If you’re dreaming of a Tasmania road trip itinerary that blends the best food experiences in Tasmania with luxury escapes and unforgettable local encounters, this is the journey for you. From paddock-to-plate tastings and truffle hunts to oyster farms and artisan cheese, this gourmet road trip winds through wild coastlines, charming heritage towns, and hidden foodie gems. Whether you’re craving a taste of Tasmanian produce and food tours or looking for unique things to do in Tasmania that go beyond the guidebooks, this adventure delivers it all—with stretchy pants highly recommended.
From Truffles to Tides: A Gourmet Road Trip Through Tasmania’s Wild Side
There are plenty of reasons to fly to Tasmania—bracing air, brooding landscapes, and a moody romance that clings to the misty hills like gum on your shoe. But for me? It was the promise of truffles, oysters, and maybe a rogue wombat or two.
So I grabbed my favourite road trip buddy, K2, packed my stretchy pants, and boarded a Jetstar flight south for a week-long wander through the Apple Isle’s tastiest corners.
Planning a Tasmania road trip itinerary? Follow our fork from Hobart to Stanley for gourmet stops, ghost tales, and wild coastlines, but make sure you include Cradle Mountain.
Welcome and Thank You!
Greetings and welcome to Eat, Drink, and Be Kerry! We’re thrilled to have you join our community of food and travel enthusiasts. Your support means the world to us, and we’re grateful for the time you’ve taken to explore our content. If you’re enjoying what you find here, feel free to leave a comment, give us a “like,” share with friends, and consider subscribing for even more culinary and travel delights! Just a heads up—this page has some affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission, but please be assured that it won’t cost you anything extra. Thanks a bunch for your support!
Plan Your Visit To Tasmania
Travelling to Tasmania is like stepping into a postcard where every turn offers a new adventure—misty mountains, white-sand beaches, and heritage towns frozen in time. Easily reached via a short flight from major Australian cities or by ferry from Melbourne, Tasmania is the perfect escape for those craving space, serenity, and serious flavour. Whether you’re planning a scenic road trip, diving into the island’s vibrant food scene, or chasing wildlife across national parks, getting to Tasmania is the easy part—it’s leaving that’s hard.
Helpful links:
- Cheap flights
- Savings on accommodation from hotels to luxury hotels
- Affordable sightseeing tours and day trips
- Affordable car rental options
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Chasing ducks at Richmond, Tasmania.
Convict built bridge, Richmond, Tasmania. Photo: Kevin Gordon.
Day 1: Hobart—Bridges, Backstreets & a Chef’s Menu Dinner
Landing in Hobart before lunch, we picked up the hire car and headed straight for a dip into Tasmania’s past at Richmond.
The charming village of Richmond, just 30 minutes from the airport. Why? For the legendary curried scallop pie (worth the flight alone) at the Richmond Bakery, a stroll across the iconic 1820s convict-built bridge, a quick hello to the ducks, and yes—I couldn’t resist a peek into the lolly shop where I may have left with a bag of musk sticks.
Richmond’s also packed with fascinating art galleries, so don’t rush through.
By mid-afternoon, we checked into the DoubleTree by Hilton Hobart. I can confirm the cookie at check-in is as good as they say. Checked out the room view of Mt Wellington, (we stayed in a King Guest Room Mountain View) keeping an eye on Hobart and occasionally throwing in a snowstorm for fun, and freshened up for dinner.
Room view of Mt Wellington from DoubleTree by Hilton.
Restaurant Maria, a chic waterfront spot, delivered the kind of Tasmanian produce-led meal that makes you want to Instagram every bite (and I did). Dinner here is an exercise in restraint, from the beautifully vague dish descriptions to the quiet confidence of a five-course chef’s menu that speaks for itself. Each plate is an artwork, thoughtfully layered with texture, colour, and Tasmanian nuance.
The lamb shoulder? So tender it yields to a spoon, just as promised. And watching the chefs plate each course from the bar? Mesmerising.
PRO TIP: Time your visit for sunset, and you’ll understand why this waterfront spot is quickly one of Hobart’s most sought-after dining experiences.
RELATED POST: NEW MUST-TRY RESTAURANTS IN HOBART, LAUNCESTON AND BEYOND
From Barilla Bay oysters to truffles—this Tasmania road trip itinerary is full of flavour, fun, and a few ghostly whispers.
Day 2: Bivalves & Booze at Barilla Bay
We woke at DoubleTree by Hilton to sweeping views of kunanyi / Mount Wellington and heritage rooftops lining the Hobart hills from our room on Level 7. The bed? Plush. The bathroom? Luxe with Crabtree & Evelyn touches and a proper vanity shelf. Chromecast on the big screen, robes, slippers, and a coffee machine.
After a hearty breakfast at Leatherwood Bar & Kitchen, we headed 20 minutes out to Barilla Bay Oyster Farm for a brilliant behind-the-scenes tour. It’s more than just oysters! The experience also includes a look inside the Candy Abalone processing plant and a visit to Gillespie’s, where they whip up small-batch ginger beer and craft gin. K2 was particularly taken with both—almost enough to forget he had to watch oysters being shucked!
The Barilla Bay gift shop is packed with Tassie goodness, from fresh oysters, sea urchin and abalone to gourmet condiments. I picked up some Gillespie’s ginger beer and a cheeky pair of earrings (as you do).
PRO TIP: This is a great pre-airport departure stop to stock up on local produce. Although the airport does have a good range of local products too.
While the tour includes a tasting of half a dozen oysters, I took mine upstairs to their upstairs restaurant with expansive views and more menu options and indulged in a dozen (half Kilpatrick, half natural) plus a steaming miso soup filled with local seafood. K2 went for the fish and chips… made with gummy shark. Yes, man eats shark.
Whiling away the afternoon, we took the scenic route to South Arm, stopping at Clifton and Cremorne beaches. Wide open spaces, salty breezes, and barely another soul around. Bliss.
After that big lunch, dinner was low-key: drinks and bar bites at Lucinda, a relaxed little spot just five minutes from the hotel. lunch at their upstairs restaurant with expansive views and more menu options.
PRO TIP: Always book ahead if you’re aiming for the big names like Fico or Aloft—Hobart’s food scene is hot.
RELATED POST: The Ultimage Oyster Lovers Guide to Tasmania’s East Coast
Tasmania road trip itinerary – Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake. Photo: Kevin Gordon
The Boat Shed at Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain. Photo Kevin Gordon
Day 3: Cradle Mountain or Bust
We started with a buffet breakfast at the DoubleTree by Hilton. I was eyeing off the Eggs Benny topped with Kunzea, a native Tasmanian myrtle with a citrusy lift, and some local Leatherwood honey toast.
We left Hobart in peak hour traffic (yes, Hobart has it!) and headed north on the Midland Highway toward the wilds of Cradle Mountain. First coffee stop was at Oatlands, a charming historic village where we found a lovely café (no thanks to the lambs fry but I hear the scones are epic). Don’t miss the old windmill at the distillery and the sweet garden stroll.
Tasmania road trip itinerary – Callington Mill Distillery Oatlands. Photo Kevin Gordon
Next was a detour to Ross, another pretty spot full of heritage character, but sadly, the bakery had closed its doors for the day. The scenic drive continued with rolling countryside, convict history statues by the roadside, and far too many tempting stops – including the Christmas Creek Raspberry Farm, which I’ll save for the return journey. Lunch? A servo sandwich with mountain views.
Then things got serious as we started the winding ascent into alpine Tasmania. Snow flanked the road, icy patches sparkled, and the bends came sharp and slow (15km/hr sharp!).
We arrived at Discovery Resorts – Cradle Mountain around 2:30 pm and made a snap decision – with the skies clear and tomorrow’s forecast looking grim, we dashed to the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and out to Dove Lake. The afternoon light was golden, the scenery breathtaking, and honestly? It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. Got the last bus out.
Next, it was time to warm up in our cosy cabin, fire on (electric but still charming), while eyeing off the spa for a post-dinner soak.
Dinner at Hellyers Restaurant was served beside a roaring fire, which felt very alpine chic.
Tasmania road trip itinerary – Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake. Photo: Kevin Gordon
Day 4: Reflections, Rainforest & Stanley Sunsets
Our last morning at Cradle Mountain began slowly. Darkness lingered until 8 am, making it far too easy to stay cosy by the fire in our cabin at Discovery Resorts. One flick of the switch and the fire was crackling again, casting a golden glow as we watched the first light creep over the horizon. I rustled up breakfast from the breakfast basket, and we squeezed in one more visit to Cradle Mountain National Park before hitting the road.
With our Parks pass in hand, we caught the shuttle to Dove Lake, wandering down to the picture-perfect boat shed and soaking up a different perspective from Glacier Rock. If only there’d been time for the full 6km circuit – next time! With the misty reflections of Cradle Mountain, it felt like stepping into a postcard. Weather: four seasons in two hours.
From there, it was a scenic 174km drive along the Murchison Highway to Stanley. We had plans for a walk at Hellyer Gorge and a stop at Dip Falls, but Tasmanian rain had other ideas. Fortunately, the drive felt much easier today (especially for K2).
We drove northwest through rolling hills and winding roads until we reached Stanley, arguably Tasmania’s most photogenic town. Our digs at The Inlet offered front-row seats to the beach and a fridge full of breakfast goodies. Bliss.
The Inlet at Stanley is beachfront, tucked in behind the sand dunes with a spacious deck, private beach access, and views that go on forever. It’s beautifully designed and fully self-contained – a perfect place to unwind.
For dinner, we headed to The Stanley Hotel. I loved their locally inspired menu – oysters, abalone, flathead, and crumbed scallops made for the perfect coastal welcome.
RELATED POST: The top places to eat Tasmanian crayfish
Highfield Historic Site. Photo: Kevin Gordon.
The Nut at Stanley, Tasmania
Day 5: Convicts, Clifftops & Crayfish
After breakfast (read: eating toast in pyjamas with an ocean view), we visited Highfield Historic Site, where tales of early settlers came alive among Georgian halls and convict-built walls. If those sandstone bricks could talk… That’s what Mandy said one night while locking up Highfield Historic Site in Stanley.
Moments later—BANG! The heavy wooden shutters she’d already secured flew open behind her. No wind. No one else around. Just the unmistakable sound of someone—or something—answering.
Perched above the Bass Strait, Highfield House dates back to the 1830s and was once home to Edward Curr and his 15 children (yes, 15!). It’s seen convicts, colonists, and generations of Tasmanian history—and some say it still holds onto a few of them.
Visitors report whispers in empty halls, children crying in the nursery, and eerie vibes in the old attic, where a ceiling once collapsed and nearly killed a child.
The staff say the spirits aren’t scary. Just present. I was certainly spooked
PRO TIP: Don’t ask them to say hello!
We then road-tripped to Marrawah, pausing at the aptly named Edge of the World for wind-whipped ocean views that made my hair look like a sea witch. At the Marrawah Inn I tucked into a totally loaded Cape Grim steak sandwich. Cape Grim beef is farmed just kilometres away. The chippies were excellent too!
Back in Stanley, dinner at the award-winning Hurseys Seafood served up crayfish so fresh I half expected it to wink. You can see their trawlers just over the road from the restaurant.
RELATED POST: Feast on Fresh Catches and Scenic Views
Stay at The Inlet Stanley
Day 6: Canoes & Culture at Sisters Beach
We started the day with a basket breakfast at The Inlet in Stanley (still dreaming about those local eggs), then zipped 15 minutes down the road to Smithton for a dairy tour with a twist. At Duck River Dairy, a robotic dairy, the cows decide when to be milked – 24/7 – lured in by snacks and a scratching post. Derek, our guide, reckons they’re the happiest cows he’s seen, and honestly, same. It’s a future for the dairy farmer who doesn’t want to get up before dawn every day. School children love visiting, and Derek hopes they are inspired to take up dairying.
Loaded with artisan Venezuelan and European style La Cántara Artisan Cheeses, we moved to the next stop – a windswept coastal Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) walk. Guide Jye Crosswell from Tunapri shared stories of the land and helped us spot native bush foods. We nibbled on berries, pigweed, and even crafted our own kelp baskets (mine’s drying now like some DIY Tasmanian souvenir magic).
Unique things to do in Tasmania – Robotic Dairy, Smithton
Just 10 minutes away is our home for the night – Sol at Sister’s Beach. It’s a beautifully designed hideaway nestled between mountain and sea. We chased the golden light at Rocky Cape Point and the boat ramp, then returned to sink into comfy lounges, sip Tassie wine, snack on local cheese, and heat up some pies from the village café.
Sol. at Sisters Beach was the house of my dreams: sauna, canoes, a kitchen I’d actually cook in, and the sort of aesthetic that whispers “Pinterest perfect.” There’s underfloor heating in the bathroom (yes, please), a flick-of-a-switch fireplace, and clever lighting that makes every corner glow. It feels like home, only better. We unwound with local wine and views of the stars, which sparkle just a little brighter in these parts.
Coastline North West Tasmania. Photo: Kevin Gordon.
Coastline North West Tasmania. Photo: Kevin Gordon.
Day 7: A Truffle Hunt Worth Digging Into
We weren’t quite ready to say goodbye to the coast, so our first detour was back to Rocky Point for one last look – sweeping bay views framed by emerald paddocks and a sky so blue it looked photoshopped.
Back on the road, we zipped down to Penguin – because if you visit Penguin and don’t take a selfie with the giant penguin statue (or the penguin rubbish bins), were you even there?
Finding your own truffle at The Truffle Farm, Tasmania. Photo: Kevin Gordon.
Next stop: Anvers Chocolate Factory for a peek at the museum and a few decadent additions for my “Tassie at Home” tasting plate (research, obviously).
From there, it was Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm where we paused for a croffin (croissant/muffin magic) and the fluffiest strawberry pancakes this side of the Strait.
Then it was truffle time. We headed to The Truffle Farm, the oldest in Australia, where truffle dog Marley found the goods, and we all got to dig one out. Mine? Massive. Post-hunt, we shared a wood-fired pizza absolutely drenched in shaved truffle, paired with a glass of local wine. A tasting? More like a truffle feast.
Now we’ve landed in Launceston, spending the night at the stylish Peppers Silo Hotel, a striking stay built in and around four heritage grain silos. It’s proof that industrial bones can be downright beautiful. I was here for the hotel’s opening, and it was a treat to return and finally stay in one of the actual silo rooms. The raw concrete walls give it such unique personality—gritty meets luxe.
But the real reason I love this hotel? Archie, the resident ambassador dog. He’s a little greyer these days, but still just as charming, greeting guests with that gentle tail wag and those big, soulful eyes.
Dinner and breakfast were at Grain of the Silos, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, where the flavours speak fluent Tasmania. Think local produce, bold ideas, and dishes that linger in your memory.
Day 8: Bye Bye Launceston
Next morning, we packed our bags, returned the hire car (with only a few extra kilometres on the clock), and flew home with full hearts—and fuller stomachs.
RELATED POST: Things to do in Launceston
The Wrap-Up:
Tasmania is a feast for the senses, a road tripper’s dream, and a reminder that the best adventures start with a fork, a map, and a bit of curiosity. Just don’t forget your raincoat—or your stretchy pants.
Disclaimer: Eat drink and be Kerry travelled with assistance from Tourism Tasmania.
