B&B self drive tour of Tasmania, meet the locals
Our bestselling Tasmania holiday is self-drive but fully organised by a company dedicated only to Tasmanian travel. Their carefully crafted route takes you far off the tourist trail to tucked away wildlife-rich beauty spots, family-run farms and wilderness cabins.
Woolmers Estate Launceston National Rose Garden Tamar Valley Narawntapau National Park Cradle Mountain Dove Lake Sarah Island Western Wilderness Bonnet Island Wilderness retreats Central Highlands Lake St Clair Mount Field National Park Hobart South West National Park Great Tasmanian wildlife Top Tasmania B&B's with conservation expertise
Price
AU $1895ToAU $6000 excluding flights
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More info
Price is per person and tours are tailored to suit you, from 7 to 21+ days; ask for options.
At least 10-14 days is needed to see both east and west coasts.
Lower price is 10 days including good quality accommodation, parks pass and car hire.
Upper price is 21 days and also includes cruises and some evening meals.
At least 10-14 days is needed to see both east and west coasts.
Lower price is 10 days including good quality accommodation, parks pass and car hire.
Upper price is 21 days and also includes cruises and some evening meals.
Description of B&B self drive tour of Tasmania, meet the locals
Enjoy the best of Australia's wilderness island state, on this B&B self drive tour of Tasmania, meeting the locals along the way as you travel from north to south, and east to west. On this self drive holiday you will be staying in authentic farm stays and family run bed and breakfasts, wilderness cabins and convict built cottages where you will have the chance to meet local islanders, including many who are deeply immersed in wildlife and environmental conservation in this magical island that become the life-raft for mainland Australia's long lost species over ten thousand years ago.
Your drives, from 45 minutes to no more than three and a half hours at a time, will take you through some of the most stunning landscapes in the Southern Hemisphere, with innumerable opportunities to stop and walk to dramatic tumbling waterfalls, vast, deep silent lakes, through pockets of rainforest, the tallest flowering trees in the world towering above you at over 100 metres, and surprise lookouts giving way to vistas across endless mountain ranges
Much of the accommodation is just a short drive away from Tasmania's iconic beauty spots, others are tucked away in Land for Wildlife spots, and some are so far off the tourist trail that you won't find them in any other tour operator brochure. Each will hold a wonderful surprise, with a warm welcome and a host of surprises guaranteed. Enjoy absolutely unique wildlife experiences from the endangered Tasmanian devils on your porch at night to the normally elusive platypus in your own back garden stream. Enjoy mouth watering home cooking with local produce, sometimes collected from your own back garden, and Tasmania's acclaimed wines. Stay in World Heritage listed convict sites and get an insight into Tasmania as it existed in the 1800s, when it invoked fear into the wretched souls who were transported to 'Van Diemen's Land'.
Get off the beaten track into some of Tasmania’s most stunning and bird and wildlife-rich hideaways. Stand on the Edge of the World and gaze across to South America or south to the Antarctic, with no landmass between you and there, as you breathe the cleanest recorded air in the inhabited world. Discover the very spot that launched the world’s first eco-tourism movement and changed the face of Australian politics.
Your tour will be tailored to suit your preferred duration from 7 days to 21 days or longer. A minimum of 10 to 14 days is needed for a self drive tour that includes both the east and west coasts of Tasmania. The itinerary provided below is a just a guideline. It can start in Hobart, Launceston or Devonport. Car rental is included but guests can bring their own car if they prefer to come via ferry from Melbourne, and the price will be adjusted accordingly.
Price information
AU $1895ToAU $6000 excluding flights
Convert currency:
Price is per person and tours are tailored to suit you, from 7 to 21+ days; ask for options.
At least 10-14 days is needed to see both east and west coasts.
Lower price is 10 days including good quality accommodation, parks pass and car hire.
Upper price is 21 days and also includes cruises and some evening meals.
At least 10-14 days is needed to see both east and west coasts.
Lower price is 10 days including good quality accommodation, parks pass and car hire.
Upper price is 21 days and also includes cruises and some evening meals.
Departure information
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel guides
Holiday information
Our top tip:
Some of the b&b’s owners are amazing cooks, so don’t miss these dinner treats.
Trip type:
Tailor made.
Activity level:
Up to you.
Accomm:
Classy B&B’s.
Included:
Accommodation, car hire and most breakfasts.
Meals:
B&B owners will highlight all the best spots, with fine local produce. Budget £40-45 per day for other meals.
Solos:
Perfect for solo travellers, with minimal surcharge for own room.
Reviews
72 Reviews of B&B self drive tour of Tasmania, meet the locals
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 03 May 2024 by Gary Middlebrook
We thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip Susie did an excellent job of pulling together a brilliant itinerary. The accommodation was excellent as were all the trips... We had such an amazing holiday one that we will not forget. First class. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Apr 2024 by Kim Chai
Susie designed a great, varied itinerary at short notice, logistics were seamless and we had a marvelous time... Absolutely recommend this holiday. Read full reviewReviewed on 28 Apr 2023 by Michelle Read
Absolutely loved it. Couldn’t have asked for a better trip and just wish we had spent longer in Tasmania. Wildlife, scenery and people were amazing. Big thank you to Susie at the tour operator we had a brilliant time. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Jan 2023 by Sally Runham
Excellent. One of the best. Very clear and detailed information that made it an easy for us older people. The scenery was marvellous too! Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Sep 2022 by David Evans
UNFORGETABLE. I've already started recommending it to our friends. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Mar 2020 by George Kirk
One of the very best we have taken....We thoroughly enjoyed staying with local people who were extremely friendly and visiting wineries Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Mar 2020 by David Howe
An excellent trip with all the suggestions on things to do and where to go made by Susie De Carteret. The biggest problem was choosing between so many options. Her enthusiasm in the planning, and attention to detail in organising the trip made it a special holiday Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Mar 2020 by Bob Harrington
Loved it. Its a long journey from the UK and we did indulge ourselves but it was one of the best holidays we've had. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants that sort of immersive holiday where you feel you've become part of the place.. Read full reviewReviewed on 04 Mar 2020 by Sylvia Klerx
A nine (from 1 to 10)….Meeting and seeing all the Australian animals and plants and meeting local people. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Feb 2020 by Rex and Karen Berney
Enjoyed each and every place we visited in Tasmania; the people, the environments, the sights. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Jan 2020 by Viki Sinclair
Excellent, fantastic, extremely well organised 4 my needs as single, older woman traveller. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Jan 2020 by Barb Martin
We laughed, was in awe and loved every moment, we stayed in places we wouldn’t haven’t found or considered and we squeezed as much local knowledge out of our hosts as we could. Mind you they were generous with their sharing. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Jan 2020 by Ann Chatterton
So many wonderful memories but seeing the animals and birds were really special Read full reviewReviewed on 16 Jan 2020 by Caroline Jones
Simply wonderful. We cannot fault anything. We loved the wildlife, the wilderness and a brilliant array of accommodation and great hospitality Read full reviewReviewed on 22 Oct 2019 by Mateja Poljsak-Prijatelj
The most memorable part of the holiday was the contact with people, discussing about the land, nature. Read full reviewReviewed on 22 Sep 2019 by Noel Powell Oam
The most exciting part of the trip was visiting areas of Tasmania we had not visited before and taking the time to go see THE WALL simply amazing. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 May 2019 by Yixiu Ng
Meeting and chatting with the locals were the most memorable parts of our holiday. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Apr 2019 by Terri James
The most memorable parts of our travel in Tasmania included some of the remarkable people we met and learning about the work they are actively doing to preserve the land and native animals Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Mar 2019 by Ian Mackenzie
This was up there with our best holidays. Susie's attention to detail was first class and our holiday included all the features we wanted. Read full reviewReviewed on 04 Mar 2019 by Anne Wheaton
The most memorable part of the holiday was visiting Flinders Island... Fantastic! Read full reviewReviewed on 03 Mar 2019 by Yvonne Chapman
The walk up to Paddy’s lake from Mountain Valley Eco Retreats was the most memorable part of the holiday... We loved it! Great walks, interesting wildlife; a lovely part of Australia. Read full reviewReviewed on 28 Feb 2019 by Gillian Rubinstein
Every part of it was wonderful, but perhaps my favourite day was the boat trip to Maria Island. Mike and his team were so friendly and knowledgeable, and even picked us up and dropped us back at our West Hobart accommodation. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Feb 2019 by Derek Richards
We visited many of the parks which preserved the natural habitat and in particular got an appreciation of the unique Tasmanian forests... Brilliant. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Feb 2019 by Duncan Carling
A scenic hilight was our South West Wilderness day with a flight on a 10 seater plane, boat trip and special lunch on a beautiful beach within the national park. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Feb 2019 by Tony French
Exceeded our expectations in many ways. The information provided by our travel specialist, Susie, introduced us to many opportunities that were exceptional. It gave us the ability to be flexible and make decisions as we travelled. Read full reviewReviewed on 29 Jan 2019 by Janet Eidsness
Most memorable was meeting locals and learning their history firs thand, e.g, 7 generations of Archers at Brickendon estates. Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Jan 2019 by James Mckeown
The accommodation was excellent for location, friendliness and support. The notes that Susie supplied us with enabled us to see the most significant sites and we are most grateful for all that was organised for us. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Dec 2018 by Shawn Modar
6 out of 5 or 11 out of 10. It really could not have been better. We had high expectations and every day exceeded them. Read full reviewReviewed on 04 Dec 2018 by Carl Borg
The diversity, landscape, nature were the most memorable parts of the holiday Read full reviewReviewed on 06 Nov 2018 by Nancy Murphy
High quality quaint places to stay. Each better than the next in terms of location, welcoming hosts and amenities. We were pleased at each location by the room and meals served. Read full reviewReviewed on 03 Nov 2018 by Linda Matchullis
Our trip to Tasmania was exceptional...We saw local wildlife (platypus, wombats, Tasmanian devils) in their natural habitats, learned about the history of the island, and experienced the hospitality of the locals. Read full reviewReviewed on 01 Jun 2018 by Jim Howe
Simply excellent...The overwhelming beauty that Tasmania has to offer - pristine wilderness combined with outstanding food and wine - friendly and generous people. Read full reviewReviewed on 26 Apr 2018 by Mark Darling
Bruny Island and its wildlife was special as was Maria Island. The national parks also were always a delight. Hobart is also special. Outstanding - Ten out of ten and a gold star. Read full reviewReviewed on 07 Apr 2018 by Margaret Hungerford
We spent almost 4 weeks in Tasmania and had a wonderful time every day. Each area was different and we did so many varied activities that it is impossible to compare them. However, we loved the hiking that we did in every place we went despite the inclement weather. Read full reviewReviewed on 26 Mar 2018 by John Holloway
This was an amazing holiday of a lifetime, superbly organised by the tour operator with excellently chosen accommodation, locations and no-hassle car hire. Fine weather added to the delight but Tassie is friendly, bags to do and a haven for nature lovers, peace and quiet (with adventures if you're an adrenalin junkie!) Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Mar 2018 by Carol Koehli
Maria Island walking trip, Pumphouse Point, the wildlife, the Flinders Island experience at Rob and Lorraine’s Partridge Farm, Sean’s pork belly at Jackey’s Marsh Wilderness Retreat....the local food and wine throughout the trip was lovely. Read full reviewReviewed on 04 Mar 2018 by Tom Meakin
The Arthur River was the highlight. Stupendous. the best ever. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Feb 2018 by Phil Lloyd
Great food, wine and stunning scenery. Fabulous, would go back in a heartbeat! Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Feb 2018 by Reiner Decher
Every day was the same: exposure to fantastic flora, fauna, people, geology, architecture, weather... There were no let downs as we worked our way through an amazing itinerary. Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Feb 2018 by Laurie Reck
We loved everything about our Tasmania drive trip. We especially enjoyed the boat ride on the Tasman Coast. We had a perfect, clear day. We enjoyed all the animal life, national parks, people and the B&Bs. The entire trip met our expectations and we were very pleased. Read full reviewReviewed on 06 Feb 2018 by Bridie Brittain
We enjoyed it all, but Bruny Island was outstanding. Read full reviewReviewed on 22 Jan 2018 by Margaret Fawcett
Meeting other travellers and the wildlife was the most memorable. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Feb 2018 by Gaynor McGrath
Walking at lake St Claire was the highlight. A very good trip. Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Apr 2018 by Penny Bee
The most memorable moment was Wineglass Bay and Gordon River Cruises as we got to meet the locals. Read full reviewReviewed on 10 Dec 2017 by Don Elliott
It was all memorable and exciting: Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Harpers on the Beach B&B, Tasman Island Cruise, Port Arthur Historic Site, Freycinet Retreat, Devils in the Dark, Arthur River Cruise, Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village, Launceston B&B Retreat. Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Dec 2017 by Roger Beer
The entire trip was superb total immersion in wildlife contact amongst friendly inspiring people. Read full reviewReviewed on 29 Sep 2017 by John Finneran
Meeting our hosts and guides was the most memorable. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Sep 2017 by K Thiveanathan A Kolandasamy
The highlight was meeting local people, enjoying the local food and understanding the history of the location. Excellent trip. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Aug 2017 by Daniel Quek
Close encounters with wildlife and wonderful scenery. Accommodation was superb. Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Mar 2017 by Malcolm Davies
In one word ,variety. You never knew what was around the corner. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Apr 2017 by Ron Whiteside
Our trip was planned with the great advice and assistance of Susie de Carteret from the holiday provider... Each stop and tour had its own value and memories, all notable for a variety of reasons. Outstanding! Not a low point in 16 days. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Apr 2017 by Jim Bartlett
The total experience was great. Excellent. Great choice of accommodation and activities. Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Mar 2017 by Warwick Finch
Truly excellent. We are already thinking about how and when we'll be going back. Read full reviewReviewed on 22 Feb 2017 by Christine Macpherson
We had many unforgettable experiences, but probably the most memorable was the visit to Rosemary & Sean Norwood at Forest Walks Lodge. It was the combination of: what an 'eco' lodge can be, good food, and an excellent guided walk. Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Feb 2017 by Naomi Morris
We absolutely loved visiting Mountain Valley Wilderness Retreat and seeing the wildlife there and the nearby Leven Canyon was fabulous and delightfully uncrowded with walks and wonderful views. Flinders Island was a brilliant place to unwind at the start of our holiday and the Three Capes Track was the icing on the cake at the end with spectacular cliff scenery and paths and accommodation so well thought out. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Jan 2017 by Lindsay Davies
Memorable moments - can't decide between taking a rainforest walk at Jackeys Marsh, sitting on the deck of our lodge at Freycinet morning and evening or seeing the wombats on Maria Island... Excellent. A lovely range of stops around the East and Central areas of Tasmania. Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Apr 2017 by Ng Yin
The most memorable was the Cradle Mountain NP & Beauty Point Cottages. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Dec 2016 by Sue Jerez
The trip of a lifetime. We took a month to meander around, still didn't see everything of course, but covered an amazing amount of ground. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Oct 2016 by Lisa Cher
All the places I stayed at exceeded my expectations and I would recommend each and every one of them to future travellers! Well worth the money and priceless in the experiences it brought me. Read full reviewReviewed on 24 Nov 2016 by Peter and Patricia Hallinan
excellent....the whole experience was just great Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Feb 2016 by kathleen revell
We'll be back - can't speak more highly than that. Read full reviewReviewed on 26 Oct 2015 by Lim HunHo
The whole of Tasmania is just awesome; so every part of the travel is memorable. Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Dec 2014 by Sandra Mendenhall
It was a fantastic tour of the island, the memories from which we we will savour for the rest of our lives. Read full reviewResponsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
Several of the B&Bs on this itinerary are protected Land for Wildlife conservation areas and a number of them are part of the Tasmanian Land Conservancy scheme. The TLC is a non profit organisation that acquires and manages land in Tasmania, protecting important natural places. Many are within or on the edge of national parks. For example, one of the properties you will stay in is 61ha and has been owned by your hosts since 1979. They have built the accommodation themselves using all Tasmanian timbers. They joined National Parks and Wildlife's scheme 'Land for Wildlife' as a commitment to their desire to preserve the natural habitat for wildlife. In 2002 they signed an agreement with both Federal and State Governments and placed a Perpetual Conservation Covenancy on the property title under the 'Private Forest Reserve' programme to protect the vulnerable forest habitat of the wet forest type Eucalyptus Viminalis (White Gum) of which there are many old growth specimens, protection for the Karst system and threatened fauna species . Like many properties, the reserve is a release for rehabilitated wildlife.In 2005 they signed with the both houses of the Tasmanian State government to register the property as a Private Nature Reserve. Under both these schemes the property can never be logged and the habitat can never be degraded. They have management schemes in place for both the extensive karst systems and the forest habitat. The reserve is home to many of Tasmania's native wildlife including the Tasmanian Devil, the Spotted Tail Quoll both threatened species, brush tail and ring tail possums, Pademelon wallabies, endemic birds of Tasmania, bats, wombats and echidnas to name a few.
You are urged not to drive at dawn, dusk or at night when wildlife is likely to be on the roads and always to take extreme caution at all times. The operator makes a donation to the Tasmanian Land Conservancy every year.
People
The company is the only one in the world that has been established world to only inherently Tasmanian experiences and locally owned authentic family run Tasmanian bed and breakfast accommodation. Almost every accommodation has been, built using locally sourced labour and materials dating from the early 1800s through to present day. The wildlife tours recommended all use local staff, not only from Tasmania but from their regions within Tasmania. Many of your accommodation providers are wildlife carers and the wildlife sanctuaries you may visit during your tour are NOT zoos - all the animals are rescued as orphans or injured animals, brought back to health or raised until they are old enough to survive in the wild, rehabilitated and released if at all possible. Entrance fees to these sanctuaries goes towards the wellbeing of Tasmania's wildlife, such as Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary which runs the state's official wildlife rescue line, and many operators donate a high percentage of their profits to wildlife and conservation schemes. Car rental companies are all locally owned and run.Popular similar holidays
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