1. Arve Rd to Hartz Mountains National Park and Tahune Forest Reserve – 4WD – Easy

You may need a 4WD campervan rental in Hobart for this one, but it is classified as an easy drive and may be accessible in some 2WD vehicles. Heading out from Hobart, take a right from the Huon Highway at Geeveston. Head 13 kilometres west along Arve Road and you will reach the Hartz Road junction. Up Hartz Road, you will find a beautiful spot called Waratah Lookout, as well as a number of trails which you can take to explore the area on foot. Take a trek up Hartz Peak or drive further along Hartz Road to visit the Tahune Forest Reserve.

2. Tasman Peninsula – 4WD – Easy

This is another easy 4WD track which is also accessible to 2WD vehicles. Port Arthur is around an hour and a half away from Hobart, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Tasmania. Here you can explore Waterfall Bay, The Blowhole, Devils Kitchen, Tasman Arch, and other famous sites. Enjoy surfing? Don’t miss out on the Roaring Beach Conservation Area.

3. Wellington Park

If you are staying in Hobart, one park you absolutely cannot miss is Wellington. Wellington Park is only half an hour from downtown Hobart. It is open 24 hours a day and there are no entrance fees, so this is an amazing opportunity to relax and explore.

What can you do in the park? Go hiking or mountain biking, take a trip along the challenging Wellington Park Fire Trails 4WD track, or saddle up and go for a horseback ride. Plan a picnic, camp overnight, and experience some truly astonishing biodiversity. Thousands of species of birds, lizards, and mammals call Wellington Park their home, including eastern barred bandicoots, platypus, swamp rats, bats, and more.

4. Bruny Island

On Bruny Island, you can take an eco-cruise of the coast or you can venture inland on a bushwalk into South Bruny National Park. On this amazing island you will discover fairy penguins, fur seals, and white wallaby, making this is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. Want to take a drive? There is an easy 4WD track to a gorgeous campsite by the beach. While you are at it, visit the Cape Bruny Lighthouse and visit town to sample local wine and cheese.

As you can see, Hobart has a lot to offer not just in the city proper, but also in the surrounding area. Hobart is your gateway to some of the finest parks in Tasmania, so take advantage!

With a campervan, you can drive a couple hours, park for the night at a secluded campground, and escape from the crowds of the city. There is no better way to immerse yourself in the magnificence of Tasmania’s beaches, sand dunes, and craggy cliffs.

Need help planning your itinerary? Here are 4 incredible coastal parks to visit in your campervan while you are staying in Hobart.

1. Fortescue Bay

Do you dream of pristine white sands, beautiful forested hills, and a sheltered beach where you can relax, kayak, swim, or dive? It takes just under two hours to drive from downtown Hobart to Fortescue Bay. The Fortescue Bay Camping Ground operated by the park service is for tent camping, but you will find a number of caravan parks nearby where you can park your RV or campervan for the night.

2. Tasman National Park

If you’re looking for a more rugged coastal park, simply continue down the road from Fortescue Bay until you reach the famous Tasman National Park. The soaring sea cliffs here are world-class, and numerous intriguing rock formations dot the coast. For those in search of a multi-day hiking experience, the brand-new Three Capes Track takes you through 46 kilometres of remote bushland alongside the Tasman Sea.

3. Lime Bay State Reserve

It takes about two hours to drive from downtown Hobart to Lime Bay State Reserve. This is a grassy camping spot near a historic mining site. Eucalypts provide a shady spot to relax and enjoy a picnic. For water activities, head to Lime Bay or Lagoon Beach. Lime Bay is right there by the campsite, while Lagoon Beach is a leisurely 40 minute hike away through picturesque countryside.

4. Freycinet National Park

It is several hours’ drive to Freycinet National Park from Hobart, so you will definitely want to plan this as an overnight trip. It is well worth staying at least a couple of days here so that you can go on some of the longer hikes, including a half-day sojourn to Wineglass Bay, one of the most photographed spots on the Australian coast. Here, pink granite peaks rise above an elegantly curved white sand beach hugging jewel-like waters. Also drop by Moulting Lagoon, where you can watch black swans, white-bellied sea eagles and other water fowl and migratory bird species.

Just one of these coastal parks outside of Hobart could easily provide you with a week of activities—or more! So find a campervan rental and plan to spend at least a few days exploring Tasmania’s coastlines. Once you do, you will understand why so many vacationers end up coming back to Tasmania year after year!