Can you drive up kunanyi / Mount Wellington?
Yes, you can drive the sealed Pinnacle Road from Hobart to the kunanyi / Mount Wellington summit when it is open. The summit is 21 km and about 30 minutes from the CBD, but snow, ice, danger or congestion can close the road without a predictable reopening time. Check the City of Hobart road-status map before leaving; a 4WD or chains do not exempt a car from a closure.
Updated
Key facts
- Hobart to summit
- 21 km and about 30 minutes
- Summit elevation
- 1,271 m above sea level
- Road surface
- Pinnacle Road is a sealed alpine road
- Road closure
- Snow, ice, danger or congestion can close the road
- Road status
- City of Hobart updates its status page when it changes
- Bus alternative
- Explorer Bus can operate during closures if conditions allow
Hobart CBD to kunanyi / Mount Wellington summit
21 km · about 30 minutes
Hobart CBD
Start of the 21 km summit journey.
The Springs
Road may open only this far during partial closures.
Summit
At 1,271 m, conditions can differ from Hobart.
- kunanyi / Mount Wellington summit
What is the normal Hobart-to-summit drive?
The summit is 21 km from Hobart CBD and about a 30-minute drive in open conditions. Pinnacle Road is sealed, narrow and alpine; the summit is 1,271 m above sea level, so city weather is not a reliable proxy for the top.
Allow time to stop at a legal viewpoint and to drive back down. A half-day mountain outing is easier to adjust than a fixed summit appointment after a flight or before a rental return.
Where is the current Pinnacle Road status?
The City of Hobart updates its road-status page when conditions change. The road can close for snow, ice, unsafe conditions or traffic congestion, including in advance of severe weather. Check that page immediately before setting out, not just a generic route app.
The road-status map may show an older update date when there has been no status change. Interpret the current status itself; do not infer that an old timestamp means the gate is open or the map is broken.
What if the road opens only to The Springs?
The road may open only as far as The Springs while the upper section is cleared. That is a lower-mountain visit, not summit access. Do not drive beyond a closed gate or park at a turn-around on the upper road.
There are no safe places to park large numbers of cars or turn around between The Springs and Big Bend. If your main purpose is a summit view, wait for a confirmed full reopening or change plans.
Can a hire car go up in snow?
A sealed road is not blanket rental permission for snow or alpine travel. Check your supplier’s written terms for the vehicle, chains and weather exclusions. When Pinnacle Road is closed to cars, the closure applies even to 4WDs and vehicles with chains.
The Explorer Bus may operate during a road closure if conditions allow. It is an alternative to enquire about, not a guaranteed summit service on every snow day.
What about walking when the car gate is closed?
You can walk up the road when the gate is closed, but snow-clearing work may be underway and alpine conditions change quickly. The summit is exposed to wind gusts that can exceed 100 km/h.
A short safe visit at the open lower section is a different choice from walking a long road to the summit. Check conditions and your own preparation before leaving the car; do not treat a closed driving route as a simple on-foot detour.
Compare cars at Hobart Airport
Prices are shown in Australian dollars. Check the pickup point and what the agreement allows on the roads in this guide before you book.
Preparing live car hire search
Questions people ask
Can I drive to the kunanyi summit?
Yes when Pinnacle Road is open; the normal drive is about 21 km and 30 minutes from Hobart CBD.
Is Pinnacle Road open today?
Use the City of Hobart road-status map immediately before travel; this guide does not mirror its changing status.
Will a 4WD or snow chains let me through a closure?
No. City of Hobart closures apply to cars regardless of 4WD or chains.
Can I stop at The Springs if the summit road is closed?
Sometimes the road is open only as far as The Springs. Follow the current status and stop only where allowed.
Can a hire car use Mount Wellington road?
The road is sealed, but the rental agreement may restrict alpine or snow travel. Check the supplier terms for your booking.