Any road trip through Tasmania is memorable. Trying to fit all of the state’s famous sites into a few days might be tempting, but Tasmania’s charm is best experienced wandering slowly through small historic villages, driving undulating roads past farms and sparkling coastline, stopping at roadside stalls, and staying in one-of-a-kind accommodation. Our tip: pick a section and do it well, like this easy three-day road trip between Launceston in the north and Freycinet in the east.

Day one

Make sure to sort out your car rental before you take off. If you’re a Qantas Frequent Flyer member, you can add your info to your Avis booking and earn four Qantas points for every dollar you spend; you can also use points to book your rental. Avis is located on site at Launceston Airport – just walk left when you exit the Passenger Terminal and you’ll be in your car and on your way in no time. From there, it’s a 15-minute drive to the city. Though often overlooked compared to Hobart, Launceston is a good starting point with its old-world charm and growing reputation for topnotch dining.

Take in the urban oasis of Cataract Gorge

Buildings and roads fade away into the forested slopes of Cataract Gorge Reserve, right on the edge of Launceston’s CBD. This ancient, naturally formed gorge has a deep waterhole for swimming and is an excellent place to picnic. Explore the gardens on the north side of the gorge, where you might spot a roaming peacock or pademelon. Or take a longer walking track toward the overhanging Alexandra Suspension Bridge to view the South Esk River from above.

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Dine at Stillwater Restaurant

Save your appetite for lunch at Stillwater, one of Launceston’s top restaurants. It’s inside an 1830s flour mill right by the Tamar River. Its produce-driven menu highlights the flavours of Tasmania: beef and drinking water come from the north-west’s Cape Grim, fresh oysters from the Tarkine, and octopus from the northern town of Stanley. For larger lunch plates try fish’n’chips battered with Boag’s beer (another Tasmanian product) or a tender lamb rump served with confit artichoke hearts, beans, tomato sofrito and caramelised yoghurt.

Stay in a farm cottage at Brickendon Estate

Staying in a quaint historic cottage on the grassy grounds of one of Tasmania’s oldest farming properties. Settled in 1824 in Longford, Brickendon Estate is a World Heritage-listed convict village, along with nearby Woolmers Estate. The restored Old Farm Cottage (built circa 1828) accommodates up to five people and has a fully equipped kitchen and a cosy indoor fireplace. It's just 15-minutes from Launceston, so it’s an easy stopover in a beautiful countryside setting. Overnight guests get free entry to the site’s attractions, like heritage gardens, a gothic church, historic stables and meeting the farm animals.

Day two

Follow the Tasmanian highway past rolling farmland and quiet rural towns toward the coast. It’s a good idea to rent an SUV or a 4WD – the roads in Tassie are mostly excellent, but there are a few old gravelly highways and backroads where a little extra horsepower could come in handy. And the higher up from the ground you are, the more beautiful scenery you’ll be able to take in during your drive. About two hours into the journey, stop over in fishing and holiday town Bicheno. Here, large granite rocks with vibrant orange lichen decorate the coastline, which has a number of glorious beaches to roam and take a dip.

Grab pastries at Little Bay Collective

Before checking out Bicheno’s foreshore, stop by Little Bay Patisserie on Burgess Street for coffee and a morning snack. This pastry shop and retail store sells flaky, buttery croissants, pain aux raisins and danishes, plus a range of cakes. Grab a seat at one of the cafe’s rustic tables or wander down to the Whalers Lookout Scenic Reserve one street over for an even better outlook.

Eat fresh oysters and mussels at Freycinet Marine Farm

Savour the spectacular drive south, passing the pristine turquoise waters of Friendly Beaches on the way to Freycinet. On the peninsula you’ll find Freycinet Marine Farm. Dine at the deck restaurant to sample blue mussels indigenous to the area, as well as other Tasmanian catches like scallops and salmon. You can wade into the Great Oyster Bay and harvest fresh oysters right from the rack yourself with a tour from Oyster Bay Tours, or take away a picnic pack of fresh seafood.

Explore Freycinet National Park

Teeming with birds and wildlife, Freycinet National Park is home to secluded coves, scrubby forests and large granite mountains. Watching the sunrise glow over the perfectly curved Wineglass Bay is an almost unparalleled experience. You’ll want to beat the crowds and take in the vast, ultra-white sandy beach in peace, mountains cradling the bay around you. Alternatively, the rocky climb up Mount Amos rewards seasoned hikers with an all-encompassing view of the park, or you can experience it all waterside via snorkeling, kayaking or fishing.

Sleep in luxury at Freycinet Lodge

Once you enter the national park you probably won’t want to leave. The eco-friendly Freycinet Lodge is right on the rugged coast of the park and has epic waterfront views over Great Oyster Bay and a private jetty. Indulge with a stay in a premier king-size cabin and take a bath overlooking your water or forest view. Or if you have more time, book two nights in one of the sleek timber-lined coastal pavilions. There’s a bistro on site for casual meals, or go gourmet at the more elevated Bay Restaurant.

Day Three

Eat breakfast at Granite Bakery

Before commencing your 2.5-hour drive back to Launceston, stop in Coles Bay village for a final coastal stroll. Granite Bakery on the Esplanade is a casual all-day operation serving good coffee, a range of freshly baked treats and pies, sandwiches, and sunny outdoor seating. By night it becomes a pizza diner and bar. Grab one of Tasmania’s famous scallop pies before hitting the road.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Avis Australia. You must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to earn and use Qantas Points with Avis. Four Qantas Points will be earned per dollar spent on time and kilometre charges (the daily base rate) within Australia, excluding GST. A minimum of 2,000 Qantas Points is required when using Points Plus Pay - Cars. Vehicle hire is subject to the Avis Rental Agreement Terms and Conditions. For further details visit qantas.com/cars or contact Avis.