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Tasmania is deceptively big and getting around the island takes time and planning. Many people travel to Tasmania with the expectation that everything is easily accessed as we're such a 'small island'. Whilst this is true for the most part, our wild and natural landscapes make for some fantastic drives, however, you may want to consider breaking your travel days up, slowing down and taking time to stop and smell the freshest air in the world... Seriously!
There is, of course, more than one way to get around though, so we've popped the below information together to help you decide the best way for you:
Driving is perhaps the best and certainly the most efficient way of getting around Tasmania. Cars, caravans and motorbikes can be brought to Tasmania on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry service from Melbourne, or can be hired prior to your arrival and picked up from the airport and in major town centres.
Hire cars and caravans do book out very quickly over peak tourist seasons, such as the summer school holiday period between late December and early February as well as during the Dark Mofo winter festival, so it is a good idea to book in advance.
Contact us to arrange a quote.
Driving is a wonderful way to see the Tasmanian countryside, and most Tasmanian roads are easy to travel on, however, certain areas (such as the West Coast and areas of the East Coast) are notoriously steep and windy and should be taken with extra care.
If you are travelling at dusk or night-time please be cautious of local wildlife who may leap out on our roads, such as kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, or wombats.
There are also some off-road gravel tracks in Tasmania – these should only be taken by experienced drivers in appropriate vehicles and it is always wise to ask for local advice before using them. Find out more on the Department of State Growth website.
Be aware that dusk and dawn is when many of our native animals are more active, therefore there is more risk of hitting a wild animal if travelling in remote areas during these times. Many of our animals are nocturnal, which means that they come out at night and are more at risk of death on our roads. Many of our unique and endangered wildlife, such as quolls and devils are at higher risk between dusk and dawn.
If driving during this time, especially during sunset, or sunrise, slow down and stay aware. If you do see an animal on the road, don’t swerve, but brake carefully if it is safe to do so.
For information for what to do for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife, go here.
You can fly over Tasmania for a unique birds eye view of our spectacular wilderness. Whether you're flying from Hobart to Strahan, or over to King Island, on a clear day you might just make out how our landscape was formed by ice age glaciers and twisting rock formations. Small planes are also popular among walkers of the south west track, flying into Melaleuca on a regular service with Par Avion and walking the six day trek back to Cockle Creek in the state's south.
Helicopters are a also regular site across the state, with helipads dotted around the countryside beside luxury accommodation and remote islands off the east coast of Tasmania. Finally, Hobart's seaplane service, Above and Beyond, can take you to a number of coastal locations as well as to Lake St Clair.
Search here, or contact us for a range of accredited tour and charter flight operators to help plan your visit to Tasmania.
Metro Tasmania offers regular bus services in Tasmania’s major centres, including Hobart, Burnie and Launceston. You can find out more, and download bus timetables and route maps on the Metro Tasmania website or download the free Metro Tas App at:
App Store (for iOs devices)
Google Play (for Android devices).
Tassielink and Redline coach services offer the most extensive services throughout Tasmania, and are the only forms of public transport that travel to some of the more remote areas within Tasmania. Transport to Tasmania’s regional areas, some of which include popular tourist destinations, can be difficult to organise as some services may only offer one bus every few days and at inconvenient times.
Visitors wanting to travel around the island by bus should make sure they have plenty of flexibility in their travel itinerary and be prepared to stay overnight in order to make connections to regional areas. If you have an idea of what you would like to include on your itinerary, but need assistance mapping it out, contact us, or visit the Tassielink and Redline websites for more information.
Cycling is an increasingly popular way to see some parts of Tasmania. Popular routes include the east coast, Tasman Peninsula, Huon Valley, Bruny Island or the Tasmanian Trail. Bicycles can also be hired to sight see around the major cities.
Visit the Bicycle Network Tasmania website for more information.
Image credits: Flow Mountain Bike (Touring – Queenstown), Tourism Australia & Graham Freeman (Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus - Flinders Island), Tourism Australia and Grahan Freeman (Melaleuca airstrip - Par Avion Wilderness Tours: South West Half Day Tour)
