Plan a road trip in Tasmania in a rental car
Situated just south of mainland Australia, the island of Tasmania is known for its beautiful coastal region, mountainous landscape, and rich wildlife. Tasmania’s compact size makes it a perfect place to plan road trips. Nowhere else you will see so much of natural beauty without covering hundreds of kilometers in one day. However, car rental in Tasmania is a must to explore the island at your own pace. As Tasmania is predominantly hilly, it offers tremendous opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and trekking.
Arriving in Tasmania
Rental car companies in Tasmania
Sixt Car Hire, Europcar, Alamo Rent a Car, Thrifty Car Rental, National Car Rental, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and East Coast Car Rentals are our rental car partners in Tasmania. Our partner suppliers offer rental vehicles at the following locations in Tasmania.
| Car Rental Supplier | Location | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Sixt Car Hire Tasmania | Launceston Airport | 129 Evandale Road, 7212 Launceston |
| Europcar Tasmania | Hobart City | 112 Harrington street, 7000 Hobart |
| Hobart Airport | Strachan St Cambridge TAS 7170 | |
| Launceston City | 80 Tamar street 7250 Launceston | |
| Launceston Airport | Terminal building, Launceston Airport 7212 Launceston | |
| Burnie Wynyard Airport | Terminal building, Burnie Wynyard Airport, 7325 Burnie – Wynyard | |
| Devonport Airport | Terminal building, Devonport Airport, 7310 Devonport | |
| Devonport City | 11 the esplanade, opposite ferry terminal, 7310 Devonport | |
| Devonport Ferry | Ferry terminal building, 7310 Devonport | |
| Alamo Rent a Car Tasmania | Hobart Airport | Car Rental Hall, Strachan Street Cambridge, Hobart TAS 7170 |
| Launceston Airport | In Terminal 201 Evandale Road Launceston, TAS 7212 | |
| Thrifty Car Rental Tasmania | Hobart Airport | Terminal Building, Hobart TAS 7170 |
| Hobart City | 65 Argyle Street, Hobart TAS 7000 | |
| Launceston Airport | Terminal Building, Launceston TAS 7250 | |
| Launceston City | 1A Hudson Fysh Drive, Launceston TAS 7212 | |
| National Car Rental Tasmania | Hobart Airport | Strachan Street Cambridge, Hobart 7170 |
| Launceston Airport | In Terminal, 201 Evandale Rd, Launceston 7212 | |
| Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tasmania | Downtown Launceston | 151-153 St John Street, Launceston, 7250 |
| Launceston Airport | In Terminal 201 Evandale Rd, WESTERN JUNCTION, Launceston, 7212 | |
| Hobart Airport | Car Rental Hall Strachan St, CAMBRIDGE, Hobart, 7170 | |
| Downtown Hobart | 67a Argyle Street, Hobart, 7000 | |
| East Coast Car Rentals Tasmania | Hobart Airport | 273 Kennedy Drive, Cambridge, TAS 7170 |
| Launceston Airport | 129 Evandale Drive, Western Junction, TAS 7212 |
A brief overview of the road trip
The best time to visit Tasmania is from December to March. Your road trip will start from Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, and while covering around 1,193 km (741 miles), it will end in Hobart. This ultimate Tasmania road trip is comfortably doable in about 2 weeks. Opt for a long-term Tasmania car hire to save on rental car costs. For the fact that Tasmania is largely made up of protected wildlife areas, hiring a 4WD car is recommended. Read our guide on 4WD car rental in Australia for more information.
Travel tip: Please note that national parks in Tasmania carry an entry fee. An easier option is to buy a pass for 8 weeks from the visitor center located at Cradle Mountain. National park permits’ prices range from $22 to $56 per vehicle.
Hobart
Hobart is one of the oldest cities in Australia. Owing to its location, Hobart happens to be the starting point for most of the leisure tourists arriving in Tasmania. The city is also known for its historic architecture, which dates back to the Victorian and Georgian eras. The most popular tourist attractions in Hobart include the following.
| Attraction | Address | Hours open | Car parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Wellington | South East Tasmania, Australia | 8 AM – 8 PM | Pinnacle Rd, Wellington Park TAS 7054, Australia |
| MONA | 655 Main Rd, Berriedale TAS 7011, Australia | 10 AM – 5 PM (Tuesday closed) | MONA car park |
| Salamanca Market | Salamanca Pl, Hobart TAS 7001, Australia | 8:30 AM – 3 PM (Opens on Saturday) | Trafalgar Pl, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia |
| Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens | Lower Domain Rd, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia | 8 AM – 5 PM | Lower Domain Rd, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia |
| Cascade Brewery | 131 Cascade Rd, South Hobart TAS 7004, Australia | 10 AM – 5:30 PM | Village Cinema Car Park |
Launceston
Situated in northern Tasmania, Launceston is settled on the confluence of North Esk and South Esk rivers. Another old city in Australia, Launceston is known for its well-preserved historic buildings. Located about 200 km away from Hobart, the city is an important tourism hub. Don’t forget to visit these places during your stay in Launceston.
| Attraction | Address | Hours open | Car parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cataract Gorge Reserve | 74-90 Basin Rd, West Launceston TAS 7250, Australia | 24 hours | Basin Rd, West Launceston TAS 7250, Australia |
| Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery | University of Tasmania, Inveresk Campus | 10 AM – 4 PM | 2 Invermay Rd, Invermay TAS 7248, Australia |
| Launceston City Park | 45-55 Tamar St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia | 7:30 AM – 7 PM | 48 Elizabeth St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia |
| Tasmania Zoo | 1166 Ecclestone Road, Riverside TAS 7250, Australia | 9 AM – 4:30 PM | Tasmania Zoo Car Park |
| James Boag Brewery Experience | 39 William St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia | 9:30 AM – 5 PM | 28 Seaport Blvd, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia |
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Located in Tasmania’s Central Highlands, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is about 141 kilometers away from Launceston. The wilderness reserve is popular for its numerous walking trails. Part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the national park is home to Cradle Mountain, Barn Bluff, Mount Pelion East, Mount Pelion West, Mount Ossa, and Lake St Clair. Driving from Launceston, you’ll reach the park’s northern entrance located at Sheffield Town in about 1.5 hours.
Freycinet National Park
Located on Tasmania’s east coast, Freycinet National Park is about 125 kilometers northeast of Hobart and 149 km southeast of Launceston. Named after Louis de Freycinet, a French navigator, the wilderness reserve is one of the oldest national parks in Tasmania. The park area is widely renowned for its pink granite formations, white sandy beaches, Wineglass Bay, and amazing birdlife. Your drive from Launceston to Freycinet National Park via the A3 Tasman Highway will take around 2.5 hours.
Port Arthur
A former convict settlement and small town on the Tasman Peninsula, Port Arthur is a heritage area. An open-air museum, the site features 11 penal sites built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Port Arthur is about 189 km south of Freycinet National Park. Port Arthur visitor center and ticket office open by 9 AM. Guided walking tours, Convict Water Supply Trail, Isle of the Dead cruise tour, and ghost tours at night are the most sought after ones among leisure tourists.
Bruny Island
Located off Tasmania’s southeast coast, Bruny Island is also called Lunawanna Allonah. Separated from mainland Tasmania by D’Entrecasteaux Channel, the island is famous for its panoramic views and wildlife. For taking your rental car to Bruny Island, you’ll have to first reach Kettering Town. Once you arrive here, the next step is to wait for your turn to get into the Bruny Island Ferry, which takes not more than 20 minutes to cross D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Please note that the ferry service begins at 6:30 AM until 7 PM on all days. Given below are the famous tourist attractions on Bruny Island.
| Attraction | Address | Hours open | Car parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Bruny Lighthouse Tours | 1750 Lighthouse Rd, South Bruny TAS 7150, Australia | 10 AM – 3:30 PM | 1750 Lighthouse Rd, South Bruny TAS 7150, Australia |
| South Bruny National Park | Bruny Island TAS 7150, Australia | 9 AM – 5 PM | Near Cape Bruny Lighthouse |
| Bruny Island Cheese Company | 1807 Bruny Island Main Rd, Great Bay TAS 7150, Australia | 9 AM – 5 PM | 1807 Bruny Island Main Rd, Great Bay TAS 7150, Australia |
| The Neck Lookout | North Bruny TAS 7150, Australia | 24 hours | North Bruny TAS 7150, Australia |
Mount Field National Park
Situated just 64 kilometers northwest of Hobart, Mount Field National Park came into existence in 1916. The oldest national park in Tasmania features world-famous attractions such as Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Lady Barron Falls, and Lake Dobson. Park area’s other prized possessions are one of the world’s tallest trees. Besides offering an abundance of flora and fauna, the protected area provides a great opportunity to enjoy stunning outdoor locations.
Whether you arrive in Tasmania via Hobart or Launceston, you can start with this road trip without any delay. Australia Rent Car, through its network of trusted suppliers, is always ready to offer low-cost car hire deals in Tasmania. Please go through our guide to a car rental in Australia If you need more information on car hire requirements, documentation, etc.
