East Coast: Wineglass Bay & Bay of Fires

1. Hobart → Sorell~20 min at the stop

The Tasman Highway junction and the last big supermarket before the coast: fuel up and stock the picnic bag.

Tip: Fuel in Sorell. The east coast starts here, and the next proper station is a long way on.

↓ drive · 50 min · 54 km

2. Triabunna (Maria Island ferry)~40 min at the stop

A fishing port where the passenger ferry leaves for Maria Island: a sanctuary of wombats and convict ruins.

Tip: Even without the ferry, stop here. The Fish Van on the esplanade cooks fish to order. Maria Island has no cafe, so eat here.

↓ drive · 50 min · 55 km

3. Overnight Swansea

A 19th-century town on Great Oyster Bay: across the water rise the pink granite Hazards: the route's best sunset view.

Tip: Book a room facing east: sunrise over Freycinet comes free. By day, Kate's Berry Farm on Addison Street is open Friday to Tuesday, 9:00 to 16:00, kitchen until 15:15. Closed Wednesday and Thursday.

4. Devil's Corner lookout~45 min at the stop

A cellar door amid the vines with a free lookout tower over Moulting Lagoon and the Hazards.

Tip: Drivers get coffee from the kiosk by the tower: same view as with a glass.

↓ drive · 30 min · 30 km

5. Coles Bay~30 min at the stop

The village at the foot of the Hazards and the gateway to Freycinet. Grab the parks pass and lunch supplies here.

Tip: This is the gate for Freycinet. Book a bed a long way ahead. Lunch on the way into the village is Freycinet Marine Farm: oysters, no booking. September to May the kitchen runs until 16:00, and in winter until 15:00. Still take water for the cape.

↓ drive · 8 min · 5 km

6. Wineglass Bay lookout (parks pass needed)~1 h 30 min at the stop

A climb up stone steps to the saddle of the Hazards: 2.6 km return, 1–1.5 hours, to the postcard view over the white curve of the bay.

Tip: Arrive before 10am: this trailhead car park fills faster than any in Tasmania.

↓ drive · 40 min · 41 km

7. Bicheno: evening penguins

A fishing town with a blowhole amid orange boulders; at dusk little penguins waddle home right by the village.

Tip: Book the evening penguin tour ahead, and never point a torch at the birds. Fish and chips are at Tasmanian Coastal Seafoods, 57A Burgess Street, next to the Log Cabin.

8. St Helens~30 min at the stop

The east coast's fishing capital on Georges Bay: the natural base for Bay of Fires.

Tip: Restock here. The fish is at Skippers, on the wharf at Marina Parade. The coast beyond is quieter, and dinner may be whatever you bought.

↓ drive · 15 min · 12 km

9. Binalong Bay orange boulders~1 h at the stop

The Bay of Fires signature: granite ablaze with orange lichen, white quartz sand and turquoise water.

Tip: Best light is early morning, when the sun hits the boulders from the sea.

↓ drive · 15 min · 11 km

10. The Gardens~45 min at the stop

The near-empty northern end of Bay of Fires: the same orange headlands, minus the crowds.

Tip: The bay is short and granite. Part of the road is unsealed. Leave while it is still light.

↓ drive · 2 h 30 min · 170 km

11. Launceston

Route's end: Tasmania's second city, with Victorian streetscapes and Cataract Gorge a 15-minute walk from downtown.

Tip: From here, roll straight into the North and Cradle Mountain route. Lunch and dinner are at Stillwater, in the old mill by the gorge: Monday to Saturday, lunch from 10:30, dinner from 17:00. Closed on Sunday.