7 days Active self-drive road trip extending through the rugged sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula and Maria Island
7 Days of Wild Coasts & Maritime Heritage in Tasmania/Hobart
This 7-day coastal road trip balances Hobart's maritime heritage and emerging food culture with the sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula and the wildlife trails of Maria Island. Designed for an active couple who prefers slow mornings and standout food, the route groups central Hobart on foot before picking up a car to explore rugged headlands, remote penal settlements, and island ferry crossings at a steady, sustainable pace.
Who this is for
Active self-drive road trip extending through the rugged sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula and Maria Island
Why this itinerary works
Active self-drive road trip extending through the rugged sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula and Maria Island
This itinerary hits an exceptional score by solving Southern Tasmania's biggest operational trap: attempting to day-trip the Tasman Peninsula and Maria Island from a fixed Hobart hotel. By staging the trip progressively along the coastal corridor, it keeps daily drives under 90 minutes and protects unhurried dining.
At a Glance
The shape of this trip, at a glance.
7
Balanced
$1,940
$277
21
7
Walk & transit
Interactive map
The itinerary
Day 1
DAY 1 — SULLIVAN'S COVE & BATTERY POINT
Historic Wharves & Maritime Quarters
Stroll Kelly's Steps & Battery Point Cottages
Battery Point, Battery Point, Hobart
Battery Point was built by 19th-century mariners and slipway shipwrights; walking its narrow sandstone lanes immediately grounds you in Hobart's maritime roots without needing a car.
Fresh Catch at Flippers Cooked Seafood
Sullivan's Cove, Constitution Dock
Floating punt serving blue grenadier and local trevalla right out of the harbor basin where the Sydney to Hobart yachts moor.
Maritime Museum of Tasmania
CBD / Sullivan's Cove, Argyle Street
Compact, volunteer-curated archives detailing early whaling voyages, Bass Strait shipwrecks, and native timber shipbuilding.
Frank Restaurant
Sullivan's Cove, Franklin Wharf
South American charcoal fire cooking applied to Tasmanian ingredients right on the waterfront, featuring exceptional King Island steaks and local pinot noir.
Nightcap at Institut Polaire
Sullivan's Cove, Murray Street
Cool-climate wine and gin bar celebrating southern ocean expeditions with small-batch spirits and minimalist marble decor.
Day 2
DAY 2 — RIVER DERWENT & BERRIEDALE
River Navigation & Subterranean Art
MONA MR-1 Camo Ferry to Berriedale
Sullivan's Cove, Brooke Street Pier
The best vantage point of Hobart's maritime geography is from the water; the high-speed catamaran takes you under the Bowen Bridge straight to the sandstone museum jetty.
Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)
Berriedale, Berriedale Peninsula
Carved into the Triassic sandstone cliff face, this subterranean gallery is an architectural and cultural anchor of modern Tasmania.
Moorilla Wine Bar & Cellar Door
Berriedale, MONA Grounds
Vineyard charcuterie, fresh sourdough, and cool-climate rieslings overlooking the River Derwent right on the estate grounds.
Return River Crossing to Salamanca
Derwent River, Derwent River
Cruising downriver provides clear lines of sight toward Mount Wellington's organ pipes rising behind the city bowl.
Templo
West Hobart, West Hobart
A tiny 20-seat neighborhood pasta temple driven by hyper-seasonal Tasmanian produce and natural wines; one of the island's best dinners.
Day 3
DAY 3 — HOBART TO EAGLEHAWK NECK
Drive to the Peninsula & Marine Landforms
Pick Up Rental Car & Drive to Sorell
Sorell Corridor, Hobart CBD to Sorell
Collecting the vehicle this morning saves you two full days of city rental and expensive hotel parking fees.
Oysters & Pinot at Bangor Vineyard Shed
Dunalley, Dunalley
Perched on a ridge overlooking Blackmans Bay, Bangor pairs shucked-to-order Pacific oysters with pinot gris right on the route to the peninsula.
Tessellated Pavement & Tasman Blowhole
Eaglehawk Neck, Eaglehawk Neck
Rare geological formations where sea erosion fractures flat siltstone into geometric tile patterns along the ocean fringe.
Casual Dinner at 1830 Restaurant & Bar
Port Arthur, Port Arthur Historic Site
Floor-to-ceiling windows look over the historic convict ruins at dusk while serving regional Tasmanian meats and cider.
Day 4
DAY 4 — TASMAN PENINSULA & CAPE HAUY
Towering Dolerite Cliffs & Convict Heritage
Hike Cape Hauy Track
Tasman National Park, Fortescue Bay
Stands among the most dramatic day walks in the Southern Hemisphere, descending stone trails to lookout terraces over the Candlestick and Totem Pole sea spires.
Picnic Lunch & Coffee at Fortescue Bay
Fortescue Bay, Fortescue Bay Beach
Sheltered white sand cove surrounded by eucalyptus, perfect for resting aching calves after the cliff steps.
Port Arthur Historic Site & Isle of the Dead Cruise
Port Arthur, Port Arthur
Australia's most significant convict site, featuring over 30 restored buildings, penitentiary brickwork, and a short harbor cruise included in admission.
Woodfired Pizza at On the Bay Restaurant
Port Arthur, Port Arthur
Relaxed waterside venue overlooking Mason Cove with wood-fired pizzas, local craft beers, and seasonal seafood chowder.
Day 5
DAY 5 — MARIA ISLAND NATIONAL PARK
Vehicle-Free Island Sanctuary & Wildlife
Drive to Triabunna Wharf & Catch Ferry
Triabunna, Triabunna to Darlington
The passenger catamaran crosses the Mercury Passage into a pristine, car-free island sanctuary where wombats and cape barren geese roam freely through historic convict ruins.
Walk the Painted Cliffs & Darlington Settlement
Maria Island, Maria Island
Honeycomb-patterned triassic sandstone cliffs striped with iron oxide, framed by crystal waters and untamed wombat grazing grounds.
Darlington Courtyard Picnic
Maria Island, Darlington Convict Precinct
Dining under blue gum trees while native pademelons graze inches away in the peaceful convict settlement grounds.
Fossil Cliffs Loop & Afternoon Return Boat
Maria Island, Maria Island to Triabunna
Walk past sheer drop-offs packed with fossilized sea shells from hundreds of millions of years ago, before catching the late-afternoon ferry back to mainland Tasmania.
Seafood Dinner at The Fish Van
Triabunna, Triabunna Marina
Unpretentious harbor fish hut frying local scallops, gummy shark, and squid landed straight off the East Coast fishing fleet.
Day 6
DAY 6 — COAL RIVER VALLEY & RICHMOND
Colonial Bridges & Cold-Climate Vineyards
Richmond Gaol & Australia's Oldest Stone Bridge
Coal River Valley, Richmond Historic Village
Built in 1823 by convicts, this sandstone arch bridge and intact gaol cells illustrate pre-Hobart colonial governance on the Coal River.
Long Lunch at Pooley Wines (Cooinda Vale)
Coal River Valley, Richmond
Housed inside the heritage Belmont estate, Pooley produces some of Australia's premier cool-climate pinot noir and riesling, accompanied by artisan woodfired pizzas and local cheeses.
Whisky Tasting at Lark Distillery (Pontville)
Pontville, Pontville
Bill Lark pioneered the modern Tasmanian single malt movement; their historic Pontville estate lets you sample barrel-proof whiskies in 1800s stone stables.
Dinner at Tom McHugo's Hobart Hotel
Hobart CBD, Hobart CBD
A corner pub that completely reimagines tavern food with whole-beast butchery, regenerative farm produce, and natural ales on tap.
Day 7
DAY 7 — KUNANYI / MOUNT WELLINGTON & SOUTH HOBART
Sub-Alpine Summit & Departure
Summit Lookout of kunanyi / Mount Wellington
Wellington Park, Wellington Park
Rising 1,271 meters straight above the harbor, the summit observation shelter delivers unmatched views of the Derwent estuary, Bruny Island, and the Tasman Sea.
Brunch at Ginger Brown
South Hobart, South Hobart
Beloved neighborhood cafe in South Hobart serving specialty coffee, house-baked pastries, and spiced breakfast plates at the foot of the mountain.
Cascade Female Factory Historic Site & Airport Transfer
South Hobart, South Hobart
Provides the essential, often-overlooked female maritime convict narrative, completing the historical arc begun at Port Arthur before heading to the airport.
Return Rental Vehicle & Hobart Airport Departure
Cambridge, Hobart Airport (HBA)
Convenient terminal return depot positioned right off the Tasman Highway with direct check-in access.
Budget
ON TARGETTarget
$2,000
Estimated
$1,940
Difference
$60
Trip Balance Score
How well this trip will actually work
Heavily weighted on traveler fit, experience mix, and logistics to reflect an independent couple seeking culinary provenance and coastal hiking without excessive daily driving.
What works well
- Clusters rental car use starting Day 3 to avoid paying $40/day Hobart hotel parking fees while exploring walkable historic wharves.
- Base stays in Port Arthur/Eaglehawk Neck prevent the exhausting Hobart-to-Tasman return drive across winding single-lane roads.
- Balances high-intensity cliff hiking at Cape Hauy with a gentle coastal cruise and an open day on vehicle-free Maria Island.
What we would improve
- Cape Hauy features over 4,000 stone steps; travelers needing lower knee impact will want to substitute the gentler Cape Raoul lookout trail.
- Maria Island ferry access is weather-dependent; a heavy southerly swell can occasionally disrupt the passenger catamaran.
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