If you’re looking for a road trip that takes you right around Tassie exploring many of its awesome highlights, the Circle Tassie drive is a perfect autumn-into-winter option. The weather is cooling (needless to say!) so you’ll need to have that big jacket and beanie handy. It’s also the time of year when the famous Fagus trees are showing off the last of their rusty orange glow, and along with stunning ocean views, brilliant blue skies and rolling countryside, the Apple Isle is literally shining! So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get those tyres pumped and ready to roll!
Best tyres for the drive….Doing this stunning trip in absolute comfort, while also knowing your tyres are of excellent quality and tested to stringent safety standards, will ensure that you’re able to fully enjoy the wonderful sights and experiences Tassie has in store. If your vehicle is a 4×4, now’s the perfect opportunity to put the cutting-edge, all-terrain Maxxis RAZR AT811 to the test! Not only are they built to perform superbly on-road, but if you decide to take a detour off-the-beaten track they’ve got you covered! Offering excellent on- and off-road traction (in both wet and dry conditions), the AT811 delivers exceptional puncture resistance with excellent ride comfort whatever the terrain! If you’re driving a car or SUV selecting a good wet weather tyre is a good option as the Tasmania roads are often wet.
Hobart in poll position….All up this trip covers about 1,200km so give yourself time, and unless you really want to do it in a quick sprint at least 5 to 7 days is ideal. We’ll be kicking the trip off in Hobart, so if you’ve come on The Spirit, you’ll need to make your way from Devonport to our starting point, just over three hours away. Hobart itself (as you probably already know) is a wonderful place to explore.
If you can get there for a Saturday start, don’t miss up the opportunity to wander the Salamanca Markets showcasing local art, crafts, music and produce, sample some tasty treats and soak in the vibe! The spectacular harbour area alone offers just about everything you need to get your Circle Tassie trip underway, including picture-perfect views, loads of fresh seafood and accommodation options for varying budgets.
Coles Bay and the Freycinet National Park….For the first leg of this trip, we’re taking the Tasman Highway to Coles Bay. About 193km (two and a half hours away), there are numerous options for a pit stop and coffee along the way, including the little town of Swansea, which offers a range of accommodation including some great B&B’s with sea views and fabulous brekkie if you want to stay longer. A magical part of Tassie’s east coast on the edge of the Freycinet National Park, Coles Bay is renowned for its trademark pink granite Hazards Mountains above and pristine Great Oyster Bay below.
Amongst the many things to do and explore in the area is Wineglass Bay (where from the lookout you’ll see the views that literally go on forever), with the Freycinet Marine Farm a must do stop for some ocean fresh oysters and seafood. Book a tour and take a wade through the water to find out just how they’re grown and learn to shuck your own, right on-site. While there’s heaps to do from swimming and snorkelling to camping and picnicking, it’s important to note that as for Tassie’s other national parks, a valid parks pass is required to travel in the Freycinet National Park.
St Helens and Bay of Fires….Next up head north to St Helens (117km) for yet more fresh seafood, views and exploring before a further stop at world-famous Binalong Bay, with its vast sandy beach and majestic, orange-lichen clad boulders. There are options to camp in the area (either in a tent or ‘van) allowing you to take your time in soaking up the views – alternatively there is a range of accommodation available in both St Helens and Binalong Bay.
Pyengana, Derby and Launceston….Another 30 minutes gets you to Pyengana, where some amazing dairy farms with cheese tasting await along with several magnificent waterfalls including the St Columba Falls (one of Tassie’s highest). And while we’re talking tall, if you have the time, it’s well worth taking another detour through the Mt William National Park, home to some of the tallest trees in the world.
Then visit the historic Eddystone Point Lighthouse before making your way to historical Derby (once a mining town and now a much-loved mountain biking destination) and on to the river-side city of Launceston. As one of Australia’s oldest cities, there’s lots of history to be taken in here, with the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania a must see and the Cataract Gorge, a super-spectacular highlight. As you’d expect, there are heaps of accommodation options in Launceston ranging from heritage hotels and inns to a Big 4 Holiday Park, centrally located for many of Launceston’s sights.
Stanley and Cradle Mountain….From Launceston we’re heading 223km through farmland to Deloraine and then along the coast (via Devonport) to our next far northwest destination of Stanley. If you haven’t yet checked Devonport out, make sure you give yourself time for a sticky beak (and a bite to eat) as you pass through this picturesque town on the Mersey River where it meets Bass Strait.
In a region often referred to as the “Edge of the World”, Stanley is home to Tassie’s famous Leatherwood honey as well as the Nut chairlift (named because it looks over a volcanic outcrop known as “The Nut”). Stanley is a perfect place to spend the night and explore before winding your way to Heritage listed Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park (two hours inland). It’s an area of vast rainforests, mountains, streams and lakes — this place has it all! Set up camp for a few days (or book in somewhere for a bit more luxury) and relax, walk, fish, go wildlife spotting – or put your feet up and enjoy the picturesque panorama stretching for miles in every direction.
Queenstown and Strahan….Yet another 100km scenic drive takes us through Queenstown (site of what was once the world’s richest gold and copper mine) and onto Strahan, a good-looking waterfront location (also home to Ocean Beach, Tassie’s longest beach) to stop for a meal or spend the night. If you’re not camping, there is a village hotel and other accommodation options.
Circle back to the beginning….Now we’re on the final (320km) stretch back to Hobart. Take the Lyell Highway, stopping for a break in quaint Tarraleah, with its history dating back to Australia’s first hydro-electric schemes, with restored original cottages from this time. Take a detour through Mt Field National Park (part of the World Heritage area) and be sure to do the 20-minute boardwalk to Russell Falls surrounded by tree ferns (it’s a pretty incredible sight)!
Before you go….There are few things more inconvenient than being stuck on the side of the road with a flat, and while this is sometimes unavoidable, it’s really worthwhile giving your tyres a good check over for any visible damage before you head off! As always, it’s also vital to check your air pressures while the tyres are cool – the right pressures for your vehicle are usually displayed on the panel on the inside of the driver’s door. If you’re towing a caravan or your vehicle is heavily loaded, you may need to adjust the pressures accordingly, so be sure to check your vehicle owner’s manual for this important information. And, if you need any help with your tyres, including balancing, aligning or checking the tread or you’re needing advice on a set of replacement tyres, call in on one of our network of expert Maxxis dealers. You can locate the dealer nearest you using the handy dealer locator.
