5 days on Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive

Travelling to Hobart from the UK is straightforward, requiring one or two stopovers.

• One stopover: Fly direct from London Heathrow (LHR) to Perth (PER) on Australia's west coast. From here, take an easy domestic connection to Hobart (HBA). 
• Two stopovers: You can fly via major hubs like Singapore (SIN) or Dubai (DXB) to Australia's eastern cities – including Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL) and Brisbane (BNE) – then onward to Hobart (HBA). 

Getting to Hobart from China is easy, often only requiring one stopover.

• International flight: Fly direct from China to one of Australia's eastern cities, including Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL) or Brisbane (BNE).
• Domestic connection: From your first stop in Australia, board an easy domestic flight to Hobart (HBA).

Yes, this 5-day Great Eastern Drive itinerary is an exceptional choice for families, offering a highly accessible mix of wildlife encounters, calm beaches and short walks. The roads are fully sealed and easy to navigate, though a few stops require a bit of physical preparation for younger children.

Children will love meeting the wild wombats on Maria Island, but be prepared that this island is car-free and needs to be navigated on foot. An evening tour in Bicheno to watch little penguins waddle back to their burrows is unforgettable for families.

If you choose to conquer the iconic walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout, be sure that all family members can manage the 1,000 stone steps, which can be challenging for toddlers and young children. The flat, easy stroll to Cape Tourville Lighthouse is a great alternative.

Near the end of this itinerary, you'll arrive at the natural playground of the Bay of Fires, where kids can roam and explore.

Start with a stay in Hobart, basing yourself either in the city centre or the historic waterfront area. Along the drive, choose from coastal accommodation in towns like Swansea and St Helens. Near Freycinet, you’ll find a mix of lodges, boutique stays and nature-based accommodation.

The best time to drive Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive is during the warmer summer and early autumn months from December to March, when daytime temperatures average a comfortable 20°C to 24°C (68°F to 75°F). This window offers the most reliable, sunny weather for beach activities and coastal hiking.

From March to April, days are slightly cooler, but summer crowds thin out and autumn colours begin to bloom. During winter and parts of spring (May to November), some tours reduce their schedules or close for the season.