The island of Tasmania is mainly explored by car — it is even essential, public transport being very limited outside Hobart and Launceston.
Direct flight to Hobart (HBA): Sydney 1h45 (AUD 200-400 return Qantas/Virgin/Jetstar), Melbourne 1h (AUD 150-300 return, the shortest and most frequent route), Brisbane 2h30 (AUD 250-450), Perth 5h via Melbourne (AUD 350-550). HBA airport 15 km from city centre, SkyBus shuttle AUD 20 return or AUD 50-60 taxi.
Flight to Launceston (LST) in the north: similar in duration and prices. Practical if you start with Cradle Mountain (3h drive from LST vs 4h30 from HBA) or Tamar Valley (30 min).
Spirit of Tasmania ferry (TT-Line, Melbourne Geelong → Devonport in northern Tasmania): overnight ferry 10h, departure 7-8pm, arrival 6-7am. Prices: AUD 200-400/person in cabin, possibility to embark your car (AUD 350-500 return vehicle) — useful if you arrive from Melbourne with your own long-term rental vehicle or campervan. Slow, nostalgic and economical option (but ferry trip counts for 2 trip days).
On arrival, car rental is ESSENTIAL. Public transport is limited to Hobart urban network (Metro Tasmania, bus, AUD 4-7 ticket) and Launceston, plus Tassielink Transit (long-distance bus Hobart-Launceston-Devonport-Cradle Mountain — possible but limited frequencies and long times).
Car rental: AUD 40-80/day (Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Bargain Car Rentals more economical). Book in advance in high season. Left-hand driving mandatory. Roads generally good but winding in the mountains (Cradle Mountain notably) — caution and long journey. No highway (except M1 Hobart-Launceston section in project). Watch for wild animals at sunrise and sunset (wombats, kangaroos, possums, Tasmanian devils — frequent collisions, mandatory slowed driving).
Typical internal distances: Hobart → Cradle Mountain 4h30 (350 km), Hobart → Freycinet 2h30 (180 km), Hobart → Port Arthur 1h30 (95 km), Hobart → Launceston 2h30 (200 km), Launceston → Cradle Mountain 3h (200 km), Launceston → Tamar Valley 30 min.
For Bruny Island, ferry from Kettering (south of Hobart, 35 min): 20 min crossing, AUD 40 return vehicle. No mandatory booking but possible queues in high season.
Read also
- Hobart — Tasmania's capital: MONA, Salamanca Market, Mount Wellington, Battery Point.
- Sydney and east coast — To combine with Tasmania: Sydney-Hobart flight 1h45, perfect continental Australia + island duo.
- Melbourne and Victoria — Melbourne-Hobart 1h flight or Spirit of Tasmania ferry (10h from Geelong).
- Australia — Complete guide: world's 6th country, eVisitor formalities, budget, best time.