contents
World > Australia > TAS > Hobart > Get There & Stay Where?
Hobart: Get There & Stay Where?
Updated: 2024
OVERVIEW
Options for getting to Hobart are somewhat limited by Tasmania's island location. Flying is by far the easiest option with Hobart's airport being small but amply provisioned and in a convenient enough location.
The only other way to access Hobart is via the 'Spirit of Tasmania' ferry that runs between Melbourne and Devonport. There is no train service in Tasmania but there is a dedicated scheduled coach to Hobart (via Launceston) that is timed to meet the ferry. Alternatively, you could take your own car with you. See all the details below.
How To Get To Hobart
Flights To Hobart
Hobart has it's own airport located across the Tasman bridge from the CBD. Major domestic airlines flying into Hobart include Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar.
From Sydney
Virgin and Qantas fly a couple of times each per day with Jetstar up to 4 times. 2hr flight time.
From Melbourne
Virgin, Qantas and Jetstar fly a handful of times each per day, and Rex once, from Tullamarine.
1hr15min flight time.
From Brisbane
Virgin, Qantas and Jetstar all fly once per day. 2hr50min flight time.
From Gold Coast
Jetstar have one direct flight per day. 2hr40min flight time.
From Adelaide
Virgin have one direct flight per day with Jetstar having a direct flight on selected days. 1hr50min flight time.
From Perth
Only Virgin have a direct flight scheduled, on selected days. 3hr45min flight time.
From Darwin
There are no direct flights from Darwin to Hobart.
From Canberra
Qantas and Link Airways have one direct flight each on selected days. 1hr35min flight time.
From Regional Areas
There are currently no regional flights after previous routes through Sharp Airlines to the Bass Strait islands, King Island, and Flinders Island, were cancelled.
Ready to check Flight rates and availability?
Virgin Australia are up there with Qantas in terms of quality of service and they have an extensive number of routes across Australia. Click the image to see what options they have for you to experience an exemplary start to your trip.
If you want to check up on Jetstar, it is best to book through their site directly at jetstar.com as this gives you the best price and full availability. Just remember that checked luggage costs extra.
For flights with Qantas, try looking at auntbetty.com which is operated by Flight Centre. It's an easy to use flight search website that gives you the true price (unlike others, that show dodgy prices) and back-up support from your local Flight Centre store.
Travel Unpacked is supported financially by affiliate links. This means that, should you click on a link to a hotel or airline website, for example, we receive a small commission. The price that you pay is not affected by this. Find out more about this on our About page.
"These links are recommended because I use them myself. They are easy to use sites, offer excellent service, and are sites that I would suggest to my friends and family if they asked."
Christopher Jubb, Travel Unpacked Founder
Getting from the Airport to the city
Hobart's CBD is located about a 20min drive from the airport.
Skybus is the 'turn up and go' bus service between the CBD and the airport. They run every 30min and tickets can be bought online or at the counter. There are 6 stops around the small CBD, so it should be easy enough for you to walk to your accommodation. Tickets are $19.50 each way or $36 return with kids travelling for free. Click here for more info.
Taxis and Uber both offer pick up from right outside the terminal. Expect to pay around $50 for the trip with a taxi.
All major car rental companies are located at the airport should you need one for an extended trip.
Sustainability Tip
Flying emits large amounts of carbon emissions, but taking the ferry may emit just as much (when contacted, they wouldn't tell us how much), so it is difficult to reduce emissions to get to Tasmania.
Either way, at least offset your carbon emissions, and when you get there, avoid petrol cars as much as you can by using public transport.
Read our 'How to travel sustainably' guide for more tips and information.
Ferry to Hobart
The 'Spirit of Tasmania' ferry from Melbourne to Devonport, in the north of the island, is an option if you want to avoid flying or to bring your own car.
Sailings normally depart in the evening and travel overnight. There is usually an additional daytime sailing during summer though.
Fares vary depending on season and vehicle but can be high at upwards of $500 each way for 1 person, 1 car and a private cabin.
Click here for more information.
Coach
Redline operate a daily coach called the Redline Express that runs to and from the 'Spirit of Tasmania' ferry each day, to Hobart, with a stop in Launceston. This is scheduled with the ferry departure and arrival times. Fares are $85 each way. More details on their website here.
Drive
It takes just over 3 hours to drive down national highway 1 from the 'Spirit of Tasmania' ferry port to Hobart. The drive is through sparsely populated areas but you do pass close enough to Launceston to stop for a few hours or days, and there are a few small historic towns worth dropping into such as Ross and Campbell Town.
If you do bring your car with you all this way though, it's worth taking some time to see other parts of Tasmania. You could drive down the east coast to Hobart and see the bay of fires and wineglass bay. Or down the western side, you can stop at Cradle Mountain and see the beautiful wilderness around Strahan and the Franklin river.
Hobart waterfront © Travel Unpacked
Cruise Ship
Hobart is a popular stop for mid-size cruise ships as well as smaller boutique ships or expeditions. The dock is conveniently right next to the CBD.
Most of the major cruise lines have itineraries that call at Hobart. Trips include smaller vessels that cruise around Tasmania, larger ships from other coastal Australian destinations or departures to New Zealand or even Antarctica.
Where To Stay In Hobart
Hotels in Hobart
Hobart is small and walkable, so the main aim in choosing where to stay should be that it is in or near to the CBD. This will make it easy to get to all the main attractions.
There may be some hotels, like that pictured above, outside of the CBD that may tempt you, especially the opportunity to stay at MONA. Fortunately Hobart has a great bus network and is small enough to Uber to different places without costing too much.
Hotel in Hobart © Travel Unpacked
Ready to check Hotel rates and availability?
Booking.com is one of the most popular hotel booking websites, they have a wide range of accommodation types and they often have free cancellation, so you can always book and lock in your room with the option to cancel it later. Click the image to see what amazing hotel you could be staying at soon.
We also like Hotels.com who offer an excellent user friendly website, good service, and a good loyalty program where you get a free night for every 10 nights you book through them.
Travel Unpacked is supported financially by affiliate links. This means that, should you click on a link to a hotel or airline website, for example, we receive a small commission. The price that you pay is not affected by this. Find out more about this on our About page.
"These links are recommended because I use them myself. They are easy to use sites, offer excellent service, and are sites that I would suggest to my friends and family if they asked."
Christopher Jubb, Travel Unpacked Founder
Air BnB
There are some options on Air BnB, so it's worth checking what they have available. This option may be particularly attractive in Hobart as some are located within historic houses that will add a relaxed old world charm to your trip. Plus, with Hobart being so small, it's likely that you can find a great place that's within walking distance of the CBD.
Backpackers
Hobart has at least 7 hostels to choose from, plenty of them being decent, and they are all in and around the CBD.
Camping
There are no campsites or caravan parks on the Hobart side of the Derwent river other than the showgrounds, but there are a few on the other side of the Tasman bridge that are only a 10 to 15min drive away from the city centre and most accessible by bus from right outside the campsite.
Hobart Showgrounds has a basic campground with powered and un-powered sites and is the closest to the CBD. A bus stop is close by as are many facilities and shops, including a cinema. More info here.
Discovery Parks Mornington Hobart is the close to the city and has a bus stop directly outside but it is lacking in charm and only has cabins available, so no room for a caravan or tent. More info here.
Discovery Hobart is mostly cabins, but has a few powered sites available. It is a little north of the city and accessible by bus from directly outside. More info here.
Barilla Holiday Park, located east of the city, has options for cabins, caravans and camping and is adjacent to the Barilla Putt and Play. A bus stop to the city is a short walk away. More info here.
The Big 4 Airport Tourist park is located further east and of course, near the airport. It has lots of cabins and powered sites. There is no public transport access. More info here.
Need the detailed information? Go to the third page of our guide for all the 'Essential info' like getting around, food, shopping, and much more.
Or go back to page 1 to discover all the 'Things to do'.
AUTHORED BY
Christopher Jubb, Founder of Travel Unpacked
More information available on our About page
more Destination guides
