Tasmania with Kids in Tow: A 14-Day Caravan Adventure for Brave Aussie Families

Let’s be honest: the idea of bundling the kids, the caravan, and a week’s worth of baby wipes into the Prado and setting off around Tasmania sounds either idyllic or completely mad—depending on how much sleep you got last night. But here’s the thing: Tassie is built for family adventures. It’s compact, wildly beautiful, full of wildlife (both in nature and on café menus), and jam-packed with things for kids to poke, pat, and squeal about.

So, if your crew has a taste for the open road, a tolerance for dirt in weird places, and a love of toasted marshmallows, read on. This is the Tasmanian caravan loop your little legends will never forget.

Starting Strong in Hobart: Markets, Mountains & MONA-ish Moments

You’ll roll off the Spirit of Tasmania ferry (or out of Hobart Airport if you hired a rig locally), and within an hour, you’re parked up at Discovery Parks – Hobart, where the kids can tear around safely while you reconnect with your sanity over a cuppa.

Hobart is magic with kids. Start with the Salamanca Market—Saturdays only. There’s music, hot donuts, soap that smells like fairy bread, and enough handmade stuff to fill every empty nook in the caravan (sorry, not sorry).

Next, zoom up kunanyi/Mt Wellington (drive, don’t hike—this is a holiday, not a boot camp). The view makes even the grumpiest toddler fall silent for five seconds, which is about all you’ll need to snap a Christmas card photo.

Now, MONA. Yes, that MONA. Don’t worry—it’s surprisingly kid-friendly. There’s a bit of weirdness, but also buttons to press, tunnels to crawl through, and a café that sells the world’s fanciest hot chocolate.

For dinner? Try Fish Frenzy down by the harbour. Huge portions, kids’ meals that arrive fast, and you can eat outside so no one minds if someone throws a chip at a seagull.

East Coast Escapades: Bicheno & the Best Blowhole Since Bath Time

Next stop: Bicheno, about 2.5 hours up the coast. It’s scenic enough to distract the back seat crowd and, once there, Bicheno East Coast Holiday Park is a total winner—close to everything and the playground is right next to your van. Genius.

The Bicheno Blowhole is a natural crowd-pleaser. Water shoots sky-high, kids squeal, parents pretend not to jump every time. Win-win.

Then there’s the evening penguin tour. Trust us, this is one of those core memories—tiny fairy penguins waddling past your feet under moonlight. Just remember: no flash photography, and don’t try to take one home.

Lunch is casual at The Farm Shed Café—toasties, treats, and excellent coffee for mum and dad. For dinner, grab fresh fish and chips from The Lobster Shack and eat it on the beach. Keep the wipes handy.

Launceston: Wombats, Waterfalls & Wallabies (oh my!)

After a few beachy days, it’s inland to Launceston, where Big4 Launceston Holiday Park puts you near all the action and gives the kids space to scooter without terrorising strangers.

Top of the to-do list is Cataract Gorge. There’s a chairlift (the longest single-span one in the world, so your kids will absolutely remind everyone they meet), a suspension bridge, and wallabies hopping around like they own the place.

Take a short drive to Tamar Island Wetlands for boardwalks, birdlife, and a chance to teach the kids what a platypus looks like before they declare it “too weird” and go back to drawing dinosaurs.

Hungry? Stop by Stillwater Café for breakfast or brunch. Yes, it’s a bit posh, but they do a mean pancakes-and-bacon combo, and they will make babycinos with marshmallows. For dinner, Burger Junkie has messy meals for messy people and outdoor seating. You’ll fit right in.

Cradle Mountain: Nature, Naps & Numb Fingers

Brace yourself—it’s time for the wilderness. Head west to Discovery Parks – Cradle Mountain, where possums are bold and the air is brisk (even in summer). Pack beanies, gloves, and thermals. And marshmallows.

The Enchanted Walk lives up to the name—an easy, flat loop through mossy forest with wombat spotting if you’re lucky (and quiet, which your kids will try to be for about 2 minutes). Older kids will love the Dove Lake Circuit—pack snacks, and allow time for snowball fights, even if there’s no snow.

There’s not a lot of eating out up here, but the Cradle Mountain Tavern does hearty pub-style meals and has a fireplace, which your kids will stare at while you inhale a bowl of something warm and cheesy.

Stanley: The Nut, The Beach & A Bit of History (Sort Of)

Then it’s over to the northwest coast to the postcard-perfect town of Stanley. The Stanley Cabin & Tourist Park is right on the beach, and you can see the massive rock formation known as The Nut from your van window. Kids love the name. You will get sick of the jokes.

Take the chairlift up The Nut (again, don’t walk—no medals for exhaustion), and the view will knock everyone’s socks off, which is fine because they’re already full of sand from the beach.

The town is walkable, the playground is central, and there’s a little lolly shop where you can bribe good behaviour with red frogs.

The Stanley Hotel is the go-to for dinner—great kids’ menu, relaxed vibe, and grown-up food that doesn’t come with plastic forks.

Down the Wild West Coast: Strahan & the Sand Dunes of Doom

If you’re game, drive south to Strahan, a rugged gem on the west coast. Stay at Strahan Beach Tourist Park, where kids can dig in the sand until they hit China or wear themselves out trying.

The West Coast Wilderness Railway is a hit—old-school steam trains, rainforest scenery, and a halfway stop for hot chocolate and cookies. Yes, it’s long. Yes, the kids might get twitchy. But it’s worth it.

If your kids have energy to burn, head to the Henty Dunes. These are massive sand dunes you can climb and roll down. Bring a boogie board for extra speed—or just watch them from the bottom and pretend your knees hurt.

Final Nights in the Huon Valley: Apples, Airwalks & A Quiet Cheers

To finish off your Tasmanian family tour, glide back down to the Huon Valley Caravan Park near Grove, just south of Hobart. This is your chill-out zone—farm animals to pat, riverside walks, and peaceful views.

Take the crew to the Tahune Airwalk—yes, it’s up high, but it’s very safe, and you’ll feel like a koala in the treetops. There’s a swinging bridge that gives just the right amount of bounce for a kid’s belly laugh.

Your last meal? Head to Willie Smith’s Apple Shed. The food is top-notch and the cider is even better (non-alcoholic versions available for little ones and the designated driver, of course).

Wrap-Up: Tassie Memories & Marshmallow-Stained Hoodies

By the end of your 14-day lap of Tasmania, your kids will be part wombat, part weather reporter, and totally tuckered out. Your van will be full of sand, shells, souvenir tea towels, and enough family memories to last until the next school holidays.

And you? You’ll have seen a part of Australia that’s wild, warm, and made for families on the move—one scenic drive, dodgy campfire meal, and noisy caravan night at a time.

Tasmania with kids? Totally worth it. Even if you do need another holiday afterwards.