The ultimate guide to driving from Hobart to Launceston

From convict-built bridges to bakeries brimming with scallop pies, let this glovebox guide take you on a journey from Hobart to Launceston.

The drive from Hobart to Launceston could mean two and a half hours of straightforward, no-nonsense driving via the Midland Highway, also known as Heritage Highway. Or it could be the highlight of your Tasmanian trip: stopping at bucolic villages; grazing on a cheese platter beside a duck-filled lake; and sipping the best golden whiskey you’ve ever had.

Whether you’re stopping along the way at one of the many boutique accommodations or simply want to break up your driving by expanding the trip by a few hours, we’ve compiled the ultimate glovebox guide to help you along your travels.

Hobart

Kick off your road trip in photogenic Hobart, where the blend of history and delicious food and wine sets the tone for a delightful journey. Aim to visit Tassie’s capital on a Saturday so you can explore the local arts and craft stalls at Salamanca Market and snack on a dizzying array of street food.

Explore the local arts and crafts stalls at Salamanca Market. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Art lovers should squirrel away some time for jumping on the ferry and travelling out to MONA art museum, where you can easily spend the entire day exploring art, eating cheese and drinking beer.

Step into the artsy world of MONA. (Image: Mona and Rémi Chauvin)

For an adrenaline rush and stunning views, dart up to Mt Wellington/Kunanyi for some astonishing panoramic views from the summit. If you have more time, consider a day trip to Bruny Island or Port Arthur, or take a drive through the pretty-as-a-picture Huon Valley. Even if you can’t squeeze everything in, there are plenty of interesting spots to discover on your way to Launceston.

Willie Smith’s Apple Shed is nestled in the bountiful Huon Valley. (Image: Stu Gibson)

Stop 1: Richmond

Just half an hour north of Hobart is Richmond, a town straight out of a postcard with its historic vibe and charming streets.

Walk along the heritage listed Richmond Bridge. (Image: Alastair Bett)

Highlights here include the 200-year-old Richmond Bridge and the country’s oldest surviving Catholic Church: St John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

St John the Evangelist Catholic Church is the country’s oldest surviving Catholic Church. (Image: Alastair Bett)

Continue to step back in time at the Richmond Gaol, where you can learn about Tasmania’s convict past. Hungry? Grab a snack at the Richmond Bakery (the scallop pies are legendary) and a lavender ice cream or bag of old-fashioned lollies at Sweets and Treats. Walk off the sugar rush at the quirky Pooseum, a science museum dedicated to animal droppings, and Old Hobart Town, a model village replicating Hobart as it stood in the 1820s.

Richmond Gaol brings to life the compelling stories of 19th-century convicts. (Image: Samuel Shelley)

Stop 2: Oatlands

Cruise another 45 minutes along the Heritage Highway to Oatlands, with its mind-blowing 150 sandstone buildings and the only working windmill in the Southern Hemisphere, Callington Mill.

Wander around the sandstone buildings. (Image: Samuel Shelley)

The Callington Mill Distillery is right next to it, so pop in for a whisky tasting or lunch at the restaurant while you’re at it.

Pop in for a whisky tasting at Callington Mill Distillery. (Image: Dearna Bond)

If there’s still time, wander around idyllic Lake Dulverton, with its half-submerged sculptures of cows, or chill out with an excellent coffee at Bunch.

Black swans float on Lake Dulverton. (Image: Alastair Bett)

Stop 3: Ross

The pretty town of Ross, just a 30-minute scoot along the highway from Oatlands, is all about history and charm. Take your binoculars to check out the Ross Bridge, famous for its intricate carvings by convict and former stonemason Daniel Herbert.

The Ross Bridge is embellished with intricate carvings by convict and former stonemason Daniel Herbert. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The mindboggling 186 detailed carvings depict animals, plants, local personalities and even Herbert himself. Ross also serves up another fascinating piece of history to visitors: the Ross Female Factory – the country’s most well-preserved female convict sites.

The carvings depict animals, plants, and local personalities. (Image: Tourism Tasmania & Kathryn Leahy)

Another intriguing spot to check out is the crossroads in the middle of town, dubbed the Four Corners of Ross. Here, you can choose your path: will it be salvation at the Catholic Church, damnation at the old gaol, re-creation at the Town Hall or temptation at the Ross Hotel? If you opt for the pub, you’ll find delicious Tassie beers on tap and dishes with the freshest Tassie ingredients. If you’re a knitter or wool lover, swing by the Tasmanian Wool Centre where you can learn about the town’s wool industry and grab yourself a super-soft merino poncho.

Stop 4: Campbell Town

One and a half hours up the track from Hobart, Campbell Town is more than just a pit stop; it’s a treasure trove of history and stories. Walk the Convict Brick Trail, where each brick tells a story of a convict’s journey to Australia and then peruse the aptly named Red Bridge, crafted by convict engineer James Blackburn.

Peruse the aptly named Red Bridge. (Image: Alastair Bett)

Built from 1.5 million red-clay bricks right on site, this historic bridge still stands strong. After soaking up some history, grab a book and a coffee at The Book Cellar, a gorgeous bookshop located in the convict cellars under an 1830s-era coaching inn.

Grab a book and a coffee at The Book Cellar. (Image: Chris Crerar)

Stop 5: Longford

If you veer off the Midland Highway at Campbell Town and take Mount Joy Road, you’ll find yourself in the delightful little town of Longford. Here you’ll find two stunning colonial estates very much worth exploring: Woolmer’s Estate and Brickendon, which are listed as World Heritage Sites. Walking in their beautiful gardens and convict-built historic buildings is like stepping into a Jane Austen novel. If you want to stay longer, both properties boast gorgeous accommodation, which will allow you more time to indulge in Longford’s antique shops and hearty pub food.

Stop 6: Perth

A pretty little village, Perth has over 33 heritage buildings that are incredibly well preserved. Start with a stroll down Main Road to admire the charming buildings and impressive Georgian houses. Peckish? Pop into the Tasmanian Honey Company to sample the divine leatherwood honey and Southern Sky Cheese Company, where you’ll find some of Tasmania’s best handcrafted cheeses.

Sample the divine leatherwood honey at Tasmanian Honey Company. (Image: Tourism Tasmania & Nick Osborne)

Stop 7: Launceston

Hooray, you’ve made it to Launceston – Tassie’s second-largest city and a mix of natural beauty, fascinating museums and a pumping food scene, with gourmet restaurants serving local truffles, cheese, and wild abalone.

Holm Oak specialises in pinot noir, riesling, chardonnay and moscato wines. (Image: Adam Gibson)

Wine lovers will be overjoyed to discover the 30 or so vineyards in the Tamar Valley, just 15 minutes outside of Launceston.

Tour Josef Chromy Wines. (Image: Osborne Images)

Must-visit vineyards include Josef Chromy, Arras, Tamar Ridge, Holm Oak and Clover Hill to name just a few. But if pubs are more your style, check out our guide to the best ones in the area.

Admire the sprawling vineyards of Clover Hill. (Image: Supplied Courtesy of Clover Hill Wines)

Art lovers will be equally pleased with Launceston’s generous offering of design centres, fine art galleries and museums to explore, while folks who like the great outdoors could spend a whole day at the Cataract Gorge, a sublime natural wonder with walking trails, a chairlift, a swimming pool and bevvy of stunning Indian Peafowl (what most would call peacocks).

The Cataract Gorge is a sublime natural wonder. (Image: Krista Eppelstun)

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Follow our guide on the best things to do in Launceston.