Tasmania has three pick-up points that matter: Hobart Airport for the south and east coast, Launceston Airport for Cradle Mountain and the north-east, and Devonport for the Spirit of Tasmania and the north-west. Hobart to Launceston is about 200 km and 2 hours 20 minutes, so a one-way trip between the two airports is a common plan. The default limit on gravel roads is 80 km/h and every Tasmanian national park needs a parks pass, so read the rules below before you book.
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The search starts at Hobart Airport [HBA]; change the pick-up to any airport or city. Prices are in Australian dollars.
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The default speed limit on gravel roads is 80 km/h, and the Road Safety Advisory Council tells drivers to slow down on winding, gravel or icy roads. Check your rental agreement for what it says about unsealed roads before you head for one.
All 19 Tasmanian national parks need a parks pass. If you buy one online for a hire car and do not have the registration yet, choose the HIRE option in the registration section. The Holiday Vehicle Pass covers one vehicle and up to 7 passengers for up to 2 months, and the 24-hour pass excludes Icon parks such as Cradle Mountain.
Private vehicles cannot use Dove Lake Road while the shuttle bus is running, and campervans, motorhomes, caravans and trailers are never allowed on it. The shuttle costs $15.50 per adult (the Parks & Wildlife Service lists this for visitors without a Cradle Mountain Icon Parks Pass or Overland Track Pass). Hours run from 8:45am to 4pm in mid-May to September and 8:10am to 7pm from December to February.
Official advice is to slow down and look out for animals on the road, especially at dawn and dusk.
The Road Safety Advisory Council suggests planning no more than 300 km per day and notes that 150 km may take 2 hours. Discover Tasmania makes the same point: there are no major freeways, and many roads are unsealed or winding.
Visitors can drive on an overseas licence for up to six months while it stays current. If the licence is not in English, carry an international driving permit or an English translation by an accredited translator. Speed cameras operate in Tasmania.
Late December to February
The Cradle Mountain shuttle runs 8:10am to 7pm from late December to February, its longest published hours.
Mid-May to September
Cradle Mountain shuttle hours shrink to 8:45am to 4pm. The Road Safety Advisory Council warns of black ice and moss on shady roads, so leave more time for each leg.
From 31 October 2026
Spirit of Tasmania's new ships start sailing and the new Devonport terminal opens, and the schedule will only include night sailings. Check your arrival time against rental desk hours.
All year
Hobart to Devonport is about 280 km and 3 hours 15 minutes, and Discover Tasmania says you can cross the island in under 3.5 hours, but with no major freeways allow more time once you stop.
Where the answer depends on your rental agreement, we say so rather than guess.
It depends on your route. Hobart Airport suits the south and east coast, Launceston Airport suits Cradle Mountain and the north-east, and Devonport suits the ferry from Geelong. Hobart to Launceston is about 200 km (2 hours 20 minutes), so a one-way hire between the two airports is an option. Whether a one-way fee applies depends on the company and shows in the search results.
Spirit of Tasmania takes cars and 4WDs, but hire car rules are set by each rental company. Check your rental company's agreement before you book a ferry crossing with a hire car.
It changes by date and car class, so compare both on the same dates in the search box above. Include the one-way option if you are flying into one airport and out of the other.
Yes. All 19 Tasmanian national parks need a pass. Buy one online and select HIRE in the registration section if you do not have the registration yet. If the car changes, email the Visitor Services Team with your pass number and the new registration.
Minimum age, young-driver fees, child seats and vehicle classes are set by each rental company and shown in the search results and the booking conditions. Filter for the vehicle class you need before you pay.
It depends on your route. The default speed limit on gravel roads is 80 km/h, and Discover Tasmania notes that many roads are unsealed or winding. Check your rental agreement for what it says about unsealed roads before you plan a gravel route.
Yes, for up to six months while the licence is current. If it is not in English, carry an international driving permit or an English translation by an accredited translator as well.