Tasmania Western Wilds Itinerary: Hobart Round Trip
Day 1: Hobart to Strathgordon (Lake Pedder)
Distance: 157 kms
Travel time: ~2.5 hours
Collect your Apollo camper in Hobart and point the bonnet west. Today’s drive eases you into wilderness life, swapping the River Derwent’s broad reaches for mountain-framed lakes. You will pass through the Derwent Valley to Mount Field National Park, a perfect first taste of Tasmania’s rainforest. Continue deep into Southwest National Park, finishing on the tranquil shores of Lake Pedder at Strathgordon where rugged peaks, silent water and wide skies set the tone for the week.
Where to stop between Hobart and Strathgordon
New Norfolk riverside precinct for last-minute supplies and fresh-baked treats. Mount Field National Park for the easy Russell Falls walk beneath towering tree ferns and the short Tall Trees loop among some of the world’s loftiest flowering plants. Teds Beach picnic area for your first Lake Pedder vistas and an unhurried lakeside lunch. Gordon Dam Lookout to stroll the crest of the spectacular concrete arch and gaze across Lake Gordon and its sheer, forested walls.
Things to do in Strathgordon
Soak up the quiet. Take an afternoon walk from Teds Beach to the lake’s edge for reflections of serrated peaks, or cast a line for renowned Tasmanian trout when conditions suit. Birdwatchers can look for wedge-tailed eagles riding thermals and black currawongs around camp. At golden hour, the light on the hills is superb for photography.
Where to stay in Strathgordon
Base yourself at Teds Beach campground beside Lake Pedder. It suits campervans, has basic facilities, and puts you only a short wander from sunset strolls and dawn bird calls. Note there are no powered hook-ups at the lakeside campgrounds in this area, so plan to be self-contained or consider a powered stop before you enter the park.
Day 2: Strathgordon to Lake St Clair
Distance: 205 kms
Travel time: ~3 hours
Retrace the Gordon River Road to the Lyell Highway, then head into the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Today ends on the shores of Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest freshwater lake, carved by ancient glaciers and enclosed by mountains. The route runs on sealed roads with winding sections through forests and valleys, and there are several short nature stops to stretch your legs as you shift from wild southwest to alpine forest.
Where to stop between Strathgordon and Lake St Clair
Tarraleah Power Station Lookout for sweeping views of steep valleys and the historic hydro penstocks cutting down the hillside. Franklin River Nature Trail, a gentle loop through mossy myrtle rainforest and along tannin-dark river water. Derwent Bridge for The Wall in the Wilderness, a remarkable carved timber artwork that tells the stories of Tasmania’s highlands.
Things to do in Lake St Clair
Arrive at Cynthia Bay and wander the lakeside boardwalks. The Watersmeet Track is a relaxing walk through towering forest to where two rivers join, while the Platypus Bay area is a good spot for a quiet dusk watch. Keep an eye out for Bennett’s wallabies and pademelons grazing near the campground, and listen for pink robins and crescent honeyeaters in the understorey. If time and energy allow, plan a longer forest amble tomorrow morning before moving on.
Where to stay in Lake St Clair
Settle in at the Lake St Clair Tourist Park campground at Cynthia Bay. Powered and unpowered sites keep you close to the visitor centre, walking tracks and the lakeshore for sunrise photos and evening wildlife watching.
Day 3: Lake St Clair to Strahan
Distance: 133 kms
Travel time: ~2 hours
From the highland forests, the Lyell Highway leads you west toward the coast. This short, scenic day features river lookouts and a striking transition into the mineral-stained mountains around Queenstown before easing to the sheltered waters of Macquarie Harbour. With ample time on arrival, you can relax into Strahan’s slower rhythm and plan tomorrow’s wilderness cruise or train ride.
Where to stop between Lake St Clair and Strahan
Donaghys Hill Lookout for a quick climb to panoramic views over the Franklin River and the dramatic ridgeline of Frenchmans Cap. Queenstown’s Iron Blow Lookout to peer into a vivid, open-cut mine and the region’s otherworldly, weathered hills. Horsetail Falls boardwalk outside Queenstown for a short, spectacular clifftop stroll.
Things to do in Strahan
Walk the waterfront and breathe in the scent of Huon pine on the breeze. The easy Hogarth Falls track in Peoples Park offers a lovely ferny amble, and occasional platypus sightings are possible in the creek pools. If you prefer sand and sky, head to the Henty Dunes for a climb on sweeping white ridgelines, then drive to Ocean Beach for a windswept sunset over the Southern Ocean. Tomorrow, the Gordon River cruise or the West Coast Wilderness Railway are standout experiences that reveal the region’s wild heart and history.
Where to stay in Strahan
Choose between BIG4 Strahan Holiday Retreat or Strahan Beach Tourist Park. Both welcome campervans, offer powered sites and place you within easy reach of the harbour, walking trails and tour departures.
Image: Tourism Tasmania
Day 4: Strahan
Devote a full day to Strahan’s wilderness and heritage. A slower pace rewards here, where rainforest meets tannin-dark rivers and wide harbours.
Where to stop around Strahan
Gordon River cruise to glide past mirror-like reflections, ancient Huon pines and the history of Sarah Island. West Coast Wilderness Railway to ride a heritage steam train into rainforest and through stories of pioneering grit. Peoples Park and Hogarth Falls for an easy waterfall walk rich in birdsong and ferny greens.
Things to do in Strahan
Between signature experiences, keep it simple. Picnic by the water, pick up local smoked fish for dinner, stroll the Esplanade and photograph the historic boatsheds. Bird lovers can watch for black swans and cormorants around the harbour and sea eagles overhead. In spring and summer there is a small chance of encountering swift parrots, though they are uncommon on the west coast.
Where to stay in Strahan
Stay a second night at your chosen Strahan caravan park. Not moving the van gives you a full, relaxed day for your cruise, train or walks without any packing or driving pressure.
Day 5: Strahan to Cradle Mountain area
Distance: 150 kms
Travel time: ~2.5 hours
Turn north on the Murchison Highway, where buttongrass plains give way to rivers and steep, forested ranges. Today’s destination is the Cradle Mountain gateway, an alpine world of glacial lakes, dolerite peaks and wombat dotted valleys. With a short drive, you can arrive in time for an afternoon walk and sunset wildlife viewing.
Where to stop between Strahan and the Cradle Mountain area
Lake Rosebery or Tullah foreshore for a lakeside picnic and a quick scan for waterbirds and trout rises. Hellyer Gorge rest area for a mossy rainforest boardwalk and a cup of tea under towering myrtles. Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre to park the van and jump on the shuttle that services the main walking trailheads.
If you’d like to explore the West Coast further before heading to Cradle Mountain, make a detour to Corinna, which is come to the Tarkine Reserve – Australia's largest area of temperate rainforest.
Things to do in the Cradle Mountain area
Start with short classics near the visitor centre, like the Enchanted Walk through ancient rainforest and the Pencil Pine or King Billy tracks, where gnarled pines and cascading creeks feel fairy tale like. If time allows, take the shuttle to Dove Lake for a lakeshore circuit or a stroll to Glacier Rock for big mountain reflections. Late afternoon is prime for wildlife. Wombats, pademelons and wallabies often graze around Ronny Creek and buttongrass moorlands as the light softens.
Where to stay in the Cradle Mountain area
Book a powered site at Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain near the park entrance if available, which makes morning access to the shuttle seamless. As a reliable alternative on sealed roads, Gowrie Park Wilderness Village Caravan Park offers powered sites beneath Mount Roland, about 40 minutes from the visitor centre.
Day 6: Cradle Mountain area to Wayatinah
Distance: 210 kms
Travel time: ~3 hours
Ease out of the high country and return toward the Central Highlands, trading alpine heath for tall forests and river valleys. This routing keeps to sealed roads and breaks the final return to Hobart into an unhurried glide, with time for a final wander at Lake St Clair and an evening by a quiet lagoon.
Where to stop between the Cradle Mountain area and Wayatinah
Morning stroll on the Cradle Mountain boardwalks if you missed them yesterday or want another look for wombats. Lake St Clair visitor precinct for a lakeside picnic and a short walk such as Watersmeet under towering eucalypts and celery-top pines. Tarraleah Power Station Lookout for one more expansive view of hydro country and sweeping valleys.
Things to do in Wayatinah
Wayatinah is a quiet, leafy hydro village beside the Derwent River. Unwind with an easy walk along the lagoon shore, listen for native hens and forest ravens, and try your luck with a fishing rod if you have a license and conditions allow. The still water and forest edges are perfect for a slow, reflective final night in the highlands.
Where to stay in Wayatinah
Wayatinah Lakeside Caravan Park offers powered sites, hot showers and direct water access for evening strolls or a relaxed camp dinner by the lagoon. It is a peaceful base that sets you up for a short, scenic final drive back to Hobart.
Day 7: Wayatinah to Hobart
Distance: 110 kms
Travel time: ~1.5 hours
Roll gently down the Lyell Highway and back into the Derwent Valley, with time for one or two last stops before you reach the city. Today is designed to be stress free, so you can arrive in Hobart refreshed and ready to return your camper or enjoy one more night near town.
Where to stop between Wayatinah and Hobart
Mount Field National Park if you want another easy forest walk or to visit the Tall Trees loop in morning light. Salmon Ponds Heritage Hatchery and Gardens at Plenty for tranquil picnic lawns, shady trees and a gentle wander alongside ponds teeming with trout and salmon. New Norfolk’s riverside esplanade for coffee, antiques browsing and a final river walk.
Things to do in Hobart
If you have time before drop off, take a short detour to the Hobart waterfront for fish and chips, a stroll around Salamanca Place or a leg stretch in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Otherwise, head straight to the branch to return your campervan and start planning your next Tasmanian escape.
Where to stay in Hobart
If you would like to add a final night, consider BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park for easy access to the city and departure the next day. It caters well to campervans and keeps logistics simple at journey’s end.
Travel tips for an easy Western Wilds adventure: weather can shift quickly in the west, so pack warm layers, waterproof jackets and sturdy walking shoes year round. A Parks Pass is required for national parks. This route is designed for an Apollo 2WD campervan and sticks to sealed roads and short, well-maintained access drives. Avoid long unsealed detours and any beach or off-road driving. In winter, check road conditions and allow extra time for wet or windy weather. The payoff for travelling slowly is immense, with quiet camps, wildlife rich evenings and unhurried time on rainforest tracks and beside serene, mountain backed lakes.
Ready to trade rush for wilderness calm and savour the scenery at a gentler pace? When you’re ready, you can easily book your Apollo camper online and pick it up from the Apollo Hobart branch before hitting the road.
