held in Bridport, this is a must for seafood lovers. Celebrate the north-east coast’s passion for maritime traditions, fishing and, yes, scallops.

Top things to see and do in winter

Add these top Off Season nature experiences to your bucket list:

• The expansive Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park becomes a winter wonderland, with snow-capped peaks and dramatic landscapes ideal for bushwalks alongside the grazing wombats.
• From Hobart, take the drive up Kunanyi / Mount Wellington for a play in the snow and summit views over Hobart and far beyond. Check the Pinnacle Road status before you set out as it can close due to weather and congestion.
• In the mood for some winter sports? Ben Lomond National Park is the place to go for skiing, snowboarding and snow play, just 60km from Launceston. Hire gear from Ben Lomond Base.
• The flavours of Tasmanian seafood reach their peak in winter. Tarkine Fresh Oysters tempts your tastebuds with a half-dozen baked oysters paired with a bold Bloody Mary oyster shooter. Or sup on fresh abalone, oysters, scallop pie and winter soup on a dark skies night cruise with Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures.
• An easy drive from Hobart, Mount Field National Park is home to tall trees, waterfalls, rainforest, and dramatic peaks. The Russell Falls track is wheelchair accessible, or hire a TrailRider for the Tall Trees trail.
• Chasing waterfalls? Head to the west coast, where they become more dramatic in winter thanks to the high rainfall. Horsetail Falls in Queenstown is reached via a boardwalk built into the side of a mountain. Then, head 30km east for the short stroll to Nelson Falls, nestled within a mossy forest. Meanwhile, Hogarth Falls is a short trot from Strahan's town centre, gushing into a pool that flows down to a tannin-stained creek. 

Road trip inspo

Stuck for ideas on where to drive on your Tasmanian adventure?

You can follow one of the many scenic signposted routes around the island, like the Northern Forage, the Southern Edge, the Great Eastern Drive, the Heartlands and the Western Wilds, each of which gives the best of what Tasmania’s regions offer. For more of a themed trip, there are multiple history, food, and drink trails to travel.

Planning your trip can be a whole lot easier by checking out this guide on drive times and distances between cities, towns, and attractions. There are also guides available for group road trips with friends (this one’s all about food and fun) and romantic getaways (because Tasmania is heart-shaped, after all).