Brake now for devils

Australia, they say, is a country best enjoyed from behind the wheel. 

Its seemingly endless coastline and  breathtaking scenery are strong reasons for any tourist to venture on a road trip.

Yet, our first road trip in Australia took us off the mainland, to Tasmania.

Located 240 kilometres off Australia’s southern shores, Tasmania is a perfect destination for tours on four wheels. 

Around 45 per cent of the island state comprises reserves, national parks or World Heritage sites to entice the adventurous to motor forth into the wilderness.

First-timers needn’t worry, as Tasmania’s 50 holiday parks offer great facilities for your convenience. And its quiet roads are also a blessing. You can indulge in stunning landscapes without traffic hassles.

Our rented campervan comes with beds, kitchen and toilet. A vehicle during the day, at night it turns into a house, sparing you the need to book hotel rooms. 

We start from Hobart and motor north to the island’s second largest city, Launceston, then head west to Cradle Mountain National Park, home of the famous Tasmanian Devil, before returning to Hobart. We covered the 881 kilometres in five days.

We quickly discover that this mode of travel is not necessarily cheap – especially with a toddler on board. 

Tasmania reminds you of picturesque hills in Switzerland. Endless greenery with small hills scattered here and there pamper our eyes along the road. Between destinations, we make some memorable stops, including Oatlands, about 84 kilometres north of Hobart. The main road of this small historic village is lined with beautiful old colonial houses made of sandstone.

It’s a four-hour drive from Hobart to Launceston, where we start with the dramatic Gorge Cataract before venturing to the city centre for the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.

Our next destination is Cradle Mountain and the famous Dove Lake, where we are greeted by wallabies, kangaroos and wombats. Back in Hobart, we spend hours trawling contemporary treasures in the Museum of New and Old Art.  

We pay between $30 and $40 (Bt980-Bt1,400) a night for sites with electricity, choosing scenic holiday parks like Seven Mile Beach. 

Visit goseeaustralia.com.au or drivenow.com.au to compare rates and choose a van that suits you.