Mercury (Hobart)

THE BIG LIST: 25+ Top Tassie road trip ideas

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SOUTHERN TASMANIA

Increased sailings means that

Tasmanians will be able to take a trip to Bruny Island over the long weekend and take in the sights and produce of the island. In the Huon Valley, the magical Hastings Caves and Hartz Mountains National Park are

both open to the public. Closer to Hobart, Richmond is an easy day trip. Explore the town’s colonial past and take a walk over Australia’s oldest surviving arch bridge. Drive through the Coal

River Valley region for some wine and cheese. Mount Wellington is also a fantastic day trip from Hobart. Pinnacle Rd will reopen from 8.30am today pending conditions.

EAST COAST

Though many might consider the East Coast a destinatio­n better suited to the warmer months, winter is also a great time to visit. Take a drive through coastal towns such as Orford, Swansea,

and Bicheno to soak up the (usually) warmer weather and, if you're brave, take a dip. Head out to Coles Bay to visit the

Freycinet National Park, and take in the incredible views of The Hazards. Head further up the coast to St Helens for fishing, mountain biking and sightseein­g. It's the gateway to the stunning

Bay of Fires, and to the newly opened mountain bike trails.

CENTRAL TASMANIA

Heading inland, you'll find Mount

Field National Park is known for its glaciated landscapes and spectacula­r waterfalls. For those keen on a spot of fishing, head further inland towards the Great

Lake. Liawenee and Miena are some of the popular spots for shacks in this region, and are known for being some of the coldest spots in Tassie.

NORTHERN TASMANIA

If you’re driving North, pay a visit to the state’s second largest city — Launceston. Take a walk through the stunning Cataract

Gorge and visit City Park to say hello to the monkeys.

Take a drive to the Meander

Valley for some great bushwalkin­g and head into the North East to take in the sights at

Scottsdale and Derby, Tassie’s mountain biking mecca.

NORTH-WEST AND WEST COAST

On your way to Devonport and Burnie, make sure to stop at

Elizabeth Town to sample the berries and cheese the town is well known for. Though about five hours away from Hobart,

Stanley is a must-see. The big attraction here is the Nut — the remains of an ancient volcanic plug. Cradle Mountain is one of the state's must-see spots, which is still open, although the visitor centre and some trails are closed. Other places worth visiting include former mining town Zeehan, seaside convict town Strahan and Queenstown.

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