Tasmanian Campervan Hire

Lake Mackintosh Freedom Camp

Tasmania is set up perfectly for campervan travel, as the distances between destinations are not large and the scenery is stunning.  Lakes, mountains, beaches and mining sites interspersed with charming villages make up the typical landscape.

The best time to think about Tasmanian campervan hire is over the summer months.  Some travellers head off in September, although it will still be pretty cool in some areas. The season generally ends around the end of April. December to March is the most popular time to travel, because the weather is at its warmest.

The average length of time for a Tasmanian Campervan Hire is around 15 days, which is enough time to see the full island if you’re someone who likes to keep moving. If you would like a more leisurely look around we’d recommend 25 days to give you more flexibility and the opportunity to stay in some of the stunning areas, for an extra night or so.

Tasmanian Campervan Hire

There are a number of campgrounds in Tasmania where you can park up for the night and enjoy all the facilities on offer.  If your Tasmanian Campervan Hire is Self Contained, then you may also like to enjoy mixing it up with some freedom camping (free or low cost camping).

While travelling in your Tasmanian Campervan Hire you may also wish to visit some of the stunning National Parks.  We recommend purchasing a National Park Pass which provides entry to a number of the parks, so is great value for money.  Quite often some of our depots in Hobart will have these for sale , otherwise pick up from the local information centre , or you can purchase directly online.

Freycinet National Park

Pick up your Tasmanian Campervan Hire in Hobart – all our depots are conveniently located near the Airport. It doesn’t really matter which direction you travel around the island – people do it both ways; for the highlights below, we’re travelling clockwise.

We would also recommend popping into the information centres (marked by a yellow ‘i’ from the highway) where you can pick up lots of great information to assist your planning your Tasmanian Holiday.

In the meantime, here are a few of our favourites:

• After visiting Hobart City, take a drive in your campervan up scenic Mount Wellington, which is only 20 minutes from the centre of Hobart.  Rising 1270 metres, experience amazing changes in scenery from temperate rainforest at the bottom to glacial rock formations at the top.  The weather can be quite extreme; so be prepared for possibly some strong cold winds!  Thankfully there is a viewing room at the top which keeps you out of the weather and lets you enjoy the spectacular views.
• Drive along the Channel Highway which hugs the coast and provides stunning views of Bruny Island.  We enjoyed a lovely freedom camp near Gordon and had our first of many camp fires that kept us warm in the evenings.
  

  Beautiful walks in Tasmania

• Visit the Tahune Air Walk which is west of Geeveston.  We highly recommend spending some time in the forest and enjoying the tree top walks.  The drive in and out is worth spending some time also, with a few picnic areas and short walks.
• Enjoy exploring the Huon Valley, before you your way up the Lyell Highway to your next major destination Strahan.  Enroute,  enjoy the Salmon Ponds, near Plenty and Russell Falls.  The Falls are a worthy detour to stretch the legs.  You can camp at the Falls, or you’ll find freedom camps further up the Lyell Highway if you prefer.
• ‘The Wall in the Wilderness’ is where creator/designer Greg Duncan is carving the history of the highlands into 100 metres of the rare Huon Pine.
• Head into Lake St Clair – a perfect location for a picnic lunch on the lake edge.  There’s also a good information/interpretive centre worth having a look at.
• Travel across the highlands towards Queenstown – stop to enjoy walks to rivers/falls and stunning viewpoints.  You’ll find a few freedom camps as you make your way into Queenstown on the banks of the river – perhaps you might even try your hand at trout fishing?
  

  Nelson Waterfall, Tasmania

• Queenstown is a mining town with quite a dramatic entry as you wind your way down from the highlands.
• Strahan is a lovely place to wander around and also  where you can head out on a popular boat cruise to explore the stunning ancient rainforest in Gordon Valley and Sarah Island.  Sarah Island is where you can see the ruins of an old convict settlement.  There are a couple of different companies that operate this popular trip, however we recommend locally and family owned World Heritage Cruises (the red boat) – Our guide’s story, really made the place come alive.  If the weathers good, you’ll also head out to  ‘Hell’s Gates’ and into the Roaring Forties.
• Although a small detour, head to Cradle Mountain.  Most of the images you see of Tasmania include Cradle Mountain and for good reason.  On arrival at Cradle Mountain, there is an information centre which offers a regular free shuttle up to the Cradle Mountain Lake, stopping enroute at the many walks in the area.  The shuttle is offered as the road is very narrow and only limited car parking is available at the top.
• Heading further north west, you could visit Stanley, where you can enjoy the Nut Chairlift which offers excellent views over Stanley and the surrounding area.
  

  Visiting Tasmanian Vineyards in your campervan

• Travelling east towards Launceston, you could get ‘lost’ for days exploring the waterfalls, canyons, caves and numerous wineries and cheese farms.  The Tamar River, which forms a valley up to Launceston from the coast, is full of wineries and fresh produce.  Near Launceston,  Cataract Gorge is a popular area for walking and swimming.  They also have a chairlift across the gorge which gives a bird’s eye view of the stunning scenery.
• Along the north coast in locations such as Low Head, it is possible to see the Little Penguins coming ashore in the evening.
• Making your way to the East Coast, enjoy the beautiful Bay of Fires.   If you have a love of oysters, you’ll definitely want to make it to St Helens where they have the near perfect Georges Bay oysters available.
• Freycinet National Park is another of those simply beautiful areas.  Wineglass Bay is a great walk if you have time and the weather is kind to you.  There’s also a variety of short walks with stunning views.
• As you head south in your campervan to Port Arthur seeing loads of natural attractions on the way to the convict ruins.  You can see blowholes, lookouts and beautiful beaches.  You could also pop into the Tasmania Devil Conservation Park at Taranna.
  

  Bay of Fires

• Spend some time in Port Arthur, on the southern coast.  An old convict settlement, it is where you can visit an old prison which gives a wonderful insight into what life was like in those days.  The natural landscape of high cliffs, ocean and thick forest made it near impossible for anyone to consider escaping.  A stunning location steeped in history.
• Before heading back to Hobart, pop into Richmond which has several 19^th century Georgian buildings which makes it picture perfect.  It is also home to Australia’s oldest bridge which was built by convict labour in the 1820’s.

Cradle Mountain National Park

You’ll find there is a certain English charm as you meander through the villages around Tasmania in your campervan hire.   There is a lot of culture and history just waiting to be explored in each village.

Tasmanian campervan hire is easy – you’ll find an array of camping grounds including plenty of freedom camps.  If you choose a self-contained campervan hire, you might like to spend an odd night or two in some of the beautiful locations that offer freedom camps.  Of course, Tasmania is also famous for its local produce and wines.  Sampling these will be another highlight on your Tasmanian campervan holiday.

Let us know if you would like to find out more about camper hire Australia, or if we can provide a Campervan Hire Quote for your upcoming Tasmania adventure!