The Tassie Homeschool Convoy

Tasmania has some of the most amazing landscapes in the world, but the remoteness is intimidating and road-tripping alone isn’t much fun for kids. So let’s go together!

We’re taking a convoy of families on an epic trip that includes ancient rainforests, stunning beaches and unique animals. It’s the perfect setting for kids to make new friends and parents to relax. You can even choose to have us set up camp for you.

We take the fear and stress out of travel, so you can concentrate on making amazing memories with your kids.

  • We are running this convoy from 1-21 November, 2024.

  • We’re heading to some really amazing places!

    We’ll check out former penal colonies, learn about the area’s indigenous history and visit the incredibly beautiful Bay of Fires, with its iconic orange rocks.

    We’ll visit the second-largest expanse of cool temperate rainforest in the world and and see a 400-year-old tree that’s a mind-blowing 17 meters in diameter.

    Plus we’ll camp next to a colony of penguins, see massive waterfalls, ancient caves and thermal springs.

    There’s so much to see and do!

  • Our trips are designed specifically for families.

    Kids get to enjoy amazing adventures on their own level, with a group of new friends. Adults get to take a break from entertaining the kids and enjoy the kind of relaxing holiday that just isn’t possible on solo family trips.

    The trips are led by a friendly and helpful coordinator, who is equipped with essentials like a satellite phone.

    There are a couple of accommodation options to choose from - you can bring your own tent/caravan/camper or you can hire a camping kit from us.

    If you hire a camping kit, we set it up at each stop, pull it down when it’s time to go and transport it between campsites.

    You can read all about our camping kits below.

  • The price includes accommodation for 20 nights.

    Our trip coordinator will accompany you throughout the journey. They will suggest activities, help everyone get to know each other and travel at the back of the convoy to make sure you arrive safely at each camp.

    Our support vehicle will carry essential items like a first aid kit, spare water and fuel, a satellite phone, repair kits and tools.

    We will also set up a private group chat for people who are going on the trip, so everyone can get to know each other before it starts and share photos along the way.

    You will need to drive yourself between the camp sites. Transport is not available.

  • If you have kids in your life and you’re keen to make amazing memories and show them the world - this is for you. Most of the people who join our trips are homeschoolers, but families with school kids are very welcome too.

    Kids have more fun when they travel together and parents get to relax instead of entertaining them.

    Our trips are not the usual group tours. Everything is built around giving kids an opportunity to make friends, have amazing educational experiences and travel at their own pace. You’ll have all the support you need and your kids will have friends to keep them engaged, so you won’t need to worry about entertaining them and can have a more relaxing, less stressful travel experience.

    The day-to-day experience of our trips is also very different. We set up a private group chat to talk about options and get to know each other before we go. It’s also a great place to suggest activities while we’re on the trip and it’s perfect for a quick shout out to the group if you’re heading out to the market and want some company.

  • As with all of our trips, you’re welcome to join in as much or as little as you like. You can keep to yourself or hang out with the group around the campfire. It’s totally up to you. Everything is very flexible.


    We just want everyone to have an amazing holiday, feel comfortable and have a memorable adventure, safe in the knowledge that they’re not alone if they need support.

How much does it cost?

The cost varies according to the type of accommodation you choose. You can secure your spot for just $200 per person. The balance is due on 1 June 2024.

We are all staying at the same camp sites, but there are three levels of accommodation to choose from. All of the options have power, showers and toilets.

  • The budget option includes accommodation at powered camp sites for 20 nights.

    This is the perfect choice if you’re looking to save some money and you have a caravan, tent, swag, van or camper trailer that you are happy to set up yourself at each camp site.

    The price for this option is $650 for kids and $750 for adults. Kids aged 4 and under are free.

    You only need to pay a deposit of $200 per person now, with the balance due on 1 June 2024.

  • The mid-range option includes accommodation at powered camp sites for 20 nights, hire of a camping kit and our full set-up service.

    The camping kit includes a tent, air mattresses, camping stove, cooking kit, folding table, folding chairs, extension cord, power board and a camping fridge.

    This option also includes a concierge service, so we will set the tent up for you at every camp site, and pull it down when it’s time to leave. We will also transport your whole camping kit from one camp site to the next.

    Choose this option if you don’t want the hassle of setting up your camp site every time we move, if you don’t want to transport a lot of equipment between camp sites, or if you’re flying to Tasmania and renting a car, so you won’t have camping gear with you.

    The price for this option is $650 for kids and $750 for adults, plus a fee of $569 per family for the camping kit and concierge service. Kids aged 4 and under are free.

    You only need to pay a deposit of $250 per person now, with the balance due on 1 June 2024.

  • The high-end option includes cabins throughout the trip.

    The cabins have private bathrooms and kitchens and linen is provided.

    The price for this option is $1979 per person.

    You only need to pay a deposit of $300 per person now, with the balance due on 1 June 2024.

Here’s what we have planned:

Devonport

We’ll spend the first two nights of the trip in a small town 15 minutes from Devonport. The camp site is right on the beach and is home to a colony of penguins who return to their burrows at dusk every day.

There’s lots to do in Devonport, but our main goal will be helping the kids get to know each other. They usually bond super quickly on our trips and you’ll be amazed at how keen they are to take on all kinds of adventures with their new friends.

Stanley

On day three we’ll drive about 90 minutes to the pretty little town of Stanley, where we’ll spend the next two nights.

There are two incredible day trips within a short drive of Stanley - Dip Falls and The Big Tree.

Dip Falls is an amazing two-tiered waterfall and the Big Tree is a very special 400-year-old gum. It’s almost 17 meters in diameter and 65 meters tall. That’s about the same height as a 20-story building!

Trowutta Archway & The Tarkine

On day five we’ll hed to The Tarkine, via Trowutta.

The Tarkine is the second largest expanse of cool temperature rainforest in the world. It’s very remote and insanely beautiful.

There’s lots for your kids to do - you can take them on a river cruise, go for a 4WD tour through the rainforest, or ride a chairlift.

Strahan

On day seven we’ll drive about 90 minutes to Strahan, which is surrounded by huge forests and beautiful secluded beaches.

You can see penguins, visit the former penal colony of Sarah Island and even do a ghost tour.

There are amazing river cruises, waterfalls and a historic tourist railway but the real standout for the kids will be tobogganing or boarding down sand dunes!

Nelsons Falls & Hobart

On day nine we’ll head to the Franklin-Gordon Rivers National Park and on to our next campsite, at Hobart.

There’s lots to do in and around Hobart. The Hastings Caves and thermal springs are nearby or you can go for a cruise on the Derwent River.

You can even have close up encounters with Tasmanian devils, echidnas, wombats and tawny frogmouths at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

Bruny Island

On day 11 we’ll say goodbye to Hobart and drive a couple of hours south to Bruny Island.

We’ll camp on the island for two nights, so you’ll have plenty of time to watch the sun set over The Neck and see the penguins return to their burrows.

You can also check out the amazing sea caves, visit the miniature animal farm, hire a pedal car, or look for the island’s famous white wallabies!

Port Arthur

On day 13 we’ll drive about three hours to Port Arthur.

There is lots to do at the historic site, including a ghost tour or trip out to the Isle of the Dead, where more than 1000 convicts were buried.

There are amazing sandstone caves and tunnels on the beaches and some great snorkelling in Fortescue Bay. You might even see a dolphin or whale!

Bay of Fires

On day 15 we’ll drive about four hours up to the incredibly beautiful Bay of Fires.

We’ll chill on the white sands at Binalong Bay, which is considered to be one of the best beaches in Australia. You might even see a pod of dolphins swim past! If you head over to Ansons Bay, you can go kayaking or fish for crays and abalone off the beach (but don’t forget to grab a fishing licence!).

Launceston

On day 17 we’ll drive 2.5 hours to Launceston, near the beautiful Tamar Valley.

You can take the kids ziplining, tackle the ropes course or let them ride a Segway.

You can pan for gold, fossick for gemstones or take a cultural tour of Cataract Gorge, where you can sample bush tucker and learn about the area’s indigenous history.

Cradle Mountain

On day 19 we’ll drive a couple of hours west to Cradle Mountain, where we’ll spend the last two nights of our convoy.

The area is famous for it’s natural beauty and there are some very special things to keep the kids interested.

You can take a horse riding tour or fly over the area in a helicopter, but definitely don’t miss the opportunity to pat a Tasmanian devil joey!

Devonport

We’ll start the journey home on the morning of day 21.

We’ll exchanging emails, usernames and phone numbers so the kids can keep in touch with all their new friends and promise to share lots of photos on the private Facebook group.

FAQs

  • No your normal, everyday car will be fine. We’re not going off road and most of the trip is on the highway.

  • Most of the campsites have internet and we will be taking a Starlink satellite dish to make sure that everyone can stay online when we are parked.

  • There is mobile phone coverage for most of the trip, but it is patchy in some places and non-existent in others.

    We will have a satellite phone, just in case a car breaks down or anyone needs assistance. We’ll also have an extensive first-aid kit and recovery gear, just to be extra safe.

    Satellite phones cost about $80 a week to rent, so we recommend grabbing one if you don’t plan on sticking close to the rest of the group and want to venture out into the wilderness alone.

  • There are lots of little supermarkets and food stops along the way, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to stock up as we go.

    Most of the campsites have camp kitchens and a lot have bistros or are near pubs and restaurants, so you can buy meals if you don’t feel like cooking.

  • Some of the campsites have washing machines and dryers available for a small fee, usually around $4. Most have a camp kitchen, which you can use to wash your dishes.

    Our support vehicle has hot water on board and an outdoor kitchen/washing up station for you to use at the camp sites where kitchens are not available.

Upcoming trips