Tassie enters battle for best drive

Forget the Great Ocean Road, Tassie reckons it has the nation's best coastal drive.

The 176-kilometre Great Eastern Drive between Orford and St Helens twists along the island's east coast taking in ocean views and rural vistas.

The Tasmanian government is upping the ante to promote the drive, which Tourism Minister and Premier Will Hodgman says is already attracting more people.

"We are putting up a challenge to other iconic roads like Victoria's Great Ocean Road for the title of Australia's top coastal drive," he said.

"The east coast has experienced a 16 per cent increase in visitors in the 12 months to March (and) I look forward to even more tourists discovering the east coast as a result of promoting the Great Eastern Drive."

While improvements to the roads have made for a more user-friendly experience, the Great Eastern Drive will be the subject of a television, online and social media campaign showcasing the townships and scenery along the trail.