Take a road trip in Australia\u2019s island state of Tasmania, to explore the rugged landscapes and pristine white sand beaches that are a haven for outdoor adventure. <\/p>\n
In this 5 day itinerary you\u2019ll explore the island capital of Hobart, before heading north to the mountain biking town of Derby, then circling back along the East Coast for the scenic Bay of Fires and cute seaside towns of Bicheno and Swansea.<\/p>\n
![\"Bay](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bay-of-Fires-Tasmania-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com-4.jpg\")
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Our 5 day Tasmania east coast road trip makes an easy side trip from Sydney, with numerous daily flights to Hobart taking under 2 hours.<\/p>\n
This article may contain affiliate links that provide commission on purchases you make at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.<\/em><\/p>\n In Hobart<\/strong> you\u2019ll explore the world class MONA Art museum<\/strong>, scenic harbour, seafood restaurants and cultural heritage. Drive north to the former mining town of Derby<\/strong> and visit the sauna on the lake or perhaps try some mountain-biking. <\/p>\n Circle back along the east coast to the Bay of Fires<\/strong> for pristine white sand beaches, swimming and coastal walks with some great photos of the orange lichen covered boulders. Stay in the cute seaside town of Bicheno<\/strong> then on the return to Hobart, hike up to the scenic viewpoint of Wine Glass Bay<\/strong> in the Freycinet National Park followed by a lunchtime stop in Swansea<\/strong> as you head back to the airport.<\/p>\n Click on the link for our Tasmania 5 Day itinerary map<\/a> or on the image below, to see all the places we recommend.<\/p>\n Alternatively, you could take a taxi on arrival from the airport into Hobart, as you don\u2019t really need a car in Hobart. Then return to the airport early on the morning of Day 3 to collect the car and drive straight from airport to Derby.<\/p>\n There are numerous flights through the day with Jetstar and a few other airline, and the flight time from Sydney to Hobart is 1 hr 50 mins. To maximise your sightseeing time in Sydney, we suggest arriving on an afternoon or evening flight from Sydney. <\/p>\n If you prefer more sightseeing time in Hobart, you could also arrive on a morning flight. For best price and choice of flight times, book well ahead since prices rise close to departure.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll be staying a couple of nights in Hobart, allowing one full day to see Tasmania\u2019s capital. In the morning, we highly recommend visiting the amazing MONA Art Museum, allowing the afternoon and evening to explore more of Hobart. <\/p>\n If you prefer to see Hobart on an organised tour covering most of the things we saw including MONA we recommend this 1 day tour: Hobart City Sightseeing Tour including MONA Ticket<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n MONA<\/a> houses the collection of David Walsh, Tasmanian born tech and gambling businessman and art collector, with the focus on modern and contemporary art. The museum has a particular personality, so expect sweary descriptions, some sexualised and challenging art, as well as very beautiful pieces (it\u2019s family friendly but there are warnings in some galleries in case you are visiting with kids). <\/p>\n MONA is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Hobart and Tasmania as a whole, so don\u2019t miss visiting the museum, even if you think art isn\u2019t really your thing. I also highly recommend taking the museum\u2019s own ferry to MONA as it really enhances the experience to arrive by water, although you can also drive or take the bus.<\/p>\n For this itinerary we booked the earliest ferry from Brook Street Pier (around 9.15am) and returned at lunchtime (12.45 or 1.45). This allowed us the afternoon to explore the harbour and other areas of Hobart.<\/p>\n Located on wooded hillside with winery, the MONA galleries are carved deep underground, with a dimly lit atmosphere reminiscent of a gambling den or James Bond villain\u2019s lair. <\/p>\n This is a house of illusion, with art you walk through and into, staircases like an Escher drawing, concrete caverns and oil filled pools (don\u2019t touch!).<\/p>\n The older artworks (ancient Egyptian artefacts, Picasso plates, the odd impressionist) seem a bit out of place mixed in with the colourful and conceptual contemporary pieces; a bloated curvy Porsche or a room full of sparks and explosions.<\/p>\n MONA\u2019s not just an art museum but also an experience, where you can wander around outdoor installations, sit on the lawn listening to music, attend special events and eat or sip wine to your heart\u2019s delight. <\/p>\n To allow enough time to see the rest of Hobart, we recommend spending half a day at MONA, but if art\u2019s your thing you could easily spend a full day there, since it\u2019s a remarkable place.<\/p>\n To be honest, after visiting MONA, the rest of Hobart seemed a bit tame, but there are still a few things worth visiting. <\/p>\n A short stroll from where you get off the ferry from MONA is the Salamanca neighbourhood, with 19th century sandstone warehouses that now house craft and art galleries. In front of the arts centre, the popular Salamanca market<\/strong> is held on Saturdays, while behind the old warehouses the Salamanca Square<\/strong> encloses cafes and pubs.<\/p>\n We ducked into The Whaler<\/a><\/strong>, an atmospheric pub with pretty stained glass details, that\u2019s known for their lobster rolls. Once you\u2019ve wandered around Salamanca Square, find the narrow passage that leads to Kelly Steps<\/strong>, and take the steep stone stairway up to Battery point.<\/p>\n This small residential area on the hill is filled with charming 19th century cottages, that were homes to those working in Hobart\u2019s Maritime industry. Your walk will bring you through leafy Princes Park<\/strong> and back down to the road, to loop back to Salamanca Place.<\/p>\n If you retrace your steps to Brooke Street Pier, where the MONA Ferry goes from, continue past Elizabeth Street Pier to the Fisherman\u2019s Market<\/strong> in the marina. There are a number of seafood related businesses and takeaway outlets on floating barges moored in the Marina.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a good place to buy some fresh seafood dishes, local Tasmanian oysters or fish and chips to eat on the wharf at places like Mako Seafood<\/strong> or Fish Business<\/strong>. Finish your seafood lunch with a scoop of ice cream from Van Diemans Land Creamery<\/strong>, trying some unique Tasmanian flavours like Pepperberry and honey.<\/p>\n Facing the harbour front are three museums, which you could dip into depending on your time and interests.<\/p>\n We visited the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery<\/a><\/strong> which offers free entry, and was founded in the 1840s, to house the state\u2019s art and cultural collections. The well curated collections are displayed around an airy glass roofed central hall.<\/p>\n This is a great place to understand more of Tasmania\u2019s natural landscapes, colonial history and Aboriginal heritage. There\u2019s also a reminder that Tasmania is a gateway to Antartica, in the exhibition covering nature, science and exploration in the Southern Oceans.<\/p>\n There are a couple more museums in Hobart that are close to the harbour;<\/p>\n Maritime Museum Tasmania<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Collections from the maritime history of Tasmania, including the boatbuilding and whaling industries.<\/p>\n Mawson\u2019s Huts Replica Museum<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 replicas of the huts used by the Douglas Mawson expedition to Antartica. The Australian geologist and explorer was the sole survivor of a three man expedition in 1912, and endured a month returning alone to the expedition base of Mawson\u2019s huts.<\/p>\n If you have time to venture a little further from the centre of Hobart, the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site<\/a><\/strong> offers insights into the untold stories of convict women and girls, at the UNESCO listed buildings where they were imprisoned. There are various timed tours covering aspects of the female convict experience.<\/p>\n If you decide to tack on an extra day in Hobart to this 5 day itinerary, we recommend a day trip by ferry to Bruny Island<\/strong>, which is known for its seabirds, seals, dolphins and whales, as well as walking trails, beaches and rugged coastline.<\/p>\n You can get there on the Sealink Bruny Island Ferry<\/a>, with a journey time of 20 minutes and multiple ferries running throughout the day. <\/p>\n If you prefer for all the arrangements to be taken care of, book this day tour with a guide who will show you the best things to do on the island: Hobart: Full-Day Bruny Island Tour with Guide<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n If you like seafood, you must try the famous Tasmanian oysters. Many restaurants in Hobart serve them, but we enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and Japanese sharing plates at Bar Wa Izakaya<\/a>, one of the coolest restaurants in Hobart (216 \u2013 218 Elizabeth Street). If you\u2019re not familiar with Japanese food, the friendly staff will talk you through the menu.<\/p>\n Today, you\u2019ll drive north from Hobart towards Derby, a former mining town that has reinvented itself as a mecca for mountain bikers and lovers of outdoor adventure. <\/p>\n We booked in for a late afternoon sauna on the lake, and broke up the journey with a visit to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary to see wallabies, wombats and Tasmanian Devils. Our late lunch was at the small town of Branxholm, just before we reached Derby.<\/p>\n As a way of breaking up our day and to see something of the Tasmanian wildlife up close, we stopped at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a>, just north of Hobart. <\/p>\n I\u2019m not a fan of captive animal experiences, but Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary makes it clear that it\u2019s not a zoo, but a wildlife rescue and sanctuary, which will reintroduce animals back into the wild wherever possible.<\/p>\n Wandering around the open air enclosures, you get a chance to see some of Tasmania\u2019s smaller native species, such as wombats, Tasmanian Devils and other marsupials that have been injured or are being rehabilitated. <\/p>\n Although the Tassie Devil looks very cute, apparently they are quite aggressive and definitely not to be stroked! The Forester Kangaroos seemed to be taking it very easy when we were there, but they range freely around a large area of the sanctuary. <\/p>\n Part of the sanctuary\u2019s role is in education and there was an interesting video presentation, showing how the vets perform surgery and treat the injured animals.<\/p>\n Our visit to the wildlife sanctuary took around an hour, then we drove for 3 hours to Branxholm, a small town that\u2019s 10 minutes before you get to Derby. We grabbed a quick lunch at the cute Tin Timbers Cafe<\/strong>, in a hundred year old weatherboarded building. <\/p>\n The cafe has an outside seating area and is known for their home cooked pies, a staple of Australian roadside diners. As an alternative, you could continue to Derby<\/strong> for lunch, since there are several excellent cafes.<\/p>\n Just a further 10 minutes drive down the road, we reached the town of Derby and parked in the public car park by the river, ready for our pre-booked lakeside sauna experience.<\/p>\n This former tin mining town enjoyed a burst of prosperity in the 19th century, which was curtailed in 1929 when a local dam burst after heavy rain, flooding the valley. <\/p>\n In the last ten years, Derby has become a hub for mountain-biking and other outdoor activities, with the Blue Derby<\/a> mountain-bike trails running through temperate rainforest around the town.<\/p>\n We were here for something a little more relaxing, with a booking at the wood fired floating sauna on Lake Derby<\/a>. The sauna is extremely popular, so book your slot well ahead. You can reserve the whole sauna for a private session of up to 5 people, or otherwise join a small group shared session.<\/p>\n From the car park in the centre of Derby, it was a 10 minute walk across the river to the sauna, where we were greeted by the sauna master. He had already stoked the wood-fired stove, so all we had to do was sit in the heated sauna looking through the window at the lake, then jump into the water whenever we needed to cool off. <\/p>\n It was a really fun way to spend an hour, and after our session we sunned ourselves on the small beach nearby, with another chance to cool off and swim in the lake.<\/p>\n If you are into mountain biking, or can\u2019t get a reservation at the sauna, try to arrive in Derby around lunchtime and pre-book one of the experiences available through the Blue Derby website<\/a>, or hire bikes along the main street in town. <\/p>\n Mountain-bike providers are listed on the website and most provide shuttles to take you to the trailheads, so that you can cycle back into town.<\/p>\n There are several places to eat in Derby, including the Two Doors Down cafe<\/strong> for coffee and pastries or The Hub<\/strong> for pizza and beer in the evening.<\/p>\n Overview \u2013 Tasmania 5 day Itinerary<\/h2>\n
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Tasmania 5 Day Road Trip \u2013 Map<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nHere\u2019s what you should book in advance<\/h2>\n
Book Flights<\/h3>\n
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Book Accommodation<\/h3>\n
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Book Car Hire<\/h3>\n
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Book activities<\/h3>\n
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![\"Derby](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Derby-in-Tasmania-Australia-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com_.jpg\")
Our 5 day Tasmania road trip itinerary<\/h2>\n
Day 1 \u2013 fly from Sydney to Hobart<\/h2>\n
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Day 2 \u2013 Hobart (2 nights)<\/h2>\n
MONA \u2013 Museum of Modern and New Art<\/h2>\n
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Salamanca in Hobart<\/h2>\n
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Fisherman\u2019s Market in Hobart<\/h2>\n
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Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery<\/h2>\n
![\"Tasmanian](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tasmanian-Museum-and-Art-Gallery-in-Hobart-Australia-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com_.jpg\")
Bruny Island<\/h2>\n
Dinner \u2013 Bar Wa Izakaya<\/h2>\n
![\"Oysters](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Oysters-at-Bar-Wa-Izakaya-in-Hobart-Tasmania-Australia-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com_.jpg\")
Day 3 \u2013 Drive Hobart to Derby (1 night in Derby)<\/h2>\n
Day 3 \u2013 Timings<\/h2>\n
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![\"Bonorong](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Bonorong-Wildlife-Sanctuary-Tasmania-Australia-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com-3.jpg\")
Bonorong Wildlife sanctuary<\/h2>\n
![\"Bonorong](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bonorong-Wildlife-Sanctuary-Tasmania-Australia-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com-2.jpg\")
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Lunch at Branxholm or Derby<\/h2>\n
![\"Branxholm](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Branxholm-Tasmania-Australia-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com_.jpg\")
Sauna on the lake Derby<\/h2>\n
![\"Derby](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Derby-in-Tasmania-Australia-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com-2.jpg\")
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![\"Derby](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Derby-in-Tasmania-Australia-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com-4.jpg\")
More things to do in Derby<\/h2>\n
![\"Derby](\"https:\/\/www.heatheronhertravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Derby-in-Tasmania-Australia-%C2%A9-Heatheronhertravels.com-3.jpg\")
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