A Taycan driver’s guide to Tasmania 

Tasmania should be renamed Magnetic Island. Despite 250 kilometres of water separating Australia’s southern-most state from the mainland, this natural nirvana attracted more than 1.3 million visitors last year, more than twice its population. 

There are good reasons why so many people make this trip across Bass Strait. Tasmania is dense with everything people love. Nature, adventure, history, food and wine; you won’t just find them here, you will likely find the best of them. And for sportscar lovers in search of Australia’s best driving roads, you will find these here, too.

All of this explains why Porsche Cars Australia chose Tasmania for its Taycan Performance Drive media programme last year. The first all-electric Porsche sportscar is the ideal road-tripper for exploring this island state. It’s a memorable drive every Porsche Taycan owner can enjoy, so here are the essentials.

Getting there

Book a trip on the Spirit of Tasmania car ferry if you’re driving from mainland Australia. The ship departs daily from Geelong, just outside Melbourne, and docks in Devonport at the top of Tasmania.

From here, take the A5 and head south for the three-hour drive to Hobart. After a quick break in the city (try Pilgrim Coffee on Liverpool Street), hit National Highway 1 and then take Lyell Highway for a 40-minute trip to The Agrarian Kitchen in stunning New Norfolk. This award-winning restaurant is in the heart of rural Tasmania. Their menu is seasonal and showcases the best local produce. Make sure you visit their enormous kitchen garden. Food lovers should check out their cooking classes. 

Charging up

After lunch, head north-east towards Swansea to Piermont Retreat for an overnight stay. The drive is around two hours via the Tasman Highway, but taking Lake Leake Highway adds around 30 minutes and a great mix of made-for-Porsche twisting roads. 

When you arrive, soak up the tranquillity of Wineglass Bay, one of Tasmania’s most spectacular natural creations. While you recharge after the day’s driving, do the same with your Taycan at the on-site Porsche Destination Charging station. 

A quick tip when booking your room at Piermont Retreat: if you love modern style, choose the Pampa Costa residence. If you prefer traditional architecture, then the Waterfront Studio stone cottage is ideal. 

Piermont’s Homestead Restaurant is perfect for dinner. Its style mixes vibrant Mediterranean dining culture with Tasmania’s rich local ingredients. The seasonal menu offers an array of memorable cuisine.

If you’re staying for more than a day, drive clockwise around the top of Wineglass Bay to Freycinet Marine Farm. Their water tours are a fascinating look into oyster farming. Make sure you sample their work over lunch. 

Enjoying the return drive

When it’s time to head home from Swansea, drive south-west along the coast to Granton. The Targa Tasmania roads are a Porsche driver’s delight. After a couple of sightseeing breaks along the way, stop for lunch at The Shed Restaurant within Derwent Estate. Head Chef Karen Jones is the designer of its famed culinary journey, which showcases the best of Tasmania’s local produce.

Before heading north to Devonport and the return sail to Melbourne, consider visiting some of Tasmania’s other famed locales. Take a glimpse into history at towns such as Richmond and Ross; and east-coast destinations such as Bicheno offer the kind of sparkling ocean beaches and coastal scenery only found in movies.

And remember: you don’t need to own a Porsche Taycan to enjoy this adventure. You can rent a Porsche Taycan online with Porsche Drive, the popular sportscar rental service. Secure the use of a Taycan or any other available Porsche model for up to 28 days at drive.porsche.com.au, or contact your local Porsche Centre.