Once you’re off the Spirit of Tasmania in East Devonport, follow the signs into town and head to Devonport Holiday Park for a legal overnight campervan spot. Allow extra time for the ferry offload queue, and contact the park before arrival to confirm a site and its late check-in procedure; don’t rely on being able to drive in after reception closes without arranging access. Choose a powered or unpowered site to suit your needs. This is a campsite, not a hotel, and gives you access to proper showers.
If you arrive with daylight left, Mersey Bluff Beach is an option for a quick ocean dip. Check local conditions and swim only where it’s safe; if it’s dark, windy or the sea looks rough, skip it. After a late ferry arrival, keep dinner simple with food you’ve brought in the van rather than counting on nearby kitchens still serving. Tomorrow’s drive to Cradle Mountain is about two hours, so an easy night and an early start will serve you better than squeezing in a late outing.
Your Devonport-to-Cradle Mountain drive is handled separately; plan to arrive in the morning, with some flexibility for the winding roads. Park at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre car park and check the shuttle service, weather and track conditions before setting off. Campervan spaces and access arrangements can vary, so follow the signed vehicle directions and don’t assume you can take the van up to Dove Lake. A valid national parks pass is required; check current options with Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania.
Walk the Enchanted Walk first for an easy 30–45-minute rainforest loop. Then catch the park shuttle to Dove Lake and allow 2–3 hours for the circuit at a relaxed pace. Bring waterproof layers and warm clothes, even if the morning looks clear—the weather can turn quickly.
Return by shuttle to the visitor area, then drive to Discovery Parks – Cradle Mountain and check in to a campervan site. Book ahead and confirm the site suits your van and that shower facilities are available for your stay; this gives you a proper place to park overnight and freshen up without relying on day-use facilities. Keep dinner simple with your own supplies or check what is open locally before heading out.
There isn’t a dependable warm-water swim stop here: Dove Lake is an alpine lake and can be very cold, so treat today as a walking and shower day rather than planning a swim.
Keep Nelson Falls as a brief stop if it fits your arrival from Cradle Mountain: the walk to the falls is short, but allow about 45–60 minutes for the trail and parking. The track can be wet and slippery, so bring shoes with grip. If the drive or weather has already taken more out of the day than expected, skip it and head straight to your campsite.
At Strahan Beach Tourist Park, ask for a campervan site and confirm the current shower and facility arrangements when booking or checking in. Park up for the night rather than trying to find an informal place to leave the van; follow the park’s instructions on where to park and use its amenities. Site and powered-site fees vary by season and van size, so check directly before you arrive.
Once you’re settled, walk the gentle track to Hogarth Falls and back. Allow around 1–1.5 hours, and expect damp or muddy patches after rain. It’s a peaceful first taste of the rainforest without adding another long drive.
If there’s daylight left, head to Strahan Beach for a wander or a swim. This is exposed west-coast water, so check the conditions and use your judgement; don’t swim if the surf or weather looks rough, and expect cold water. The beach is for a coastal reset rather than a guaranteed safe swimming spot. Back at the park, a warm shower and an easy campervan dinner are a better plan than packing the evening too tightly.
The drive from Strahan to MONA takes roughly 4.5–5 hours without breaks. Leave early, allow time for a proper stop, and check fuel and road conditions on the winding Lyell Highway. It’s a big driving day, so keep the museum visit to a comfortable couple of hours rather than trying to fit in everything.
MONA has visitor parking, but check its current arrangements and whether a space can accommodate your campervan before setting out. If parking looks unsuitable, head first to Discovery Parks – Hobart in Risdon, leave the van at your booked site, and take a taxi or rideshare to the museum. Check MONA’s Friday hours and entry requirements in advance.
After your visit, drive to Discovery Parks – Hobart and check in to a campervan site; book ahead and confirm the site suits your van. The park has showers, so you can freshen up without needing a hotel. Allow roughly 20–30 minutes to drive between the park and the city or MONA, depending on traffic.
If you still feel like stretching your legs, head into the Hobart waterfront for a gentle wander and dinner. Allow around A$20–40 per person for a casual meal, depending on what you choose. I’d save an ocean swim for a less rushed day: after the long transfer and museum, getting settled and showered is likely to feel better.
Drive from Hobart to Kettering (around 40 minutes), then take the SeaLink Bruny Island vehicle ferry to Roberts Point. Check the current timetable, fare and campervan size requirements, and leave a generous buffer for the ferry queue. Once on the island, head to The Neck Lookout; there’s designated parking at the base of the steps, and 30–45 minutes is enough for the climb and views.
Continue to Get Shucked at Great Bay for oysters or seafood. Budget roughly A$20–40 per person; vegetarian options may be limited, so bring a backup snack or lunch from Hobart. Then drive south to Adventure Bay for a beach walk and, if the weather and water are suitable, a swim. The water can be cold and conditions change, so check locally, stay within your comfort level and don’t swim alone.
If you have time, stop at Bruny Island Cheese Co. on the way back north for provisions. Check its current trading hours before detouring, and keep an eye on the clock: island roads are slow, and you’ll want to reach your overnight spot in daylight.
The Neck campground is a useful option if you want to stay on the island, but treat it as a basic campsite rather than a place to shower: facilities are limited and there are no showers. Check current Parks Tasmania information for booking or payment arrangements, access and whether your campervan fits the site conditions. If you need a proper shower, plan to use your van’s facilities or confirm directly with a paid campground or caravan park that it accepts non-guests—don’t count on a public shower being available. Keep dinner simple with provisions you’ve picked up, and leave enough time tomorrow for the drive back to the ferry and onward to the East Coast.
Leave Alonnah early and drive to Roberts Point for the SeaLink Bruny Island ferry to Kettering, then continue via Hobart and Sorell to Coles Bay. Allow about 4–5 hours including the crossing, plus any ferry queue or stops; check Sunday sailings and leave a generous buffer. This is a substantial drive, so keep the day light rather than trying to squeeze in the Wineglass Bay hike.
Head straight to BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park to check in and park the campervan on a booked site. It’s a practical base for a hot shower and an easy evening; confirm current site availability, van-size limits and amenity access when booking. A powered site may cost roughly A$50–100 or more, depending on the season and site type—check current rates.
If you arrive with daylight and the sea looks inviting, drive to Honeymoon Bay for a dip and a relaxed wander. It’s an ocean swim, not a supervised pool: check conditions, be cautious of cold water and currents, and skip it if the water or weather feels rough. Allow around 45–90 minutes, including parking and getting changed.
Settle back at the holiday park and make dinner in the campervan—vegetables, pasta or a simple seafood meal are easy options after the drive. Bring groceries with you or shop before leaving Hobart or Sorell, as Coles Bay has limited options compared with larger towns. If the ferry or road makes the day run late, prioritise the shower and campsite; save the swim for tomorrow.
Leave Coles Bay in the morning and allow about 2.5–3 hours behind the wheel, plus a stop, to reach Launceston via the Tasman Highway and A3. The roads are winding, especially around the coast, so take your time and check fuel before you leave. A café stop in Bicheno or Swansea makes a good break.
For a campervan base, check availability at Launceston Big4 Holiday Park and ask about powered-site options, vehicle dimensions and shower access when booking. It’s a short drive from the centre; confirm the park’s current facilities and arrival arrangements directly, as site availability can vary. If you’d rather stay closer to town, compare other caravan parks for campervan access and showers rather than booking a hotel.
After parking up, head to Cataract Gorge Reserve for a couple of hours on the walking paths and by the river. Take water and a layer—the gorge can feel cooler than town—and pick a route that suits your energy after the drive. Allow roughly 10–15 minutes to drive from the holiday park, traffic permitting.
If you’d like a proper swim as well as a shower, check the public-swim timetable at Launceston Aquatic Centre before setting out; sessions and access can vary. It’s a short drive from the gorge, and there are changing facilities. For a free outdoor dip, the Tamar is not the place to improvise: currents, water quality and access can be unsuitable, so stick to a supervised pool.
Finish with an unhurried wander along the Launceston waterfront and dinner nearby. There are vegetarian and seafood choices around town; allow roughly A$25–45 per person for a casual meal, depending on your order.
The drive from Launceston to Devonport is about 1.5 hours via the Bass Highway, before allowing for fuel and any traffic. Leave plenty of slack for the campervan handover and ferry check-in; confirm the return procedure with your hire company and the check-in deadline with Spirit of Tasmania.
If you have time after the drive, park at Mersey Bluff car park and enjoy a short walk by the water. Check posted signs for campervan restrictions and parking limits, and don’t leave valuables visible in the vehicle.
A beach stop at Mersey Bluff Beach makes a refreshing break. Ocean conditions can change quickly, so check local warnings and swim between the flags when lifeguards are on duty; don’t swim if conditions look rough or there’s no patrolled area available.
For a reliable shower before your sailing, head to Splash Devonport for a swim and use of the facility amenities. Admission is paid; check current opening times and pool availability before driving over. Allow time to change and get back to the terminal without rushing.
Go directly to the hire company’s return point and then the Spirit of Tasmania terminal, following the return instructions you were given. If the sailing is early or the vehicle return takes longer than expected, skip the beach or pool stop rather than cut into your check-in buffer.
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